Hello All,
Another day in Kuwait, another retirement point. I’m not going to delve into the process of retirement because I would like this to be entertaining to people other than insomniacs. However today is the second day of Army chow (see Food, sometimes) and I am happy to report that the chow is good. It’s actually better than good by Army standards, it’s damn good (no, not quite Outstanding, but its getting better).
Now I’m no restaurant critic, but I do know good food (at least I did before I spent 6 months on active duty) and while I don’t live to eat, I eat for a bit more than life itself (a little twister to get your brain going, it took me 5 minutes to put that together!). The Navy chow was not bad by any stretch of the imagination, and when you consider what we were eating out in the desert it looked gourmet. However, this food is better. I don’t know how it would compare to food at home (my taste buds are still a little leery from this deployment), but I’m a much happier trooper.
I’ve enjoyed 4 meals so far in the new chow hall (oh yeah, the Army had to build their own, apparently they didn’t like the Navy one or didn’t want to take over the lease) and I only have one compliant. There isn’t as much room in the new facility as the old. This isn’t a deal breaker by any means, just the only shortcoming I’ve seen so far.
The first thing I noticed yesterday morning as I went through the line was the lack of Americans working in the facility. Yep, the work has been contracted out but not to Kuwaitis. These people are from all over the world; Philippines, Africa, other Middle East countries and many others. I don’t know how much this is costing you, the tax-payer, but it’s working out pretty well for me this far. My company has a mess section (see Cooks), but I guess it’s cheaper to let them pull guard duty and pay foreign nationals to cook (go figure?).
The next thing was the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Navy always had these often overlooked items, but the Army has brought in a much higher quality and quantity. I wasn’t a huge fan of eating healthy before I got here, but now that I’ve spent 6 months away from fast food and grease fried everything, I’m beginning to think a little differently. Not that I’m going vegetarian, heavens no. Cows and pigs and chickens were put on the earth for food, and I thank God for them. That brings me to my next point (no, not God, but he’s in here), the meals.
The meals are pretty good also. The Navy served a lunch consisting of cold meat sandwiches and soup (yeah, that’s what I thought too. Hot friggin’ soup in the desert? What the hell are they thinking?), and while that’s not bad every now and then, it’s not fun to eat for months at a time. In fact, I used to like to eat sandwiches, but now not so much. The Army is serving three meals a day. No sandwiches. No soup. Hooray! Breakfast today had biscuits and gravy, one of my personal favorites, and it was the best biscuits and gravy I’ve had all year (wait a second, I haven’t had any all year… well, no wonder?).
All in all I’m very happy with the new chow facilities. The food is good and there is a nice variety of healthy stuff. The other good news is that we’ve been released from the MEF (Marine Expeditionary Forces), yippie. The less than good news is that we’re still awaiting orders for another mission or to go home. There have been abundant rumors that I will not mention here (I hate rumors), and no official word whatsoever.
Don’t worry, we’re not just laying around soaking up the sunshine. We are now washing big cargo boxes so they can be loaded onto a ship and sent home (yep, another exciting mission). This is an job even more exciting than the last (not) and we are all motivated to perform our duties with the utmost professionalism (bullshit). I have been told by one of our officers that this job will in NO WAY prevent us from redeploying home (watch me hold my breath). This all might sound cynical but we haven’t seen the best of luck on this trip. But I’m a soldier, and I will go where I am told to go, and do what I’m told to do. Because that’s what soldiers do, they follow orders. Man I miss my job in Omaha.
At least the checks don’t bounce.
I love you all,
Will
PS – Little Jake is doing well, he just weighed in at 2 pounds and 12 ounces and he’s eating more everyday. Looks like the little guy and I have something in common, we both like food. Keep up the good work little guy, I ’ll buy you a big teddy bear when I get home.
Will,
I love good news. Congrats to little Jake and to his uncle on the chow. Fingers are still crossed for your early homecoming. Thanks for the update!
But do they make good SOS? Watch your six, good luck. glenn
Posted by: Glenn Woods on August 19, 2003 06:01 AMThe Army chow is good?? Geez, I feel robbed LOL It sucked stateside! I think at this point, we all have adopted you and your nephew, we can all send teddy bears! :o) Take care and we're all awaiting the day that we hear you (and everyone else) are coming home (not anymore eagerly than you I suspect). You're going to have to plan a huge party for all the "Will fans."
