May 26, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
02:00
Wow, so things keep getting better, and better, and BETTER over here! Life in a deployed status is just peachy right now.
Here are some things I have neglected to mention for one reason or another in my past few entries...
My body armor is defective. Take a deep breath. Inhale through your nose. Hold it. Slow release. Close your eyes. Now let me repeat myself. MY BODY ARMOR IS DEFECTIVE! What!? How is that possible!? The Marine Corps is in a constant state of deployment cycles (since 2001) which means that I'm either deployed, recovering from a deployment, or getting ready to deploy again. Don't you think that sometime between deployments, like during the training of AN ENTIRE BATTALION, the manufacturers would NOTICE THAT THEIR ARMOR PLATES WERE DEFECTIVE!?
Wait, wouldn't they just friggin' notice this DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MATERIALS IN THE FIRST PLACE!? Isn't this something they're supposed to notice before they issue it to people WHO ARE GOING TO A FRIGGIN' WAR!?
I can't believe how people back home would receive this information. I feel like I need to have a 60 minute stand up routine every week for at least 6 months to explain how modern war really is over here. There's no way that after the constant bombardment of war movies and television in the U.S., the American people could ever imagine what war has become. They've got it engraved in their minds that it's a noble thing to keep the peace in some part of the world, and keep bad guys from getting to America.
Well, here I sit in the middle of a war, with plates that go into the sides of my flak jacket THAT ARE DEFECTIVE! Define defective? I can't. I'm not sure what it means. Does it mean that when the bullet hits me in the side, it goes through the SAPI plate? Does it mean the plate just shatters in a way it wasn't designed to? Does it mean...what else could it mean? Nothing is explained to me other than "If your side SAPIs have 'this serial number on them' then they're defective and they need to be replaced. Let us know if yours are defective."
Guess what? THAT WAS ALMOST A MONTH AGO! That means I've had defective body armor for almost a month, and it hasn't been replaced. A wise man once told me, "You gotta laugh, or you're gonna cry." That statement hasn't been more true in any other situation throughout my life. I'm in a war. My body armor doesn't work. They won't replace it. No one will help me. Rockets get shot at the base I live in. Unbelievable. Nearly a month later...no action taken. Who are these fucking IDIOTS supplying the USMC with defective armor? I'll have to check the SAPI plates for a URL advertisement or something.
So, now that I'm laughing to hold back the tears, I'm about to start laughing even harder for the same reason in relation to another development a couple days ago.
And you're thinking..."John...what could that possibly be?"
My helmet is defective. Take another deep breath. I'm taking another deep breath. My helmet is defective? Yes, my helmet is defective.
I'm trying to figure out how the civilian contractors who build this stuff discover (months, if not years later) that it's defective.
"Hey, let's test the helmet today!"
"Why? We already sold it!"
And so they test it for the first time...ever...and discover it doesn't work. Oh yeah, people are already in a war zone with the defective helmets. Then what do they say after they realize the stuff is defective?
"Oops?"
Maybe they discover it's defective after someone dies wearing it. I wouldn't rule out that possibility either. There isn't any way I can convey how frustrating life is here in text. I'd need to stand on a street corner and just scream at people. Then they'd take me for a lunatic, but that's what I'd become if I had to be here for any longer than what I'm anticipating. Apparently "The Colonel" is coming to this base to tell us what our flight dates are for our return home. Must be some juicy bit of information because he has to tell us in person. Does this mean he's coming in person to apologize because we have to stay longer?
"Oh, yeah, remember the 30,000 troops that were going to surge here? Well, they're all here now and you're a part of them, so you can't leave till 2011! Gotchya!"
In other news, every day now we have to have an "Accountability Formation" to make sure everyone one is accounted for and that no one has gone AWOL into Afghanistan where there are so many opportunities and reasons for a U.S. service member to do so.
By the way, this formation is at 18:00. I work from 00:00 to 12:00. So...now I basically have to wake up in the middle of my day's worth of sleep to stand around with a bunch of other idiots who aren't in my platoon and listen to the instructions they get for the next day's work. Of course, we work on a 12 hour cycle, and therefore my day is the same everyday, so I know no one in a Security, Motor Transportation, or Heavy Equipment platoon is going to tell me what I'm doing the next day. Why? Because I have my own platoon sergeant and platoon commander for that thing.
Nonetheless, I have to wake up before 18:00 (the equivalent of someone on a normal sleeping schedule waking up around...between 1:00-3:00AM) and stand there for ten minutes just to feel like shit while someone makes sure I'm still here and follows by saying a bunch of crap that doesn't apply to me.
Yesterday, we were threatened. Because our company gunnery sergeant, a staff sergeant, is tired of "cleaning up after us" in the heads, he is threatening to post SIX MARINES AT A TIME at all times outside of the bathrooms. They'll make sure all the paper towels are thrown away after people exit the bathroom.
Of course, you can't reason with a staff sergeant, who not surprisingly is an asshole former drill instructor. Incidentally, former DIs have a really hard time letting go of boot camp and persist in treating everyone below their level of authority like recruits, even though we're marines now.
Anyway, like I was saying, you can't reason with him. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAID TO CLEAN THE BATHROOMS TWICE A DAY! But it's our fault that it gets dirty in there! And, it MUST BE BRAVO COMPANY MARINES' FAULT that the bathrooms get dirty with Georgians, Afghan Interpreters, and MARINES FROM ANY OTHER UNIT ON THE BASE using the bathrooms. But no...we get threatened. I guess we needed 30,000 troops to come over here so we could spare enough at a time to post six at once to stand outside a couple bathrooms and have a continuous relief for 24 hours a day. If this actually happens, will I be surprised? No. If this actually happens and they pick LS marines to do it, will I be surprised? No. It doesn't matter that my platoon is the only platoon in the company who has a designated platoon commander that's an officer, we still get the shit slapped out of our face on a daily basis.
Now, the next time I get on facebook and see some peer of mine, some college student who has a bathroom in their apartment and has to only take a few steps to reach it, someone who can get drunk if they need to self medicate at the end of the weekend, someone who never has to worry about electricity, someone who never has to take fucking cover when bombs rain down on their neighborhood TYPE "FML" IN THEIR FACEBOOK STATUS...I'll probably lose it.
Fuck your life? Are you fucking kidding me?
And yes, I didn't get drafted. I wanted to enlist. And if I could go back in time, find myself, and beat the shit out of myself two years ago for even having the thought, I would.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Going Live
May 24, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
03:44
Today marks the end of the "recorded" posting, hopefully. By recorded, I mean that I wrote them and posted them later, much like a TV show that is recorded and then aired after it has been filmed.
