April 1 (Day 173)

Looking back on the last couple of weeks, I see that I was a little discombobulated. Our current higher headquarters is redeploying back to the states; this means requests for a lot of information, albeit it is really the same info in different formats/spreadsheets/charts etc… It all depends who which section wants it. This obviously leads to a lot of overlap, but also to miscommunication and lost info. A couple of times this past week I have been included in groups of people who have not done “something,” when in fact I did, so I have to resend the previous email (so the date is shown), so I am off the hook. Another transfer of personnel affects our operations at the APO, and that is a new “system” to move mail. We are transitioning to moving mail by air, not all of it of course, but enough to take some of the load off of convoys. The idea is to keep our guys off the ground. I applaud the theme, but I don’t think the powers that be realize what is involved here, so we are going to do a trial run, conduct an after action review, and see what needs fixing and how to do it. The last big thing that has been on my mind is my promotion board (which convenes tomorrow). I have been busy coordinating getting my file prepared to give myself the best chance possible of being selected (thanks to my parents and CPT DeAngelis!).

We had a personnel shift recently, sending one of my NCOs to KAF and bringing one of my Soldiers to Shindand. I think it will be better, since my NCO can keep track of the troops there and keep me and my platoon sergeant informed of goings on. I felt a little disconnected from my troops at KAF, not knowing whether all was well, and it was difficult to communicate directly with them. Hopefully the new set-up will mitigate this.

Encountered a little setback with the projects I want to complete. I needed certain pieces of paperwork in order to be able to get supplies from the depot. I managed to get the paperwork, but some accounting codes didn’t match, so it is a no-go. I am now going to wait until the new company is in place in a couple of weeks, and start over. I don’t want to wait, but really don’t have a choice. By the time I get this fiasco fixed, the company will be leaving, and I’ll be starting over anyway. Gotta love government bureaucracy! LOL

My friend deWayne put together a mortgage amortization spreadsheet for me. I have actually had some fun messing with it, seeing how increases in principle payments decreases the loan term. It has definitely showed me the benefit of adding principle each month. Thanks for the assist, deWayne!

Enjoying the nice weather we are having. It has consistently been in the upper 70s, maybe lower 80s during the day, with cool nights – lower 60s maybe? I would love it if it stayed like this the rest of my tour, but alas it is not likely to be. I am sure we will be getting higher temps once summer is upon us. Someone was in the APO the other day saying it will get into the 120s. I believe he thinks we are in Iraq. From what I have seen, the averages through the summers here in Shindand don’t rise to 100⁰, although 111⁰ has been the highest recorded in the last decade. Let’s hope we don’t have that this year!

Been doing some running, which is definitely not my favorite activity (but I still have PT tests to pass), and have been timing sub-eight minute miles for 4 miles. This is not a fast enough pace for my 2-mile PT run, of course, but hope this longer distance running will help me improve my test time. Speaking of PT tests, they just came out with the new version. It will have a one-minute push-up, one-minute rower (similar to a sit-up), 60-yard shuttle sprint, standing long jump, and still the 2-mile run. Presumably, the new test will be administered to the Army at large later this year.

I can’t believe it is April! Not that I am complaining. April means our half-way mark through our deployment, and three months from my R&R, which will see my first visit to Europe. I can’t wait! Well, maybe I can since I really don’t have a choice! To be sure, July will be here before I know it. As much as I am looking forward to the trip, seeing my family will much sweeter.

Well, I’ve gone on long enough. I hope to not have so much time go by before posting again. Until next time…

March 18 (Day 160)

Well, another week down! It is again Sunday morning here in Afghanistan, and I am working my normal volunteer hours at the USO. I live for Sundays, since it is the one day where I don’t have to stay in the office. That is not the case today, for I need to finish writing a letter to the president of my promotion board, as well as put together a reference letter for a contractor who works at the post office. I am hoping it doesn’t take too long to complete these tasks, since I want to spend some time at the gym today.

One of my Soldiers, SSG Arellano, was selected for promotion this past E-7 board. The results came out last week. My E-7, SFC Stepherson, looked at the results online and called SSG A to congratulate him, and he didn’t even know yet! He had not looked up the results himself. It was so funny! He even has a low number (below 200). It was very good news.

I scanned an article this week about Willow Smith and her new shoes. Evidently, they cost almost $700, and were some sort of tennis shoe with a high-heel…without the actual heel. Very bizarre! The bigger question of course is does an 11-year old (or anybody really) need shoes that cost that much? I must say, even if I was a billionaire, I bet I would still buy $50 sneakers!

