tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62600562011-06-06T19:47:11.131-04:00Colin's Adventure in IraqMinutia about a National Guard Soldier's DeploymentColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.comBlogger2561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1151118021093990872006-06-23T21:12:00.001-04:002008-05-11T18:18:09.905-04:00Denoument - in progressSo, what's more anti climatic: the fact that I'm loggin an entry 18 months after I got back or the that I returned and there's still a war to fight? Yes, unlike the Revolution, the War of 1812, the War of Northern Aggression (Fort Sumter aside) , WWI, WWII, and the Gulf War, I returned ala the Korean "Conflict" and Viet Nam.I felt it before you did, anticipating it a Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1116850913585893542005-05-23T08:20:00.000-04:002005-05-25T16:44:19.836-04:00I Went to My Last DrillIt was a ceremony at the 28th Infantry Division Shrine in Boalsburg, PA. I didn't know much about it before I went, but I figured since their might be some veterans there, I'd cut my hair and get my combat patch (89 MP Brigade) sewn on my class A's to look presentable. Just a couple of Soldiers from my company attended as it wasn't a regular drill date for us (I had asked Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1111371571431823902005-03-20T21:18:00.000-05:002006-10-19T19:55:44.020-04:00Personal Security DetailAnyone who has paid attention knows that we assisted "in providing security for many of the high-ranking Iraqi officials who make up the nation's new government, prefacing a turnover of power on June 30." I think I was one of the few people in theatre who read this article as when I mentioned it, leadership was caught off guard.First, here's the text of a certificate of Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1116544445734245042005-03-20T07:14:00.000-05:002005-05-19T19:24:05.193-04:00With the principal. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1110394462473406382005-03-09T13:53:00.000-05:002005-04-20T07:43:10.473-04:00Did anyone stumble across your blog on the net and confront you about it, and , if so, were there any interesting exchanges?I got this question about three weeks ago and for the entire year - well, I guess I should only count the time people have known about it: four months - the answer was pretty much, no. Interestingly, the very last day at Ft Dix, I was confronted separately by two E7s who Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1110380836387115882005-03-09T10:05:00.001-05:002005-04-13T20:21:45.463-04:00Coming HomeWe left Fort Dix Saturday morning and arrived to a hero’s welcome. When we got off the highway, about 30 fire and rescue vehicles were waiting to escort us back to the armory. People were lined up here and there for about 15 miles. I can’t say enough about our welcome: it was tremendous. Not to take anything away from other communities, but I don’t think we could have received such a Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1110202945001917902005-03-07T08:37:00.000-05:002005-03-07T09:03:04.946-05:00My Laptop is DownIt made it all the way to Philadelphia International Airport (where I used it for a couple of hours waiting for the bus), but I found it wouldn't turn on when I tried to use it a couple of days later. It's ironic, as the barracks in which we stayed now have both LAN drops and wireless connections; before the library was the only venue to get on line. The Dell technician comes Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1109977658340587712005-03-04T17:57:00.000-05:002005-04-19T13:58:03.770-04:00Fort DixWe have completed the demobilization process and we leave tommorow. We've turned in equipment, received medical screenings, and attended briefings. One presenter, explaining our VA benefits said, "You are a veteran . It's just not old men wearing funny hats with buttons: you are a veteran."We are on lock down tonight and can't leave the base, though technically, we haven't been able to Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1110374148690460742005-02-28T08:14:00.000-05:002005-03-10T09:20:49.416-05:00Changes?Well, someone went to bat for us and we were able to wear the Cav patch after all. And though the customs process took place over a six hour period, we were given a one hour break to go to the PX.We flew Northwest Airlines and had individual “On Demand” type video and music monitors. Stopping over in Amsterdam, the flight crew handed out free Heineken once we were air borne.Has this Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1113442424229149332005-02-23T21:33:00.000-05:002005-04-14T07:51:27.406-04:00Wasn't this from an episode of MASH? Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1109138639567496212005-02-23T01:03:00.000-05:002005-06-06T07:05:20.840-04:00We got Permission to Wear the Cav Patch (Again)We received a letter from the brigade commander authorizing its wear. And then, four days later, we were told to take it off again. Some Soldiers said that they will not take theirs off – damn the consequences - they have a letter that says they can wear it, so they are going to wear it.I think they are asking for trouble. Rule number one in the ArmyColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1109138553526894642005-02-23T01:00:00.000-05:002005-06-08T12:42:41.990-04:00Hurry Up and WaitThe announcement letting us know about the flight delay read as follows: We will leave Kuwait [three days later than planned].It’s the Army.Be flexible.You are still getting paid.These bullet points exemplify underpinnings of the Army’s mantra, “hurry up and wait.” I first heard this phrase when I arrived (on time) at my induction site at 6:00 AM for a 4:30 PM flight to basic Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1113442310228534572005-02-20T21:31:00.000-05:002005-04-14T07:56:44.296-04:00On a C-130 to Kuwait. The flight was only about an hour, but we can sleep any time, any where. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1108887263509550692005-02-20T03:13:00.000-05:002005-02-20T03:14:23.510-05:00KuwaitAs the bus pulled into the base in Kuwait, I gave a quick tour to a sergeant who hadn’t been through here before. When the bus stopped, everyone was quick to get up and the sergeant wondered aloud whether we should first find out what we were doing. I said that last time I was here, we took all of our stuff off the bus, waited on the other side of the street, and a few minutes later were Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1108624420177223302005-02-17T01:53:00.000-05:002005-03-07T09:00:08.630-05:00We are Leaving SoonOur replacements are here. It’s kind of funny to watch them. We aren’t supposed to make them nervous with our “war stories”, whether they be accurate or embellished. We were on top of a building on listening post/ observation post (LP/OP) duty, when the new guys came up on the roof the building for a view of the area. Some exclaimed, “Look at the helicopters!” We joked about anColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1108625342406952302005-02-17T01:29:00.000-05:002005-02-17T02:32:45.323-05:00MPs searching bags. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1108044174713248062005-02-10T09:00:00.000-05:002005-04-05T13:06:00.390-04:00After it is all (nearly) said and done, do you regret your decision to go to Iraq? Would you consider reenlisting in the Guard after your current tour is finished?I don't regret it, but of course that doesn't mean I enjoyed it. It's just one of those things one has to do. I promised my wife that I would go on one deployment and then get out. Over here, we talk about how much it would cost for us Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1107869261527684442005-02-08T08:25:00.000-05:002005-02-08T08:40:56.656-05:00Beer
Because the Super Bowl is the culminating representation of American culture, the order prohibiting alcohol in the Iraqi theatre was suspended for the duration of the game. Each Soldier not on duty was allowed to have two beers. At the last minute, it was decided that MPs would not imbibe and the Cav drank our beers for us. I heard that the other half of American culture, though not Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1107868497271703302005-02-08T08:14:00.000-05:002005-02-08T08:14:57.270-05:00The bad news. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1107701519521731002005-02-06T09:50:00.000-05:002005-02-06T10:02:45.820-05:00The Election
I am very proud of the Iraqi people - turning out to vote is such large numbers. For one to risk their life to vote - you have to respect that. An officer told us at a briefing that the elections would be a success pretty much no matter happened because even if, God forbid, a few dozen polling stations were hit, there would be thousands which would remain unscathed. This sounded goodColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1106898363904468302005-01-28T02:45:00.000-05:002005-05-25T16:36:20.950-04:00Colin: So when are we moving?Kip: I have no idea.Colin: Any rumors?Kip: The only rumor I know of is the one I started.Graffiti: ’One weekend a month’, my ass!Colin: [nodding to the newly arrived replacement Soldier] Harold, have you met the new guy?Harold: I was his RA at ESU. I got him in the Guard. I ****ed him good, huh? I said, ‘Come to drill, it’s fun!’”Marty: Remember at Dix when they told Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1117585545292017542005-01-28T02:40:00.000-05:002005-05-31T20:30:44.793-04:00Kip with the Colonel. The Colonel spent six months in an Iraqi jail after the first Gulf War. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1106756240156726382005-01-26T11:09:00.000-05:002005-01-26T11:17:20.156-05:00I’ve been Sick for a Few Days
So I haven’t been able to write much. But I will be writing on my disappointing experience with this FOB’s medical care – after all those nice things I said about military medicine...? I’m still too crabby to write something objective. Meanwhile, here are some Armed Forces Radio Public Service Announcements I found amusing:
