Thanksgiving ......Marine Corps Style

It started off just like any other day...the squad walked the 1 mile to the lot so we could continue working we did that all morning but then we knocked off early so that we could go stand in line at the chow hall that was 300 yards long. After chow we got to stand around for 2 hours waiting on General Conway and Sergeant Major Kent, the Commandant and SgtMaj of the Marine Corps. They came and told us that we are all doing a really good job and that this Thanksgiving will be one of the most memorable ones because I spent it in Afghanistan. Doubt it. But that is not to say that I am not thankful. I am extremely grateful for my parents and my sisters who have put up with my running of for the third time. I am also really thankful for everyone else back in the States that is suporting me with prayer and packages. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

The Class IV Lot

In the Marine Corps, Class IV refers to any material used in construction. So, lumber, nails, HESCO, concrete, windows, all that is Class IV. We have a giant lot full of shipping containers that are full of class IV. Unfortunately when those containers got here they were not put down in any sort of actual order. This means that for the next week or so 1st squad gets to hunt through all of the containers and figure out what is in them and clean up all the stuff that got broken in trnasit. It can be kind of a dirty, backbreaking, and tedious job. But in the end it makes it worth it when we are trying to prep for a mission.

Camp Dwyer

Well here I am chilling at Camp Dwyer. As of right now it looks like 3 platoons from my company (120 Marines) will be living in one giant tent, sleeping on cots. I guess that means we will all become really good friends :). I am worried about the lack of running I will get to do out here. Most of the roads are made of moon dust, a kind of sand that is the consistency of baby powder. Hopefully the missions will start comin fast and hard so I can be busy and not think aobut the crappiness. I'll keep you all informed.

Ahhh Kyrgyzstan

Today for the first time I wished I was in Air Force. Yep you heard me right, the Air Force. The air base I am at right now is AWESOME. It is about the size of college campus. There is a good chow hall that is open 24 hrs, 3 phone centers, a whole little shopping plaza with all kinds of little shops, a Pizza hut and a Green Beans Coffee, we can get wireless internet in our racks and there is even a bar here where the permanent personnel (aka Air Force bubbas) can drink 2 beers a day. This place is the lap of luxury to bad I'm laving today for the loveliness of a Marine Corps run base.
I am so excited.

The Last Day

What to say, what to say. I can tell you this I am defnitly ready to be done with SoCal. After 5 and a half months of worthless training I'm ready to see what my squad and I can get done. I have just spent the past two days packing for this excursion. The Marine Corps, in its infinite wisdom, told us that we were only allowed a 10lbs carry on and that our three other bags had to weigh less than 60 lbs a piece. Using my almost complete degree in mathematics I have determined that each Marine can take 190lbs of gear over seas with him. I am about 90% positive that I am sitting roughly at 210lbs of gear right now. I'll let you know who wins

so bored its boring

For the next couple days I am on standby before we head to the airport for our flight outta here. "Standby" means we sit in our rooms repacking gear for the 100t time, sleep, watch movies, or play video games. This wouldn't be terrible (lets face it i get paid a whole bunch to play Mario Kart) but its all I and my Marines have been doing for the past 5 months. Here's hoping everything changes in the next week.