Okay, let me break this down for those who may be curious as to what I'm doing right now. Well, actually, right now I'm sitting at a computer in the base library and updating my blog, but I'm talking big picture stuff here...
I'm a member of 1/5. For those not familiar with the jargon, that would be the 1st Battalion of the 5th Marine regiment, 1st Marine Division. This battalion has a long and storied history, dating back to its creation during the Great War. In every war since then, the 5th Marines have been involved. It was the 5th and 6th Marines who charged across Belleau Wood in France during WWI and earned the Marines the title of "Devil Dog." It was the 1st Marine Division, including the 5th Marines, who landed on Guadalcanal during WWII to launch the first offensive operation of the war in the Pacific. The 5th Marines also participated in the battles of Pelilieu and Okinawa. During the war in Korea, it was the 1st Division who fought their way through a surrounding Chinese Communist army and made their way from the Chosen Resevoir back to South Korea. During this same war, the 5th Marines, commanded by the legendary Chesty Puller landed at Inchon and drove across the peninsula. During Vietnam, the division was deployed again and they called on the 5th Marines during some of the fiercest fighting. Specifically, 1/5 was given the task of taking Hue City and follow on battles. In the early 90's the division led the Marine thrust in Operation Desert Storm. (Just for the record, I was in high school at the time. The air campaign started on my 18th birthday.) When Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, it was the 1st Division driving right up the middle in an all out race to Baghdad. In all, the 1st Marine Division has been involved in every war since WWI and the 5th Marines have been right there the whole time. Why do I tell you all of this? I don't honestly know. I sat down to explain the MEU and our current deployment. I didn't mean to go into all that history. Let's move on...
We are currently deployed as the ground combat element (GCE) for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The 31st is the only forward deployed MEU in the Corps. All the others originate from either San Diego or Norfolk. When we embark on the ships of the MEU sometime next month, I will be on board the USS Essex, LHD-2. The interesting thing about this is that when I was in high school I built models of just about anything. I only built a couple of ships, though. One of the ships I built was the USS Tarawa, LHD-4 and sister ship of the Essex. That's just another little sidebar I guess, but I thought it was interesting. Anyway, we have joined up with our attachments (LAR, AAV, and I/3/11) to form a Battalion Landing Team. When we are finished with our deployment, our attachments will detach and in all likelyhood I will never see them again. Ours is a short relationship, but sometimes those are the most memorable. While these teams are attached to my battalion, I become their career counselor. It's very interesting hearing Marines from other units moan and complain about their job. As soon as I suggest they make a move to the infantry, they always seem to find something about their job that they enjoy and couldn't possibly give up. I suppose it's just in our nature as Marines to complain about something.
Anyway, you can check out the links above if you want to learn more about my current duty status. As far as I know, since this info is freely available on the WWW, I'm not breaking any security rules by posting this. No one's told me any of this was classified. If it was, I guess it wouldn't be on the internet, right? Because you know you can trust everything you see online.
Lastly, I just noticed on my blogger dashboard page that this is my 99th entry. I'm going to have to throw a party this weekend for my 100th. Think I should do one of those "meme" lists?
Wednesday, August 16
Sunday, August 13
Welcome back
I haven't actually posted a serious blog entry in quite a while. Let's see if I remember how to do this. (smile)
We should start today with the big news in the world. Over here in the Far East, we don't seem to pay that much attention to the Mediterranean area. Our area of responsibility is much too large to go looking outside of it for action. The Pacific Command (PACOM) is responsible for everything from the West Coast of California to the Asian sub-continent of India and everything in between. This area encompasses the world's largest population center (India) and also the world's larges muslim population (Indonesia). As such, we may pay attention to what's going on in other areas of the world, but we can't obsess over them. Okay, that's the official point of view. My point of view is a little more biased. I think Hezbollah got exactly what they deserved. They are a terrorist organization and Israel has taken great pains to protect herself from extremists who have made it their party platform that Israel must be destroyed. Rrrright. Good luck with that. I've read the Bible and although God may allow His people to suffer, He will never allow them to be destroyed. This is really just another front in the Global War on Terrorism.