You remember ET? “ET pho-o-o-one Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1106042359842079792005-01-18T05:57:00.000-05:002005-02-01T02:39:15.716-05:00I am still anticipating [an] entry about Rummy and "the army you've got"
The administration, with the backing of congress, asked the Department of Defense to go to war against the regime in Iraq and it did so with the Army it had. I don't think it would have been reasonable for the Pentagon to say that they didn’t have enough up armored humvees to go to war. Even so, based on the intelligence weColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105860975573030652005-01-16T02:34:00.000-05:002005-02-01T02:49:25.073-05:00Redeployment
The Commander sent a letter to our families. It read in part:
“I now anticipate that Ghost Company will return home sometime in late [sometime] based on guidance available through battalion. I do not have an exact date, and even if I did, I would not be able to reveal it for security reasons. (I caution all, however, that extensions are always possible, and we must be cognizant thatColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105693318790555922005-01-14T05:00:00.000-05:002005-04-05T13:01:11.890-04:00More on Last Month’s Rocket AttackThe Soldiers who were wounded were sitting in their room when the blast blew in the window. Some Soldiers lost a lot of personal and tactical gear and what wasn’t damaged in their rooms, was destroyed in their trucks. Our room had very little damage; the one next to us had its window shattered and several items, including a Play Station, destroyed. Ricky and Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105693092197862452005-01-14T03:58:00.000-05:002005-01-14T04:09:38.420-05:00
In this case these gentlemen are officers and doctors, so I can't fault them - it's innate.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105438725263610992005-01-11T05:17:00.000-05:002005-01-11T05:27:36.286-05:00I found your comments on women in the military interesting. A little too diplomatic, though.
Yes, well I'm trying to avoid sensitivity training upon my return to civilization.
It also [provides for] potential sexual situations.
Yes, I didn't mention the sexual situations; we do have those here. We had a discussion about its effect on mission and morale and the general opinion is that as long as Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105105080525941192005-01-07T08:35:00.000-05:002005-01-07T08:38:00.526-05:00What do [E5 and E6] mean? Do they have to do with a personnel member's MOS or grade? What's yours?
To describe someone's position, we usually use their pay grade, instead of their rank. I guess that's because it's easier and it applies across services. Secretary Rumsfeld uses this term to describe his own position when he’s asked a national policy question: “that’s above my pay grade” My Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1105005187719844872005-01-06T05:51:00.000-05:002005-02-01T03:03:21.376-05:00Cushy Staff Job
We set up a roadblock the other night and the cars were queuing up smartly when a pick up truck pull out of line and advanced toward the intersection. I raised my weapon, pointing it about ten feet in front of the vehicle. The truck then stopped and the driver got out. It didn’t take long to identify him as “friendly”.
Belligerent US Solider: Get that weapon off me!
Me: I don’t Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104674618893792292005-01-02T09:01:00.000-05:002005-01-02T09:12:03.433-05:00News Article Quoting Bud on the New Year's Holiday
“It's work today, work tomorrow. We're here to work," said Bud ... a military policeman from [someplace]. "Iraqis don't celebrate our holidays, so we can't put the war on holiday.”
Colin: This [article] makes Bud out to be anti Iraqi.
Kip: He is.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104391176501767982004-12-30T02:18:00.000-05:002005-01-06T05:08:02.213-05:00Ghost Company Update
Here’s an email written by our company commander and distributed to our families. Though I believe OPSEC was followed, I sanitized it for good measure. My comments will follow later.
ALCON:
It has been quite some time since I wrote to this group, and I hope all are doing fine. I extend a Christmas greeting to all.
One [Ghost] Company soldier was wounded in action yesterday Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104231950434945472004-12-28T06:04:00.000-05:002004-12-30T02:22:52.940-05:00Movies
Bud has one of the biggest US licensed video collection in the platoon. “I don’t buy Hajji,” says Bud. His reasons probably have more to do with a concern for quality than prejudice; one Soldier says he buy Hajji movies because he thinks the proceeds may fund the insurgents.
Iraqi DVDs are of two types: copies of movies which have been released on DVD and traditional bootlegs - recordingsColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104231680876554562004-12-28T05:58:00.000-05:002004-12-28T06:01:20.876-05:00Gurkhas
Gurkhas, professional fighters from Nepal, provide most of the site security in the I Zone. They are very friendly and approachable. I talked at length with one and his English was very good.
