February 29 (Day 139 - reset)

I’d prefer not starting on a bad note, and seems a bit “rantish”, but it is reality; besides this is my blog! J

There are some words to describe the atmosphere since the last time I wrote – frustrating, disappointing, and upsetting.  The one link between these words is that of a negative connotation. It started with my leadership going behind my back by transferring one of my Soldiers to KAF from the FOB to which she was assigned.  I knew some shifting was going to take place. A couple of weeks ago, my Commander called me to let me know what was coming down the pike. He told me to put together a course of action regarding reassignment of my Soldiers with the assumption of decreasing the number of military personnel at my ancillary FOBs from two to one. My Platoon Sergeant and I worked out a solution, and I waited for notification from my Commander that we were pulling the trigger. Instead, I was kept in the dark while MY Soldier was moved without my knowledge or input. Believe me, I was just a little nonplussed – okay, I was livid! Sure, they have the authority to do what they want, but not to at least tell me was very unprofessional, not to mention plain rude. Just another lesson on what NOT to do when (and if) I make rank. I am honestly not sure how much I can trust my leadership at this point. This is only the latest “incident” in a series; this one is just so much more blatant. I wonder if they really have our best welfare in mind.

We had some visitors from my Company at KAF visiting a couple of weeks ago. They did some leg work trying to get bids on NTVs (non-tactical vehicles, i.e. trucks), so that we would have more flexibility getting around our FOB, to complete our mission. They took the bids back to KAF with them; they then put packets together to present to the Battalion for approval. I received an email from one of the SSGs saying that our new Battalion thought the packet was all wrong, and that we needed to get “fresh” bids and put new packets together. Why they couldn’t build new packets with the existing bids (less than two weeks old) is beyond me. IF I were to get new bids and push them up, it would take another couple of weeks to go through the process, and we would be right back where we started. They must think I am a fool. It is obvious they have no intention of authorizing us vehicles (this is not my first rodeo with this matter), and they are just having me spin my wheels, laying out false hope that my endeavors will produce fruit. I am not a fool, so we gave them what they wanted, and dropped the issue. I am not bound to waste my time, or my Soldier’s, on a dead-end project, when we have other things that need to get done. I will be interested to see the reaction when we get visitors (some are coming in a couple of weeks) and they have to take the bus because we lack the capacity to provide transportation. This group won’t be of the lower enlisted, I assure you.

The worst thing that has happened relates to my upcoming promotion board. The Army has what they call ORBs (Officer Record Briefs), which basically relates pertinent information about an officer. It has military and civilian education sections, as well as awards, dates of previous promotions, contact info, special skills, etc… I talked to my branch manager the other night who gave me some disturbing news. It seems that a good bit of info related on my ORB has no documentation to go with it. It was verified at the “local” level and input into my ORB, but the paperwork was not scanned to “HQ,” so now I run the risk of having this important information pulled off my record, making me less competitive, and looking like an idiot. I mean, I have served all these years and have nothing to show for any of my successes? That is what the board members will be thinking. It is possible I could get passed over for promotion. It would not be a big deal if I was at home, since I have all my paperwork. However, that is not the case, and everything is in storage.  I am trying to find a workaround. Needless to say, the past couple of weeks have been stressful.

 On the plus side, the weather has started to improve. It got into the 50s by this past weekend, and due to hit almost 70 today. Besides not having to wear what little cold weather gear I have to work etc.., it is nice to be able to go to the gym or shower in just shorts and t-shirt. It also has dried out significantly. We had quite the bout of rain the middle of last week.

I have been keeping up with the gym, taking off only one day a week. I throw in a day or two of running each week to give my muscles a little more rest. I made it out onto the running track yesterday, instead of using the treadmill, since the temperature was nice. Managed to run my 2 miles in 14:36, and this on a less than ideal track. On a regular track, I bet I could do 14:00. I started off benching about 135 a couple of weeks ago, and managed to do 185 the other day. My goal is to press 200 by the middle of March.

