28 June 2011,
Life is good, the sun was visible and by noon we could make out the mountains surrounding Bagram Airfield. The last 3 days have been solid dust, grounding rotor wing flights and coating everything. I've never liked Bagram for the simple fact it didn't have enough vegetation surrounding it to keep it less dusty ( not sure about grammar on that one).
My admin Sgt took myself and 2 other soldiers to the gym for a Body for Life workout, one hour of aerobics. Well, I'm transferring that Sgt to another base now, I ache everywhere. The good news is I'm loosing weight again. Since the beginning of this deployment I'm down 12 lbs. If I exercised I could be alot more or is that less? Things are running smoothly for now. We have taken over for the 2/34th out of Iowa and they will soon be heading home. They did a good job.
Mrs Dub is running her first ever 5k on 9 July, so I'm going to run one here too, there is an official 5k on 4 July so I might do that one. I received my first piece of mail today, I mailed to it myself but it contained my Scentsy warmer. Hey, my room smells better!
I'm going to have to shop for a new camera. Miss Dub gave me hers but alas, she took the memory card out and I can't find another one that size. Yes honey, I'm going to spend some money, but I'll keep it reasonable. Not much else to report.
Be safe and have a great day.

23 June 2011,
Life in Bagram. When you have limited opportunities to do things and you have 30,000 + people living in a confined area, well, it makes life interesting. I know I need to go to the gym which is across the street from my office. However, just slightly larger than a single tennis court I estimate no less than 100 people attempting to get on the next piece of equipment at any given time of the day (that I'm up). I can only imagine that at 03:00 in the morning you will still find a large number of folks in there.
The sun gets up around 04:00 in the morning and sets around 8pm. I knew this from my previous deployments but am still amazed when you go to the showers at 05:00 in the morning and it looks like 10 am already.
I did manage to get started on homework, completing two assignments and turning one in. I hope to continue this trend and get caught up quickly. Still waiting on my other book.
I'm hoping to get cable news ran into our office so I can see what's going on. I spend about 15 minutes in the DFAC (dining facility) but the volume is off and it's not enough time to determine what's going on in the world. President Obama's speech does directly affect us but to what extent is hard to say. They, (you know, 'them') can no longer surprise me. I laugh at the comment I made a couple months ago to my soldiers about how I couldn't guarantee that we would even be going to Afghanistan let alone where in Afghanistan they would be and even before we left the states two of our Battalions were pulled for Operation New Dawn in Kuwait. I didn't have any inside information, just know how to read the tea leaves.
Not much else to report at the moment, I'm waiting on Mrs Dub so we can skype. Isn't it the coolest. Each deployment just improves on certain issues,(and dissolves on others).
Be safe and have a great day!

22 June 2011,
It sounded like a good idea when I came up with it, take two more classes towards my bachelor's degree this summer while I was deployed. Well, I'm in to the third week of class and still waiting on one of my school books to catch up with me here in Afghanistan. I was finally able to make contact with the instructors and they are willing to work with me, that's good. We will see how it goes because I need to take 3 more classes this fall.
Just got off Skype with Mrs. Dub. She's ready for me to be home. I'm ready to be home. Taking 3-4 months to pre-mob wore me down. So many soldiers I've talked to would have rather spent more time in Afghanistan than what we did on train up. I know training is important, believe me, but with so many deployments so far, I think we are capable. I guess I'm just complaining some. Hey, it happens.
Well, I better try ready some of my homework and make a dent in it. Be safe and have a great day.

20 June 2011,
Last night I got to sleep on my new mattress! Now I know that's not always an exciting event, but the one I had in my b-hut was spring based and wrapped around me like a hammock. When I rolled over the entire b-hut knew it. The new ones are said to only last about 3 months but it's a memory foam style and very firm. We have six rooms in our b-hut with each soldier getting about 70 sq ft of floor space. Soldiers are allowed to do what they want with their room, such as many make their bed into a bunk bed and put a desk under it. My bed sits about 40 inches off the ground so I'm not that high up and I still have plenty of storage room underneath. I lucked out in having a homemade shelf unit and clothes rack. It was entertaining to watch the soldiers get their rooms. Much like a pot luck dinner or dirty Santa. The billeting manager would take the lock off the door and what ever was inside is what the soldier got. One room had two light switches hard mounted connecting to a string of Christmas lights strung on the ceiling. Some had fans, extension cords, shelving, rugs. Our A/C isn't working as well as it could but it's not bad. What I hate the most about Bagram is the dust. There is very little vegetation surrounding Bagram so the dust just blows everywhere. I also hate the gravel.
Mrs Dub said this deployment I could actually take a trip during my R&R leave to where ever I wanted. Based on my position my leave will be either too close to now or too close to the end of our rotation and the emotional roller coaster we go thru on saying hello/goodbye can be exhausting. I can't talk her and Miss Dub into meeting me anywhere as she really doesn't want to fly across the ocean without me. So if you had a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world where would you go? At 45 am I too old to backpack across Europe? Maybe visit my cousin in Alaska? New Zealand? Two weeks in Ireland? The decisions are tough. Going home would be the easiest but this is an excellent opportunity.
Well, give me some suggestions
Be safe and have a great day!