Now, I'm back to live posting. That is to say, when I make a post on this blog, the day I posted it is the day I've written it. This makes things more timely. I've edited the dates on the last five or six posts to reflect the days I wrote them, and not the days I posted them, so the timeframe makes more sense.
I just added the two last "recorded" posts today, so don't miss those. Tomorrow, I'll probably resume with another substantial entry about life in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
03:44
Today marks the end of the "recorded" posting, hopefully. By recorded, I mean that I wrote them and posted them later, much like a TV show that is recorded and then aired after it has been filmed.
Now, I'm back to live posting. That is to say, when I make a post on this blog, the day I posted it is the day I've written it. This makes things more timely. I've edited the dates on the last five or six posts to reflect the days I wrote them, and not the days I posted them, so the timeframe makes more sense.
I just added the two last "recorded" posts today, so don't miss those. Tomorrow, I'll probably resume with another substantial entry about life in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Friday, May 7, 2010
John 8:12
May 7, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
17:05
(I really need to go to sleep right now, but I forgot to make this entry yesterday.)
At some point during my shift yesterday, my Platoon Sergeant radioed down to the A/DACG (Arrival/Departure Air Control Group) tent.
"Start heading up to the COC armory one at a time. They need to 'make a modification' to your ACOG. It'll take thirty seconds."
Okay, I thought. I left the tent and walked through the ECP, passing through the concertina wire into the compound. Ahead was the large "Twenty-Foot ISO" as we call them, just a big container like you'd see on a cargo ship. This one houses the armory.
I walked up to the marine working there.
"Uh, so what's going on?" I ask the guy.
"This'll only take a second," he says.
Aware that he really didn't answer my question, I asked him again and he held the rifle close to my face so I could see what was going on.
"There's a bible verse on the ACOG. The Marine Corps says it's not allowed anymore."
"What?" I ask and look at the ACOG scope. Sure enough, "JN8:12" is printed in small raised letters on the scope. How did I never notice this and why did no one ever point it out?
He scraped the letters off and painted black over the silvery area, blackening it again. A million ideas swam through my head when he handed the rifle back. They probably would've been more clear if I'd known offhand what verse John 8:12 was.
Just the basic idea that a bible verse was cited on my rifle scope brought questions to my mind. I find every aspect of this idea to be significant. It's even significant that neither me, nor anyone else I know had any idea it was even there. Was it there to merit some kind of blessing on my weapon? Why else would it be there?
I just don't get it, man. I don't understand.
See, after the year of college I went through prior to enlistment, particularly the first semester, I became incredibly fascinated by semiotics. I have to "over think" (if that's possible) everything now, because I realize there's a meaning and reason behind everything. Every little detail in every aspect of life has meaning behind it.
So, now, the moment I realize that the good book is quoted on the optic I use to see the person I'm meant to kill (warning shots are not allowed), it's gone. The USMC decided that about half an inch of English characters needed to be removed.
Why? Because it's more politically correct that way probably. I'm not saying I agree with my religion being stamped on a death machine. I don't think it should have been there (if it actually was indeed a verse). I just find it amusing that the military is so brazen in its new methods. It couldn't strike me as any more blatantly obvious that the military is no longer representing the interests of the American people. The military is unabashedly clear about this now, but most service members don't know the difference, or don't care. We no longer fight for the American people; we fight for the American government. Don't even think of telling me that they're one in the same. I love my country. It inspires me and it has inspired endless people for generations. The people governing the United States have lost sight of the important things.
I'm getting tired of real genuine American patriotism fading into darkness. Now, there's a group of people who stand up and shout for joy at anything with a U.S. flag stamped on it. Do they blindly support their country, or do they blindly support their government, possibly in spite of the people who question it? Are they cheering for the flag, or are they cheering for the politicians who freeze a smile when the public spotlight is on them? They don't even know the answer.
I'm not good at finding symbolism (even though I'm fascinated by it), but I feel there was something symbolic about that verse being chipped away and my rifle returning to me with a shiny black area freshly painted over.
"Take it easy," the armorer said.
"Alright," I answered, and left.
John 8:12 - New International Version
"When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
17:05
(I really need to go to sleep right now, but I forgot to make this entry yesterday.)
At some point during my shift yesterday, my Platoon Sergeant radioed down to the A/DACG (Arrival/Departure Air Control Group) tent.
"Start heading up to the COC armory one at a time. They need to 'make a modification' to your ACOG. It'll take thirty seconds."
Okay, I thought. I left the tent and walked through the ECP, passing through the concertina wire into the compound. Ahead was the large "Twenty-Foot ISO" as we call them, just a big container like you'd see on a cargo ship. This one houses the armory.
I walked up to the marine working there.
"Uh, so what's going on?" I ask the guy.
"This'll only take a second," he says.
Aware that he really didn't answer my question, I asked him again and he held the rifle close to my face so I could see what was going on.
"There's a bible verse on the ACOG. The Marine Corps says it's not allowed anymore."
"What?" I ask and look at the ACOG scope. Sure enough, "JN8:12" is printed in small raised letters on the scope. How did I never notice this and why did no one ever point it out?
He scraped the letters off and painted black over the silvery area, blackening it again. A million ideas swam through my head when he handed the rifle back. They probably would've been more clear if I'd known offhand what verse John 8:12 was.
Just the basic idea that a bible verse was cited on my rifle scope brought questions to my mind. I find every aspect of this idea to be significant. It's even significant that neither me, nor anyone else I know had any idea it was even there. Was it there to merit some kind of blessing on my weapon? Why else would it be there?
I just don't get it, man. I don't understand.
See, after the year of college I went through prior to enlistment, particularly the first semester, I became incredibly fascinated by semiotics. I have to "over think" (if that's possible) everything now, because I realize there's a meaning and reason behind everything. Every little detail in every aspect of life has meaning behind it.
So, now, the moment I realize that the good book is quoted on the optic I use to see the person I'm meant to kill (warning shots are not allowed), it's gone. The USMC decided that about half an inch of English characters needed to be removed.
Why? Because it's more politically correct that way probably. I'm not saying I agree with my religion being stamped on a death machine. I don't think it should have been there (if it actually was indeed a verse). I just find it amusing that the military is so brazen in its new methods. It couldn't strike me as any more blatantly obvious that the military is no longer representing the interests of the American people. The military is unabashedly clear about this now, but most service members don't know the difference, or don't care. We no longer fight for the American people; we fight for the American government. Don't even think of telling me that they're one in the same. I love my country. It inspires me and it has inspired endless people for generations. The people governing the United States have lost sight of the important things.
