En Shalla

En Shalla is a term that the Afganni's use often as a way to say "its Gods will". They say this about life, death and work ethic! Its becoming our motto a bit as well at work as we've had an increase in severity of injuries and decrease in survivability from these catastrophic, as we call them, injuries. I am not numb to the deaths, but they are all becoming too familiar of a process. We do all we can to help out the young men who come in, as their medics have in the field as well, but sometimes "its God's will" to take them all too soon.

On a happier note, one of my favorite corspman (and the one who teases me the most) HM2 Jones, became a father. I was honored to raise the flag to fly on the day of his son's birth, and in true fashion- rocking the grass skirt, as it was also the day of our latest party. This month's theme was Hawaiian luau to include local goats, chickens and na'an bread. Although we did have to retire the pool (it blew a hole), it was another successful MWR endeavor.
Raising the Flag on the 16th
HM2 Jones, Myself, CAPT Lucha and LCDR Burns, the party planners

The US Navy and military in general, is extremely strict on uniform guidance while back home and here in theater. This includes only official Navy PT gear, with a glow belt (otherwise you get a ticket....yes a flippin ticket), and you can sit in the sun, however no rolling of the sleeves or shorts or you may cause the whole group to have to wear the very warm and thick Desert Cammie Uniform we wear at work. As we live in NATO barracks, there are other nations with other rules for clothing and thus explains the next picture. You might think these gentleman were on a beach in Europe if they weren't lying on rocks with barb wire fences within feet. Now, these aren't the good looking buff guys you want to look at. In true Euro fashion, they are fat, hairy and wear inappropriate swimsuits. Ick! This is the view from the stairs;

Until next time...with just 5 weeks to go, En Shalla and Ciao Ciao :)