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.
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.
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
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. 
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!
Well, there are bases so big they stretch over the horizon (BIAP) and little ones that are just a house that they hit with mortars and sniper fire all the time (Firm base 2 at al-Hit) but I never even heard of a local cooking on post, there ARE third country nationals (TCN’s) that make up most of the kitchen staff. (made a friend from Nepal this way, here I come Everest!) The chow was generally dorm/cafeteria style with the Army cooks being above average and the KBR guys doing much less well. That said the chow seemed to me to be generally better the bigger the base you were on. The EXCELLENT (best I’ve ever had) strawberry shakes made up for the ? meat.
This is true, just set it up with someone you trust, one of our guy’s mom took the money and ran.
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.
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.
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
I fully support Sentaor Cyn’s proposition. . . if it ups my chances of getting a camel.