Today is "Poop in a Group" day. Take all of the pieces of paper and gear that you have collected and stuff into as tiny a space as you can. Then, you guessed it, sit and wait. I asked when our flight was leaving and the First Sargent said, "I can't tell you that." Ooooh! So tomorrow, or Saturday or even Sunday we will fly to somewhere and fly from there to Kuwait. Great info, huh? Or should I say, hooah? That is what is used in these parts for, huh; the response to which is, hooah. Don't forget the hooah.
Yesterday was a long day filled with the only actual helpful information. We did first aid and IED recognition. Reminds you in a not so gentle way you are heading into a war zone. But no worries for the Cliffster, y'all. I am heading to a secure spot and not allowed to go anywhere else.
It turns out I can read your response as they are forwarded to my email so keep 'em coming.
Well, I am off to do some laundry and see if there isn't a line I can stand in.
See you soon,
Cliff
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sorry...
Well, the government is playing tricks on you. For some reason or another their is an issue with blogs and the government system. So I have made 3 previous posts today and I believed they did not actually post; they did not show up on my government computer. So I kept posting them trying to get through. Well it turns out I just can't see them on my end. So unfortunately I will also not be able to read your comments. Please do not stop posting them, I will love to read them when I can. Until then, this will be a one sided, or at least a two isolated sided, conversation. Thanks and we will see you soon,
Cliff
Cliff
CRC
First out I need to send a huge THANK YOU to Uncle Gary and Aunt Te. I was having a very difficult time adjusting to the unknown and they opened their home to me. Their hospitality was gracious and so welcome. I can't say enough how much I appreciate their help in a time of need. And, also thank to Duffus (sp?), who is vying for the goodest good dog, for his companionship and spirit.
Now, CRC, or CONUS (continental US) Replacement Center, what can anyone say? This place puts a very fine point on why we need contractors in the military. In the last 4 days I have completed about 5 hours of work, and stood in lines or waited to stand in line for about 40 hours. The frustration gets to me around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, when I hits some ridiculous, unforeseeable road-block. Then I get a MRE (meal ready to eat) for lunch while someone holds my space in line, until I get released around 7:30. A saving grace at this point is the shopette, where I can get a six-pack before I rush off to eat a couple bites of institutional food at the mess hall. Clearly this is the SOP (standard operating procedure) around here, because none of the people in control seem phased by the SNAFU (figure it out on your own).
I think we will leave here Friday, Saturday or Sunday (very precise, I know) for Kuwait. It sounds like a nasty flight but I really am looking forward to getting out of here, as my 365 day clock won't start until I get over and this place is not pleasant.
My internet access is bad, I get one half hour when I can get on one of the 10 computers for the 500 people here. It doesn't look much better overseas either, but that is just conjecture at this point. I am sorry if I can't get to any messages very fast but please don't let that stop you from sending them as they mean a lot to me. I will try to get to all of them ASAP.
I miss you all greatly, already. I'll see you soon, and talk to you sooner,
Cliff
Now, CRC, or CONUS (continental US) Replacement Center, what can anyone say? This place puts a very fine point on why we need contractors in the military. In the last 4 days I have completed about 5 hours of work, and stood in lines or waited to stand in line for about 40 hours. The frustration gets to me around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, when I hits some ridiculous, unforeseeable road-block. Then I get a MRE (meal ready to eat) for lunch while someone holds my space in line, until I get released around 7:30. A saving grace at this point is the shopette, where I can get a six-pack before I rush off to eat a couple bites of institutional food at the mess hall. Clearly this is the SOP (standard operating procedure) around here, because none of the people in control seem phased by the SNAFU (figure it out on your own).
I think we will leave here Friday, Saturday or Sunday (very precise, I know) for Kuwait. It sounds like a nasty flight but I really am looking forward to getting out of here, as my 365 day clock won't start until I get over and this place is not pleasant.
My internet access is bad, I get one half hour when I can get on one of the 10 computers for the 500 people here. It doesn't look much better overseas either, but that is just conjecture at this point. I am sorry if I can't get to any messages very fast but please don't let that stop you from sending them as they mean a lot to me. I will try to get to all of them ASAP.
I miss you all greatly, already. I'll see you soon, and talk to you sooner,
Cliff
CRC
First out I need to send a huge THANK YOU to Uncle Gary and Aunt Te. I was having a very difficult time adjusting to the unknown and they opened their home to me. Their hospitality was gracious and so welcome. I can't say enough how much I appreciate their help in a time of need. And, also thank to Duffus (sp?), who is vying for the goodest good dog, for his companionship and spirit.
Now, CRC, or CONUS (continental US) Replacement Center, what can anyone say? This place puts a very fine point on why we need contractors in the military. In the last 4 days I have completed about 5 hours of work, and stood in lines or waited to stand in line for about 40 hours. The frustration gets to me around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, when I hits some ridiculous, unforeseeable road-block. Then I get a MRE (meal ready to eat) for lunch while someone holds my space in line, until I get released around 7:30. A saving grace at this point is the shopette, where I can get a six-pack before I rush off to eat a couple bites of institutional food at the mess hall. Clearly this is the SOP (standard operating procedure) around here, because none of the people in control seem phased by the SNAFU (figure it out on your own).
I think we will leave here Friday, Saturday or Sunday (very precise, I know) for Kuwait. It sounds like a nasty flight but I really am looking forward to getting out of here, as my 365 day clock won't start until I get over and this place is not pleasant.
My internet access is bad, I get one half hour when I can get on one of the 10 computers for the 500 people here. It doesn't look much better overseas either, but that is just conjecture at this point. I am sorry if I can't get to any messages very fast but please don't let that stop you from sending them as they mean a lot to me. I will try to get to all of them ASAP.
