Intermission - my ankle

Just wanted to add a small blurb about my ankle problems. I sprained the back ligament that connects the heel and fibula in late August. It's been very slow healing and I was only about 75% mid November. So, decided to go for a short "fun run" with the Marines to celebrate our birthday. I seemed to overcompensate with my one ankle still hurting (I wrapped it) and sprained my OTHER ankle. So, I go back to the doc yesterday (17 Nov) and have it evaluated. She refers me to the on base physical therapist and believes I have some sort of stability issues. So, last night as I am walking I sprain a different ligament in the ankle I sprained in late August...yes, this is getting ridiculous. So, sitting at home now with both ankles taped, elevated and trying to ice every few hours.

The LONG wait in Kuwait

Ok, so it wasn't THAT long of a wait but it felt like it. To be honest, I don't even remember how long we were in Kuwait as the U.S. military performed feint exercises against the Iraqi border. We were at 2 bases (or more like staging areas) before we staged on the Kuwaiti/Iraqi border.

Three memories that stand out in my mind when we moved bases to be closer to the whole of RCT-2. 1) This was the first time I got "the sickness" where my equilibrium was messed up. Woke up one morning, tried to stand up and fell flat on my face (they told me I was dehydrated but I never get dehydrated and this crap happened to me about the same amount of time in to my next deployment to the middle east). 2) Aaron Zimmerman when he got up, grabbed his gas mask and rifle and ran to the crapper without pants (barely made it, lol!) and 3) General Mattis as he gave a speech to all of us and said something to the effect of how we controlled the airways already (we hadn't even crossed the border yet) and then a couple fighters flew overhead as he was saying it.

Well, it was time...we were going to stage next to the border. I remember quite a few Kuwaiti's giving us salutes and waving as we left. The first night I remember seeing a multitude of Patriot missiles flying overhead to intercept SCUD missiles and I don't know how many times we had to put our gas masks on (I was happy for the practice but smokeless tobacco and gas masks aren't a good combo...). I think by this point we were strictly on MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) and the hot meals were done, hadn't had a shower either since leaving the ship that I can recall. Didn't end up getting a shower for another month or two. That's why baby wipes, beef jerky, gum and the many things you see that are good to send to troops were so huge. Not so much today with their huge PX's (Post Exchange stores) and running water for showers everyday. It's cozy nowadays.

Anyway, I digress, when we finally stopped the feint exercises and went into Iraq it was exciting...it was a little scary, mostly exciting. I think I MEF (Marines) and V Corps (Army) were the first units in and were going directly to Baghdad, we were a little behind them and would hold key points to defend logistical routes.

Life in Iraq is next...

The beginning of the Iraq War

It was crazy how this all started, 9/11 happened when I was in England...I thought it was a movie as it happened around lunchtime there. That's where this story begins, where after 9/11 deployments took a whole new meaning. They weren't the med floats most of us Marines know from before 2001. A deployment on ship to the mediterranean was more of a vacation then real work it seemed.

In July of 2002 I arrived at Camp LeJeune, NC...one of two very large Marine bases where most of the deployed come from. When I first arrived, there really wasn't much on the mind as far as going to war. This might seem pretty dumb but want to know why I volunteered to go on a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit)? Because my boss had just told me I would have to start giving a weekly brief to the CO (Commanding Officer) of my unit on Iraq. I figured I'd rather ride on a boat than do that. Little did I know...volunteering for this MEU would lead me to be one of the first units to enter Iraq, our MEU became RCT-2 (Regimental Combat Team 2). We did a lot of the work-up before we even knew we were going to Iraq...out in the field so much, cold as hell during the winter season in NC...not to mention, Amy was very pregnant with Ryan.

The day we chopped to the MEU...we were told we were leaving the MEU and becoming the RCT-2 going to Iraq and departing in January. Ryan was less than a month old when I left, it was tough but it was also quite exciting (little did I know, I would learn to love deploying and still do to this day). We left for the Gulf on the USS Bataan. We trained hard, barely slept and worried about what was in store. We watched the Superbowl (Tampa Bay destroyed Oakland) and wondered when the time would come that we would go into the desert. We watched Colin Powel on TV and the intel that showed Iraq was carrying WMD's, we trained on using our gas masks. I don't think I can explain how unnerving it is to train with your gas masks knowing that...THIS TIME...it might be different and you might actually NEED this thing to save your life. YOU NEED TO GET THIS ON IN 9 SECONDS! It wasn't a good feeling, it scared the crap out of me...I wouldn't let it show though, I wanted to be strong, I needed to be strong, I reveled in the thought I could overcome this and know I accomplished something.