Finished season 5 of “24.” Boy I miss that show! I switched to “NCIS” to get a little break; currently in season 5, and enjoying it of course. It is probably my favorite show currently airing back in the States. I can’t imagine how much catching up I will have to do when I get back home, given all the shows I would be tracking. I will have to take leave just to have the time! Still continue to read as well; currently engrossed in three novels – T2: Infiltrator (S.M. Stirling), Intercept (Patrick Robinson), and Middle of Nowhere (Ridley Pearson). I have a couple more hardbacks waiting, along with a couple on my Kindle. Need to get more in hand soon, so I will not be without!

Well, that is all for now. Until next time…

February 18 (Day 131)

Well, a few things have gone on at work this week. We had some visitors come in to perform an “inspection.” I would consider it something between and inspection and audit actually, and it did not involve just the APO, but DHL as well, since we are joined at the hip to get the mission done. Two gentlemen came, one from the Military Postal Service Agency and one from the Joint Military Postal Agency. You can tell by the names of their employers that these were “big wigs.” We at the APO did learn a few additional things we need to do or monitor. These were things not brought to our attention before, and we will be making adjustments.

I coordinated to have two more containers moved onto our yard. They take up more space, but are necessary to keep the mission going. They are actually on the ground, but after seeing what one of my other APOs did (will explain shortly), this will change. We are expecting an influx of personnel here from several units here in RC-W (regional command –west), so one of the containers is going to be used for unit mail sort. The other will be utilized as a second supply container. The single container we had was overburdened and disorganized. With two, we can solve this.

Our 4K forklift broke this past week. The brakes went out. We are relying on our 10K forklift to do all the moving, but this is less than ideal. This piece of equipment is cumbersome and less maneuverable. It also does not allow for stacking pallets without the significant possibility of damaging mail. This is a problem on the yard, as more of our limited space is used. It is also an issue for the convoy containers, which take stacked pallets. This essentially means that our effectiveness is reduced 50% since containers go out half-full. We again have to try to get air assets to help; otherwise we will have mail held up on the yard, waiting to go out. Of course, I am working on getting the 4K turned in for maintenance and repaired, and returned to us for use. Don’t know how long that will take.

I paid a visit to one of my SAPOs (satellite post office), in Farah, this week. Two of my Soldiers work there. They have a nice facility; a hard building versus a tent like I have. It is organized and clean, unlike mine which is more disheveled. My “moneyman” here at Shindand had to do his monthly audit, so I accompanied him. It was my first time at this location. They have made a lot of improvements to their operations, which gave me an idea to improving mine. Remember those containers I mentioned earlier? Well, they have a couple of containers on the ground, parallel to each other, but with a fairly large gap in between (essentially a walkway to the rear door). They then stacked a couple of containers, perpendicular to the ground ones, and bridging the gap. They also built some wooden stairs to provide access to the upper containers. I think I will do the same thing at Shindand. We’ll get back our “floor” space, and still have room for storage etc…

I rode in a Blackhawk for my trip. That was the first time. It was a neat experience, but being that the weather is not really warm, it made for a cold experience. Unlike my first helicopter trip in a closed aircraft, the Blackhawk is equipped with M60 machine guns on the sides, and so a nice breeze is afforded to the occupants. I am sure it would be more enjoyable during warmer climes. We were lucky to make it back when we did. Ours was held up for weather delay most of the day, so the possibility of staying another night in Farah was ever-present. Fortunately, we did make it back. The mission to Farah was at night, and let me tell you, without many lights, it is pretty dark out there in the wilderness. It wasn’t black, but rather like looking through a gray fog at charcoal and dark gray. I couldn’t see the horizon either. It was kind of eerie.

Shindand had a significant amount of rain while I was gone. I had to trudge through the mud from the helipad area to my tent last night. At least it wasn’t actively raining. It also feels warmer than a couple days ago, which I appreciate!  

