leatherneck

Well tommorrow we are exchanging our old gear, for the gear we will be taking to Iraq. It’s going to suck because it’s going to be this long drawn out process of turning gear in then being issued new gear. On another note a buddy of mine is going to airborne school, as his re-enlistment bonus. To get into the school he has to run a PFT. So also tommorrow I will be administrating his PFT. The busy days will they ever end ? The good news is I bought my ticket home for the Holidays. I will be back home from December 18th to January 3rd. I look forward to seeing everyone. So drop me an email and we will all get drunk out of our minds.

Today some friends and me went to the gym to thrash ourselves. It was pretty fun. For 45 minutes all we did was calisthenics. We must have done well over 150 pushups, hundreds of crunches, not to mention all the other exercises. This left a nice pool of sweat under each of us. That’s what I call a good day. The last week has been hectic at work. Where trying to squeeze as much training in before we deploy early next year. I’m trying to find some reviews on some good digital cameras. I really want to keep this blog updated while I’m deployed, unlike last time. Well it’s getting about that time where my aching body needs a rest. Good Night All.

So it’s finally done. My Flak and Kevlar stand that I had a friend of mine make for me is finally done. It’s made out of 3 1/2 inch wide, 1/2 inch think walled mild steel. It weighs in at 135 lbs. Now many of you non-military people may not know what a Flak and Kevlar stand is. Well when I’m not wearing my Flak Jacket (Bullet-proof vest) and my Kevlar (Helmet made out of Kevlar). This stand holds these items. Click here for some pictures.

Nothing has really happened over the last few days. I drank a little over the weekend, which to some that is a surprise. I really don’t drink a lot anymore. I guess it’s because of all the running I’m doing. Today I found out I’m on the Sword Detail for the Marine Corps Ball. Every year on the Marine Corps Birthday (November 10th) there are cake cutting ceremonies and formations. But I will tell you all about this latter. Another good thing that happened today is the fact that my leave has been approved for December. I will get a change to go home before I deploy again. Other then that nothing else has been going on. Hopefully I’ll be able to post more tomorrow….

So today I went to my annual swim Qual. In the Marine Corps you need to qualify in the pool just like you would your rifle. This is due to our heavy naval background. I passed both 4th and 3rd class qualifications today. Tomorrow I will try to pass both 2nd and 1st class. Nothing else of real importance has happened lately. Hopefully more next week.

So today we sat in a classroom getting briefs and classes on our upcoming deployment to Iraq. This shit was boring as fuck. For most of us who have been there before this was a waste of time. Oh well just another day. I did a nice easy 4-mile run tonight and then some body conditioning. I’m trying to start with 20-mile weeks, and work my way to 40-mile weeks. I also really need to start making to-do lists. I have so much to do so little time. I’m trying to make it home for Christmas this year. I haven’t been home for the holidays for 2 years now. It will be nice to see everyone.

So today was an average day at work, other then the crazy thunderstorms. But just as I was about to leave my gunny asks me where the QC (Quality Control) turnover binder is. This is a binder of documents that give step-by-step instructions on how to do my Job. My section of this binder is only half of the total turnover. It turns out that the other Marine that maintains the other half of the binder lost it somewhere. So I had to make a whole new binder. This took an hour or two. Luckily I had saved everything. A few quick changes and some organization and I was back on track. Another end to a hectic day. Tomorrow we have a class on Iraqi Culture, due to our upcoming deployment back to the sandbox of shit.

I just got back from the field again, that will explain the lack of new posts. I just wanted to drop some quick updates from the last few days. I didn’t win the Battalion level NCO of the quarter board. It’s not a big deal. You get your picture hung up with NCO of the quarter under it. It mostly looks good. I’m going to be adding some more links on the side columns today or tomorrow. I’m still looking to hear about any topics that people would like to see, or hear about. Drop me a line if you have any ideas.

Today I was told I had to go to the company office and stand before a NCO of the Quarter board. I wasn’t gung ho about it. It was more of a damn something else that takes out of my day. But to say the least I won it anyway. HAHA I kind of didn’t want to. Now I have to go to the Battalion level board. I just have too many things going on right now to worry about a silly board. I would love the honor, but I go out to the field tommarow, and i’m gunna be swamped.

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But I didn’t qualify at this screening. I had some troubles in the pool. It really sucked, not to mention the water was a crisp 65 degrees. I have no other option now but to get back on the hoarse and try again. I really wanted to make it the first time, but only 4 out of the 30 that where there made it. But on a lighter note, tomorrow I have to go on the NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) of the Quarter Board. It would be nice to win that, but it’s not on the list of my top priorities.