Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 5

Well its almost 2 weeks here now. Still lovely freakin Sather AB, right in the middle of hell. Still have people trying to piss everyone off, but this time, now that the old rotation is gone, others are stepping up to do the job they were doing. Piss us off and keep us from sleeping. The Chief Master Sgt decided to do this morning roll call thing. We are required to be there even if we are not on shift, such as a day off. This, just as we were starting to get everyone days off. So, even if you haven't slept or had just gotten to sleep, you have to get your ass up, attend the briefing and roll call, and if you get a chance, go back to bed. Its not like walking across the street. Its walk across the compound. We've already had people miss the roll call or be late and he's handing out LOR's (letters of reprimand) like candy at halloween. I'm arguing that its not fair to those who aren't required to be there and here's why: the very second a person steps into the facility, they are trapped! You can be off shift, on call, or on shift and if you go into the medical facility, you ain't leaving anytime soon! Yesterday. My day off started after working a double shift (24hours +). I stayed for roll call. I ended up travelling to other bases, back to the clinic, got stuck doing admin stuff, worked a cardiac emergency, got stuck in the lab, and did not leave the building until 4pm. This after having worked a double shift the day before and still had had no sleep. Its that way with everyone. So, I argue, if you don't have to be there, you shouldn't have to go there. Its a fight I'm willing to have and will keep you updated.

Not much new otherwise. Iraqi elections are coming up the end of this month and we are gearing up for several days of escalating violence surrounding them (Jan 31). It happens everytime and we will see how this one goes. If the Iraqi government would stop having elections every few months, we could avoid all this BS. Just get to freakin work, take back the country, and kiss and make up. Its about responsibility and getting it done. These dumbasses would rather piss, moan, and argue then get any problems solved. I say take away the life jacket and see how long it takes to learn to freakin swim!

Okay, enough for now. I'll stay in touch. Recognize, I can only get on this blog from the morale computers at another part of base. The military computers don't allow access here, so whenever I have a few minutes, I will get on here to keep you informed.

Take care Everyone and stay in touch!

Ricky...