I'm getting tired of real genuine American patriotism fading into darkness. Now, there's a group of people who stand up and shout for joy at anything with a U.S. flag stamped on it. Do they blindly support their country, or do they blindly support their government, possibly in spite of the people who question it? Are they cheering for the flag, or are they cheering for the politicians who freeze a smile when the public spotlight is on them? They don't even know the answer.
I'm not good at finding symbolism (even though I'm fascinated by it), but I feel there was something symbolic about that verse being chipped away and my rifle returning to me with a shiny black area freshly painted over.
"Take it easy," the armorer said.
"Alright," I answered, and left.
John 8:12 - New International Version
"When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A Visual on Toby Keith in Afghanistan
May 5, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
09:30
So, I'm sitting here manifesting passengers (yes, I take my laptop to work) to fly out on the flight that Toby Keith is supposed to arrive on. Now, I'm going to close the computer and return to finish this entry after the celebrity debarks the helicopter. I'm not sure if I'll actually see the guy, or if he'll be surrounded by his posse. Either way, this should be interesting...
15:06
It wasn't interesting.
The flight was supposed to come in at 10:15. This was pushed back to 13:05, which must have been cancelled, because he came in on the 14:35 flight, over four hours late.
I was sitting on my bed watching True Blood when I heard helicopters, so I walked outside (my tent is the closest one to the LZ) to take a look. Of course there were about four SUVs sitting out their waiting, which seems like more than what there usually are for military VIPs. I'm not surprised.
A group of people came off the birds and a few marines grouped up next to me. They were a couple sergeants and a staff sergeant. They started pulling off their ACOGs (rifle scope) to get a better look. Yes, they ruined the zeroing of their rifle sights so they could look at Toby Keith.
"He's the one on the left wearing the flak all fucked up," one of them said while looking through his scope.
I saw who he was talking about, and sure enough a guitar case was swung from the man's hand into the trunk of an SUV. The best part was the flatbed seven-ton waiting to take all of his equipment for him to play a show. Just like a bunch of little servants. Funny how when something flies in that's mission critical and just sits in the cargo lot for almost a week isn't seen as being important, but Toby Keith's luggage is. But we cater to civilians here, and that especially applies to celebrities.
Eventually the series of SUVs (with tinted windows) drove by us with all the VIP party members inside. I couldn't tell which one Toby Keith was in, and I expected him to at least wave or something, which he didn't.
The funny idea is, I have no idea when he's supposed to play. I guess I'll just have to listen for the music? No one told us a thing.
NOTE May 24, 2010:
He did never play at Delaram 2 and left the same day only a few hours later to play a concert at Camp Leatherneck the same night.
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
09:30
So, I'm sitting here manifesting passengers (yes, I take my laptop to work) to fly out on the flight that Toby Keith is supposed to arrive on. Now, I'm going to close the computer and return to finish this entry after the celebrity debarks the helicopter. I'm not sure if I'll actually see the guy, or if he'll be surrounded by his posse. Either way, this should be interesting...
15:06
It wasn't interesting.
The flight was supposed to come in at 10:15. This was pushed back to 13:05, which must have been cancelled, because he came in on the 14:35 flight, over four hours late.
I was sitting on my bed watching True Blood when I heard helicopters, so I walked outside (my tent is the closest one to the LZ) to take a look. Of course there were about four SUVs sitting out their waiting, which seems like more than what there usually are for military VIPs. I'm not surprised.
A group of people came off the birds and a few marines grouped up next to me. They were a couple sergeants and a staff sergeant. They started pulling off their ACOGs (rifle scope) to get a better look. Yes, they ruined the zeroing of their rifle sights so they could look at Toby Keith.
"He's the one on the left wearing the flak all fucked up," one of them said while looking through his scope.
I saw who he was talking about, and sure enough a guitar case was swung from the man's hand into the trunk of an SUV. The best part was the flatbed seven-ton waiting to take all of his equipment for him to play a show. Just like a bunch of little servants. Funny how when something flies in that's mission critical and just sits in the cargo lot for almost a week isn't seen as being important, but Toby Keith's luggage is. But we cater to civilians here, and that especially applies to celebrities.
Eventually the series of SUVs (with tinted windows) drove by us with all the VIP party members inside. I couldn't tell which one Toby Keith was in, and I expected him to at least wave or something, which he didn't.
The funny idea is, I have no idea when he's supposed to play. I guess I'll just have to listen for the music? No one told us a thing.
NOTE May 24, 2010:
He did never play at Delaram 2 and left the same day only a few hours later to play a concert at Camp Leatherneck the same night.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Definition: Motard
April 26, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
09:12
I decided to write on this topic soon after finishing another post, but I made it a new entry because it's a completely different subject.
There are many words in the Marine Corps that a civilian would ask me to repeat if I dropped in a normal conversation. There's a Mount Everest of acronyms to sift through as well. Some of them we even pronounce like a made up word. Actually, we pronounce every acronym we can like a normal word. It helps us remember it I guess.
If I said "Ooh-Rah!" to someone, they'd probably know I was a marine, but it's still not a word that a civilian would use in normal conversation. That's not the word I'm thinking of right now.
I'm thinking of the word "motard."
Mike Oscar Tango Alpha Romeo Delta...
motard (mow-tard) n. derived from motivation and retard
A person so overcome by, or exuding excessive military esprit de corps that his or her mind and/or outward acts no longer carry and reasonable sensibilities.
I think the first time I ever heard the word "moto" was in Recruit Training. The "Moto Run" was an event designed to show off newly minted marines to their friends and families on "Family Day" at MCRD San Diego. It stands for Motivational Run. Notice "moto" appears nowhere in the word "motivation," and is therefore a destruction of the English language, something the Marine Corps is no stranger to.
I'm not sure where I heard the word "motard" first, but I feel like I've been thinking about it a lot lately. There are a few different types of motards. The following system is based on my own personal experience and beliefs. I have not stolen this list from anyone, nor do I encourage anyone to steal it from me without accrediting my name.
I think there are five classes of marines: A through C are motards. D and F are not.
