MD,

Ya bugger, I'm not "old," I'm "well seasoned."

I did get to shoot a lot last week. We did three days of base defense training where we conducted "security gate entry operations," QRF (quick reaction force) training, and tower operations. The security gate was just searching folks, reacting to direct and indirect fire (with the occasional VBIED), QRF is grabbing your "kit" and running to the burm and engaging targets, and tower op's is sitting in the tower and scanning. Targets "pop up" and you engage. Hard (you have to work at it) to miss with the 4x Aimpoint sight. I had over 180 rounds and only had three misses. That was only until I stopped trying for half a head shot on the one "guy" hiding in a "building" and just shot through the wall.

I think I already mentioned that we trained with "non-lethal" munitions for the shotgun and grenade launcher. The term "non-lethal" though is actually based on distance. Within 10 meters it'll kill ya just as quick as standard munitions. We were shown pictures of people shot within 10 meters with the shotguns rubber sabot rounds and there was a "thru and thru" on some guys upper arm. Kind of an ugly picture, meant to demonstrate the limitations of the rounds.

I've finally been declared "fit to deploy" by the doctors and such, though somebody still wants to have a "chat" about the medication I take for my "seasoned" joints. What ever.

My M-9 was brand new upon issue, yet it already has "character" as we have to wear it all the time and it takes a beating even in the holster. Today I had to step around some guy in a chair and the butt brushed against the cinder block wall, thus some what "sanding" the right grip and edge of the magazine well. I must of sent up a blue cloud for at least five minutes after examining my pistol later. Fortunately the Chaplin's weren't in the TOC right then so I didn't offend their sensibilities. Then too even sitting in a chair with armrests rubs off the finish.

We've got another three weeks, then on to Kuwait for a few days, then into Iraq.

Eric

The last few days (five to be exact) have been a "wowzer" to be sure. I had to do a split shift for three days, taking a class on the new computer tracking/map board/communication system. It is a dilly and I came away from that with my head hurting. Of course that may have also be a result of the two hours sleep I was getting between the class and my "night shift job" as Battle NCO for the TOC. The same day the class started my battalion commenced it's tactical operations training and we started running 24 hour operations for mounted patrol and convoy escort. Until the class finished I was one grumpy son of a gun.

Day four I got to work all night and then go on a mounted patrol as a driver for my company's vehicle. It was just me, a lieutenant, and a gunner. She did a swell job, but we were lucky enough that our vehicle didn't get "hit", we just basically provided security for the dismounts from the company we were tagging along with. The patrol did well, there were several areas that could us some tightening up, but generally alright. One thing that disturbed me a great deal was an incident where the patrol stopped to investigate a possible IED and the dismounts slipped into the tree line. About ten yards in man got up and started to run, no weapons visable. The dismounts "killed" him, then searched the "body." Found some IED components. Later I mentioned during the AAR that he had been unarmed, the concensus was that "he ran, so he's gotta be a bad guy." The "Observer/Controller" seemed to agree. This scared me a lot. Enough that I took this tidbit of information back and passed it up. We'll see what happens. The ROE states that "You will not fire upon anyone not committing a hostile act." Seems to me running is not considered a hostile act. This entails that a bad guy might, just might get away, but we're not supposed to be killing civilians. At least that was what I thought.

The lieutenant I work for is a "pistol" and a good reason that I'm glad I don't have too much time left in the Army. Reminds me of Patton without the rank, and he thinks he knows it all. Doesn't need nor take advice from the likes of me. I gotta work with him, I don't have to like him. Don't get me wrong, he's sharp as a tack, but me thinks that he's still got a lot of growing to do. Hope he learns before he alienates his whole staff.

The weather has been really hot, 107 the other day, and butt dragging humid. An hour ago we had a short lightening storm with a strike right next to the TOC. I wasn't in there. I had just woken up and was getting cleaned up for duty.

Anyway, just a short note to let you guys know I'm still hanging in there.

Eric

Finally, a decision has been made. We fly out the morning of the 10th. The good news is that IOTV (the latest body armor) can be packed in the ruck sack, we won't have to wear it on and off the plane. Good news indeed. The bad news is that we'll have to live out of our ruck sacks (which will have the armor, chemical suit and mask and our toothbrush in it) for up to a week if the plane is over weight and duffle bags have to be off loaded for later transport. Swell.

The computers I've been using for internet access will be packed up and turned in this morning, so no idea when (or if) I'll get a chance to check in again. I'm on duty in the computer lab right now as it was my idea to try to get it open for these last few hours so that the soldiers would have last minute access if needed. As it is set up in the TMC (medical clinic) it was only supposed to be open after 1500 each day when it closed. As the last few weeks have been "running hard and put away wet" access has been iffy, so I've come over here several times on my "off time" so that the soldiers would have a means to talk to home and get business done.

The Major in charge of the TMC was gracious enough to allow my plan as long as it doesn't get in the way of her treatment of sick call soldiers. Fair enough. No telling if anyone will get in here before it's broken down, but at least there is a small window of opportunity.

It's been nice to be able to "get here" these last few days and some of the posts have been pretty entertaining. It was not good to hear of Chu Lai 68's death, especially from an auto accident. However, most old warriors I know would rather check out that way instead of dying old, withered, and possibly in pain, in a bed. He will be missed, but not forgotten by those whose lives he has touched. Your really not gone until the last of those whose lives you have touched join you.

Semper Gumby (always flexible),

eb

A 100 minute card gets you 20 minutes phone time here, so, Thanks Mr. Novak, your are a swell guy.

As for a direct delivery, the only way I know is to give my APO as the receiving address. Other than that I'm clueless. Which seems to be pretty normal lately.

And thanks for the compliment, but I stopped being "handsom" years ago. Darn it.

eb