In my 17 years, I have grown used to the portability of the U.S. Navy lifestyle. On a ship, space is limited and living quarters compact. The average sailor has figured out how to live for extended periods of time with less stuff than most people take on a two-week vacation. There just isn't space for anything more. I think this basic tenet of naval life has permeated through our culture. On my first deployment, we travelled with 1 Seabag, 1 Kit bag and 1 personal carry-on that weighed no more than 25 lbs. That amount of luggage carried all of our uniforms, any issued gear to include helmets, body armor and gas mask and any personal effects we needed for the next 7 months. Every Sailor made it work; it sucked but it's our way of life; we adapt and overcome.
The Army has a different outlook; they think of every potential scenario and then take everything they might ever need to carry out each imagined possibility. This deployment, I will be taking 4+ seabags with me just of the stuff they issued! The gear issue process took 4 hours and it wasn't because they were slow with the issuing. They have this shit down to a science; I felt like a Coke bottle in the assembly line the process was that quick. They just literally had that much crap to issue us. Here's a quick recap of what I now own beyond all the uniforms I already had:
The Army sleep system to include a sleep mat and sleeping bag. There's probably a pillow and blankie in there somewhere, I just haven't looked yet.
A Gerber multi-tool
Belt cutter tool
Helmet
Body Armor (complete with the ever handy groin pad)
Army fleece jacket (this I am happy to have..it's actually really comfy)
Rain coat and pants
Extreme Cold Weather/Wet weather overgarments
Gas mask
Goggles
2 sets of eye wear, each set with a pair of interchangeable lenses
Knee pads
Elbow pads
Ruck sack (it's a really big backpack with a metal frame so you can carry more weight on your back than should be humanly possible)
Assault Pack (I call it a bookbag, the Army calls it an assault pack)
Flash/Bang Pouch
Bandolier Pouch (I don't really know so don't ask me)
Magazine Pouches (and no I am not referring to a bag that carries the latest issue of Cosmo)
Helmet flashlight mount
7-Layer cold weather system (yes, there are 7 layers of clothes that I can now wear to keep warm should I find myself in ANTARTICA! The Army seems to be really afraid of the cold)
Camelbak hydration system
2 portable canteens (kind of redundant given the Camelbak they just gave me but whatever)
Web belt (these things have been in use by the military since WWII and I don't think they have changed since. The belt will come in especially handy for carrying around the canteens I will never use)
A multi-purpose tool (Gerber)
4 sports bras (they really do issue you everything)
...and my personal favorite, a trenching tool carrying pouch but no damn trenching tool. My friend and fellow Chief, Stacie says she might start a new trend over there and carry it around as a combat purse. I think it's a great idea and may follow suit. I'll put some lipstick in there with my ammo, a pen or two, my Blackberry (that of course will be turned off for the duration) and maybe some car keys so I don't forget the simple pleasures of standing out in the dark digging through my purse so I can get to work on time.
This is just the stuff I recalled from the top of my head. There's actually more but I don't see the need to dig through my 4 seabags to give you a full list. Besides, I think you get the idea. I really am not looking forward to dragging 5 seabags (we still have more gear to be issued) 1/2 way around the world. At least it should make for a good blog post coming soon!
Goodnight all.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Life in a small camp...
Day 4 of training is done and I have already had so many new experiences and thoughts that I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start by giving you an idea of my new and temporary existence.
Location: I am at Ft Jackson, SC at the farthest, most isolated end of it actually. Now, truth be told, it's probably only 35 minutes from decent civilization but it really does feel "middle of nowhere" South Carolina. As I drove in Saturday, I got off the Interstate near Columbia and knew I was close to the base. About 20 minutes later, sure enough I saw the edge of Ft Jackson. I could see the surrounding fence line and I just knew I was really close! Then I drove, and drove, and drove a bit more. In fact I drove so much I thought I had passed the base entirely but no, I again saw fenceline and knew I was still on the right track. The entire time, I saw only trees and double-wides along the street. So I continued to drive and after what felt like a century, I finally arrived at my destination.
Ambience: The part of the base I am on is deceivingly cute when you first arrive. It reminds of a frontier town..except 150 years later. As you look around the compound, there are a lot of trees and buildings in a perfect row. The architecture even looks like it was designed in the 180'0s West and built with today's materials. Everything is centered around and facing a courtyard of sorts. That's where we muster (show up for work for you civillians) in the mornings. The surrounding buildings serve as our classrooms and barracks. There's a chapel on base and even a shoppette. It would be cute if I didn't have to live here. I live with 39 other women in one big room and have one locker for all my items. In this large room, we have exactly 3 working showers, 4 toilets, 2 washers and 2 dryers. It's just like summer camp but not.
