What Oatmeal?

So I was going to type this letter to my good friends to thank then for the care package. But I figured I would share it with everyone...

The Byrds-

So I'm not sure if you all had heard, but I went from my American base in Afghanistan to a French base... In Afghanistan. So here I am, not speaking a word of French, as the only American in the command post. Its pretty crazy. I am running all the aviation stuff for the French since they cant do it alone. I get to eat at a French DFAC, with French Chef's and we take coffee breaks about 5 times a day it seems. I really don't have many complaints. The espresso machine was broken yesterday so that was pretty bad I guess. The hours are long but I enjoy the work. I have nothing to go back to in my room since the Blackhawk crewchief literally through my Assault Pack off the aircraft. The second I saw it happen I knew my laptop was toast. It was completely smashed. One more reason why I hate Blackhawks.

All this brings my to the next part of this saga. So today two Apaches arrived and told me they had my mail. Which turned out to be a package from you two. This made my freaking day. The French don't really snack and 90% of their food is not what I would consider healthy. So I was thrilled to get a but of good old "Merican" food. When I got this package of the aircraft I was incredibly busy. One of my jobs is pretty much air traffic control for all the helicopters in and out of here. So I set my box to the side and finished getting all the flights and people in and out. When things calmed down I went down to get my box only to discover it was opened and empty except for the letter from you all. Needless to say, I was pissed and terribly confused as to who would have done this. I looked around and about 20 yards away was a couple of locals (Afghans) who were hired to work on the gravel roads of the FOB were trying not to make eye contact. There was a empty RedBull can nearby and the young one on a steam roller was eating something. I went over there to see what was going on and to my surprise he is eating a Nature Valley Granola Bar. Well, they dont sell those at the local market, i do know that. I ask him if he took my stuff and he shrugs, "like oh, I dont understand but I am pretty sure you want to kick my ass...." I make a few more gestures to my empty box and him and he points to his stomach like, "yeah I ate it and it was awesome, tell them thanks." At this point my blood was boiling, and I slapped the granola bar out of his hand. As I did that I noticed something the engine compartment to the steam roller. It was Quaker freaking Oatmeal. I know, that didn't just appear there, and I have yet to see an oatmeal powered car! I point and yell at him and he just looks like, "what oatmeal?"

I quickly remove him from his seat on the roller, very much against his will, and open the engine compartment, and to my surprise its packed with granola bars, various trail mixes, Rebull, and other goodies. I retrieve all my stuff back from this dirty lil haj and re pack my box. He keeps looking at me and motioning like he is hungry and wants some of the stuff. I tell him a few things in English that I am sure he doesn't understand, all of which is probably for the better. He motions again like he is hungry and wants my stuff that he stole, and since it is the season of giving I pick the granola bar up off the ground that I previously slapped out of his hands, and give it back to him. He smiles and takes a bite.

I am still really pissed about it, but I guess I will let it go. A few years ago and in a different country it would have ended badly for this guy. I suppose I have grown out of that phase. Having a son also changes things, he is the first thing I think of any time I do something. I think, "how is this going to affect him if I do/don't do it". The thought also crosses my mind with these people, they have kids, like mine, but dirtier, that need to eat and need warm clothes. This guy has a job, that pays him so he can provide for his kids, and probably fund terrorism. If I were to have thrown him off the FOB then there is no telling if he would one day show back up with a car full of explosives.

Thank you all so much for everything that you all have done. I hope you all are doing well, and I will be thinking about you all through the holidays, while i sip cappuccinos with the French.

I have my stuff. He has a job. Win.

JAKE

It Does a Body Good

To catch you up on what all has gone on will not take long. The reason for that is the fact that not a lot has gone on. Things have been rather quite around here for the most part. My life has become what I can only describe as dreadfully boring, to the point that I am miserable. I like deploying, and I like being in the Army. What I do not like is deploying away from my family and doing nothing in the Army.  It’s a waste of time, and the past several weeks have been just that, a waste of time.

Politics, poor policies, and terrible leadership are mostly to blame. You can also throw is poor personnel and resource management as well. Obviously I am frustrated with the way this whole thing is going right now. My initial impression of deployed aviation is that it’s nothing but spoiled princesses. It makes me sick and regret my decision to join such a group. I don’t want to be seen as a diva.

But aviation definitely has that stereotype.

This however is only a first impression, and while first impressions due last, I am going to see it through in hopes that things will improve. So I will sit and wait until then I suppose.

My new kicks

I have been spending my time doing several things to help pass the time. I visit Green Beans Coffee House regularly these days and don’t miss to many meals. The sitting combined with the abundance of food has made me very concerned about my fitness. This has resulted in a pretty good workout routine that I have begun. We have a small little gym that is right by our B-huts. It’s nothing to amazing but it has the basics and if you work hard enough you can get a good workout in. I have been running a lot as well. As mentioned in one of my previous post, this place has a lot of rocks. My normal running shoes were always getting rocks stuck in them so I decided to purchase some new shoes. I chose trail shoes, and went with a minimalist style. This is my first experience with minimalist shoes and so far I really do like them. It has taken awhile to get use to and my calves are smoked after even a short run, but I am beginning to add more and more distance to my runs and hope to be back to running 20 miles a week. This has all given me a goal to work towards and helped keep my mind off the other BS that continues to play out here.

Lots of fun here….But things may be changing soon. 

My Wife's Nice Pink Box

I must begin by saying thank you to all of you that have sent care packages. They have all been so great. I have enough food and snack to make it through the winter I believe. You all have really gone above and beyond what I ever imagined. Getting mail over here is one of the best ways to end a day. It has been great to hear from you all as well.

It's hard to overlook a package from her. 

On a side note. You are all unleashing havoc on my efforts to get in shape. The candy bars, the little German cherry candy things. Your killing my diet, but I love you for it. It keeps my happy which is actually really hard over here. My nickname has become "Angry Jake". The candy has helped keep this under control.

Thank you all for the support you have shown. It truly has been great.

And we are back....

Sorry for the gap in late-breaking, and up to the minute coverage of my rather dull life over here. We were using the internet contract from the unit that was here before us, and at the end of October it expired. When it did expire we were still waiting on ours to get here. It did, and now we have the internet in our rooms again.

This is all great but there is upcoming news that could slow the whole posting/writing process again through the holidays. As soon as I know more I will pass it along.

But do not worry, I am now, and always will be in good hands. My own.