September 11th.....2006, 2010

Four years ago today I was in Iraq and at the end of my initial enlistment in the Army.  Despite being disillusioned with why we even there in the first place, I decided to reenlist.  Among the many reasons why, was that even though I disagreed with the reasons presented for conducting Operation Iraqi Freedom, I believed we had a chance to help a country shed the shackles of an oppressive dictator (Saddam Hussein) and provide them with the stability and security needed to progress as a nation.  Four years later I am in Iraq again ( a little bit older, and maybe wiser ; ), and from my perspective it seems to have digressed.  The government is more focused on individual and sect power (i.e. Sunni vs. Shiite vs. Kurdish) than it is on unifying as a country.  Likewise the people here simply complain about how bad it is, and how the U.S. should do this, or that for them, instead of doing it themselves.  Corruption, backstabbing, and hoarding of resources is rampant, especially in the police force.  I know this exist in America as well, but at least the police help the citizens as well...this is rarely the case here.  Just recently an Iraqi policeman coordinated a complex attack on American Soldiers that resulted in multiple wounded and two deaths.  It is such a contradiction from the cries of "help us" that it makes me want us (all foreign military) just pick up and leave and say FUCK YOU, here's our bill....we'll take that in oil for the next oh say 100 years (this is based on the average price of a barrel of crude of $66 multiplied by the average U.S. consumption of WAY TO FUCKING MUCH, divided by like a GAZILLION DOLLARS) [sorry for the rant inside of a rant].  I am glad we are leaving, and though I know we as a country will never be repaid for liberating the Iraqi's, I hope that when we are gone and things really get bad they will realize they should have seized the opportunity to take control of their country when they had the chance.  Now I am simply biding my time till I get the chance to head over to Afghanistan and face those who perpetuate the ideology held by those who killed over 3,000 people 9 years ago. 

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Where did they go?

Have you noticed the trees today?  Did the cool wind blow softly against your face?  Were you able to enjoy the music of a dancing stream?  Gone are the dogs barking.  Absent are the smells of nature growing.  The clouds are missing in the sky...where have they gone? I believe I left them at home.  What does the grass feel like between your toes, nobody here knows...  I see the sun, but it's not the old friend I used to know.  This sun is different here...it doesn't smile, it is cruel.  It doesn't like me, it exerts it's power, unrelenting, it doesn't want me to smile.  Have you seen my trees today?  Thank them for me.  They know my old friend the sun, and will show you their patience.  If you sing to them their bark will soften to the touch and let you read their story with your finger tips.  If you talk to them wait for the wind for he will tell you tell you what their leaves are saying.  Can you see the colors?  They left here a long time ago...maybe it was the violence. I think I miss them.

Tent City

Military Precision at it's best.

But the voices inside my head TOLD me to do it!

The other day Seth Godin (www.SethGodin.com) who's view of the world and marketing is refreshingly unique and I aspire to be as creative of a thinker as he is one-day wrote on his blog an interesting interpretation of why we do things in life. As I looked at the description of these “voices” I thought about which ones have been most vocal inside my head. I'll elaborate on a few, and why they led me to the decsions I've made.

The loudest voice I would say is the “hunter” which want's to successfully track and bring down a target; These targets for me have ranged from semi predictable situations like completing basic training, scaling slippery rocks next to a rushing mountain creek, climbing mountains, to less than predictable ones like volunteering for combat. I love to challenge myself and test my abilities. Life to me is an adventure waiting to be lived, if you don't live it you'll look back and wish you did.

But my “Philanthropist” voice which wants to spread an idea combined with my “Artist” voice which wants to be generous, creative, and make positive change, has shaped my interest in the field of marketing and advertising, where I can fullfill both those desires by helping other tell their story so they can benefit more people. The non-profit organzation I work for now: Veteran Tickets Foundation (www.VetTix.org) has a great mission of giving Veterans free tickets and is letting me help them spread the word and tell others their story.

Surprisingly enough as much as I like to share my adventures, projects, and successes with my friends and family my “ego” voice doesn't want much applause or special recognition...a simple “well done” suffices most of the time!
At the end of the day though, sometimes my “zombie” would like to sit back and enjoy and good movie, or episode of CSI Las Vegas!

So I pose this question to you, what voice do you think is loudest in your head? Was it one described by Seth, or something else? Feel free to tell the world what drives you, because remember, it's all in your head!



Seth's Original post:



Not just my head, but your customer's head and yes... yours.
Everyone has multiple conversations and priorities going on, competing agendas that come into play every time we make a choice about doing, buying, creating or interacting. I think these voices (and a few I missed) determine which career we choose, how good a job we do, where we shop and what we watch. Here are a few:

• The ego--seeks applause and recognition.
• The lizard--seeks safety, wants to fit in and not be rejected or criticized.
• The artist--wants to be generous, creative and make positive change with impact.
• The boxer--wants to poke and be poked, seeks revenge and ultimately victory.
• The zombie--wants to turn off and be entertained.
• The carpenter--seeks to do useful work, and finish it well.
• The philanthropist--wants to help, anonymously.
• The evangelist--wants to spread an idea.
• And the hunter--wants to successfully track and bring down a target.
  