I miss you all greatly, already. I'll see you soon, and talk to you sooner,
Cliff
Now, CRC, or CONUS (continental US) Replacement Center, what can anyone say? This place puts a very fine point on why we need contractors in the military. In the last 4 days I have completed about 5 hours of work, and stood in lines or waited to stand in line for about 40 hours. The frustration gets to me around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, when I hits some ridiculous, unforeseeable road-block. Then I get a MRE (meal ready to eat) for lunch while someone holds my space in line, until I get released around 7:30. A saving grace at this point is the shopette, where I can get a six-pack before I rush off to eat a couple bites of institutional food at the mess hall. Clearly this is the SOP (standard operating procedure) around here, because none of the people in control seem phased by the SNAFU (figure it out on your own).
I think we will leave here Friday, Saturday or Sunday (very precise, I know) for Kuwait. It sounds like a nasty flight but I really am looking forward to getting out of here, as my 365 day clock won't start until I get over and this place is not pleasant.
My internet access is bad, I get one half hour when I can get on one of the 10 computers for the 500 people here. It doesn't look much better overseas either, but that is just conjecture at this point. I am sorry if I can't get to any messages very fast but please don't let that stop you from sending them as they mean a lot to me. I will try to get to all of them ASAP.
I miss you all greatly, already. I'll see you soon, and talk to you sooner,
Cliff
CRC
First of all a huge thank you! to Uncle Gary and Aunt Te. It's no secret that this is not easy for me and Gary and Te have been so kind, it has really been like a home away from home. They have a beautiful home in the country and a great dog, Duffus (sp?), that made a world of difference in my mental well being. I will forever be grateful.
On the other hand, there is Fort Benning, hmph! Talk about frustration. I arrived on Saturday around 3pm. Since then I have completed about 3 hours worth of work and I have been in line from about 8 am (Sunday and Monday) until 7 or 8 pm each day. The only saving grace has been the little shop that will sell you a six pack before 9 pm. The Army inefficiency has clearly demonstrated why there is a need for contract workers.
The quantity of time it takes to get even the expected hurdles leaped means I have to go now to get some ducks in a row just to prevent the possibility of a problem.
So everyone knows, communication is going to be a problem. Internet here is 10 computer for 500 people and overseas sounds questionable, at best. Phone is pay phones. Sorry, but it is what I have.
See you when I can,
Cliff
On the other hand, there is Fort Benning, hmph! Talk about frustration. I arrived on Saturday around 3pm. Since then I have completed about 3 hours worth of work and I have been in line from about 8 am (Sunday and Monday) until 7 or 8 pm each day. The only saving grace has been the little shop that will sell you a six pack before 9 pm. The Army inefficiency has clearly demonstrated why there is a need for contract workers.
The quantity of time it takes to get even the expected hurdles leaped means I have to go now to get some ducks in a row just to prevent the possibility of a problem.
So everyone knows, communication is going to be a problem. Internet here is 10 computer for 500 people and overseas sounds questionable, at best. Phone is pay phones. Sorry, but it is what I have.
See you when I can,
Cliff
Monday, June 18, 2007
Tension mounts...
The hour draweth near. I have this feeling in my belly that won't go away and I wake up each morning as if entering a dream and it ain't pleasant. I am now just wanting this waiting to be done. I dread my departure on Friday but it will at least get this awful show on the road.
I don't need to arrive at Fort Benning until Saturday but there are no flights available then so I have to leave on Friday, blughck! I have no contact and no information on what to do just a letter from the government (I opened and read it, it said they was sucka's!) that says I belong their. I feel like I am entering the Twilight Zone. I will basically be anonymous and unassisted until I arrive at my place of work, in Iraq.
My internet access is still an unknown. I will have access to the Army computers and internet, but it is only available in their area and it is highly regulated. I may only have airport access until I get their, I just don't know.
That's all for now.
I don't need to arrive at Fort Benning until Saturday but there are no flights available then so I have to leave on Friday, blughck! I have no contact and no information on what to do just a letter from the government (I opened and read it, it said they was sucka's!) that says I belong their. I feel like I am entering the Twilight Zone. I will basically be anonymous and unassisted until I arrive at my place of work, in Iraq.
My internet access is still an unknown. I will have access to the Army computers and internet, but it is only available in their area and it is highly regulated. I may only have airport access until I get their, I just don't know.
That's all for now.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
So here is the story
I am reporting to Fort Benning, GA on the 23rd of June. They will give me the once over, spit on me a few times to make sure I can take it, tell me not to have sex with anyone, and give me some useless gear. Then I head out in a week or so to Qatar and on to COB(Contingency Operating Base) Speicher located near Tikrit, Iraq. I found a description of the base and its history, it is a bit dated but will give you some idea of what's in store for the Cliffster. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-sahra.htm
I'll work a lot, I think. Maybe ten or twelve hour days six days a week. I like to think of it as McDonald's summer camp in the middle of the desert with automatic weapons. They try to make these places as comfortable as possible to keep morale up and provide for the guys who are really putting "it" on the line.
Other than that, I know nothing. But when I find out, all of the boring details will be spelled out here. See you then.
I'll work a lot, I think. Maybe ten or twelve hour days six days a week. I like to think of it as McDonald's summer camp in the middle of the desert with automatic weapons. They try to make these places as comfortable as possible to keep morale up and provide for the guys who are really putting "it" on the line.
Other than that, I know nothing. But when I find out, all of the boring details will be spelled out here. See you then.
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