I finished reading “The Bourne Sanction,” sixth in the series, last night. Excellent read. I am enjoying the series. There are three more already published, with another due this year. I probably mentioned this before, but given what I have read post-“Ultimatum” I need to read the actual original trilogy. It seems some significant changes were made to the movie adaptations. Not to say the movies weren’t great, because they were. I just need to make sure to get novels not based on the movies. I started a new Prey novel by John Sandford. “Storm Prey” is 20^th in the series, centered on a MN detective who is assigned special cases deemed either too political for the average policeman, or simply too dangerous. Great reads! I am also reading “The Sigma Protocol,” the last novel written by Robert Ludlum, although published posthumously. If you have never read a Ludlum novel, you are missing out. Lastly, I am about half-way through T2: Infiltrator. This one is on my Kindle.

Getting ready to watch “24: Redemption” this afternoon to prep for season 7 of “24.” This is the next to last season. I am enjoying re-watching the series. Sounds like the upcoming movie may not happen…again! Seems timing is everything. I am quite disappointed; I was really looking forward to another go with Jack Bauer.

Just spoke with Mom on Skype, which is always enjoyable. Times like those bring me closer to home, making my time away easier to tolerate. Thanks, Mom (and Dad when he is there)!

Weather continues to improve. We reached the 70s the last few days, a welcome relief to the colder temperatures we experienced through the winter months. I have had people tell me to watch out for the summer months, how hot it is. I tell them I am from Texas, and further discussion is moot! LOL

Well, it is time to go. Until next time…

March 10 (Day 152)

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted anything. It has been slow at work, but at the same time I have been busy/occupied. I know it is a dichotomy, but it is the truth. The APO is running pretty smoothly, and that is good.

My site lead went on emergency leave a week ago; his father (in his 80s) fell and broke a hip if I remember correctly and he is in a wheelchair for the time being. Evidently, this gentleman is very independent, and is not adjusting too well. So, I am working with his stand-in, who is a good guy as well; he just did not have a lot of train-up time, actually just one evening, to learn the daily grind. We have managed to make things work so far. Fortunately, there have not been any unusual circumstances recently. One of our contractors left (for good) this past week, we have a replacement, and we are helping him adjust to our operations (he came from another APO).

I worked on my monthly audit of the contractors this past week. There are almost 200 questions covering the contract to consider. It can be mind-numbing at times. In addition, I have had to keep up on the myriad other reports etc… sitting on my plate – weekly operations, monthly inventories, equipment status; the list seems to go on forever! LOL

Yesterday, I was finally able to get paperwork together to take to the new maintenance folks. They can now put us in their computer system as a customer. This means if we need some maintenance help or fabrication, we are now able to put in a request.  I also went by the Supply Support Activity (SSA) with paperwork to get added to their system. Sometime next week I will be able to go there and do a “walkthrough” (get something on hand) for supplies and material. I am not able to actually order items yet, since the charge account is at Kandahar, and so the items would go to their SSA. That would entail getting someone there to forward it on to Shindand. I am working on a solution so I can order items and have them sent here directly.

The temperature is on the rise once again, for which I am thankful. I am like, so over the cold, like, you know? J It is actually supposed to get into the upper 70s and maybe low 80s the end of next week. I can’t wait. I heard this morning that we were lucky with the rainy season. Usually it is a lot wetter here during the winter. We did have some serious rains, so I would hate to see what is “normal.” Bring on the dry and warm season!

I have started either skipping DFAC lunch, or just having some snack in my room. I feel I was eating too much. Even if I tell the DFAC employee “just a little bit of” whatever, a large amount is put on the plate. Plus, this allows me to spend some more time in the gym, which is sometimes necessary, since it can get busy, which delays my program. Taking off today (Saturday) of course, but will make it up tomorrow. I have a couple of specialized workouts I toss in on occasion (“Spartacus” and push-up varieties). I don’t want to get caught up in a dull workout.

My parents and my former supervisor have been collaborating to help square away my promotion packet. Being deployed does make it difficult to provide documentation for proof of education and such. I am blessed to have these individuals provide such assistance. My parents made a 2-hour drive to get to my storage unit to look for a box to which the exact location was unknown. There was no guarantee of success (fortunately they found it). My former boss, and friend, met my parents to get the paperwork and get them properly “vetted.” I sincerely thank all three.

Until next time...