I asked if all Gurkhas knew English as well as he did. He said that some do, but added that he once received a poor evaluation because he spoke English “too much”: “You bloody little Gurkha, who Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104231650733499402004-12-28T05:50:00.000-05:002005-01-06T05:18:47.410-05:00
A Gurkha stands guard. This is not their typical uniform, but it is the sharpest.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1104140142463038922004-12-27T05:33:00.000-05:002005-01-14T04:06:49.020-05:00Equipment for OIF3
Perhaps you or someone you know is coming over here for OIF3. When we were mobilized, a popular question was, “What do we need to take with us?” For ideas on what to bring, we looked at websites and talked to people who had been here. Since we were going into the unknown, there was mentality of - maybe a fear of - not wanting to go without. A December issue of Newsweek magazineColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1112744418486063462004-12-25T19:40:00.000-05:002005-04-05T19:44:33.800-04:00I grabbed the headline on my father's Christmas letter. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103976457467008302004-12-25T07:07:00.000-05:002004-12-25T08:02:17.846-05:00
A nativity scene on a church wall in Baghdad.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103899475189328092004-12-24T09:44:00.000-05:002004-12-24T09:44:35.190-05:00How does the internet work for you? Do you have your own computer and internet access or do you have to share computers?
There are four internet cafes on our FOB; three of them charge $2 to use their computers or our own laptop. The fourth café is free, and, of course, has a slower connection. In my squad, which is older and careful with their money, two of us have laptops, while in the younger Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103899222878724552004-12-24T09:40:00.000-05:002004-12-24T09:40:22.876-05:00One of four internet cafes. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103883104384224722004-12-24T05:11:00.000-05:002005-03-13T13:07:43.716-05:00I noticed this UN Soldier in the PX. He told me, “We are here in support of peace.” What, like I’m not? ; ) I saw him again outside and asked to take his picture. He agreed saying that I would document the UN’s presence here though he was careful to point his UN beret flash into the sun to aid in plausible deniability. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103739306879896742004-12-22T13:15:00.000-05:002004-12-22T13:15:06.880-05:00A T-Shirt at the PX Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103731511568601462004-12-22T11:03:00.000-05:002005-05-25T08:40:43.876-04:00Can you tell me/us more about the feelings you have about being there as well as the other guys. Is it monotonous being there?I'm at the acceptance stage. I see this as my reality. Sure, I want to go home, but I don't count the days. Actually, when I think about the end of the deployment, I feel apprehensive. I really do want to go home and be with my family and return to my job. So, how does an Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103445047157096392004-12-19T03:29:00.000-05:002005-01-14T04:04:43.376-05:00I finally got to make some balloon figures for some kids.
Many homes and apartment buildings were engulfed by the I Zone when it was created. We happened to be parked outside of a little neighborhood when a group of siblings came out to ask us for treats. I opened up my bag and found some apples, juice, and M&Ms and our driver handed up a bag of Doritos. I also had some “sculpturing” balloons. ItColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103444667709917112004-12-19T03:24:00.000-05:002004-12-19T03:48:14.910-05:00
A picture of the siblings, with their goodies, and "our translator". The littlest one (not pictured) waved to me from the balcony of his family's apartment.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103296425786680032004-12-17T10:12:00.000-05:002004-12-20T05:53:56.596-05:00I Received a Counseling Statement
It was for failing to keep accountability of my M9 pistol - that’s a “gun of the hand” for those of you in Lancaster County. When you lose track of what are called sensitive items - i.e. weapons, radios, weapons sights, binoculars, protective masks - there are two kinds of lost: really lost, and squad leader/ platoon sergeant lost. These NCOs seem to have a Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103296387164217232004-12-17T10:08:00.000-05:002004-12-17T10:16:46.420-05:00
A sensitive item layout.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103295998697517132004-12-17T10:03:00.000-05:002005-02-01T03:12:42.693-05:00Can you tell us about the medical/health care system for our troops? i.e., is it focused on critical care needs or are they good at providing what is needed for soldiers with chronic conditions, basic ailments, etc?
Well, the mission of the Army medical system is "To Preserve the Fighting Strength". That sounds like we put a field dressing on and push them back in the fray, but it's usually not Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103025528385655202004-12-14T06:55:00.000-05:002004-12-14T07:03:42.586-05:00It’s Now, Officially, Cold
There was ice on top of the humvee this morning. It made it a little tricky getting the .50 set up. For those inside the truck, it’s like driving to work: put on a sweater and wait for the heat to come on, but for us in the turret, it starting to feel like Ft. Dix again.
