Grrrrrrrrr.  Don’t get me wrong I really like being here but today seemed like such a waste.

Grrrrr Number 1:  First we have had back to back sandstorms which just shuts almost everything down.  NOTE TO SELF: After taking a shower make sure you COMPLETELY dry yourself off as you know how sand sticks to water.

Grrrrr number 2: Cancelled flight.  I was supposed to catch a helo to Al Asad but ended up sitting about 6 hours before the flight finally got cancelled.  I cannot wait to get my books so at least I can read before flights and convoys. 

Grrrrr number 3:  Knucklehead lying about a suicide vehicle borne IED (SVBEID) on base.  Again, I won’t get into specifics but some yahoo thought he would get “brownie points” for telling about a SVBIED.  This caused the day to be even more of a waste as it happened while I was waiting for my flight and had to wait at the airfield until we got the all clear like another 2 hours later.

Heck while I am at it let’s go for Grrrrr number 4:  The Air Force shouldn’t play with guns.  So I am waiting at the airfield and finally getting clarity that my flight wont be going today when I see all these yahoos (American this time) running past me to the hanger. 

Ok now this is odd.  No mortars, no small arms fire, but plenty of half-dressed, no weapon holding goofs running past me.  Odd just turned into curiosity.

Heck I have nothing to do right now so I guess I will have to check it out.  So I go into the hanger and its filling up with civilians and members of all 4 military branches. 

Supposedly, we have Indirect Fire (IDF) coming in.

Oh and the yahoos running past me?  Air Force personnel working across the way got wind of the IDF, left their work area, and ran for cover with most leaving behind their body armor and weapons.  Just a completely nasty display of leadership and professionalism.

Now that I think about it, I guess it wasn’t a complete waste of a day.  Seeing all of us Marines with our body armor, weapons, and wanting to go out and look for the shooter(s) reaffirmed the choice I made to become a Marine 15 years earlier.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 28% [?]

Being recalled back to active duty for over 5 years I thought wearing my boots 8-10 hours a day was a lot.  Being out here and wearing them every waking moment except when showering or sleeping (most of the time) I found a new appreciation for socks.

Supplies in our exchange (store) is always low when it comes to purchasing health and comfort items so help from friends and relatives in the states can be crucial to many Marines.

After chow this morning I tried he exchange once again to see if they have cushioned black socks and woo hoo they did!  What a difference.  Probably the best $10 item I got out here yet.  Too bad they only had one pair left.

Well, if anyone wishes to save me from having to amputate my toes please feel free to send black or brown over the calf cushioned socks.

            In care of Jonathans Feet
            GySgt Jonathan Jenkins
            G3 MCCLL LNO
            1st MLG Fwd H&S Co
            Unit 42175
            FPO AP 96426-2175

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jenkins

Popularity: 27% [?]

I think I have the infamous crud.

I was told by a number of Marines that I will be getting sick a few weeks after getting my boots on the ground and that it should last a week or two.  I didn’t think much of it as I have been running around so much but as of tonight I think I may finally have it.

Right now it’s just a loss of appetite, feeling a little run downed, and very dry sore throat.  I am still eating no matter if I am hungry or not at least 3 times a day.  As for the sore throat grrrr I hope that’s all I get.

Despite this minor obstacle my spirits are high and honesty, I like being over here.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 20% [?]

No way was I going to wake up at 3AM this morning.  I am just beat so 530AM will be just fine today.

As our flight out of Fallujah kept getting pushed back we were starting to debate whether to stay another night, wait all night to see if we can catch a helo back to TQ, or catch a ride with a convoy that would not be leaving until sometime pre-dawn (AKA 0 Dark 30).

Luckily, about 10PM a bird arrives for a drop off in TQ.  I don’t mind the convoy of course but taking a 10-15 minute ride on a helo vice a 1.5 to 2 hour convoy when you’re dirty and tired can certainly make a difference the next day.

As a final note, I must mention what an awesome job the MAW (Marine Air Wing) is doing out here.  As a Marine Air Traffic Controller, I have first hand knowledge of the extreme capability the MAW provides with limited assets.  Between constant training for future operations while moving troops and assets around the theater the MAW can easily be recognized as one of the reasons we are wining the war.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 14% [?]

Morning chow was just as good as last night.  Maybe I was just hungry again but iHop has nothing over this chow hall.  To those who may not know me well lets just say my very last meal in the states was at the International House of Pancakes.

After finishing with what I had to do in CF……. I walked around checking out the base, talking to Marines, and just getting a sense of what life is like on CF.

It’s crazy hot again (over 100 degrees).  By the way, you don’t need a thermometer out here to know it’s over 100 degrees.  Just look for the Ugandan guys working internal security and see if they are melting.  When guys from Africa are sweating profusely at 6AM just imagine what a guy from Pennsylvania is feeling like.

While I wanted to talk with more Marines today I just didn’t have the time.  Most of the Marines I met today were officers or senior enlisted.  The lieutenants of course are still finding their way in life and in the Marine Corps but the Majors and above were fully engaged and great to talk with. 

A number of the questions I get from people are if there is a difference between sexes in the Marine Corps.  First please know that whether in your personal life, business or in the military you have 10% dead weight, 10 % hard chargers, and the rest a blend in between the two.  My experience out here in TQ and at CF leads me to once again conclude that all the Marine Corps officers are professional and fully committed to the mission and the men and women in their charge. 

