Ramblings from Camp Leatherneck 2011-10-01

Ramblings of a Deployed Mind
From the confines of Camp Leatherneck

ALMAR, ALFAM, ALFRDS,

Yep, yep, another week down and closer to freedom! And that ain’t no joke! You sometimes get into a rhythm when it comes to deployments and that’s what everyone is shooting for. You find that comfort zone where everything works how it’s supposed to, no big surprises, you handle the fires that come your way…
well, NOPE!

It’s 7 months in (that’s right, I said 7 months) and we have yet to find that sweet spot. This has most definitely been the craziest deployment ever, chalked full of firsts!

*Top Weber*
Most of the firsts that I’m referring to are specifically related to my job. We have brought systems, networks, and procedures here that are not even yet running stateside. We’ve been able to request support from our Navy brethren and for the most part, they’ve obliged.

Without getting into too many specifics, we’re kicking ass in our jobs out here. Over the next 5 weeks we are going to be EXTREMELY busy here. We have two teams on deck at the same time, while still trying to maintain our normal job output, and I’m losing one of my Marines due to the drawdown. So now we’re kicking ass with one less Marine… awesome.

Also over the next few weeks, I’ll be traveling all over God’s green (mostly tan) earth to our outlying sites to conduct inspections… it keeps getting better, ugh! The only good thing that is going to happen over the next few weeks is that we’re going to be so very busy, that the weeks are going to fly on by, bring us to and past Halloween and into November. That’s a good thing!

The most negative thing that has happened is that I’ve had to withdraw from my class at school because of the high operational tempo we’ve been running at. I’m willing to do the majority of the work only so that my replacement has an easier time when he comes to replace me. That’s what all this hard work is about.

As most of you know, my little bird Kirstin is still at UNC Children’s Hospital. It’s almost been two weeks now that she’s been there and like always, has the best outlook on life. There was one day that I had talked to her that she didn’t seem to be her upbeat, positive self. I can’t blame her—she’s taking this much better than I probably ever could.

She’s been doing her homework regularly, watching her favorite channel, the Food Network, and undergoing all sorts of tests to figure out what can make her better so that she can go home. She’s still upset that she’s missed the first two games of her soccer season, but she’s excited that she’ll hopefully make next week’s game.

Kara is a little social butterfly and I see (more like hear her) grow up before my very eyes. We have long, explicit conversations like grownups and she’s always telling me how wonderful school and music are going. She’s been very supportive of her little sister and that is extremely awesome.

To donate to a team from California that has chosen to walk in Kirstin’s honor, please go to:
https://tinyurl.com/3kv7xpn

They have named their team Babes With Bowels… even Kirstin thought it was funny. So if you’re able to donate, please do, as they are roughly $450 short of their $1,500 goal. This would be greatly appreciated for Kirstin and all others affected by Crohn’s & Colitis.

So, I have to say this—HOW ABOUT THEM BUFFALO BILLS?!?!?!
Finally, for the first time in years, the Bills have an undefeated season (in fact, the only undefeated team in the AFC right now) and we beat the New England Cheaters… I mean New England Patriots.

I actually got to see the game here as AFN televised it. I don’t mind staying up to 0100 to see the Bills kick some Patriot ass! Me and a handful of Bills diehards watched the game in the chow hall and we went nuts… to put it mildly. I now have new friends aboard Camp Leatherneck. I even met a Marine from Cheektowaga and one from Depew, Lancaster.

Other than that, these 13 to 17 hour days do become tiring. All we are waiting for is for Halloween to come and pass, Thanksgiving to come and pass, Christmas and New Year’s to come and pass—and then we can start gearing up to come home!

Also, if anyone wants to provide me with information on where I can get good refurbished MACs or an iPhone 4, that would be greatly appreciated!

Well, that’s it for this week. I hope everyone has a great week, and GO BILLS!

MSgt Joel Weber
II MEF FWD C6
Unit 73920
FPO AE 09510-3920