Due to a personnel change, I’ve been able to gun on almost every mission for the last three months.Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1103025368277507722004-12-14T06:46:00.000-05:002004-12-14T07:01:24.456-05:00
Another gunner and me bundled up.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102947421283642292004-12-13T09:14:00.000-05:002004-12-13T09:17:01.283-05:00Quote of the Day
Going forward, I'll post some quotes or short interactions that I found amusing.
SGT 1: You guys smell that? It smells like something’s dead.
SGT 2: Dude, where’ve you been, the whole ****ing country smells like that.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102686945473384362004-12-10T08:54:00.000-05:002004-12-10T08:55:45.473-05:00Changing Lodgings
We moved back into the main compound. The change came as part of a personnel rotation. We were told that we were moving because incoming leadership wanted the building for their own personnel. This was rather annoying because we (my old team leader, Reed, in particular) had worked hard to make building inhabitable. Missing windows were boarded up, rooms were wired with Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102687581189870882004-12-10T08:50:00.000-05:002004-12-10T09:17:43.770-05:00
Items left behind. I guess one guy had a thing for the Olson twins.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102587676805171762004-12-09T05:20:00.000-05:002004-12-09T05:21:16.806-05:00Nine months down, three to go.
Time was flying by, but now with the new living conditions… I have to remind myself of the five months of relative luxury we had. More on that later.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102160936717591372004-12-04T06:48:00.000-05:002004-12-09T05:24:36.396-05:00
At least two bombs went off just outside I Zone check points this morning. Surprisingly, they were followed by sustained small arms fire. Some of us wanted to rush in and help out, but that's not the way the military works. We are pretty familiar with the area, so it was like, BOOM! Crack, crack, crack. "That's checkpoint X" ... BOOM! Crack, crack, crack. "That's checkpoint Y" ... Crack, crack,Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1102157098871630312004-12-04T05:42:00.000-05:002004-12-04T06:04:18.053-05:00A Fresh Perspective
A younger guy, Bud, impressed me during a short conversation sparked by a news story about nuclear proliferation on VOA radio:
Kip: The US has tons of nuclear weapons and yet we try to keep everyone else from getting them. Isn't that hypocritical?
Colin (atypically indifferent): Yeah, well, what are you gonna do?
Bud: Not really, cause we aren't ****ing insane; we aren't Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101995678318768482004-12-02T08:53:00.000-05:002005-03-26T21:13:40.906-05:00Are the guys you serve with very homophobic?Some say it's nobody's business, others think it's wrong. But there’s only one thing Soldiers joke about more than heterosexual sex and that’s homosexual sex. Guys tease all the time about each other being gay, and my roommate, Kip, in particular, gets teased quite often. Guys have drawn graphic pictures on the squad announcement board and write things Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101995564402113442004-12-02T08:52:00.000-05:002004-12-12T08:46:04.830-05:00HUMVEE Race
The long talked about wrestling match between Kip and Ricky finally took place. Kip, my roommate, said it would be held in the downstairs of our gutted physical plant building. I asked Kip not to do it there, warning him that someone would get hurt on the concrete floor. Of course, once I concluded that they were going to do it anyway, I went down to enjoy the show.
The main room is Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101649765548813822004-11-28T08:41:00.000-05:002004-12-02T08:30:42.570-05:00Support Our Troops
I was going to drop this topic, but then I received an email from a buddy here in my unit. The email, with the subject line, “Support Our Troops,” has a link to an online petition of Congress asking them to stop any punitive action against the Marine who shot the wounded Iraqi insurgent in the mosque in Falluja.
The petition cites Charles Heyman, a British infantry veteran andColin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101468769339418492004-11-26T06:31:00.000-05:002004-12-10T11:04:04.873-05:00Fahrenhype 9/11
GQ, our company’s Iraqi interpreter, gave everyone in our barracks a copy of this movie which sets the record straight.
In the film, there is an interview of Soldier who lost parts of each arm in an accident in which another Soldier was killed. What’s not mentioned in this critique, but may have been in the original movie, is that the death and dismemberment were caused by Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101465920771455692004-11-26T05:40:00.000-05:002004-11-26T07:23:52.180-05:00Thanksgiving
I forgot it was Thanksgiving. I was wondering why my roommate, Kip, wanted to go to the DFAC for the first time in three months. The staff put on a great, traditional, 20th century, meal. They also dressed as pilgrims and Indians, and even had a teepee. Officers and NCOs served the food, which was pretty good.
