Sunday, February 17, 2008
1/17/08
Troy has received word through the rumor mill about their return home. His unit has started to pack up, and move kit into containers. It looks like they will be getting back the end of March. More to follow
1/15/08
Thanks for the update man!!! And congrats on your new job! That's awesome. Sounds like you're really enjoying it, too. Thats great you'll be able to spend more time at home as you'll be working the proverbial "normal" schedule. Must be nice not to have to worry about working overnights or weekends, huh? So are you full time there, and no longer on staff at Midwest?
Trying to wade through the paperwork and check off all the appropriate blocks for recert through NREMT. Gotta love paperwork from 10,000 miles away. I think we'll be able to get it done over here, even though we should have 90 days after our return. But...better safe than sorry. I loved EMSLRC, but I'd rather not have to pay to go through it again...still paying off my first go-round, don't need to add a second.
Hopefully you got the two pics of the snow we received over here. It totalled just under 2 inches. i've got a couple more I still need to take off my camera so I can email them out to people. It was definitely different seeing everything white instead of tan. Too bad the snow only lasted about a day and a half. Its still below freezing most of the time, and if you look closely we can still spot the occasional patch of snow hiding in the shadows, but its few and far between.
According to our battalion commander, we've got less than 100 days remaining; definitely beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just another month and a half of ops, and we should start moving and turning over everything to the new incoming unit. Hopefully it all goes well.
Got another coin; this time from our battalion commander (Lt Col), and is the 2-7 Infantry Regiment's coin. Pretty cool; its actually a lot nicer than the ForceComm coin (4-star general) I have.
Still thinking about re-upping for Ft. Carson, CO. Also have been considering going to flight medic school. I've been looking at the new deployment schedule the Army has put out, and was somewhat surprised to learn that my brigade is schedule to return to Iraq the same month I'm supposed to be getting out. Yeah...that means I'd be stop-lossed even before I got on the plane! I'm not trying to get out of another deployment...just would like to do it within the "normal" confines of my enlistment contract. Plus, Colorado's a lot easier to get to than Georgia. If I get out there, maybe you and Christine could come visit for a weekend of skiing. We'll see...
Talked to Kelly a little while ago. He's still trying to get me to go SF, or at least SOCOM medic. Its always an option, and would be a heck of a challenge. But he said that he may be in Iowa sometime in April or May. When I hear back from him I'll make sure to let you know.
Anyway, hope everything is going well with your new job. I'm sure you'll do great things there, John.
Talk to you later
Troy
Trying to wade through the paperwork and check off all the appropriate blocks for recert through NREMT. Gotta love paperwork from 10,000 miles away. I think we'll be able to get it done over here, even though we should have 90 days after our return. But...better safe than sorry. I loved EMSLRC, but I'd rather not have to pay to go through it again...still paying off my first go-round, don't need to add a second.
Hopefully you got the two pics of the snow we received over here. It totalled just under 2 inches. i've got a couple more I still need to take off my camera so I can email them out to people. It was definitely different seeing everything white instead of tan. Too bad the snow only lasted about a day and a half. Its still below freezing most of the time, and if you look closely we can still spot the occasional patch of snow hiding in the shadows, but its few and far between.
According to our battalion commander, we've got less than 100 days remaining; definitely beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just another month and a half of ops, and we should start moving and turning over everything to the new incoming unit. Hopefully it all goes well.
Got another coin; this time from our battalion commander (Lt Col), and is the 2-7 Infantry Regiment's coin. Pretty cool; its actually a lot nicer than the ForceComm coin (4-star general) I have.
Still thinking about re-upping for Ft. Carson, CO. Also have been considering going to flight medic school. I've been looking at the new deployment schedule the Army has put out, and was somewhat surprised to learn that my brigade is schedule to return to Iraq the same month I'm supposed to be getting out. Yeah...that means I'd be stop-lossed even before I got on the plane! I'm not trying to get out of another deployment...just would like to do it within the "normal" confines of my enlistment contract. Plus, Colorado's a lot easier to get to than Georgia. If I get out there, maybe you and Christine could come visit for a weekend of skiing. We'll see...
Talked to Kelly a little while ago. He's still trying to get me to go SF, or at least SOCOM medic. Its always an option, and would be a heck of a challenge. But he said that he may be in Iowa sometime in April or May. When I hear back from him I'll make sure to let you know.
Anyway, hope everything is going well with your new job. I'm sure you'll do great things there, John.
