Another day, another fifty cents...minus seven cents for taxes

It has been way too long since my last entry so where do I start? Where did I leave off? Oh yes the M-16 qualification shoot. Well I wont glorify the fact that I qualified at the lowest rate of marksman but we wont talk about that, the fact is I did qualify end of story.

The week following my M-16 class I had a week break before I started a 6 week long cable splicing school teaching us how to properly repair high voltage electrical cable and so far it is more technical then I thought it would ever be. I am looking forward to getting into phone and fiber optics. Anyway during the week I had to wait for the school I was put to working helping the admin office and standing four hour quarterdeck watches in the middle of the night. Basically what that meant was to sit there from 4am until 8am at the desk in the center of the battalion building answering phones that didn't ring and trying not to get too frustrated with my cross word puzzles....exciting!

There are a lot of different species of birds here in Mississippi then I am used to in the North West. The other day I spotted a cardinal bird for the very first time. He was singing quite the song and almost sounded in panic but I continued to watch him hop from limb to limb, what a beautiful bird. I saw him again yesterday as I sat out side enjoying the sun rise. He was pecking the grass in front of my room door trying to get the early bird worm. I was enjoying his company until a truck pulled up and scared him away. I look for the cardinal every morning now and look forward to possibly seeing him and hearing his beautiful song. Oh I also saw a snapping turtle this morning sunning himself by the slew, very neat but I am still on the hunt for a gater!!

Well I have been here for a month now and the time is seeming to go by a tad bit faster then the first week did. I am on a regular schedule until the end of June and then who knows.

Off to cook up a bit-o dinner. Wishing everyone well and sending my love!!

A lot has happened since last week. I started my classes last Monday and that is where the fun began. We started off with CBR (chemical, biological, radiological) protection utilizing our gas masks and protective suites in the gas chamber. We were required to enter the chamber, remove our canister and then replace it while holding our breath and then clearing our masks. I was unable to replace my canister as I found it difficult and sucked some good old CS gas. Nothing like gas in the morning to clear your sinuses. The following day we continued with IED training, learning how to recognize possible IEDs and the proper steps to take if having the misfortune of crossing one's path. The most fun part of the class was when my group got to set off an explosion that was strapped to the other groups vehicle. The kicker was when we had to switch places and have our turn at the experience. It was a very scary yet interesting course.

Sunday was a day of rest spent with the bravo company ladies. We ventured off base for the first time and hit the mall running. After about an hour or two of shopping we made our way to the beach. The sand was white, the sun was hot and the water was brown! Left overs from hurricane Katrina lingered along the coast. Houses were rebuilt, in the process of being rebuilt and many were left with just the foundations abandoned by owners unable to rebuild. All in all it was a very relaxing day to forget about the upcoming task at hand.

Yesterday I started my M-16 class with class room training. I aced my written test and today we practiced on the simulator. God help those who get stuck with me in a fire fight. Tomorrow we hit the range for our live fire marksmen ship qualification. I tend to do better at live fire so keep your fingers crossed for me.

As I was walking back from class I noticed a group gathered at the base theater. There were women and children, mothers and fathers holding welcome home signs. I realized that they were family members of other Seabees waiting to welcome their loved ones home from a long deployment. NMCB-22 came home today and all I could think was that I wished it was my battalion coming home. Its seems so far away now but I know that someday those signs will be for us.

Liberty at last!

Today was my first day off this week and it was welcomed. I wished I could have slept in but I had to report to my platoon leader first thing this a.m. to let him know that my squad had make it back from Friday night liberty. The Bravo company commanders threw us a BBQ last night with hot dogs and chips and drinks. It was nice to gather for the first time in civilian cloths and get to know a few new people.

Today was unusually uneventful. I was able to do some laundry and watch some movies and I even cooked dinner in my room tonight; a welcoming more healthy meal then I had been used to this week. My body is recovering but my muscles are still a bit sore. Tomorrow we have morning PT at 0515 before I start my first day of class. I tend to think that I took two day weekends for granite, in fact I know I did. I stayed close to my room today but maybe next weekend I will venture into the great unknown of Gulport Mississippi. The possibilities are endless.

Nothing more to report tonight but my next post should be interesting. Happy Easter to all!!

So much to write about but so little time, well not really little time it is just my brain tends to shut down after 5pm. So much has happened in such a short period of time that the days just seem to run into each other and I get confused on what days we did what.

Finally my team was able to make it to supply for our personal gear issue that consisted of all the basics we may need while out in the field out side the wire. After running the line marathon through each station it was time to fill our packs and lug them back to the bus. The total weight of the gear equaled or exceeded my current body weight but I was happy to realize my legs and back are stronger then I anticipated. Getting on the bus was not a big deal but the steps off the bus made for a few scary moments. Each step made my legs wobble more then the last and I prayed the final larger step down would not end my Navy career with a face plant on to the black top. Thankfully my legs held strong and the trek to my room was a short one. I felt like a kid in a toy store with all of my new gear ranging from Kevlar, flack jacket, tent, sleeping bag, cool sunglasses, camelback, three day back pack, sling, rigger belt and the list goes on and on and on. I am finally breaking in my new boots though my feet ache at the end of each day. I think it is time for a trip to pick up some gel insoles.

