Ramblings from Camp Leatherneck 2011-05-22

From the confines of Camp Leatherneck

ALMAR/ALFAM/ALFRDS,

So, another week has passed, and I’m not even sure what to say. To say it wasn’t a good week would be an understatement. It seems the natives were more restless than usual. We have Marines inserted into Afghan training platoons, giving instruction and trying to build this army we’re supposed to be leaving behind. Anyway, one of these little critters decided to turn on the Marines, and we lost two good ones this week. We worked with both of them on a weekly basis, so it hit close to home. Then, the cowards decided to put weapons on timers and send some “not-so-good mail” into the base. That’s like poking the beehive… have at it. RIP, brothers, and Semper Fi.

We have been so extremely busy here supporting the RC. I really don’t complain much about it because it’s for a good reason. It’s just draining sometimes and makes me think I bit off more than I can chew. Between work, I have to fit in my master’s program, and then find time to respond to all my emails from family and friends and all the other mail that has come in. I try to fit everything in; believe me, I try. We even had a day that carried over to night, that carried right back over to the day, and we didn’t even blink.

Some things slowed down our progress this week, like not having air conditioning. Most people think it’s a creature comfort, but for us, it’s required. We have systems in here that are required to stay cool, or they shut down… that wouldn’t be a good thing. Then we lost power altogether for two days… pretty awesome. Most of us crowded into our Net Defense shop and shared computers, so we made it happen.

I’ve also had my ass handed to me a few times as well; now most of you who know me, know why. I happen to have a bad habit of… talking. But I believe with this rank comes the ability to say when something is wrong… now, it’s my bad when it comes at inappropriate times and is untactful, but I get results. That’s why I’m so skinny, because I don’t have an ass anymore. Speaking of which, we had a weigh-in. Rightfully so, as there are some big boys running around here… OK, not exactly running. I weighed in at a cool 197 pounds… the smallest I’ve been in quite some time… I’m excited.

On some personal notes, one of my best friends and his wife are finally pregnant, and we’re all hoping that things go well and God finally blesses them for something they’ve been working on for so long! A blessing for me is that Miss Krystal D. and I are back on… there is nothing more I’ve ever wanted than that girl, and she and I have buried the hatchet and decided to pursue each other again. To say she is amazing and beautiful is quite the understatement!!!! I feel truly blessed to have her back in my life… I am the lucky one! Thank you, God, for Krystal.

Either way, this is going to be a short letter, not a whole lot of awesome this week. As usual, be safe, and thank you guys for everything.

Joel

MSGT JOEL WEBER
II MEF FWD C6
UNIT 73920
FPO AE 09510-3920