Last night I racked in a tent with Marines coming and going.  Two officers were heading back to the world for a couple weeks of meetings and the rest were going back to their units in Iraq.  As for me I looked forward too seeing some of the culture before I hop on a bird to take me into Al Taqaddum (TQ).

Well I must admit I was bit surprised when the culture I found after leaving my tent was so Americanized.   Coffee (which will be its own food group should I ever lead the Department of Agriculture), Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Subway, etc…  I know the young troopers like it but personally, would have welcomed the chance to taste authentic Kuwaiti food and drink.

After chowing down on some authentic Kuwaiti KFC and a few bottles of water I went to see about finding a bird so I wouldn’t have to sit here for 4 days.  I have nothing against this place but sitting here waiting, eating KFC, and doing nothing else wasn’t part of my mission.

The Air Force and a company called KBR run the show in regards to flights from Kuwait into the battle spaces.  I was surprised by their lack of motivation and sense of urgency.  In fact I think they thought it odd I was trying to get into Iraq so quickly.  Well it took a number of hours but I finally found a flight to take me to TQ the next morning.

I did take lots of pictures and will post them later but here are a few.  The Bush administration and the defense agencies really must be given credit for providing a touch of home to the young guys.  They may spend a bit more then liberals think is necessary but at the end of the day we know most liberals are cowards with no sense of responsibility to their fellow man.   It may sound contradictory but conservatives like to spend at times.  Most notibly, on the members of our military.  Conservatives understand that freedom is not free and that those who seek to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy must be taken care of.

Now before I stop my blathering I must ask why the Army likes to salute everything.  I am a Gunnery Sergeant which means unless I have won the Medal of Honor no one (in any military branch) salutes me.  First the entire place is a non saluting area (combat areas almost always are) and second ———– dang son know the difference between an officer and enlisted folks!  I stopped a few of them to try to teach them but I don’t think it stuck.

Ok time to pack up for tomorrow and crash for the night.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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