Talk to you later
Troy
1/14/08
Just thought I'd say hi; not a whole lot to report, besides it being COLD!!! Doesn't help that there's nothing out here to stop the wind from Syria to Baghdad . oh well...thats what snivel gear is for, huh?
Finished "In the Company of Heros" and "Clan of the Cave Bear." Both great books!!! Really enjoyed both of them; I've left them in the chow hall for other people to pick up if they want.
Will try to get the day light pics of the snow off my computer tomorrow if I get the chance. Also, I got a short little video clip on my camera of one of my buddies sledding!!! He took a sign of the back of a humvee and bent the corners up so he could put his feet there, and took off down the hill. its pretty funny, but probably too large to email. Most of the snow is gone...it lasted for about a day and a half, but now the only places it remains is where the sun doesn't hit. It was sure fun while it lasted, though. You should have seen all the infantrymen and their snowball fights! Good times.
The Battalion Commander stopped by our "humble abode" today. I guess Paul overheard him talking about trying to give coins to deserving Soldiers, and he dropped my name in his ear. So, later this afternoon he stopped by the aid station and presented me with a coin. Its pretty cool looking, too. Its the 2-7 Infantry Regimental coin. Now I've got one from my battalion, division and major command ( Lt Col , 2-star general, and 4-star general respectively.) My collection is growing, plus we'll all get one for the deployment. Paul was really happy that it worked out; he was really happy with how I was able to take care of my guys with no direct oversight since we left Hit. He was bragging to everybody we saw this afternoon that I got a coin from the BC. Kinda cool.
Other than that, not a whole lot going on right now. Will have a couple things to take care of tomorrow, but nothing too big. I've been slowly working at typing out an email (aka abbreviated version of events since we left Hit) but it is taking more time than anticipated. I'm not sure anybody will read the whole thing, but it'll be nice to have a record (if somewhat abridged) of events over the past several months. I'll get it out when I can, but there's still a ways to go.
Just got off the phone with Kristen before I sat down at the computer to write you guys. Not too many people out right now as it is COLD and the wind is really howling...makes guys tend to stay inside next to the heaters (like normal, sane people). She's doing well, and is trying to get ready for her next semester of classes. I guess U of I doesn't start till next week; seems late, but then again its been a while since I've been in college. Can't WAIT to get my degree finished!!! That'll be really nice to have completed that step in the process.
Speaking of completing processes, we're trying to get everything together for my paramedic recert; the packet you mailed off will help immensly, thanks for doing that! Looks like I may have to spend several days on KV to be able to go through some classes with Doc Brown so I can check off the necessary blocks. I'm definitely not opposed to this, as it'll be a great learning experience, plus it'll be the only real test of knowledge I've had since I joined the Army.
Well...I should probably head to bed. 07 comes early...
Love you guys more than fresh-fallen snow!
Troy
Finished "In the Company of Heros" and "Clan of the Cave Bear." Both great books!!! Really enjoyed both of them; I've left them in the chow hall for other people to pick up if they want.
Will try to get the day light pics of the snow off my computer tomorrow if I get the chance. Also, I got a short little video clip on my camera of one of my buddies sledding!!! He took a sign of the back of a humvee and bent the corners up so he could put his feet there, and took off down the hill. its pretty funny, but probably too large to email. Most of the snow is gone...it lasted for about a day and a half, but now the only places it remains is where the sun doesn't hit. It was sure fun while it lasted, though. You should have seen all the infantrymen and their snowball fights! Good times.
The Battalion Commander stopped by our "humble abode" today. I guess Paul overheard him talking about trying to give coins to deserving Soldiers, and he dropped my name in his ear. So, later this afternoon he stopped by the aid station and presented me with a coin. Its pretty cool looking, too. Its the 2-7 Infantry Regimental coin. Now I've got one from my battalion, division and major command ( Lt Col , 2-star general, and 4-star general respectively.) My collection is growing, plus we'll all get one for the deployment. Paul was really happy that it worked out; he was really happy with how I was able to take care of my guys with no direct oversight since we left Hit. He was bragging to everybody we saw this afternoon that I got a coin from the BC. Kinda cool.
Other than that, not a whole lot going on right now. Will have a couple things to take care of tomorrow, but nothing too big. I've been slowly working at typing out an email (aka abbreviated version of events since we left Hit) but it is taking more time than anticipated. I'm not sure anybody will read the whole thing, but it'll be nice to have a record (if somewhat abridged) of events over the past several months. I'll get it out when I can, but there's still a ways to go.
