Training

Training is trucking right along....I have learned more Army lingo than I could have ever imagined to include such word and terms as I have translated below;

Galley=Chow Hall

You Tracking?=Are you paying attention? Do you understand?

Lets break...every 40 minutes

Glow belts=Safety reflection belts we must wear from dusk till dawn

Weapon appreciation-bringing it with you EVERwhere you go

Latrine=bathroom or as the Navy calls them, 'heads'

Cattle Car=large vehicle much like cow trucks

More acyronyms than I can shake a stick at like NVGs (night vision goggles), EST (simulators), PMI (something about instruction), ACU (uniform), etc....

50 Caliber Simulator

The Army is strange in its ways...but its still been fun playing soldier. This week was the biggest perk with Humvee drivers training completion. I can successfully operate an M1151 HMMWV independently. It was like being able to mudd in the coolest 4 wheel vehicle ever. We did a few night drives as well, and I was able to take some sweet pictures as below. The NVG's can play tricks on your mind, but the view is awesome.

Night Vision Goggle View of skyline

The rest of the past few weeks have been hit or miss with our schedule. We continue to have lots of white spaced time and days off. They have created more unneeded courses, like 50 cal (fun, but will never shoot one) and such to fill our space. Once we have gotten a day pass to Seattle, and we are scheduled to have 2 overnight liberty periods before we leave. Most all of us are of course excited, but eager to get over to Afganistan as well. We are replacing a crew that is waiting on us to get there and have thus been extended. Still glitches in communications, but its all good. We'll be there in the next few weeks. Still no definite word on departure, but sometime before 11 March.

FT Lewis

I have safely arrived and successfully completed just about 1 week of training. There was a delay in arrival due to snow storms in Virginia, and then my toiletries and makeup were stolen from my sea bag...that set me over the top after a long day of travel. But with the help of the people I knew from NMPS and some newly acquired friends, I made out okay. Of course I can live without makeup, but it sure makes me feel better when stripped of all other femininity.

This week has gone by very fast and has included; weapons issue (must keep M-16, M-9 on body at all times...or have ENS Locker aka my locker watch them), M-16 and M-19 qualification, Humvee simulator rollovers, cleaning of weapons, simulator shooting, of course uniform issue (cold weather, Kevlar and flack gear). Heavy flack jacket and wearing all gear has been rough on my body, but I am young and I am doing alright with a little help from my friends Aleve and Advil. Its fun to find new bruises and I every time I put my flack jacket on I keep thinking it will be lighter. It hasn't gotten lighter yet :) I will post a few pictures when I can.

The living arrangement could be better....but we have heat, beds and warm water...more than some get. The buildings are circa 1940's built and the beds are about that too. Since I arrived late I got stuck with a top bunk. The showers within the structure are open, but there is also a shower trailer with more privacy and lockers a few buildings down. Computer access is limited, but we do have it in certain buildings and we get time on most days in the evening for access. Important to note also, we are training with the Air Force and our instructors are Army people. They aren't the nicest, I will leave it at that. And they call the Air Force "chair force" for a reason. They are the biggest groups of whiners I have ever met. No disrespect to the ones I have met so far, they take ownership to their whining at least.

That's all on my end, still no address for Afghanistan, standing by :)

NMPS

This week has been processing. The Navy calls it NMPS (Naval Mobilization Processing Site). Its basically review of medical records (again!), uniform issue and basic briefs on things like fraternization, Sexual Assault, etc...It gives more people time to get stuff done they should have had done before now. There are about 130 people and we'll all be going to 1 of 3 locations for further training (Ft. Bliss, Ft. Dix or Ft.Lewis) before heading to Kuwait. Below is a picture of our gas mask pressure setting; 8 minutes of patiently waiting.

This week is also a great time to catch up (more!) on favorite American restaurants and coffee...Hello Starbucks! So eating like a fatty and getting the last chance of good food :) One of the girls, Cayce; her parents live locally and have been amazing host's for 2 meals so far this week. They have a beautiful home near the Chesapeake Bay and I know I have been very greatful for their hospitality.

