Realistic Expectations – A Post Deployment Brief

Every once in a while, you get some advice that is completely contrary to what you expect yet is 100% accurate and timely. I got some of this advice from the battalion Sergeant Major when we were returning home from my first deployment to Iraq. In his address to the battalion as we were getting … Continue reading Realistic Expectations – A Post Deployment Brief

Iraq 2004

Scary Noises in the Night

A Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle in the back ground, my least favorite form of taxi. By mid-deployment we were low on Humvees on our little FOB (Forward Operating Base). This was mostly because we had uncanny ability to use them to detect IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devises). Coupled with those not damaged by IEDs seemed … Continue reading Scary Noises in the Night