Having said that, I think Joe Lieberman was beaten in last week's primary by an ideal, not a candidate. From what I've been able to pick up, his opponent practically laid the blame for our continued presence in Iraq at the feet of Mr. Lieberman and played on the anti-war sentiment of the liberal population he hopes to represent. Well, if Mr. Lamont does in fact win the election, I believe he will either be forced to eat his words by reality, or he will go to congress, represent the spineless, and be voted out in favor of a man willing to stand by his convictions. Of course, this is the same region of the country that brought us Teddy Kennedy and John Kerry, so he may be at the beginning of a very long career in congress. I hope not.
On a more personal front, my wife has been stuggling with this deployment a little more than I think either of us thought she would. Since I'm not in a combat zone this time, my pay has not been changed significantly while my costs have gone up. We now have two households to maintain. Although mine is mostly paid for, I do incur costs from time to time. Seems like a weekly thing that staff members are asked to pitch in a few bucks here or there for this or that, plus my haircuts aren't free and the tap water here isn't much different from the tap water back home, so I buy a few bottles of water every week. Still, all in all, I'd not dispute that I've got the better deal around this time. So if you have a minute or two, please jump over to her blog and let her know that she is loved and cared for. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.
Okay, in a typical news cast this would be the weather segment, so let's do that. We were kissed by a quasi-typhoon last week (a "faux-phoon" if you will) that did little more than cancel the training schedule for Wednesday. As soon as it left us alone, however, it turned into a monster and hit the mainland with sustained winds over 150 mph. The thunderstorm that hit here blossomed into a killer super-typhoon that killed almost 200 people. Sheesh! We've been waiting for the call from higher HQ to go assist with the humanitarain effort, but so far that call has not been made. Perhaps it will never be made in this instance. If the call comes or not, America's 911 force stands ready to answer the call.
Finally, in sports... Does anyone else think that the Reds and the Padres are trying to lose? Maybe it's just me, but it seems like every time I get a new "score alert" email in my mailbox, the final score has the other team on the winning end of the margin. If the post season were already decided, that wouldn't be a problem, but that's far from being the case. The Padres and the Reds both need to realize that with the way it's going right now, if they don't win their respective division, they aren't going to the post season. On the plus side of things, the Eagles looked okay in their hall of fame game against the Raiders. Sure, they lost that game, but pre-season is all about testing the new guys and working out the kinks in the old guys. The Eagles starting offense (thankfully without Terrel Owens) was able to march down the field and put points on the board against the Raiders starting defense. The Philadelphia starting defense was able to shut down just about everything the Raiders tried. So, what does that mean? I think if you look at Bill Parcell's frustration down in the Big D (where T.O. landed by the way) and the consistent problems the 'Skins have with their lack of consistency, then I look for the Eagles to make the playoffs this year. Win the division? I dunno about that. They'll have to beat the Giants twice to have a shot at winning the NFC East, I think. Lastly, to combine news and sports: did you see the story about Maurice Clarett being ordered to get a psych evaluation? Maybe I should go crazy. Then I could get to stay home and watch my son play soccer on Saturdays.
Have a great week, folks. I'll post again when there's something worth posting.
We should start today with the big news in the world. Over here in the Far East, we don't seem to pay that much attention to the Mediterranean area. Our area of responsibility is much too large to go looking outside of it for action. The Pacific Command (PACOM) is responsible for everything from the West Coast of California to the Asian sub-continent of India and everything in between. This area encompasses the world's largest population center (India) and also the world's larges muslim population (Indonesia). As such, we may pay attention to what's going on in other areas of the world, but we can't obsess over them. Okay, that's the official point of view. My point of view is a little more biased. I think Hezbollah got exactly what they deserved. They are a terrorist organization and Israel has taken great pains to protect herself from extremists who have made it their party platform that Israel must be destroyed. Rrrright. Good luck with that. I've read the Bible and although God may allow His people to suffer, He will never allow them to be destroyed. This is really just another front in the Global War on Terrorism.
