Stolen!

Today is the last day our replacements will be visiting us and all I have to say is thank Jesus!  I printed out every single meeting we have to attend.  The guy tells me to save paper, so I print two slides per page.  He reviews the slides once I have them printed and organized in a binder and tells me that I have to print them out one slide per page.  I’m sorry, but we don’t have the resources for that.  Is he going to send some toner and paper when he gets back to the States because that stuff is hard to come by over here especially with all the budget cuts.  Can’t he be satisfied with us putting it on a disc and he doing whatever he wants with it when he gets to the States?

It has been an interesting day here today.  Our veterinary hospital was broken into last night and their narcotics safe was stolen.  That is what I arrived to work to find in my inbox.  Turns out one of their Specialists ripped out the safe and busted it open to steal drugs.  She is currently locked up in the psych ward at the hospital while the Criminal Investigation Division completes their investigation.  The veterinary hospital is also closed down until after the investigation is complete.  What a fiasco!

The new CPT is a great addition to the team.  We set his desk up right in front of mine so we can stare at each other all day if we have nothing else to do.  He has a great sense of humor and is so relieved to be away from where he was that he is willing to do anything that is asked of him.  So far, he doesn’t have a set job, so he just keeps us entertained all day.

Our shifts are changing starting tomorrow.  I will be working from six in the morning until roughly four in the afternoon.  The night LT will work the shift I currently work, the ten in the morning until eight at night.  The new LT took the night shift and he volunteered to work a 24 hour shift to facilitate the shift change. 

PT this morning was interesting as well.  The Soldier in charge of PT this morning failed to reserve the field, so we started with half the field.  His intent was to play soccer this morning.  We set up to play on half the field with the goals in position.  Since I do not like playing sports, I decided to run on the track instead.  On my tenth lap, about twenty minutes later, I came around the corner to find people in civilian clothes playing Ultimate Frisbee on the entire field.  My group left me!  I made my way back to my room to ask my roommate what happened, but when I got there, so was not there.  Ten minutes later, she arrived to the room and I asked her what happened.  The Ultimate Frisbee players had reserved the field and we were kicked off.  That explains where everyone went, but why did they leave me behind?  I guess everyone was so focused on getting back to bed that they forgot about me.  Oh well, at least I got a good workout in!

Patience!

Work last night was very interesting and a great lesson in patience and the importance of communication. 

When I arrived at work yesterday, the night LT was still in the office working on his resume for when he leaves the Army in his past and is left to fend for himself in the civilian sector.  I drove him back to his room and discussed our options seeing as it is around the time to switch from day shift to night shift again.  We decided that we would wait until the first of April. 

After dropping him off, I returned to work and heard from the new LT that the night LT was complaining to the boss that he wanted to return to day shift.  I didn’t think anything of it until the boss approached me saying that we needed to shake up the day and night shift.  I felt like I had been stabbed in the back.  When last we talked, the night LT wanted to wait until the first of April; it was his decision completely because quite frankly, I don’t care.  I sent him an email and expressed that if he wanted to change immediately to simply tell me a date.

I walked home after my shift instead of waiting for a ride from the night LT like usual because I didn’t want unwarranted anger to be expressed from the alleged backstabbing.  I needed to cool off and clear my head.  I didn’t have all the details and needed to be patient.  I arrived to my room to find my roommate in bed and anxious to hear why I was angry.  She has a very good sense of people’s moods.  We decided to work my anger out at the gym.  We picked up the Personnel NCOIC and went off for another two hour workout.  I felt a lot better afterwards.  It is amazing how a little PT can do so much for your well-being both mentally and physically.

This morning I arrived to the office and the new LT announced that I had an email from the night LT.  The night LT sent a message back to me, and cc’ed the new LT, detailing what his discussion was with the boss and it doesn’t seem as petty as the new LT put it.  He simply told the boss that if he expected quality work from him, then he needed to be in the know and on the day shift.  I understand that.

My project for today was developing a new schedule for the “shifters,” mainly the Battle Crews.  With the help of the new LT, we have rotated people while keeping myself and the night LT on the Day shift.  Turns out the new LT wants to work nights and my former NCO wanted back on nights as well.  Our additional CPT arrived today too, but he will not be a part of the “shifters” crowd.  He will work the normal 9-5 and doesn’t have a specified job.  He is very happy to be with us though and offered to work whatever hours we didn’t want to work.  I think he was very unhappy with his previous position.  I look forward to seeing what he has to bring to the game.

Officer Huddle

It was freezing cold outside for PT this morning!  Yes, there was frost on the ground that can verify my statement.  We started our warm-ups and my back was not cooperating so I started calling people out and making fun of PT.  Very adult-like, I know, but no one wanted to be there and it turned out to be a great way to lighten the mood.  Soldiers started joining in and soon there was innocent laughter sprouting throughout the ranks.  A miserable PT session was now enjoyable.