Just got off the phone with Kristen before I sat down at the computer to write you guys. Not too many people out right now as it is COLD and the wind is really howling...makes guys tend to stay inside next to the heaters (like normal, sane people). She's doing well, and is trying to get ready for her next semester of classes. I guess U of I doesn't start till next week; seems late, but then again its been a while since I've been in college. Can't WAIT to get my degree finished!!! That'll be really nice to have completed that step in the process.
Speaking of completing processes, we're trying to get everything together for my paramedic recert; the packet you mailed off will help immensly, thanks for doing that! Looks like I may have to spend several days on KV to be able to go through some classes with Doc Brown so I can check off the necessary blocks. I'm definitely not opposed to this, as it'll be a great learning experience, plus it'll be the only real test of knowledge I've had since I joined the Army.
Well...I should probably head to bed. 07 comes early...
Love you guys more than fresh-fallen snow!
Troy
1/10/2008
Its been a long time since I last wrote, and as much as I wish this was a full update, I don't have the time. I am working on it, though. Since our computer time is limited, I have to type it on my laptop, put it on a thumb drive, and then transfer it once I'm in the computer room. It all works out, though.
I had to share these pics with everyone, though. Today started off cold and cloudy, but we didn't give it a second thought. I was originally told that I was to have a "down day" where I didn't have anything on the schedule. Those are few and far between, and are a much enjoyed break. However, this morning one of our NCO's stopped in the aid station and told me that we had a mission in 30 minutes...so much for a "day off." Our patrol consisted of checking out areas of interest out in the middle of the desert. Usually there's nothing but a whole lot of rocks and sand, though occasionally something is actually found. On our drive out it started raining, though it quickly changed to freezing rain. About 30 minutes later, there was no doubt about it...it was snowing!!!! That's right...snow in Iraq. I tried taking a couple pictures while we were out in the desert, but since everything is so monotone out there, the snow had nothing to contrast against. Our patrol lasted five and a half hours (which is a long time to sit in the back of a humvee and shiver), and it snowed almost the whole time. Nothing was really sticking at first, but it didn't take long for the ground to cool off and start to show a dusting of white. Its now many hours later, and the snow is still coming down. We're at an altitude of about half a mile, and things are cold enough that its sticking. I'll get a couple pics in the morning once I get up; from the looks of things, there will definitely be a layer of snow on everything.
Since my last email, we've moved several times; our current location is a train station in the far western Anbar province, which is a high wasteland. Its not mountainous, but there are plenty of large plateaus and hills in our area, though once you start decending towards KV everything levels out, and is flat for as far as you can see.
We're counting down until we start getting ready to move back to the States. Still looking at early April (I think) but of course that's always subject to change.
I wanted to get these pics out to you guys; we heard that they occasionally got snow up here, but not many of us believed it. Obviously, they were wrong! The weather has stayed cold for the last month, though the wind makes things even less enjoyable. Besides this snow, the only precipitation we've seen in the last 8 months has been a 5 minute shower that did nothing but turn the top layer of dust to mud.
I hope to email everyone again soon.
All the best
Troy
I had to share these pics with everyone, though. Today started off cold and cloudy, but we didn't give it a second thought. I was originally told that I was to have a "down day" where I didn't have anything on the schedule. Those are few and far between, and are a much enjoyed break. However, this morning one of our NCO's stopped in the aid station and told me that we had a mission in 30 minutes...so much for a "day off." Our patrol consisted of checking out areas of interest out in the middle of the desert. Usually there's nothing but a whole lot of rocks and sand, though occasionally something is actually found. On our drive out it started raining, though it quickly changed to freezing rain. About 30 minutes later, there was no doubt about it...it was snowing!!!! That's right...snow in Iraq. I tried taking a couple pictures while we were out in the desert, but since everything is so monotone out there, the snow had nothing to contrast against. Our patrol lasted five and a half hours (which is a long time to sit in the back of a humvee and shiver), and it snowed almost the whole time. Nothing was really sticking at first, but it didn't take long for the ground to cool off and start to show a dusting of white. Its now many hours later, and the snow is still coming down. We're at an altitude of about half a mile, and things are cold enough that its sticking. I'll get a couple pics in the morning once I get up; from the looks of things, there will definitely be a layer of snow on everything.
