Stress

The past couple of weeks have been the most stressful of my deployment. Not since my days at NBC 24 in Toledo have I been so frazzled. If you knew me back then, you know exxactly what I'm talking about.

For much of February, I have gotten little sleep, bit my nails to the bone, barked at people and in general been a collasal "grump." This isn't me. I'm usually the guy whose smiling and laughing. I thought over and over again why am I so pissy and have finally come to the conclusion. Man was not meant to work seven days a week, 12 hours a day for four months straight. Toss in the pleasures working with NATO and this is enough to send anyone over the edge.

If I found out Lee Harvey Oswald or James Earl Ray hit their targets after just coming home from a deployment, especially a deployment with NATO, I would actually understand their screwed up mental state. I'm nowhere near this level of insanity, but I am more than ready to get out of the headquarters.

The blame game

Since I have been here, I have written about the wonders of Skype. That was before I got my new Sony Vaio laptop computer. I have downloaded Skype’s software and made sure all the settings are correct, but I have been unable to make a single call. Susan can call me, but I can’t call her.

I have literally spent DAYS trying to resolve this without any luck. If you haven't heard from me in a while, this is why.

I e-mailed Skype’s customer service several times, but they keep replying with the same automated response over and over again. I'd call but they don’t have a customer service phone number. Why is it that a phone service DOESN’T HAVE A PHONE NUMBER?

Skype's e-mails say the problem is on my end with my laptop. Sony says the problem is on Skype’s end. The Sailor who just wants to call home is stuck in the middle with no solution. Thanks Skype, thanks Sony!

Come on Monday…

Today is Tuesday, Feb 24th. In six days I will be packing up for my long awaited four days of R&R in Qatar. Qatar may not sound like a dream vacation to most of you, but I’m thrilled to packing up and heading out.

Here at the headquarters, we work seven days a week, usually 12 hours a day. After fours months of this, I am ready for a break; even if it’s just a few days in Qatar. Actually, I hear the place isn’t bad. I get to wear civilian cloths, eat at some decent on-base restaurants like Friday’s and Chili’s or hit the off-base mall. They even have a beach where a lot of US service members go swimming or jet skiing. Tour packages to some of the historic sites are also available.

To be honest, I only want to sleep in, work out and drink a beer or two. Yes, we’re allowed two alcoholic drinks per day. Come on Monday!

* While my work schedule seriously stinks, Susan is pulling equally as long hours. And even worse, Mommies don’t get pay or R&R. Susan, if I could give you my trip to Qatar, I would. You deserve it more than me.

Throw your bags... anywhere

The President is sending additional American troops here as you may have seen on the news or read below. I hope they enjoy the luxury accomidations. Guys, sorry but due to the faltering economy, the Army has had to cut back on room service and the pool is temporarily closed. Doesn't it look exactly like your local Holiday Inn!

Thank you Mr. President

Below, are President Obama's remarks following his decision to send 17,000 additional troops to help in the fight here in Afghanistan.


For Immediate Release February 17, 2009
"There is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way. I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and al Qaeda supports the insurgency and threatens America from its safe-haven along the Pakistani border.


To meet urgent security needs, I approved a request from Secretary Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade later this spring and an Army Stryker Brigade and the enabling forces necessary to support them later this summer. This increase has been requested by General McKiernan and supported by Secretary Gates, the Joint Chiefs and the Commander of Central Command. General McKiernan’s request for these troops is months old, and the fact that we are going to responsibly drawdown our forces in Iraq allows us the flexibility to increase our presence in Afghanistan.


This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan. I recognize the extraordinary strain that this deployment places on our troops and military families. I honor their service, and will give them the support they need.


This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires. That is why I ordered a review of our policy upon taking office, so we have a comprehensive strategy and the necessary resources to meet clear and achievable objectives in Afghanistan and the region. This troop increase does not pre-determine the outcome of that strategic review. Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan. As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed."

Another successful mission

Today we took another shipment of medical supplies to the Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital. I honestly believe the supplies we are taking there are actually making a difference. Unlike my first trip there, this time I did not see one child with old, nasty bloody bandages on their wounds. The dressings seemed to be fresh, clean and new. I can only attribute that to the donations I have been receiving from many of you loyal readers. THANK YOU!

I was told this latest shipment of medical supplies will be enough to hold the hospital over for the next three months. While that's wonderful news, I want to be able to supply the hospital for the next year. Wow, I'm starting to sound like the Red Cross or PBS asking for more and more and more donations.

Anyways, enjoy the pictures posted above. I love seeing the smiles on these kid's faces. If you sent me a box, can you find it in one of the pictures? It's sort of like Where's Waldo... but with boxes.

Bureaucracy is how NOT to win a war

Since the day I got here one of my goals was to get ISAF to purchase equipment for my teams. Currently, my guys are using their own equipment to get the job done and being in a combat environment in a dusty, dirty country, their equipment is taking a real beating.

I put together a list of gear and submitted it through our Public Affairs requisition person. I have checked on it numerous times and been told over and over again, “it’s in the process.” Today was the last straw as I wanted to know where this purchase currently stands! And just as I feared, it’s gone nowhere fast.

The purchasing office had an old e-mail address for the former requisition person so the month old message saying, "additional paperwork is required" never made it into the right hands. To make matters worse, they say once the paperwork is received, it will take 6-months for the purchase order to go through. Hell, the war will be over by then.

I just want to beat my head against a tree.

Welcome aboard!

I have a new member on my team and he arrived by accident. Sgt. Stefanos is in the Greek Army. He was ordered to report to the Public Affairs team but nobody knew he was coming and they had no job for him.

I have plenty of work and too little of a staff so I adopted him as our International member of the MPPAT. “Stefanos now edits ISAF Update and Ask ISAF. This is great because I don’t believe our incoming replacements are broadcasters.

While he’s our official editor, until he got here he had never edited a frame of video before. I gave him a “how to edit” video and he’s mastered it like a pro.

A great personality and an outstanding work ethic, I’m thrilled to have him on the team. Welcome aboard Sgt. K!

Snow and plenty of it

It snowed here yesterday. I hate snow. From the picture of the picnic table, you can tell we easily got more than three inches of fresh powder. And as the sun pops out from time to time, the melting snow has turned into gigantic puddles of muddy water, the biggest one right outside my dorm. I have to wade through it to get inside. It’s ankle deep... and cold. Again, I hate snow.

Little surprises

More and more boxes continue to show up here at my base in Afghanistan. And each of these boxes contain little surprises for me and my staff. First and foremost I want to thank everyone who has sent me a box of medical supplies for the hospital. As for the little surprises, I want to send out a special thank you to Don Becker. Don included in his box the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and three good cigars. Don, very cool, thank you.

While a dozen men have already leafed through the pages of my magazine, I have a special plan for the cigars. I'll smoke the first one on my last day here in Afghanistan. I'll smoke the second one when my plane touches down back in the U.S. My first stop on the road home is a week of "in-processing" in San Diego. As for the third one, that's reserved for the night I get home in Tennessee. I plan to smoke that one while sitting on my back patio drinking a beer, snuggling with my wife and watching my kids play.

Again, thank you every one of your donations… and the little surprises.