You tell 'em Montel Williams

I want to start this off by saying a big Atta Boy to Montel Williams for FINALLY putting the news reporters in their places when it comes to the war and the troops. This is from Fox News on Jan. 26, 2008. I think this is awesome and it's about time someone put it into perspective!!



Well, I went on my lovely week training to Florida. I was pretty bummed the weather wasn't any nicer than highs in the 50's/60's. Oh well, it was a week off work with much better pay and I got to gaff off most of the days after class. However, I STILL didn't have my advanced pay and I STILL didn't have my Government travel card by the time I left so I had to put the nice travel claim in once I returned. Let's cross fingers and toes and hope all will go through with the claim so I can get my money back. On a side note, I did get a Chrylser 300 as my rental car while down there so at least I was cruisin' in style.

I'm still plugging away at my deployment check off list. Today I went to B&N and got the Quicken Will Maker kit. That's always a nice book to have to buy. I hope I'm smart enough to figure out how to do it and what to put in it. Never really had to predetermine my destiny before. Not much fun to think about.

We got an email the other day about the uniform for checking into our processing station on the first leg of our deployment. They were saying it was DRESS BLUES!! Are they kidding!??!! Who the hell wants to jack around with packing that shit to only wear for a couple of days. That would take up 1/4 of my seabag. Then, today we get another email stating that now we only have to bring 1 set of working blues. Better, but still really stupid. We are d-e-p-l-o-y-i-n-g....ya know, going to the sand? Dress/working blues not really going to be needed there. Just more stupid shit to take up room and will have to be sent home before we leave the states.

By the way....I read Colby Buzzell's book, "My War-Killing Time In Iraq" while I was traveling for my training. I have to say I was a little disappointed considering all the hoopla that was surrounding the book. I was expecting more hard-core, meaty, in-your-face writing and to me it seemed a little watered down. I'm not sure this was done in the editing of the book or if those were his actual posts. I never had the fortune to have read his blog before the book so I have nothing to reference it to. I would recommend the book though, it was a really good read.

TTFN

Hoops

As much as I love the military, it's pretty ass-backwards sometimes and the amount of hoops and red tape you have to wade through is ridiculous sometimes. Here's the scoop. I am going to training school and I had applied for a Government travel credit card two drill weekends ago (November) only to have it kicked back to me last drill weekend (December) because I had missed something on one of the blocks. So, I corrected the form, gave it back to my career counselor and off it went. So I thought. It is now coming up on drill weekend again (January) and I STILL don't have my damn government travel credit card. I have emailed personnel, who in turn forwarded my email on to the Chief that oversees credit cards and ADT order approval. I never heard back. I emailed the first class that is going to be checking me out for active duty and asked her what else I needed for deployment and she informed me that I would need a government travel credit card. So, again I explained the story to her and she forwarded my email onto the Chief that oversees the cards. I never heard back. So, I took the bull by the horns and I emailed the Chief to find out where my card was. Mind you, I have at this point scrambled and got a copy of my rental car and hotel reservations to request advanced per diem so I would have SOME money to go on my GOVERNMENT orders with. The Chief emailed me back today and he not only copied the first class that got me my advanced per diem request processed, but the NOSC XO, two people in personnel and my unit Chief. I guess he was saying that I didn't follow my chain of command. Who knows. Who cares, I got my credit card application processed.....FINALLY.

*Side note-there were at least 5 other people going on orders to this training school that requested government travel credit cards at the same time and last I had heard, they had not received theirs either.

The card Chief told me in the email that he wasn't sure why there was such a delay, but my card should be processed tomorrow and SHOULD be here before I leave. Thank goodness that I was told about requesting the advanced per diem!! Can we say someone dropped the ball?!!??!!

This is just ANOTHER example of why I hate the Reserves. I know, I know, it happens on active duty too, but at least you don't have to wait an entire month to try and get something resolved because they can only do it on a drill weekend. Don't even get me started on the whole ID card thing and why my NOSC doesn't have an ID Deers machine and why if we have an ID card issue, we have to go to the Air National Guard base or go to the Capital. Can we say they don't want to "deal" with it so they just get rid of the problem. How nice of them to be so thoughtful and look out for their "shipmates". HA! what a joke!! Pitiful....pit-i-ful I say! I think it's time to Go Green, at least on drill weekends I would have a much cooler uniform to get shafted in.

Ok, ok, I'm done with my rant now.

So, in other news...I was much nicer to the new girl at work today and I was even nicer to my boss. I'm sure they all thought I fell and hit my head overnight or something. It must have been the weather change today. Everyone at work seems to be under this delusional impression that I am a smartass or something and I really don't know where they would ever get that idea. :o)

As Sandra Lee says, "keep it simple, keep it smart, and most of all keep it loaded with ALCOHOL"

Peace out!!

