Gone For A Soldier

10:49:10 PM EDT

Saturday, 8/19/06, 10:40 pm (Eastern Standard Time), Home

I had pretty much given up on any thoughts about keeping up with this blog gig.  After all, the unit is home, the equipment is all accounted for (or so I have been told, I am believing the story since ther eare some things that I want to remain "fat, dumb and happy"), and the personnel moves have finally stopped.  The Bn I believe, is finally "home".

The benefit of being home is not without a price however.  We have lost some soldiers that in my humble opinion, would do well to make a career of the Army National Guard. 

I do have to extend my appoligies to my readers - 8 months is far too long to go without any type of update.  I don't have too much time right now, but let me see if I can give a brie update for now....

I have my old job back - and am still trying to find my place.

I have moved jobs in the Bn, from XO to CO.  Lots more to do, among other things.

I have recently received a promotion.  Still trying to get used to that new rank as well.

More tomorrow, time to duct tape the baby into her bed....

Paul

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8:40:39 AM EST Saturday, 1/14/06, 8:25 am (Eastern Standard Time?), Home

Over the past three weeks I have debating about the validation of keeping a blog alive and well post deployment.  It stands to reason that I always will have something to say, important or not regarding the Global War on Terrorism, so there is always a potential story out there.  It also stands to reason that due to the poor quality of the written media in my part of the country, somebody has to put out the real message to ensure that truth in operations (work related and other) is expressed.  Also, I couldn't keep myself away from the soapbox - after 3 weeks or so of working my hind end off here at home I am more than ready (I think) to head back into the workplace.  Or so I thought last week....

Part of my re-integration back into my position at the Michigan Dept of Transportation (Go Team MDOT - my first real plug for my employeer who has been wonderfully supportive throughout the last 18 months) has been to attend a few meetings and events over the past two weeks to facilitate a better transition for me into my old position.  In the military we would call this the "left seat - right seat ride".  Anyway.  One of these meetings was concerning a fix to a very troublesome intersection in Van Buren County.  (No sense in naming the location, most folks in the county can find it).  Funny part of this situation is that when I left, I had no way of leveraging monies to fix it the way I wanted it fixed, and the way it should be fixed for a 10 to 20 year solution (in this case, I did want to do the right thing - suprising I know for a DOT type like me to drill down to the common sense solution).

Well over the last year, the rural parts of Michigan have found that the predominant west winds have brough air polution from NW Indiana (Go Gary) and Chicago area and have created a unique situation for me.  I can leverage monies for projects which reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, thus improving the air quality of the area.  So now I have money!!

A couple of months ago my boss emails me and says (my paraphrase here) "I want you to install a round-a-bout at this location".  She said some other things too, like talking and inclusion and communication.  But the military part of me heard one message "Roundabout, location X, EXECUTE".

So I sat in a meeting about this subject last week.  And we are working toward the right thing of gaining support from local and state political figures to validate our course of action.  This is the beginning of my re-introduction into the civilian world.  I have to rein myself in ALOT now.  Again, in my mind, I am in execution mode to get this thing built.  In the great scheme of things, we are still building support and are nowhere near execution of the plan, or even the detailed development of the plan.

See my dilema?

Becoming a civilian again is going to be difficult.

The real question (espically to my fellow warriors who have been through this before) is: do I really want to loose the military style focus on objective, task, and end state?  Do I stand to gain from utilizing a more aggressive military style leadership in the civilian marketplace?

Comments are welcome - I am really struggling with these questions.

See You On The High Ground,

Paul


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4:31:47 AM EST

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4:21:52 AM EST

Wednesday, 12/21/05, 4:10 am (Eastern Standard Time), Camp Atterbury, TOC

Well, it's been a little bit of time since I have written.  Seems like only yesterday I went through customs, boarded a plane and flew back to the US.  Honestly, it's been like 8 days (I flew back on Dec 13th).   The reunion with my wife and kids was awesome.  In true "got my back" fashion, Bill Wilson (aka Scoop 2) from the Rochester Sentinel took a couple of pictures of this wonderful reunion:

As you can see, everyone is in good spirits and happy to see each other.  I mean after 8 months apart, one would expect a great outpouring of emotion in this event.  Well, everyone but the baby - she was just trying to figure out what was going on.  Now she's on board with this whole "Daddy is home" gig.  I mean - look at those faces - can you even try and deny those smiles?

