On one hand I didn’t like getting stuck in Al Asad because of a sandstorm.  On the other hand when I did catch a flight out it was on the Marine Corps newest aircraft the MV-22 or as most call it, the Osprey.

The Osprey is arguably the most radical one built in the last 20+ years.  It is radical because it can take off horizontally (like a jet) as well as a vertically (like a helicopter).

Primarily, the pilots choose to take off like a helicopter and wow it’s not like any helicopter I have ever been.  The Osprey just seems to jump right up off the runway.  And fast speed?  Better than any rotary-wing aircraft that’s out there too.  In fact, after we left the Landing Zone (LZ) in Baghdad we touched down so quickly (like 5 minutes) that I figured we had to stop at another LZ.  I was wrong as we were in TQ.  Normally, I would expect about a 20 minute trip from Baghdad to TQ.

If I was to make any recommendation for improvement then it would be to have even another foot between the people sitting across from me so that we can more easily store our gear.  But as fast as it can go why complain?

Check another item of my wish list on my Iraq vacation.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 71% [?]

Yesterday was the second day of a sandstorm which to be honest I don’t mind because 99% of the time the temperature is much more bearable.  I think it only made it up to 103 yesterday so Woo Hoo for that.

After a little traveling it doesn’t take long before you realize you need to acquaint yourself with where things are in case the weather goes south on you.  I still remember one time leaving the chow hall and in just 30 or so minutes the visibility dropped to what I would guesstimate to be just 20 yards.

In the Iraqi Version of Where’s Waldo you are Waldo and you need to find out where to eat, sleep, and pretend to work. 

Let’s see how you do!

Wheres Home?

Wheres Chow?

Wheres Work?

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins
Don’t forget to check out this link

Popularity: 44% [?]

Thanks to everyone who has emailed me or sent packages since being deployed to TQ.

Friends from CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NC, NY, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, Washington DC, and even Montréal Canada have reached out.

As well a number of military, political, non-profit groups have sent packages too.  Groups like the American Sheepdogs, Chester County Young Republicans, Marine Corps League of Chester County, Republican Committee of Chester County to name just a few from back home.

Some of the greatest gifts have been reading the cards made by school kids.  Very funny some of the things they write.  Some, especially, have no problem telling you their fears or questions.  Been interesting and very much welcomed distraction.

While here by myself, I do share a workspace with 3 junior Marines who have shared in your generosity.  They (Cupcake, Sgt Slaughter, and the Lance-Coconut) especially appreciate your donations.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Support me and the fight against Autism as I run my 6th Marine Corps Marathon (http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors).

Popularity: 37% [?]

As I didn’t stop working until 1AM last night I thought it best to get up at 6AM vice 4AM.  Yes that’s sleeping in for me.  I know you’re probably jealous.  After all how many of you are lucky enough to enjoy sleeping in until 6?

Because of a daily Intel briefing I attend I wasn’t able lift until 9AM and didn’t start running till 10:30.  The flag was green which basically meant was already in the 90s but about 10 minutes in the flag went to yellow (low 100s).  Afterwards I found out it was 109 degrees.  With a total disregard for common sense I thought it best to keep running.

Running is never fun for me.  I just loathe it but today really sucked.  Still have no idea why I choose to pay good money to run a half marathon and full marathon each year.

Anyway… I think I was sipping from my camelback every 3 or so minutes and when I finally stopped my once green shirt and shorts now had large streaks of whites and gray.  Amazing how much salt you can sweat out in such a short time.

Sometimes it gets so hot that as you sweat it evaporates nearly immediately.  Your shirt may be moist but not appear or even feel wet.  Today was just that case.  I barely had any noticeable sweat until a few minutes after I stopped running.  Odd, I know.

So did I learn anything today running in 109 degree heat?  Yes run faster to get it over with.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 44% [?]

As I wrote the other day, there is almost no plant life on TQ.  Other then desert plants we need to grow something we would expect to see growing in Pennsylvania.

We have a shaded area and can water them daily but still needs to endure temperatures up to 125 degrees.

So if anyone has any cool ideas of what to grow please write.  We would like you to tell us what plant(s) you think would work as well as links to order seeds and how to grow them.

So please forward this to your “plant” nerds friends.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 46% [?]

Looks like we didn’t have to wait few more days as we got our first Black Flag of the year today.  The high is going to be about 116 degrees today (about 42 Celsius).

I am still thinking about what to grow out here before I leave.  This lack of green is just fundamentally wrong.

If anyone has suggestions for what we can grow other then traditional desert plants please write me.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 57% [?]

OMG it gets so stinking hot out here.  Right now it’s a red flag.

We have weather forecasters who continually monitor the weather and run up a colored flag depicting the head index.  From lowest to OMG its no flag, green, yellow, red, and finally black.  Its forecasted that the black flags should be here in just a couple more days.  So woo hoo!.

I get emails from back in the states of yahoos complaining about the heat.  Today its gettign up to 117 degrees.  What color is your flag? 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 50% [?]

