Sigh....

Don't you loving waiting for something? Anything? I love to wait. Hell, I wait to wait. Going to Kuwait... eventually.

So close, I can taste it. Or maybe thats the burnt trash...

Holy Hell! Almost out of this place and all I have to show for it is a tan and a tee-shirt. OK, maybe a little more and not dissapointed in the least. Nice to be with most of the original team again, and the picture shows that we are all happy to be together and soon on our way home. I will update our progress as we go along and so people don't think this blog was temporary I do plan on sticking with it for a long time. I got orders to Germany and what kind of friend would I be if I kept pictures of Europe from you folks? Be home soon. Enjoy these pictures of me speaking to Sadam. CLICK ME! ME TOO!!

Pearls Before Sailor Harry

USO gave us a treat here in Baghdad. 10 cartoonists came to visit us here and I was able to sit down and chat with Stephen Pastis while he drew me one of my family's favorite charachters from his strip, Pearls Before Swine. Most of USO hosted events would get canceled when I was at Speicher or Brassfield, so it was nice to actually be a part of this one. This post is short as I've included several pictures. Pastis is an awesome guy and I love the drawing, but appreciate even more the time he spent coming out and visiting us.

POTD for October 20th, 2009: "Oooo! Shiny"

Today, Sailor Harry got a nice, shiny Army Commedation medal.

For exceptionally meritorious service while serving as an intelligence analyst for Weapons Intelligence Team One in support of OIF. IS2 Atchison's dedication during combat operations in Iraq contributed significantly to the command's mission success. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Task Force Troy, and the United States Navy.

Here is what it says in the write-up for the award. Shame that though it says it covers the time I'm in country, they did the write-ups for end of tour awards half way through deployment. For those curious to what exactly I did while I was over here on vacation, take a read.

#1 Superbly supported Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit Six and 3-25 Brigade Combat Team operations as an Intelligence Analyst on Weapons Intelligence Team (WIT) 1. He executed 27 combat missions, with over 172 hours outside-the-wire in hostile areas, conducting battlefield exploitation of weapons caches, IEDs, RKG-3 anti-armor grenade attacks, and indirect fire incidents. PO2 Atchison gathered critical pieces of forensic data to identify and disrupt IED-networks in the Salah ad Din Province.

#2 Provided key support to the first Combined Joint Task Force Troy-North Iraqi Police Counter Explosive Team (IP-CET) Combined Commanders Confrence from 25-26 July, 2009. He spent over 24 hours supporting the event ensuring material readiness of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training evolutions and demonstrations and provided security for an Iraqi troop encampment on COB Speicher. The dedication of PO2 Atchison fostered goodwill with the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), and enhanced their capability to counter the IED threat in the region.

#3 Operated in an independent support role at FOB brassfield-Mora for the 630th, 797th, and 710th EOD Companies. He exploited over 674 pieces of IED evidence collected on incident scenes and through turn-ins by Iraqi EOD and IP-CET. His careful evidence handling enabled the identification of five latent prints of value. This sparked target and warrant packages and subsequent removal of violent extremists from the tactical landscape, thereby creating a safer enviornment for Coalition Forces in MND-North.

#4 Brilliantly collaberated with Coallition Forces and IP-CET to establish effective training and information-sharing networks. His contributions fostered vital sensitive site exploitation training and evidence gathering/handling techniques which resulted in the detention of over five enemy insurgents to be prosecuted in the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. PO2 Atchison's decisive actions reduced the operational capabilities of extremist groups and provided effective new Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for Coallition Forces.

This did cover most of the work I did, however, I went outside the wire almost twice what the write-up states, and processed double the amount of evidence. All complaints aside, I'm content with my colered piece of ribbon.

Life Goes On

I think it's safe to presume that many of my friends' reactions when I broke the news to them that I'd be in a place full of sand, high temperatures, and a significant lack of booze. I had gone on and on about how I wanted to come to Iraq for so long, but as how things go with life, most assumed that I would see that grass isn't the color it was previously assumed. Many figured I would do the common sense thing and instead of being excited, nay, estatic, about the thought of going to Iraq, I would regret my desire to going in the first place. There were those that assumed I'd get here and simply hate it, find the same things here that I detested back in Norfolk, and want nothing more than to just come straight home on the next flight.