Finished season 4 of “24” and started season 5. I think this was the only time the seasons were linked. At the start of season 5, it says, “previously on 24,” and heralds back to the previous season. I like that. I am in for another week (or so) of being hooked on the show.  I need to look into the movie status, see what the current news is. I only wish I could see it in the theater, but last I read it was going to be released late summer, early fall. Guess I can’t have everything!

Well, that is all for now. Until next time...

February 12 (Day 125)

Hello all. It has been a "slow" week here. That doesn't mean things haven't been happening, just nothing that has had me running around going crazy.

We have had visitors from Kandahar most of this week. They are from my company, and were here originally to conduct hands-on training for urinalysis testing, and yes we had a practical exercise. The visitors are two E-7s and an E-8. They stuck around and have been helping me with several other agendas, namely getting set-up to finish the building projects I want to get done, as well as trying to get us civilian vehicles.

Finally mailed the bracelets and keychains I made for some students of a teacher friend of mine. A pic was posted earlier. It was fun making them and I hope the kids enjoy them. I am contemplating my next paracord project now.

In the middle of season 4 of "24". This is probably the season I remember the least. It is still great, just a lot more  that I had forgotten compared to other seasons. Will try to catch several more episodes today, after I get a couple of things done at work, and following the gym. Also finished a couple of books this week, which means I have started some new ones. I updated my authors/book spreadsheet this week, verifying I have listed all the current offerings. It also was of value to see which books I need to get.

Do you know what I miss? Paved roads. I cannot wait to get back home and be able to walk on even, smooth surfaces. Everything here is so rocky and lopsided. It sure gets old! I also miss wearing a variety of clothes. The loungewear I got for Christmas doesn't count. :) It will be nice to put on a pair of jeans and one of my beloved t-shirts! I could even go with one of my suits! Ha! Isn't it funny the little things we take for granted?

After one day of "warmer" weather, the temp has again plunged to the depths of Hades. Tomorrow is supposed to be even colder. When will winter end I wonder? I look forward to warmer weather, and my understanding is that it doesn't get near as hot here as Iraq. Guess we'll found out soon (hopefully!).

Anyway, like I mentioned, not a lot happening currently. Apologize for the lack of revelation or insight, but sometimes that is how it goes. Until next time...

February 5 (Day 118)

It has been an interesting last few days. The middle of last week saw a couple of days with straight rain, mostly a good downpour, but with some scattered drizzle on occasion. It was also cold, which made for miserable conditions. Even though we have a lot of rocks all over the ground, there are areas that are a little bare, so we get muddy patches, which I have to walk through (there’s no short way around). I have to be careful in these areas, especially if I am wearing my PT gear (not regular uniform), because I am wearing my tennis shoes, and the pants are black, which shows splashes of “ick” real easily. Afterwards, we kept the cold, lost the rain, and gained the wind. And when I say wind, I really mean wind, not to the point where you have to lean into it to stay upright, but it was pretty close. Remember, I do not have any of extreme cold weather gear, so I do suffer some in cold conditions, even if I am not actually outside that long. The wind finally died down to a great extent yesterday. We still have some gusts, but I am glad the endless wind is gone for now.  I included a couple pics of a rainbow that presented itself after the rains. It was a pleasant sight.

Our generator quit last night about 2200. I had gone to bed around 2130, and it was comfortable in our tent. Woke up feeling like it was rather cool in the tent, and it was only half an hour later! I don’t think the actual temperature inside the tent was much warmer than that outside, and the differential was probably due to the wind. I can tell you it felt like it was in the 50s in the tent! I went to our “mayor’s cell” to let them know something was wrong, so they could put in a work order. One of my Soldiers ended getting up around 2245 because of the cold, and got the generator started. Glad he is mechanically inclined! So now, the air is blowing, which is warmer than the temp outside, but it was not as warm as it usually is. Looks like the heating element part of the system is kaput! Then the generator stopped on its own again this morning, right before I was due to get up, so I stopped by the cell to put in another work order while on the way to work.

