Second squad, first platoon. 

Making a plan, otherwise known as "rock drills." 

Glad to be back in the barracks.

We got done with our "field exercise" on the 24th, just in time for Thanksgiving. I had a lot to be thankful for, as Julia came to visit me here. I also got to relax for an entire day. That was awesome.

The training in the field was good. I spent a lot of time in the back seat of a Hummer, since the medic is typically just along for the ride on a convoy. The instructors were nice enough to simulate some casualties for me so I didn't get too bored.

We learned a lot of other things besides convoy ops. We also had some classes on personnel seaches, vehicle searches, checkpoints, traffic control points, perimeter defense, entry control points, and much more. The whole time we wore our ballistics vests, kevlar helmets, and had our weapons on our person.

I also had the opportunity to interact with some Iraqis that were here helping us with our training. I engaged them in some conversations about Iraq's geography, climate, politics, and language. I learned some very valuable things from these people.

Well, I've got much more to write, but it's getting late and I must get to bed. Check back later! I hope you are doing well and had as nice a Thanksgiving as I did.

Preparing the vehicles at dawn. 

Luxury accommodations. 

Some convoy operations training 

Small Break from "The Field"

I am in on a two-hour break from the field. I'm very happy to be able to take a shower and do some laundry. The training we've been doing has been tough, but very good. After tomorrow we'll be in the third and final stage of our field exercise. I believe we'll be doing some more intense convoy ops type stuff.

Mom, Dad, Mel, and Julia: Thank you for the care packages and letters, I've been getting them in the field and they are very much appreciated. I'm sorry that I'm not able to write back more frequently.

In about a week I should have lots of pictures of our good times in the woods to post. Check back then!

ps: My address has changes slightly, minor adjustments really. I'll post them next time. Mail still reaches me with the one you've got.

Three Weeks

Well, it's been nearly three weeks now. This last one has flown by. We've been out on the ranges firing weapons lately. I'm proud to announce that I'm considered an "expert" M16 firer, shooting 36/40 pop-up targets. We also fired at pop-ups with our protective (gas) masks, as well as at night.

Tonight I am on CQ (charge of quarters) duty. I will be holding down the fort, figuratively speaking. I should be able to finally get some letters written! I've got about three that are half-written and probably now irrelevant, since I've talked to those people via phone or email.

On monday we will be going into the field for 18 days. We'll be learning how to manuever as a convoy and various security tasks. It sounds like its going to be a cold one. We'll be packing up for that tomorrow and Sunday. We'll also be packing up our "tuff-bins" to be shipped off. We won't see those again until we get to Kuwait.

I hope you are all doing well! Write me or drop an email if you get a chance.

Decked out in all the gear. 

Coming back from training on the ranges. Not much extra room on the bus.