Posted by: jamie k. on August 19, 2003 07:05 AMHurray!! Will found his smile!!! I thought you might have lost it forever. I glad you have something to look forward to everyday. Also Jake's news is the best!! Hope your mission is over soon. Take care and God Bless.
debby
Posted by: debby on August 19, 2003 08:30 AMThe old saying that an army travels on it's belly is always true. Glad the eats have improved. This old gal in Memphis is praying you get home soon.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tynes on August 19, 2003 08:48 AMGod is sending angels to Jake! And also to you Will!! God Speed you home to see him. You both are in our prayers.
Posted by: DJ on August 19, 2003 10:24 AMGood to hear you are eating better. Keep those spirits up. And look & think homeward bound soon. Good to hear little Jake is taking after Uncle Will.
Take Care!!
Will,
I am glad that some thing's are looking up for you.
My prayers are with you and little Jake.
I hope that you get word that you get to come home soon.
Stay safe !!
Jan
Posted by: Jan on August 19, 2003 12:24 PMHi Will,
Glad to hear that little Jake is eating and gaining weight. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
Also am glad to hear that the food has improved somewhat. I never thought Navy chow was all that bad. The best Navy chow is on submarines. But remember the saying
"The best way to a man's heart...."
Hoping and praying that you all will hear of a definate date you all will be coming home. Hope it's soon. Take care, stay safe, and hang in there.
Yeah, nothing beats a little B&G in the morning. Think we are having that at JPFIC this week sometime.
Am sure the chow is good. Much better than the sweet corn and tomatoes we've got going on this time of year. AHHHH - ok, you can pull out the b word now, I deserve it.
Glad there is something "good" going on over there for you - you guys deserve it. Now if we could just get the mother of all good words...that you are coming home. Am sure there is a little man that wants to meet his Uncle. Glad he's gaining some weight, will keep him in the prayer chain.
Stay safe my friend.
p.s. 11 days until the first Husker game
Posted by: Shell on August 19, 2003 10:24 PMAaaahhhh at last! Good news!
Shhhh..don't talk up the chow TOO much...they might think they're treating ya'll to well and revert back to *gasp* soup & sandwiches!! ('what the hell' fare) I suspect the chow hall area is smaller for a reason - if the chow is better, they don't want you guys taking your time eating, now, do they? Heck no! Chow down and get out! LOL
Great news about Jake. Yep, like nephew, like uncle. Determined to make lemonade out of lemons. Very good, indeed.
Take care Will...greater news would be you guys are coming home! In the meantime, eat your vegetables! *grins*
Hugs, Thoughts, and Prayers,
Judi
Hi Will,
just a few words to tell you that I'm glad for your good humor!And for baby Jake too!
Keep strong!
Ilenia
I just happened to find this site a couple of weeks ago. I love it! I am not in the military nor do I know anyone in kuwait. However I am a school teacher in New Mexico and I have been sharing this site with my students. I tell them about it not let them read it, for heavens sake. Many of the students have been writing About meeting Will in their journals. Where can we sent letters?
Posted by: Donna on August 20, 2003 10:40 PMI just discovered your site. Thanks for your first person experience. I wondered how you all faired over there in the desert and now I have a small idea.
Thanks for your sacrifice. It really is appreciated here at home.
God speed and blessings.
Hey Will!!! Glad your getting better grub... and that things are starting to look up for you guys over there...shhh dont say that to loud.... Also its good to hear Little Jake is doing alot better... Hope everything else is going well...
God Bless, hope you get to come back soon...
Thumper
Posted by: Thumper on August 21, 2003 01:57 PMglad to hear about jake!!!
a friend of mine was born a very tiny baby, a pound, pound and a half, two pounds, something like that. her first craddle was a shoebox with wool in it.... a hankie as a blanket... she's now in her 50s and has done quite well in life...
love makes a huge difference.
Posted by: cris on August 21, 2003 04:09 PMhey will...
sounds like things are going well - I have a buddy on the Nimitz, says the bugs have caught up with the cereal supply...yumba!
I'll get my friends to add Jake to their prayers (as will our family) - you can't have too many prayers...and we'll keep praying for your safe & speedy trip back to the USA...
Posted by: PJ on August 21, 2003 09:06 PMJoin the Linux community.
Posted by: Joan on July 6, 2004 02:06 PM
Will is a pretty good writer and this is the collection of his writings. It'll be interesting to hear updates from a soldier's point of view, so I'll be posting them for all to read.
Take care Will