The Five Classes of a United States Marine:
Class Alpha (is a motard)
These marines are the real deal. There are VERY FEW of them within the ranks of E-4 (Corporal) and below. Most alpha marines tend to be sergeants and above, but I believe most of them are officers, major and above. These are marines who legitimately continue to stay n the Marine Corps because they actually love their country and do what they can in remembrance of the Star Spangled Banner. Their salutes are crisp, their verbal greetings are loud and prideful. They'll gladly pin on any rank as long as it's a marine rank. They diligently perform their assigned duties in accordance with the leadership traits and principles of the Marine Corpe and exemplify them all in throughout any given day. They have three middle names: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Though they physically exemplify everything that a Marine Corps recruiting poster would promise, they cease to be normal human beings. Everything they do is for the military with little to no focus on their own personal gain outside of military life (that is the lie of a recruiting poster). Their devotion to Marine Corps customs and traditions is so intense that they would follow any traditional procedure or ceremony blindly, even if it compromised their own values and beliefs. Class A marines are a dying breed. America is filled with millions of people who no longer have any principles or morals, and therefore these people continue to join the Marine Corps lessening the numbers of Class alpha marines. They will be extinct within the next thirty years. Class alpha marines are either first, second, third, or fourth generation descendants of the kind of leadership and attitude implemented during the island hopping campaigns in World War II. Either that, or they personally served in World War II (once a marine, always a marine).
Class Bravo (is a motard)
Class Bravo marines are those who exemplify the kind of selfishness that permeates the business world. They strive tirelessly for their own personal gain and advancement through the rank structure. This is all done under the guise that they are class alpha marines while they most certainly are not. In fact, they are almost polar opposites. Wile alphas are some of the most selfless human beings on the planet whose sole objective is to work and fight for the next man, class bravos' objectives are for their own benefit. The deceit of a class bravo marine is that of an actor. When no superiors are in the nearby area, class bravo marines will act like normal people. When in front of superiors, they radiate a sickeningly positive and overall attitude towards their duties, when in fact; they feel very little legitimate interest in anything involving the Marine Corps. If you've ever been around a group of Mormons (not to single anyone out of bash a religion) dressed alike wearing white shirts and black pants with nametags, you may understand where I'm coming from. It's hard to tell if these people are actually being nice and smiling a lot because they're actually happy to talk to you, or just because they feel as if they have to and it's one way to get their foot in the door. Class bravo marines are the supreme ass-kissers.
Class Charlie (is a motard)
Like bravo class, charlies are in it only for personal gain and advancement and not for their fellow marines. Unlike bravos, they may actually admire some of the Marine Corps customs and traditions. They are loud, obnoxious, and most of the time unintelligent and rude. For lack of a better word, class charlie marines are douche bags. I.E., they're the perfect example of the type of leadership the Marine Corps is looking for at this point in time. While the line may be blurred somewhat between the state of mind between bravos and charlies, their outward actions make them easily distinguishable. A class charlie marine is almost always trying to spot the weakest link in a small unit to find something wrong with them. Their main objective is to point out the mistake of their peers, or ranks lower than they are, and make them noticeable to superiors. Often times in the process, the charlie marine will correct the mistake himself, but never until a superior is close by. This is how they operate day in and day out, but not because they really want to make sure every one's haircuts are fresh or every one's shave is current. They do it because a lot of higher ups in the Marine Corps confuse this type of behavior with good leadership (another reason that class alphas will be extinct within a few decades). Class charlies marines are also the reason that most junior enlisted marines fear officers. I couldn't put my finger on why this was when I first entered boot camp, but I came to a slow realization that. Officers retain most of the common sense and personality they had before being commissioned, so for the most part, they're pleasant people. Charlie marines either compromise their old personalities, or make sure everyone notices they're mean and the most intimidating person in the room. When a charlie marine is near an officer, this is when the officer becomes feared. If he or she is inadvertently disrespected in even the smallest of ways, the charlie marine will make a public example of the unacceptable behavior in front of the officer to impress them. The officer will most of the time have either a mild or apathetic response to the situation despite the charlie marine's enthusiasm. Charlies encompass most of the senior enlisted ranks (E-6 through E-9) and some officer ranks, though this is mostly limited to captains and above.
Class Delta (is not a motard)
A delta marine recognizes the more elite nature of the Marine Corps training and behavior but does not hold any qualms toward other branches of service. They can be motivated, though this comes in irregular intervals and is usually caused by a force or event outside the military. Class delta encompasses a wide variety of personality types and pay grades (mostly E-1 through E-4 and O-1 through O-3). Most of the time, delta marines are more preoccupied with events at home than they are with Marine Corps happenings. It is more important to them to be a good person than a good marine. There are a lot of class deltas in the Marine Corps than any other class. A lot of them are good marines, it's just that they blend in and aren't quickly noticed for their leadership or by their leaders. A lot of class deltas are pretty apathetic towards the Marine Corps and therefore are not very proficient in their work. Like I mentioned, this class contains the widest variety of marines.
Class Foxtrot (is not a motard)
Foxtrot is the opposite of the type of person considered to be a motard. These marines either don't care enough or deliberately go against the acceptable marine standards. Class foxtrot marines are comprised of people who no longer want to be marines, or will soon be discharged. These people are "shitbags" (another common Marine Corps term). Foxtrot marines can be just as selfish as bravo and charlie marines, though their selfish gains can only be fulfilled upon exiting the military. They often have few friends left in the military and spend a lot of time alone. This leads to their negative attitude towards military life as they feel no more options are available to them as a marine. Their status could be their own fault due to violating the UCMJ, their own immature mindset, or a lack of common sense that prohibits them from correcting recurring mistakes in their duties. I've seen the Marine Corps make foxtrot marines too. If a marine is near his EAS date, he or she will most likely become a foxtrot marine. If a marine is scheduled to be administratively separated, he or she will become a foxtrot marine. If a marine is withheld past an EAS date, or an EAS date is moved closer due to ad-sep status but is still bypassed, the marine will become a foxtrot and is dangerously close to becoming suicidal. Suicidal tendencies are especially likely if the marine's pay is cut to lower amounts or no amount at all when near an EAS date.
There you have it. This is what I see on a daily basis. 99% of the people I work with or have trained with fall into these five categories. A small percentage of people may be eligible for classification in sub-classes, but very few.
I consider myself to be a delta class, though I've definitely crossed the border into foxtrot territory in the past. Once rank is removed, or the threat of rank removal is instilled, it's very easy for your mind to lean into foxtrot territory. Just plain not caring about anything or anyone else is contagious as well.
