tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86813682011-12-14T21:59:07.655-05:00A former soldier's daily experiences while living and fighting in Iraq.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1163396013389879562006-11-13T00:20:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:06:01.802-05:00

On Oct. 15 of last year five men from our company were killed by an IED. This Veteran’s Day weekend I thought of them as well as the other two men from Able Company killed last year.The following words were spoken by our Battalion Commander, Col. Roggeman, at a memorial service honoring their lives.Combat Outpost, Ramadi Iraq“Today we mourn the loss of five or our own, SSG Summers, Spc. Byrd, Spc

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1162238202577587022006-10-30T14:23:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:06:01.544-05:00

Take a moment to read this and contribute what you can. Every little bit adds up.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1161533669019703182006-10-22T12:03:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:01.183-05:00

Check out Jules Crittenden's story on BostonHerald.com. Hopefully the Army Public Affairs office and the leadership of this unit will read it as well.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1158350747954066812006-09-15T15:52:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:00.688-05:00

THE BLOGOF WARFront-line Dispatches fromSoldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan Military blogs have transformed the way we look at war and the military, says U.S. Army veteran and military blogger (“Blackfive”) Mathew Currier Burden, author of THE BLOG OF WAR: Front-line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan (Simon and Schuster; September 12, 2006; $15.00). Military blogs—milblogs, for

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1157992837457359392006-09-11T12:39:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:00.573-05:00

Remember and be angry.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1126381267195658052005-09-10T15:29:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:00.446-05:00

Read about Sgt. Bohling here, here, and here.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1123280185769590602005-08-05T18:07:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:00.322-05:00

During bad or uncertain times, time itself doesn’t stand still or slow down, it’s more like it spreads out, like each minute has its own personality and some of those personalities really want you to get to know them. That happened with me today, probably with a few of us. We were out in the city, the filth evident in the open sewage flowing into the streets, creating small puddles and ponds of

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com161tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1122752759090552282005-07-30T15:39:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:06:00.215-05:00

We arrived after dark this evening after traveling for two days from Warhorse. We were up the past two nights, moving under the cover of darkness, riding in our Bradley which rode atop a HETT. By this time the Bradley is a radiating oven, drenching my clothes with sweat which now cling to my skin and attract every dust and dirt particle in the air. We got off the Brad and were welcomed by the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1122376578792049112005-07-26T07:13:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:46.270-05:00

I haven’t posted anything in the last month or so for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we’ve been busy moving. We, meaning my Battalion, have moved from the somewhat friendly confines of Baquba to the “restive” city of Ramadi. Restive is the term I most often see in the news describing this beautiful place. What the hell does restive mean anyway? Actually, I know what it

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1118549893859870372005-06-11T23:51:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:46.165-05:00

The other morning I woke at 0500 to the sound of my roommate’s alarm clock, the same alarm clock he wakes to every day, only to hit the snooze button at least five times, torturing me with its incessant chirping. It sounds like a wounded bird needing to be put out of its misery, but with every push of the button it’s resurrected once again. He must like the feeling of being able to lay there a

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1117295107794928122005-05-28T11:29:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:46.057-05:00

Some of you may have seen Garry Trudeau’s comic strip a couple of weeks ago. Its focus was on our supposed lack of armored vehicles. I’m a little late in commenting on this, but unlike Mr. Trudeau, I’m actually over here in Iraq working. That’s what always amazes me about people like Trudeau. They’re so vigorous in their attempt to criticize everything about this war, yet they have no idea what

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1116711878937283932005-05-21T17:44:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.938-05:00

Hopefully these pictures will tell a little story. This boy and his family were from a Sunni village we visited the other day. This was the first time we’d been to this village, and we’d heard most of the people were hardcore Sunnis, in favor during Sadaam’s rule. Our primary mission wasn’t to pass out gifts, but as you can see in these pictures, small gifts can work wonders. Anytime you go to a

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1116035031185730782005-05-13T21:37:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.700-05:00

