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05:27 EST
Ramblings of a Deployed Mind
From the confines of Camp Leatherneck
ALMAR/ALFAM/ALFRDS,
Greetings from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan! Another smoking week down and boy did it go. I was stressed for most of it due to inspections and all that non-sense, but overall my boys performed to the tune of, “DOWNRIGHT AWESOME”. No no one else in the Marine Corps has overcome some of the obstacles that we have since we’ve been out here. Minor little administrative discrepancies here and there, but things went very well. The inspector is being kept out here by my boss due to some issues with another unit…he’s kinda not happy. The initial request to was keep him for 6 months, lol. Could you imagine??? Going someone where for three weeks and being told when you landed that you have to now stay 6 months, LOL. I’d be upset too! Either way, we’re going to try and get him out of here as soon as we can. He’s got a few month old baby he needs to get back to and we want our peace and empty desk back and I’m sick of traveling all over this place! We’ve been moving at the speed of light here. It’s good on one hand, as it makes time move; it’s bad on the other hand, cause it’s wearing our butts out.
The weather here has been a little unpredictable. We had a thunderstorm that knocked our socks off, it rained for one whole day, and its been as cool as 57 degrees here. I know some of you are saying, “aren’t you glad it’s not in the 130’s and 140’s anymore”…YES, I am. But to go from the 50s to the 90’s in one day is sick and I don’t like it…so yes, I’m going to complain…HUSH!! But hey, Halloween is coming!!!!!!!
Kara and Kirstin seem to be doing great this week. Kara is very involved in Church and even won some kind of Math contest and won; a $50 gift certificate to Starbucks…that’s my girl! She says school and violin are going great. Kirstin has been feeling very well since starting her Remicade, thank God. She won her soccer game yesterday 2-1 and as the goalie the 2nd quarter, she didn’t allow a goal. That’s my girl! Speaking of Kirstin, the Wine Country Take Steps had their Crone’s & Colitis Walk yesterday. The chapter raised over $13,340 with the “Babes With Bowels” team collecting $1,550 of it. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO KATIE F for forming the team in Kirstin’s honor! Kirstin actually help pick the name and the BWB Team had t-shirts and wrist bands made. The Babes With Bowels team was the 2nd highest in money collect and Katie F was the top individual earner. Kirstin laughs every time she hears the team name. Thank you Babes With Bowels and thank you Katie F!!!!!! You have no idea how much this means to Kirstin and I. Here is their team page:
So some news on the Marine Corps front this week. In my opinion, it’s all bad. Not that it’s enough for the President and Congress to even think about messing with our retirement a few months ago, now our Tuition Assistance has been slashed by 75%. No longer will recruiters be able to use college and Tuition Assistance as an incentive. We get $850 a year, or 5 credits. OK, what school as a class that is other than a 3 or 4 credit class and how much are those credits?!?!? Seriously?!?!? And then the Commandant of the Marine Corps decided it was a good idea to wear our cammies, sleeves down…ALL YEAR LONG!!! Seriously?!?!? Whatever happened to the Keepers of Tradition and the White Sleeves that the Marine Corps has known for 230 years?!?!? All gone now and we must march in step like good Marines and go with it. I’m NOT a fan! On a good/great note, it’s been passed by the Senate that October 26th is now the National Day of the Deployed!
There have been lot of questions posed to us as what the boys out here want for Christmas. Well, as most of us aren’t picky, there has been many items listed: air freshers, Doritos (me), Nintendo DSi games, Christmas cookies, Christmas trees/lights/decorations, gum, beef jerky (it’s hunting season), knives (I have no idea why) and even gift certs…whatever. Anyway, we can’t wait for Christmas to get here, cause that just means it’s another day closer to coming home. Speaking of coming home…I can’t wait…I’m not sure if I mention that or not. A little under 5 months and I’m outta here…for a future of uncertainty at this point. Well, that’s it kids, I hope everyone has a great week. The Bills have a bye week, so they are playing some other team on TV this week, but GO SABRES!
MSgt Joel Weber
II MEF FWD C6
Unit 73920
FPO AE 09510-3920