That's not to say that things weren't rediscovered, nor did I "escape" everything that plagued me back home. But I am writing about something that I did leave behind. Something I'm not proud of at all, and rather not think of too much of. Still, especially after having a talk with my Navy buddy about crap he had to deal with before and during this deployment, I figured I'd share with you all the best thing to happen to me because of my time here. I think I'm one of a very few that can safely say, "Iraq saved my life."

Because I'm not 100% comfortable discussing this with my loving public, as it would insinuate that even I, Sailor Harry, have flaws, I will be brief, yet blunt. My family has a history with depression. A history with dark chapters that I'm not willing to repeat. Well, not willing anymore.

My time spent in Norfolk was dismal. I do have fond memories deployed on the ship, especially in port. But the majority of the time was spent sulking, wallowing in self pity, and stagnating myself, desiring for more and loathing my exisitence aboard the USS Bataan. To make maters worse, I had a mouth, foul attitude, lack of personal responsibility, and I seemed to constantly forget how to self start... myself. I get into yelling matches with my superiors and was not proving myself or reaching the "goals" I set out for myself when I first came to the command back in 2006.

The time leading up to before I found out about Iraq was tough, if not pathetic. I requested and volunteered for an IA but was told my chances going were doubtful. Then I was turned down, as another was selected. Then I was told I wouldn't be allowed to go due to medical reasons. With this bait and switch, my depression worsen and I was ready to go through with the final extreme. And for what? There was no good reason! I type this and am disgusted. It was my worse moment, my worst weakness. I'm pretty sure that this even ranks worse than the time I got my mother a cheap plastic pin for Christmas worth less than a quarter. That being said , she will quickly tell you that this is hard to determine that she nearly ordered me to commit harakiri to save face that year. It was tough being twelve int he Atchison house hold, I tell you.

Though I ofer hummor, I view what almost occured as no funny matter. (Nor did she really suggest that I conduct ceremonial suicide for a sub par gift. She just instilled the worst gift a woman can give a man; guilt.) When I got the news, I wasn't happy. I was crapping fairy dust and floating on air. I had no idea what I'd be doing here or how much I'd enjoy it. Once I did, however, I was even more enamored and for once in my life, truely focused. It was a mission I truely believed in, people I truely cared about, and a moment where it was clear that what was needed was a sudden increase in maturity and self reliance. I have been challenged phsyically and mentally. I have learned things about myself, and confirmed them.

Suicide has been a serious negative, touching more and more people as time goes by. It's rarely justified, nor is it ever the desired outcome or result. For those that ever doubt themselves, find themselves in weakness, or truely have no idea what to do, don't stay quiet. I was fortunate to not seek counseling or a chaplain, due to the fact that I have a mother who would kill me before letting me do anything as foolish as that. But for those that don't have... sigh.. The bestest mommies in the world that love their... Do I really have to tyoe this?... That love their Harry berry blue berries, at least do me a favor and give me a call. If my greatness intimidates you that much, please call the Suicide hotline, the number is listed below:

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

God, it was one pin. Now you know why she gets the best gifts every year. Oh, AND a $600, hand-woven, silk, Irainian rug. (I love you mom.)

- Sailor Harry

Just Counting Down The Days Now

I get here and the first thing I do is complain. WTF Harry? Jeeze, it's not like you'll be off to Kuwait and then home in a week... Oh right, I am. Wahoo! Wahoo, indeed.

The part of Baghdad I'm at actually has several cool things to see as there is literally a palace in my backyard and a man-made lake. Along the lake are several cool houses right on the water and the architecture is actually quite nice. Sadam had constructed the whole area for his Bath party buddies and the palace for himself. Not really a shame that we blew the place to Hell when we invaded.