After PT was the usual shower, change, and grab breakfast with my roommate while gossiping along the way.  Today’s topic was our new roommate.  My roommate turned the heat on in the room yesterday and then hid the remote amongst my things so no one could turn the air conditioner on while we were gone.  The room felt fantastic last night and I was about to drift off like a baby when the new roommate and our other roommate arrived.  They knew I was sleeping, or trying to because they walked in the room and immediately began to whisper.  Then the new roommate turned on the big lights.  I about lost it 45 minutes later when the big lights were still on and she said she didn’t need them when I asked if we could turn them off.  I had to leave the room I was so upset at her inconsideration. 

Work has been interesting today.  Our replacements were once again in the office when I arrived, but immediately left to take a “windshield tour” of Kandahar.  In other words, the group was going to drive around Kandahar Airfield to become familiar with the post, but without getting out of the vehicle.  They did however make a stop at the junk yard to dig around for a bit with their new pals.

The Personnel Officer that is a part of the replacement crew keeps stopping by to talk with me.  He is stationed at West Point, but did not attend West Point.  This makes me wonder why he is hanging out in my office and not in the Personnel Office.  The Computer Tech replacement is a West Point grad, so he hangs out near my desk, but that is understandable, we have a common history and he was a senior when I was a freshman so we know some of the same people.  Upon chatting with these two gentlemen, I learned that the Personnel Officer is friends with my Branch Manager, a light turns on above my head and I turn on my natural charm.  Let me remind you that my Branch Manager, who is in charge of where I am stationed next, has been giving me a rather cold shoulder lately while I have been witnessing other Soldiers receiving orders for their next assignment.  The replacement Personnel Officer agrees to help me out and I agree to stop bad-mouthing his friend.  I have a new hope rising in me that I will live where I want to live by 2014.   While we were chatting and having a good time, I may have agreed to stay an additional nine months as their Battle Captain.  It was all in good fun, but I seriously would not mind staying longer than the standard nine months.  Life is so much simpler here, even with all the frustrations of roommates and weather.

No, Mom, my deployment is not going to get extended. 

Laugh!

My new roommate is one of the most frustrating people in this war.  I can deal with her maintaining the temperature of the room at a sub zero level.  I can deal with her keeping the lights on until midnight.  I can even deal with the click, click, clicking on her computer into the wee hours of the night.   I can handle the fact that she has nothing to do all day and therefore sleeps in until after we all leave for work.  I cannot, however, handle the ten o’clock at night phone calls to her family and friends due to the outdoor voice she utilizes. 

It is cold here again.  The rain from the past couple of days has brought with it a cold front.  It is a good thing the air conditioner is on in my room.  Our replacements have finally arrived for their week of learning what we do here.  There are not many of them, but they are all in good spirits.  There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the office as everyone is being kept busy with the additional activities.

I heard a funny story from one of our mechanics today.  He asked if I had ever seen anyone get knocked out from a steering wheel.  I said, “Not personally, but I have seen it in movies.” 
He said, “From an accident, right?”
“Of course.”
“Have you ever heard of someone doing it in a parked vehicle?”
“No.”
“Well, picture this, there I was, in the motor pool with the mission of removing the steering wheel from a truck.  Now, on a HMMWV the steering wheel does not come off so easily, we have special tools to help us get the job done.  I removed the horn, the bolt, the washer, everything that was in the way of me removing this steering wheel.  I put the horn, the bolt, and the washer in the seat next to me.   With my mechanics gloves on, I grabbed the steering wheel at the ten and two, and prepared myself to remove this steering wheel.  Again, the steering wheel is not the easiest thing to remove compared to a civilian vehicle.  I braced myself, and told myself that I would pull as hard as I could on the count of three.  One, two, and then I blacked out.  I woke up to a goose egg on my head, but I knew I was alive and well because I heard the laughter that was surrounding me.  My Kevlar helmet didn’t fit right for a while, but the steering wheel was off.”

I started laughing uncontrollably at this story.  He had the hand gestures and everything going with his speech.   I could see the whole scene play out in my mind.

Army Politics

I knocked out quick last night.  With the sound of rain hitting the metal roof of the MOD, I was quickly serenaded to sleep.  My roommates who forgot I was in the room didn’t even keep me awake with their loud chattering.  I decided to take the early shift today, so I was awake by 5am and on my way to work by 545am.  A small team of our replacements are arriving today as a recon group to scope out what they are getting into before they have to take over in 130 days.  They will be here for a week or so before heading home to tell the rest of their unit what it is like over here.  I sit here alone because the rest of the office is waiting for the group at the airport.  Considering we just heard a warning about a thunderstorm six miles away, I think their flight may be delayed for a bit.  I don’t mind, there is something peaceful about sitting in a big office alone.

It is storming pretty good outside right now.  The rain is dropping in buckets and every now and again there is a gentle boom of thunder.  There is no doubt in my mind that Lake Kandahar will return today, which is sad because it just dried up about a week ago.   I hear that it is snowing up in Bagram.  The snow makes everything look better.  Take a city dump and cover it in snow, I’ll bet you anything it looks better with snow on it.