I was never stronger than I was during this deployment, we had a 6'9'' OIC (Officer in Charge) Reconnaissance Marine and a black belt instructor senior enlisted GySgt. We trained harder than most, we wore our gear (flak jackets, helmets, web gear, etc) all the time. It became a second skin, not to mention the MOPP gear as well to protect us from chem, biological weapons. It might have sucked at the time but we were ready for just about anything.

We were in the Gulf for awhile and I can't remember exactly how long it was but when we finally got the word we would be going into Kuwait...it was hectic, we rode the LCAC onto the beach...none of our lives would be the same and the war was about to begin.

To be continued...

Starting this back up...

Hey all, I'm going to start this blog back-up...it's really been a hectic year. What I plan on doing is summarizing my times in Iraq for the first and second deployment. Then, once I've done that I am going to transcribe the journal I kept for my 3rd deployment into this format for all to see.

I'll keep you posted!

Dennis/Dougherty/Dirty

Sean...

Well, if you haven't heard...Sean had to go to the emergency room on Tuesday. It wasn't something life threatening and he is ok. He just had a doctors appointment that day to discuss some symptoms he's been having. Throwing up for no apparent reason, feeling cold, teeth hurting. At first we attributed it to not eating enough at dinner, going to sleep on an empty stomach and it upsetting his stomach. Then, it seemed to happen quite a bit from sweet foods...so we thought that might have something to do with it. And finally, thought stress might be the culprit (he's always been easily stressed out).

Well, turns out these symptoms are a possible (but unlikely) link to a brain tumor. Yeah, that's pretty nuts. He has some appointments coming up to test his stomach first (seems they are looking for possible acid reflux disease or whatever). Then, he will be scheduled for a MRI. Due to his age, he'll be sedated and will have to spend the night (German hospitals require parents to stay in the same room as their child so I'll be there with him).

I'm not letting it bother me, maybe I'm just blocking my emotions. I won't let this get to me until I know for sure. Because honestly...when you say brain tumor you think death and I'm not prepared for that.

Prayer is always helpful, keep you posted.

Extra Duties

You know, in the military when you sign up for extra duties you usually have 1 of 2 things in mind. 1) This will look awesome on my fitness report (evaluation) or 2) I really enjoy this and am having fun. Well, I guess you could think both really.

Since I have arrived at AFRICOM I have volunteered for everything under the sun. Whether it be lifting tables and chairs to cooking burgers and dogs. Wanna know why? Because I hate my job. I really do. It's at a place where I can affect national policy....but, I don't care. You know what I like doing? I like lifting tables and chairs and getting dirty. I like cooking burgers and dogs. I like doing things where I don't have to use my brain. Do I occassionally get a kick out of something at work? Sure, but it's extremely rare. I love being in Germany but hate what I'm doing here. Don't get me wrong, I think AFRICOM is a great unit and it's missions on the continent are something I hope are achieved and help the people of Africa. I....just....don't....like....my.....job. It's a day filled with super excitement like the following: Decide what I want for lunch, check my email, drink some water, look at watch and hope lunch is soon, upload some files (actual work), look at FFB sites, check email, go to lunch and then repeat all that other bullcrap. Of course, there are some meetings in there somewhere but I'd rather not dwell on those....I want to stab my eyes out during every meeting.

Meetings at AFRICOM consist of a bunch of officers and/or civilians talking about something like they are actually interested in it. I can't stand the PC bullcrap and the absolute kiss ass attitude in a joint command like this. It eats away at me every day, thankfully I have Jesus Christ to fill my soul when it's emptied by utter nonsense.

