well,I'm still at Fort Lewis,and making the best of it.I've been assigned to a cav squadron here,but with a pending medical board,I've been given the job of serving as the squadron master driver-the NCO in charge of all driver training and testing,and an assistant to the unit's warrant officer in charge of vehicle maintenence.Not a bad job,and it's some useful work that I can do for the unit,while everything is pending.

I'm trying to get settled in,and so far,I'm getting fairly comfy.I'm staying in the barracks,which to an old warhorse such as myself,are'nt "barracks",which would be more along the lines of the dilapidated WW2 German Cavalry barracks I lived in as a young private back in the dark ages,but resembling more a college campus.The living conditions are good,and even though "old soldiers" have,through the ages,ALWAYS told the younger guys,that back in OUR day,things were totally horrible and primitive,I certainly don't begrudge these young soldiers the better conditions they have that I did'nt when I was in their shoes.Many of them will be putting their lives on the line in Iraq in the not too distant future,and deserve it.

I picked up a cheap car off of the post "lemon lot",where soldiers can put vehicles up for sale to other soldiers.It's a 1988 Volvo sedan-and I've always WANTED a Volvo,just could'nt ever AFFORD one before.I paid a grand for it,and it's in pretty fair shape,even if its not brand spanking new.I've never given a shit about having new vehicles anyway.

I ran into a kid who was in my unit in Iraq-in fact,he hails from my home county in Wisconsin.He was present at the last major IED strike against my unit,where several of my friends were killed.He said it was pretty fucked up.I'll spare all the gruesome details-those of you who've been in combat know them all too well.This kid had to put his mortally wounded best friend on a chopper to Balad,where surgeons battled desperately to save his life,but to no avail.He also told me that one of my fellow NCOs,killed in that attack,died quickly,and did'nt suufer.Thats something I guess.

So for now,I'm just waiting to see what happens next-the unit's PA thinks it unlikely the army will keep me on active duty-I'm game to remain for a few more years,if they can use me.I've been an old warhorse too long to just give it up that easily,but I have to accept the reality that I can't take these young soldiers out on patrol without undue risk to them,due to my medicall issues.But if the army has a place for me,I'll stay

well,I'm here at Fort Lewis,since the 26th of last month,and trying not to go buggy.Still waiting for an assignment-seems theres no jobs here for senior cav NCOs,so those of us who've arrived here recently are scrambling for whatever jobs we can find,and it looks as if I may be assigned to corps HQ here,working for the Commanding General's office-argghhhhhh!Thats the same unit I was with LAST time I was here,and I worked in a support role for the CG,but still was able to get out of the office enough and go down to the motor pool and wrench on trucks,or do SOMETHING useful-but this looks like a total office monkey job.Just shoot me.......please....

This is my last weekend at home,before I have to report for active duty,next week.We had a killer game of trivial pursuit last night-the wife,her ex brother in law,and two nephews playing.(I did'nt win either )

My liver survived the night-barely

On monday,I report to the armed forces offices in Green Bay,and they'll put me on a bus to Milwaukee,and I'll stay overnight there,then do a buttload of paperwork,and then fly out to the People's Republic of Washington on tuesday,and report in to Fort Lewis,outside Tacoma.NOT my favorite assignment

Then,its back to the medical board,and waiting to see if the army will keep my old crusty ass awhile longer,or put me out to pasture for good.Personally,I would'nt mind doing another 5 or 6 years,at Fort Knox,home of Armor and Cavalry(and 30 miles from the Jim Beam plant,and 10 miles from Knob Creek machine gun range,a popular private gun club)

Plus,if the army keeps me,I'll go back to school.While at Knox,I started on some US history courses,and my prof was a real cool guy-a retired Cav NCO,and quite a colorful character.I look forward to more classes with him.(I got a B+ on my last course).The army allows every soldier $4500.00 annually for tuition assistance,and I'll certainly take advantage of it.

Not looking forward to Fort Lewis,but I'll make the best of it,and hopefully it'll go quick

I had to take a truck battery back to Wal-mart,and had an hour to kill,while they put it on the tester.I stumbled across the COOLEST gadget I've seen in awhile-a hand cranked,generator powered flashlight-with LED bulbs.no dead batteries to worry about,and no lights to replace.At 8 bucks,it was'nt too bad a deal.i've been wanting something like this for YEARS!

I was editing my blog list,to take Dixie's OLD one off of there,and inadvertantly undid the thingie to get email notifications on all new posts.I wuz startin' to WONDER if everyone was asleep or somethin'................I fixed it