In regards to the men vs. women issue in the Marine Corps officer ranks I still don’t see it.  In fact one of the most inspiring officers I met and had lunch with was a female Major.  She is a reservist who has been in Iraq over two years now and still positive, committed, and ready to stay until the job is finished.

As for the junior Marines it appears there is just as much to do here as in TQ.  A coffee shop, barber, exchange, great gym, great chow hall, Internet Café, call centers, etc…  The attitude of the Marines here seems to be the same as those in TQ.

Well playtime is over here at CF and I need to find my way back to TQ.  We are hoping to catch a flight out of here but are seeing about hopping on a convoy just in case.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 21% [?]

As usual I will not get into mission or movement specifics but I must tell you about an incident that occurred just prior.

First, no matter what the liberals say, the United States is a Judea-Christian nation.  Still today, over 80% of our populace has a Judea-Christian belief system. 

Spirituality is important for the success of any nation.  Countries without freedom of religious expression are without basic freedoms.  It’s an easy observation to make and one that needs no supporting argument.

While the Marine Corps continues to offer opportunities for religion and spiritual expression no one in my 15 years has pressed their beliefs on Marines.  As well, let me say too that every time a prayer was offered, Marines are in unison and have never expressed anything negative about it.

I say all this because of what I witnessed in my first convoy brief.  Before every convoy everyone, no matter your rank or job, must sit in on the brief.  During this brief everyone is aware of what to do should we get attacked, rules of engagement, if a vehicle breakdowns, etc…

To my surprise the brief was concluded with a prayer by one of the Navy chaplains.  They do it before every convoy and the Marines and passengers all willingly participate.

I am POSITIVE if liberals, especially those in elected office, knew this was going on all the time they would wish to stop this practice.  You have seen them stop the practice at sporting events, school events, and with groups like the boy scouts and girl scouts.

We need everyone to speak out against those who wish to stifle religious freedom at all levels.  Use an election or bylaws, overthrow those on the schoolboards who don’t allow parents and community to dictate their religious beliefs.   Use the court system to stop groups or individuals seeking to take away your religious rights.  At least 80% of everyone you meet will wish to help you so make sure you ask them to get engaged too.

Don’t let liberals mislead others by stating that conservatives are about pushing their religious values upon everyone.  Liberals must mislead with this notion as the truth will defeat them come election time. 

Conservatives are about protecting ones rights and allowing freedom of expression.  No constriction or restriction.

In tonight’s briefing we were all Marines.  Marines of different socioeconomic and religious backgrounds.  Marines who all know the possible outcome of every convoy.  Marines who all bowed their head to the Chaplin.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jenkins

Popularity: 18% [?]

I like TQ but even more I look forward to seeing as much of Iraq as possible.  Camp Fallujah (CF) was certainly one of those places I wanted to get to.

We lucked out as our convoy rolled in just before evening chow was to end.  We hurried up to drop our gear in a transient tent and get something to eat.

They say first impressions are very important and if your first experience of life at CF is in the chow hall you will certainly like this place.  Steak, shrimp, vegetables, salad, Gatorade, and coffee were a perfect way to end the day.

To further illustrate about the importance of first impressions you just need to know about the transient tent we were in.  Dirty floor, dirty mattress, no linens, pillows, anything yet I didn’t care.  Swept off the sand and dirt, used a towel as a pillow, and slept like a baby until 0500.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 21% [?]

Today I just spent the day learning more about the role as MCCLL liaison will be like in TQ for the next 6 months.

I am relieving Capt Watts who has been here just about 6.5 months. He likes it here but certainly wishes to head home to his wife and 2 daughters. I think his count down is just 3 days.

Originally, I was told I would be deployed for 6 months. However, according to Marine Corps math that really equates to 6.5 to 7 months. How so? Well, evidently, my 6 month clock doesn’t start until the day Capt Watts actually leaves and I officially take over for him. Sooooooo, time in Kuwait doesn’t count, the week to learn about the job doesn’t count, time in Kuwait waiting to leave for the US doesn’t count, etc…

I also have no idea when I will leave because we have no idea who will be replacing me. Until we know that, which wont be until probably September, I have no idea when I will punch.

Either way, I am cool with it. While I hope to get back in time to run the Marine Corps marathon (October 26th) life is good here and I am glad to have an opportunity to help out.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 18% [?]

Ok, I am all about keeping your area clean but hiring folks to sweep sand in and around our living area just doesn’t seem productive or fiduciary responsible.  I never have seen folks at the Jersey shore drying the beach outside their homes or businesses. 

When I get back to the states I need to work with the guy who got away with writing this into a contract.  Maybe we could team up to sell 30 year mortgages to the elderly, cars to the blind, or perhaps even cattle ranches to PETA members.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 18% [?]

A lot can happen in 20 minutes when you are in Iraq.

Alarm goes off at 0300 and after hitting the snooze twice I go to the head to shave and brush my teeth. I remember thinking what an awesome morning it was as I walked half asleep. The temperature must have been down to about 65 degrees and a nice cool breeze.

About 20 minutes later the entire scene had changed. Wind was kicking pretty hard and there was so much sand swirling about it appeared to be overcast. In minutes a storm rushed in and persisted for just shy of 24 hours.

I can certainly see how people can get lost in these storms.  Its a blizzard of sand.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 20% [?]