Finishing Touches

Since my last post many of my fellow comrades have already made that trip to their respective mobilization station. Others are also leaving quite soon, to include myself. We are continuing to train as well as learn as much about this mission as possible. Many of the soldiers are a week away from deploying with no individual orders. I almost feel guilty for having my orders when so many soldiers are without. This particular task has really proven to be a bear to manage and a huge lesson learned...... Many soldiers are telling of their plans for spending their last remaining time at home..... This time is quite sobering, as I try to locate and spend some time with those that have touched my life is such a positive way. I have learned patience as well as how to remain humble. My packing list keep jumping around, like a moving target... Everytime I think I have everything someone sends out a new list with additional items needed.....WOW.... Also, since my last post, I found out that I was selected for LTC by the Department of Army Promotion Board. This is a huge accomplishment, as only 68% of the majors were selected... I thank God for this blessing...... with Him I know that everything will be fine..... I ask for your continued prayers for this country as well as for Iraq and Afghanistan......knowing that God is still in control.......

Pre-deployment

This mobilization is the 2nd largest in South Carolina history since World War II. The many of the brigade have already arrived at the mobilization station, (Camp Shelby, Mississippi). My group, (RCAG/ETTs) have about four or so weeks to depart to our respective mobilization station, (Fort Riley, Kansas). As we Ramp-up this week, (meaning getting ready), the anxiety of the family seems to grow. I am scheduled to attend a two-week communications training course designed to better enable us to integrate computers/automation into the communications scheme. So, you see that we are working very hard to ready our personnel as much as we can prior to arriving at the mob station.

This past week has been filled with jitters as many of the troops, including myself are knocking on the door of leaving. Family members are also feeling the uncertainty of deployment and the effect it will have on them. For me, that is a tough one, to see that sense of security dwindle in their eyes. But through it all we are trying to remain positive and also trying to find a way to minimize that level of insecurity.

Also this past week have been filled with 25B Refresher training, I really did not know how little I knew about computers and automation until this week. Things like basic networking concepts, managing networks, managing and maintaining servers, troubleshooting networks, TCP/IP fundamentals, managing the active directory, and SMTP....... (sounds greek, sounded that way to me at first), luckily I have gained an appreciation for computer geeks...... The truth of the matter is that this have been quite valuable and I have learned so much. This undoubtedly will prove very beneficial to me on this deployment....

I also finally received my individual deployment order yesterday, so the reality of this takes on another level.... I have another week of computer training to go,, so thanks for all the warm thoughts and prayers... Until next week......

The Beginning of the Journey

218TH Infantry Brigade received the ALERT 17Nov06, for deployment to Afghanistan to support the Global War on Terrorism. I was selected as the RCAG G-6, which is the communications officer for the (Regional Corps Assistance Group) RCAG.... I have one other communications soldier with me, (SFC Edward Walsh).

The 218TH Inf Bde/TF Phoenix Departure Ceremony 6January 2007, 1400hrs at Williams Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC, attended by LTG Russell Honore, Commander of First US Army.