Hello All,
Well, we’re still in Kuwait… Surprise! I know what you’re thinking, “there was a Plan, right?” There sure was, and this is how it’s played out.
In the beginning there was the plan, and the plan was weak and ill formed. The plan called for reconnaissance, and so two brave men were sent forward to do so, and they saw that our destination was good (not U.S. good, but not bad considering). Then there was the change (number one, you don’t need to count I’ll take care of that), and the change said maybe not on this day, but possibly on the next. And then there was the next change, can’t go there, but maybe here or here and you’ll need this and that but not the other. And confusion overtook the company. Next came the second delay, and the change of mission because you could have done this at the first place, but now think about doing that at the other. And another and another and… well, I guess you can see where this is going. Then the word was passed that the second locations (possible locations that is) were no longer feasible and a fourth was in order, with a mission VERY similar to the first but completely different at the same time (confused, now we’re on all the same sheet of music). And then the brave men came back and they were also confused.
So where are we at now and what is on the horizon? 8 changes later and I honestly don’t know. I have been told so many things from my chain of command (above the Company level, that is) that have yet to come true I don’ t expect anything anymore.
Things are running fairly smoothly here at Camp Patriot, and I can’t fault the new management too much. But there is one thing that I just HAVE to mention, mostly because I’m a little short on material right now (no worries, I’m going on the mail run tomorrow morning, and something ALWAYS happens when I go there). There is an Army policy that mandates that all soldiers riding/driving in a military vehicle must wear their helmets or some kind of hard hat. Personally I don’t know how wise that is, but I do call it stupid whenever I get the chance. Anyway, this is one of those rules (like speed limits and public intoxication laws) that I am happy to ignore and go on about my life.
Now I wouldn’t believe this, but the source is pretty solid, so here goes. A Humvee full of troopers was rolling down the street here at Camp Patriot and not one of the occupants had on their helmets or hardhats (little scamps!). They just happened to pass a First Sergeant from another company (mine wouldn’t go to this extent) that promptly blew a gasket and screamed, turned after the truck, screamed again and began running after the truck. Allegedly (and I swear that I wasn’t driving, really) the driver saw the First Sergeant (or 1SG) running behind the vehicle and paused, for just a moment as if taunting the 1SG and promptly resumed a cruising speed and turned a corner. Not to let a speeding truck get away from HIM, the 1SG increased his pace, for about 100 yards and then stopped, bent over wheezing and cursing.
The next day orders came down from the Post Commandant, “Do Not Drive Away From The First Sergeant.” I think that we might have passed stupid on this one.
I love you all,
Will
I'm glad you are still there, I mean not glad that you are not home, but that you didn't go anywhere. God is amazing on how he answers prayers and those who pray get their prayers answered.
I had a good laugh with this one, 1st Sgt is funny! running after a truck, now that is a first. Take care, God bless you and much love to you and all the troops that are there.
Posted by: Paola on September 22, 2003 08:55 AMDitto. If change, change, change means you stay at Camp Patriot - I am all for it!
The only change in location I want is your butt back here - ok, bring the rest of you too as your butt was never your best asset :)
Miss ya!
Oh Will...I so love your writing!! Everytime I miss the military I forget to think about the numerous 'hurry up and waits' they put you through for no apparent reason and the mass, mass confusion that goes along with them! You seem to be feeling a bit better than in your last rant and I am glad to hear that!
I live in Seattle and we have had a lot of our men and women come home this past week and I can't help but think of you every time I see the reunions, I will admit I shed more than one tear for you in the last week or so....don't feel too alone though, one of the ships that returned our troops home last week was a reserve unit that left in January and was only supposed to be gone for three weeks, they were gone for nine months...how do you pack for a trip like that??!! :-)
Take care of yourself Will, get your butt home safe and sound and meet that wonderful little nephew of yours!!!
We all love you guys and have not forgotten!!
Sharon
PS--That 1SG sounds like one I used to have!!!! Heck, maybe it is!
