Combat Crocs?

The base has a pretty clear policy about what kinds of shoes you can wear around here. Boots in your uniform, athletic shoes with your physical fitness gear. But there’s also a provision for wearing alternate shoes in your physical fitness (PT) gear if they meet certain safety standards: Black Sandals with a BACK STRAP. … Read more

Another Story…Supporting the Troops is Real Here

This one is about the the incredible support structure at this base. Permanant Air Force bases have an assortment of “services”: a fitness center, lounge/bar/club, library, laundry/dry cleaners, a finance office, movie theater, food service, chapel services, and medical services. They usually operate at hours similar to civilian versions. All of that stuff has been … Read more

The "Bra"

This is “The Bra”, the nickname for the tent covering the central patio in our base’s living area. I don’t think I need to explain any more. The base gym, BX, finance office, library, media center and WiFi hotspot (with which I can do these blog posts) all are near here. Anyway, to give you … Read more

A Delicate Balance

Greetings from Southwest Asia! Now that I’ve gotten some sleep, I can write something that makes sense. I am well…I’m well rested, I’ve unpacked and am settled into my dorm room, and I’ve started my training program to learn my new job. The food here is decent and I’ll be getting plenty of exercise. I’m … Read more

Fatigue: 8 Jan 09 1915Z

(wrote this on the plane about 6 hours earlier)Fatigue: 8 Jan 09 1915ZNot since Timmy was a newborn have I felt this tired. My hair looks like death, and my face has broken out like a teenager’s! I’ve swollen feet and fingers, and the odor of…um…others…have dominated my nostrils since Italy (I’m near the lavatory).I … Read more

Disaster Cake

This is a Pre-Birthday cake for Timmy. We’re going to do cake and a couple gifts tonight, mainly so Mommy gets her chance to sing “Happy Birthday” to her almost-4-year-old. Dad plans to have a few friends over for cake and ice cream closer to Timmy’s actual birthday on the 26th.But the cake! Where do … Read more

Preparing the Boys

This not a rigid amount of time but I think it’s a good estimate…90 days in theater, plus some travel time on both ends. Jacob will have a new responsibility: adding one number on the left, subtracting one on the right…every day till I come home.With Jacob’s affinity for numbers this will be really good … Read more