After 40 hours of travel (Shreveport to Dallas to London, for a 12 hour layover, to Bahrain to Kuwait, for 3 days, to Basra) I’m back.  I was so dreading getting back here, but I was so happy when I walked in the office to see all my favorite soldiers.  Ty almost tackled me when he saw me and they all said they were glad to have me back.  Now we’re on the downhill slope for real.  Our replacements should be here in about 2 months and then it’s Adios Basra, Hola Future!  

Here’s some pics from our trip

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIlw2xUAGt8

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS5_n-vzEso[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtQVCXIYgQ[/youtube]

Sassypants didn’t have his security badge to get into Division, so we had to stop at the front desk for an escort badge.  I was his escort, so I stepped up to the counter and told the specialist “I need to escort him into the building.”  She gave us a look that told me we were highly inconveniencing her.  I let her turtlish speed slide as she got out the book with escort badges and the paper for Sassypants to sign.  I think he made a comment like “You don’t seem very motivated today” and she responded “I’m not.”  Another sergeant walked up, E-7 type, and she greeted him with “what can I do for you, sergeant?”  I didn’t recall her giving us that same respect and became a little agitated.  Sassypants signed out his badge and said thanks as we walked away.  Returning back to her smug attitude, she uttered “you’re welcome” under her breath.  This is when I turned around and said “The correct response is ‘You’re Welcome Sergeant… Sergeant.”  We continued to walk after that.  This is the same specialist who got an attitude with me when I told her we didn’t do passport photos.  Since when does Public Affairs do passport photos?  That seems like an abuse of assets to me.  But hey.. what do I know?  I’m just an E-6.  

I’m not always so strict on the use of “sergeant” when speaking to NCOs, but I think maybe I should be.  The lack of respect among lower enlisted amazes me.  The fact that they have no problem with walking away from an NCO when that NCO is asking a question (a situation Stone just went through) or just yelling “hey” across the division floor is a problem.  If we can’t get the respect of lower enlisted in a division building, how can we get it on the battlefield?

The second time I pulled out my rocker this week was a little more fun.  I came into the office Thursday morning to find pictures of “Kreg,” “Craygh,” “Krehygh,” “Craig,” “Creag,” etc. on my whiteboard walls and one on the ceiling. (Check out the pics on Stone’s blog.. and don’t judge my flip flop purchase.) I immediately knew it was the work of my favorite Seattlite – TyTy.  I smiled a big smile and then decided to have a little fun.  I made a phone call to GI Joe – “Has your specialist made it to the office yet?…Great, send him over for some wall to wall counseling and let him know to expect pushups.”  TyTy came in with a smile, “But Sergeant King, I thought I was doing something nice.  I thought you would like it.”  Stone likes that TyTy tries to use the same excuses he would use on Mother Mary.  He likes to draw Kreg with earrings (at least he didn’t tattoo musical notes under his ear.. that’s all I’m saying Ty) all over and make fun of his alter ego spelling… all in good fun, of course.  He even hid my eraser!  I made him erase all the “kregs”, but caved in and let him keep the one on the ceiling.  (It does make me laugh to look at it and I get a big smile thinking about my Craig – no matter how he likes to spell it).  After that, I dropped Maulding for 25 pushups.  He still owes me another 25, but I told him he could pay in installments.  I gave him a hug after that, because like I said – I just can’t be “that sergeant.”

B2: Does anyone have the keys over there?

Me: Does anyone have the keys?… Yes Sir, Stone has them.

B2: Can he bring them over here, SSG Lankford needs the vehicle at 1400.  

Me:  Where does he have to go?  (I’m just having a little fun with him now)

B2:  Does it matter where he has to go?

Me: Well, yes Sir, I’d like to know why we have to bring the vehicle over there.

B2:  He has a meeting with someone about a story.

Me:  Okay, I guess that’s good enough.  Since it’s only 1000, can’t it wait?  I mean, do you need it this minute?  Stone is busy and we’re all working on stuff.

B2:  Fine, Fine, but you know this vehicle log really needs to be updated.  It’s too hard to track down the vehicle when people have places to go and we’re going to start cracking down.  If the vehicle isn’t signed back in promptly, the driver and passengers will lose their vehicle privileges for a week.  I’m serious.

Me: (trying not to laugh)  Well, Sir, out of curiosity.. who had the vehicle last?

B2:  Well, SSG Raley had it to go to his mission. 

Me:  But, who signed it out?  Who should have signed it back in?

B2: (in a defeated tone) … First Sergeant.

Me: Ohhhhhh… Looks like he’s in trouble.  (I had him on speaker phone the whole time, so the “ooohhhh” was in unison with Stone and Barney)

B2:  Whatever.. just bring the vehicle over here.  

Me:  We’ll have it there in time for SSG Lankford, Sir.  

I promptly called back and asked if we could put the vehicle log on the sharepoint (a site we use to share documents on all the computers).. I mean really it only makes sense.  He just acted confused, probably because I was laughing hysterically when I asked.  But, what do you expect when you try to lay down the law with the NCOs and the 1SG can’t even follow it?

SGT Stone called SSG Lankford later and worked out an NCO-to-NCO deal.  SSG Lankford walked to where the vehicle was to grab the keys and leave.  Oh.. and he signed the vehicle back in for us and out again for himself.