18 June 2011,
Well, after two weeks, I'm finally in Afghanistan again and finally have an Internet connection of my own. We are at Bagram Airfield and in the 120 days of wind. Now Bagram is in a basin surrounded by mountains and due to the lack of irrigation there is very little vegetation to help keep down the dust. I've seen the Kentucky Agriculture Team here on base and I'm pretty certain Oklahoma has a team or had a team here too. Time to get them busy on growing grass or shrubs or something to get this dust down. Of course, who wants to plant grass in one of the most mined countries in the world?
Our schedule is naturally hectic as 2-34th is ready to get out of here and we need them to stay long enough to a proper hand-off. My unit has brought with us a volunteer group from 1-34th out of Minnesota so we are getting some good treatment having fellow Red Bulls with us. I actually have a couple of my organic soldiers who have deployed with the Red Bulls in the past. It is a small world. I actually came across one soldier today who was organic to 2-34 but had a Oregon National Guard combat patch also. I found out he deployed with Oregon on the same mission I did back in 2006.
Mrs Dub is doing well and is in training for that 5k run coming up. Her trainer/friend/pain coordinator has also signed her up for a half marathon. Good luck honey! I haven't gotten into a routine yet for exercising but I'm walking everywhere and Bagram is a big base!
Once I figure out my camera situation I'll start posting pictures.
Be safe and have a great day!
P.S. It was 20 years ago today that Mrs Dub and I had our very first date. I was 2o minutes late but brought her a rose. I miss you babe, and I love you.

6 June 2011, Well, on this date the world knows it as D-Day. For my company it's know as R&R day. We received a pass and I am in southern Mississippi with my family and some of my soldiers relaxing, enjoying being barefoot and a Coke.
We got back from the Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft. Polk last week. The training was good but the lack of cell phone and wireless support out in the sticks made it impossible to try to update anything. Although the environment was so much better than the last time I was here three weeks is a long time with "basic" services. My aircard for my internet was worthless. I was able to get outside the box a couple of times but never long enough to get anything written.
We were able to conclude training there just in the nick of time, having enjoyed fair weather and the himidity and heat didn't arrive the last two days. The last couple of days back in Camp Shelby certainly got hotter.
Mrs. and Ms. Dub are great and I'm enjoying having them near. Four days is going to go by fast but I will cerish every second of it.
Be safe and have a great day.

8 May 2011,
I have found myself stuck in Louisiana. Now, I like the state just fine, it's the Joint Readiness Training Facility (JRTC) that I'm referring to. JRTC is a validation process that light infantry brigades go through every 7-10 years. My last time here was in 2001. Things have changed to a large degree. Last time we slept under vehicles, in vehicles, on vehicles, under trees, just about anywhere you wouldn't get stepped on. Fort Polk has set up dedicated Forward Operating Bases (FOB) that have headquarters, sleeping quarters, shower trailers, and a dining hall. Now, I haven't been impressed with the dining facility and if the last two days are indicators, it won't get any better. But having A/C in offices and sleeping quarters makes for a much better experience. Everyone is in good spirits but everyone is also ready to get on with our mission and stop 'wasting time'.
The family is good or so they tell me. Mrs. Dub is still working towards completing her first 5K run for a charity event which I think is next month.
The FOB doesn't have internet and we are far enough out that my aircard doesn't work so I've managed to sneak onto post for a couple of minutes to update you.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there and I hope you had a wonderful day.
Be safe and have a wonderful day.