Motards are a dime a dozen in my line of work. The MOS I belong to likes to hold itself to a higher standard, and therefore it is much more strict about the smaller things. This gives the charlie class motards frequent chances to step up and yell at people they consider to be inferior to them, thus getting them noticed by leadership. Most class deltas don't get promoted quickly, and therefore it is the bravos and charlies who are promoted at regular intervals.
Here's a short quiz:
1: While hammering in tent poles with a twenty pound sledge hammer, a marine misses a few times and smashes the tent poles. Another marine calls him out for it. The first marine underhand tosses the sledgehammer through the air causing the second marine to dodge the hammer by bumping into a third marine and knocks him over. The sledgehammer lands on the foot of a fourth marine who had no where to go; he starts yelling at the first marine in anger. The first marine shrugs and tells the fourth marine to stop bitching about it, dropping the hammer onto the ground again to demonstrate that it could not possibly cause damage to a human foot. The fourth marine storms away, telling the first marine to finish his work by himself. The first marine shrugs again and says he doesn't need the fourth marine's help anyway. What class is the first marine?
Answer: The first marine is a charlie class marine. He may have seemed like a foxtrot, but this is because there are no superiors around for him to suck up to. The work performance of a charlie marine will slump drastically when superiors are not supervising. This will possible reveal charlie marines to be lazy and have a poor work ethic.
Yes, I hate charlie class motards. They are infesting the Marine Corps. They're going to destroy it if they make it to the top. They're already at the top in some cases. When a charlie motard reaches the top and they have no one left to kiss up to, they start to believe in all the crap that they used to yell at people for. No, I don't get yelled at often for petty things like that, but I notice it happening a lot. I try to stay perceptive and informative without ranting, which I'm doing right now.
And yes, I got the sledgehammer dropped on my foot and it friggin' hurt.
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
09:12
I decided to write on this topic soon after finishing another post, but I made it a new entry because it's a completely different subject.
There are many words in the Marine Corps that a civilian would ask me to repeat if I dropped in a normal conversation. There's a Mount Everest of acronyms to sift through as well. Some of them we even pronounce like a made up word. Actually, we pronounce every acronym we can like a normal word. It helps us remember it I guess.
If I said "Ooh-Rah!" to someone, they'd probably know I was a marine, but it's still not a word that a civilian would use in normal conversation. That's not the word I'm thinking of right now.
I'm thinking of the word "motard."
Mike Oscar Tango Alpha Romeo Delta...
motard (mow-tard) n. derived from motivation and retard
A person so overcome by, or exuding excessive military esprit de corps that his or her mind and/or outward acts no longer carry and reasonable sensibilities.
I think the first time I ever heard the word "moto" was in Recruit Training. The "Moto Run" was an event designed to show off newly minted marines to their friends and families on "Family Day" at MCRD San Diego. It stands for Motivational Run. Notice "moto" appears nowhere in the word "motivation," and is therefore a destruction of the English language, something the Marine Corps is no stranger to.
I'm not sure where I heard the word "motard" first, but I feel like I've been thinking about it a lot lately. There are a few different types of motards. The following system is based on my own personal experience and beliefs. I have not stolen this list from anyone, nor do I encourage anyone to steal it from me without accrediting my name.
I think there are five classes of marines: A through C are motards. D and F are not.
The Five Classes of a United States Marine:
Class Alpha (is a motard)
These marines are the real deal. There are VERY FEW of them within the ranks of E-4 (Corporal) and below. Most alpha marines tend to be sergeants and above, but I believe most of them are officers, major and above. These are marines who legitimately continue to stay n the Marine Corps because they actually love their country and do what they can in remembrance of the Star Spangled Banner. Their salutes are crisp, their verbal greetings are loud and prideful. They'll gladly pin on any rank as long as it's a marine rank. They diligently perform their assigned duties in accordance with the leadership traits and principles of the Marine Corpe and exemplify them all in throughout any given day. They have three middle names: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Though they physically exemplify everything that a Marine Corps recruiting poster would promise, they cease to be normal human beings. Everything they do is for the military with little to no focus on their own personal gain outside of military life (that is the lie of a recruiting poster). Their devotion to Marine Corps customs and traditions is so intense that they would follow any traditional procedure or ceremony blindly, even if it compromised their own values and beliefs. Class A marines are a dying breed. America is filled with millions of people who no longer have any principles or morals, and therefore these people continue to join the Marine Corps lessening the numbers of Class alpha marines. They will be extinct within the next thirty years. Class alpha marines are either first, second, third, or fourth generation descendants of the kind of leadership and attitude implemented during the island hopping campaigns in World War II. Either that, or they personally served in World War II (once a marine, always a marine).
Class Bravo (is a motard)
Class Bravo marines are those who exemplify the kind of selfishness that permeates the business world. They strive tirelessly for their own personal gain and advancement through the rank structure. This is all done under the guise that they are class alpha marines while they most certainly are not. In fact, they are almost polar opposites. Wile alphas are some of the most selfless human beings on the planet whose sole objective is to work and fight for the next man, class bravos' objectives are for their own benefit. The deceit of a class bravo marine is that of an actor. When no superiors are in the nearby area, class bravo marines will act like normal people. When in front of superiors, they radiate a sickeningly positive and overall attitude towards their duties, when in fact; they feel very little legitimate interest in anything involving the Marine Corps. If you've ever been around a group of Mormons (not to single anyone out of bash a religion) dressed alike wearing white shirts and black pants with nametags, you may understand where I'm coming from. It's hard to tell if these people are actually being nice and smiling a lot because they're actually happy to talk to you, or just because they feel as if they have to and it's one way to get their foot in the door. Class bravo marines are the supreme ass-kissers.
Class Charlie (is a motard)
Like bravo class, charlies are in it only for personal gain and advancement and not for their fellow marines. Unlike bravos, they may actually admire some of the Marine Corps customs and traditions. They are loud, obnoxious, and most of the time unintelligent and rude. For lack of a better word, class charlie marines are douche bags. I.E., they're the perfect example of the type of leadership the Marine Corps is looking for at this point in time. While the line may be blurred somewhat between the state of mind between bravos and charlies, their outward actions make them easily distinguishable. A class charlie marine is almost always trying to spot the weakest link in a small unit to find something wrong with them. Their main objective is to point out the mistake of their peers, or ranks lower than they are, and make them noticeable to superiors. Often times in the process, the charlie marine will correct the mistake himself, but never until a superior is close by. This is how they operate day in and day out, but not because they really want to make sure every one's haircuts are fresh or every one's shave is current. They do it because a lot of higher ups in the Marine Corps confuse this type of behavior with good leadership (another reason that class alphas will be extinct within a few decades). Class charlies marines are also the reason that most junior enlisted marines fear officers. I couldn't put my finger on why this was when I first entered boot camp, but I came to a slow realization that. Officers retain most of the common sense and personality they had before being commissioned, so for the most part, they're pleasant people. Charlie marines either compromise their old personalities, or make sure everyone notices they're mean and the most intimidating person in the room. When a charlie marine is near an officer, this is when the officer becomes feared. If he or she is inadvertently disrespected in even the smallest of ways, the charlie marine will make a public example of the unacceptable behavior in front of the officer to impress them. The officer will most of the time have either a mild or apathetic response to the situation despite the charlie marine's enthusiasm. Charlies encompass most of the senior enlisted ranks (E-6 through E-9) and some officer ranks, though this is mostly limited to captains and above.
