Convoys and iPads

Okay, haven't been on in a while soooo let's get crackin =) Went on R&R, it was good, nice vacation, well-needed 9 months into the deployment, needless to say. Came back about 2 weeks ago and immediately was asked if I wanted to go on mission...uhhh....DUH!!!! So we were out for 5 days in Iraq, I loved it. I'll post some pics later, probably will edit them tonight and upload, I'm pretty behind on all the "resilency" stuff in my life. I.E. photos, blog, organized wall locker, PT, organized desk, personal e-mail...haha all the stupid stuff that makes me feel better when its accomplished. I'll talk about the mission first, while its still fresh in my mind.

First off, not sure that I've discussed any "missions/convoys" yet, I'm 99% sure I have not. I can't give away too many details about what we do regularly, like the order of march and when we go, how we travel, etc. I'll keep it light but as informative as possible. A little background about my convoy experiences. I have been on 3 thusfar. I loved it. Every single time. When we first got here, my NCOIC said that we would not be going on missions, it was not our job. Well, the first time I went out was for a day thing so I volunteered my day off to go. Did that and it was great. Over time, our Colonel started making it known that he wanted everyone wishing to go on convoy to get the chance. So, I was permissed with my first real trip north. I did not run with a typical CLP (Convoy Logistics Patrol), I ran with an escort team with gun trucks. So, I went as the "medical" personnel. And ACTUALLY had my first patient. One of the guys got incredibly sick and we ended up having to make a pitstop for about 5 hours to give him nausea medicine and 2 liters of IV fluids...which is a TON. Basically, he got sick and I was doing typical first aid (applying a cool compress, loosening the restrictive areas of clothing like boot blousers and trying to settle his stomach). Once he was throwing up water, I told the COL we needed to stop and why. Our COL is a nurse, so he is extremely familiar with all of that and understood. We stopped, at what is still my favorite FOB, and he was administered IV fluids. To get an idea of just how sick he was, imagine being in a 10 x 6 room with no windows, no airflow and EVERYBUMP hitting it hard. He cleared 2 medics out of the room when he started throwing up...my whole truck almost lost their lunch too. It was gross, but I didn't care, it was exciting, so to speak =) It was a long day and we came back, Frame took me to dinner at the chowhall and we hit the road again. We went to 5 FOBs, got to see each for about 1 or 2 days. I really enjoyed it. That was in July, my first convoy.

Its been a real fight to get on convoys, have gotten SO MANY excuses from my NCOIC (can't afford to loose you, some people haven't been on mission yet that want to go, you already went out, thats not your mission) etc etc etc. MY defense is this: I've never fallen behind on my work, I get it done fast, on time and done well, not just barely scraping by. Also, for all of my section who "wanted to go on mission", when I was pushing for this big time back in May, no one was helping, backing me up or contributing, so I didn't care that they hadn't been out when they didn't really want to go from the beginning and didn't help get the changes made. My job, is a joke, I rarely have anything to do (hence why I'm doing this at work as we speak) and my OIC, NCOIC can go, so why can't I? They have way more important jobs, why can't a little E4 go? It is not my mission, but as long as I can accomplish my mission, who cares what additional tasks I take on AS LONG AS I GET MY MISSION DONE. Anyways, all my defenses.

Came back from R&R and SFC Weeden (the convoy commander for these PSD missions) specifically went and asked for me, as they needed another female for the other girl going out on mission...alot of crap and pissing contests later, I got to go! =) And this was not just up to Balad and back...it was to an area where route clearance is not done because it is a "hot" area...we had to have IP/IA escorts going through these small villages, the villagers were giving us the finger and yelling at us to slow down...it was a tiny taste of what things were like probably prior to the "winning the hearts and minds" propoganda. Those Soldiers were literally walking around having things thrown at them, always in the way of danger. These days, its a lot calmer and the Iraqis seem to be either more supportive or have ignored our presence. Either way, it was clear that we were hated at the areas we went through. At one point, my truck got stuck on a powerline and our gunner had to climb on top to remove it and the village went from hustling and bustling to so quiet you could hear a pin drop. When you go through training, they teach you that when that happens, something bad is about to take place. The villagers locked their gates, doors, windows, everything. We were stopped for less than 2 minutes, it cleared out that quick. That was eerie. Then we continued on to our final destination. At this FOB, there are Iraqis that train there, its almost completely handed off to them and we had to walk around in Amber status with our weapons. The command feared that there could be an attack from the Iraqis within post. Then we headed back. I loved it. I love convoys...its so so so so incredibly dangerous, I understand that. But its also what I was trained to do. Yes, I'm trained to do Army paperwork, but we are taught that we are combat Soldiers first, that is our base of being a Soldier. So, its refreshing to really be living the real thing...not to be doing what I do in the States, only getting paid more. You have less time to worry about superficial things. You focus on taking what you need and knowing your life-saving training. They work hard and get more down time. Train to standard, not to time. Averaging 4 1/2 hours of sleep a night was fine, because it was exciting to get out. Thats my convoy stuff =) Love it.

Other random sidenotes, I'm going to start doing book reviews on here I think. Posting articles about things that interest me. I bought an iPad and a watch! The watch, doesn't SOUND too exciting, but it really is. I hate watches...they're uncomfortable and I have a cell that I can just look at in the states. HOWEVER. Being places that don't have clocks, and not having a cell phone here, I need a watch. So I got one, I love the idea of it. Hopefully it won't irritate me like watches seem to do for me. Plus, Frame will be exstatic because he won't have to tell me what time it is all the time. Hahaha. He's on mission right now, just left yesterday...BOO.

iPad!!!! I got a used generation 1 iPad...kindda to test it out, I really got it for a steal $380, and its a year old. I. LOVE. IT. I never thought I would...but its perfect. I'll probably end up packing up my computer and sending it on home. The iPad is incredibly convienent for travel...better than a laptop that you have to start, restart, etc. The battery life is shorter also on a computer, so my iPad conviently plays movies longer without charge, good for travel. I wouldn't want to do school work or a post this long on an iPad, but its great for travel, on the go entertainment. I had to be up at 4am for a 2.4 mile run this morning and I played with my iPad until I was literally falling asleep with it on my chest. I adore it. I'm off tomorrow and I foresee mucho naps and iPad time. Laundry is all done, Frame is gone on mission and I have not a care in the world. Might go swimming, who knows? Oh. Yes. Its only 1045am and I wish I were off work right now to play with it...sigh. Lol! Frame might have to find a new battle buddy, I may spend the rest of deployment with my iPad! Hahaha. I have a PT test next Friday...haven't worked out. At. ALL. We will see how THAT goes. Also, a blogger who I love does a "this week in photos" with a little photo and caption at the end of the week for all 7 days...I will probably do that. Love the idea. That's all for now guys, too lazy to type more. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends!