Smittie's Ramblings

Day 47 The midwatch wasn’t too bad last night. Around 0500 I had real trouble staying awake. I finally got to bed around 0800. Slept until 1030. It’s now 1925 and I’m still feeling pretty good. On Sunday I’m going out to shoot crew served weapons from boats. Should be an exciting and interesting experience. … Read more

Day 46 This morning was quite interesting. I spent thirty minutes or so iChatting with my beautiful wife and was wrapping things up when this guy comes charging into the tent along with about eight others and tells me that I’m in his place. Buckets of attitude and aggression. Good morning to you too. The … Read more

Day 45 I moved into a tent today. So far there are only two of us in here but more will be coming to be sure. There is suppose to be eleven of us in here. It’s not bad. Wireless Internet in my tent. Enough space for me, my stuff and a little room to … Read more

Day 44 To start, I need to offer a correction. Or at least The Supply Guy says I need to offer a correction. I should be referring to his unit as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment instead of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division. 3rd ACR finally got some definitive word on when they’re going home. … Read more

Day 43 Came off the midwatch this morning at 0700. Was sound asleep by 0740. Woke up at about 1045. Took a shower and headed over to the mall to see if any of the guys were there to play Spades. The Supply Guy was there. He went to wake up Sarge and The Other … Read more

Day 42 The Mid Watch I have the mid watch again tonight. Last time round I tried to lay down and sleep from 1700 to 2100 before going on watch. I was not able to get any real sleep. I got up at 2030. I was going to eat last time before I went on … Read more

Day 41 Today I went into town again. A reward for doing a favor for a Chief. I bought an earphone/mic for my cell phone. Hopefully, it will make hearing and understanding phone calls home easier. It will also making reading to the kids a lot easier having both hands free. One of the ways … Read more

Day 40 Yesterday a few guys from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division taught me to play Spades. I played a game with them yesterday. They had to leave for work but agreed to play today after I got off watch. I was looking forward to it all day. I really like these guys. They’re fun. … Read more

Day 39 I cried a lot this morning. It all started when I read this article (free registration required). America will bury 64 of her finest in the coming week. First, to the families and friends of those who died, my sincerest condolences. All of them were taken too soon. Mr. Morel, the father of … Read more

Day 38 I went to a place called Doha toady. There’s a Coalition Military Base there. Staffing for the base is predominately US Army but there are a lot of different countries and services there. I saw all of the US branches of service. I saw service members from Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Finland, Korea, … Read more