Spent the day running the replacements around, to and from the airport. Good to get these guys finally out so they can start doing what we've done the last six months. Another Navy guy came back this afternoon and it was nice to catch up and great to see he came back with all his fingers and toes. This group has been most fortunate to not have any casulties or deaths. Not to deny that I haven't seen it or lost anyone over here, sad to say.

I will be taking pics of the palace, among other things while I'm here. Wednsday should be cool, as we have the artists for "Doonesbury" and "Pearls Before Swine", along with eight other cartoonists visiting the base. Hopeing to get the comics section of our newspaper here signed by these guys, especially by one of my favorites, "Pearls Before Swine".

Besides all that, not much going on here. Looking forward stepping off the plane and not having to come back here... As far as I know. Fingers crossed. ;)

POTD for October 14th, 2009: "All my bags are packed.."

Getting ready for a flight to Ballad, then to Baghdad. Don't I look thrilled? Maybe because I'm going off of 2 hours of sleep for two days. I love you insomnia.

Which brings me to another bane of my existence; Red Bull. Ah yes, the piss of demons, disguised as a gift from the angels. Back on my first deployment, I went through a 4 pack a day for 2 months, STRAIGHT. Kind of swore of the liquefied cocaine when I started hallucinating, became paranoid, and felt like I had insects crawling in my skin. Occasionally I will drink it, whether in a mixed drink or a late night road trip. I finally sent off all my crap in the mail today and had to grab a big can of the swill to keep going. Good times.

Being exhausted made me realize my talents as a writer and that I perform differently when I'm due for shut eye. While at times my mind will wander when it comes to simple crap, I tend to be more focused and determined in other tasks. On the ride over to the post office, I was rambling off in my head and wished I had my laptop to write it all down. I guess whenever I want to post here, I'll just stay up the whole night prior.

I'm scheduled to leave sometime this morning and will post how the whole trip went when I get to the capital, and get some well-deserved rest. I can't wait to get there and get yelled at about important things, like not wearing reflective belts, and being in Iraq and in the Navy. Yippee.

Sailor Harry goes to Freedom Rest

So the Army has places set around Iraq called Freedom Rest. Long explanation short, it's a place where troops can go a take a 3-day break. No set times or requirements, just 3 full days of do what you want, when you want. The small compound, (and I do mean small), came complete with a pool and 3 jacuzzies, 24-hour kitchen, plenty of computers, pool tables, and plenty of phones to call home. Let me start with the good, before I begin to ramble and rant.

The 24-hour kitchen was by far the best part of my stay. Being able to go into the area and grab a cup of coffee and a snack at 3AM if I wanted to was pretty sweet. The fact that the staff wanted the experience to be al a carte, where you ordered what you wanted instead of going into a chow line, was a brilliant idea as well. The pool was good, but I used the area to work on a tan more tan the pool itself. With the lack of a filter and no heater, surprisingly the water was freezing. Being in Iraq, I had no need of a jacuzzi. Calling home on something besides a sat phone, with constant drop-outs, was a nice change.

Now I have to critique, becuase this place was far from being perfect. To me, you go to places like this to "get away" from it all, and that's what the aim of the place is. Yet, it felt as though we were more confined to the place. Once you check in, you're there for the 3 full days. Guy tried to leave early, they wouldn't let him, even with his unit there to pick him up. With limited activities, it's easy to get bored. Normally, this wouldn't be too much of an issue, but this is the biggest issue I had with the place. While at Speicher, I have my own room, complete with couch, nice size HDTV, Xbox 360, desk, and best of all, more privacy then I would ever had had compared to being back on a ship. How is this place "relaxing" when you expect putting 4 guys into one room, to have no issue with that? Either get more space or take less people. It also doesn't help if one of your roomates has no problem waking up at 0530, moving his crap around, and slowly opening and closing doors, while bright lights shine into all of our eyes.

Another problem with the rooms was the fact that before I came there, I never had the issue that most do with sand fleas. These little, tiny bastards, get at you while you sleep and do what fleas do. It's not that we're unhygenic. It's the fact that we're in the desert and sand and dust gets into everything. The dinky bunk beds they had for us must have had them, because we were all harrassed.