Food: It's not good and we'll leave it at that.
Daily Routine: We actually don't have to be up as early as I anticipated. Most of our musters so far have been between 0745 and 0800. However, reveille (wake up time) is at 0600 and that's when all the lights come on so sleeping in isn't really an option. That's actually a good thing thought because putting every morning I have to put on 8 pieces of uniform, fill up my camelbak (backpack water cooler again for the civillians) and load up my weapons. Then I have to head to chow at the dining facility. Eating only takes about 10 minutes but getting in and through the lines takes about 30. First there's the line at the clearing barrels where everyone has to clear their rifle and pistol (I can't explain it to the civillians so Google it if you are curious). Second, there's a line to sign into the dining facility and finally there's a line to actually get the food. So, even though I live, eat and work all in the same place it does take almost two hours to get to work. Then we do our activity for the day whether that be gear issue, classroom training, range time anything else they have planned for us. We have a lunch break, sometimes at the galley and sometimes it's an MRE. We work until 1800 or so, then back to the dining facility before it closes for the day and then it's about our evening business. There's a lot of coking and joking, a lot of laundry, unpacking, repacking and for me, time spent writing this blog. Taps (lights out) is at 2200 and that's when I get on the computer. I usually call it a night about midnight even when I am dead tired. It takes that long for the snorers to get into their deep sleep of silence anyways.
Well guys, that's it for now. Stay tuned for next time. I hope life is good in your neck of the woods...
Location: I am at Ft Jackson, SC at the farthest, most isolated end of it actually. Now, truth be told, it's probably only 35 minutes from decent civilization but it really does feel "middle of nowhere" South Carolina. As I drove in Saturday, I got off the Interstate near Columbia and knew I was close to the base. About 20 minutes later, sure enough I saw the edge of Ft Jackson. I could see the surrounding fence line and I just knew I was really close! Then I drove, and drove, and drove a bit more. In fact I drove so much I thought I had passed the base entirely but no, I again saw fenceline and knew I was still on the right track. The entire time, I saw only trees and double-wides along the street. So I continued to drive and after what felt like a century, I finally arrived at my destination.
Ambience: The part of the base I am on is deceivingly cute when you first arrive. It reminds of a frontier town..except 150 years later. As you look around the compound, there are a lot of trees and buildings in a perfect row. The architecture even looks like it was designed in the 180'0s West and built with today's materials. Everything is centered around and facing a courtyard of sorts. That's where we muster (show up for work for you civillians) in the mornings. The surrounding buildings serve as our classrooms and barracks. There's a chapel on base and even a shoppette. It would be cute if I didn't have to live here. I live with 39 other women in one big room and have one locker for all my items. In this large room, we have exactly 3 working showers, 4 toilets, 2 washers and 2 dryers. It's just like summer camp but not.
Food: It's not good and we'll leave it at that.
Daily Routine: We actually don't have to be up as early as I anticipated. Most of our musters so far have been between 0745 and 0800. However, reveille (wake up time) is at 0600 and that's when all the lights come on so sleeping in isn't really an option. That's actually a good thing thought because putting every morning I have to put on 8 pieces of uniform, fill up my camelbak (backpack water cooler again for the civillians) and load up my weapons. Then I have to head to chow at the dining facility. Eating only takes about 10 minutes but getting in and through the lines takes about 30. First there's the line at the clearing barrels where everyone has to clear their rifle and pistol (I can't explain it to the civillians so Google it if you are curious). Second, there's a line to sign into the dining facility and finally there's a line to actually get the food. So, even though I live, eat and work all in the same place it does take almost two hours to get to work. Then we do our activity for the day whether that be gear issue, classroom training, range time anything else they have planned for us. We have a lunch break, sometimes at the galley and sometimes it's an MRE. We work until 1800 or so, then back to the dining facility before it closes for the day and then it's about our evening business. There's a lot of coking and joking, a lot of laundry, unpacking, repacking and for me, time spent writing this blog. Taps (lights out) is at 2200 and that's when I get on the computer. I usually call it a night about midnight even when I am dead tired. It takes that long for the snorers to get into their deep sleep of silence anyways.
Well guys, that's it for now. Stay tuned for next time. I hope life is good in your neck of the woods...