I've been reading Michael Yon's blog for a few months now. I encourage you to do the same, as it is much better than mine.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1115887999468216362005-05-12T04:36:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.472-05:00

We visited a small town the other day that hadn't been visited by any U.S. soldiers in quite a long time. There was nothing around this town for miles except open flat desert. We were farther north than we'd ever been before, so far north that we could begin to see the beginnings of a mountain range. The people of this town received us well. We came bearing toys, clothes, stuffed animals, and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1115497392335026302005-05-07T16:15:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.387-05:00

I wanted to wish all the Mothers reading this a very happy Mother’s Day. Whether you know it or not, you are greatly appreciated and loved by all. As for my precious wife, I can only say thank you for the gift of our little boy. I know he already loves you more than anyone in the world, just as his dad does. I’d like to thank my mom for all her love and support in everything I do. I’m sorry I don

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1115275749565232532005-05-05T02:17:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.299-05:00

As you can see, they're no different than the Sunni children. We're fighting for all of them.Who are these strange looking men who come bearing gifts?

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1114979295407308862005-05-01T16:22:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.217-05:00

Off time. Rarely happens. I was sitting in my box reading Kerouac, wishing I could’ve seen New York City as he saw it, fresh out of high school. The wide-eyed wonder of it all. Wishing I could be there to walk the streets again, watching the people, just taking it all in. I’ve been to the Fat Apple twice, the virgin venture more satisfying than the second. How I loved it the first time. By myself

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1114733617216346992005-04-28T19:59:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.129-05:00

And the disabled boy who made me hurt and smile at the same time.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1114325973165062662005-04-24T02:42:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:45.033-05:00

Johnny Cash’s haggard voice soothes my soul. I’m listening to American IV: The Man Comes Around. The hurt and joy spill from his soul to mine through a pair of cheap headphones bought at the px to combat the music played by my roommate. Cash’s voice takes you to another place, a place you just feel. He’s able to take Trent Reznor’s Hurt and turn it into a cathartic experience. How can someone

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1113904987052160802005-04-19T05:49:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.862-05:00

I meant to post these along with my previous entry but didn't have the time. I want to thank an anonymous commenter, who also happens to be a Marine, for telling me about Image Shack. I tried to use bloggerbot, but we aren't supposed to download programs to these computers. I hope this works. I'll post more later when I have more time. I just got back a couple of hours ago from an all night

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1113670902413538752005-04-16T12:54:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.748-05:00

We’ve just completed our final week of guard at the Tigris for a while. All of us are glad to be giving it up. It will be another three months before we have to return. The less time I spend sitting on top of a tank guarding something is a good thing.I watch the Iraqis passing by for four hours during my day shift, and see nothing but darkness during my night shift. The day is always more fun,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1113570292410549512005-04-15T09:00:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.651-05:00

Sorry for the miscommunication. I didn't actually go home this past week. Our platoon was out guarding a bridge, and we just returned today. I won't be meeting my son until sometime this summer. Take care

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1113014354044659672005-04-08T22:33:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.559-05:00

I just wanted to say thanks for all the nice emails of support I've received lately. Both the wife and little Michael are well. They are both very healthy and seem to be happy as well. Thanks also for your prayers and for taking time out of your day to stop by. I'm leaving today for a week, so I won't be able to bore you with any posts until I get back. Take care.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1112876800823762952005-04-07T08:23:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.467-05:00

The House of Killing was our target, and as we left the FOB, I couldn’t help thinking how silly the name sounded. It sounded more appropriate for a haunted house that lures reluctant kids on Halloween. This macabre name no doubt came from someone that had never before been there.We were traveling back down the Highway of Hell, past the spot where we’d been hit by an IED. Both sides of the road

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1112640497198877042005-04-04T14:40:00.000-04:002006-11-15T18:05:44.367-05:00

