Hot and Getting Hotter
The forecast for the next 30 days is a daily low of 95 and highs in the 130s. Going to be the hottest part of the year. It doesn’t really feel as hot now as it did when I first got in-country, but that’s just …
Blog Posts
MANY articles on a wide array of topics. You’ll find a lot of my newer content is going to my YouTube channel first, but I do still blog occasionally.
Credit Cards and Phone Cards
Some more FYI info for anybody getting called up… There are ATM machines as far as Kuwait, but none in Iraq that I’ve seen. For cash, you need to go to Finance and either cash a check or get a draw from your …
Fun in the Sun
It’s been a few days since I’ve had a chance to post. Blew some stuff up today (yay!). I’ve been out on a few more missions in the meantime including one a couple of days ago that involved a decent …
USA Today Seeking IRR Soldiers for Interviews
USA today seeking to reach other IRR soldiers being activated.
Pentagon Still Resists Increases in Army Active Duty Roster
Commentary on the Pentagon's resistance to increasing Army troop strength despite heavy reliance on reserves and IRR soldiers.
First Offbase Contact with Iraqis
Well, I got my first experience with the locals today when we did a drive through a village area today. I was in the back of an APC in a small convoy; basically we were just patrolling and trying to find out what was in …
First Day Of Real Work
Today was my first mission outside the base camp. I’m serving as a platoon leader for a combat engineer line platoon. There’s actually a PL already here whom I’m shadowing until he leaves in a few weeks …
A few more useful items
1. FRS Radio and/or GPS. The Rino 120 works as both but chews through batteries. The radios can be useful for non-tactical usage on bases. 2. Name tapes - you’ll want some extra ones of these for your bags, IBV …
My New Home Away From Home
Publicly available information about FOB Caldwell, Kirkush Military Training Base, and Balad Ruz after arriving in Iraq.