There's a lot of overlap here, no doubt about it. Who's winning?

I am a Soldier 24/7

Memorial Day...

The other day I was asked by a journalist "what does Memorial Day mean to you while you are on active duty?" and I thought about it for a minute and thought to myself "being on active duty doesn't change anything for me" and I went on to respond that Memorial day as a specific day for remembering my fellow brothers and sisters who have fallen is not any different than any other day to me, because I reflect on their memory constantly. To me I think that memorial day is more of a day for people who do not have a connection to the military to be reminded of the sacrifice generations of men and women have given throughout the history of our Nation, even when it wasn't united. I personally remember SGT. Nathan Field and SPC. Robert Johnson who died in Iraq January 7, 2006 every time I look at or put on my memorial bracelet with their names on it. I do not need a specific day to remember them or those who came before and after them. Furthermore, I wonder why someone would wonder if being on "active duty" would change the meaning of memorial day for me? I have been a Soldier the day I graduated basic combat training in 2000, and will continue being so until the day I hang up my uniform for the last time. Being on active duty does not add or detract from that fact, nor does it alter how I honor the memory of my fellow warriors; fallen or not.

SGT. Nathan Field

SPC. Robert Johnson

What do you think about memorial day?

Worn Out....

So after my mission I was pretty tired, so I decided to pop a squat. Well one of my buddies thought it was funny because I sat down right in front of a sign that said "standing only"....unfourtunately it was a relfective sign and the flash washed out the words. With all the traveling that I was doing you never knew when or where you were gonna get to crash out, so as you can see on my bag to my right, I always roll out with my "combat pillow". You know they always say home is where you lay your head, well I always say home is where your pillow is (I have three in my hooch). I used to have a quilted pillow case cover that my mom made for me, but after my first tour it was kinda hurtin...and after a few repair jobs by my mom I decided it was time to give it an honorable discharge. Well wouldn't you know, mom's being mom's she had a surprise for me...another pillow case that was just like my old one! This time I decided to err on the side of prudence and not drag it to Iraq and back. So my pillow case is waiting patiently for me back home, just waiting for me to lay down on it so it can fill my head with interesting dreams, meanwhile I am stuck with just a plain ol black pillow case.

So I pose this question to you, what do you take with you everywhere you go?

Tired of Riding in Helicopters! For now anyways....

I finally made it back home (at least the place where the majority of my pillows are) after an exhausting mission spanning 5 days and 3 different cities; Baquba, Mosul, & Kirkuk.  The mission itself was cool, I got to see a lot and touch base with a lot of the guys, but getting there was literally a pain in the side.  You see getting places in Iraq is kinda like a crap shoot...sometimes you get to where you are going fast, other times....well let's just say sitting on a Blackhawk helicopter for 5 hours is not exactly first class amenities.  To help you visualize the experience imagine sitting with your back straight for 5 hours, now add a 50 pounds of body armor...uncomfortable yet? Ok, well then add a 40 pound rucksack with all the stuff you'll be living out of for the next 5 days...uncomfortable yet?  Ok, well then add 7 other people with all their body mass and gear crammed next to and across from you so close that you have to alternate legs with those sitting across from you.  Oh so your still not uncomfortable eh?  Thinking to yourself...eh I can just pop in my head phones and catch some Z's...haha, you'd have to have some pretty loud head phones to even coming close to drowning out the noise of the chopper, and everybody's body heat coupled with the already high ambient temperature makes it pretty hard to doze off.  To top it all off there is no in flight movie!!! ; )

All in all it's not so bad when you have a little room, but having to sit up straight isn't very comfortable to begin with and it puts all the body armor's weight on your core which starts to cramp after about an hour...ugh not fun.  So as you can see riding in a blackhawk isn't as much fun as these guys below make it out to be (and we definitely don't get to hang out the sides).  

(image from http://www.strangemilitary.com)

Iraq...Part 2

Well after a long process that started back in January and took place in 4 states, I am finally in Iraq!  Unfortunately it is the same shitty place that I remember from 05-06, but hey it makes ya appreciate what you have back in the states a WHOLE lot!  I don't have much time to write so I just wanted to write a quick post letting everyone know I made it.  If you would like to send me something either check out my amazon wish list (link at top of the blog) or send me an email at clayw2010 @ gmail .com and tell me who ya are and I'll send you my address.

Wind + Sand = SANDSTORM!

Well only a few days in Kuwait and already I'm getting the pleasure of a fun sandstorm. Normally in the states when it's a windy day nobody pays attention, but here in the desert it means blowing sand, and limited visibility...not fun.  Today's sandstorm isn't as bad as some I've been in (meaning I can still see my hand in front of my face!) but none the less it is still annoying.  Normally when there is bad weather outside in the states, we have to endure it for a few moments while we fumble for our keys to our cars, and then again as we brave the elements from the parking lot to the building...well not here. Here we are exposed to the elements in all their grandeur.  Imagine for a minute that you had to walk 5 blocks for every meal, now imagine having to do that in 100 + heat and blowing sand...well there ya go, that's what we soldiers have to endure here in Kuwait.