A couple of weeks ago as I walked out to my guard shift, I was expecting a long four hours of intense boredom. I was back at the Tigris River, sitting on a tank, facing down a dark road with the moon offering little illumination. There was a stillness to the night that even the river couldn’t interrupt. The river itself had a stillness about it that made me think it had stopped flowing all

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1112371573256072762005-04-01T11:00:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:44.263-05:00

My new best friend was born today. I have no idea what I ever did to deserve the angel that is my wife and the little boy that God created. My son was born today around 10:30AM. He was 8 pounds 5 ounces. I’m relieved to know that both my wife and son are healthy. Today was a good day. God blessed me and my buddies on two fronts today, one at home and one here in Iraq. He gave me the gift of

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1112092677975661532005-03-29T05:33:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:44.173-05:00

A boy walked into my life for a brief moment this past Easter Sunday, and I am better because of it. Thomas and I were pulling guard on top of a tank that stands at the entrance to our FOB. We were tired, bored, and busy complaining about the endless hours we spend guarding something. Didn’t we come over here to fight bad guys? It’s as if we came over here for the sole reason to guard ourselves.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1111908031696660132005-03-27T01:58:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:44.075-05:00

Easter in Iraq, can't beat it. My Easter consists of sitting on guard for hours and hours. I pray that Jesus will forgive me for my attitude on the day we celebrate his resurrection. I am beyond frustrated at how inconsiderate one of my roommate's can be. I get two and a half hours of sleep last night, come in for my four hours off, and can't get any sleep because he insists on watching his DVD

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1111856714418053772005-03-26T11:57:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:43.980-05:00

I am, among many other things, a seat filler. A few nights ago my platoon went off patrol cycle and picked up force protection. Very rarely does one get a day off around here, and even on your supposed “days off,” you are still subject to being called upon to perform any number of mind numbing tasks. I was fortunate enough to not be on the first night of guard, giving me what I presumed would be

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1111170479410475862005-03-18T13:25:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.694-05:00

I wish he was the only one, but I know there will be others. He was only a kid, lost not in the physical context, but in the confused, trying to find my place in the world context. He was seeking acceptance from his peers, from his god, and maybe even from himself. He’d been misled by deceitful cowards who saw an impressionable kid willing to buy into their evil belief’s. He was an expendable

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1110907092637459422005-03-15T12:07:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.488-05:00

Title of Blog:This Is “My War,” This Is “Your War.” From Everywhere in Iraq to Everyone Outside Iraq. From writing about Iraq, to writing about everything else. This “War” Blog Was Made for You and MeSubtitle:This blog was created to help me retain my sanity. It is designed to entertain me. In the off chance that it entertains you, then God help you. Insert redundant disclaimer here.Post Title:

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1110744464483520772005-03-13T15:05:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.359-05:00

I haven’t taken a shower in a couple of days. My busy schedule has kept me from doing so. I’m tired, hungry and my back is aching from wearing the ridiculous amount of shit that is required of us. The weight and tightness of my body armor cause my upper torso to sweat, even when it’s chilly outside. My face, neck, and hands have a light coat of dirt and dust that cling to the perspiration and oil

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1110516896933403122005-03-10T23:48:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.265-05:00

We are finally back on patrol cycle. It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve been out on a combat patrol. I’m so damn sick of guard. I didn’t come half way around the planet to pull guard for a bunch of lazy ass soldiers that never leave the gate. Somebody at 3rd ID needs to get off their ass and change a few things about guard. Either they need to do it, or 42nd I.D. needs to do it. They’re

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1110277465329273152005-03-08T05:18:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.173-05:00

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, but I’m just now getting around to doing it. There are a lot of good people back home in the States, and some of them actually read this blog. Their heart’s are good and their desire to help soldiers, as well as the children of Iraq, is apparent in the emails that I receive. Being a soldier myself, I’m obviously interested in helping fellow

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1110057015207802892005-03-05T15:50:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:40.080-05:00