I far as being thankful - I'm thankful to God for:
Mary and the boys
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1101114187618463702004-11-22T05:01:00.000-05:002004-11-22T04:13:49.416-05:00Comment from Reader
I’ll take beer and big [bosoms] over burkahs and other institutionalized inhumanities to women, not to mention religious fanaticism that will probably lead to the destruction of much of the world once its proponents obtain WMDs.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100874911519267852004-11-19T09:31:00.000-05:002004-12-02T08:32:57.240-05:00Inside Iraq
This book doesn't live up to it's subtitle, "The History, the People, and the Modern Conflicts of the World's Least Understood Land," but it is informative and gives you a flavor for the country. I would have liked to seen contributions by Iraqis. Western academics and journalists aren't needed to explain foreign things to Americans. Many peoples understand and know how to relate to Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100779030708724082004-11-18T06:56:00.000-05:002004-12-02T08:38:14.163-05:00What is the general opinion of the troops with whom you serve on the video of the Marine shooting the Iraqi guy?
Here are some bullets I wrote down:
"You know if they let him go, he'd come back to kill more Americans."
"What's with this capturing bulls****? Kill them and end it right there."
On hearing about the investigation:
"Why can’t people just move on?"
"They’d kill us if they had the Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100687288221052612004-11-17T05:27:00.000-05:002004-11-17T05:28:08.220-05:00Comment Solicited from Reader
You use too many semicolons. I do too, but that's not the point.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100521164730908962004-11-15T07:17:00.000-05:002005-05-24T17:40:02.193-04:00Question from ReaderWhat is your experience [using the 5.56mm rifle]? I have read complaints that the 5.56mm bullet is considered too light to have one-shot knockdown power (like that which 7.62mm / M60 rounds are said to provide)?Though it may have done the job in the Viet Nam era, the current 5.56mm does not provide adequate knock down power because it no longer tumbles. From what I've heard Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100439096511370622004-11-14T08:31:00.000-05:002004-11-15T06:56:08.220-05:00
It's not a Chevy Suburban sales lot, it's the car park outside the American Embassy complex. The US occasionally throws a bone to Ford for a few Expeditions.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100437357491244802004-11-14T08:02:00.000-05:002004-12-02T08:42:44.513-05:00
A housing complex in the international zone. Note the satellite dishes. There are also broadcast stations, including one which airs the Arabic version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". On the FOBs, we have satellite TVs in the MWR rooms. We receive AFN programming which airs PSAs, mostly military ones, instead of commercials. AFN also has a new movie channel complete with "Ebert & Roper" and "Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100436995948694512004-11-14T07:56:00.000-05:002004-11-14T07:56:35.946-05:00Stopping by the local pizza joint after a mission. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100432870921083882004-11-14T06:46:00.000-05:002005-03-27T01:08:27.626-05:00Have you befriended any locals, or do you have to keep a distance from them?I don't have to keep my distance, but it just works out that I do. Some of the Soldiers smoke and joke (Army talk for chit chat) with them but, as you know, I'm not one for chit chat. Even though I'm a self proclaimed Hajji lover, I'm more curious about their culture and what makes them tick, like some sort of geek Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100431347101645642004-11-14T06:18:00.000-05:002005-02-06T10:08:21.040-05:00Do you still have a lot of down-time, or are you kept pretty busy?
or similar:
What time do you have to get up tomorrow, noon?
A few weeks after I got back from leave, we went through a reorganization and we now get about one "down day" a week. A down day isn't a day off, it just means that we don't have to go out on a mission. We clean weapons, work on the truck, take a turn on a detail, etc.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100428112545021572004-11-14T05:22:00.000-05:002004-11-17T05:26:31.426-05:00Happy Ramadan!
This is the refrain whenever a mortar, rocket, or IED is big enough/close enough to shake the doors and windows. Thankfully, Ramadan is now over and the feast is at hand. For the last month, we weren’t supposed to eat, drink, smoke, or swear in front of the Iraqis. One Soldier said, “I don’t care. It ain’t my ****ing holiday!” I can’t really argue with that.
