May 27, 2012
Disclaimer #1, to the readers of this blog:
The last entry I made here was in August of 2010 I think. Obviously, since I am writing this nearly 2 years later, a lot has happened since that last entry, including my end of active service from the USMC. Another thing that happened after that last entry was that I took this blog off the grid because it had been discovered by someone who was in Kajaki at the same time I was. You can see his amusing comment on that last post, anonymous of course. I have already been formally punished by my former CO for writing this blog. So if any more gung-ho staff ncos or officers come rampaging into this webspace thinking they're going to wave a finger around and get me in trouble...again, then this is the disclaimer for you. You're late to the party; I stood before the man almost 2 years ago. Go find someone else to pick on.
Disclaimer #2, to people who appear in this blog:
Towards the end of my deployment I was more careful about not using names in here than I was at the beginning. If you appear in this blog and want me to take your name off, send me an email and let me know the exact post and where you appear in. The only people I disparaged in these entries were General McChrystal and two staff ncos who were identified by my command due to their billets being referenced. Anyone else I mentioned only to identify their participation in certain events taking place around me. I can understand if you don't want to be named though, so I'll remove you at your request.
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Now that those are out of the way I thought I'd just write a few words. I thank everyone who read this blog and emailed me for various reasons during my deployment two years ago. Again, that was a while back and a lot has happened so this feels kind of weird to write. Obviously I would've written this entry in 2010, but since I had been discovered I got really paranoid and took my blog off the net right away. It didn't matter; they actually had the whole thing printed out on a desk at Lejeune anyway. It really sucked because I was on leave at the time Mr. Perfect contacted my unit to tell them about my blog, so I spent the last week or so at home feeling really nervous and paranoid, and stupid honestly.
Like I said, my active service is now over though, so I'm bringing this blog back for anyone who's interested in reading. This is a pretty important chapter in my life and I'd rather not have it be silenced for all eternity. It can be my historical record of participation in Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 (for which I received three letters of appreciation).
For whatever reasons you read this, I'd like to give you a word of warning. These journal entries were not written by a calm and collected individual. They were written by a really stressed out, pissed off, frustrated Marine who perceived the world differently than most people around him at the time. I'm not apologizing for anything that's written here, but it's not G rated. If you're looking for a flag waving portrayal of our nation's fighting force in Afghanistan, look elsewhere. And if you know me personally and are reading this story for the first time, you may be shocked at how blunt my words are. Just be prepared for things to be unpleasant.
Last, I'd like to extend my personal thanks to the service members fighting for our freedom everyday. I worked with a lot of them, and while I didn't get along with many and have a pretty sour taste in my mouth from my four years in the Marines, I respect our armed forces and will always hold them generally in high regard. It's just not the life for me.
Thanks,
John
Disclaimer #1, to the readers of this blog:
The last entry I made here was in August of 2010 I think. Obviously, since I am writing this nearly 2 years later, a lot has happened since that last entry, including my end of active service from the USMC. Another thing that happened after that last entry was that I took this blog off the grid because it had been discovered by someone who was in Kajaki at the same time I was. You can see his amusing comment on that last post, anonymous of course. I have already been formally punished by my former CO for writing this blog. So if any more gung-ho staff ncos or officers come rampaging into this webspace thinking they're going to wave a finger around and get me in trouble...again, then this is the disclaimer for you. You're late to the party; I stood before the man almost 2 years ago. Go find someone else to pick on.
Disclaimer #2, to people who appear in this blog:
Towards the end of my deployment I was more careful about not using names in here than I was at the beginning. If you appear in this blog and want me to take your name off, send me an email and let me know the exact post and where you appear in. The only people I disparaged in these entries were General McChrystal and two staff ncos who were identified by my command due to their billets being referenced. Anyone else I mentioned only to identify their participation in certain events taking place around me. I can understand if you don't want to be named though, so I'll remove you at your request.
========================================================================
Now that those are out of the way I thought I'd just write a few words. I thank everyone who read this blog and emailed me for various reasons during my deployment two years ago. Again, that was a while back and a lot has happened so this feels kind of weird to write. Obviously I would've written this entry in 2010, but since I had been discovered I got really paranoid and took my blog off the net right away. It didn't matter; they actually had the whole thing printed out on a desk at Lejeune anyway. It really sucked because I was on leave at the time Mr. Perfect contacted my unit to tell them about my blog, so I spent the last week or so at home feeling really nervous and paranoid, and stupid honestly.
Like I said, my active service is now over though, so I'm bringing this blog back for anyone who's interested in reading. This is a pretty important chapter in my life and I'd rather not have it be silenced for all eternity. It can be my historical record of participation in Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 (for which I received three letters of appreciation).
For whatever reasons you read this, I'd like to give you a word of warning. These journal entries were not written by a calm and collected individual. They were written by a really stressed out, pissed off, frustrated Marine who perceived the world differently than most people around him at the time. I'm not apologizing for anything that's written here, but it's not G rated. If you're looking for a flag waving portrayal of our nation's fighting force in Afghanistan, look elsewhere. And if you know me personally and are reading this story for the first time, you may be shocked at how blunt my words are. Just be prepared for things to be unpleasant.
Last, I'd like to extend my personal thanks to the service members fighting for our freedom everyday. I worked with a lot of them, and while I didn't get along with many and have a pretty sour taste in my mouth from my four years in the Marines, I respect our armed forces and will always hold them generally in high regard. It's just not the life for me.
Thanks,
John