Monday, April 18, 2011
A lesson on the Army Combat Uniform
So, I made it through the Naval Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS) in Gulfport, Miss. today. Our last task before heading to my official Army training was uniform issue. I am now the proud owner of the Army Combat Uniform. I feel like I am betraying my Navy heritage and losing some of my Sailor identity. However, I did get lots of new clothes and 2 new pairs of shoes. Yes, I can be bought.
Now, I just have to figure these damn uniforms out. I don't know if the Army always does things backwards or if it took a special sort of someone to create these. Here's a run-down of things that confuse me:
- I have two pair of boots; cold-weather and hot-weather. I can't tell which is which, there is no damn label on them and neither pair feels espcially cool and breezy. They don't look exactly the same but neither pair shouts out "winter season" to me. Can't I just get a pair of Uggs for the winter? Is that really too much to ask?
- The closures are especially fun. The blouse actually zips up! A full zipper hidden by velcro patches. Oh, and the velcro..that's no joke. Apparently, it gets easier with washings but as it currently stands, I need the jaws of life to separate the velcro. And everything is velcroed; the pockets, the zipper overlay, even my damn nametag is velcroed on. I thought velcro was for four-year olds who couldn't tie their shoes yet. Or perhaps the ACU has been in design since 1982. Velcro was real big back then. At first I thought the Army had an issue with buttons and then I tried on the pants. A BUTTON FLY! Whiskey Tango? Zip up your shirt but button up your pants? Again, the 1980s come to mind. I just don't get it.
- Another thing about the velcro, your uniform will get stuck to itself in odd places and even get stuck to other people! Why do I know this, because it's happened to me already. Imagine, six grown adults all in a line and constantly sticking to each other. I'd pull away from the person on my left and get stuck the person on my right. Again with the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? I don't know these people well enough to have my shirt physically attached to theirs.
- The collar; have you ever had a track suit with a hood built into the collar? I think these were big in the 90s but I believe you can still find them around now. Well, that's what the ACU collar feels like except there's no hood inside. It's just kind of thick and not very pliable. It doesn't really sit flat well at all. Then of course, there's the velcro neck strap to turn it into a crew neck for battle stations. You have to velcro it back onto itself for regular wear.
- The cap; my personal favorite part of the Army Combat Uniform. I call it the Gomer Pyle hat..or maybe I should refer to it as the Beetle Baily hat since Gomer was a Marine. I've made paper hats with more form and structure. The Navy and Marine Corps wear covers on their head. They have a structured look that requires proper wear and maintenance. Apparently this is too much for the Army because their cap (I can not bring myself to call it a cover or even a hat) requires neither. It requires I simply pull it over my head until I look like I should be playing Little League. Maybe they were too preoccupied with the velcro and zippers.
Now, I just have to figure these damn uniforms out. I don't know if the Army always does things backwards or if it took a special sort of someone to create these. Here's a run-down of things that confuse me:
- I have two pair of boots; cold-weather and hot-weather. I can't tell which is which, there is no damn label on them and neither pair feels espcially cool and breezy. They don't look exactly the same but neither pair shouts out "winter season" to me. Can't I just get a pair of Uggs for the winter? Is that really too much to ask?
- The closures are especially fun. The blouse actually zips up! A full zipper hidden by velcro patches. Oh, and the velcro..that's no joke. Apparently, it gets easier with washings but as it currently stands, I need the jaws of life to separate the velcro. And everything is velcroed; the pockets, the zipper overlay, even my damn nametag is velcroed on. I thought velcro was for four-year olds who couldn't tie their shoes yet. Or perhaps the ACU has been in design since 1982. Velcro was real big back then. At first I thought the Army had an issue with buttons and then I tried on the pants. A BUTTON FLY! Whiskey Tango? Zip up your shirt but button up your pants? Again, the 1980s come to mind. I just don't get it.
- Another thing about the velcro, your uniform will get stuck to itself in odd places and even get stuck to other people! Why do I know this, because it's happened to me already. Imagine, six grown adults all in a line and constantly sticking to each other. I'd pull away from the person on my left and get stuck the person on my right. Again with the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? I don't know these people well enough to have my shirt physically attached to theirs.
- The collar; have you ever had a track suit with a hood built into the collar? I think these were big in the 90s but I believe you can still find them around now. Well, that's what the ACU collar feels like except there's no hood inside. It's just kind of thick and not very pliable. It doesn't really sit flat well at all. Then of course, there's the velcro neck strap to turn it into a crew neck for battle stations. You have to velcro it back onto itself for regular wear.