I didn’t start the day in a very good mood, but having Stone back and filling up on some good Rotel makes all the difference.  It’s amazing how happy you can get over the little things.  I guess Basra will do that to you.  You can read Stone’s adventures at www.stonereportblog.com - check out his video to the Army on the blog entitled “Happy 234th Birthday Army.”  I think it’s one Uncle Mark will enjoy!

Today a weight is lifted; a burden that has hung over our heads since the 34^th got here is gone.  The TOA (Transfer of Authority) is over.

Sassypants has been killing himself preparing for the TOA, because the good idea fairy hit the colonel hard with the thought we should do a three-camera live shoot to DVIDS at 2AM Minnesota time.  Don’t get me wrong – it’s an important thing – the 10^th MTN Division handed over their authority to the 34^th ID.  As of today, the 34^th controls 9 of Iraq’s 18 provinces and we could see changes in Multi-National Division South.  Last night, Sassypants and our NCOIC spent the night at the DFAC to guard the equipment we set up for the ceremony.  The NCOIC decided to mess around with our satellite last night and ended up breaking down whatever connection we had, so that had to be fixed and we were pretty much stressed out to the end.  After the TOA, we had three or four live interviews back to the states and I was frantically waving in front of the camera with the general standing right behind me because our satellite guys were ignoring us, then the ear piece that allows the general to hear his questions wouldn’t work so we were troubleshooting as he waited – never a good thing, but he was completely nice about it.  When he asked where I was from and how I liked the Minnesota people, my response was “well (scrunching up my face)……hahaha, just kidding sir.”  C’mon, the general doesn’t want to know how I really feel and doesn’t expect to hear anything but the good.  I must say that despite the slightly overkill, extravagant goals of our new commander, I like him better than the last one.  The LTC that just left was a sourpuss.  It hurt him to say anything good to us and once he actually charged his M-9 right next to one of our soldiers while watching a video product that didn’t meet his expectations. Every now and then he would share desserts from his wife or joke around with us, but usually with some condescending undertones.  Our new commander is constantly telling us he appreciates our work, coming around to check on what we’re doing and giving us notes – it’s just what we need to hear after being torn down for the past 4 months.  While I miss Kuhl, Dillon and LeCapp, I don’t miss that commander. 

We tore down all of our equipment and moved it back to headquarters after the ceremony and the NCOIC cut us loose at 1600! That’s the earliest I’ve ever gotten out of the office and he didn’t have to tell me twice.  I’ve been feely icky lately and the prep for the TOA has taken a toll.  I had to film the combat patch ceremony for the 34^th at 0700 this morning, and I was able to edit it and get it sent to DVIDS before the TOA.  The more I checked off the to do list, the better I felt. 

I was informed that Saturday is “343 MPAD Appreciation Day” and after our very own combat patch ceremony (I’m not really sure why we’re having one since we’ve been here 4 months and have combat patches), we’re having lunch with the Division Command Sergeant Major to talk about housing.  Be careful what you wish for… I think 1SG made such a stink about how the “enablers” were being treated that they’re going overboard now.  I’m not sure what to think about “343 MPAD Appreciation Day”… sounds a little condescending, but I could be reading into things.  I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Stone is back!  He and Leslie had an amazing time in Germany and London and I know they’re missing each other right now, but we’re so psyched he’s back.  The gang is together again, the gang being stone, sassypants, tyty and me.  We’re trying to make a music video before one of us gets farmed out to a BCT.  TyTy has a song by the Shins called “I’m never going to wipe my butt” and wants Sassypants to sing it with the three of us as backup.  It’s the perfect song for Sassypants.  It’s pretty gross (“my brown crusty stains are an environmental issue”) but it’s also hilarious and I think we’re going to have fun with it.  I’ll be sure to post it when it’s complete. 

UPDATE**  Our boss, the LTC, had an MPAD meeting with us yesterday to discuss our concerns about housing and the “appreciation day.”  After he realized the feelings many of us had and our view towards the title of Saturday’s ceremony and lunch, he called us together to apologize for how we’ve been treated and for giving Saturday a name that we didn’t find appreciative or clever.  The combat patch ceremony is off, because he realizes a lot of us don’t want to wear the red bull patch and he let us know that when we felt proud of this division, we were more than welcome to wear the patch.  I have a lot of respect for this guy – just stepping in front of a group of disgruntled employees to apologize on behalf of his division was a big deal to me and he went one step beyond when he scheduled a lunch with the Division CSM for us to voice concerns.  I doubt the housing issue will be fixed, but the answer we don’t want is better than no answer at all.  1SG is working on getting us a tent together and we can move in at the end of next week.  We’re all pumped, but last I heard the Special Troops Battalion (the people in charge of billeting) wanted to know why 18 people need their own tent!  (Well, Sir… there are currently about 10 empty tents sitting around and since you can’t give us permanent conditions, we’d like to live in a tent together for accountability purposes and morale. )  I found out about the tents from a major in my current tent who is waiting on her two tents to be vacated so she can move her unit it (She has 28 people and will have two tents). 

Our new boss is really going to bat for us with his higher command and we all appreciate it… but no one is rushing to wear the red bull patch.