Having said that, I think Joe Lieberman was beaten in last week's primary by an ideal, not a candidate. From what I've been able to pick up, his opponent practically laid the blame for our continued presence in Iraq at the feet of Mr. Lieberman and played on the anti-war sentiment of the liberal population he hopes to represent. Well, if Mr. Lamont does in fact win the election, I believe he will either be forced to eat his words by reality, or he will go to congress, represent the spineless, and be voted out in favor of a man willing to stand by his convictions. Of course, this is the same region of the country that brought us Teddy Kennedy and John Kerry, so he may be at the beginning of a very long career in congress. I hope not.
On a more personal front, my wife has been stuggling with this deployment a little more than I think either of us thought she would. Since I'm not in a combat zone this time, my pay has not been changed significantly while my costs have gone up. We now have two households to maintain. Although mine is mostly paid for, I do incur costs from time to time. Seems like a weekly thing that staff members are asked to pitch in a few bucks here or there for this or that, plus my haircuts aren't free and the tap water here isn't much different from the tap water back home, so I buy a few bottles of water every week. Still, all in all, I'd not dispute that I've got the better deal around this time. So if you have a minute or two, please jump over to her blog and let her know that she is loved and cared for. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.
Okay, in a typical news cast this would be the weather segment, so let's do that. We were kissed by a quasi-typhoon last week (a "faux-phoon" if you will) that did little more than cancel the training schedule for Wednesday. As soon as it left us alone, however, it turned into a monster and hit the mainland with sustained winds over 150 mph. The thunderstorm that hit here blossomed into a killer super-typhoon that killed almost 200 people. Sheesh! We've been waiting for the call from higher HQ to go assist with the humanitarain effort, but so far that call has not been made. Perhaps it will never be made in this instance. If the call comes or not, America's 911 force stands ready to answer the call.
Finally, in sports... Does anyone else think that the Reds and the Padres are trying to lose? Maybe it's just me, but it seems like every time I get a new "score alert" email in my mailbox, the final score has the other team on the winning end of the margin. If the post season were already decided, that wouldn't be a problem, but that's far from being the case. The Padres and the Reds both need to realize that with the way it's going right now, if they don't win their respective division, they aren't going to the post season. On the plus side of things, the Eagles looked okay in their hall of fame game against the Raiders. Sure, they lost that game, but pre-season is all about testing the new guys and working out the kinks in the old guys. The Eagles starting offense (thankfully without Terrel Owens) was able to march down the field and put points on the board against the Raiders starting defense. The Philadelphia starting defense was able to shut down just about everything the Raiders tried. So, what does that mean? I think if you look at Bill Parcell's frustration down in the Big D (where T.O. landed by the way) and the consistent problems the 'Skins have with their lack of consistency, then I look for the Eagles to make the playoffs this year. Win the division? I dunno about that. They'll have to beat the Giants twice to have a shot at winning the NFC East, I think. Lastly, to combine news and sports: did you see the story about Maurice Clarett being ordered to get a psych evaluation? Maybe I should go crazy. Then I could get to stay home and watch my son play soccer on Saturdays.
Have a great week, folks. I'll post again when there's something worth posting.
Saturday, August 12
Zero!
Back when I went through boot camp, we had a ritual. If the Drill Instructor said, "do this" or "do that," he would start a countdown. By the time he got to "0" (which is pronounced with a lot of emphasis on the second syllable: ze-RO!) then wherever you were in the process, you stopped what you were doing and shouted at the top of your lungs, "Done, Sir! Done!"
I told you that story so I could tell you this one...
I'm done messing with my blog template. Ze-RO! Done, Sir! Done!
At least for now.
I'll stop back tomorrow after chapel services to comment on important stuff like the war in Israel and the cost of being right in a liberal community (think Joe Lieberman). Until then, have a great weekend.