I've just returned from a week at the Tigris River. Our company is responsible for guarding one of the few bridges that cross it. The bridge is important for logistical reasons and therefore must be guarded at all times. It's kind of nice to get away from the FOB for a week, but I still would rather be out doing patrols. Patrolling is obviously more exciting, if not more tiring, but at least you

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1109072546058925192005-02-22T05:29:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.976-05:00

I wanted to write about a little trip we took a few days ago to Anaconda. Anaconda is an airfield somewhere near Balad.Our day started at 0330 when we woke up to do our pci's on our humvee's to get them ready for an early morning mission. We were leaving around 0500. Thank goodness I had an hour and a half to get everything ready when it actually only takes about 30 minutes. We went out to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1108967444735076532005-02-21T00:18:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.880-05:00

Yesterday I saw two familiar scenes of this war. Only one will you see on your nightly news, specifically CNN. Two days ago our day began at 0330 and didn't end until 2200. It was a day worth telling and hopefully I will get the time to tell it. We were all obviously worn out from the previous days two missions, but that didn't stop us from having an even longer day yesterday. Yesterday we got to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1108756017295881862005-02-18T14:22:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.674-05:00

It's 10:25 and I have to get up in five hours. Unfortunately I only have 30 minutes on this computer and it's slow as hell and blogger is even slower. If I wanted to stay busy this year then I came to the right place. I'm doubting whether or not I will have time to do anything besides sleep, eat, and go on missions. Oh well, I didn't come over here for the cuisine. The past two days have been

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1108292234517769062005-02-13T05:32:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.542-05:00

Sorry I haven't written sooner, but we have been busy since we finally got up to our FOB. They gave us a couple of days to acclimate and settle in before we began a whirlwind of patrols for the past four days. You think we have bad drivers back in the states, you should come over here. These people truly drive it like they stole it. Of course their driving is nothing compared to the way we drive

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1107311127133779932005-02-01T20:49:00.001-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.452-05:00

I don't think the army could possibly be any slower getting from one place to another. I am truly amazed that I am not yet in Iraq. All of us are longing to get settled at our FOB, but we have to actually leave here first. I actually have work to do during the days, but so many of us do not and the days are increasingly becoming long and boring. You would be amazed it you walked in my tent

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1106792479543302762005-01-26T20:41:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.238-05:00

Wonderful Kuwait, my favorite place in the world. I would pay large sums of money to go up to Iraq right now. This is my fourth different time in Kuwait, and while the amenities have gotten a lot better, it doesn't change the fact that is sucks. I'm at Camp Buerhing along with the rest of the 3rd Infantry Division. This desolate piece of desert in the middle of nowhere has become a small city

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1105853850176154112005-01-16T01:25:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:39.157-05:00

It's almost time to leave. This may be my final post until I can find a computer somewhere in Kuwait. Time is growing short, and I have a few more things to do before I go. Tomorrow night I will have dinner with some extended family members and the rest of the time will be spent with my wife. She has been a trooper about all of this. I can't imagine what she must be going through these last few

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1105598942603109562005-01-13T01:36:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.954-05:00

3-25-03 Iraq Today was windy and cold when we first woke up this morning. Making it even harder to get up was the fact that Bryan and I had a two hour roving guard shift in the middle of the night. Once we were up, we cleaned all of our gear and got word of an order that was going to extend over a period of three days. Twice each day we were going to set up on the outskirts of the city along

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1105075808703177432005-01-06T22:32:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.851-05:00

4-8-03 Baghdad Day the Lieutenant's Bradley Got Hit Today was our second traffic blocking mission in two days. We blocked an overpass with all four of our platoon's Bradley's. Two Brads on one end, two on the other. This overpass and the highway underneath it are exactly like anything back home in the states. The similarities of this highway to the interstates back home made the battles raging

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1104526377833214052004-12-31T15:33:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.757-05:00