There were other issues and I'm not paid to write reviews, so I'm not going to say much more. What I will add is this. I was hopeing to finally get a decent steak while I was there. After assuarances by the staff, I orderd a couple grilled steaks, and I orderd them all rare. What I got was steaks worst than what I would get at a normal DFAC. Harry was not amused, especially by the Ethiopian waiter smiling and nodding his head as if he understood English.

(I really had nothing to post, and this has been the only thing that has really happend in the last couple weeks. The picture has really nothing to do with this. I just woke up, leave me alone.

POTD for October 7th, 2009: "Iraqi Master Chief"

Sorry, kind of been in a Halo-mood this past week. Ended up helping out at another Partnership event. Though this time, I mistook it for simple training. Boy was I wrong. Seems it was more along the line of a huge publicity stunt for high brass and Iraqi leaders. So what did that mean for Sailor Harry. Oh I had the besttest of times! Who wouldn't want to sit in full gear, inside one of the dustiest of Humvees with no A/C, on one of the hottest days of the last 2 weeks, and sit and wait for 3 hours, waiting for people to show up. Really showed them what the Iraqis could do, especially how we rehearsed the whole event and went step by step with them, before any of them were there. Oh they knew what they were doing. ;)

UPDATE: So, as was and still is expected, dates were changed. I probably will still end up coming home around the same time I think I will. The nice thing is my Chief doesn't want us hanging around for BS and is sending us to Freedom Rest for a few days this Friday. At this mini-troop resort, I should be able to swim around in the pool, sleep as much as I want, and maybe even get a steak cooked how I want it: Bloody with a dark, cool center. Nummers big time!

Fw:

Gah! I missed last week due to work, prepping for turnover with incoming Army. This picture represents where I'm at in this deployment: I've ran clean into the proverbial wall. We all have reached that wall in our lives, and simply left in a complete daze, stumbling over our feet and muttering, "But I don't want to go to work mommy. I want to stay home and bake cookies with you." It's like being in a drunk stupor, minus the fun of working to get into one, though depending on how hard you hit said wall, that's not to say the resulting vomit is omitted. It's been known to happen.

Good news is, I'll be in Baghdad in a couple weeks, if only to stay there for a moment. Then it's back to a place I wouldn't leave Hell for. That's right, little ole' Kuwait. Ah yes, this little gem that I detest truly makes you feel unwelcome. Whether it's the dust in your mouth, or the temperature that makes you wish you would simply die. I remember walking off the plane in April, taking a moment to look around, and a tear preceded to roll down from my eye. I detest hot weather and I knew I would be in Iraq during the worst months; July and August. I also knew I would be doing it in 60lbs of body armor and equipment, in long sleeves and pants. Thank goodness we wear shorts and tee shirts when not on mission.

The weather now is actually quiet pleasant, some days similar to Maryland. Chilly at night, and nice breezes during the day. Minus the generous amounts of sand, one could say we are experiencing California weather. One could also say that this Iraqi Partnership thing is going great and not a complete waste of this sailor's time. In that case, please direct me to that said person so they can share their hard booze with me. I can not wait to be in a place where I do not have worry about the locals. Hell, I'll be glad where I don't have to worry more about the local police! I think I'd rather be in Mexico City.

Nice thing though is that I learned we will be doing our, "Are you crazy? Say no so you can't get disability pay when the problems kick in, years from now..." tests in Germany. I took a "quick" psych eval before I left, and they will give it to us again to compare the results. We'll be able to see if I've cracked. I should be good. Lucky the Leprechaun told me so. he also told me to burn things, though I think he was joking.

Speaking of jokes, how 'bout them Redskins? For all those Skins' fans out there, what's it like having Detroit beat you?

Please don't say that...

There's two reasons why I like doing "ten things" lists. You guys love them and it makes it easier on me when I seem to have writer's block and can't figure what to post.

Today we go over some of the things you don't want to hear before going outside the wire.

1. This is my first time!

2. I'm headed home. Been here an entire year with nothing.

3. Intel says they don't expect anything.

4. @*$%! I forgot to call my wife. Remind me when we get back.

