Bragg

I am exhausted and hardly ever get to get on the Web. We leave for the field, or FOB soon (Forward Operating Base)....it's a military base like the ones they have in Afghanistan. It is hot and humid here. Drinking lots of water is a must. My computer went kaput on me, so this is short, since I am using someone else's. Hope you are well. Look at my new pic.

Annual Training Was A Challenge

We trained quite a bit over the 3 week Annual Training which took place in Marseilles, Il and Fort McCoy Wisconsin. Learning 6 different weapon systems (including our M 4 Carbine Rifles), driving the new Up Armored Vehicle, and concentrating on MOUT, Patrols, Combat Life Saving, Land Navigation, and so much more, kept us amazingly busy. The TSB (Instructors) kept us on our toes, preparing us for our next step in training. Fort Bragg will be interesting and from what I hear, more difficult than anything I have ever faced (militarily...as I have worked with Middle School students for 9 years). I missed my colleagues, friends and family. My daughter, Kate, grew so much in 3 weeks. Tonia (my beautiful wife), has been so strong for my family. More and more is being discovered about what lies ahead. I look forward to the challenges that face my platoon because I have the utmost faith in my Squad Leaders and Soldiers. They impressed me greatly. We have adopted a Squad from Effingham, Illinois. SSG Stout is the SL and there are 3 Combat Veterans in the Squad. We have learned much from them already. I am excited to see the Mannheim Middle School Class of 2008 graduate on the 3rd of June. More to come.

Preparing for Deployment

I have created this blog in preparation for my deployment, with the Illinois' National Guard, to Afghanistan in the summer of 2008. I am unsure how often I will be able to write (and how detailed I can get), but feel free to drop me a message and I will try to respond as quickly as possible.