22 April 2011,
Yes, it is definitely the paperwork, my old job I got to draw with markers. A big change. No one has yelled at me so I'm doing an ok job.
Tomorrow we take the entire brigade out for a 5 mile road march. yeah. It's one of those exciting events, ( I would liken it to some other event you might know of and dread even watching it but I won't in fear of offending someone out there who might like it).
Yesterday was a day of meanness. I was setting everyone up for pranks. We had to do a logistic sync meeting to determine where we were on our equipment maintenance and the major asked how many rifles we had. "84" was the answer. How many have been technically inspected? "83" was the answer. Where's the other one? We're still looking for it Sir. For moment in time it was priceless.
Miss Dub finally finished her play last night. She was the Stage Director. (I think). She said she felt like a First Sergeant too, having to manage people, step up when they didn't, find solutions to problems you didn't anticipate, etc. Overall, she seemed very happy with the performance of her team.
Mrs. Dub is working towards running her first 5k soon. She's been working out with one of the other wives from our company. Keep in mind, I've only seen her run one other time. Now I need to get busy so she doesn't put me to shame.
Well, I better get back to work. Be safe and have a great day.
Happy Easter, remember why this day is special and that Jesus had risen.

19 April 2011,
It's 0500 hrs (5 a.m. for the civilian population) and I'm already 2 hours into my day. The Brigade's CSM decided he needed a formation at 0400. We thought it was for a unpleasant experience. Turned out he just wanted to see if he could get the entire brigade together in one spot on time. Heck, it made since and worked, how'd that happen?
So, I headed to the office, why bother trying to go back to sleep now. With no one else in the office except the night CQ I can finally have a moment to relax, catch up on the blog and finally read a couple of articles in the Army Times I bought two weeks ago. My days here are full with report after report, I'm not digging the whole admin life of a First Sergeant, I enjoyed doing my job and only having to worry about a section rather than a whole company, its more complex, but it has its rewards. Luckily my commander, CPT S found a way to bring on a admin sergeant and that's working out great!
Miss Dub did a presentation back home on the cultural background of Afghanistan, looks like she was actually listening to me when I rambled on. She's doing great and it's a real bonus when others in attendance send me messages telling me how wonderful she is as a person and as a speaker. I love her and her mother very much and miss them both.
Well, enough free time I guess, I have stacks of papers on my desk that require my attention, but I'll finish this last article in the paper first. Be safe and have a great day.

06 Apr 2011, Well, after 4 wonderful days at home with my beautiful family I am back to work getting ready for another trip the Stan. Mrs Dub didn't feel well so we did nothing but rent and watch movies at the house and just enjoyed our time together. I have given considerable thought to just purchasing a large acreage north of Kabul and building a bed and breakfast, maybe even a Dub Ranch. The obvious problem would be convincing the family this would be a good idea. Miss Dub takes her ACT this weekend, wish her good luck, I need her to score great so she can get lots of scholarship money. Both the girls are doing well, and I miss them a lot. The days here have been busy and long. I still need to do my laundry since the IG and JAG both said I couldn't make privates do it for me. Be safe and have a great day.

17 March 2011,
We've been in Mississippi for almost a week now. Yes, the "at sea-level" low lands, marshes and swamps is the ideal training environment for 6,000 feet elevation in mountain warfare. They'll never know what hit them. This is the same place we trained out of in 2006 so I'm quite familiar with the scenery. The gang is still scattered with the four winds. The weather today was absolutely beautiful with a light breeze and temps at around 80, the humidity didn't seem bad or maybe it isn't warm enough yet.
Right now a lot of training by power point, but in the coming months we'll get plenty of hands-on training to go along with it. As usual I pack more than allowed but still not enough to accomplish everything I feel I need. I'm taking plenty of notes during the day on things I want to get done for my troops. I'm spending most of my time on this computer when we aren't training. The ideas are coming together slowly so maybe in 18 months or so I'll have a handle on what I'm doing. Like I usually say, "If you want to know what I'm doing come back tomorrow and I'll tell you what I did." Until then it's a surprise even to me.
The family says they are good, we figured out Skype and that's cool to be able to see them as well as talk to them.
Better get back to work, be safe and have a great day!

06 March 2011,
Well, another day done in Gruberstan. (that's it eastern Oklahoma). I've been working out with my executive officer doing Cross-Fit. It's an amazing workout to say the least. Today was just 9 minutes long after a warm-up, but I was exhausted. Last night was the only workout I've missed in the last week. I'm watching what I eat too, this is different in that I used to eat with my eyes closed, lol. No, I'm acutally eating less and a little smarter. I've cut down my intact of Coke, just one a day, (I go with the 64oz so it lasts longer). Just kidding.
Mrs. Dub and Miss Dub had their huge family fun day at the armory and she said it was a big success. Hot dogs, cotton candy, cup cakes, ballons, clowns, a huge bouncy obstacle course. Wish I was a kid and in town.
Changes everyday make for an interesting time here, I cringe at having to print anything in fear that as soon as the ink dries it's out-of-date and the new one replaces it. At times it feels like I'm spinnng my wheels and not getting anything accomplished.
Well, better get back to it. Be safe and have a great day.