- The cap; my personal favorite part of the Army Combat Uniform. I call it the Gomer Pyle hat..or maybe I should refer to it as the Beetle Baily hat since Gomer was a Marine. I've made paper hats with more form and structure. The Navy and Marine Corps wear covers on their head. They have a structured look that requires proper wear and maintenance. Apparently this is too much for the Army because their cap (I can not bring myself to call it a cover or even a hat) requires neither. It requires I simply pull it over my head until I look like I should be playing Little League. Maybe they were too preoccupied with the velcro and zippers.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
5 years later...and the biggest difference so far...
..is the amount of crap I apparently require for hair and skin maintenance. 5 years ago, my toiletries took up one bag..actually a mens' shaving kit-sized bag. That included my hair care, skin care and makeup. 5 years later...it's a whole different matter.
Oh, I still have the same mens' shaving kit bag, but I also have a full-sized Lancome bag and a shower shower caddy. Yes, all three are filled with shit! This stuff is not going to all fit in my seabag yet I just can't find a single item that I absolutely can not live without. How did I get to this point in my life?
Well, I've done some thinking and have a few ideas:
- I'm older. It may only be 5 years, but believe me there is a big difference in the state of your complexion between your late 20s and mid-30s. Somewhere after 32 is when the faint lines turn into full-blown creases; maybe not Grand Canyon deep but if you listen closely, I'm pretty sure you can hear the echos bouncing of my face. That being said; I require a significantly larger amount of product to ensure those around me don't turn to stone if they stare too long. Every product serves a purpose and everyone is vital to my well-being.
- Revenue increase. I make significantly more money now than I did 5 years ago. This has compunded my packing problem in a few ways. First, I spend more money on my hair. If I am going to spend a few hundred bucks on my hair every month trying to keep the grays hidden (see point above), then you better believe I am going to buy every hair care product my hairdresser recommends to keep those grays hidden. Some may say I am just throwing good money after bad, but I consider it protecting my investment. So, I have special shampoo and conditioner, heat hair therapy, a night mask, leave-in conditioner and of course styling products. That's my minimum hair care requirements. Second, I buy the more expensive makeup. This helps hide my wrinkles (well, it's supposed to anyways) and give my skin that youthful glow (again, reference point above). Now, when you buy the more expensive shit, they like to give you free samples of all the other items they want you to purchase. Being a smart shopper, I like to increase the value of whatever I just bought by making damn sure I use every last sample they give me. Being willing to part with my cash doesn't mean I have to be frivolous about it.
- I'm wiser..well maybe I just have more experience. This isn't my first deployment. That being said, I know I am going to need or want certain things over there that I didn't think of first time around. I know I need a shower caddy. I had to ask to have one sent to me last time. (Thanks Mom) Well, I am one step ahead and taking my own this time. Of course, having a shower caddy means I need to have it filled. I could wait and buy from the limited selection over there or wait for someone to take pity on me and send a care package; but why? I'm a woman of means (props to Shelley Fox for that verbiage) and can ensure I have exactly the bath products I want when I want them. Why should I wait? Immediate gratification really is the way to go.
Given the points above, I find myself fully justified in requiring a mass-movement to handle my luggage heading overseas. Just do me a favor; if you see me struggling through the airport, kitchen sink in tow, stop and remind me I forgot the dish soap.
Oh, I still have the same mens' shaving kit bag, but I also have a full-sized Lancome bag and a shower shower caddy. Yes, all three are filled with shit! This stuff is not going to all fit in my seabag yet I just can't find a single item that I absolutely can not live without. How did I get to this point in my life?
Well, I've done some thinking and have a few ideas:
- I'm older. It may only be 5 years, but believe me there is a big difference in the state of your complexion between your late 20s and mid-30s. Somewhere after 32 is when the faint lines turn into full-blown creases; maybe not Grand Canyon deep but if you listen closely, I'm pretty sure you can hear the echos bouncing of my face. That being said; I require a significantly larger amount of product to ensure those around me don't turn to stone if they stare too long. Every product serves a purpose and everyone is vital to my well-being.