Since my return to the "real world", I had 3 days at home, and a return to Camp Atterbury to "demobilize".  That's Army speak for  2 1/2 days squeezed into 5 days to return a soldiers from active duty to the traditional citizen-soldier weekend mode.  However, despite the briefings and the classes, myself and my brothers in arms will never really return to true traditional status.  We will forever carry with us this experience, and the knowledge and skills associated with this experience.

We are all having problems sleeping.  Everyone is waking up about 3 am to 5 am and not being able to get back to sleep.  Pray that is the only issues that we face in reintegrating back into the real world.

I return to work next month - due to security reasons (and to protect my time at work) I am being deliberately vague about when I am starting back to a real job.

I have wondered about maintaining this journal to track the whole reintegration piece, but I am not sure of the long term value would be to the general public.  I mean, I can maintain this, if only as a voice of reason and truth to try and do my part to offset the mainstream media viewpoint of what's going on in Iraq - but right now, I really am not in the mood to keep my fingers on the pulse of the war.

Later today I will receive orders releasing me from active duty and returning be to the Indiana Army National Guard.  I will then board a bus and go home. Home.  No more packing up duffel bags and going away from extended time periods.

Ironman 5 has the high ground, and is awaiting the main body.

Paul

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12:59:33 AM EST

Thursday, 12/8/05, 8:55 am (Arabic Standard Time), KUWAIT

That's right folks, yours truly is a SINGLE DIGIT MIDGET.  What does that mean in military parlance?  In short (ha ha - I'll be here all week) it means that I have less than 9 days before I leave this ******** place.  And let me tell you, it's not a moment too soon.  Yes there are still things that have to be done, and there are vehicles and such that we are trying to get moved here from Iraq (still), but all in all, there is an end in sight.

You would think that now that I am here in Kuwait that I would post more (ok ok ok).  Or better yet, that I would call home more (just signed for a new phone for the TOC today as a matter of fact).  And all of that should hold true now that I have my feet on the ground here.

More later, I have equipment to find.

See You On The High Ground,

Paul

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3:18:18 PM EST

Sunday, 12/4/05, 11:07 pm (Arabic Standard Time), Mosul, TOC

Another week has past, and a variety of challanges have come and gone.  Needless to say, I am ready to send my Boss back out on missions to keep him out of my hair so I can get things done!!!

Here are my mornings:  I am always at work by 8 am (civilian employeer please take note).  My Boss is usually at work by 6:30 am and is a hyperactive type.  So by the time I get in to the TOC, he's had 1 1/2 hours to stew and wait for me to ask me a ton of questions, that candidly, I have not had time to even begin to answer.  Then he goes and seeks the answers without letting me do my thing.  I suppose that's OK, but it makes me kind of useless.  Mind you, I get the same amount of money on my paycheck regardless if I do my job, or let my Boss do my job.  But it helps me pass the time if I can do my job....

The other Major and I often kid the Boss from time to time about his hyperactivity.  We are used to it - but I will be glad to get back to an organization where I have the latitude to execute and plan and lead as needed to accomplish the 3 goals of the DOT (Respond to emergencies, clear snow and ice and deliver the program - I know we added another goal, but I cannot remember it right now).

More later.  Once I get to Kuwait in the nest day or so, I will hopefully have more time to write.

See You On The High Ground,

Paul

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11:59:41 AM EST

Sunday, 11/27/05, 7:37 PM (Arabic Standard Time), Mosul, Jump TOC

It's been another whole week gone by without any postings.  I would feel guilty, but I'm generally too concerned with other stuff (like getting this Bn home) to deal with minor issues like guilt.  Besides, I don't do guilt well - just ask my Mom.

This week has been a hectic one with Thansgiving, redeployment, current operations and all - my schedule has been full.  Not full enough to not spend some time chatting with my wife on-line, but busy enough to have to make a decision between chatting with my woman and posting a blog.  No offense, but she won.

Thanksgiving was ok.  I spent some time in the mess hall serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the multitude of troops eatin there that day - it was enjoyable.  Later that day, well actually I ate dinner with a number of NCOs and Officers from the Bn.  It was an enjoyable meal, and as close to a family gathering that I have had to date here in country.  Many people, lots of conversations, everyone just being one with the group.  Anyway, one of the soldiers went off after most were done eating and secured a few bottles of sparkling grape juice.  We then poured and toasted to "Next holiday meal at home".  It was very touching and moving at the same time.  It's tough from time to time, and it was neat that as a group, we all had the same goal - get home, alive.