Control freak

Let me just clear the air and state for the record that I am a control freak. I feel like I need to go to control freaks anonymous, ya know, "hello my name is Sailorette, and I'm a control freak". "Hello, Sailorette, we loooovve you!" I am training a new girl to replace me at work while I'm on my adventure overseas and I just can't for the life of me be nice to her or allow her to succeed. She is a wonderful person and I know she will do great in the job and I need to just back off and allow her to do well instead of making things difficult for her. She is catching on well, a little slower than I would like, but there comes the control freak in me. I just feel at those times that I know I can get it done right so I might as well do it. Sheesh, I'm so mean sometimes. I have vowed to myself to just do everything in my power to help her learn and do well.
My family and I took a trip up home to visit my grandparents before I go overseas. It's such a long trip, but it's always fun and we are really glad that we went. My grandpa is in his 80's, so I hate to say it, but I'm not sure if he will still be here when I return from deployment. I think he knew that as well because when we were leaving he pulled me aside and wished me luck and let me know that I will be in his thoughts and prayers. It felt almost like a final goodbye. I hate that, but makes me even more glad that I was able to go up and visit one last time.
Things are just grooving along towards my deployment. I had to get a passport the other day and let me tell you that it's not cheap to have one expedited....$200!! Never mind the fact they tell us almost at the last minute we need one. Oh well, that's the military for ya! I have been so concerned as to how to pack my toiletries in my carry-on bag. I bought a great bag from L.L. Bean that I think is going to be just hunky-dory for what I am going to need. I even got it in Army green. LOL!!
Well, my cat is just throwing fits to get out of my room. I don't think I stink, I at least showered today, so I will wrap this up and tend to the Princess.

TTFN

The answer to the question..

I have a lot of mixed reactions when I tell people that I re-enlisted into the Navy Reserves and that I will now be going on active duty to serve my country in the war efforts. Some people thank me for my service, some people tell me that they would NEVER want to do what I'm doing. Most of the time I answer their questions with "well someone has to do it so it might as well be me. " Some of the time I just say "thank you" or "it's my pleasure". I have found an excerpt from a book called, "The Blog of War: Front-Line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan" by Matthew Currier Burden and he sums the answer up like this, "To that, I have to say: Serving my country is not a 4-year contract. It is a lifelong commitment. Nor is it a "due" to be paid like some cheap membership fee. It is a deeply personal obligation. And it is certainly not "time" that has to be "done" like some felony prison sentence. It is nothing short of an honor that I hold in the highest regard, an honor that I must prove worthy of, an honor that must be earned every single day."
That, my friends, is EXACTLY why I have made the decisions that I have. That is why I'm seriously considering changing branches to the Army so that I can serve my country in a greater capacity than sewing rack curtains for submarines on my Drill Weekends. I am greatly disappointed by my unit duties during Drill and I want to find out if I have to wait until the end of my contract (3 years) or can I switch to another branch at any time. I love the Navy. I come from a Navy family, but the "new" Navy is not where it's at for me anymore. I loved my time aboard ship when I was active duty 9 years ago, but the reserve Navy is not for me. I have much more to offer and I want much more out of my enlistment than being a seamstress!!! Granted, when I get my own place I'll definitely know how to sew a mean set of curtains, but come on!! This is B.S! There are people in my unit and Reserve Center that have NEVER even set foot on a ship nor will they ever in the future. What kind of crap is that!??!! I guess for some, that is quite alright, but for me it's a slap in the face! Call me gung ho, or just call me crazy, but damnit, I want to do something. So, with that being said, I am going to make this the best New Years Resolution and get off my ass and do something I feel good about for a change.

Happy F-ing New Year 2008!!

Oh, and GO GATORS! BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

TTFN

Merry Christmas message

I feel compelled to post this message from the Secretary of Defense. I want to wish all the troops a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Or at least as good as it can be serving where they may be.


Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates' Holiday Message

"“The holidays offer a special time to remember our many blessings as Americans – perhaps chief among them are the dedicated soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who protect our nation. Since assuming this post a year ago, I have been awed and humbled by our men and women in uniform who are carving for themselves a noble place in American history.

“We began the year by deploying tens of thousands of additional troops to Iraq as part of a concerted civil-military effort. Violence has declined sharply, and former enemy strongholds are being transformed into communities of hope and possibility. While it is premature to declare victory, we must protect our hard-earned and hard-fought gains and redouble efforts to defend our long-term interests in this region.

“In Afghanistan , the U.S. and our allies have inflicted heavy losses on the Taliban, launched a comprehensive, nationwide reconstruction effort, and strengthened civic institutions. Afghanistan remains threatened by ruthless extremists, a destructive narcotics trade, and a legacy of decades of war and brutality. But our efforts are helping the people of Afghanistan rebuild their lives and enabling this fledgling democracy to take root.

