gjallarhorn

Well, I'm back in Iraq. Just the way I remember except holy shit it's getting cold. What's up with that.

I've been home on leave for a few days. Nice unwinding of stress that I wasn't even aware was there. No wai.

Driving is fun, and different, and new and WHAT DO YOU MEAN I DON'T HAVE RIGHT OF WAY? Oops.

Life is good.

There's something oddly comforting and enjoyable about watching five guys with AK's slung on their bellies playing soccer next to a Hesco barrier wall.

"Gate guard, this is X-Ray"

"Go ahead X-ray"

"Roger... we need you to take a look at the back of your MBITR (radio) and read off the serial number etched into the back."

"Yeah roger, wait one."

"Oh, and tell us what you're wearing."
...

"Stand by to copy, Serial is 163227. I am wearing Fire-resistance ACUs, hanes boxer briefs, a rigger's belt, and suspenders....
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Today, I watched on MSNBC as the 4-2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team drove from their AO around the VBC to Kuwait. This was notable, because, apparently, they were the last "combat troops" in Iraq. Guess the 1-3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team isn't combat troops- oh, wait, I forgot, we've been redesignated the 1-3rd Advise and Assist Brigade.

It's like Viet'nam's progression in reverse. In the...
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How obsessive can one man get over gummy bears? Pretty damn obsessive. My TC, truck commander, loves 'em, and we've bought out all the gummy bears, army guys, and sharks from every PX/BX on the Victory Base Complex, and AR Ramadi. We're hoping that this new month will mean new supplies of gummy. Otherwise, we'll be resorting to writing home for five-pound bags. I love...
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