May I please have another?
It’s getting to be that time. People are starting to get irritable. Some have numbers on their desk, counting down the days before we leave.
We’re still months out, don’t get me wrong, but we’re in the last four or so, the last quarter. We’re getting that short-timer’s syndrome, where people start going hog wild in anticipation with being finished with this damn quasi war.
And I’m excited too, we have been here a while. I’ve started to get used to things and have found the rhythm of life on Taji.
The big news friends is that I’m being extended for another year. The incoming unit has need for a PAO guy since everyone they’ve been sent so far has become non-deployable. That leaves me, dependable and already-here. That’s the Army’s mantra: work those who work to death and keep those who don’t to bulk up the numbers.
I don’t have too much of a problem with staying. Upon returning to Fort Hood, I was going to be assigned to a unit on its way out the door anyway. This way I know I’ll be on a base that I like and hopefully I’ll be able to keep my room.
The year here will allow me to continue working on my MBA, not to mention having the chance to save mucho more cash. I can’t hold a candle to some of our civilian friends here (ran into a guy last week who runs forklifts and was complaining that he only gets $12,000 a month where his coworker gets $15,000 for some damn reason…yikes, I make a little over twice that for a year!) but I’m saving what I can.
I’ll be looking for ways to expand TalkingSalmons — maybe get some video blogging going with a camera I’m spec-ing out. I’ll definitely keep this sucker going. I can understand if people get a little tired of things. Sticking with a soldier through one deployment is arduous enough, but two is a little long. I’ll try to come up with ways to keep things so fresh and so clean-clean.
Word, so that was the big development. I wanted to let the folks know and such before they read it on the blog. Just seemed proper.
Here’s to 2007! May it come swift and sure. God save the Queen and please allow me the retention of my limbs!
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Talking Salmons 
Holy hell. I can’t believe they’re allowed to do stuff like this. I mean, good on you for looking at the bright side, but as they say in military TV shows, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, man?!
Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo. I’m sorry to hear that you’re gonna be over there for another year bro. Although I’m glad to see you’re dealing in a good light. I’m praying for ya! Good to hear you’re continuing your education, and that you’re gonna try some new blog-techniques 🙂
SNAFU goes back 60 or so years and is still appropriate.
But on to the point of my post. OK, so you’ve heard of the “Support a Sniper” program that some civilians have launched. Well, bully for them, but I say we start a “Support a Mil Photographer” program, Yo!
You might even be able to work that into your MBA program?
Bro and Z: Yeah, sucks, but I was going to get tapped for a second tour anyway…might as well call it and pick where I’d go.
BW: Sounds like a plan 😉 Thanks for the posts! I’ll be good. It’s all about attitude. But where most guys talk about needing a few hard drinks when they get back from a year, I’ll need a lady and a few lines of coke!
“I can understand if people get a little tired of things. Sticking with a soldier through one deployment is arduous enough, but two is a little long.”
Please say you’re kidding about what’s written above. YOU’VE got the tough end of this deal, NOT us.
The way you’ve chosen to look at this is amazing, Josh! Change always comes, but it’s better when you have a say in how it all goes down yourself.
Wishin’ for better higher ups and a swift, safe year for you. I ain’t goin’ nowhere….;-)
Two more years here and you will be a real Taji veteran!
If you are wondering what the “Real Army” is like you have to go find the Marines. They are what the Army was like 30 years ago and no one is like what the Marines were 30 years ago. We live in “kinder, gentler” times where we are aware of people’s feelings and need for space.
Oh my! I am overworked now, let me pull out my stress card so the NCO won’t yell at me.
Josh,
I’d like to send you a book or something. Can you email me and let me know how I could do that?
-J
FTM29: Yeah, seriously. And don’t forget the Army’s policies on being fat and/or unable to pass a PT test. If you’re deployed or about to deploy, eat all you want. We need you there more than we need you thin.
Josh: I’ll get on it.
Sgt.,
The easiest way to do this sort of thing is to sign up for or post a link to an Amazon wish list.
FTM29,
No $#!^. I never went through basic, but I did do a two week familiarization course in small arms and battlefield orientation down at 29 Palms with the Corps (I was being recruited by a TLA about 15 years ago) and holy….. I had no idea they would fire live rounds over your head. Those M60s make weird sounds when being fired over the top of your head, but even more scary were the German belt fed guns…. Those things sounded like a rapid dog. RAWRAWRAWRAWRAW!
It was fun on some level, but the thing that struck me most was that the Marines were ……. Hard Corps. 😉
From what I hear now, in Army basic they have to pull up a small step stool just so that the recruits can get out of the back of the transport and PT is nowhere near what it used to be.
Don’t believe the hype on that guy’s payroll claims. I can’t think of anyone that makes that kind of money for what amounts to an unskilled labor category over here.
Yes, some civilians are paid a lot, but most of the pay claims are the hype of guys that don’t want to admit that they put themselves in harm’s way for as little as they did.
How did the fam take the news?
Dave: Figures guys lie about that stuff. Oh well :p
Beka: Well, they aren’t excited about it, but they keep praying. My Mom, Dad, both grandparents and great-grandparents were in the service, so our family knows that sometimes we’re called to serve.
Sorry to hear that news,but as so many others said,you have an incredibly good attitude about it.
I’ll continue to keep you in my prayers!
Sierra Hotel India Tango. Just discovered this space. Really eye-opening. Sorry for your new gig, but I like your attitude, even in the face of the civies making half your annual salary in a month. Hype or not, something’s not right, man.
We’ll stick with you. Bookmarked and spreading the word.
Radio: Sweetness! Glad to have you around 😉 I’ll get to your site if I can get some more bandwidth. It takes me 20 minutes to post…I guess the heat is melting our routers. Ah, to have internet again!