5. We should only be gone for a couple hours.

6. I forgot it. Shouldn't need it though.

7. The IPs (Iraqi Police) say they're going to escort us the rest of the way.

8. They call me "Lucky".

9. We have to go through a few SOI (Sons of Iraq) checkpoints along the way.

10. What could go wrong?

I promise to have "real" entry on Wednsday. I swear! My brain... How it hurts soooooooo.

POTD for September 11th, 2009 "Daddy. Where do IED's come from?"

Well Timmy, when a man loves a woman very much, but hates America, a stork makes a magical journey from a mystical land called Iran. Then the stork decides to take a dump on the nearest Humvee it can find.

But that's just a fairy tale, so it isn't true. Right daddy?

You would think seeing something like this would make me mad, but for us Intel nerds, we simply smirk. Go figure. I thought IED components would say something like "Made in Taiwan" or China. I would think they would be smart enough to rub irony in our faces with something American-made. Their lack originality is almost insulting. Try harder Mohamed and Omar.

I'd much rather they learn from our good buddy Ahkmed, and be good, little, DEAD terrorists. At least his sense of humor is funny.

What makes a good deployment?

A friend of mine about to go into the military asked me the other day of what made a good deployment? Is it the action, or the satisfaction of doing one's service? As I was in the middle of some good Halo multiplayer, (and I'll be damned if anyone comes between me and the Master Chief), I told him I would take some time to really think about it and come back with a real answer.

So after saving Earth the umpteenth time, nine headshots, and some trash talk between coworkers, I decided to make out a list of what actually made a good deployment. I came up with 12 things, but people like lists of 10, no more or less, so I figured two could actually fall under others.... so yeah, lucky me.

Now I will go ahead and list them, while explaining in further detail what I'm talking about:

1. Depends where you go.
And also what you deploy on. A deployment to the Persian Gulf on a ship is different than being on a FOB in Iraq. Trust me, I've done both, and I own both t-shirts. Some people prefer ships, but most prefer doing it on land. Ship board life is very different than most are used to, but the same could be same about FOB life. Your environment plays a part too. Would you rather be rocking back and forth on the water, or using 20 q-tips to get sand out of one ear? Keeping in mind of your environment, it also depends on when you go. Summer in Iraq is exactly what you think it is, except warmer. (No seriously, it gets that warm her. Fine, be like that. I'm telling you, take that number you're thinking of, and add ten degrees. Yes, I know you're thinking in Celsius.) In the winter, it rains and actually snows. So while you may detest the heat, several people hate the muck and mud winter brings.

2. Depends on your job.
This may seem obvious, but I wasn't the one who asked the question! Anyway, for my friend, do you think you would enjoy your deployment if your job, simply put, sucked? Hell no! Unfortunately, most of us don't have that "recruitment tool"-type job, jumping out of planes, reconing enemy positions, sneaking onto beaches when clouds block out the moon and only leave our prints in the sand... Most of us think... Thought we had a cool job. Get pay and benefits and free* health care? And ALL I have to do is drive trucks for the Army? My heart goes out to the special individuals who signed up in the Navy as boatswain mates when the recruiter asked them if they liked to paint, convincing them that they could be "Naval Artists"...

3. It depends on who you work with.
People make the final determination whether a job is "good" or not. If you can't stand the people you have to deal with because you must spend time with them, then what will make you want to get out of your rack every morning? I mean, even if my co-workers were hot, Swedish bikini models that majored in college as full-body masseuses, I still wouldn't be as satisfied as if they were my peers AND I could come into work at 11.

4. It depends on who you work FOR.
I could have done the simple thing and combined 3 and 4, but #4 is extremely important. I'm not listing these in order, the most important first and so-on. It's important and makes a job more enjoyable if your boss, or in this case, NCO is what an NCO is supposed to be. An NCO is not supposed to be my friend or pal, but someone who will lead me in getting the job done, and take care of me if I need help or some other NCO screws with me. It wouldn't hurt if my NCO wasn't a jerk, though.

5. Depends on how long the deployment is.
Simple question: Would you rather leave and come home in six months or a year? OK.

