AllMilitary.com

Some people call them shower shoes. Some people call them flip flops. But everyone calls them mandatory. When you write out your list of items to pack for a deployment there are certain items that you scribble down every time….camera, laptop, Maxim magazines, and shower shoes.

The first mistake some folks make with regards to shower shoes is spending only .99 cents for a pair. You have to treat this purchase like you do with a Chevy or Ford. Power. Anti-lock brakes. More power. Air bags. If the upgraded option exists, it’s no longer an “option”. Same thing with the shower shoes.

The first reality you have to come to grips with is that 25 - 50 guys have used that same shower in the past 24 hours. There’s been more exposure of jungle rot (Athlete’s Foot) in those 12 square feet of shower space than bad press for Terrell Owens. Signs posted everywhere demand “Combat Showers” that take a mere minute or two, all in the name of saving water for the other lucky souls. Anyone taking a shower that lasts for over 4 minutes can expect a tap on the plastic shower curtain (that comes down to just above the knee) from the next contestant.

The drains are so clogged it’s really like having a self-imposed timer in the shower. As soon as the water level reaches 4″ inches and the ankle area all bets are off, it’s time to evacuate. Immediately. Like your life depends on it–because it could!

Rule #1 in these showers is “Don’t drop anything you can’t live without”. I handle everything like nitroglycerin. I’m trying right now to think of what in the world I could possibly drop and still want to retrieve from the depths of the soapy, infested waters. TV Remote control? Nope. My RMO? Not a chance. Wedding band? Give me a second to think about that one. Wait, I need more time. OK, that’s the only item on the planet I would risk life and limb to save.

Today’s Chuck Norris “fact”:
Chuck Norris doesn’t breathe, he holds air hostage.

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And moviegoers thought Kaffee’s best work in the courtroom was against Colonel Nathan R. Jessep in “A Few Good Men“.

Everyone stands at attention as Judge RANDOLPH enters.RANDOLPH (to KAFFEE): Call your witness.

KAFFEE: We call Private “Scott Thomas” Beauchamp.

ROSS: Private, do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will give in this investigation will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?

THOMAS: Yes I do.

ROSS: Thank you, have a seat.

THOMAS sits.

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We interviewed Melinda of Most Certainly Not to find out about more about her and her blog.

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

This is a toughie as I usually don’t hide too much about myself on my blog! I suppose one thing that might be surprising, even to people who know me in real life, is that I’m actually shy. I didn’t even like trick-or-treating as a kid because it meant I had to go talk to people. Sometimes, I’ve even excited about going somewhere and doing something, but I’ll be tempted to chicken out at the last minute and not go.

I won the spelling bee in 4th and 8th grades. Therefore, it is odd that, as an adult, I had to try very hard to teach myself how to consistently spell the words: separate, judgment, privilege and cemetery correctly…I hope those are spelled right!

I am right-handed as is my sister. My parents, however, are both left-handed. My mother taught me how to do a cartwheel. I apparently “tumble left” rather than right. I learned this in high school when I was a cheerleader and my gymnastics coach was on the wrong side to successfully spot my first backhandspring. I didn’t break my neck. Thank goodness.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

My very first blog post was in September of 2003 and then I didn’t touch my blog again until September of 2004, when my husband was deployed. I have always enjoyed writing and kept journals in my childhood and young adulthood. I liked the idea of having a record on the web of what was happening around me that my family and friends could read too. My blog gradually morphed into a blog with more a milblog feel and I like it that way.

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One of the best things about this deployment has been the many friendships I’ve developed with the people of the host nation. As time goes by and our meetings have become more regular, we’ve drank more coffee and tea together and gotten to know each other better. The friendship and trust we’ve developed has made our business discussions go by much faster and we find ourselves discussing all sorts of topics.