Mortar attacks are Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100428108109218052004-11-14T05:20:00.000-05:002004-11-14T06:14:31.350-05:00
This photo of a prisoner inside a Hesco bastion, could take first prize.
Richard Butler of WPN for Newsweek May 17th 2004
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1099553901976228672004-11-04T02:36:00.000-05:002004-11-04T02:41:35.480-05:00What is “movement to contact”?
It’s Army talk for a smart way of attacking the enemy.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1099309583402958842004-11-01T06:45:00.000-05:002004-11-01T06:46:23.403-05:00Report: 100,000 Iraq civilians killed in war
Another headline from Stars & Stripes – only this one isn’t true. This study, published in the Lancet, was rigged big time: “However, more than a third of the post-invasion deaths were reported in one cluster of households in the city Fallujah, where fighting has been so intense recently. Because the fighting was so severe there, the numbers from Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1099043877915748612004-10-29T06:56:00.000-04:002004-10-29T06:58:48.293-04:00Court Orders DOD to Stop anthrax shots
Judge rules madatory program 'illegal', says FDA wrongly approved vaccine
A headline in today's Stars & Stripes.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098791588536865482004-10-26T07:49:00.000-04:002004-11-01T07:16:43.210-05:00Question
[T]here was a photo in the Time Magazine ... of American soldiers buying cooked food off Iraqis. Have you done this? Where do you usually eat? Mess tent? MRE's? You mentioned rest camps (I think...) in the blog - do you eat MRE's, say, for a week while deployed at a satellite camp, then in to a rest camp for a weekend with hot food, or some such arrangement?
The article stated that the Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098621280948435292004-10-24T08:34:00.000-04:002004-10-24T08:40:52.470-04:00
Here’s an article on the guy who ran Jump Start International. They had sites all over the Green Zone and did a good job, from what I saw. I think their contracts may have ended with the return of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098618719520111372004-10-24T07:50:00.000-04:002004-10-24T08:11:05.706-04:00Comment from a Reader
…the folks back home hate the war / disapprove of it, the local US supported government is corrupt and ineffectual, there is no clear exit point or strategy, etc. etc. - guess you get the idea.
I would really appreciate to hear what your think of this [quote]: "If you give a soldier too many verniers and gauges to read during a fight, someone armed much more simply, say, Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098618107524414922004-10-24T07:40:00.000-04:002004-10-24T07:41:47.526-04:00What is your take on the statement that Iraq is merely "Vietnam-in-the-sand"?
I don't think so. Casualties are very low compared to other conflicts and we are making progress. The "Iraqization" of the armed forces is coming along and I think we will prevail - as long as Kerry doesn't win. The Bush campaign has been criticized for making an issue of it, but the terrorists do want Kerry to win.Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098617832074063002004-10-24T07:36:00.000-04:002004-10-27T04:46:34.093-04:00Comment from Reader
I think Bush is going to loose. You probably didn't watch the recent debate? I read a synopsis in Time and it seems Bush couldn't quite defend his actions (especially in Iraq) as well as Kerry could attack them.
Reply
I hope Bush wins. This war on terror, as he said from the beginning, is going to be long and hard. I don't think Americans can stomach it. Our Code of Conduct Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098616969336675212004-10-24T07:21:00.000-04:002004-10-24T07:32:08.440-04:00Questions from a Reader
Q What's your take on the whole war?
A I think we are doing a good job in general, but, as you know, winning the peace is much harder than winning a war. We are trying to finesse it a bit too much.
Q You seem to come out pro-Bush and pro-war in your blog - is this assumption correct?
A Yes, I voted for President Bush and I think our being here is a good idea.
Q I have Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098532580997124942004-10-22T14:55:00.000-04:002004-10-23T08:14:40.920-04:00We’ve Reached Critical Mass
At dinner, the Commander asked for a link to my site; he said he heard there were some good stories on it. That dashed my hopes that I had just slipped up and mentioned the site off hand to someone and that no one had actually seen it. After chow, I asked Harold if he knew about it, he said a lot of people did. I asked my roommate about it and he said he just heard Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098349599444695002004-10-21T06:06:00.000-04:002004-10-21T08:42:15.630-04:00
One Soldier answered this question in a perpetual context: I gave up my job; I gave up my family...