Posted by: Sharon on September 22, 2003 11:46 AMBetter be careful about making those 1SGs mad! They've got the memory of an elephant and enough authority to make that memory dangerous. I've pulled my share of extra duty for having a 1SG mad at me! ;)
Posted by: Virgil on September 22, 2003 12:49 PMSounds like God's grace to me. They are killing folks in the unspoken direction.
Keep your head down, your eyes open and dang it, wear that helmut anyway.
Posted by: Karen Tynes on September 22, 2003 01:37 PMWill,
Glad that your since of humor is back.
1st Shirts are always fun to mess with.
Take care of your self and your troops over there.
Jan
Posted by: Jan on September 22, 2003 03:26 PMnew name for the country you're still in:
inchoate.
where's will?
he's inchoate/in kuwait.
sounds indentical.
as in,
"either they've got you in a rack, or they keep you inchoate."
Tell me about it! My husband's up for an Article 15 for that same kevlar business, but he was driving a forklift instead of a truck. He wasn't even on a road. I'm glad you're in Kuwait, instead of in the Godforsaken Iraq. I just hope mine will be in Kuwait soon also. Take care and hope you get to go home soon.
Posted by: Wally on September 22, 2003 04:15 PM"Change Happens!"
Will- Isn't the 1st Sgt. the one who takes care of things, gets your tickets, makes the arrangements when you need to fly back home?
And because you know I can not resist a pun - especially when one is dangling there like a hanging chad -
I have also seen "inchoate" spelt like this
"inchoad" in which case takes on the meaning: They have you stuck between two rocks and a hard place.
Hi Will,
Oh, you got me laughing so hard! I'm just picturing that 1SG running after the truck and screaming to beat the band. Your writing just really sucks us all in. That's one of many reasons you have so many fans (fanatics?).
Well, it sounds as if things are pretty normal there (SNAFU - right hands of the high up mucky mucks not knowing what the left hands of the high up mucky mucks doing, limbo, etc....). I really think that after about 5-10 more changes, they'll just throw up their hands and say "screw it"! (If any of those high up mucky mucks has anything other than s*** for brains).
I'm glad to see you're still in Kuwait, and I hope someone will actually come to their senses and bring you guys home NOW!!
Many people thinking of you, and praying for you.
Hang in there and stay safe.
I read with laughter everytime I do hope that you have been able to keep everything in your hard drive and someone contacts you for a book deal/comedy tour. thankyou and everone else for the job that you do
Posted by: kieffer family on September 22, 2003 11:30 PMya know, the more i hear about your life over there, the more i realize all those years of watching M*A*S*H weren't fantasy, they were dead-on! which is sad-!
your 1st sgt sounds like a dead ringer for Frank Burns--so the stereotypes turn out to be real, after all! that's dismal!
which i guess would probably make you Hawkeye Pierce.
jeez. you can learn a lot by watching tv.....
Who's On FIrst and Who's on Second come to mind. Take care and were that helmet!!
Your head's not that hard!! Bullets don't bounce off!
Some protection is better than none.
wearing helmets in a humvee is as retarded as having to keep you sleeves down in 120+ temps in the benign environment that is Camp P.
Say hi to Capt W for me.
Posted by: Kevin on September 25, 2003 01:21 PMHello Will,
you haven't guessed what we are thinking.Do you know what is the best plan that we think for you?Would you like that you remain in Kuwait,and we'll are happy if there aren't plans and missions.You leave guess us ,you don't guess why..We are happy that you are well.
P.S.:A short message for remember the important contribution our italian army.Fairs to be italian,a particular thanks our soldiers forever ready to serve our country and who have need.If you meet our soldiers thanks and give one regards to their from two italian girls,fairs to be italia.
CIAO
Milena and Adriana
Hi Will,
Found you site by accident, I am in Australia found it great to read about your life over there. As you can imagine down here we get not much news on it at all.
Be safe and keep writting
Cheers, Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn on October 8, 2003 09:59 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