10.5 hours...

What does 10 and a half hours of Navy Mobilization Processing get you? A gas mask, 3 shots in the same arm (OUCH) and about 6 minutes in front of a Navy Doc. A few signatures on some paper and fixing some procurement issues from the supply station yesterday and that's a full day.

Except for the hours of sitting around doing nothing at all. Can't say it's the most exciting in the world, but I've been told countless times that mobilization processing (up until you hit your actual job in-country) is all about "hurry up and wait". So that's what I've been doing.

And my arm still hurts, freakin' Anthrax!

Gear Issue

First day of mobilization processing, and other than a lot of running around, nothing of interest... EXCEPT - gear issue. The gear issue location was like CostCo for the military (Read: Kevin was like a child in a super awesome candy store where everything kicked ass), where you get a shopping cart and a bar-code reader and a guide (it's that big) to show you around. Then you just fill up your cart with a metric ass-load of stuff (it's slightly larger than the American butt-load). Then you have to figure out A: how are you going to carry all this to your car, and B: how are you going to carry all this crap to Afghanistan?!

To give justice to the insane quantity of gear we got, attached are some photos, which I have labeled for those who may actually want to know what it is. Click a photo for bigger view.

First is just the tactical gear / bags / items other than what you might wear on your body.


Then the wearable gear (not including my actual uniforms):


All told, probably a good 100 plus pounds of gear worth well over $10,000. Granted, I have to give most of it back - sadly - but I don't have much need for a bullet proof vest or kevlar helmet on the mean streets of San Diego... Yet.

Day 1

After an awesome time in Big Bear at my family reunion, and a great weekend in San Diego packing up and seeing a few friends for the last time, I've made it to Port Hueneme. My room is nice, almost nice enough to make me forget about why I'm here. Tomorrow I show up to the mobilization processing center and hopefully start getting some answers to all the questions floating around.

Retirement

Yesterday was the last day of work. It was a wonderful day. Showed up in summer whites and had a nice going away lunch. A lot of people showed up - quite a few more than expected - for a delicious lunch. It's interesting coming from the side supporting the troops and going over to the side of actually being one.

Less than two weeks before things start to get exciting. My buddy Dennis is in town helping me pack up and get ready - I really do appreciate it. It's just so much to do, and it'll be good to have him keeping me on track.

Nothing spectacular this post, but some times nothing spectacular is better than nothing at all.