Class Delta (is not a motard)
A delta marine recognizes the more elite nature of the Marine Corps training and behavior but does not hold any qualms toward other branches of service. They can be motivated, though this comes in irregular intervals and is usually caused by a force or event outside the military. Class delta encompasses a wide variety of personality types and pay grades (mostly E-1 through E-4 and O-1 through O-3). Most of the time, delta marines are more preoccupied with events at home than they are with Marine Corps happenings. It is more important to them to be a good person than a good marine. There are a lot of class deltas in the Marine Corps than any other class. A lot of them are good marines, it's just that they blend in and aren't quickly noticed for their leadership or by their leaders. A lot of class deltas are pretty apathetic towards the Marine Corps and therefore are not very proficient in their work. Like I mentioned, this class contains the widest variety of marines.
Class Foxtrot (is not a motard)
Foxtrot is the opposite of the type of person considered to be a motard. These marines either don't care enough or deliberately go against the acceptable marine standards. Class foxtrot marines are comprised of people who no longer want to be marines, or will soon be discharged. These people are "shitbags" (another common Marine Corps term). Foxtrot marines can be just as selfish as bravo and charlie marines, though their selfish gains can only be fulfilled upon exiting the military. They often have few friends left in the military and spend a lot of time alone. This leads to their negative attitude towards military life as they feel no more options are available to them as a marine. Their status could be their own fault due to violating the UCMJ, their own immature mindset, or a lack of common sense that prohibits them from correcting recurring mistakes in their duties. I've seen the Marine Corps make foxtrot marines too. If a marine is near his EAS date, he or she will most likely become a foxtrot marine. If a marine is scheduled to be administratively separated, he or she will become a foxtrot marine. If a marine is withheld past an EAS date, or an EAS date is moved closer due to ad-sep status but is still bypassed, the marine will become a foxtrot and is dangerously close to becoming suicidal. Suicidal tendencies are especially likely if the marine's pay is cut to lower amounts or no amount at all when near an EAS date.
There you have it. This is what I see on a daily basis. 99% of the people I work with or have trained with fall into these five categories. A small percentage of people may be eligible for classification in sub-classes, but very few.
I consider myself to be a delta class, though I've definitely crossed the border into foxtrot territory in the past. Once rank is removed, or the threat of rank removal is instilled, it's very easy for your mind to lean into foxtrot territory. Just plain not caring about anything or anyone else is contagious as well.
Motards are a dime a dozen in my line of work. The MOS I belong to likes to hold itself to a higher standard, and therefore it is much more strict about the smaller things. This gives the charlie class motards frequent chances to step up and yell at people they consider to be inferior to them, thus getting them noticed by leadership. Most class deltas don't get promoted quickly, and therefore it is the bravos and charlies who are promoted at regular intervals.
Here's a short quiz:
1: While hammering in tent poles with a twenty pound sledge hammer, a marine misses a few times and smashes the tent poles. Another marine calls him out for it. The first marine underhand tosses the sledgehammer through the air causing the second marine to dodge the hammer by bumping into a third marine and knocks him over. The sledgehammer lands on the foot of a fourth marine who had no where to go; he starts yelling at the first marine in anger. The first marine shrugs and tells the fourth marine to stop bitching about it, dropping the hammer onto the ground again to demonstrate that it could not possibly cause damage to a human foot. The fourth marine storms away, telling the first marine to finish his work by himself. The first marine shrugs again and says he doesn't need the fourth marine's help anyway. What class is the first marine?
Answer: The first marine is a charlie class marine. He may have seemed like a foxtrot, but this is because there are no superiors around for him to suck up to. The work performance of a charlie marine will slump drastically when superiors are not supervising. This will possible reveal charlie marines to be lazy and have a poor work ethic.
Yes, I hate charlie class motards. They are infesting the Marine Corps. They're going to destroy it if they make it to the top. They're already at the top in some cases. When a charlie motard reaches the top and they have no one left to kiss up to, they start to believe in all the crap that they used to yell at people for. No, I don't get yelled at often for petty things like that, but I notice it happening a lot. I try to stay perceptive and informative without ranting, which I'm doing right now.
And yes, I got the sledgehammer dropped on my foot and it friggin' hurt.
Why Miliblogs?
April 26, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
08:56
Earlier while I was working my shift in the office, I was surfing the web a little bit. I went back to my old accounts on the Parkland College website and realized I still have a student ID number, so I can enroll in classes. I might try an online one next semester.
I also looked up some military blog sites. Not so much the blogs themselves, but articles about the blogs and statistics, etc. If this is the first military blog you've read, I'm flattered. There are a lot more out there. I found a site totally dedicated to listing military blogs, and tried to list mine. On the government computer, the site was loading extremely slow, and then I closed the window. Do I really want to be listed? At this point in time?
According to some of these articles, people are losing their rank for this stuff.
Does that surprise me? No. I'm not saying that what I post is extremely sensitive material. It's not. Not by a long shot. I read about some idiot Army sergeant who became a specialist for posting pictures of detainees. Violation of the Geneva Convention? I think so! Does the rest of the world really need (or want) to see pictures of detainees? Not really. It wasn't high on my list of pictures to look at when I was first thinking about enlisting. It's really all about your choice of content. If you're going to be a blatant fool like this sergeant was, you deserve to lose your rank. I'm not sure what his objectives were in blogging illegal content. Maybe he thought it was funny like most enlisted service members would. It kind of reminds me of the video of marines throwing a puppy off a cliff and laughing. I haven't seen the video, but its existence doesn't surprise me in the least. I've seen all sorts of animal torture and cruelty in person, so it's nothing new to me during my time in service.
