Safe in Kuwait

Hey everyone, well I'm here in Kuwait, man what a flight!! We left from Wa in the middle of the night. We flew east over the U.S. then to Shannon Ireland we were only there for a few minutes so I didn't get any pictures. It was cool that I can say I was kinda there, then from there we went straight to Kuwait. Total time was about 13 hours not to bad. We got here early in the morning, and ate breakfast at the first base we went to, from there we traveled another hour to the base that we stay on for now. The weather has been tolerable, not to hot, not to cold. The tents we stay in have a heater in them so at night when it's really cold we just turn the heat on. We sleep in sleeping bags, on cots. It's ok, I'm safe so that's whats important. I've heard that everything at Lindsey's baby shower went well, thanks to her Aunt Pam, I was able to see some pictures from the shower. I can't tell you guys when I'm leaving Kuwait, and were I'm going because of OPSEC. Once I get there I will let you guys know how everything is and what I can tell you. For those of you that don't have my mailing address you will have to get ahold of Lindsey, or my mom. Well thanks for checking on the blog, talk to you soon.

stay tuned

where we live

My Squad "Mongoose" after training in Yakima

Hey everyone, well training is pretty much done with. I'm sure you all know that I got to go home for the holiday! It was great lots of time with Lindsey, Christian, and Cheech!! It's crazy you don't realize you miss something so much until you get back to it. I mean don't get me wrong I missed them all everyday, but with training and everything you don't have the time to think about much more than the task at hand. It was great to be home I wish of course that it could have lasted longer, and I could have gotten more done. We did get a few MAJOR things taken care of. I found out that I missed the exam by only 10 points, maybe next time. We got Christian into pre-school. I got to see a sonogram of our new baby that we also found out was a BOY!! Lindsey had a Hawaiian baby shower...which will be followed by the one that she's having with her family and Washington friends. We also got ourselves a new place. Yes that's right we're moving again! With the addition to the family we are allowed to get a 3 bedroom now!







We went into the housing office, and didn't think they would give us a place on site. We went in there trying to just get on the waiting list, and that would have been fine. Lindsey would have had a little more time to get stuff packed and all...the downfall of course would be that Lindsey would also have a 3 month old to add along with in the chaos of moving. Well we went in and didn't have an appointment, but someone didn't show, so they got our paperwork done very quickly, and moved us over to get put on the wait list. Well the girls there must have liked our family because they found us a place were we wanted, and got us a move in date with in 15 min of being there!!!!! Man they were really good. So now Jan 10 2008 Lindsey will be moving to our new place. It's not far from where we're at now, but it's sooo much bigger...right now we have aprox. 949 sq ft. well the new places upstairs is aprox. 946 sq ft....for a total of 1762 sq ft. It's not really allot but with as much stuff as we have it will be better.





With all good news comes bad news as well. I still am going to leave for Iraq. There was talk about some people not going and just finishing the training and coming home. Now I know I'm not one of those people, and I don't think anyone from our battalion is. It looks like it will only be for 9 mos. in country, which in comparison to Army, and Marine Corps isn't bad (they do 15-18mos)!!! I guess I can't complain about that...however I've been in the service long enough to know that nothing is ever set in stone, things seem to get longer before they get shorter, if you catch my drift.





Well I'm going to go, I will attempt to get back on here at least before I leave for Iraq, or maybe sooner. They haven't said anything about if we're done with training yet, and or when we're leaving. I'll do my best, thanks for sticking by the blog....it will get better...stay tuned

Lindsey & Christian @ the Aquarium in Waikiki

Training at Ft. Lewis

7.62 M240B rounds

Hey guys, well it's been some time since I have posted. I would like to start by saying sorry about that, but due to the poor Internet connection we have in our barracks it's hard to keep a connection. Also our schedule doesn't really permit us a lot of down time. Well to state the obvious I've been pretty busy during my time here in Washington. When we first got here the weather was defiantly Northwesty lots of wind and rain. Now it has just been cold...really cold. I guess I'm just use to that nice warm Hawaii weather. I can only say so much about the training do to the fact that if gives out details about my mission in Iraq which is classified as "Secret".

