Hey man, a quick question: Are you bringing a laptop computer or DVD player out there? I’ve found that I watched a lot of movies on my down time when out there. I picked up Season One of BattleStar Galactica (the new series) and got hooked that way. Same with Deadwood.
If so, I’d be more than happy to loan you a few flicks. . .
Tripler
Oh, I think we all forgot to mention: safe trip just getting there!
I’ll be in Baghdad about September 2007, for a 12 month tour. Loading up on DVDs and beef jerky and sunflower seeds, as most people have recommended those things. Best of luck.
[QUOTE=False_God]
I’ll be in Baghdad about September 2007, for a 12 month tour. Loading up on DVDs and beef jerky and sunflower seeds, as most people have recommended those things. Best of luck.
[/QUOTE]
Same thing to you, pilgrim. Drop me a line if you guys have any specific titles yer lookin’ for.
Tripler
I’ll find 'em, and I’m quicker than the Amazon shipping department (3 months for one damn movie?!? :eek: :smack: !)
First, let me say thank you for what you are doing. It take a brave man to step into combat. Second, I have a direct connection with you. My company produces over a third of the MRE’s for the US military. My job is to make sure they are “safe” to eat (no bacteria growing inside). I don’t make them GOOD to eat, just safe, so don’t blame me for the taste. I have actually tried everything that is made, they aren’t THAT bad, some are worse than others.
Your mom is stronger than you (or she) thinks, but I’ll stay a little extra close to her. When you get back, we’ll all do the Venetian for Phantom; your Nana will love that.
You’ve never disappointed anyone in your life and you won’t let your crew down. I know you. I knew you before you were born and they are lucky to have you.
And leave those camels be. They spit and you don’t know where they’ve been.
[QUOTE=Cyn]
And leave those camels be. They spit and you don’t know where they’ve been.
[/QUOTE]
See, I don’t know if I can do that. If I have an opportunity to sneak a camel back (how, I don’t know), I will take it up.
Don’t try to be a hero. Keep your fucking head down. Do what you have to do, and come home in one piece when your tour is up.
AND KEEP YOUR FUCKING HEAD DOWN
[QUOTE=drachillix]
Ok, is there something I should know about you and my step nephew-in-law twice removed. :dubious:
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I love that he’s totally never mentioned me. My heart weeps. Weeps, I tell ya! I’ve been friends with him for a long while; in fact, I went with his mom to Texas for his bootcamp graduation.
One time he filled out a little survey and said I was his “best friend.” I’ve mocked him relentlessly since. He knows I love him, though. And I’ll only love him if he brings me that damned camel. 
[QUOTE=RandMcnally]
See, I don’t know if I can do that. If I have an opportunity to sneak a camel back (how, I don’t know), I will take it up.
[/QUOTE]
Not for me though. Just because you aren’t cool like that.
My oldest son is also headed to Iraq in January. Maybe sooner, as things happen. Right now he is on 24 hour standby at Camp Lejune.
So don’t fret, sooner or later we’re sending you a fire breathing Marine unit full of young 10 ft tall and bulletproof men 
.
Seriously, watch yourself and watch what’s going on. Best of luck to ya, and if you see a cocky young bucket headed Gyrene from Mississippi, tell him his Evil Stepmonster says she loves him. And get his hands outta those dang pockets. 
Look me up when you get here dude.
Best of luck, and PLEASE remember that in everything you do over there, you will be representing the United States of America.
Take care of yourself and your buddies, Rand. Come home safely.
Sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet during the recent Las Vegas mini-Dopefest…but when you get back, I think a larger VegasDopefest is mandatory and you can telll us the stories!
Loathe Bush, hate the war, but think guys like you are the bravest people in the world - stay safe and get back here to party hearty in Vegas!
If at all possible, try to get online over there and drop a thread here on the boards every once in awhile to let us know how you are doing!
[QUOTE=Cluricaun]
[QUOTE=Cluricaun]
2. If you have an Armed Services account for your pay to go into, make sure someone back here that you can get ahold of has all the needed acess codes and numbers so they can take care of stuff for you. It’s damned near impossible to call 800 numbers from Iraq if you have to. I mention this because you will be spending your own money on creature comforts like good deoderant, better socks, better food, and other incidentals. If you need to do a balance transfer or something else you might not be able to do it from there.
[/QUOTE]
This is true, just set it up with someone you trust, one of our guy’s mom took the money and ran.
[QUOTE=Cluricaun]
3. All sorts of people will be asking you if they can send you anything. Make sure you include adult wet wipes in your list of things. Trust me.
[/QUOTE]
I took ~1200 wipes and used ~650 of them. We had adequate showers 340 days out of the 365. Wipes were NECESSARY for the john though. Wiping the thing down first etc. If the interpreters use your bathroom expect the unexpected, they squat on everything.
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor :rolleyes: ]
And I do believe it is possible to buy supplimentary insurance, yes or no?
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I know AAFMA has supplemental for better rates than SGLI and doesn’t care how you die, its just a non-profit to help Soldiers/Airmen (if your a Marine there are similar orgs for the Navy).
Have fun and remember your grunt brothers, if they call for help give it to them. Knowing that a chopper is inbound to give some CAS or pick up a wounded trooper really helps the morale of the fight on the ground.
I hope that you return sound in both mind and body but I am very very sad that you are being deployed.
If you change your mind about the value of your service either while you are in country or upon your return, these men and women will be able to help and support you.
http://www.ivaw.net/
http://girights.objector.org/
Please understand that I mean no disrespect and am not criticizing you.
[QUOTE=RandMcnally]
and I’m not really sure how I feel about it.
On one hand, I’m excited. I mean I’m a 19 year old boy and this is my first deployment, I’m still young and stupid enough to want to go. Plus, the money will be wicked.
On the other hand, I’m extremely anxious. If there are enemy lines, I’ll be behind them. I’m not really worried about myself in the least bit. What I’m really worried about is letting the people that depend on me down. I have my crew of three others and they literally trust their lives in my ability to make quick decisions, as I do with them. I’ve had a lot of training, and I do mean a lot. Is it enough? My unit seems to think so, and I hope they’re right.
I am so proud of my mother. I know this is killing her inside (I left for Basic the day before her birthday, and now I’m leaving in the week of her’s this year also). But for me, because she knows that that’s what I need right now, she is being strong. She isn’t complaining (too much), nor is she crying. Or, she’s not crying when I can hear her. I know it’s selfish of me, but I couldn’t handle it. I have so much on my mind right now, that I need as little distractions as possible. I do promise to make it up for her when I get back. I’m thinking of a nice weekend at the Venetian with tickets to an art show. I think she’d like that. Cyn, don’t say anything.
I’m also going to miss my grandparents 50th anniversary, that and Thanksgiving, and this will be my first missed Christmas. I guess that’s a right of passage of some sorts.
Should we be in Iraq? Was it right to invade? I really don’t care. It doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter if it was right or wrong, all that matters is that I’m going to do a job the best that I can so “…that others may live.”
[/QUOTE]
Good luck Rand. Take care of yourself over there and come back safe. Are you Army or Marines or Air Force?
Not that it matter, man. Just be safe. Hooah!
If you insist on interfering with those camels, I’ll be sending anti-bacterial hand gel and latex-free gloves!
(Shizaru, Rand is in the Air Force)
Be safe. God speed.
Sir Rhosis
[QUOTE=Cyn]
If you insist on interfering with those camels, I’ll be sending anti-bacterial hand gel and latex-free gloves!
[/QUOTE]
I fully support Sentaor Cyn’s proposition. . . if it ups my chances of getting a camel.