IN IRAQ AND THE FOOD IS FINE

Well, I can now tell you more about my ultimate destination (not vacation). I am in Iraq at an airbase, outside of Baghdad. We arrived 3 days ago, at night, as usual. We took a C-17 from Kuwait and crammed it with our personnel and gear. You know it's uncomfortable enough traveling commercial air in non-business class seats. Now try it with full battle rattle (body armor). I felt like a canned sardine. You almost needed a can opener to pry us out. Thankfully I was on the aisle.

After the usual waiting to get checked in and find our bag, we got to our rooms around 5:15 AM, just in time for breakfast. I chose to go to bed and get some rest in advance of a 1:00 PM briefing. I actually felt pretty good when I woke up. Like any new place they all have their quirks. The bathroom trailer consists of sinks and urinals at one end and a row of toilets on the other. Some genius decided to make wide isles as you walk down the row of toilets on your right and left. However, they forgot to think about how much room someone needs between their knees and the door when they sit. For a small guy like me, my knees almost touch the door. My toes definitely poke out the bottom of the door. If you're tall, you better keep the door open. It's almost impossible to paper the toilet seat. The minute you turn back to sit down, you've probably knocked the paper off the seat.

I headed "Downtown" a little early so I could shop the Exchange for some items. It's nothing fancy, believe me and many of the items for sale are covered in sand. I have to keep reminding myself this is war time. We received our list of "do's" and "dont's" and then headed back for dinner. I guess they call this base "Camp Cup Cake" for a reason. There are 4 or so dining halls spread throughout the base. The one I use the most is absolutely monstrous, probably the size of a footbal field or larger. You can eat almost anything, except what you want most; home cooking. I can't say I'm starving out here but I sure do miss Loretta's cooking. There are a number of food lines so that you can get the usuals like pasta, or burgers, or a different meal each time. They have an okay salad bar and some fruit. You don't have to pay, it's all provided free by Uncle Sam. I laugh at the signs that say "Portion control in effect". I'll have to take a picture of a tray of food I ocassionally get. I do stay away from the deserts though and I'll be at the gym shortly.

So here's the sleeping arrangements. Most of the enlisted are in shipping containers, two to a room. It's actually better than it sounds They're wood lined and reasonably roomy. The more senior personnel get SWA Huts, which are really made of plywood with a corrugated roof. They're more roomy and I have no roomates. It's just a square room with a bed, locker, table, and chair. I do have a small fridge and will get a TV. The shower and bathroom trailers are close by but I have to get dressed to get there. Our Battalion work spaces are five minute away, so I have an easy walk over in the AM. Being Supply, we keep a stock of cereals and milk on hand so I eat breakfast there.

We're in the process of turnover with another NMCB unit (Navy Mobile Construction Battalion), which involves doing inventory before assuming responsibility for the items. I basically supply consumables, vehicle parts, tool kits, mail, laundry, and barber services to the Battalion. My senior Supply leadership, who works for me, have plenty of experience. I just throw my 2 cents in now and then. I'll also be trying to earn my Seabee pin and a Joint Service course in the next six months.

Every so often I try to do a reality check, reminding myself I am in Iraq and trying to gauge my feelings about it. I'm definitely not worried for my safety. I think it's harder just being away from the family and home. I am ready for the challenge of being a Supply officer here. Aside from missing the girls, I already miss the green grass and trees of Atlanta, and the idea of relaxing by the pool or lake. I keep thinking of the ocean and the beach, even though I am surrounded by the desert (go figure). It's austere here, no doubt, but I have it better than most.
My purpose here is to help us finish the job we started and to get everyone home safely. I continue to remind myself of the reason I am doing this and the inconveniences are diminished.

Another anecdote and I'll sign off. I have the end cabin, which is really part of a longer cabin meant to house 18 or so personnel in bunk beds. It's actually subdivided in 4 separate rooms or cabins. One usually has the benefit of a side window when you're the last cabin. Well, there are no windows in any of the cabins, probably for safety and ease of building reasons. What I do get, is lots of sand underneath the eaves when the wind kicks up. I bought a duster just so I could clean off the sand each night when I come back to my room. Frankly it's a loosing battle. Loretta is sending me some plastic sheeting so I can cover my desk before going to work each day. We had a sand storm the other day and thankfully I covered the bed with a ground sheet. Otherwise I would have gotten my wish of laying at the beach.

That's it for now. I hope everyone is doing well.