I am reading a new book called “The Operators,” by Michael Hastings.  It is a very interesting read and demonstrates how political the Army is using real events.  A great General is one who publicizes everything he is doing and allows the media to lead the people to believe that no one has ever thought of such wonderful policies or practices before him.  Great Generals are ones with friends at the top, or at least have yet to piss off the higher ranking Generals.  The politics behind promotions and forced retirements is revealed in an unbiased manner.  The sad part is that I see these politics on a daily basis.

Our Chaplain was just looked over for promotion for his final time.  He is being forced to retire as a part of the mandatory reductions in force.  He has served his quota of time for his rank as a Captain.  It is a sad day for the Army.  I can honestly say he was the best Army Chaplain I have ever had the honor of serving with in the military.  He is being sent home early to allow him the appropriate time to organize his life prior to retiring.  The Chaplain requested to stay the duration of the deployment, asking for merely a 90 day extension to his retirement date and the Army said no.  He asked for a re-board to buy some more time with Soldiers and again was refused.  He gave a short, tear filled speech when we presented his deployment awards to him and bid him adieu. 

I have met many worthless Captains and Majors in the military.  It is truly a sad day when they are promoted over worthy professionals such as this Chaplain.  In his place, we are being sent the other Chaplain who has been sitting with the Rear-Detachment in Fort Benning for many good reasons.  He does not portray the morals of a Holy man.  I will leave it at that because I do not like to speak ill of people who cannot defend themselves. 

Gym Time!

I left work last night in a weird mood.  Everyone around me was complaining about their awards, other people’s work ethics, or the temperature of the office.  Typical office politics, but I really don’t care about anything they are talking about.  Moods are contagious, however, so I soon found myself becoming disgruntled with work.  I didn’t want to be disgruntled though, and that is how I fell into a weird mood. 

I entered my room to find my roommate on Skype with her nephew who is about to turn one.  He is absolutely adorable!  I asked her if she wanted to go to the gym with me because I needed to rid myself of this weird mood.  She said she didn’t want to but that the personnel NCOIC wanted to go to the gym.  I told her to send her a text saying that I would go to the gym with her.  Five minutes later, my roommate decided to join us and started changing. 

We arrived to the gym to find the treadmills were turned around and facing a wall.  That is discouraging.  My comment was, “What, because I want to run I can’t watch TV?”  As the Personnel NCOIC went to grab her iPod, my roommate and I started to warm up. 

We started by running two miles on the treadmill.  We moved to the bikes next and did a twenty minute uphill battle.  Ten minutes in, the Personnel NCOIC excused herself to relieve her stomach of its contents.  After our bike ride, we continued on to the weights area.  Rotating through several machines, doing pushups, over head arm claps, or dips while waiting for our turn on the machine of the moment; we successfully worked ourselves until our muscles felt like Jell-O.  Finally we headed to the padded abdominal room to complete our workout with core exercises and that ridiculous abdominal workout I mentioned in a previous post.  As we completed our second iteration of abdominal exercises, I looked at the clock.  “Ladies, do you realize we have been here for two hours?  Forget this third iteration, it is time for bed!” 

Tired, but feeling good, we headed back to the MODs.  Our roommates were still awake and the newest addition was yelling on the phone with her mortgage company.  My roommate and I figured by the time we were done with our showers, the rest of the room would be ready for sleep.  We were wrong.  Showers complete, lying in bed, trying to sleep while our new roommate was complaining to our other roommate about her mortgage company.  She does not have an indoor voice apparently.  My roommate went to the bathroom and upon her return, she turned out the lights.  She gives really good hints when she wants to go to sleep.  The new roommate turns on her computer, pulls out her pretzels, and commences her loud clicking on the computer and her loud chomping on pretzels.  One of these days, my room is going to explode in anger.  I only want to be a fly on the wall when that happens because I do not want to be anywhere close when the new roommate and my roommate finally exchange words about roommate etiquette. 

Dusty Day

Day two in my new office isn’t so bad.  I don’t have much work to do today, so we are making improvements around the office.  We have a big screen TV that we are mounting to the wall today.  Its original purpose was to watch the news to maintain awareness on what is happening in the world.  And on Sunday it was going to host our Super Bowl party, but since the cable won’t reach that far, it is now showing a useless presentation of slides.  Our small screen TV, which is currently being mounted above the door, will connect to AFN instead.  In hindsight, if this is all I have to complain about, life is pretty darn good.  Now to start planning the party.

My other roommate made bread today for the first time in a long time.  Since my new office is closer to the MWR closet, I can smell it while I work.  It smells delicious! 

It is super dusty outside today, I can taste the dust and feel it in my eyes the moment I step out the door.  We are all hoping it rains today to clear out the dust; otherwise it will hang in the air for a week.  This can’t be healthy.