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Ramblings of a Deployed Mind
From the confines of Camp Leatherneck
ALMAR, ALFAM, ALFNDS
As Slim Shady said, “Guess who’s back, back again!”
That’s two thumbs pointing to this guy!
After a brief, overwhelming, and abrupt stop to my Ramblings, I’m back — kicking it JVille (deployed) style. Things in Lejeune FWD (FOB Leatherneck) are going swimmingly. We are staying busy with no end in sight, but we’ve hit that point where the days start falling into rhythm — the deployment beat we call the TOA Hangover. Time slows, tasks repeat, but the grind continues. Still, the mission evolves — new curveballs every week.
After my R&R (in just a few weeks), I’ll hit that sweet spot — the part where you lay the groundwork for your replacements. How can I make their lives easier? How do I hand them something better than I got? I love that challenge — making the machine smoother for the next Warfighter in line.
Quick sidetrack — my boys in the vault just got BIG PROPS from the top brass in the Navy COMSEC world. It’s rare, but it happened — a real back-pat from folks who never notice the behind-the-scenes grind. Most think we just sit in the vault watching movies and napping — really? That’s the myth. But truth is, without us, nobody would be operating safely. Period. Just sayin’.
My girls seem to be hanging tough.
Kara hasn’t written in over two months, and phone calls are short. I told her to stop growing up — she’s clearly ignoring that.
Kirstin’s been doing better. They upped some meds and she seems stable for now. You’d never know she had struggles — that child makes life sound like it’s made of butterflies and candy. She writes me every week, on her own. Spoiling time is coming — and I can’t wait.
On the wider front — Gen Allen just took command of all NATO and US Forces in Afghanistan. That makes two Marines at the helm: Gen Mattis at CENTCOM and Gen Allen at NATO/USFOR-A.
Watch out, Taliban — just sayin’.
I know it’s a mid-week ramble, but regular Sunday dispatches are coming back. I’ve missed venting to my friends and family. I love you all.
Joel
MSgt, USMC
FOB Leatherneck, AFG
PS >>> My plug for the week: If you’ve got time or coin, check out this group — they’ve been nothing short of amazing to me: Soldiers’ Angels