6. Depends on what you bring.
Their are a few items I will consider bringing with me for my next deployment. That said, do not interpret this bullet as me suggesting their is a huge checklist of what to bring. What I'm telling you is = LESS IS MORE. There are a few special people that feel they will never see their families again or a place to purchase items. No SPC Timmy, you don't have to bring 30 tubes of tooth paste. You don't have to bring enough crap to get you through the whole year. There's a place called a PX. I would consider one to bring a laptop, especially if they have access to Internet. If not, a portable DVD player and a deck of cards.

7. Depends on the people back home.
You went the whole deployment without on package or letter? Does your family hate you, or are you an unfortunate orphan? Keeping in touch with home is key to survival on deployment. This is mainly the responsibility of the family back home. Spouses and girl/boy friends need to quickly realize that the significant other can't exactly whisk themselves back home to deal with issues any given day. That also includes births, holidays, and emergencies. It's important to sort out bills and set up plans before the feces hit the fan. Oh and if you plan to break up with your partner, do it when we come home. Please!

8. Depends on work load/schedule.
Dear mom and dad. I haven't slept for three days. Kill me.
For those not lucky enough to be in the Air Force... (Har har).... For those of us on a deployment, we are taught to combat two types of enemies: Complacency and boredom. They taught me about a third one, but I wasn't exactly paying attention. Something about insurgents... Or heat related injuries.... Or stupidity. I don't know, I was busy fighting boredom.
Stress can kill and if one is feeling stressed, (and they have a decent chain of command), they can seek help from a chaplain. Finding stuff to kill time is key to making deployment seem like a bad remake of groundhogs day. Except you're not Bill Murray, this isn't Stripes, and you don't have a butt-load of cash.

9. Depends on what you accomplish.
This kind of deals with #8, but I'll do it separate because I can. Some people like deployments for the extra money to pay off mysterious things called "bills". What I can't figure out are the people in the military paying off student loans that aren't Officers. Whether it's financial or personal goals, they can be achieved. Saving money or loosing pounds and gaining muscle in the gym. Some will use it to help achieve rank, or even finish off school.

10. Depends on what happens.
All jokes aside, deployments are rarely uneventful. Something will happen that can determine the outcome of your deployment. Whether you screw up or someone screws up, or that special someone miraculously didn't screw up... Death of a shipmate/battle buddy can affect a deployment.

11. Depends on your attitude.
11, so sue me. If you go into a deployment hating life and feeling like you've been wrongly accused of some crime, with no bail, and you found out your parents planned this to happen long before you could even walk... Then deployment will either surprise or not disappoint. If you go into deployment hoping to do your best, then you will either have an immense satisfied feeling, or you will disappointed, hate life feeling like you've been wrongly....

POTD for September 4th, 2009: "Birthday Beer"

Ah, another year has come and gone, and a certain special someone has become a year older. The year was filled with ups and downs, but thankfully it has been more of a positive experience. Thanks to the birthday wishes and to my grandma and parents for their birthday packages, they were awesome. The only thing that would have made them any more awesome-er is
if you guys mailed yourselves, (then that would mean I could try to mail myself home.) I was even fortunate to keep my birthday a secret for half of the day, so bonus points for that.

Been a few weeks, hasn't it? Sucks when you're in a place with people
who love to keep you more than busy. To be honest, I returned to
Speicher last week and took the week off from posting. I've been feeling
like crap and running on empty and hope to recharge Sunday. I'm back to
the blog though, so don't worry about not hearing from me for periods at
a time.

Let's see, what have I been up to? Can't say nothing, that doesn't seem
to appease you people. You guy's desire words of wisdom and tale of
heroics from this, honest-to-God, American hero, and I can't say that I
blame you. I must deliver to my legion of devoted fans. But seeing how I
don't have a legion, horde, or any type of fan base, I guess I can use
that loophole to my advantage.

Just kidding... Though not about the fan part. (One day Harry, one day.)
I've been working diligently both on and off mission. My time spent back
at Brassfield was a bit different, as I spent more time on the FOB than
I did usually outside the wire. Normally, there was a mission every
other day, but I only did two the two weeks I was there. That's not to
say I sat around doing nothing.

