Trail Dog
06-24-2005, 01:52
Hello fellow hikers. I finally got the internet in my room! Heck I finally got a room! Things are changing over here as far as living conditions for the soldiers are concerned. I share a room about 12x12 with one other soldier. We hooked up a satellite connection (we had to pay for it) and I ran a network to the rooms who wanted it, it’s not the fastest but it’s pretty good. Its sooooo good to finally be able to get online whenever I need to and check and the going ons in the world as well as at White Blaze.
I have been in the Middle East for 39 days now and i have less than 11 months till I get to go home and hike again. I can’t wait. The food is great, I mean really good. The area isn't the safest but its not too bad, very infrequent attacks and the occasional car bomb or road side bomb outside the gate. We've been doing well and my unit has so far put a fairly good size dent in the insurgent’s plans. We captured a few important screwballs, lots of munitions and weapons and we've only been running missions for a few weeks.
Surprisingly enough the locals like us but it really depends on what towns you are in at the time. Some love us some don’t care and a few hide. I am currently working with our units interpreters who are all locals, very nice people and most seem to honestly want to help us so their country can get in order. They get paid pretty well and most do a very good job. They are teaching me Arabic and I am helping them with the English as best I can. They get paid but very little by our standards, but its good money for them and it helps their families. Most are very afraid to leave the base and go home since the insurgents want them and their families dead.
That brings me to this. Several people have asked about sending me care packages so I can get things I need. Honestly I have everything I want except the Trail, mountains, my girlfriend and beer. DONT SEND ME BEER! It’s not allowed, and my girlfriend wouldn't survive the trip in a box. If I needed anything I just log online and go to town with my credit card. But what is needed are perhaps donations for our interpreters.
The military only supplies them so much, and that is very limited to one or perhaps two uniforms, a pair of boots some soap, and a room to stay in at the base. Prices on base are cheap by American standards but expensive for them. They could use things like soap, laundry detergent, towels, bed sheets, pillows, blankets, underwear, T shirts and socks. I would limit it to things that could help them do their mission with us. Also what would be good are perhaps old English text books, pens, paper and notebooks (small ones for their missions). Stuff that would make them more of an asset to us in the field by improving their English skills and aiding them in translating. English dictionaries maybe, small pocket ones, or a big one for the office. I would advise it to be in the form of donated material, maybe someone works for Webster’s, or fruit of the loom? Or you just have old bed sheets laying around. If you do wish to send anything email me and I will send you my units address here in Iraq.
I am really glad people are so willing to help. Its not like it was when the invasion was happening, so us soldiers don’t really need too much from home. Things are getting squared away, soldiers have more access to things, like this internet in my room, and it’s not as dangerous as it use to be. Its still sort of a war out there, but not as bad as it was two or even one year ago. Hopefully in another 2 years the last US troops can stop trying to keep Iraq safe and the Iraqis can handle it themselves.
Thank you all for your interest, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I will ask my Chain of command if there is anything the unit needs, but I thing we are doing good. Once we get into more contact with the local towns maybe the schools will need supplies and other items. My unit will make sure anything sent is put to good use and gets to those who need it.
Enjoy the trail, I’ll be out there in 2007.
I have been in the Middle East for 39 days now and i have less than 11 months till I get to go home and hike again. I can’t wait. The food is great, I mean really good. The area isn't the safest but its not too bad, very infrequent attacks and the occasional car bomb or road side bomb outside the gate. We've been doing well and my unit has so far put a fairly good size dent in the insurgent’s plans. We captured a few important screwballs, lots of munitions and weapons and we've only been running missions for a few weeks.
Surprisingly enough the locals like us but it really depends on what towns you are in at the time. Some love us some don’t care and a few hide. I am currently working with our units interpreters who are all locals, very nice people and most seem to honestly want to help us so their country can get in order. They get paid pretty well and most do a very good job. They are teaching me Arabic and I am helping them with the English as best I can. They get paid but very little by our standards, but its good money for them and it helps their families. Most are very afraid to leave the base and go home since the insurgents want them and their families dead.
That brings me to this. Several people have asked about sending me care packages so I can get things I need. Honestly I have everything I want except the Trail, mountains, my girlfriend and beer. DONT SEND ME BEER! It’s not allowed, and my girlfriend wouldn't survive the trip in a box. If I needed anything I just log online and go to town with my credit card. But what is needed are perhaps donations for our interpreters.
The military only supplies them so much, and that is very limited to one or perhaps two uniforms, a pair of boots some soap, and a room to stay in at the base. Prices on base are cheap by American standards but expensive for them. They could use things like soap, laundry detergent, towels, bed sheets, pillows, blankets, underwear, T shirts and socks. I would limit it to things that could help them do their mission with us. Also what would be good are perhaps old English text books, pens, paper and notebooks (small ones for their missions). Stuff that would make them more of an asset to us in the field by improving their English skills and aiding them in translating. English dictionaries maybe, small pocket ones, or a big one for the office. I would advise it to be in the form of donated material, maybe someone works for Webster’s, or fruit of the loom? Or you just have old bed sheets laying around. If you do wish to send anything email me and I will send you my units address here in Iraq.
I am really glad people are so willing to help. Its not like it was when the invasion was happening, so us soldiers don’t really need too much from home. Things are getting squared away, soldiers have more access to things, like this internet in my room, and it’s not as dangerous as it use to be. Its still sort of a war out there, but not as bad as it was two or even one year ago. Hopefully in another 2 years the last US troops can stop trying to keep Iraq safe and the Iraqis can handle it themselves.
Thank you all for your interest, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I will ask my Chain of command if there is anything the unit needs, but I thing we are doing good. Once we get into more contact with the local towns maybe the schools will need supplies and other items. My unit will make sure anything sent is put to good use and gets to those who need it.
Enjoy the trail, I’ll be out there in 2007.