Today was the second day with my squad and this morning the platoon leader was not present at our morning muster or PT so I had to step up as platoon leader and take charge of all four squads. I had never done that before and was scared and really nervous so I just winged it the best I could. I guess I did an okay job as I have yet to be “counseled”. That is a nice way of saying “getting my ass chewed out”. I have fallen into place with my squad and now feel more comfortable as a leader. I know each day will get better and I will improve on my leadership skills.

Oour company commanders have organized a company BBQ for us tomorrow to help us get to know each other better and boost our morale. If I have not mentioned it before let me state that I am proud to be in Bravo Company and honored as 1st platoon 1st squad leader.

The night is late and my body is tired. Off to regain my strength for what ever lies ahead tomorrow!!

Day four and so much has happened already. We are in our check in stage where we get run through the sifter weeding out those deemed not fit by medical or for some other reason. My first day started with a 4:00am wake up call and after only a couple hours of sleep it was game on. We collected into the theater for our very first full day of in processing and death by power point presentations ranging from medical briefs to family services. The fight to stay awake was a battle lost by many but fought strong and hard. If I had toothpicks to prop my eyelids open I would have done it.

Day two was spent waiting to get fitted for gas masks. The process alone was terrifying if you are claustrophobic but again fighting tired eyes was still a battle. At least we got to cut out a lot earlier this day then the first.

Day three was my turn for medical processing. Oh what joy I find in being poked and used as a human pin cushion. I don’t normally mind getting shots but the anthrax shot was the most painful shot I have ever had. I am still finding it difficult to lift my right arm to any degree. Needless to say that it was a long day!

Today was more of the waiting around to wait even longer until they figured out what to do with us. I also became a squad leader meaning that I am responsible for an entire squad consisting of about ten troops. My chief put me in that position because he says I am very capable and that makes me feel great because there are five others higher in rank then I am who should be in that position over me but some how I stepped up to the plate enough to earn that role. So for me not having much experience in a leader ship role it will be trial by fire. Wish me luck!!

Tomorrow we finally get our gear issue and report to our battalion after a week of in processing. Now the real work can begin. There is so much ahead and I am anxious to find out how it will run. I suppose I will find out soon enough. Now it is time to relax and take my mind to the places and people that keep me grounded every day, to those most dear to my heart. I love you all!!

I am there yet

Today was the day I had been anticipating for a few months now. I have not quite let it sink in that I am gone but maybe it is because I have not been able to let my self relax and soak it all in.

My day started off with an early wake up call of 330am followed by a cup of coffee and a shove out the door to the air port. My first flight was long but otherwise uneventful despite the screaming infant a few rows back and the foul odor reeking out of my seat mate. It was my luck to get stuck sitting in the center between two complete strangers. Thankfully they kept to themselves and did not interrupt my free TV marathon. At least I got one thing for free as any food item was of charge. WHAT?!!

I got to Gulfport Mississippi around 3:15pm and greeted the stagnant air with a grin. From the looks of the place the only reason people still live here is because they were born and raised or they are in the military. I do not recommend Gulfport as a vacation destination. That is only my initial impression so maybe my thoughts will change after a while…NOT!!!

After being corralled like cattle at the baggage claim by the battalion representatives I was finally on a bus in route to the Seabee base to check in at my hotel and finally relax!! After a while I unpacked, ironed my uniform, showered and took off for a walk before hitting the sack. I don’t feel like I am in another state right now but I can sense the increased humidity and it is not doing my hair a world of good. Oh I can not wait for summer time!! By then I will be welcoming the dry heat of Afghanistan.

I have heard a great deal of noises that I have not heard or do not hear on a regular basis. The crickets and frogs are making themselves known and the sounds of the birds singing are unfamiliar. I have yet to spot one but soon I am sure I will get to know them all.

I am still awaiting the arrival of my room mate but it is now after 9:00pm and my eyes are growing even heavier then five minutes ago. It would not be in her favor if she showed up past 10:00pm as we have a 5:00am start time. I am anticipating a run through the gauntlet of vaccinations and pee tests making sure I did not smoke a bowl before I jumped on the plane. No need to worry about that as I am unskilled in that department.

Well the time is a ticking and my sleep minutes are dwindling with every second. I am curious to see what tomorrow brings but anxious to get the job done and go home where I belong. With the sounds of the crickets and katydids softly whispering a night toon I will close my eyes and dream of home!!! Good night.

I am sitting here trying to get the motivation to finish packing all of my things but I am finding it very difficult because now it is all seeming so real. Before I just pushed it to the back of my mind but the procrastination is not doing me any good as I am running out of time. Maybe I am just grasping at what time I do have left. So far I was able to collect some pretty fond recent as well as past memories to take with me and fall back on when times get tough or I start to feel sad and lonely. I will just close my eyes tight, turn my brain on and remember those who are so dear to me and smile with joy and have love in my heart knowing that I will see them again soon and being so thankful for having them in my life. I will have photographs, phone calls and emails to keep me company but of course non of that will be the same as being there; watching my little brother play baseball, celebrating the holidays, wishing those a very happy birthday, saying I love you face to face. All I know is that when I do finally come home I will not let go for one moment. I guess you really never know how good you have it until you don’t. When I come home my heart will be mended.

I just want to say I love you all!!

My next post will be coming at you from beautiful (sense the sarcasm) Gulfport Mississippi!!