But it really isn't that bad, like any situation or environment you get used to it, and the sense of pride that I get from being a part of history and knowing that I am here so that others can enjoy their way of life makes it worth it.  So enjoy your A/C while sitting in the drive through at McDonalds...it's on me!

Sand, Sand, and more SAND!!!

Well it's that time again...the Army called and I'm headed to Iraq for a year.  I just hit Kuwait yesterday and as the title of the post alludes, there is a lot of sand!  I don't mind though, I kinda like it.  I don't know if this is a little strange, but even though it has been 5 years since I was here, I kinda feel like it wasn't that long ago.  Granted while stateside it seemed like another lifetime ago and lots of memories have faded (probably should have blogged more or kept a journal...though I've never been go at journals and I was a little to busy to blog) but it kinda feels good to be back. 

Being here in Kuwait for me is strangely calming...kinda like the calm before the storm.  As most of you who know me, I don't get stressed out about anything or get worked up so fitting for my personality I get mentally prepared by entering an extremely calm, content, state of mind.  I believe this is better than getting anxious or nervous about the environment I'm about to enter. 

Unfortunately no pictures for now, my computer decided to crap out on me so I don't have anyway to upload pictures. 

That's it for now, if you'd like to get my address send me an email at clayw2010 @ gmail.com

Let's Go The Movers Are Here!

Well after three wonderful years at the first place I bought I am having to move my stuff once again. Part of the reason I bought the place was because I wanted a place I could be at until I graduated and not have to go through the horrible process of moving!
But alas, duty calls and I don't have anyone holding down the fort this time so I decided to rent out my place for a year. It is going to be my first time as a landlord so I hope everything goes good. So after everything is packed up in my nice storage unit, I am off to sunny Cancun Mexico for 5 days!

Gotta love the mountains!

More picture of me and the guys!

Adventure in the Mountains

So being soldiers we have this compelling desire to

seek out adventure....some a little more than others.  Which brings us to a beautiful afternoon in California, this particular afternoon myself, and two of my buddies; HP and Reinhardt decided to take it upon ourself to conquer one of the mountains because it had a cross on it so large that we could see it miles away.  The first picture is the view from our barracks to give you an idea of the distance.  While you can't make out the cross in the first picture, you can just barely on the second one (center hill).

Our easy hike turned out to be a little more challenging than we had initally planned, which is where the trip became interesting.  We covered the distance to the foot of the mountain fairly quickly, but were met with an unexpected obstacle...a sizable creek.  Normally this creek would not have presented a problem, but for the past month it has pretty much been raining non-stop, resulting in mudslides and rushing creeks in the mountains.

Not to be deterred we all agreed we would cross the creek, the only issue was where.  As I mentioned earlier, some of us have a little more adventure coughdaringcough in them, such as myself, so I assessed the situation (i.e. how fast the water in the creek was  moving, how deep I THOUGHT it was, and how far across it was) and started to cross the creek.  Well as I got further and further across,  and funny thing happened...the water kept getting deeper and deeper, until it was above my waist! Thinking that my buddies were not far behind, I turned around to see how they were doing, and there they were WATCHING me from the bank!  At that point I was in the middle of the creek thinking to myself, maybe I am in a LITTLE bit over my head, and slightly unsure if I should keep going or turn back.  Then words of encouragement from the bank "West come back to the bank" were just what I needed to hear...I pressed on, thinking to myself your a good swimmer; you've made it this far; you can't quit in front of the guys....AND THIS IS FREAKING EXHILARATING!!!


So I made it across and told the guys to come on.  Well they were not so eager to follow in my footsteps and decided to travel further upstream to find a shallower place to cross.

Here you can see they found a spot that the creek was only about up to their knees....that is until they ventured a little bit further...


Here are two video's that I shot from the bank as HP and Reinhardt found out that shallow in one part means deep in another....


               




So the guys finally got across the creek (after going about another mile upstream) and we continued on to our destination...the cross on top of the mountain.

Bang Bang your dead!

Here's a couple of short video's of me shooting two of the military's machine guns; the .50 Caliber M2 & the 249 S.A.W. (Squad Automatic Weapon) A little facts surrounding the .50 caliber machine gun, it's 61 inches, 84 lbs, it's bullets can travel over 4 MILES and penetrate up to 4 inches of solid steel....in otherwords this is a bad mama jamma! We use this weapon to stop VBIED (Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices) dead in thier tracks, with only a few rounds straight through the engine block...and usually the operator as well!

Continuing the Climb...

After a long hiatus of postings, I will resume sharing my Journey with those who are interested. So in spirit of the name of my blog, I start out this post with pictures of me and my buddies doing land navigation training in the mountains of California.