I want to wish those deployed away from home a happy new year. If anyone deployed is reading this, I hope you can find something fun and peaceful to entertain you this new year. Happy new year to anyone else reading this as well. I always thought New Years was kind of overrated, but at least I'm home and able to enjoy time with family. I apologize for not posting much since Christmas. I've been

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1104014725092730612004-12-25T17:40:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.664-05:00

Merry Christmas. Thanks to all that stop by here.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1103867774771366992004-12-23T23:53:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.558-05:00

4-4-03 Outside of Baghdad Woke up early before the sun was up. I was standing next to the Bradley, busy shaving and eating, when I got interrupted by a couple of random shots that whistled past us. Damn it! Can these pricks at least wait until I'm done shaving. Show a little common courtesy. I can deal with being shot at while I'm trying to eat, but dammit, don't screw with me when I'm shaving.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1103737237720591712004-12-22T11:58:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.450-05:00

By now I'm sure all of you have heard about the attack at the dining hall in Mosul yesterday. I couldn't help but think of the family members of those killed or wounded. During this Christmas season, I know it must be especially hard on the loved ones of those killed. I hope you will join me in praying for the families of the soldier's, the soldier's themselves, and for all those serving in Iraq

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1103352400293659502004-12-18T01:38:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.231-05:00

4-3-03 Today was more intense than our last day of fighting. We woke up early and moved into our objective before 0700. The Bradleys, ours included, had many engagements, destroying vehicles and dismounts. There's no better drama than listening to the radio chatter during these chaotic moments. Our crew trying to identify targets, identifying them, and then the thump thump thump of the 25mm or

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1103259823568984652004-12-17T01:00:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:38.127-05:00

These are the people that are depending on us to finish the fight. We signed out on block leave today. I have about a month before I head back to Allah's country. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather spend over a year of my life. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy the Christmas season, and not let my thoughts be consumed by my upcoming deployment.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102998832987441402004-12-13T23:00:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:37.885-05:00

4-15-03 Baghdad Woke up this morning at our AO(area of operations), which last night was a school's soccer field. The field has a built in barrier between us and the crowds of people anxious for a peak at us. Guarding us on all four sides, except for a small break in one corner, is a brick wall, standing about eight feet high. We're constantly having to tell the locals, mostly boys and girls

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102787668606076792004-12-11T13:22:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:37.244-05:00

I'm personally getting tired of all the bitching about stop-loss. Eight soldiers have actually filed a lawsuit over the matter. Some of you may ask, what right do you have criticizing these soldiers. I'll be more than happy to tell you. I enlisted in the Army for three years in March of 2002. You can probably do the math. That's right, I'm supposed to get out in March of 2005. Guess what, I'm not

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102447170646773682004-12-07T13:11:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:37.076-05:00

4-14-03 Baghdad More day and night patrols. We are rock stars. Today's patrol was beyond hectic because of the throngs of people crowding around us. We finally had to turn back for the second time in two days, the crowd getting out of hand. Little kids everywhere. Wanting to talk, to know your name and where your from. Every kid seems to know one another. They like to get close, which makes our

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102392478919866992004-12-06T22:25:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.977-05:00

I noticed that someone commented that I should post my journal entries in chronological order. The initial randomness to my postings came from the fact that there are some things that I don't want to write on here, at least not yet. 3-19-03 16:27 Zulu Camp Maine, Kuwait A few miles from the border The eve of war. We've moved from our area of operations to another area of the camp.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102179131486450252004-12-04T11:02:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.882-05:00

Someone left a comment asking me if I had thought of posting another journal entry from the war. I don't know if people want to read these or not, and I'm not sure of how much to actually say, as some of them are intimately personal and somewhat graphic. Please pardon me if you find these boring, but until I return to Iraq, where interesting stories abound, there isn't a whole hell of lot to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1102110358183750592004-12-03T16:22:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.788-05:00

