Calling Card

David scrounged up his old calling card number, and the number that will show up begins with 199. So if you get a call that begins with 199 you should probably try to answer it. Just giving everyone a heads up. I know it gets annoying when you feel you have to pick up every random number that calls you just in case it's him. While he could still call from a different number, it's looking like this should be consistent for at least a little while.

He's safe and sound at Camp Adder, and is being told that after his promotion he'll be taking over as Squad Leader of 1st Squad. Taking over as in replacing the SGT that is there now (because he's not very good at his job) and the squads are arranged by rank. In theory, the better soldiers are in 1st Squad. Hoo-rah honey!

I miss David

I miss David. I've been thinking about him quite a bit and just wanted him to know.

Love you bud!

But Sarge!?

Well, its official. My name is on the Army Promotion By-name list. So now I just have to wait for april 1st to roll around. Course in the meantime, I am thinking about looking at getting a camera for my deployment here and am wondering if I were to post some of the available ones here in kuwait, which ones people would recommend. And of course this px stocks up on plenty of full bird colonel and sergeant major rank, but they have more corporal rank than sergeant rank for pinning on my patrol cap... Ugh. May have to wait till I get in-country to find some pin-on rank (or break off the bottom rocker of Staff Sergeant rank if that will work)

Latest News

So now that people are starting to get the word, I can say that as noted on my facebook page, I have met all requirements required by the US Army Promotion Branch to be promoted to the Rank of Sergeant. It is not official as of yet, but our company S1 is working the paperwork so that there will not be any delays. Also, both Mom and Chelsey know that I will be going to a nicer, more established FOB (mom noted that it definitely looks better, course it is run by USAF). Also, I spoke with Chelsey and she says that her mid-wife has lined up a company that will be able to setup her at-home pump so hopefully once that is established, she will be able to finally be discharged from the hospital.

For my promotion ceremony which will likely happen at the beginning of next month, I will have a fellow soldier use his camera to record the pin-on ceremony so that I can then pass it on to chelsey who will be able to then distribute it to the rest of the family. Also, I will pass on to chelsey our mailing address so people can start sending stuff out around the first of the month.

Another Fun Day

Well, got to wake up at 0500 KT *Kuwait Time* to get ready for MET (MRAP Egress Trainer). Basically we get to wear our body armor, kevlar, eye pro, gloves, knee/elbow pads and get put into a MRAP simulator and they roll us as if we are involved in a roll-over accident (or struck by IED). Was pretty cool get spun around (was hanging upside down and chanting,"Look ma, no hands..." After that, we went by Panda Oriental (Kuwait's version of Panda Express and had Mandarin Chicken, Triple Fried Rice, 2 Orange Fantas, and 2 Desert Dews.

It has already started warming up quite a bit here. But it did actually rain last night which was not all that weird considering that we have had a lot of cloud cover since we arrived. Supposed to be in the 80's for the next few days.Got the chance to re-arrange our sleep tent so that people weren't scrunched together to make room for a sister battalion. Still waiting to see when cutoff scores will come out to see if I get picked up this month or not.

I have informed Chelsey about the good but interesting news, so she will pass the info on to family and friends (not something that can be posted on here due to risk of endangering myself and my unit.) I know chelsey is excited about the news. I will say this: I will be in a much better situation...

Kuwait

Hey everyone. Just re-iterating what Chelsey had said. I did make it to Kuwait. It was like 4am in the morning here (so like 9pm MST). We are not expected to roll out for a little bit. In the meantime we will be doing some classes and some training. And pretty much getting our bodies onto this new time. (basically want to sleep right now since my body is telling me its 0046.) Apparently, the shifts got changed around. Chelsey will be able to relay it once I let her know the specifics. (I think this may make for change number 23??) Anywho, I am needing to get going. Will Talk to chelsey here in a bit. Love you everyone!

~DA

Arrival in Kuwait

David just called. They've made it to Kuwait. They don't expect to move in-country before the 28th, and he expects to be pretty bored by then. Everything's great so far, and there's nothing very exciting going on. I'm still in the hospital, and honestly can't remember much more about our conversation. I'm nodding off as I write this, actually, so I'll leave it at this, but David wanted everyone to know that he's safe and sound!                                                                                                                                                                    

First Stop

Well, I am Officially in Bangor, Maine. Having to use my phone for internet to my laptop since the airport wi-fi seems to be having problems. (Definitely caught some looks and evil glares from a few people. ) Was also fun explaining to a Master Sergeant on how I had to hack my phone to do it (He looked at my rank and was like damn, I need THAT job (MOS)...)

Commander just stopped by to see if I was the Sleep Guard (A few of the guys in the platoon are resting up)

Next stop is Shannon, Ireland. Going back to the motherland. (Forgive me gramps. lol)

Definitely cold... Well time to go.

Deployment Times

David is supposed to leave in the afternoon. Family time is scheduled from 1300-1400 on the 18th. So please make sure that any phone calls are made in the morning, or the night before.

One week.

Address

David should be getting his deployment address tomorrow, and I will send it to the people I have email addresses for. Please contact either one of us if you want his address. I'm not going to post it here for obvious reasons. Also, bear in mind that they will not be in a position to receive mail until April 5, so don't mail anything until around the 1st.

More time!

The deployment has been pushed back to the 18th! Three more blessed days!

Deployment #2

David is officially slated to deploy again to southeast Iraq on March 15th, 2010. Where ever they are going will be lucky to have porta-johns, much less a call center or internet, so hopefully he will only be at that particular base for 3 months before they move them to a more developed one. However, for those first three months letters are going to be our most reliable form of communication, and we will have to keep each other filled in on the news we hear from him. I'll email everyone his address when we receive it. With luck the situation won't be as dire as we think and he'll be able to call, but we won't know till he's there. We'll keep you posted!