28 February 2011,
Well, we have finished our second day of "pre-mobilization training", or should I say we have been here two days now. Either way I miss home and I miss my family. I feel like the paperwork I will have will engulf me but I'll take it one at a time and hopefully get it right. We started off yesterday morning with 65 degrees and this morning with 35 degrees. Gotta love Oklahoma. My office is a unused dining facility attached to our barracks. Hey, I have lots of room.
Miss Dub said she had to dissect a sheep's brain at school today. I asked her if she knew what the sheep had been thinking and she replied, " probably that he should have taken the gig with the Easter pageant." That was funny.
She was the costume manager for the school musical and it was pretty good. The First Territorial Saloon.
All is well, be safe and have a great day.

20 Feb 2011,
Well, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had their farewell ceremony this last Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Arena and Cox Convention Center. Once again, we will be heading to Afghanistan. I really do need another travel agent setting up my trips. Why can't I conduct operations in Hawaii, New Zealand, Italy? Regardless, I will go on orders next week and begin training.
Miss Dub went to her first drama/monologue competition and took first place in poetry! We were so excited for her. She now qualifies for regional. We went and saw her perform her semi-finals round and I was impressed with all of the competitors I saw and really like three, Miss Dub was one of them.
Mrs Dub is doing good, at least she is putting on a strong face. I think the deployments are getting easier for us to deal with. By that I mean we know what to expect, when to expect it and how things are laid out.
For me, this deployment will be much different in that I will be going as the First Sergeant for my company rather than going in my MOS job.
I will be posting more frequently so family and friends can be updated on my status.
Be safe and have a great day!

Feb 5, 2011
Again with the long break between posts, my apologies. Things are hectic as always. Mrs. Dub transitioned into a new job at the beginning of the year. She has been very happy everyday at work and after work. Her last job, although she loved it was a heavy load of stress on her. The Oklahoma National Guard is headed back to Afghanistan and I'll be going with them again. Yeah for me, right? I don't mind and the family is almost good with it. Our biggest issue is Miss Dub will be a senior in high school next year and more than anything else has always stated she wanted me to be at her graduation. Hopefully I will be.
As I get closer to train up with the Army, I will be posting more frequently. One of my goals on this deployment will be to continue with my college courses and maybe even be able to graduate myself next year. Just think, it will only have taken 28 years to get it done.
Be safe and have great day.

Nov 3, 2010

Busy, busy, busy. Between work, Army, school and family, we are also trying to finish the painting of the outside of our house. We made good progress last weekend replacing trim and soffet on the west side. One more end and we'll be done.

This weekend marks the final salute to Vietnam Veterans in our Operation Oklahoma campaign. Governor Henry declared 2010 a salute to these heroes who never received a proper welcome home for their service and sacrifices made during that conflict. To Sarge Charlie and any other veterans who served, I say, "THANK YOU AND WELCOME HOME".

Miss Dub will celebrate her 17th birthday this week. Good grief! What happened to macaroni glued to plates in kindergarten? She's a junior this year in high school and we are starting to look at colleges now. Time moves to swiftly.

I'm doing as well as I can. I would say I was starting to fall apart physically, but that would be lie. I'm just finally getting around to getting myself fixed. I had ear surgery a couple of weeks ago to repair a hole in my eardrum. While the surgeon was there he also did a little reconstruction on the bone chain. I had an MRI done on the left knee and am waiting for a date for surgery to repair it. Hopefully they don't find any surprises when they get in.

Well, I'd better get back to doing homework, something about theories and research utilization, blah blah blah. Really, I think I'm learning something. Only 15 more hours and I can be done with that!

Be safe and have a wonderful day.

20 September 2010
First time visitor to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Luckily I have no idea where the prison is. I'm up here for some Army training. I must say, I never pictured Fort Leavenworth as nice as it is. The girls would love the area around it with the barns and farm homes and even the buildings on post themselves.
It's been a busy summer and going into fall hasn't slowed down yet. Miss Dub is driving herself to school, Mrs. Dub is taking a class too, and I'm taking another six hours towards that far away bachelors degree. It's getting closer though, after this semester only about 9 hours left.
Time for bed unfortunately, we are up earlier tomorrow morning. Be safe and have a great day.

