Katrina

As I've been watching coverage of Hurricane Katrina the thought occurred to me that what those people are going through is probably a lot like what the people in Iraq went through when we invaded. Granted, bombs dropping are a bit more severe than a hurricane--but I could see how our military blasting across the border would give a similar reaction. At least we're sticking around to help clean up the mess.

Ok...jitters are oficially starting to set in. When it comes down to it this is just something I've never done before so I'm just a little nervous. Fortunately I'm going in a large group so worst-case I'll just follow the crowd. Tomorrow and Wednesday I get to go roll around in the mud and pretend I'm escorting a convoy--not quite sure why we get this training but it's mandatory for everyone. I guess the intent is just to get all of those that are going to Baghdad as well as us going to Qatar.

Emily has been dealing with the whole morning/midday/afternoon/evening sickness from the baby. We should be having our first appointment this week. Last report was that she's 8 weeks along with a due date of April 10th. Given her history of being early I'm guessing he'll (we actually think its a she) be here around the same time Sammy showed up (early-mid March). Either way, God willing, I'll be here for the last couple of months when it really gets fun.

Please say a prayer for those in the path of the Hurricane today--it looks like they're going to need it.

random, military

Michael Yon

Today's link is a milblog by a reporter named Michael Yon, who is stationed with troops in Iraq. His posts are lengthy (he's written books) but extremely gripping reading. It amazes me that this is going on today, as we speak. Not quite the experience that I will be having in Qatar--but good reading nonetheless. The guys over there are the real heroes--I'm just watching them from afar. So don't read mine today--go read his. It's amazing.

blogging, military

Stress Training

Sometimes the military baffles me with the way they think they "handle" things. Today's big event was "anti-stress training." I guess they've had their share of people go 10,000 miles away from friends and family into a combat zone and come back "not quite right." So the fix here is for them to give us a mandatory briefing saying essentially "deal with the stress--have a good day." While over there they said that I should work out (as if there is anything else to do) and be with friends (as if I have anything else to do--I guess I'll be with friends while working out). The thing that bothers me the most is that when Airman Snuffy comes back all messed up from being forced to work a convoy instead of sitting behind a desk like he's supposed to this little 15 minute waste of time will relieve the military from taking total responsibility for it.

On a more positive note--I finished the first part of my Physical Fitness test today with flying colors by running my 1.5 mile in 11:42. Faster than I have run since college. Still not losing any weight but that's really not what I'm concerned with at this point.

I would expect a post on here from me at least every other day from here on out. Tomorrow afternoon marks the 2 weeks remaining mark. Posts may drop off during my first few days there but I'll bring everyone up to speed quickly.

If you're bored slap your tack up on my guest-map on the side. I doubt I'll get more than a few from family and friends but you never know.

military

Vacation's Over

Sorry for the delay...took my last week off before I leave in a couple of weeks up in Omaha with my family. Kids are starting to realize that I'm going away. Sarah seems ok--she has bouts where she gets depressed but she deals with it. Sammy has deeper issues. We've gotten a lot closer over the past few months and he's practically my shadow now. I'm very nervous as to how he's going to deal with this.

Due to my vacation I missed the "convenient" deployment line while I was gone. So now I get to spend my time playing catch-up. I've had more needles stuck in me this week than I care to, and I still have immunizations to contend with at the end of the week. They say that Qatar is a low-threat environment--I'm not taking chances. Most people lose a lot of weight when they go there due to a lack of things to do besides work out; I'm getting in the best shape I can before I go in case I need it when I hit the ground. On top of that, I've been riding a cush desk job for 8 months now (a miserable job, but cush) working 8 hours a day with weekends off. The guy I'm replacing said the only complaint he had about his actual job was that he was on his 92nd day straight without a break. And they work 12 hour shifts. I'm thinking that being in shape would be a good thing.

On another note--I found out today that I'm going to be a father for the third time. We tried to time it so that Em wouldn't have to be 8 months prego in the Arizona heat of July. I'll miss the four months in between, but at least I have another thing to dream about while in the desert.

family, military

My Babies

More meetings, more training. I think the difficult part here is trying to maintain a dual-focus of my current job as well as looking toward getting out of here. Apprehension hasn't really set in. After all, the location I'm going to doesn't seem to be as hard-core as the Army guys have to do. We should have nice billets, some restaurants nearby.

Still running every day. Emily's been going with me too, trying to stay in shape in hopes of becoming pregnant before I deploy. It's going to be hard--going through the pregnancy alone. But she's a strong person. I just wish I could be here to help.

Here's my current 3 babies--I think the separation from the little ones will be the hardest part.

family, military

Moving Ahead

Finally the wheels are starting to turn. Got our uniforms at least fitted today--first time I've put on BDU's (DCU's in the desert) in many years. I'm one of the only that hasn't deployed at all for any appreciable length of time so where most only get one or two things, I get the whole shootin' match.

My son started to show signs that he may not be "OK" with me going this weekend. After I returned from a 2-week TDY he sat down with me and explained how he doesn't want me to go to work anymore. I tried to explain the deployment to him but at his age I think 4 months is hard for him to grasp.

family, military