OK. This blog was started so I could let people know some of whats' going on here and as a way for me to express my feelings. I'm tired of people telling me that I can't because someone might be offended. I'll be damned if someone tells me how I can or can't feel. I'm sorry that I speak the truth in a manner that is rough or hard to take. That's just how I speak. People need a thicker skin. I see the world for what and how it really is; not through rose colored glasses. So, just to make sure I don't hurt any body's feelings anymore, this is the last post that I'm putting up. For those of you that have enjoyed this, I'm sorry.

Well here we are in December already. Year's almost up. I have no idea when the troops that will be relieving me arrive. Shouldn't be too much longer now.

Of course there are a few important things to take care of upon getting home. Of course there is getting back to the family and spending time time with everyone as well as the story telling.

Shortly thereafter, those of us that support Constitutional rights need to go and buy weapons before the new communist regime takes our 2nd Amendment rights from us (What do you call a citizenry that is completely unarmed?..............Subjects).

Anyway, not too much is going on here. I'm just sitting here with my thumb firmly planted in the fourth point of contact waiting on word on what's happening next. According to sources in Kabul, our command group has already left country so they can be home for the Holidays, and left the troops behind. Douche bags.

So, it's just about Thanksgiving already. Still have a bit to go. How much? Who knows? SEMPER GUMBY!! It's Latin for always flexible.

I ended up at the regional police HQs today. Kind of interesting. Since they don't have donuts, I don't know what they spend the day with, please don't ask. I did meet a German police officer here today. Officer Rita (no, not the lovely meter maid) is here trying to teach Afghan women to become police officers too. The poor woman looks like she's about to pull her hair out. She told me that every day about half of them come up with a reason that they have to leave early and each day it gets earlier. According to her, they want to be respected like men, however, they don't want to put in the time for the training. They seem to want it automatically, they don't want to earn it. It sounds just like the ANA and ANP. They want all the cool equipment, but they don't want to work. At least we aren't the only ones having trouble getting through to these people.

At least some of the replacements have started to arrive. This is a small FOB and it won't be long before it's over crowded with the new guys comming in and us trying like hell to get out.

Well, don't eat too much on Thursday. Oh, go ahead. What the hell! We only go 'round once; enjoy!

Well, just another day in Herat. Not too much going on. Kinda boring here really.

Some of the people that are relieving this Bde have started to arrive. Now we just have to get the new guys trained up and then see how long we get to hang around before they start to cut us loose. We have no idea when the medics will arrive. There's really nothing to it as far as getting them up to speed. Just send them out and have them let us know how it went!

The latest is that when we leave, we'll leave out of Kandahar. Cool. I haven't been there yet. Better than going back to Kabul!

Hey there everyone. It's been a while and I'm still in Bala Baluk. Not sure when I'm out of here, but it doesn't really matter. Where else am I goin'?!

So, what's been going on? Let's see...oh yeah, the American public has once again shown it's going straight down the crapper and voted that communist piece of trash into the presidency. WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?! How can anyone hate their own country that much?

Here the weather has started to get pretty cold. I managed to set up another aid station here. Unfortunately, that leaves me open to have to deal with all kinds of nonsense from the ANA, ANP and the local contractors. The best one so far has been the cop that says he needed pain medicine for the "great pain" in his back that he has because his brother died. Yes, you read correctly. He has back pain because his brother died. Here's 2 Skittles and call me next year. Placebos are your friend here. Unfortunately, I'm out.

We've been going on a few patrols and checking up on the ANP. Nothing to exciting. A couple of days ago they got some info about some gun/drug smuggling and info on the car. As luck would have it, the car came through one of the checkpoints and the ANP tossed the car. A few Ak-47s and 60 kilos of raw opium. Not a bad haul. So, today it all got burned. The ANP that were watching in quiet dismay. They like opium. They wanted to sell it and/or smoke it. Yes, this is the caliber of people that we have to deal with.

Some things are a royal pain. For instance, we have a CPT on the team that treats the us like crap and like we're a bunch of idiots. Yet he treats the ANA, ANP and contractors like they are the most important thing in the world. If they do something wrong, we are scolded like children if we say anything about it. Back in NY he's a state trooper. It explains how he became a total douchebag. This guy has got to go. He seems to think that the Taliban that are in the area are out to kill him. Not us, just him.

In a way the time here was like that up in Bala Morghab. Lots of hanging around. Yes there are stories to tell. So, like last time, pour me a cold one and I'll spill the beans.

Hey all, Its now October already and I'm back in Herat. My time in the wonderful world of Bala Morghab is finished. It was quite an interesting time up there. Yes there are photos. I'll share when I get back. There is too much to tell about the tour there to talk about here, so, if you want to know, ask me when I get back. Pour me a glass, and we'll sit back and talk for a while.
'Till next time...

All right everyone, here it is. In the morning I'm leaving Herat. In 2 days I'll be at my new home. A place NE of here called Bala Murghab. We'll be the first US Forces to set up in the area. We'll be working with the ANA and ANP (army and police, respectively).

I'll be there for the rest of the tour. I won't have phone or internet for I don't know how long. So, if I am able to, I'll get messages to Danielle for her to post for me.

We'll be pretty busy once we get there, setting up a patrol base. Once we get set up, we'll start operations and time will definately fly by. By that logic, I'll be home before you know it. By the way, today is the 200th day of my mobilization!

The Col. and I will be setting up a clinic for the troops. There'll be approz 15 US and around 25 Italian. Other than that, 1 kandak each of ANA and ANP. A kandak is roughly the size of a company.

So, in the meantime, ya'll take care of my girls and I'll be seeing you before ya know it!!

PROST!!!!!