Here on TQ, with 1st MLG, we conduct what is known as a Corporals Course about once a month.  It is a voluntary two-week course completely ran by Marines and mainly composed of Marines yet we do have a few junior enlisted (E-4s) from the Navy and Army too.  Unfortunately, we don’t have the number of females in the course as many of us would like.

The mission at the Corporals Course is to provide the Marine Corporal with the education and leadership skills necessary to lead Marines. The Program of Instruction places emphasis on leadership foundations and a working knowledge of general military subjects.

The Marines are the most dedicated branch to learning and knowing history and that is why we are so much more successful then the other branches.  Built for constant change and adaptation, we don’t train to exact scenarios like the others.

Because of our greater flexibility we roger up to take missions that others won’t obligate to, cant, or fail.  And I won’t go into specifics but in just two months I have seen this more then a few times.

The course covers everything from drill (ceremonies, sword usage, etc…) to physical fitness to warrior skills to being more intelligent on personal matters like pay, leave, finance, medical, etc….

From corporal all the way up to Sergeant Major the Marines offer these voluntary schools every year.  In fact I am looking forward to attending the Gunnery Sergeants course next year (unless I get my way to go to Afghanistan).

I don’t have much time so could only volunteer to give a few classes but I am very much looking forward to it.  We started the course on Monday but today is my first day instructing.  I have the last class today which goes from 1600-1800 and will be teaching them about Personal Finance.

If you are wondering why Personal Finance is important well just look at our own situation.  When you are in control of your debts and income life gets easier and so much less stress.  If we can have Marines deploy with less stress it helps the entire family and the Marine Corps.

As much as Personal Finance is important I really look forward to my next class which will be on the Physical Dimensions of War.  It’s also a class I teach in the civilian world to organizations that wish to better understand themselves as well as their competition.  If you have never heard of it please email me (Jonathan@ConservativeBOG.org) so I can send you some information.

Anyway… I will let you know what the younger generation knows of finances later tonight or tomorrow.

Semper Fi

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 35% [?]

A Walking blood bank is when we call for everyone with a specific blood type to immediately donate due to someone being seriously wounded and near death.

Earlier today an Iraqi police officer took a few rounds to the chest and was rushed into our surgical center here on TQ.  Lacking O+ blood they sent out an emergency message.

The blood bank needed 9 donors and within minutes (literally) they had 30 or so Marines show up.  Not to sound dark but it was an awesome sight to see so many Marines running to the blood bank to give life to someone they probably have never met.

Unfortunately, a few minutes ago they asked for O+ again and being a “quite” day one can only assume it’s for the same fellow.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 36% [?]

I was hoping to go my entire vacation here in Iraq without complaining about the food because there is so much of it and it’s certainly better then an MRE (Meals Read to Eat – i.e. the pre-packaged meals that can last 7 years in a bag).

But… allow me show my true colors with my potential food issues.

First – Yuck to Bananas
Those that know me know my distain for bananas.  In fact if I was ever in a position of authority in the Department of Agriculture to rid our country of crops, bananas would be near the top of my list.  In fact, only peas and lima beans would be in front.  And yes, the french toast really does smell like bananas.  Grrrrrr

Mystery Meat Thursday
Meat should neither be a mystery nor have marks on it where the jockey was hitting it.  Thursday night dinner is supposed to be Mexican night but its more like tortilla wonderment.  I am so looking for real Mexican when I come home.

Foody – No Touchy
Not sure when and where this developed but I don’t like my food touching.  Yes may sound weird but alas I think I may get over it before I leave Iraq because these guys don’t care how your being served. 

Is this Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind?  Do I need to build a replica of a mountain?  Do I look like Richard Dryfus?  No right?  So use the whole plate!

Worst Coffee Ever
My main addictions include Family Guy, The Simpsons, and coffee.  So while it’s always nasty hot I still like (ok need) a coffee in the morning and after dinner.

I am just glad my family mailed me a small coffee pot and Dunkin Donuts coffee because what the chow hall is seriously so bad I just go without.  I think the folks reading the suggestions form memorized my poorly written vulgarity by now.

Take a Day Off Grilled Cheese Guy
I so wish they didn’t have grilled chesses every lunch and dinner.  They are so bad for you and I am too weak minded to resist.  I have cut back to just one every other day but was doing it every meal when I first got here.

Where Are The Hoagies?
There are sandwiches every meal but never a hoagie roll or the right meats. 

My Next Challenge
Philly Cheese steaks.  Yes that what they advertise but figuring coyote meat on a hotdog roll wouldn’t agree with me I have yet to brave it. 

Ok Rant Over
While it may seem like I complained a lot I do think for the most part the chow hall is the best I have ever seen in my 14 plus years.  They have meals 4 times a day and we can eat whatever we want as much as what we want.  Honestly, I cannot legitimately complain and give KBR and the Marines that oversee them kudos.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 58% [?]