Part of the reason for the very good friendship with the host nation has been the result of having an excellent interpreter to translate for me. My translator’s name is “David” and I take him with me on all my meetings with the host nation. “David” does a great job of explaining to me the mannerisms and customs of this culture. He’s a very good person and we both like to drink coffee so we often find ourselves at a Cafe discussing the U.S. and world events.

“David’s” father, an Iraqi Kurd, was a General officer in the Iraqi Army during the pre-Saddam Era of the 1950s-60s, assigned to Baghdad. When his father was an Air Attache officer, he was assigned to the Iraqi Embassy in Turkey, where “David’s” father met his mother. “David” also had 3 uncles that were very high ranking officers in the Iraqi Army, two of which were hanged by Saddam, after he took over the country.

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I have the distinct honor of being VA Joe’s “Guest Blogger” for the next couple of weeks.  I’ll be posting the best of “Duty in the Desert” from the past and present; including the bizarre, crazy, and completely absurd. 

A little bit of background to explain my fixation on the Four Fans of Freedom.  I’m an active-duty U.S. Air Force pilot and flown mostly C-130s during my career at numerous locations, to include a tour as instructor pilot at the C-130 schoolhouse at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, teaching new pilots how to fly the Hercules. Did a stint as Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, and Chief of Stan-Eval at a rapid-response C-130 unit specializing in high-priority, sensitive projects and test flights. Also served as an advance agent for Air Force One directly supporting the President of the United States.

I do, however, first need to throw all the JAG (sorry Army Lawyer) and Department of Defense leadership a bone in order to keep them off my flight path: The comments, opinions, viewpoints, alibis, misspellings, poor or incorrect use of words, and attempts at humor expressed on VA Joe are mine, and mine alone (don’t blame Lane!).  They do not reflect the opinions, viewpoints, or sense of humor of the United States Air Force, Defense Department, or any other U.S. government agency or foreign country.

Whew.  I feel better now.  Let’s go.  Gear up!

Patrick

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Lt Col Patrick talks about his milblog Duty in the Desert and his career.

Flown mostly C-130s during my career at numerous locations, to include a tour as instructor pilot at the C-130 schoolhouse at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, teaching new pilots how to fly the Hercules. Did a stint as Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, and Chief of Stan-Eval at a rapid-response C-130 unit specializing in high-priority, sensitive projects and test flights. Also served as an advance agent for Air Force One directly supporting the President of the United States. Married my best friend and we have 3 children that keep us very busy.

Q & A with Lt Col Patrick

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. I was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Oregon State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in History.

2. I was a student pilot assigned to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas, as part of an Air Force-Navy exchange program, where I earned my Air Force silver wings and learned a new language that included the Navy terms; deck, gouge, head, and topside. It’s all fun and games until the Navy lead aircraft of the formation asks this Air Force pilot to rejoin on his “starboard” side. Whiskey tango foxtrot!

3. I was the lead Pentagon planner at Pt Mugu Naval Air Station, California, for President Reagan’s funeral. At the time of President Reagan’s death, I was an advance agent for Air Force One and was dispatched within a couple hours to Pt Mugu to handle all the on-site coordination between the Navy base, White House, Air Force One crew, and Mrs Reagan’s staff.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I started blogging on October 9, 2006, while I was deployed to SW Asia in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. My initial reports to family were via e-mails but as the list of friends and relatives continued to grow it became easier to just post my thoughts and pictures on a blog. I went back and added all my previous e-mails from the previous month to my milblog to have a complete record of my deployment.

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Charles talks about his blog, Sarge Charlie, with VAJoe.com

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

This is tough for me, I am so open on my Blog, they even know I abused alcohol for a number of years but have now been sober for over 20 years.

1. I am a 100% service connected Disabled Veteran, it is a combination of health problems, mostly relating to Agent Orange and PTSD.

2. I never pass a soldier in uniform without stopping and thanking him for his service, this was difficult last summer when we went to Ft Jackson, SC for my grandson’s graduation from basic training. His graduation was on the same parade field that I marched on in 1960. Yep, I cried through the entire ceremony.