As I have been working the redeployment of the Bn, it's been difficult to keep a focus on the task at hand, and not be focused on the end state (which is to get home).  So often I think many of us just want to be done with the process and just get there.  You know, the 30 minute SITCOM solution of skip the painful stuff and go right for the end result.

One thing I realized is that my wife and kids have not seen me (literally not seen me real time with their own eyes) on over 8 months.  I also have not seen any of them in that time period, so I know the initial shock will be overwhelming, and enjoyable.

Time is of the essence.

See You On The High Ground,

Paul

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3:53:26 PM EST Sunday, 11/20/05, 11:47 pm (Arabic Standard Time), Mosul

Couple of things - I have at least 5 left-handed clubs, including a sand wedge left for me by the last Bn XO.

My wife is officially one year older as of yesterday - happy birthday babe.  I am now married to an "older woman" (she's older than me by what 8 months or something like that?).  Needless to say, she's still a great 29 years old.  I know my rules - never divulge a woman's age, even if you do know the truth!

The following are the 8 rules for dating my daughters.

Rules for Dating My Daughters

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter’s body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwearshowing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, In order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time, you should not be dating. My daughter is getting ready, a process that can take longer than painting the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Golden Gate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bridge</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my truck?

Rule Seven:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a skin-headed, middle-aged, dim-witted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres up north. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Eight:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your POS car in the driveway for an IED going off in the middle of a crowded Iraqi street.  The muzzle you see in the upstairs window is a M249, which has a cyclic rate of fire high enough to put so many holes in your car in the time it takes to fart, it'll look like a cheese grater. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car....there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

I have promised to never embarrass my daughters in public, but I never mentioned the internet...

See You On The High Ground,

Paul


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2:05:36 AM EST

Wednesday, 11/16/05, 9:19 am (Arabic Standard Time), Mosul, TOC

So it's been a few days since I last posted.  Suffice it to say that I have been just a little busy (I know the peanut gallery will snap that up, how could ANYONE be bust - right?).  Basically, with the redeployment in full motion my time has become limited in terms of what I have to dedicate to other activities.  I know my wife must be really upset with me - I owe her a phone call...

The repalcement guys are here!!  That's always a good thing.  Like everything, all we do is draw a box on the calender and say "sometime in this window, these guys will get here".  And true to form there are multiple changes every day for when people are arriving.  As long as they get here, we are OK with the changes.

So my Boss finds me the other day, "Hey XO, I need the primary staff, you and the Sgt Major at noon today here in the TOC".  Roger.  Too easy.  About half an hour later, the boss comes back in, "Hey XO, make sure you get the State flag and the Bn Colors".  Too easy, where do you want this stuff Boss?

"On the roof".

At this point in time my "I'm getting screwed with" alarm is in full swing.  Since that answer rom MY lips is usually me screwing with someone.

OK Boss, really, where do you want this stuff?

"On the roof - we are taking our staff picture on the roof of the TOC".

Ahhhh - an end state, now I can execute violently.  Too easy.  You see, our TOC is encased in concrete, so the Roof is a good place for a picture.  It's a great party location, and we are thinking about putting a tee box on there.  I bet I could hit the infantry TOC across the street with a 3 Iron with practice.

I'm the one on the left holding the State flag.

See You On The High Ground,

Paul

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1:54:48 PM EST

Saturday, 11/5/05, 9:38 pm (Arabic Standard Time), Mosul, TOC

I've been pretty busy getting into the eaches of redeployment.  Apparently, the CPT that I sent to CFLCC cannot seem to work his way around issues...No sweat, I have not written his OER yet.

Some of the comments are getting a little too close to home and honestly, I took some serious offense to them. I have debated about how to approach this subject, as I do not want to make assumptions. 

 

But a couple of items.. the fellow that made the comment about the SPECIALIST, yeah, he's active duty. Oops.  And last I checked, I'm in Title 10 status as well (that's active duty status too). 

