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
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Iran
I've been following the protests and uprisings in Iran fairly closely over the last few days, and have to say I'm thoroughly amazed. I'm amazed at the resolve of the Iranian people to continue to face off with the Basiji Militia and Revolutionary Guard despite setbacks that would cripple a lesser movement. Also, the use of internet social networking websites (twitter, facebook, youtube, etc) to communicate with not only each other, but western news outlets as well. Normal citizens are reporting to the BBC and CNN in a manner never seen before.
Also, the videotaped (and immediately youtube'd) shooting death of a woman in her mid-twenties named Neda (roughly translates to "the voice") by Basiji Militia has given the opposition a rallying cry, and a second face to unite under. Interesting to note, Neda's family was explicitly forbidden by the powers that be in Iran, I'm assuming the Guardian Council, to hold a traditional funeral ceremony for her. Apparently, this also prevents Neda from becoming eligible for martyrdom, and accordingly, status as a martyr. My common sense tells me the religious authorities in Iran, most of whom support the incumbent leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, want Neda's face erased from the memory of the thousands of people currently chanting her name in downtown Tehran.
Opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi doesn't seem to be doing too much to better his situation. His calls for a revote have fallen on deaf ears, and that doesn't appear to be changing.
Between four and six members of the Iranian world cup soccer team have been involuntarily "retired" but Iran's Supreme Leader for sporting green wristbands during a recent match against South Korea. The color green was selected by Moussavi as a campaign color. However, the color green is also a symbol of Shia Islam. In essence, these soccer players were removed from the team for wearing wristbands symbolizing the religion the entire country of Iran is based on... because it may have been remotely related to Moussavi's campaign. Interesting.
Finally, this post on Facebook caught my eye, and I thought I'd share it:
Aria Massumi wrote on June 21, 2009 at 2:21pm
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."
-- US Declaration of Independence
I like this a lot, I wish every government would base its foundations on that. Iran does the opposite by taking the life of its own people. It makes me very sad because I am Iranian, living in Germany."
Really? An Iranian who doesn't see America as The Great Satan? A person from the Middle East who doesn't hate America?
Better not tell Uncle Sam.
[This is unedited. I need to go to sleep. I'll edit later.]
Also, the videotaped (and immediately youtube'd) shooting death of a woman in her mid-twenties named Neda (roughly translates to "the voice") by Basiji Militia has given the opposition a rallying cry, and a second face to unite under. Interesting to note, Neda's family was explicitly forbidden by the powers that be in Iran, I'm assuming the Guardian Council, to hold a traditional funeral ceremony for her. Apparently, this also prevents Neda from becoming eligible for martyrdom, and accordingly, status as a martyr. My common sense tells me the religious authorities in Iran, most of whom support the incumbent leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, want Neda's face erased from the memory of the thousands of people currently chanting her name in downtown Tehran.
Opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi doesn't seem to be doing too much to better his situation. His calls for a revote have fallen on deaf ears, and that doesn't appear to be changing.
Between four and six members of the Iranian world cup soccer team have been involuntarily "retired" but Iran's Supreme Leader for sporting green wristbands during a recent match against South Korea. The color green was selected by Moussavi as a campaign color. However, the color green is also a symbol of Shia Islam. In essence, these soccer players were removed from the team for wearing wristbands symbolizing the religion the entire country of Iran is based on... because it may have been remotely related to Moussavi's campaign. Interesting.
Finally, this post on Facebook caught my eye, and I thought I'd share it:
Aria Massumi wrote on June 21, 2009 at 2:21pm
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."
-- US Declaration of Independence
I like this a lot, I wish every government would base its foundations on that. Iran does the opposite by taking the life of its own people. It makes me very sad because I am Iranian, living in Germany."
Really? An Iranian who doesn't see America as The Great Satan? A person from the Middle East who doesn't hate America?
Better not tell Uncle Sam.
[This is unedited. I need to go to sleep. I'll edit later.]
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
grey lenses
Neues Rathaus, Munich, Germany. I only vaguely remember taking this picture, or any other part of this glorious October day in Munich. So no story for this one.
the new theme
Pictures are worth a thousand words. So there's your picture. This was taken at the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment pre-deployment ball on June 11, 2009. From left to right, Specialist Dante Hill, Private First Class Justin Squier, Sergeant Al Groth, Private Zach Ames, Staff Sergeant Todd Selge, Sergeant Dave Guenther, and me.
Brothers, until the end. And then past that. The Devil ain't going to know what hit him.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Not really a post...
Every time I read Water for Elephants, I get upset when I realize I'm reading the last chapter and that the book doesn't go on forever. It should, I think.
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