The Army EOD left Brass to be replaced with Navy techs. I have much
respect for EOD as a whole community, (except Air Force... "AIR
POWER!"), but obviously more towards Navy EOD. This time, I was working
with a full fledged Master Chief. Not too many missions, but a hell of a
lot of demo: burning ammo and destroying explosives! Very nice indeed. I
will be sending out pics of the demo soon.

But really my time at Brassfield was busy being worked by the techs
themselves. After working with EOD these last 4 1/2 months, I decided
that I prefer their job a heck of a lot more than my own. I decided to
put in an EOD package and get screened when I get back home. The techs
learned this and decided to "help" me. By help, I mean they PT'ed my
butt off. Every day was going to sleep with aches and pains. It was all
worth it, and thankfully I've kept with it even after leaving Brass.

But now I'm back at Speicher and will know update this blog again and again for your reading pleasure. I have a bout a month and a half away from home, but I still plan on using this to let you all know what I'm up to. Take care and stay classy.

- Sailor Harry

Why I respect EOD so damn much....

I've spent quite a bit of time working with EOD, learning what they do, how they do it, and what keeps them coming back for more. Not so much the Hollywood action heroes, fighting the desert heat while racing against time choosing between the red or blue wire, though I'm sure in that situation, they would do just fine. What I discovered was a tight-knit community that enjoys a good laugh, a hard days work, sweet explosions, and an ice cold brew. I went ahead and listed the ten reasons why I think they kick ass and take names.

1. EOD is family.
Every community and rate in the Navy will want to establish themselves that not only distinguishes them from the rest, but something of pride that brings it's members close and together. Most examples do not compare with what I experienced working with them. EOD is a very tight-knit community where pretty much everyone knows everyone.

2. One of the best jobs, period.
The military pays them to literally blow stuff up. Enough said.

3. Each has a story.
Long or short, each tech can have you balling from laughter, or tense and serious. Some of the stuff they do or did is unbelievable, but for them, it's another day's pay.

4. One of the most rewarding jobs in the military.
Not only from the extra pays and benefits, but the other side too. Before I cam here, I sat behind a desk. I won't deny that I was helping keep the fleet and maybe my country safe, but out here, I KNOW I am.

5. Money, money, money.
An extra thousand every month? Sign me up. With all the extra training and the job that they do, the Navy makes sure to pay them appropriately.

6. Respect.
Word. Pretty much everyone in the military has the basic idea of what a tech does. The have an idea and it's enough to respect EOD and what they do. When EOD shows up on scene, they take charge, and everyone listens.

7. Wild and crazy guys.
You kind of need to be to do this sort of work. This sort of goes along with #3, but also the fact that they're a bunch of the coolest folks to hang out with. They enjoy a good party and BBQ and are always up for a beer. Though, be careful; they come up with the most ingenious pranks I've ever heard and are always ready to return the "favor", better/worse.

8. Subject matter experts.
For an EOD tech to earn his Crab, he needs to know his job. No one questions his judgement and no one should.

9. Location, location, location.
EOD gets stationed everywhere. Where there's military or US citizens/assests, there's EOD. My chief told me about a time he worked for Secret Service in Egypt. And I thought my rate got the cool places.

10. Rock stars.
They simply are.

If it seems like I was kissing EOD's bum, know this: They earned it.

POTD for August 7th, 2009 "Frag Crab"

POTD - Pic of the Day - Sailor Harry tries to provide his loving public a glimpse at the what he sees in the Sandbox, almost every day.

Just a glimpse at what EODC is cooking up at the office. Here's a picture of what he's recreating. I hope to have a picture of the end result. He's using left over frag from previous missions and what was laying around the TOC.

Not much has happened but I'll be headed back to Brass in a couple days. Chief wants me to assist the new team down there, as well as maybe put me back to work, haha.

