December 2008 Archives

I first joined the military in 1981 and have 13 years of military service. This is the first Christmas that I have been away from my family on Christmas. I missed them terribly. I hope that this doesn't become routine. But we're through it now so on we go.

Christmas here on the FOB was an interesting experience. Christmas morning the only one who actually had presents was SPC Carlson. This because his team sergeant had the present for him. My wife and some friends had sent me Christmas presents but, because of some confusion about where I would actually be on Christmas, my presents are still at Adder waiting for me. I'll get them as soon as I go to Adder.

SPC Carlson got a Hunter Dan doll. I guess when it's for boys they don't call them dolls. We had a discussion about that and decided it was an Action Figure. Whatever, looks like a doll to me. Hunter Dan came with what appeared to be a Remington 700 rifle, a Nikon video camera (does Nikon make video cameras?), a tree stand, a cool hat and a safety vest.

After opening the one present, playing with it for a while, we then went off to Christmas breakfast. Coffee, rolls, cereal and bread. We'd make toast if we had the means but we don't.

Christmas dinner was good, even if a bit limited. There was turkey, chicken, roast beef. The stuffing was an odd color and appeared to have a rather thick consistency but was pretty good. There was a variety of pies to choose from, pumpkin, apple and some kind of berry. And peas for a vegetable. I do not like good peas. These weren't good. The cooks did a great job of putting together a nice meal in place of what we might have were we at home. My wife sent me a picture of the turkey they had on Christmas Eve. I'll be glad to spend Christmas with my family again next year.

Save a place for us Uncle Chuck. We'll be there. For Christmas and New Year's.

Yesterday I was informed that I have been selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant. According to my Team SGT, who spoke with the Brigade, tells me that I was made up to Staff Sergeant as of 15 Dec. The orders promoting me to Staff Sergeant should arrive soon. Very nice. It will mean an extra $500 a month or so. At last, I'll be wearing rank that almost fits my age. Almost.

Staff Sergeant, E-6, has been a long time in coming for me. I made E-5 in Feb of 1985, while I was still on active duty with the Navy. I tried several times to make E-6 in the Navy. I always met the requirements for advancement but there were never any slots to advance into. Now, 23 years after making E-5, I have finally made E-6.

What this means in terms of my military career I haven't decided yet. The Army still has not paid me the enlistment bonus that was part of my initial contract. I am hesitant to re-enlist if the Army cannot make good on their first contract. However, now with 13 good years in the military I only need to do 7 more and I'll be eligible for retirement. Given my current financial status, I will likely need all the help in retirement that I can get.

If I were to pursue military retirement, making E-6 almost assures me of making E-7 which is really where I'd like to be. Sergeant First Class is a fairly comfortable place to finish out a military career. High enough up to be exempt from most of the busy work, and still low enough to avoid most of the political infighting.

For now, I'm glad I made E-6 early in the deployment. The rocker makes it a little easier to get things done. Officers find it a little harder to ignore an E-6. For the moment, I am a "Sergeant Promotable". Seriously, someone thought that sounded OK. You really can't make this stuff up. Seems like I was a Sergeant Promotable as soon as I was eligible to put my packet in for Staff Sergeant. Seems like I would now be Staff Sergeant Select. Nope. Not in the Army. You really can't make this stuff up.

Smittie aka SSG Smith (Blue)

I went running this morning. 4 miles. Good time but it was pretty painful. I always hate getting back into shape. Why that doesn't motivate me to stay in shape, I'm not sure.
We last went out on a mission on XX Nov. What is that, almost two weeks now. There's not a lot to do. We sit in our living quarters and try to occupy our time a lot. I am sure that things were different two years ago but I really don't see the excitement of being on CATA teams that go outside the wire. When I do go out on mission, it really isn't all that exciting. The children we meet are use to US Forces being in the area and have come to view them as a source of free stuff.
"Mister, give me water."
"Mister, give me football."
"Mister, give me money."
Not really all that interesting.
I talked with CPT Skatoff yesterday. I will be going back to Camp Adder as soon as SSG Larocque returns from BNOC which is suppose to be XX Dec. I'm rather happy about that. Camp Adder means more comfortable living conditions and gainful employment. I'll have a real job to occupy my time on a daily basis. I suppose I should feel bad about leaving the team but I don't. I feel that I'm spare parts. It is a benefit to the team to have an extra member. I would still rather be working in operations back at Headquarter which is what I'll be doing after my return to Adder.
I am struggling a little bit with the fact that working at Camp Adder rather than going out on missions everyday carries with it far less bragging rights. I'll be a 'fobbit'. Someone who stays on the FOB and does not go outside the wire. Rationally, I'm fine with that. I will not spend my days walking around wearing 50 to 60 pounds of gear. When summer comes, I will not be stuck in vehicles the interior tempature of which reachs near the 200 degree mark. For the most part, I'll live in a climate controlled environment, eat three squares a day, and generally be relatively comfortable. I'm pretty OK with that.
Emotionally, I would like to have exciting 'war stories' to tell friends and family when I get home. I would like other military members to be impressed when they hear where I was for my deployment. For the most part, they won't be. Just as they are not impressed with my last deployment which I spent in Kuwait. Many even say that those who spend their entire deployment in Kuwait should not receive combat pay. The truth is, the work I am good at and enjoy the most is Operational planning and management. And that is what I'm going to do. I ought to be happy with that and worry less about how others will view my time in Iraq.
aloha