- Revenue increase. I make significantly more money now than I did 5 years ago. This has compunded my packing problem in a few ways. First, I spend more money on my hair. If I am going to spend a few hundred bucks on my hair every month trying to keep the grays hidden (see point above), then you better believe I am going to buy every hair care product my hairdresser recommends to keep those grays hidden. Some may say I am just throwing good money after bad, but I consider it protecting my investment. So, I have special shampoo and conditioner, heat hair therapy, a night mask, leave-in conditioner and of course styling products. That's my minimum hair care requirements. Second, I buy the more expensive makeup. This helps hide my wrinkles (well, it's supposed to anyways) and give my skin that youthful glow (again, reference point above). Now, when you buy the more expensive shit, they like to give you free samples of all the other items they want you to purchase. Being a smart shopper, I like to increase the value of whatever I just bought by making damn sure I use every last sample they give me. Being willing to part with my cash doesn't mean I have to be frivolous about it.
- I'm wiser..well maybe I just have more experience. This isn't my first deployment. That being said, I know I am going to need or want certain things over there that I didn't think of first time around. I know I need a shower caddy. I had to ask to have one sent to me last time. (Thanks Mom) Well, I am one step ahead and taking my own this time. Of course, having a shower caddy means I need to have it filled. I could wait and buy from the limited selection over there or wait for someone to take pity on me and send a care package; but why? I'm a woman of means (props to Shelley Fox for that verbiage) and can ensure I have exactly the bath products I want when I want them. Why should I wait? Immediate gratification really is the way to go.
Given the points above, I find myself fully justified in requiring a mass-movement to handle my luggage heading overseas. Just do me a favor; if you see me struggling through the airport, kitchen sink in tow, stop and remind me I forgot the dish soap.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
And so it's time....
Well, my truck is packed and it’s time to leave the house. I’m actually starting my adventure earlier than required. Tomorrow is my father’s birthday so I am meeting him in Pensacola for the weekend.
The past few weeks, a lot of people have asked me about my journey. They ask where I’m going, what I’ll be doing and how I feel about it. It seems as though I am most often asked if I’m nervous; I’m not. I’m a lot of things right now. I’m a little excited to see new things, meet new people and learn a new skill. I’m grateful for the break this will provide me from the grind of my civilian job. I’m anxious to get over there already and get this show on the road, so to speak. Mostly, I’m annoyed. I’m annoyed at all the little shit I have had and still have to do. I’m annoyed at the hours I spent doing online training (though learning Dari was pretty cool), I’m annoyed at the extra trips I had to take to Tampa to get stuff done. I’m annoyed at myself for STILL not having everything done that I should. I’m slightly annoyed I am going over there in an Army uniform and I’m very annoyed that I have to spend 20 days in Ft Jackson. I know, I get it..I really do; my logical self understands that the Army operates with a very different set of core competencies from the Navy. However, my emotional self (that would be the one that’s so damn annoyed) thinks that said training would have been great for my FIRST tour. Guess what, I already know how to drive a Humvee, I already qualified on the pistol and M16..and oh, I already had to learn how to strip, clean and reassemble them both. So, spending 20 days in open bay barracks waking up at the crack of dawn and waiting around on the range for everyone to get done shooting...
Does not feel like the best use of my time.
Of course…I guess it’s not my time anymore…it’s the Navy’s.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Six Days and a Wake Up
Well, it's Friday April 1st. Today is the 118th Birthday of Navy Chiefs. Happy Birthday to my brothers and sisters around the globe.
Today also marks the beginning of my last week at home before deployment. I have so much to do and so little interest in doing it. I don't know if subconsciously I'm trying to ignore the fact that I leave in a week or if I'm just lazy. I hate to say it; but I believe it's the latter. I am kind of lazy.
Six days and a wake up; I haven't decided if it sounds better or worse than 1 week. Days are such finite periods of time but a week....that still feels over the horizon. Two weeks would sound better, but I squandered my first one away and now am down to just one solitary week. That's where "six days and a wake up" comes in handy...each day may be limited in the amount of time I have but by golly I have SIX of them. I can waste this one and still have five left. Guess I better see how much wasting away I can do with my day.....
Today also marks the beginning of my last week at home before deployment. I have so much to do and so little interest in doing it. I don't know if subconsciously I'm trying to ignore the fact that I leave in a week or if I'm just lazy. I hate to say it; but I believe it's the latter. I am kind of lazy.
Six days and a wake up; I haven't decided if it sounds better or worse than 1 week. Days are such finite periods of time but a week....that still feels over the horizon. Two weeks would sound better, but I squandered my first one away and now am down to just one solitary week. That's where "six days and a wake up" comes in handy...each day may be limited in the amount of time I have but by golly I have SIX of them. I can waste this one and still have five left. Guess I better see how much wasting away I can do with my day.....
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