 

So let me get back with you right now about my attitude.  I am currently in a mechanized combat engineer unit deployed to NW Iraq in support of Task Force Freedom Before anyone cops an attitude about weekend warriors, please check your facts about the unit you are slamming (which does support 2/3 ACR by the way). Or in other words, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. In regards to us “weekend warriors”… Last I checked, the biggest issue I have faced in planning redeployment is pulling my unit out of Tal Afar, apparently that “weekend warrior” or how was it..."nasty girl" company of engineers means more to them than their active duty engineers. Last I checked, my guys were providing more support to that Reg out in Tal Afar than their organic active duty engineer unit.

 

Also, FYI, I have just as much training requirements and admin and log and maintenance requirements as an active unit, and only 2 days a month to execute those requirements, plus maintain my civilian occupation. Ask my wife how much time I have taken from her and our childrento keep my unit ready and responsive. Having spent time as a regular Army officer (my original commission was Regular Army, which at the time was for USMA graduates and about 10% of ROTC grads), I find anti-reserve/guard attitude everywhere I go, even Tal Afar. And for the most part, my Bn has shown that we can execute as much if not more than most active component engineer units. Why don’t we find out which engineer unit is conducting the route clearance operations (looking for IEDs) in and around Tal Afar…why that would be a company from MY National Guard Bn…not the active duty engineers.

 

Hmmmmm. Why is that? Must be because the Weekend Warriors know what they are doing.

 

Allow yet another example; I deployed to Iraq with 1/3 of the authorized tools to maintain my mechanized fleet of vehicles. That’s right 1/3. And yet my stuff can roll out for any mission (last I checked, my readiness rate hovers right above 91% most of the time). Because my soldiers adapted and overcame.

 

When the Stryker Bde or 3 ACR wants something done, they call us – not their active duty engineers, us – the National Guard pouge Bn. Why - because we deliver. So before you cop an active duty “holier than thou” attitude with me, you better get your facts straight for who’s bring home the engineer bacon in the NW portion of Iraq.

 

As a matter of fact, when I first started working the redeployment, there was significant discussion about extending my unit – because of what we bring to the table for all the maneuver forces here. Funny thing is, I don’t recall any discussion about extending 3 ACR.

 

And here’s another item to think about – when our division got new vehicle fire extinguishers, we received 6 total. Other Bns in this AO received as many as 120. When questioned why my Bn didn’t get an equal share the response was “well, a Stryker is worth about $1 million, you guys are rolling out in HMMWVs”. Apparently my National Guard "nasty girl" soldier's lives are not worth as much as a Stryker or Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

 

So let me recap – my Bn is conducting the lion’s share of the engineer effort in support of two maneuver brigades in NW Iraq; almost got extended (without extension of the maneuver units); was shorted by the National Guard for critical equipment prior to deployment; and is continually shorted on critical equipment throughout the deployment; AND we are just a National Guard "nasty girl" unit that really doesn’t know what we are doing. Please correct me if I didn’t get that attitude correct

 

In conclusion, before you go mud slinging me or my unit because we are National Guard, you have better know what and who you are disrespecting

 

I think, perhaps that I am being read wrong. By no means am I belittling any loss of military life anywhere. However, I think there needs to be some perspective with regard to the loss of that life. I think that the American public has become extremely sensitive to the loss of life – that’s a good thing. But I believe that in the process, there has been a significant perspective lost. We have almost come to the point where isn’t not OK to lose soldiers in combat – which is like trying to make an omelet without breaking the egg shells. And as hard as we try to protect and mitigate and train our soldiers, the enemy still has a vote. I do not like writing the letters home any more than the next guy. But I cannot stand to hear the media blast the military for loss of life, yet ignore the fact that America is loosing life in other venues. It just doesn’t make sense. That’s not rationalization, that’s being honest with the public. So what I’m hearing is that it’s not OK to loose life on the battlefield of Iraq, but it’s OK to lose life to highway accidents? Somehow that doesn’t add up. All I am asking for is the media and American public take the same effort with other fatality making events as they do with the war here in Iraq. I have attended 20 memorial services in Mosul and 2 in Tal Afar. None of them were pleasant, none were welcome

 

For the record, 15 years ago, my ass was in Saudi Arabia waiting to jump across the border for the first war

 

Did I mention that 50% of the combat forces in Iraq for OIF III were National Guard units? I must have confused them with the active duty units

 

See You On The High Ground

 

Paul

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