Pointless update
Per Alex's insistence I'll throw some words up here. I do feel badly about not updating in so long, but really I can't imagine what all there is to write about.
We got back at about 0730 this morning from a long-ish run to Tikrit. It was an interesting run and our vehicle ended up as the lead scout vehicle, so that was new and exciting. I never thought I could burn through my box of chem lights so fast.
I calculated my score for promotion the other day and I'm actually a bit higher than I thought I was. Once I get all my Marine Corps Institute packets turned in, I'll be awfully close, and it will only be a few months more until I'll be eligible. It could very well happen within the next six months, especially if I keep up the PT and all that. It would sure be nice to pick up corporal, and get that beautiful saber and those blood stripes.
For some reason we have started doing deployment-end stuff. We filled out a physical and mental health survey thing the other day like we were already done, and also passed around a sheet of our preferences for what to do when we get back, for those of us whose units are changing or going away. They didn't have the full information on my options, since the HTC in Waterloo will be gone entirely instead of just switching over to recon, so the battery first sergeant is looking into for me. That means I need to make some big decisions in a few days. Sounds like I can either transfer to another unit (hopefully the Reserve unit at the RI Arsenal), do a lat move to another MOS, transfer to another branch of service (ha), go active (ha), go active reserve (like deploying within the states, to the Mexican border or New Orleans or something), or drop to the inactive ready reserve, which isn't realistically going to be an option.
Everybody is at Nick's cabin in Wisconsin this week. And Bix is this weekend, so everybody at school will be at Augie over the weekend. Basically, this is the worst possible week to be here. Hopefully it goes by quickly.
One last thing, and THIS IS IMPORTANT! In my address, the part that says 3/14 H Btry and all that, it is NOT 3 PLT. That second line should read: 3/14 H Btry 1st PLT. My mail keeps going to third platoon, and that's why it's been taking me so long to get stuff. Sorry to have misinformed you! I don't know why I sent it as 3 PLT. I guess I just didn't think about it.
I don't know. Not much else happening here. I wish I was at home celebrating the birthdays of the many people I know who have had birthdays in the past week with a cold beer. But then, you can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you might find you get what you need.
We got back at about 0730 this morning from a long-ish run to Tikrit. It was an interesting run and our vehicle ended up as the lead scout vehicle, so that was new and exciting. I never thought I could burn through my box of chem lights so fast.
I calculated my score for promotion the other day and I'm actually a bit higher than I thought I was. Once I get all my Marine Corps Institute packets turned in, I'll be awfully close, and it will only be a few months more until I'll be eligible. It could very well happen within the next six months, especially if I keep up the PT and all that. It would sure be nice to pick up corporal, and get that beautiful saber and those blood stripes.
For some reason we have started doing deployment-end stuff. We filled out a physical and mental health survey thing the other day like we were already done, and also passed around a sheet of our preferences for what to do when we get back, for those of us whose units are changing or going away. They didn't have the full information on my options, since the HTC in Waterloo will be gone entirely instead of just switching over to recon, so the battery first sergeant is looking into for me. That means I need to make some big decisions in a few days. Sounds like I can either transfer to another unit (hopefully the Reserve unit at the RI Arsenal), do a lat move to another MOS, transfer to another branch of service (ha), go active (ha), go active reserve (like deploying within the states, to the Mexican border or New Orleans or something), or drop to the inactive ready reserve, which isn't realistically going to be an option.
Everybody is at Nick's cabin in Wisconsin this week. And Bix is this weekend, so everybody at school will be at Augie over the weekend. Basically, this is the worst possible week to be here. Hopefully it goes by quickly.
One last thing, and THIS IS IMPORTANT! In my address, the part that says 3/14 H Btry and all that, it is NOT 3 PLT. That second line should read: 3/14 H Btry 1st PLT. My mail keeps going to third platoon, and that's why it's been taking me so long to get stuff. Sorry to have misinformed you! I don't know why I sent it as 3 PLT. I guess I just didn't think about it.
I don't know. Not much else happening here. I wish I was at home celebrating the birthdays of the many people I know who have had birthdays in the past week with a cold beer. But then, you can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you might find you get what you need.
posted by Roger W. at 4:38 PM
20 Comments:
Do I get to be the first? Good to hear more from you brother. Stay safe and know we're still thinking of you.
Nels
Damn, close second. Thanks for the update. I'm glad I was able to prod you to post. :)
I'm not sure if you heard or not, but I'm moving back to Illinois. I'll update you more in an email, but basically I'll be landing somewhere in the Chicago suburbs in the next few weeks.
I hope you are doing well. Take care of yourself!
Alex
Roger,
You could always go active duty and go for Force Recon. That would probably keep you from getting bored.
I'm glad Alex got you to post too. Your readers are always interested to here from you, even if you think you have nothing interesting to report. I had told the relatives from Minnesota that you update about once or twice a week. You've made a liar out of me this month. If you don't have something interesting, just make something up a/la Apocalypse Now; Camp Fallujah...shit, I'm still in Camp Fallujah. I'm here for a week now, waiting for a mission...getting softer; every minute I stay in this room I get weaker, and every minute Mooj squats in the sand, he gets stronger. Each time I look around, the walls move in a little tighter.