My purpose isn't to post a bunch of stupid things for fellow "troops" to laugh at, though. My purpose is to inform. I also don't want to forget this experience, so half of it is for me to remember in the future. I started originally to keep a record. I'll be able to look back on this text and be proud I was here. My family can be proud that a Milas went to Afghanistan. Although, I'll only be proud because I was here and it'll be part of history, not for what's going on. More and more, it feels like we're working for the civilian contractors out here instead of them working for us. I thought they were the contractors because the military paid them!
So, why am I afraid to register my blogs (this one and Full Metal Journal) on miliblogs.com? Well, I read that there was someone who actually has to submit his posts to be reviewed before he posts them on his blog. What!? See, that's where I make a new account, a new blog, and start posting again under the radar. You can identify me on here though, my name is in the account, my email, and in the blog. Why? Because I'm not afraid that people will see who I am after reading these entries and because I'm not afraid that people will see what I've written. Most of it needs to be said. So, while all these other idiots are blogging about who cares what, I'll be here hopefully giving you some actual insight on what's happening here, and how it's affecting a 21 year old American who values his humanity before his branch of service.
But, in the end, if I'm going to lose my rank for something, I hope it's for typing on a laptop. What a typical fascist way to take someone out. And if I lose my rank for it, maybe I proved an even bigger point. Who knows?
But I'm not looking for a fight.
"Keep on rockin' in the free world...thanks for doin'whatever...later.'
- The Zachman
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
08:56
Earlier while I was working my shift in the office, I was surfing the web a little bit. I went back to my old accounts on the Parkland College website and realized I still have a student ID number, so I can enroll in classes. I might try an online one next semester.
I also looked up some military blog sites. Not so much the blogs themselves, but articles about the blogs and statistics, etc. If this is the first military blog you've read, I'm flattered. There are a lot more out there. I found a site totally dedicated to listing military blogs, and tried to list mine. On the government computer, the site was loading extremely slow, and then I closed the window. Do I really want to be listed? At this point in time?
According to some of these articles, people are losing their rank for this stuff.
Does that surprise me? No. I'm not saying that what I post is extremely sensitive material. It's not. Not by a long shot. I read about some idiot Army sergeant who became a specialist for posting pictures of detainees. Violation of the Geneva Convention? I think so! Does the rest of the world really need (or want) to see pictures of detainees? Not really. It wasn't high on my list of pictures to look at when I was first thinking about enlisting. It's really all about your choice of content. If you're going to be a blatant fool like this sergeant was, you deserve to lose your rank. I'm not sure what his objectives were in blogging illegal content. Maybe he thought it was funny like most enlisted service members would. It kind of reminds me of the video of marines throwing a puppy off a cliff and laughing. I haven't seen the video, but its existence doesn't surprise me in the least. I've seen all sorts of animal torture and cruelty in person, so it's nothing new to me during my time in service.
My purpose isn't to post a bunch of stupid things for fellow "troops" to laugh at, though. My purpose is to inform. I also don't want to forget this experience, so half of it is for me to remember in the future. I started originally to keep a record. I'll be able to look back on this text and be proud I was here. My family can be proud that a Milas went to Afghanistan. Although, I'll only be proud because I was here and it'll be part of history, not for what's going on. More and more, it feels like we're working for the civilian contractors out here instead of them working for us. I thought they were the contractors because the military paid them!
So, why am I afraid to register my blogs (this one and Full Metal Journal) on miliblogs.com? Well, I read that there was someone who actually has to submit his posts to be reviewed before he posts them on his blog. What!? See, that's where I make a new account, a new blog, and start posting again under the radar. You can identify me on here though, my name is in the account, my email, and in the blog. Why? Because I'm not afraid that people will see who I am after reading these entries and because I'm not afraid that people will see what I've written. Most of it needs to be said. So, while all these other idiots are blogging about who cares what, I'll be here hopefully giving you some actual insight on what's happening here, and how it's affecting a 21 year old American who values his humanity before his branch of service.
But, in the end, if I'm going to lose my rank for something, I hope it's for typing on a laptop. What a typical fascist way to take someone out. And if I lose my rank for it, maybe I proved an even bigger point. Who knows?
But I'm not looking for a fight.
"Keep on rockin' in the free world...thanks for doin'whatever...later.'
- The Zachman
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Mountains
April 21, 2010
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
21:39
Note: My Microsoft Word program must have gotten hooked on drugs. It keeps highlighting things in green that it thinks are grammatically incorrect that I know aren't. Or maybe I'm just losing my grasp on the English language. Both are sound theories.
Why did I not bring a camera to Afghanistan? Stupid...stupid...stupid. I went out to go to the bathroom while the sun was going down and glanced to my left on the way. I had to do a double take. The view of the mountains was amazing. Normally there's so much dust in the air that visibility isn't very good, you can just see the really big mountain closest to the base. Tonight, everything was clear.
As objects lose color and detail in the distance, these mountains appeared to all be different shades of blue. Unlike mountain views I'd seen in Colorado as a childd, these mountains could clearly be seen as extending for miles into the distance. It wasn't one big wall blocking everything behind, it had depth. They were like cardboard layers stood up in front of each other, with each group of peaks a different shade of blue extending forever. I've never seen anything like it. One of the most beautiful views of this planet I've seen so far. I wish I had a picture.
I keep finding that my desire for writing comes in phases. I enjoy working on my projects for a couple weeks, or maybe just a few days. Then I don't feel like doing anything but sitting and watching a movie or playing DS and PSP. I shouldn't feel that way through, since there are less distractions here than in the U.S. Here, all my options pretty much consist of playing DS, sleeping, watching movies, reading, writing, or working out. I haven't gone to the gym yet, so I pretty much just read and watch movies. Most people here just watch movies and work out. Imagine if that's all you did in your free time. I'm not sure if they're content with this or not. I feel like all the time I spend here is more time in service and closer to my EAS date, which is good, but at the same time, I'm losing part of my life to "the modern war machine."
What have I personally gained by coming to Afghanistan? You who reads this can tell me any number of things that you want and assure me that I've done a service to my country and my fellow Americans are grateful for it. And then I ask you, what am I really doing for my fellow Americans who I enlisted to defend?