Oh! I almost forgot this week's survey. Actually that's not true, I do a bunch of these surveys at one time and save the codes for later use.
This week I want to know...
How American are you?
I told you that story so I could tell you this one...
I'm done messing with my blog template. Ze-RO! Done, Sir! Done!
At least for now.
I'll stop back tomorrow after chapel services to comment on important stuff like the war in Israel and the cost of being right in a liberal community (think Joe Lieberman). Until then, have a great weekend.
Oh! I almost forgot this week's survey. Actually that's not true, I do a bunch of these surveys at one time and save the codes for later use.
This week I want to know...
How American are you?
| You Are 80% American |
 You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you! |
Tuesday, August 8
Almost done I think
I think I'm almost done tweaking the template for my blog. I expect to get back to my cheery, wise, and witty posting just as soon as this typhoon decides whether or not it's going to hit us. Check back this weekend for the weekend update. *Please note: no endorsement of this blog has been made by SNL that I know of. I just like the sound of "weekend update." If the head cheeses at NBC have a problem with it, then they can fly me home and we'll discuss it over latte's or something.
Sunday, August 6
Another relief
Whew! This is two I a row. I've taken a couple of these quizes and learned that I'm supposed to be a capricorn (which I am) and that just rolls into this quiz that tells me...
That's good, because my mom would be very upset if I was born in the wrong month.
In the mean time, I'm still messing around with my blog format. Any hints or suggestions?
| Your True Birth Month Is January |
 Loyal Social Logical Easily jealous Loves children Rather reserved Highly attentive Likes to criticize Needs close friends Ambitious and serious Smart, neat and organized Hardworking and productive Loves to teach and be taught Quiet unless excited or tensed Sensitive and has deep thoughts Knows how to make others happy Searches for the greatest romance Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds Romantic but has difficulties expressing love Always looking at people's flaws and weaknesses |
That's good, because my mom would be very upset if I was born in the wrong month.
In the mean time, I'm still messing around with my blog format. Any hints or suggestions?
Friday, August 4
!#$&%@*
As Charlie Brown likes to say, "AAAAAARRRGGGHHH!"
I posted my last entry (about the rabbits) and then I tried to post something else and my blog disappeared. Very Bermuda Triangle like. So now I have to reconstruct all of the personalizations I had. I wonder if that means I need to re-apply for membership in the mil.blog ring, or how does that work? On the other hand, I was planning to clean up some of my side bar stuff, so now I just won't put it back in.
Still, this is a pain in the posterior. Maybe I should just start my own web page. Except I don't know anything about how to do that.
I guess I'll go ahead and make this an open blogroll invitation. If you'd like to be included on the new and improved Bill's Blog, drop me an email or post a comment and I'll git-r-dun! (maybe)
I posted my last entry (about the rabbits) and then I tried to post something else and my blog disappeared. Very Bermuda Triangle like. So now I have to reconstruct all of the personalizations I had. I wonder if that means I need to re-apply for membership in the mil.blog ring, or how does that work? On the other hand, I was planning to clean up some of my side bar stuff, so now I just won't put it back in.
Still, this is a pain in the posterior. Maybe I should just start my own web page. Except I don't know anything about how to do that.
I guess I'll go ahead and make this an open blogroll invitation. If you'd like to be included on the new and improved Bill's Blog, drop me an email or post a comment and I'll git-r-dun! (maybe)
Tuesday, August 1
New month!
In the spirit of a game my wife taught me several moons ago...
RABBIT! RABBIT! RABBIT!
As near as I can figure, the idea is to be the first one to say "rabbit" three times on the first day of a new month. Since I'm way the heck over here I guess I win. I'll suspend playing until I'm back to at least the same continent, if not the same time zone as the rest of my family. Plus, I've learned that my daughter's new past time involves chasing bunnies around the yard in the evening, so I thought she might enjoy the picture, assuming it posts properly of course.
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