“To relieve the stress on the force, we began expanding the Army and Marine Corps – the first significant increase in a generation. Mobilization policies have been revamped to provide more stability and predictability for Guardsmen and Reservists. To ensure that troops have the best protection available on the battlefield, MRAPs became the military’s highest acquisition priority, and thousands of these vehicles are in production and en route to theater. And to meet our sacred obligation to care for those who have been injured defending this country, we have begun to fix the problems with outpatient care exposed earlier this year.

“At home and abroad, I have met with small groups of service men and women – from junior enlisted to field grade officers, from Active Duty to Guard and Reserve – to hear their questions, concerns, and aspirations unvarnished and uncensored. I am grateful for their candor, their questions – and their advice. These exchanges have frequently shaped my thinking and influenced my decisions on everything from day-to-day military operations to enhancing the quality of life for service members and their families.

“President Roosevelt could have been addressing us today when he said some seven decades ago, “To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”

“We are in our seventh year of war – the first sustained combat with an all-volunteer force since our nation’s inception. Our troops and their families – Active, Guard, and Reserve – are giving so much. This holiday season, many of those in uniform are on repeat deployments or have had their tours extended. Many will miss midnight mass or have already missed Hanukkah’s Festival of Lights. Many will not hear the squeals of delight from their children on Christmas morning. Many will sing neither carols nor hymns. Instead, they serve half way around the world to honor a pledge they made to the country they love. Please keep our troops in your thoughts and may God forever bless them and this wonderful nation we call home.”"

Family

Well, I have received my orders...finally. I'm heading to the sand, but no ultimate duty station listed yet. I have mixed emotions right now. I'm excited to go, but now that it's really here, I'm getting a little scared. Going through the online courses is a little unnerving. I guess I really haven't grasped the magnitude of the journey I am about to embark on.

I received a card in the mail today from an aunt that I have not spoken to in many, many, many years. I'm assuming my dad gave her my address.....without asking me if it would be alright of course. But, that would be the respectable thing to do and I have learned, he doesn't give a rats ass about respecting me. He's self-centered and he drives me nuts. I will not write my aunt back. I feel that they have had lots of chances over the years to contact me and have not, but I'm sure I'll be the bad guy with them. I'm used to that by now. Oh well, all I can do is rant about it and move on. These people aren't my 'family' they are just some people I'm related to by blood. Whooppee. My dad sent me some sort of package for Christmas or my birthday or something. Once again trying to be the 'better' person so that when I don't reciprocate, I will be the shitty one and he will be the hero for 'going the extra mile'. Please, give me a break!! I'm not going to even open the package and just return it to sender...along with the money that he sent me for my birthday. I can't be bought and that's what he's trying to do. Jerk!

Tonight we had our Christmas party at work. It was a lot of fun!! It was nice to just go out and get away from work and laugh and talk. These people are great. As much as I bitch about this or that at work...these people are a great group of people to work with. I will really miss them all when I leave.

Not much in the writing mood tonight after the card. I just needed a place to vent.

random

The more I read from the milbloggers, the more I am compelled to do more for my country. I know the war sucks and there is nothing good that comes from this hell-hole called Iraq, but I want to do more than just sit behind a computer and read about it. I want to go serve my time in the sandbox and put my mark on this war. I am awaiting orders for "the sandbox" and getting more excited, anxious by the minute. I have the unique luxury to be forewarned of my impending doom of being deployed, others aren't this lucky. It comes with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I feel myself starting to detach from my normal existence and start to distance myself from the ones I love and things I love because I know it will hurt less that way. On the other hand, I feel the need to surround myself with the things and people I'm going to miss the most in my year away. I have so many thoughts that keep pulling me away from my normal daily life to a place of unknown in a land foreign to me. What will it be like? What should I pack? How will I survive? All unknowns for the moment, but with each passing second gets closer to the answer.

My thoughts go to theunlikelysoldier and red2alpha....these guys have seen some shit and I can't help but think that my time in the sandbox will never compare to theirs. I tell myself that my role in the war is equally important, but somehow it just seems trivial. I don't think civilians ever truly know what it's like to serve your country or the swell of pride you feel when you hear the National Anthem and see the flag being waved. It's in our blood. It's a calling, a sense of pride and duty that can never be matched in the civilian world. The brother and sisterhood that is felt and found only in the military is something that I have ached for during the 9 years that I was off active duty. It's that ache that made me find my way back to the military and the same ache that is sending me to "the sandbox". I try to explain it to my mom, but I don't think she understands. I tell fellow military people and they just get it without much explanation at all.

I have a picture of a little boy receiving the folded flag at a funeral, probably his dad's funeral, hanging on my wall at work. My boss keeps telling me to take it down because it's too hard for him to look at. To that I say, "what the hell have you done for your country?!" That little boy has done more for his country than you ever will. I won't take it down. I feel it's paying honor and tribute to that fallen soldier and his/her family. To hell with you if you think it's "too sad to look at!" War is too sad, death is too sad. So piss on you buddy!