I wanted to write for a while now but just didn't have enough time to do so. Right now I'm in Kuwait until late April and after that I'm going back to Germany. I was in Baghdad for a month but luckily did not see anything major except a few times we got shelled and that was it. I was in Friedberg for about six weeks before I was on a plane heading to my unit. Right now we are in the process of redeployment and I can't wait 'till I'll be back to normal environment.
I wondered what became of you after you joined the army. What unit are you in now and what do you do ? Is the army life what you thought it would be ? Do still dream of a job in special forces of some type ? Glad you got through basic training in one piece.
Same here, Glad you are OK and keep up the good work where it counts! Are you in the 1st Armored Division?
Thanks for the replies guys Army life is kind of easier then I thought it would be. Basic training was horrible because it was always hot and the drill sergeants were always there harassing you. Regular Army is cool especially when I was in Germany (I'm in 1st Armored, 1st Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company). I was kind of scared at first when I got to my post but one week later I was getting drunk with some scouts who just came from Iraq. In Friedberg the base was practically empty because everyone is deployed, there were only Germany Army guys walking around most of the time. When I got to Iraq it felt weird just being there. Most people are telling you that you'll be leaving soon, but you just got there. I lived in martyr’s monument, right inside the building and everyday I'd wake up seeing names of all those Iraqis who died in Iraq-Iran war. Every other day I had guard duty, which was six to eight hours, and sometimes I'd go on convoys. TA152 To tell you the truth I grew out of that idea since I've met some people from SF down in Iraq. Where I use to live in Iraq http://home.planet.nl/~bous0001/Quadissiya.JPG
Clearly not a habit he learned on the forum . Good to hear from you V-Slav, glad to know your doing ok and enjoying army life. Keep us posted if you can and hope to see you back on here before long.
We got extended for four more months Got some pics of me at the BIAP http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gem5sr/detail?.dir=/ffc6&.dnm=b334.jpg [ 19. April 2004, 02:04 PM: Message edited by: VYACHESLAV ]
Nice balaclava! Sorry to hear you guys have to stay an additional 4 months. But then again, that's 4 months extra pay, right!? After that it is back to Germany??
Glad to know you're fine, Vyacheslav. Hope you're out from there safely in four months. I salute you for doing your duty! Regards, [ 19. April 2004, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: General der Infanterie Friedrich H ]
Good to see you back on the Forums Vyacheslav! I hope you and your buddies are someplace safe and cool. The 1st Brigade, 1st Armored rang a bell. I did a bit of digging online, and found the article that I kind of recalled. It was a report about the CO of the Ready First helping an Iraqi athlete travel to the US to train and compete. I also came across an article in today's Stars and Stripes about the 1st Armored being extended and the Ready First's website. I've posted an item in another thread which may be of interest to you or maybe some of your buddies: NEA Project Helps Troops Write About Wartime Experiences. Keep your head down and stay safe Vyacheslav! [ 21. April 2004, 02:06 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]
Thanks for the kind words Crapgame. In that picture Col. Mansoor looks happy because he doesn't know yet we're getting 4 months extension. When I called his office the day after we all found out we're getting extended we was pissed off. People who are here might have to go back North because they need guards and people for different details. Also, 1 Cav can't take control of anything and I won't even comment on the Marines. "We Were Soldiers" was a good film until I saw the unit in real life. Unorganized bunch of pansies, "Our equipment is still in Texas." Nice excuse, the 1 AD should have just given them all the rusty old tanks and tracks. This kind of stuff makes me mad, 3id was here for 6 months and cried to the white house and got back to states. 1AD was here for one year and look we got at least 4 more months. If Marines and 1st Cav can't take control they need to go back later on and train rather then bs and make up some crap. I'm a single soldier so I got no kids, no wife, just a girlfriend. Think about all the people with families waiting for their fathers and mothers. No money can't solve that. Thanks for support [ 21. April 2004, 12:57 PM: Message edited by: VYACHESLAV ]
You're welcome Vyacheslav. I see from the news that the Australian PM stopped at BIA for ANZAC Day. Do you know if the US forces at BIA participated in the ANZAC Day activities?
Probably not because Australians as well as British keep a lot to themselves when it comes to holidays or any celebrations
Little Johnnie did have a visit from a Senior US Commander in Bagdad and also talked to Bremmer. Good on him for going, He just has to keep the photos out of his upcoming Election campaign.
