New Gear

I've got some new gear recently. I decided that I wasn't going to get anything that I didn't need. I could spend thousands of dollars on tactical gear in about 5 minutes. Here are some of the things I decided I needed.

The knife is the Desert Cruiser from Colombia River Knife and Tool. It is build really heavy
and has a tone of features including: a safety lock in support of the blade lock for deliberate use, a Teflon coated opening mechanism, and a non-slip, zytel handle. The quality of this knife is way higher than the price. I got it on post for 54.00.

My other recent purchases are from Oakley. Some people I worked with this past summer that are "in the know" said these were the best. The boots are just like these without the shiny O. I also plan on purchasing the Garmont T8's. I like the idea of a proven hiking boot company getting into the military boot business. Boots have come a long way since I came in. It used to take months to brake-in boots. Now it takes minutes.

The sunglasses are the improved M-Frames that are more blast resistant and lower profile. The old ones stuck out too far at the temple and got in the way of night-vision (clear lenses) and the helmets. Much better design but they don't look as civilian. Bummer. 

Vacation Pics

More vacation pictures:

More fun in Blue Ridge

Here are the pictures I promised:

Traveling Day

Today started my first full day of vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday. Vanessa, Ellie, and I started off this morning by heading to Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. We met Dusty and Lauren for the service. . Yes, at church. It was great but our church is much cooler. I sold Pat's Springfield GI 1911 finally, yes, at church. After the service we went to Calhoun to my office. Yea, my first day of vacation I had to go by the office! Luckily it didn't take very long. We left Calhoun and came here to Blue Ridge, GA. We have a couples cabin until Wednesday. It has been awesome so far. I'll post some pictures soon. I'm really glad gas went down or I would have went broke today. Anyhow, let the vacation continue! We don't have cell service so email if you need me.

Professional Reading

I've been amped up lately about professional reading now that we know more about where we're going. I've become obsessed with taliban tactics. Here's a couple of book reviews:

Kill Bin Laden by Dalton Fury:

Dalton Fury was the Delta Force commander during the Tora Bora assault. He highlights how the Afghan people fight (mostly how they don't) and the corruption that exist in their ranks. If you want to study the people read this book! It's not an action thriller because no Americans fired a shot! They sure coordinated air support though.

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

Marcus Luttrell was a Navy SEAL on a four-man team that got compromised in the same Hindu Kush region. It's a great action packed book that honors those that didn't survive. It's a great look into taliban tactics. It was too heavy on SEAL training especially because I've already become familiar with SEAL training. There is a great lesson in there about trusting the instincts that military training gives you and going against what might feel right because we're westerners.

High Tempo Continues

Schedule update:

1-5 DEC: UMO course at FT. Stewart

5-17 DEC: ETT course back in Kansas

5-31 JAN: FT McClellan AL

10-28 FEB: Here at FT. Polk LA

1 MAR: Camp Shelby MS

The good news is that we'll be in the southeast.

Today was painfully slow but productive. It was great to talk to the other commanders and develop and compile the most important publication for a fighting force. The tactical standard operating procedure. The taliban should surrender now.

God is here, even at FT Polk

We had a Bible study tonight in our hotel lobby. It was awesome to realize the desperation that non-believers experience before deployment. Great turnout for such a tough crowd. There is nothing better than being around other believers and getting fired-up about spreading the gospel. If we can get 30 minutes a night I'll be happy.

LTP is boring but essential to staff running like a well-oiled machine. If nothing else we're getting to know our chain-of-command and learning our future roles as staff officers. I hope the intensity picks up a little tomorrow.

Getting it right

Last night Vanessa had a horrible nightmare. She woke up very upset. The weird thing is that I woke up too for seemingly no reason at the same time. We often have the same thoughts at the same time no matter how random. Are we really that connected? I couldn't ask for a better wife and best friend. There is also no better mother. I can't wait to spend some time with my girls over Thanksgiving break.

LTP

Leadership Training Program is generally a painful process. We'll see how it goes starting tomorrow. I am somewhat optimistic as usual. This area is everything I thought it would be and less. That's right, less. The room we are staying in has a 1985 feel and smells like cat urine. Not what you would expect at all for 120.00 per night. The carpet is wet from cleaning and it wasn't given a chance to dry. Hopefully tomorrow this place will clear out a little so that we can move rooms. Until then I will be furious. This may become a field operation before this is over. This may be a long week. I hope they have a good gym. We'll see in the morning. 

I miss Vanessa and Ellie. Maybe I will get a chance to talk to them tomorrow for a longer amount of time.

Update

Here we go again waiting on a plane. The delay gives me Yuma flashbacks for sure. We'll be back on Friday night around 9pm or so. It should make an interesting ride home.

My former employee goes to trial today and it seems like they might do the sentencing  right after the trial. I hope he get exactly what he deserves. After today hopefully I can get him pushed so far out of the military that he will never be able to join again. It should be easy if the charges fall correctly. We'll see what happens.

I spent last night in Chattanooga TN with Dusty and Lauren. I went to Bible study with Dusty and it was a blast. It's always fun to meet other believers. We may have to visit their church sometime soon.

Relaxing day at home

Today was a great time. I got to lay in the bed with Vanessa and Ellie this morning like I love to do on the weekends. We had a block party and met several of our neighbors that we didn't know. Far more people showed up than I expected. We had a lazy afternoon and then went to have some sushi. We walked around the Avenue and did some shopping. I bought a couple of books about Afghanistan to read on the trip to Kansas. We bought Ellie a couple of books as well. One of them is her first book of Bible stories. What a great time. I'll miss my girls again next week but it will be another great homecoming next week!

attitude confirmed

I spent the last week in a training course designed to be a train-the-trainer. Overall it was a good course. What really got my attention was the soldiers from the support unit that couldn't fight there way out of a paper sack. They were useless with the weapons and more useless with tactics and maneuvering. Jessica Lynch has nothing on these people. I've always made fun of them but I thought it was just useless bravado. I hope we can bring some of them in during our mobilization training and show them at least how to defend themselves. I guess they don't understand the magnitude of the situation they are about to encounter.

On a positive note it was great to see the guys from the former E Troop all in the same place again. We'll see how Kansas goes; I'm hoping for some Internet availability.