August 1, 2010
Yes, I know it's been a long time. Yesterday I finished my paper for school, still working on that 26 year bachelor's degree, and only 15 hours left. The bad news is that now I have to stop, for now.
With a pending deployment coming up I need to concentrate on getting things around the house done, and there's always a lot to do. Between work, school, guard and family it's been a busy summer so far. Miss Dub goes back to school in two weeks. She's had a busy summer too. Her idea of summer was staying up late into the early morning hours and sleeping in till mid afternoon. However, we didn't let that happen too much. We told her to find a job or she'd spend much of her time volunteering to help others. She's done a good job, spending one week as a youth counselor at the Military Kid's Camp, packing food boxes for families in need and helping out where she could. Kid's Camp was a true experience for her, no air conditioning in the barracks, being outdoors most of the day, and truly helping other kids proved to be both punishing and rewarding for her. (But she's considering doing it again next year).
Mrs. Dub has been good, she's taken over the Family Readiness Group as the leader for my unit and just got a promotion at her job. We now have to refer to her as "the Director".
I've been pushed by the military to get myself back in shape. I hate exercise, but I know I have been out of shape for some time and over the last six weeks, I have lost 10 pounds. Mrs. Dub has been working out with me so she works as my drill sergeant. Our goal is to make the whole family more healthy by exercise and eating better. I miss my chili cheese dogs for breakfast, gotta love Coit's.
Well, we are headed out to church right now, be safe and have a wonderful weekend.

14 May 2010,
Well, I'm into my 5th day of special assignment. Tornadoes came through the city Monday and we have been out here helping the citizens and keeping out the rift raft. It's been a busy year so far. Last week I managed to finally finish both my classes for college. We got our alert notice for deploying to Afghanistan again next year so a lot is happening to get ready for that. This will be trip number 3. I should look at investing in some property this time, 100 acres of mine-free land, yeehaw!
Miss Dub is almost finished with her sophomore year of high school. She hasn't admitted it yet, but I believe it has been harder than she expected. She's in that age where she doesn't want to listen to any advice we have for her. We have told her that she would have to get a job this summer instead of lounging around the house playing on the Internet and phone. She has finally filled out an application for a retail store. I had to lie and say I was 16 to get a job when I was only 15 1/2, I was ready to have my own money.
Mrs Dub is fine. She has taken over the Family Readiness Group for our company and is working to get it up and running. She's been wonderful in the position. She's ready for this week to be over so I will get home at a decent hour. We are only working 12 hours but she's use to 10 hours and having me home in time for a decent hour dinner. I made her watch 2012 Monday before the storms came through. In hindsight that wasn't a good idea, and she let me know. Well, better get back to keeping people safe, you do the same and have a great day.

15 March 2010,
Ah, the last day off before I head back to work for another set of days on. Last Tuesday I experienced for only the second time in my 13 years of law enforcement a traffic stop initiated by the violator. Yes, while traveling on I-44 Interstate I got behind a vehicle that was going a bit faster than the posted speed limit. He noticed me in his rear view mirror and changed lanes. Obviously he was unaware of my intentions to change lanes anyway as I was about to exit off of I-40. As soon as I changed lanes and was again behind him he turned on his flashers and began to pull onto the shoulder. Well, I had the notion of what he was doing and just to make sure he wasn't braking down I pulled off onto the shoulder also and turned on my emergency lights. I walked up to the drivers door and he was already gathering his state driver's license and insurance forms. I asked him if everything was alright and he stated, " I know I was speeding". I said yes he was and since he was aware of it to slow down and then got back in my car. I think I left him a bit puzzled but I insist that regardless to how many tickets I might write, if I can change the driving mentality if just while I'm present I've done my job.
Mrs. Dub was complaining Sunday about Daylight Savings Time, commenting on how much she hates it and hates losing that hour of sleep. I had to remind her that since we stayed in bed till almost 10 am, that I didn't think she lost any of it. I don't think she agrees.
I took both of the girls to the gun range today. Miss Dub has been chomping at the bit to go and shoot. I can even get her to clean my guns with less hassle than feeding the horses. I brought the whole armament of the pistols, shotgun and AR-15's. This was their first time with the rifles and shotguns. We got some practice in on the paper targets and then I turned them loose on the steel targets. Everyone loves these as you get the "tink" sound when you hit the target. Later in the afternoon we went and saw the new "Alice in Wonderland", 3D of course. Johnny Depp has the problem of overacting so I didn't understand some of what he said but I thought the whole movie was great.
Be safe and have a great day.