Life on the FOB

The FOB is our training base for our tactical training. We are into our 30th day of deployment and the training is definitely intensifying.... Our FOB, (Forward Operating Base) is named FOB Army Strong or Camp Funston.... The wear of this heavy body armor definitely makes training more intense. This past week, we began our physical conditioning, (getting use to wearing IBA during rigorous training activities). The IBA is not only heavy, it restricts your movement, where you don't have the range of motion as without having it on.... The below pic shows me with full gear/IBA, with our individual weapons (M-4/M-9).

The RCAG, which is my group is very blessed to have great leaders, one of them is SGM Bobby Albert. SGM Albert is a State Trooper from the Gaffney area, and definitely a great leader. The below pic indicates SGM Albert giving us some instruction. One of the big challenges for us this week have been the constant changes to the schedule and location of training. For many this could be very frustrating, but we have continued to a positive attitude to changes. We know that we are on 1ID turf and what they say goes. One of the biggest complaints for soldiers training here has been the lack of internet access, no local gymnasium, and no access to television except for in the dining hall. They, (meaning Fort Riley) don't seem too concerned to fix these issues timely... Either way, we are working through these shortfalls.....

Another great team member is MSG Smithey on Admin NCO from Mullins, SC... He is always willing to help in any way. It is great to have him on the team..., also below Smithey is our group photo.... This is the entire team, minus MAJ Krell, whom is already in theatre.....

The last picture is our group photo..... Class #19, URF 8693..... Would have been a excellent photo if not for the amateur photographer getting the shadow in the picture... Needless to say, we are standing strong, with the help of the Lord above. Please keep us in your prayers....

From Shorts to Coats

One thing that is a surety out here in Kansas is the reliability of the weatherman/news. If the weatherman says that is going rain, you better take your raincoat. If he says it is going to snow, you better buy your boots. These are the most reliable news people I have ever seen. We had 68 degree weather on Wednesday and then snow and freezing temperatures on Thursday... WOW.... As for the training, we are continue to complete our deployment briefings, to ensure we fully understand our Code of Conduct. We had assorted briefings from Sexual Harassment to how to treat prisoners, as well as our actions if captured. All of these briefings were extremely important. It really hits home to you, and everyone was attentive, as this is the real deal...

The above picture is part of the group outside the dining facility on main post. This is after 68 degree temps the day before. These are not your average weathermen...... They got it going on.....

URF#8693

We are identified at Fort Riley by our URF. My group is URF #8693.... This past week's training had been dedicated to our draw of equipment and deployment briefings... so the challenging part of our training is forthcoming. Our group is really becoming a TEAM... that I am thankful..... As indicated in the below picture.. Notice the smiles!!!!

I am so proud to serve with this group.... we have some many personalities that make-up #8693. The picture shows the group waiting to draw our ACU's, (Army Combat Uniforms). We waved the cold for almost two hours before we got in the door, and we still had smiles.... WOW!!!

We have received four duffel bags worth of equipment. One cannot physically carry all the stuff we got. One thing that we got was our IBA, (Individual Body Armor). This thing weighs about 50lbs. You talking about heavy, but this is one of the necessary evils. You don't mind wearing if it can save your life... We drew cool things like optics for our M-4s, Oakley Sunglasses, several hats, gloves, boots, underwear and socks.... We got some good stuff, but we also got stuff that they wanted to get off the shelf, that the army no longer uses..... (not so good huh!!!!) but that is how it is. We are adapting the motto of "Gotta Be Flexible!!!", better to say adaptable on this one.... because we are finding ways to adjust to the Army's shortfalls in things like lack of Internet cafes, television, phones, and just doing ordinary administrative work...

This is my he-man photo with my IBA on... flexing my muscles... Truth of the matter is that yes, I am working out, almost daily. You have to sustain a good level of physical fitness to carry this much weight on you and do your training/expected tasks.... I enjoy working out, one thing the military do have is great gyms and good equipment.... well we do up here on Custer Hill. They are working to get facilities down on Camp Funston, were we will be next week and throughout our training... Anyway, SFC Walsh and I are keeping it together.... facing several challenges in the communications arena, but learning quite a lot.... As you may know, technology moves quite fast, and communications platforms constantly change to keep up, as you want the best comms platforms down-range as they have available, so it requires training, which we don't mind. Here is a pic of SFC Walsh putting his vest and IBA together...

Well until next post, "Keep Your Head Up!!!" and know that God is still in control.....

You Call This Acclamation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many of us love snow, and the cold weather.... I am getting acclamated they say..... The great thing about this is that we all want to be here, everyone of us... It is great....However, we all miss home. They say home is where the heart is.....We are finding that home is where you make it. We have moved twice and a third time comes in two weeks..... I think I have a "T" in this task....