3. One of my favorite things to do is when I see a soldier in uniform in a restaurant, hopefully with his family, ask the waitress to anonymously give me their check. I love watching them trying to decide who was buying their dinner.

I suspect from these answers you have been able to determine that I believe there is not enough that we can do to support our military service people. I have not forgotten the way Vietnam Veterans were treated when we came home, it will not happen to today’s soldiers if there is anything I can do about it.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I started blogging on October 27, 2006. To be honest, my wife, The Empress Bee of the High Sea,  was blogging and I would read her blog and make comments on it. I reached the point that I would leave a half page comment and she decided that I needed my own blog. I am an avid poker player and one afternoon while I was playing in a poker tournament she set up a blog for me. When I got home, with my winnings,(smile), she said honey look at this. By reading my blog you will learn that Miss Bee and I have been married for 40 years, we were married in the chapel on Okinawa, January 2, 1968. Two weeks later I left for Vietnam, just two weeks prior to Tet-68. Yes, I am an old softie and a hopeless romantic, Miss Bee said to add that I am cute.

Question: What is your military experience?

I was drafted in June, 1960 and retired in August 1986. Served overseas in Germany, Okinawa, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, and Korea. I started as a company clerk, went to RADAR school in 63, Calibration School in 67. I was also an electronics instructor at the Combat Surveillance School at Ft Huachuca, Arizona.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

Well I would be stupid if I did not say SargeCharlie. I was a big fan of Sgt Dub, a member of the Oklahoma National Guard, he is back home now as a Deputy Sheriff, Badgers Forward presently in the Sandbox, he is the Commanding Officer of my very favorite. Acute Politics is a young soldier with writing skills you would not believe.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

I try to amuse people while I am trying to teach them to think like I do. I am always doing something in support of the Military or busting some inept politician’s chops if they are not supporting the military. Nothing has burned my butt any more than Harry Reid with his statement that the war is lost, that earned him one of my “Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Awards” posted April 20, 2007.

I am a native of the North Georgia Mountains and as such I am folksy, honest, opinionated, and always right. (Smile) I am not ashamed of the fact that I am a romantic, all the ladies love it when I am doing romantic stuff about Miss Bee, an example of this would be my post BEE MY VALENTINE . They keep stopping by just to say awwwwwwww.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

The only thing I can say is that I am amazed that 13,200 people have read my blog over the past few months and they spend an average of 6.5 minutes per stop, do you have any idea how many man hours that is…………

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Story from ifish:

I want to thank ‘Kevin’s Drift Boat’ and ‘No Wishin Just Fishin’ for making a dream come true. Several weeks ago I was told that my daughter and son-in-law were coming from Mississippi for a visit. My son-in-law asked that I take him fishing while he was here. I am a trout fisherman and this time of year the lakes I fish can be very slow so I did not know what to do for him. Then I remembered seeing the “Take a Soldier Fishing” thread and I figured I would post a request for info since John had recently gotten out of the Marine Corps after serving in Iraq. “Kevins Drift Boat” was quick with a reply and he put me in contact with “No Wishin Just Fishin”. That is when the fun started.

The days target was going to be kok’s on Merwin but plans changed last minute and we ended up on the Columbia River. We put in around 6:30am an searched for the perfect spot. Lines went into the river and the wishin started. Shortly after 10:00am a rod started to scream. “FISH ON”. John was into his very first salmon. Our host was masterful in coaching John in the art of fighting a big fish. When the line came tight the first time the fish peeled of 70 or 80 yards of line on a dead run for the middle of the river. The look on John’s face was priceless. Having fished for bass in Mississippi, John quickly realized this was no bass. Each time the fish would show signs of giving up we would tell John it was almost over. Then, the sound of the drag singing. This went on for almost 20 minutes. Then the fish gave up for the last time and the 35 lbs cromer was in the net. John has not stopped smiling since. Bruce, Thanks again for the great day. -’Gillfish3′

My friend, ‘Kevin’s Drift Boat’, sent me this wonderful story!