It may not be true, but it might be entertaining. I will guarantee it would get the attention of all the womenfolk that read the blog.
Some of the other milblogs I read from troops in Iraq talk about their interactions with the Iraqi people, or the way they feel about the mission and their shipmates. You might try that as well. It's important for you to tell us how you are doing and how you feel.
Love,
Dad
Hey, Roger.
What may seem like boring routine to you is totally different from what's going on back here in the small towns of Illinois. So go ahead and update even if you think you have nothing to say.
Take care!
Eeeeek. That's Mrs. T. not Mre. T.
I shouldn't attempt to type in the morning.
Hey Roger, hopefully you get your MOS thing figured out. You know, the national guard is alway recruiting. haha, just kidding. anyhow, hope you do end up getting the saber & blood stripes. that'd be awesome. later.
Ryan
A whole box of chem lights? Were you moving at night? I guess I don't understand why you would use them in the day time?
It is nice to have regular postings. It helps us follow your exploits. Some things you could include: what the food is like, anecdotes about fellow troops, weather reports, etc. Reading letters home from Civil War soldiers one saw all types of information like that.
Be careful out there.
I am glad you wrote a little update. I am keeping watch over the Rock River while the group is at the cabin. We have managed to take the boat out and it seems to miss pullling the tube but since Matt took it to Wisconsin we are getting by. Mike is in the ocean maybe ocean's 11 for all I know. I hope it goes well as he can then keep his schedule. If not it is all rearranged. I shall keep your mother amused by sunbathing by the beautiful rock river. It is truly a sight to behold (the river and us in swimsuits). Take care.
May the force be with you
Mother Berge a/k/a Patti Berge aka Matt and Mike's undercover CIA connection
Hey Rog, I agree with what everyone said here, even if it seems like a boring update to you, we really do want to know what you're up to! And don't worry about missing birthdays, we'll have a beer when you get back!
Take care! Miss you!!
Mr. T.,
Yes, it was at night.
Mrs. Berge,
Hey now, please don't give away state secrets like that one on my blog. I don't want to share a cell with Scooter Libby.
Dad,
Force Recon...sounds good. I'll see what I can do.
its bill g again.
i dont any comment on your currant blog, but i do have a question for you. the water you have there is not iraqi water right? i can only assume its us military purified water ala the movie "in the army now" (though i do hope pauly shore is not the one purifiying it for you).
is it any good?
can you get bottled water?
for some reason i wondered that.
peace
billy pilgrim
Roger,
I really enjoy reading your blog. I've talked to Chuck quite a bit.
Looking forward to having all of you home safe. Take care.
Mary Schauer
Chuck's Mom
Semper Fi
Hi Rog,
Boy you sure do get a ton of activity on this thing! I wanted you to know that if you see a strange post in the future it's because I am giving your web address to a collegue from Rock Island. We were at lunch the other day talking about our respective histories and she wanted me to make sure I told you how much she appreciates what you are doing there. She was very concerned that you and your fellow military might not know how much support and appreciation you have back home. It was quite moving for me; I know the press underestimates the depth of the feelings and character of our citizens. She seemed very excited when I offered to send her your address. Pass the info on, will you?
Although I am not great about keeping up with postings myself, I sure enjoy them when I read them. The responses from others are the best! I agree with Mr.Tedrick about the need to write the history down. After all, this is the modern version of letters home. Just think how excited people will in the future to read the recording of history, even of routine activities.
By the way there will be plenty of beer to drink when you get home! Take care of yourself and keep posting. See you soon,!
Love,
Sarah
Because Dad felt inclined to point out my poor English in a previous post, I feel I need to point out a mistake to take the heat off me.
Sarah, "colleague" is spelled wrong.
You can blame your husband for this post.
Love,
Alex
its bill g again
please alex dont correct my posts. you would spend all day pointing out my errors.
the ultimate irony is that my job is data entry. i have been doing it for 3 1/2 years now 40 hours a week. you figure i could type correctly. but i cant
Alex,
You could point out some punctuation errors I made in my earlier post. I'm used to taking the heat for stuff, but you don't have to try to get them all riled up, now.
Dad
Hey hey!
Well, as you requested I put up all of the cabin pictures that I have in my possession on facebook. It only took three albums to do it...but they are there! If there are any that you might want to put up in your room or whatnot just let me know and I'll go print them off or somesuch. If i can figure it out. =) But I hope things are going better for you now that the hell that was last week is over for you. Take care and I'll talk to you soon!
Love,
Ali
Ooops, I forgot to say something. I was informed at border's that book 11 doesn't come out in paperback until Nov. 16th so I will be bookless until then since I can't afford the hard cover. SOOO, at the rate you're going you very well might finally pass me up in that series thus redeeming yourself as a Robert Jordan fan. =) Take care!
Hey Rog,
I'm sorry I havn't posted before; but I've been reading pretty regularly to make sure you're still doing well though. I know almost everyone who commented told you to post no matter what but I'll join the bandwagon because it's just good to know you're hangin' in.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and let you know I'm thinking about you and hope you continue to do well. take care,
Love Danielle
Wow, a lot of comments. Sweet.
Bill,
We have bottled water imported mostly from Kuwait. The rest of it, i.e. the stuff we shower with and shave with is just water purified here on base by KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root, the major contractor over here).
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