TC the Terrible

Patton once made a profound statement that talked about the fact that mankind never really changes, we just find new ways to wage war.  I’d tend to agree with that.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of reading letters written by Soldiers when they were away at war.  And with a couple of syntax and location changes they could have been written in any era by a Soldier from any part of the world.  Everyone complains about being lonely, scared and bored.  And more important they complain about the lack of mail.

I’m lucky on that front.  Seldom has a day gone by since I hit Iraq that I didn’t get something in the mail.  And on the days that I don’t get mail, the next day I get two pieces.  Some days I hit the jackpot and get a letter AND a package.  Like today, I got two cards from the family and a package from one of my old NCOs.  Said care package was full of premium smokes, thus making the package all that much better to receive.

Still, there are some guys here that have all but given up on getting mail.  My “office” is across from the mail room door.  So I get to see the guys that come up, check the board for their name and go away disappointed.  It takes about a week of coming up dry before they quit checking the mail  board.  In an time of instant communications it may strike you as strange that a paper letter still carries such emotional weight.

Every guy that is not getting mail has access to the Internet here.  Thanks to the USO it’s even free in lots of places on post.  Despite that, real letters and Hallmark cards still matter the most.  Too bad the Army dropped the “Any Soldier” mail program.  Because I’m seeing a bunch of kids that sure could use a package of gum and dental floss from a person back home.  Any person back home.

SABER SQUELCH out.

The big race was today, and alas all did not go as planned. 

THE BOY got off to a brilliant start as he placed first and second in the first two heats.  From there it was down hill.  He finished third and forth in the final two heats.  Pissed does not begin to describe how he felt.  It was much deeper than that.

He acted out a bit on the way home.  Fortunately (for him) he didn’t take it out on his mother.  Instead he took it out on the Army.  THE WOMAN told me his entire tirade was about how evil the Army is for not letting me be there today.  All they had to do it seems was to let me come home today and he would have been a winner.

Guess that’s his way of saying that he needs me.

So far so good today. 

The overture to Tommy is blaring in my SkullCandy ear buds and my minions are all out on routine missions.  Nobody’s hair is on fire today.  And that’s a good thing.

I think the freezing rain that moved in overnight has knocked down most of my daily gremlins.  Either that or Jesus finally got to me on his to-do list.  Whatever the case, I’ll take it.

The tasking are starting to slow down a bit as we settle into our battle rhythm.  Our twice a week ruck march helps as it gives us all a chance to decompress for an hour or so.  Decompression is a valuable thing when there are no days off – and every day is 14 hours long.  But the plan is starting to come together. 

The core of the team is starting to gel and it’s going to be a good one.  We’ve got the typical absent minded professor, a couple of grumpy old men, a fresh young kid that looks like he’s never even stood close to a razor and little ole’ me leading the marching band down the road.  Yep, this has some real potential.

Saber Squelch Out.