I happened upon this today. Not expecting to see my blog on there, I was suprised and dismayed that it actually was. Thanks to the kind sole that actually nominated me for that, but come on, my crappy blog doesn't deserve to be on that. I found the link on Mudville and decided to check it out just to see if there were any mil blogs out there I hadn't seen. There are, and I'm glad I was able to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1101877859928116432004-11-30T22:55:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.694-05:00

FRG(Family Readiness Group). We had a mandatory FRG meeting the other night, the final one before we deploy. It was basically two and a half hours of wasted time. Two and a half hours I could have spent at home with my wife. Oh, the Army and their wonderful programs. How nice it would be to join the army and do nothing except fight. Unfortunately we have to endure what seems like hundreds of

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1101392931430838732004-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.617-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all that read this. I encourage you to pray for all of the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere who are away from their families this Thanksgiving. I pray that they will have some time to enjoy a decent meal and a little peace on this day. These are a few things I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for my precious wife, who is already preparing herself for when I leave. I'm

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1101266997365062872004-11-23T21:52:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.519-05:00

Here's my problem. I want to take a digital camcorder with me to Iraq to record some of my adventures, but I don't have enough experience with them to know which one to choose. So, anybody out there with some knowledge about camcorders please drop me a line. Also, if I do have internet access over there, I might be able to post some of the videos for people to view. Next question, does anyone

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1101098661381522262004-11-21T22:57:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.329-05:00

Tonight I was sitting here wondering what I could write about, so I picked up a small journal I kept during the war. I haven't looked at it in a long time, and I've been meaning to rewrite it in ink, since I originally wrote in it with pencil and it's beginning to fade from the paper and into distant memory. Things are infinitely more interesting when you are writing in a combat zone- intense

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100933174589957332004-11-20T01:08:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.235-05:00

Greyhawk, over at The Mudville Gazette was kind enough to post a link to my blog. If you get the chance, I highly recommend you take the time to read his blog. It's very informative, with lots of information on what's going on in Iraq. It also highlights a lot of military blogs, most of which are far more entertaining that this one. Not trying to sound self-deprecating or humble, just telling

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100835004598137982004-11-18T21:59:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.142-05:00

The things we take with us. For a year long trip to Iraq, everything we take with us has to fit into three duffel bags, a rucksack, and an assault pack. Today we had to pack away one of our duffel bags in a connex that will be shipped out before us. Most of what we put in these bags is obviously army issued, but after putting into each bag the various items on the packing list, any space left

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100667140407265852004-11-16T23:07:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:36.059-05:00

Nothing quite as stimulating as having the wonderful opportunity to stand in line for three hours at the TMC(Troop Medical Clinic) and receive the yearly shots that the Army feels will make me immune to every Known disease on the planet. The first station is the hearing test, where you enter a supposedly sound proof booth, put on a pair of enormous headphones, grab a joystick like device with

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100582785202049602004-11-15T23:35:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:35.981-05:00

It's hard for me to find fault with this Marine. Try to imagine what he has been through in the days leading up to this moment. He is tired from a lack of sleep and an adrenaline rush that hasn't ceased in days. He's tired from the amount of weight he is carrying on his weary shoulders, the same weight that offers him protection from a bullet or shrapnel that would otherwise pierce his flesh with

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100467181949044902004-11-14T16:14:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:35.902-05:00

Operational security is very important in our line of work. Even if I didn't think it was, my superiors definitely do. Because of that, and to ease their minds should they stumble upon this little blog, I will never write about anything that I feel will in any way aid the enemy. I will do my best to describe to you the daily experiences of an infantrymen in detail. Combat is one thing, but what

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681368.post-1100409102199233622004-11-13T23:52:00.000-05:002006-11-15T18:05:35.821-05:00

I will be returning to Iraq around two months from now. What to do with my time. Where should I go, who should I see, what should I take, how do I tell my pregnant wife that everything is going to be okay? How do you leave someone for a year? How different will it be when I finally come home? What will I be doing the day my unborn son greets this world? These and many other questions are on my

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158709157546637224noreply@blogger.com