Since my last email, we've moved several times; our current location is a train station in the far western Anbar province, which is a high wasteland. Its not mountainous, but there are plenty of large plateaus and hills in our area, though once you start decending towards KV everything levels out, and is flat for as far as you can see.
We're counting down until we start getting ready to move back to the States. Still looking at early April (I think) but of course that's always subject to change.
I wanted to get these pics out to you guys; we heard that they occasionally got snow up here, but not many of us believed it. Obviously, they were wrong! The weather has stayed cold for the last month, though the wind makes things even less enjoyable. Besides this snow, the only precipitation we've seen in the last 8 months has been a 5 minute shower that did nothing but turn the top layer of dust to mud.
I hope to email everyone again soon.
All the best
Troy
1/8/08
HAWKEYE!
Hey, my dad said that you called the other night wondering what I've been up to. Pretty much the same old crap, different location. Living in a train station, driving a lot through the open desert looking for bad guys. I know, I know...sounds exciting. Don't worry...its not.
Heard you got a new job!!! Congrats, man! That's awesome! If you get the time, you'll have to tell me all about it.
Sorry this is so short, but I gotta run.
Later, John
Troy
Hey, my dad said that you called the other night wondering what I've been up to. Pretty much the same old crap, different location. Living in a train station, driving a lot through the open desert looking for bad guys. I know, I know...sounds exciting. Don't worry...its not.
Heard you got a new job!!! Congrats, man! That's awesome! If you get the time, you'll have to tell me all about it.
Sorry this is so short, but I gotta run.
Later, John
Troy
12/23/2008
Hey!
Finally had the chance to use the computer again. I got to our new home, only to be told that I was supposed to be on KV for our annual retraining event. So, the next morning I caught the convoy headed back down south. The training was actually a lot of fun, and I had a good time (except standing out in the freezing cold with none of my cold weather gear!) While I was there, we started talking about the upcoming events for 3rd ID and what it may mean for some of us. It looks like there is a lot coming up for us once we get back (starting in early 2009 for the "possible events"), and it got some of us talking about reenlistment. Some of the NCO's started talking to me about what I wanted to do, and some of them said that I really need to reenlist and go to a different unit as there are a lot of opportunities out there that we should be taking advantage of. Don't worry...I haven't signed anything yet!!! But, I've got the reenlistment NCO looking at a couple of things for me. I've pretty much decided that I won't reenlist unless they can get me Ft. Carson , Colorado and a slot in the flight medic school. I figure being a flight medic out there would be a LOT of fun, plus its a much easier drive than Georgia !!! And being right down the road from Brekinridge isn't a bad thing, either. We'll see...I still have to get him some stuff (like a copy of my paramedic card) before he can see what he can do. But I'll make sure to keep you guys in the loop before I do anything. It'd really only push me back about a year, plus it would get me to a base that I would love, doing a waaay cool job! I think it would probably help me get into med school and with those plans, too, as I would have more freetime to take classes and maybe even finish my degree before I get out of the army. Med school is still me end goal...not gonna change that one. I got to talk to our doc out here this weekend, too. Yeah...he just got me all the more pumped up about going to med school, and all the opportunities and residencies and how the scholarship program works. Sounds like a SWEET deal!
I got the first box today; its the one that had the salty jerky in it...not too bad, but definitely saltier than anything else you've made. It also had Da Turdy Point Buck, which I'm going to listen to after dinner. I may watch one of the Jeff Dunham DVD's tonight, too...depends on how tired I am. Its been a hectic weekend!
So our new home isn't too bad; we're living in a train station, much like the firmbase across the street from where we lived back in Hit. Its ok, but it means that we have to go outside to get to anything: bathroom, shower, chow hall, you name it. But, we're tough...we've survived this far, and a little cold isn't going to knock us down now! I haven't gotten my thermometer up and running yet, but I'll let you know what the temps are like when I do. I'm sure they're nothing like what you've got, though; too bad it doesn't measure wind chill! Most of us are still running around in just our uniform...the same thing we wore when it was 150 degrees outside...about 120 degrees warmer than it is now!!! But, I've got some cold weather gear in my bags that will probably be making more of an appearance here shortly.
The town is small, and we're pretty isolated, so there really isn't much going on out here. Its safer than where we moved from, so I'm sure you're happy about that. Of course, this place has its own unique "fragrance." This time we get to add sulfur to the usual aroma of feces. MMmmm...eau de Iraq ; I don't think it'd be much of a hit, though.