Every day I go to work. I recently started a new schedule where I go at midnight. I sit in a tent for four hours. If there are flights, I manifest passengers. Then I take them to the helicopter when it lands. They get on; it flies away. All is quiet. If there are no flights, I sit on my computer and watch movies. Then, at four, I relieve a guy in an office and sit on a computer for four more hours. I can go on the internet. Whether or not there are flights, I don't do anything in this office. After that, from 0800 to 1200 I'm relieved and I go back to my tent and go to sleep or watch movies. After 1200 I'm off duty and I go to sleep. During this time I've tried and tried and tried to normalize my slpeeing schedule. I still haven't been able to. Then, at 00:00 I go back to work and it starts over again. They tell me that on May 1 i have to take a PFT. This pisses me off because I'm either going to not run it (ideal), I'm going to have to leave work to do it, or I'm going to have to run it during my off hours. A PFT is a personal fitness test, which consists of a three-mile run, pull-ups, and crunches. My last score was a 213 out of 300, which is horrible, even for me. And now that I haven't even run since November or worked out since then, during the middle of a war, I'm going to be stripping down to a green shirt and green shorts and running three miles on a base where there are concrete barriers to protect us from incoming mortars...I'm officially convinced this isn't a war anymore, or at least a war worth fighting. Why? Because maybe 20% of the Marine Corps is out there fighting it. The rest of us are wasting our time.
Does this sound like a service to America? I'll answer for you since we're not chatting: No, it doesn't, and it isn't. Is the American tax payer personally benefitting from a U.S. presence in Afghanistan? No, they probably don't even know how much time is being wasted here doing unimportant things that cost a lot of money. The Afghan National Army is receiving a lot of training from us. Congratulations U.S. citizen paying taxes, you're now funding the Afghan National Army AND the U.S. Military (sometimes). I'm a taxpayer too and it pisses me off as much as it should piss you off. Has the damage of September 11, 2001 been rectified by an American military presence here since 2001? The answer is no. The answer will be no when we leave in 2011 (if that actually happens). What makes me even more angry is that the army will probably always be here. American taxes will go towards Afghanistan development until every American citizen employed by the government finally leaves this place. And I can assure you that will not happen by 2011, no matter how many news networks have told you so.
80% of my time in the Marine Corps I've considered a waste of my life. 10% of my time has been spent in initial training and MOS school. 5% of my time in the Marine Corps I've been content. 5% of the time I've spent asleep at night.
This isn't me being negative, it's me being honest.
Delaram 2, Afghanistan
21:39
Note: My Microsoft Word program must have gotten hooked on drugs. It keeps highlighting things in green that it thinks are grammatically incorrect that I know aren't. Or maybe I'm just losing my grasp on the English language. Both are sound theories.
Why did I not bring a camera to Afghanistan? Stupid...stupid...stupid. I went out to go to the bathroom while the sun was going down and glanced to my left on the way. I had to do a double take. The view of the mountains was amazing. Normally there's so much dust in the air that visibility isn't very good, you can just see the really big mountain closest to the base. Tonight, everything was clear.
As objects lose color and detail in the distance, these mountains appeared to all be different shades of blue. Unlike mountain views I'd seen in Colorado as a childd, these mountains could clearly be seen as extending for miles into the distance. It wasn't one big wall blocking everything behind, it had depth. They were like cardboard layers stood up in front of each other, with each group of peaks a different shade of blue extending forever. I've never seen anything like it. One of the most beautiful views of this planet I've seen so far. I wish I had a picture.
I keep finding that my desire for writing comes in phases. I enjoy working on my projects for a couple weeks, or maybe just a few days. Then I don't feel like doing anything but sitting and watching a movie or playing DS and PSP. I shouldn't feel that way through, since there are less distractions here than in the U.S. Here, all my options pretty much consist of playing DS, sleeping, watching movies, reading, writing, or working out. I haven't gone to the gym yet, so I pretty much just read and watch movies. Most people here just watch movies and work out. Imagine if that's all you did in your free time. I'm not sure if they're content with this or not. I feel like all the time I spend here is more time in service and closer to my EAS date, which is good, but at the same time, I'm losing part of my life to "the modern war machine."
What have I personally gained by coming to Afghanistan? You who reads this can tell me any number of things that you want and assure me that I've done a service to my country and my fellow Americans are grateful for it. And then I ask you, what am I really doing for my fellow Americans who I enlisted to defend?
Every day I go to work. I recently started a new schedule where I go at midnight. I sit in a tent for four hours. If there are flights, I manifest passengers. Then I take them to the helicopter when it lands. They get on; it flies away. All is quiet. If there are no flights, I sit on my computer and watch movies. Then, at four, I relieve a guy in an office and sit on a computer for four more hours. I can go on the internet. Whether or not there are flights, I don't do anything in this office. After that, from 0800 to 1200 I'm relieved and I go back to my tent and go to sleep or watch movies. After 1200 I'm off duty and I go to sleep. During this time I've tried and tried and tried to normalize my slpeeing schedule. I still haven't been able to. Then, at 00:00 I go back to work and it starts over again. They tell me that on May 1 i have to take a PFT. This pisses me off because I'm either going to not run it (ideal), I'm going to have to leave work to do it, or I'm going to have to run it during my off hours. A PFT is a personal fitness test, which consists of a three-mile run, pull-ups, and crunches. My last score was a 213 out of 300, which is horrible, even for me. And now that I haven't even run since November or worked out since then, during the middle of a war, I'm going to be stripping down to a green shirt and green shorts and running three miles on a base where there are concrete barriers to protect us from incoming mortars...I'm officially convinced this isn't a war anymore, or at least a war worth fighting. Why? Because maybe 20% of the Marine Corps is out there fighting it. The rest of us are wasting our time.
Does this sound like a service to America? I'll answer for you since we're not chatting: No, it doesn't, and it isn't. Is the American tax payer personally benefitting from a U.S. presence in Afghanistan? No, they probably don't even know how much time is being wasted here doing unimportant things that cost a lot of money. The Afghan National Army is receiving a lot of training from us. Congratulations U.S. citizen paying taxes, you're now funding the Afghan National Army AND the U.S. Military (sometimes). I'm a taxpayer too and it pisses me off as much as it should piss you off. Has the damage of September 11, 2001 been rectified by an American military presence here since 2001? The answer is no. The answer will be no when we leave in 2011 (if that actually happens). What makes me even more angry is that the army will probably always be here. American taxes will go towards Afghanistan development until every American citizen employed by the government finally leaves this place. And I can assure you that will not happen by 2011, no matter how many news networks have told you so.
80% of my time in the Marine Corps I've considered a waste of my life. 10% of my time has been spent in initial training and MOS school. 5% of my time in the Marine Corps I've been content. 5% of the time I've spent asleep at night.
This isn't me being negative, it's me being honest.
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