is drawing near. Deployment #2. Time to find out if repeated deployments really do take a toll on a perfectly average human being. Word on the streets is that with the Iraqi Security Forces taking some semblance of a lead, we won't be very busy. If that's the case, I'll be bouncing between the gym and internet cafe. That means the only result of a second deployment will be coming home jacked and tan, and plagued with carpal tunnel. And possibly a new haircut.
Today we all strolled into work around nine and played regularball (a hybrid soccer/football/ultimate frisbee type game) in the field behind our company. It was about 95° and sunny, but just as we started stretching out and choosing teams, the sprinkler system kicked on. So we played regularball on a sunny ninety degree morning in the pouring rain. It was wonderful.
Time to try packing up some of my belongings, wish me luck.
Oh, also, follow me on Twitter at @RegularGrunt for updates on my current level of sweatiness, bitterness, and eventually, the deployment.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Again.
I'm not sure how many times this has happened over the past year, but there was another fatal shooting at a military base in the United States today. And again, it was a soldier, albeit a retired one. Fort Carson was cast into the spotlight earlier this year as being the place you're most likely to be killed by a stressed out soldier following a spat of murders committed by vets returning from the Middle East. Similarly, Fort Campbell was highlighted as the place you're most likely to commit suicide following a rough few weeks which left a number of people dead, all of whom were stressed out soldiers.
The deputy commander of Fort Campbell and my former brigade commander, Brigadier General Steve Townsend even went as far as to officially prohibit soldiers under his command from committing suicide over a long weekend earlier this year. I hope someone else finds that as odd as I do. We'll ignore the fact he's doing nothing to help his soldiers, just like the rest of the Army.
Fort Lewis, however, managed to evade the limelight despite a number of suicides, two underage girls overdosing in barracks on the post, a murder/kidnapping, and most recently, the discovery of a child porn studio in a wooded training area, and this most recent murder/suicide attempt.
I feel like this offers irrefutable evidence there is something wrong with today's Army. The stresses of repeated long tours may finally be getting to the strongest soldiers in the regular Army. Of course, I can't explain the "stresses" the average POG/fobbit/REMF experiences, but then again, I can't explain anything they do.
The other services don't appear to have the growing murder rate. The other services also restrict tours to between three and twelve months, and increase the "dwell" time spent at home between tours. Maybe they're onto something?
jordan
The deputy commander of Fort Campbell and my former brigade commander, Brigadier General Steve Townsend even went as far as to officially prohibit soldiers under his command from committing suicide over a long weekend earlier this year. I hope someone else finds that as odd as I do. We'll ignore the fact he's doing nothing to help his soldiers, just like the rest of the Army.
Fort Lewis, however, managed to evade the limelight despite a number of suicides, two underage girls overdosing in barracks on the post, a murder/kidnapping, and most recently, the discovery of a child porn studio in a wooded training area, and this most recent murder/suicide attempt.
I feel like this offers irrefutable evidence there is something wrong with today's Army. The stresses of repeated long tours may finally be getting to the strongest soldiers in the regular Army. Of course, I can't explain the "stresses" the average POG/fobbit/REMF experiences, but then again, I can't explain anything they do.
The other services don't appear to have the growing murder rate. The other services also restrict tours to between three and twelve months, and increase the "dwell" time spent at home between tours. Maybe they're onto something?
jordan
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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