When we first got here there were about 108 of us, the numbers have dwindled down to 103 now due to 5 people not passing a psych evaluation. Our group has gotten pretty close we are defiantly turning into a unit now. That's really a good thing, because for awhile I wasn't sure if we would ever come together. We have a lot of people (E6's to be exact) that think they know everything about everything. It's pretty ridiculous! I've gotten use to it, and kinda ignore what they say. As I was saying the training has been fun, we did some computer training for a Army system we will be using in Iraq, we have done some combative training, unarmed self defense, and of course weapons, with a few other ones like land navigation, combat life saver, and comms training. Like I said it's been pretty busy. I got to shoot a lot of cool guns so far:

M240B range with AG M203 see the grenade launcher FN303 paintballs

The best part of the training so far I think besides the weapons would be the detainee training we just recently had at a simulated detainee camp. We got to take the camp under our command and the Army brings in people to act like detainees. It was challenging, due to the fact that the people that they hire are told to harass you, and it's pretty bad! You really have to have thick skin in order to not take what they say to heart. I got to be what is called the Compound Section Leader, which is the person that talks to the head detainee inside a certain compound. Here are some pictures from the training:

vehicle search

Tower watch w/ M16

new detainee


I also got to do some medical training while I was there. More or less it was just a quick 4 day class on how to save people on the battle field with common battle injuries, and how to call for a 9 line medevac. Fun class we got to give each other IV's, and nasopharngeals (a tube that goes down your nose into your throat for a airway). Not the best feeling especially when it has so much ky jelly on it, that it's running down the back of your throat. Still a bunch of fun! Here are some pics of me getting a IV!
All in all everything has been going very well I'm learning a lot from the Army, and from the people here with me, it will defiantly be a huge accomplishment in my career when it is all over. The things that I have done, and will be doing are a huge part on the war on terror. With that said I will let you guys go and thanks for sticking with me while I was "away".

Off to Washington

Well nothing has been going on these last few days. I know I said I would post but there was really nothing to talk about. I'm all packed up today though, I'm typing this and watching the USC game(go Trojans)!! Well at this time tomorrow I will be in training in WA. They say that we might be starting this training as early as Sun when we get there. I will not have access to the computer like I do here. However I will keep a personal journal of the days events. When I do get to a computer I will be able to recite dates and events so it will be sort of a "catch-up". Well I don' t have a lot to report looking forward to see the other side of my family if time permits, and getting this training over.

stay tuned.

Jet Lagged!!!

Well I want to start by apologizing, I said I would be posting everyday....and yesterday I didn't. I must say I've heard of jet lag and until now had never experienced it. It SUCKS!! So with that said, yesterday really sucked because while being jet lagged, I had to still do my processing. We did a lot of medical stuff...well all medical stuff. It was like boot camp, with the needles, the hearing test, the dental appts. Needless to say it was long drawn out and being that most of my stuff was complete not needed. I did have to get small pox again which I was none to happy about. If anyone doesn't know how the small pox vaccine works. They take this special needle, and they dip it into the vaccinia and prick you with it. For you first vaccination it is only 3 pricks, or if you've had it and it's been more than 10 years you get 15! Well when my mom and I went to Germany some many moons ago, I got it. Well that was more than 10 years ago so I got it 15 times yesterday! Now I get to see if I will react to it, being that in Hawaii I got (the 3 prick type) and nothing happened. Possibly because of a amount of it being stored in my body hence me not having a reaction. So they said that if nothing happens then I would be medically immune and would never have to worry about it again. Lets hope that's the case, because small pox shot sucks, and if it does react my arm is going to be jacked! So later that night, I talked to Lindsey and Christian (they are doing fine). I did some laundry and then I laid down and passed out...like really out! I mean I went to bed at like 720pm and that was all she wrote. I didn't wake up until 815! I was late, didn't go to PT. I wasn't in trouble or anything. My alarm didn't go off, (these BEQ alarms are garbage).

Today wasn't so bad, just some last few medical things, I have to get one more thing done and I should be ready to go. I have some last minute things to try and pick up, but other than that I'm done. I'm hoping to see Brian and Carmen this weekend. We are expected to fly on a military flight from Norfolk to Ft. Lewis on Sunday sometime. So I get to experience more freakin flying, and it's the crappy kind, because I have to be in uniform the whole flight! At least it will be a straight flight, with no lay-0vers...=) Well that's it I'm off to Washington soon hopefully get to see some friends and family when I'm there.
till tomorrow...for real this time

stay tuned

Catching up

Well let me catch everyone up to speed. Friday before i left I had a little party a few good people came over which was cool. My friend Chris BBQ'd I must say he did a pretty good job...he's no me but it was good. So Sat came around and it was all the last goodbye's and spending some time with Lindsey. So we drove to the airport, and Christian I guess sensed what was happening and didn't like it one bit, he screemed and cried, just was really broken up! It really sucked. I left them there and they watched me leave. When I got inside to check-in, I realized that I had forgot my headphones, so I had to call Lindsey and have her come back to bring them to me. I also talked to Mike, Elena, Tyler, Jacob, Mark, and I think Joe was there. They all said there good bye's.