Which brings me back to my original point (you forgot it, didn't you?). Extra duties. One of the many things I've volunteered for is Sports Council Representative. Basically, I manage all the sports for my unit. It's not a hard job, but it's not always a walk in the park either. Due to my passion and being outspoken...I've earned sort of a rep in this world. Because I ask people to do their damn job, they dislike me. Because I ask people for information on sports, they dislike me. Because I ask people to respond to my questions in a timely manner, they dislike me. Guess what, the Sergeant Major told me to keep trucking along. So, I must be doing something right. That something right is acting like a Marine. Anyone else would just roll over and die. Anyone else would just say it doesn't matter. Anyone else would say, "I'm not getting paid for this crap". Sorry, that's not me. I will fight, for the right....to party! Ok, sorry off subject. I will fight when I believe I've been wronged. These people (people that work for Morale, Welfare and Recreation) don't give a crap about anything other than themselves. They want to make a name for themselves, they want to earn bonuses, they want to be popular. I just ask for people to be fair. If you are going to answer one persons emails, answer mine. If you are going to allow a rule for one team, allow it for all teams.

I know a lot of this doesn't make sense to someone just reading it without knowing the background but I think you can get something out of it. I just needed to get it off my chest. Although, my whole command pretty much knows where I stand on things and it's not much of a secret....so, I guess I've gotten off my chest already.

Random Thoughts

Life has been a little calmer. But, I have finally started back at work and the newborn is still a newborn lol.

President-Elect Obama, first black President...it really is unbelievable and historic. No matter he is a democrat, he's still an American and he will be my Commander-in-Chief. I will give him a chance and will always follow his orders (unless he goes against God, but I don't see that happening...to the extent I'm thinking of). He has talked about doing away with the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. I think it's a huge mistake and I'll explain why. I'm not a hate mongering Christian bent on the destruction of all homosexuals. But, I will say that homosexuality is not natural, it's not a disease and it's you are not born with it. We are all born sinners and at a certain point in our lives, we become susceptible to a certain sin. Whether it be lying, swearing, homosexuality, adultery, etc. Homosexuals are not Godless people, they aren't forever damned to hell. They can be saved just as any of us can be, by the blood of Jesus Christ. He died for all. But, putting aside sin or not a sin...openly gay serivce members actually pose a threat to themselves and to the entire cohesion of a unit in the military. I guess if the gay community wants more soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines to die in combat then sure go ahead and protest about the don't ask, don't tell policy. There is a reason there isn't co-ed showers anywhere. There is a reason there aren't females allowed in infantry units (at least in the Marine Corps). It effects morale and cohesion of the unit. It would have a negative psychological impact on our military. And those of you out there that are in favor say "Well, I guess they better just learn to deal with it!". Oh, so now WE have to deal with it?! WE have to change because others live a life of sin? No, the world doesn't change for liars, for adulterers...and it shouldn't change for homosexuals. I hear the argument that being gay is like being black. That is the biggest crock I have ever heard, you CAN change how you behave sexually. You CAN'T change the color of your skin. If you somehow think you CAN'T change how you behave sexually then you are weak and haven't tried hard enough. Will you have setbacks? Yes. Will you get discouraged? Yes. Do you think those of us that do get saved stop lying on the stop? Or stop swearing? Or stop drinking alcohol? Not entirely. But, what you do get is the Holy Spirit inside of you. And then you start to say to yourself "Am I doing the right thing?" It's called a conscience, most of us do have it but to a saved person...that is the voice Holy Spirit telling you it's wrong and you shouldn't do it. I wish gay people the best in life and I hope they get all of the rights we have. But, I would hope they find Jesus and see the despicable ways of their life. Are we not all sinners? We are, I am, you are...don't force me to change my lifestyle because of your sins though.

Drinking alcohol. It seems to me that many evangelical independent baptists are against even a little bit of alcohol. But, I disagree with this. I belive the Bible talks about drunkards and drunkenness as being sins. But, I have yet to find anything about drinking alcohol at all. Small amounts of alcohol with dinner seems harmless and not a sin to me. Now, I understand that some people would just not want to have the temptation there and totally ban it from their house/body so as not to get drunk. I think having alcohol in the house and NOT getting drunk is actually a good test. But, it's definitely something that could be argued until you're blue in the face.