Remember the fiasco I faced when I first arrived in dealing with getting mail to Chaghcharan? Well, had the same issue this week; several days of cancelled flights due to weather. We have another scheduled flight, and hopefully this one will go out. I do not want to wait until the next regular flight, which is not for several days. At least this time, no one got on me about what I am doing to get it out! I still let everyone know the status of course, but it seems they understand there are no real alternatives, and we just have to deal with it day by day.  

Found out last night that BG Hildner, 13^th ESC Commander (my chain of command at Ft. Hood) passed away here in Afghanistan on Friday. His death is apparently from natural causes, but an investigation is still being conducted. He is the highest ranking American to die in the Afghanistan conflict. I met him a couple of times back home. I liked him; I found him to be intelligent, considerate, and caring of the troops. He just received his star right before I deployed.

I finished a couple of books this week, and have started a couple more, so working on three at the moment. They are “The Charlestown Connection” by Tom MacDonald, on my Kindle, “Middle of Nowhere” by Ridley Pearson, and “Intent to Kill” by James Grippando. I am rather enjoying them all. I finished season 4 of “NCIS” the other day. Started season five last night. A little disappointed with the fact it was a shorter season (by 6 episodes) than the rest, so it won’t take as long to watch. I will start season 4 of “24” today. Will likely get through 4 episodes, and then get into “Intent to Kill.” 

One other item on my agenda today is to make a video for a friend of mine who teaches middle schoolers. They adopted my platoon and sent us some stuff during the holidays. The bracelets and keychains in my last posts pics are for the kids as well. 

Until next time...

February 2 (Day 115)

Well, this has been the biggest break yet between posts – 10 days. I honestly don’t know where the time went. I have been so focused on big changes coming to Shindand, I have not really thought about my blog. I actually meant to write yesterday, but Skype showed my sister online, and we chatted for quite a bit. I had not spoken with her for a while, so I am sure you all will forgive me the extra day’s delay!

Evidently, we are getting a big influx of personnel here from other locations. Of course, that will have a drastic impact on our operations here. We currently do not have enough space in our container system to securely house the amount of extra mail we are expecting. I have a solution in the works. I have an extra container, but I need to get it set in our yard. It is sitting outside of our yard and sits on a flat rack. Basically, the container is “latched” to the flat rack, allowing it to be loaded onto a transport truck. The operation is similar to that of a tow truck. Keep in mind, these containers are 20’ long and weigh a couple of tons.  Anyway, I need to actually drop the container on the ground, and return the flat rack to its owner, another company. The attachments are a set of pins and latches, surprisingly simple considering the size of the equipment. (I should get a picture)

There have been rumors of FOB closings, which also drastically impact my operations. If true, it may entail bringing some of my troops to Shindand. It is interesting how this information flow is coming from the bottom up. That is how we heard of the influx of personnel. It did not come from higher headquarters. Rather, we first heard of it from a group coming through from Camp Lejeune. They heard about it during their pre-deployment briefings before ever leaving the States! What! Of course, I sent the information up my chain of command to see if we could find out if it was true. Then, I happened to talk to a civilian at one of the FOBs I mentioned a minute ago, and he was hearing the same thing. Double what! I tell you, the information flow is running upstream, rather than down. Something is definitely broken here.

Have been checking out a few of the “leaked” Superbowl commercials, and some are quite good. Even if I were able to watch the game, AFN won’t play the commercials. Instead, they will play military news updates and the like. The only way to see them is online. There is one of a bunch of dogs barking Darth Vader’s “theme song.” It was hilarious, especially the ending. Check it out if you can. Saw a Ferris Bueller take for the Honda CRV yesterday. It really doesn’t do much for the car, but if you remember the movie (and liked it), you’ll probably get a kick out of it too. There’s one with Jerry Seinfeld trying to be the first in line to get some new car (it’s three years from production), and tries to bribe the person who actually is first in line. It was okay overall, and the end was a chuckler.

Well, in order for this blog to keep from getting too long, I will finish it up by this weekend. I promise! :) Added some pics this time around, some current, some not (found them on my camera's flashdrive)