I did, however, accomplish a little bonding with a couple of the techs here by helping pull off a prank. Recently, my family was kind to send me a luau themed care package, complete with kiddy pool to cool off in. Sitting in the office, someone mentioned wanting a pool. Next thing I know, I am inflating the kiddie pool in the OIC's room, being watched by two snickering EOD techs. Once blown up, we filled it appropriately. Enjoy here and here.

Lastly, please pity me and my meager 32" LCD TV. Life is hard, can you tell?

Homecoming Checklist (UNCLASSIFIED)

Checklist for when I get back

1. "Mission Accomplished" Beer

2. Homecoming party/BBQ

3. Kiss pretty girl

4. Full-body massage

5. Near-Coma sleep fest

6. Xbox Live marathon

7. Visit friend in Pennsylvania

8. Visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Frankie in Seattle

9. Visit Grandma Jo in Oregon

10. Brag about how much money was saved on deployment

11. Somehow spend it all on women and booze

12. Immediately regret spending money

13. Cry inside

14. Demand free food and drink at any restaurant I go to while using "Iraq" excuse

16. Act fidgety, twitch eye, repeatedly mutter "Post traumatic disorder", whenever free food is not provided

17. Get kicked out of an establishment

18. Apologize to family, especially mother

19. Dread returning to Norfolk

20. Have mom make biscuits and gravy

I have a plan and I intend to follow it. That is all.

All Will Come Home

18 years; 18 long years. The remains of Capt. Speicher were found by Marines today. This brings closure to his family and a search that has been ongoing for a long time. The full story can be read here.

If you notice, I am currently at COB Speicher. Last week I looked into the name and found out that it was named after the Navy pilot. Funny how all this has happend in less than a week. Finally someone can be taken off the MIA list and finally be taken home.

Pre-Call Checklist

Three calls in a 24-hour period runs you ragged, believe me.

Before every call, I make sure I do these following steps:

1. Roger up on the radio.

2. Ensure uniform is sat.

3. Make sure I have camera and memory card.

4. Grab body armor and WIT backpack, and get into EOD vehicle.

5. Put on body armor, helmet, and gloves

6. Load magazine into 9mm Beretta pistol.

7. Listen to debrief.

8. Rock out to "For those About to Rock, We Salute You" by ACDC.

9. Pretend I'm the star of CBS's new hit drama: CSI: Baghdad, put on tinted eye pro, and say cheesy line.

POTD for July 7th, 2009 : "Young Fans"

POTD - Pic of the Day - Sailor Harry tries to provide his loving public a glimpse at the what he sees in the Sandbox, almost every day.

"Young Fans" - I should have known this would have happenend. I go and write that we rarely get a call these days. I went on two in one day, yesterday. This picture was taken on the fifth. Right before I could post my last one, we got the call and off I went. We had to wait for some Iraqi escorts and some curious, local children approached us for a ball. Unfortunately we didn't have one, but the LT got out and we had a really nice PR moment. With the terp's help, the LT handed out water and sodas to the kids.

We picked up some turned in items and the two recent calls were similar in nature. That's the majority of the things I have done so far. Fortunately, some of my personal work has actually done some good, where they've actually identified people and the evidence is being used in the courts to put the bad people away. It makes me smile as I have found a job where I actually feel like I have an ACTUAL purpose and my work is meaningful.. It's always nice to get an email with pictures of evidence you've actually collected and a face of the owner.

Its hard to believe, but time does blur by faster than you know it. Seems like it's been only a month, but its more like three. Navy deployments only last about 6-7 months, so I'm nearly half way done. I still will have a few months in Norfolk, but I am looking forward to getting home and picking new orders. I still plan on England, but I have an open mind and you never know what is available ahead of time. I won't know till at least August.

I look forward coming home and seeing you all again. I also plan on spending a week in Seattle with a couple relatives who I always seem to miss whenever they've visit Maryland. I plan on spending time with Caroline and seeing her at college, having belated college graduation celebrations with Josh, Curtis, and Jeff, and of course spending time with my parents and Sydney. Thank you all for your emails and as soon as I get my mail, I will be thanking everyone who sent me something.

Take care and I'm still having a "blast". - Sailor Harry