He says, “I had only a tiny part in this. I matched a 3 tour Vietnam Marine with a young Marine back from Iraq. The good man above provided the rest - a huge Salmon for the young Marine to smile about for a very long time.

“I encourage all soldiers that served in OIF or OEF to take part in this free or very low cost project to get them involved in big game fishing in Oregon. It does good for the soldier and the boat captain lucky enough to have a hero onboard. I hope to see a lot more of this type of happiness.”

“This is my boat, I had it built as a tribute to Kevin. His wife has his smaller boat. I specialize in running rivers for Steelhead. No motor, I only row the oars.
Its a real adventure in whitewater, besides the fishing, this part is really fun, bouncing on whitewater waves in a hard flat bottom boat.” - ‘Kevin’s Drift Boat’

SSG Kevin Davis, Oregon National Guard, was killed in Iraq in 2005. His friends are remembering him by helping others and giving them the gift of fishing.

Previous post about fishing and Kevin:

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/04/fishing-in-iraq.html

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These fishermen are ready and willing to take any Vets out fishing in Oregon. You can contact them at ifish or http://www.kevinsdriftboat.com/ or send me an email and I will help you connect with them. These Americans make me proud! Thank you!!!

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This is my last guest post at VA Joe’s - Thank you, VA Joe’s for having me!

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Congressional Gold Medal for the Navajo Code Talkers

The back of the medal is inscribed with Navajo words that mean

“The Navajo Language Was Used to Defeat the Enemy.”

“But in the late spring of 1940, as the Nazis pounded through Europe’s defenses and British troops were pressed toward Dunkirk, the Navajo tribal council at Window Rock swore their allegiance and that of their 50,000 tribal members to the American government. They resolved that “the Navajo Indians stand ready, as they did in 1918, to aid and defend our Government and its institutions against all subversive and armed conflict.…”"They still lacked voting rights. Arizona would not grant them the right to vote in state elections until 1948. New Mexico would wait until 1953, Utah until 1957. But they could vote in federal elections and their land and U.S. land were the same. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, they were attacked and the Navajo responded, ready to fight, some bringing guns from home to recruiting stations. As the Navajo volunteers and draftees headed for military service, little did they know that a strategic key to winning the island wars of the Pacific lay in their hands, in their culture, in their history.” (http://www.navajocodetalkers.com/)

Over 5,000 Navajo enlisted in the military in WWII - at least 10% of the Nation. Men who could not vote, still held great allegiance to a country that was not always friendly to their exsistence. Of those 5,000, about 400 became Code Talkers. Little did they know the integral part of the war across the Pacific that they would become. Seven Code Talkers were killed in action.

To be a Code Talker, they had to be fluent in English and Navajo, finished the 10th grade, complete Boot Camp and pass proficiency examinations. The original 29 Code Talkers invented the code - assigning Navajo words to military terms - while at Camp Pendelton.

The Code was classified until 1968. In 2001, the original Code Talkers, or their family members, were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. The others were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. The medal was awarded because the work of the Code Talkers “greatly assisted in saving countless lives and hastening the end of World War II in the Pacific.”

There are Marines who fought at Iwo Jima that believe that the battle would never have been won without the Navajo Code Talkers.

Their story is inspiring. To read more:

http://www.thenavajocodetalkers.com/index.htm

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2001/winter/navajo-code-talkers.html

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Highlights From Milblogs Around the Net

• Brand new kennels for military working dogs. [Chaotic Synaptic Activity]
• PTSD: some symptoms include feelings of despair, lack of emotions, detachment, hopelessness, uncontrolled anger and irritability. [SGT Stryker]
• Massive trouble trying to receive a refrigerator. [Badgers Forward]
• Troy is combining his Military and Afghanistan blogs into a single blog. [Bouhammer.com]

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