Jan 1
The environment adds to the grim-ness- we are having a major wind/sand storm so the visibility is poor and there's a cold wind blowing.
Do I sound like I'm whining? SFC Cohen and I were smoking cigars and the SGT who joined us suggested that we should be happy no one was shooting at us. I guess he's right. He then regaled us with his war stories. Said someone asked him just yesterday if he had ever killed anyone and he said yes. She asked if he felt anything- he said- sometimes yes, sometimes no.
There was a contract spy guy (I'm not kidding) sitting with us- his response was- the recoil of the gun? (As in, that's what he feels!) So this dude claims that in an attempt to fire a warning shot at a 14 year old who was poised to launch an RPG into his FOB in Afghanistan (one I've visited, BTW), the bullet richocheted and not only shot and killed the boy, but his step mom who was standing behind him. He was cleared in the subsequent investigation. Secret Agent Man was impressed with his conservation of ammunition.
This is clearly another universe.
I gave it up today and checked out some linen, made my bed and SFC Cohen did an awesome job of packing up my sleeping bag, body armor and helmet, and, a bunch of clothes, into one duffle bag. I've been a bit worried about getting all my stuff into the 4 authorized bags, and this did much to quell my anxiety. The above mentioned cigar was in celebration of that success. I actually asked my tent-mates if they minded if he came in to work, since it made now sense to work on this project in the blowing dust. They were okay with it- there's a no male in female tents rule, and vice versa, obviously.
I'm hoping to get confirmation that I won't make the last R&R flight on Fri. so that I can plan for Fri. night services. I'm going to do one in our area and one on the Air Force side of the base.
Another heartache- When I get back, I'm stuck with my regular Army drill ("Battle Assembly") 10-12 Jan. I would just tell them to stuff it, but we're doing the groundbreaking for our new building and I am to offer the invocation, and it's a pretty big deal. I also haven't been to drill since Oct.
In the time since we left Ali and since we've been back, they cleaned up all the graffitti in the restrooms. Now it's coming back, and here are a few thoughts that I think capture the essence of the experience for most participants:
"I miss my kids!
""There's nothing like a deployment that will end a marriage."
"F**k this deployment"- underneath- "There's nothing like getting paid to eat and sleep all day. Are you serious?"
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