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098183441015180362004-10-19T06:56:00.000-04:002004-10-19T07:13:58.040-04:00I've Been Outed
Well, just a couple of posts after I quote a DoD spokeswoman about how I can say any darn thing I want, somebody in the unit has found out I have a blog. Right now, it’s a rumor, but I’m sure people will find it soon. This is not a big deal, I’ll continue writing, but I can’t be as brutally honest as I was going to be.
Before, when it was just you and me, dear reader, there was Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098012496297929932004-10-17T07:28:00.000-04:002004-10-21T08:39:59.666-04:00
Bradley which was destroyed on September 12th.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098012057563730302004-10-17T07:20:00.000-04:002004-10-17T07:20:57.563-04:00Some KBR employees on their way to the pitch. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098011916822483462004-10-17T07:18:00.000-04:002004-10-21T08:20:52.460-04:00
Sing along! "And it's 1 - 2 - 3..."
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098011744389795762004-10-17T07:13:00.000-04:002004-12-10T09:39:10.956-05:00Dates
September 8th: Six months down, six months to go. Someone posted a note: “Happy mid deployment day. You are now officially a short timer.”
September 11th: The company held a short memorial service and someone wrote on the message board “September 11th - We will never forget.”
September 12th: Several attacks in and around the International Zone. Another guy and I had the first shift Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1100437090679786042004-10-15T08:58:00.000-04:002004-11-14T08:12:56.640-05:00
KBR employees load some salvaged equipment on a truck. I advised a nearby Soldier not to help as he could be charged with looting per the Geneva Convention.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1118821045407688012004-10-15T03:36:00.000-04:002005-06-15T03:37:25.413-04:00I Almost Asked to DriveThe gunner/driver rotation went by the wayside so after it was enacted as the rest of my truck went on leave. I prefer to gun anyway; you get to see everything going on. Driving is done with the windows up, so not only are you limited in what you can see, you also can’t hear the sounds of the place, like music and kids yelling as you drive by.But the other day, I seriously Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1097673627730103282004-10-13T09:12:00.000-04:002004-11-21T05:04:36.646-05:00I received the DVD of our television interview.
I’ve watched it about ten times so far, and since there’s no need to watch it alone, I get others to watch it with me.
Colin: “Lance, come watch the video.”
Lance: “I saw it on the internet.”
Colin: “Yes, but it didn’t have sound.”
Lance: “Yes, it did.”
Colin: “Get in here!”
Everyone howled when Mary and I kissed and many of the guys wanted more Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098350542053332582004-10-13T06:22:00.000-04:002004-10-21T05:34:49.410-04:00
Clothesline
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1098350119297275592004-10-13T06:15:00.000-04:002004-10-21T05:36:35.610-04:00
Washing machine in water closet.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1096374774038786502004-09-28T08:31:00.000-04:002005-03-11T09:19:51.970-05:00I Could’ve had a V8!The first one of my life. It was quite tasty and I plan on making it a regular thing. Because we lack a regular supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, I’m willing to try just about anything (but still no broccoli). My mother always said, when I turned my nose up at something, “You don’t know what you are missing.” I guess she was right. Last year, I took a liking to tomatoe Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1096374622626054832004-09-28T08:21:00.000-04:002005-03-11T09:24:44.843-05:00Anthrax and MalariaWe had to get another anthrax shot. Some were on their third, others on their fourth of a series of six. I didn’t want to get another, and cited a court’s ruling from December 2003 stating that military personnel could not be forced to get it. I explained to my squad leader that there is no threat of anthrax here and I would be getting out of the military shortly after the end Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1095348958158306992004-09-16T11:35:00.000-04:002004-09-16T11:35:58.156-04:00A kid giving his rock bottom price for a watch while another waits to show his DVD selection. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1095348599303355372004-09-16T11:29:00.000-04:002004-11-21T05:06:49.630-05:00
A mosaic of the Arab world outside of Baath Party headquarters.
Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1095348367386678642004-09-16T11:26:00.000-04:002004-09-28T08:41:54.306-04:00It's one thing not to have butter at our FOB DFAC; it's another to visit FOB DFACs that have sculptures made out of butter. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260056.post-1095348136903162782004-09-16T11:22:00.000-04:002004-09-16T11:22:16.903-04:00AAFES pogs. These are given out as change, ostensibly because coins are too heavy to transport. Colin Judgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815838390247956161noreply@blogger.com0