I just got back up here from KV this afternoon, and haven't done much unpacking. I've got 4, yes 4 giant boxes of coffee...and no coffee maker. But one of the guys has a coffee press, and I'm pretty sure I can get a water heater out in town, so we should be sitting pretty.
Other than that, there's not a whole lot going on. Tell everybody hi for me, and that I love them. Hope you guys have a great Christmas!!!
I'll try to call in the next day or two if I get the chance.
Love you guys!!!
Troy
Finally had the chance to use the computer again. I got to our new home, only to be told that I was supposed to be on KV for our annual retraining event. So, the next morning I caught the convoy headed back down south. The training was actually a lot of fun, and I had a good time (except standing out in the freezing cold with none of my cold weather gear!) While I was there, we started talking about the upcoming events for 3rd ID and what it may mean for some of us. It looks like there is a lot coming up for us once we get back (starting in early 2009 for the "possible events"), and it got some of us talking about reenlistment. Some of the NCO's started talking to me about what I wanted to do, and some of them said that I really need to reenlist and go to a different unit as there are a lot of opportunities out there that we should be taking advantage of. Don't worry...I haven't signed anything yet!!! But, I've got the reenlistment NCO looking at a couple of things for me. I've pretty much decided that I won't reenlist unless they can get me Ft. Carson , Colorado and a slot in the flight medic school. I figure being a flight medic out there would be a LOT of fun, plus its a much easier drive than Georgia !!! And being right down the road from Brekinridge isn't a bad thing, either. We'll see...I still have to get him some stuff (like a copy of my paramedic card) before he can see what he can do. But I'll make sure to keep you guys in the loop before I do anything. It'd really only push me back about a year, plus it would get me to a base that I would love, doing a waaay cool job! I think it would probably help me get into med school and with those plans, too, as I would have more freetime to take classes and maybe even finish my degree before I get out of the army. Med school is still me end goal...not gonna change that one. I got to talk to our doc out here this weekend, too. Yeah...he just got me all the more pumped up about going to med school, and all the opportunities and residencies and how the scholarship program works. Sounds like a SWEET deal!
I got the first box today; its the one that had the salty jerky in it...not too bad, but definitely saltier than anything else you've made. It also had Da Turdy Point Buck, which I'm going to listen to after dinner. I may watch one of the Jeff Dunham DVD's tonight, too...depends on how tired I am. Its been a hectic weekend!
So our new home isn't too bad; we're living in a train station, much like the firmbase across the street from where we lived back in Hit. Its ok, but it means that we have to go outside to get to anything: bathroom, shower, chow hall, you name it. But, we're tough...we've survived this far, and a little cold isn't going to knock us down now! I haven't gotten my thermometer up and running yet, but I'll let you know what the temps are like when I do. I'm sure they're nothing like what you've got, though; too bad it doesn't measure wind chill! Most of us are still running around in just our uniform...the same thing we wore when it was 150 degrees outside...about 120 degrees warmer than it is now!!! But, I've got some cold weather gear in my bags that will probably be making more of an appearance here shortly.
The town is small, and we're pretty isolated, so there really isn't much going on out here. Its safer than where we moved from, so I'm sure you're happy about that. Of course, this place has its own unique "fragrance." This time we get to add sulfur to the usual aroma of feces. MMmmm...eau de Iraq ; I don't think it'd be much of a hit, though.
I just got back up here from KV this afternoon, and haven't done much unpacking. I've got 4, yes 4 giant boxes of coffee...and no coffee maker. But one of the guys has a coffee press, and I'm pretty sure I can get a water heater out in town, so we should be sitting pretty.
Other than that, there's not a whole lot going on. Tell everybody hi for me, and that I love them. Hope you guys have a great Christmas!!!
I'll try to call in the next day or two if I get the chance.
Love you guys!!!
Troy
New address
Hey all,
Troy is moving to another small base with a different company and platoon. New address is below. Thanks, Tim
SPC RUFFIN, TROY
B Co, 3rd PLT, 2-7 IN BN
UNIT # 73431
KOREAN VILLAGE
APO AE 09371-3431
Troy is moving to another small base with a different company and platoon. New address is below. Thanks, Tim
SPC RUFFIN, TROY
B Co, 3rd PLT, 2-7 IN BN
UNIT # 73431
KOREAN VILLAGE
APO AE 09371-3431
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