The living arrangements here aren't terrible; much better than the BOQ in Sigonella, and I am betting much better than we'll have down the road the next few months. Things are going well and I look forward to the upcoming weeks. Eager to get to Afganistan and have the action start, but being patient...or trying :)

da dum

I am back in America (arrived 05 Jan) and am loving it! Oooh the conveniences! Its the little things in life my friends; the little things (Target, Starbucks, controlled driving, television, commercials, and the English language).

After traveling to Michigan and having some MAJOR luggage delays, frustrations, and just 1 angry outburst (related to my luggage), I alas enjoyed the time with my parents, brother and friends before leaving for California after 1 week. California just feels like home to me...though many friends have moved on via their military journey, it was great to spend time with those who remain. Of course, was very sad to leave, but I will be back. 3 days before my departure I got word that my deployment is still on track, just delayed by 1 week. I will still be reporting and processing through Norfolk and fly from there to FT Lewis (Washington State). It was frustrating to figure out a plan of travel, though it has worked out well for me to spend some time with my brother, Ben, and his wife Tanya for a few days in Cape Cod. Its been great to spend time with them and I am happy that I was able to see all my immediate family members. I especially enjoyed the time and entertainment of my grandmother, Mary. She is a pleasant little 89 year old who I got many of laughs from. In good humor and intention of course. Bless her heart; and my parents who primarily help her out.

Those who know me well know I am not a huge fan of sitting still all the time, so I am ready to get on to the next destination and get this show on the road. As I start training this upcoming week I will keep you all updated as my address in Afganistan becomes available.

Caio Caio for now!

Happy New Years

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a Happy New Years celebration too! The weather here has been absolutely amazingly warm! Its awesome...in the high 70's during day and still warm evenings. My 3rd Christmas in a row in the sun! And no snow! The way it should be :)

As of tomorrow; 01 Jan, I am an LT in the Navy. Its an automatic promotion which falls just a few weeks after my 4 year anniversary of active duty. Had a nice little ceremony this morning with my boss; Kaz and my favorite corpsman, Maddy. Rose, another nurse who promoted 01 Dec and I had a party slash wetdown slash going away party with a group of friends. Some of us maybe didn't feel so great the next day :p

Buon Anno!

always sayin goodbye

My farewells and farewell celebrations have started already. My unit, the ER had a very fun barbeque/paintball evening last night which was a new experience. If anyone says it doesn't hurt, they are lying! I am pretty sure myself and the other girls were screaming like wild banches when we got hit and have bruises and welts to match. It was fun though, I laughed my ass off more than a few times. And drinking some good beer helped too :) Getting shot in the face was the only place it didn't hurt.

Its almost Christmas, hard to believe it though. All I did this year was put up my little nativity scene...my tree would be just another thing to take care of before leaving. The packing has already began as well...my 'gift' suitcase as well as sea bag and clothing bag are growing by the day :p I have to remind myself the more I bring, the more I ship...but its hard to narrow down clothing :)

Happy Holidays to All, Caio from Sicily and see some of you very soon!

The Countdown Begins!

Hard to believe in a little over 3 weeks I will be back in the States visiting with family and friends before the new adventure starts. I am eager and excited to get the show started; probably won't believe it all or have it all sink in till I get there, but I will enjoy the ride and love the time in Michigan and California :)

Its a good thing the shopping won't do me much good as I can't bring much to Afganistan, its tempting to splurge before I hit the sandbox. And for those that don't know much on Afganistan; Wikipedia has some basic, informative information. Without going into specifics some people have not a clue. I am guilty at times as well, but this is the hot spot of War this past year; you can't hear enough about our involvement there.

Speaking of; dropping some helpful hints of "care package" ideas; I will be purchasing a Kindle (electronic book via Amazon) and would love gift cards to load up the Kindle with books before I leave. Just an idea :) Below are the nurses from the hospital (well most of em). I am the Co-Chair on one of the committee's and we had our holiday Christmas party this past weekend.

The trash strike thankfully only lasted 3 days, but that was plenty by me. The weather has been cooperating for the most part; warm and sunny in the days and very cool at night. Using the space heater for now till I get my landlord over to help turn the heat on. Or I will just grin and bear it for 25 more days. We'll see. Below is Etna; its gorgeous right now with all the snow. I hope to go up there this weekend.