When the Smoke Clears

I’m a writer, whether I like it or not.
A couple of my drill sergeants figured that out and used it on occasion.
One of my favorite DSs was a good-ole Airborne soldier with a great sense of humor. Even when he was “Caping” (they couldn’t say “smoking” for punishment exercise anymore) he managed to [...]

I was talking with my cousin last night about some of my Basic experiences. She thought it a little unusual. She is a Major in the National Guard and for years was in charge of shipping people off to various Initial Entry Training (Basic) courses.
She said that when she found out I had been [...]

Basic didn’t exactly tear me down mentally, though there was some of that… but physically… holy crap.
My knees survived. Dare I say it I think they are now better than ever. In fact, my time on my final Physical Fitness Test for the two mile was 13:03. Not bad at all for an old [...]

“Medic!”

“What?”
“You got here at just the right time. I need a medic,” Butterbar’s little Younger brother shouted down at me.
I had already been greeted by name by several people whom I did not know as I got out of the jeep at the 4-H camp where we were staying for the weekend. [...]

The other night was guy’s night. The Trusty Bulldog called to ask me down to the Ballgame. He was driving in from North Carolina. I checked with our fellow friend, the Viking Medic and he was up for the game as well, so with a little internet magic, we had tickets waiting for the Bulldog [...]

So I’m joining the masses on the road headed out again today for the long weekend. I’ve stories from last night’s ballgame with my Viking Medic and my trusty Bulldog, along with a little New York trash talk (it was about to turn embarrassing and I’d have gladly taken my lumps late in the game), [...]

(Milblog thoughts, part 2 of 3)
Some people leave positive impressions on almost everyone they meet. I think it comes down to the energy, the life they bring to the moment. Everyone’s friend this weekend seemed to be Chuck Ziegenfuss, but few were prepared for just how incredible his wife was as well, I think. They [...]

(Milblog thoughts, part 1)
I went a little crazy. Sorry.
Times have been particularly stressful lately, as if anyone reading the last few posts hadn’t noticed. What should be a period of happiness for me is turning into a headache of massive proportions, but it is the way in which a person handles the difficult times [...]

I had to get out. I made some calls, others made some calls for me. And now here I am, sitting in the second annual Milblogger’s Conference.
I hopped in the car and headed out, 10 hour drive, to the capital.
Talk about a way to refresh the soul and gain perspective.

Getting up early each morning for a little non-mandatory PT (physical training) is refreshing, even though it can mean exhaustion by the end of the day. I find I have more energy for the day but by the time I get home, I’m ready to drop. So I resist the sleep until I can stand [...]

Speed up time at work yet again, and yet, here I go again, volunteering and I’m gone again this weekend to do my medical duties. Regular ones this time. Next weekend we’re back with the elite.
They say I’m getting my own Humvee and driver this weekend. Too bad I’ll spend most of my time [...]

One of the joys of ODI was being able to spend a little time with some of my friends among the younger ones. Two of my favorites were there at the same table, including “Vince.”
Vince is a giant of a man, emphasized even more so in a picture someone snapped of the two of [...]

Steady and firm, the rain fell from the sky today. The significance was only that I had meetings in the big city all day with time in between them. Under somber waterfall I found myself in my old haunts, the places I used to drive every day, a superstore I used to visit regularly with [...]

Tonight’s story was supposed to be more fun tales from the field. Unfortunately I don’t have it in me. The regular job is draining and I am losing motivation, but I have to get back to the big table where all the papers are strewn about and continue to work into the night. The air [...]

The first thing I wondered was how I was going to provide safe medical care to a hundred training soldiers while combatting my own upper respiratory infection. For the most part I kept my distance, constantly rinsed with hand sanitizer until my fingers cracked and chafed, and kept my neck gaiter pulled up when I [...]