So we get on the plane, and we do the boarding thing, and all. Well what I thought was everyone got on the plane, and I thought we would start Taxing. No not even we waited for at least an hour and a half for two people who I'm only assuming must have never flown after 9/11 untill now. What made it worse was that they just strolled on like we should have waited for them. Absoulty ridiculis! Well because of all that my tickets got changed up. I had a 4 hour layover in San Fransisco which I must say is a nice airport. I will say that United's seating is absoulty horrible in the coach section!! I mean I had no leg room, the guy in front of me had the back of his chair in my stomach the entire flight! The flight from San Fransisco to Chicago was way better. The seat I had must have been an upgrade. Being in Chicago was kinda funny I hadn't been there in so long, and the last time I was there was leaving after boot camp. I went to the USO there to get some snacks and use my computer (free wireless). The USO in O'hare had a nice renovation. I know the last time I was there (going to bootcamp) it was kinda ran down, but now it's really nice 60" plasma, nice seating a few computers...really nice. Walking in the hallway was the only thing that gave me that eerie feeling of bootcamp again. I left there on a large leer jet. I mean it was the smallest plane I've ever been on, it was like one of those executive flights or something, (another upgrade I think). All of the seating was executive, lots of leg room, leather seats, nice plane. We got to Norfolk pretty quick I couldn't get a good look at it pulling in, because it was so late (around 11p). I got off the plane on the tarmac I might add, kinda felt like Hugh Hefner or something. I got in the terminal which was completly empty, my baggage which was there waiting so I didn't have to wait for the carasoul. I had to catch a cab in order to get on base, I was kinda shocked that they didn't provide transportation (by them I mean Naval Station Norfolk). I got checked in pretty quick to a room. It took me no time to set-up and take a shower, call home and iron my clothes for the next morrning. That said it was still 2am when I went to sleep.

Monday -
Well this processing thing has MEPS/Bootcamp written all over it. I mean all the hurry up and wait, the medical screening....everything! I must say with 6 years of the Navy behind me, it's a little stupid that I'm treated like this is bootcamp. They also changed our orders. I'm now going to Ft. Lewis in Washington. I'm also going to Balad Air Force base in Iraq. I will be in Wa for 60 days, and I will still be away for the same amount of time. So the only thing that changed was training, and my ultimate duty station. I got a brief description of the job we will be doing. It is special operations for prisnoners. Well that's pretty much everything. I will now be posting everyday...so check me out when your not busy.

stay tuned

Not again!

Hey all,

Well the last few days not alot has been going on. My mom, and grandma left on Friday (the 14th). That was really hard for me...my mom made me cry on Thursday night, and Friday morning when they left I was so sad or upset, that I threw up after I watched them leave. It was great to have them here. I don't spend enough time with them. It always seems like I'm so far away. I know my mom understands this because when she was my age (well maybe a couple years younger than I am now). She was in the military too, away from her family. It's good to be away, it really lets me be an independent person, lets me put to use all the things she has taught me. I am very thankful for those things, and for being away, as odd as that sounds. Friday night Lindsey and I hung out at the house. We started this show called "Weeds" it's on Cinemax. I don't know what days it comes on, but I definatly recommed if your reading this you find out when it comes on and watch it!

So Sat Lindsey, Christian and I were supposed to go out to Ewa beach and take part in a little BBQ. We didn't make it which kinda sucked, but things were just not going good that day. We had to go to the bank to start a deployment account for me, then we had to go to the commisary to pick up some stuff for Lindsey to bring to the BBQ. Christian didn't get a nap, and he's sick (poor little guy). Lindsey wasn't feeling that great. Needless to say we didn't go, kinda a bummer since we were invited, and it might have been our last chance to hang out with the Sergio's! Maybe during the week. So we sat around here at the house, watched the USC game ( stomping was more like it). Watched some more "Weeds", and had a great dinner made by Lindsey. Later that night we were getting ready to put Christian to bed, when my car alarm went off! I grabbed my bat, and headed outside to see two punk ass kids walking away. My neighbors, were just pulling in, and the people that live in the circle across from us, came toward me and said that the kids were the ones breaking into my car. With the neighbors in tow, I chased the kids to Salt Lake, where they got into their little Civic, and took off. I thought about throwing the bat, but decided agaist it. I got their licencse plate, Lindsey called the cops. When the cops got to the house they were very helpful, when they ran the plate, it turns out that it doesn't match the car. We all assume that they stole the plate, and put on their car so if it got taken down it wouldn't come back to them. This is the third time my Integra has been broken into! They didn't know but there was nothing to steal since I haven't replaced the stereo from the last time someone broke into it right in our driveway!

Well that's been the weekend, we're all just getting ready for me to leave. This is my last week here, come Sat. I'll be on a plane headed for VA. I hope to see Lindsey's cousin Carmen, and her boyfriend Brian when I get there. They live in Deleware, it's a bit of a drive. Brian says that he will come though.

stay tuned