We are beginning to get into some of the theathre specific tasks we need in Afghanistan... Fort Riley is home to the Big Red One, there is so much history out here, I hope to get an opportunity to tour this wonderful post.. We are hearing about several changes in country... We are trying to remain focused and take one day at a time... Time is passing fast, I just pray that it continues to go by fast....

D-day

Since my last post, we have deployed to our mobilization station. The hardest part of this past week was the departure. Saying goodbye was so hard. Most of my family was present to see us off. The media was also there and was able to capture several interviews with me, as well as my family.... See pics of departure from Columbia Metro.... When we left Columbia, it was 60 degrees, as we started our desend to Fort Riley via chartered American Airlines Flight, we realized that all bodies of water were frozen. We knew then, that we were in trouble. Everyone started finding extra clothing for what we knew would be a dramatic change in weather. Riley did not let us down.... We arrived to 18 degree weather with snow in the forecast.... This week at Riley have been dedicated to in-processing to ID our readiness for deployment. We did medical/dental/finance/and records checks. Almost everyone of us had to get at least 3-4 shots to include the dreaded Small Pox.....(15-16 punctures). The most difficult part for me was adjusting to the cold. Every day this past week temperatures only got up to 18 degrees... (I would go outside and my ears would feel as though they were going to fall off). Other than that, many things have gone right for us. Our great state did a great job preparing us for the SRP, (soldier readiness process). Some states had significant problems, files and many records were not loaded into the system. We did not have that problem, this is a credit to our state.... I guess I need to learn more about Kandahar....WOW.......

Civilian Life Goodbye..... for now!!!!!!

This is the last post as a civilian for the RCAG/ETTs. We are saying our goodbyes and loading up for this Journey to Afghanistan. We are being told that our mission is evolving to include more of an ANP, (Afghan National Police) Mission, as well as our continued training and mentoring mission. What this means to our group is that some soldiers with a police background may be pulled to conduct the ANP mission. This information did not phase us, as we are prepared for whatever. The leadership will work to minimize the degradation of this to our already stream-lined personnel. We have adapted the rule of flexibility. "Be flexible for whatever, as change is gonna come"

I am focused and ready. I know that life is full of surprises, some good, some bad. We are beginning to learn more and more about each other and the uniqueness of our teams... "Be Always Vigilant" is the mode we are adopting towards this mission. As we begin our training at Fort Riley, know and believe that we will represent South Carolina well. We all are beginning the analyzing of each other, but thankfully we are starting with a sense of TEAMWORK!!!!

Check out some of the pics of our load-out..... I will leave you with this....

When your life is turning topsy turby, and uncertainty is setting in. You are having problems with the kids, the house, the job, etc....Keep your head up and know that God is still in control, he will never leave you or forsake you. Trust Him.... (This is my plan too..... smile....). Thanks to you all for all your well wishes and your prayers.....

Departures from HOST & The Send off Dinner

The wave of departures to the mob station have begun. I had the distinct pleasure to see some of my troops off to Camp Shelby. The photos above are SPC Quentin Milton and 1LT Andrew Lewis. This is Milton's first deployment and Lewis's second. I am so proud of all these great patriots..... Spirits were extremely high and the soldiers were ready for what lies ahead. I feel confident of this...... I personally have about one week to go, final preparations are being checked and double checked.... I know that I will miss the 111th, I think of them quite often. I truly had a great tour of duty with the battalion that will surely be one that I will cherish.

I also had the pleasure to have family and friends gather for a going-away dinner in my honor. It was attended by some many people that I didn't expect to come. I was pleasantly surprised and humbled by the sacrifice by them, as well as for my wife and sister's putting this event together.... I am one that shuns much hoop-lah, but I am glad they cared enough to do it and those that came, appreciative for them taking the time out to their day to support me....

I also had the pleasure of enjoying the year's first snow, which is displayed above by my daughter and grandson (Landon and Bre).... I realize that it is the small things that matter... As I focus and prepare for this deployment, I realize that this is very hard for children..... They are filled with worry and uncertainity.... I try to reassure them that everything will be fine, but that is not an easy task.... My plan for this next week is to spend as much time with family as possible and to attempt to reassure them that dad is fine.....

SFC Walsh and I are prepared and ready for this challenge. I am sure my Afghan counterpart is wondering about the new G-6, (Communications Officer) coming in, but I am sure they will be pleased with the change. My goal is to not only excel in my communications responsibility, but to in some way leave that country better than it was when I arrived.... I have all the confidence in the world that we will be successful.......