Home!

I am home and in my bed in San Diego and all is right with the world. Now to unpack my bags and get things back to normal...

More to come, but just wanted to let everyone know the good news.

So we meet again...

Kuwait - last time I was here it was, as I described it, like having your face in front of a hair dryer on turbo overdrive while someone threw sand at you... That, combined with the fact that I was only at the beginning of my journey, made for a less than stellar impression of the place.

Now, some six months later, I am back. The weather is much milder, and the sand is either less prevalent, or I have just become accustomed to it. Any way you slice it, Kuwait is a much better place. All that, combined with the fact that I am on my way home, and things are looking up. My bed seems comfortable, and I have turned in my weapons so I don't have to worry about that.

I will say, to that point, that not having a pistol or rifle with me 24/7 is going to take a lot of getting used to. I feel naked and have panicked at least a few times thinking that I have lost it, and I only turned it in an hour ago. I imagine re-learning how to be a normal human being will take some time...

I will be here for a few days doing "Warrior Transition", where they supposedly help us with the whole re-learning process. I have heard it is not the greatest use of time, but if it's a wicket between me and home, then I am more than happy to do whatever they ask!

Gone!

I'm hesitant to say it but this should be my last post from Afghanistan. Next stop - Kuwait, where I get to spend two fun filled days learning about PTSD and why I shouldn't beat my wife.

The past few days have been incredibly boring, as my relief has assumed control of the job and there wasn't much for me to do. The open bay barracks is always noisy, and the bed has springs that collapse sideways under the lightest loads. In short - not the best place to hang out. I hear I will have even fewer productive things to do it Kuwait, so I imagine it will be terribly mind numbing. But before I complain too much, it's the final step in my process to return home.

Saturday evening I should be getting off a plane and greeted by my parents and friends. It stands to be one of the best Saturdays in a LONG time...

The Breakup

Dear Afghanistan,

This is hard for me to say, but I feel that the time has come and this is the best choice for both of us.  I am leaving you.  The decision is final, so please don't try to change my mind.  We had some good times over the past 6 months, and we made some great memories that I know I won't soon forget, but even the best of times cannot hide the fact that we just weren't made for each other.  It is time for you to start seeing new Seabees, and I have to admit that I've been flirting with my old flame, America; we're going to be getting back together.  Sure, she has her problems too, but Afghanistan - you are far too volitile for me.  I can no longer spend my nights in bunkers because of your explosive personality or cary a weapon in case you decide to have a mood swing.

 

I hope that one day you blossom into a beautiful country and we can get past this part of our lives, but I don't know if that will be happening any time soon.  Good luck, and keep your chin up.

 

I will be packing my stuff up this week and moving in with our friend Kuwait for a few days until I can get back on my feet with America.  Please don't do anything rash in the mean time - we can both be adults about this.

 

With Love,

-Kevin

Hearts and Minds...

During a flight shortly after I first got here, we had stopped off at a small outpost in the middle of a town to drop off supplies and personnel.  As we were taking off, I watched the village below me.  I saw a young boy, probably no more than 10 years old, throw a rock at the helicopter despite our being well outside his feeble range.  It was an image that stuck with me, and was renewed in my mind this week. 

 

After returning from another mission off base, I was riding back to our office from the flight line in our van.  The road connecting the two areas passes along the inside of the perimeter fence.  It is not uncommon to see people on the other side of the fence grazing their camels and goats, or simply milling about.  Security issues aside, it has become common enough to not cause alarm.  This time, as we rounded a turn, there were again herdsmen on the other side of the fence.  As we made the turn, a young boy, not yet a teen, threw a bottle of water at our vehicle, successfully drenching the side.

 

So it would seem, in my minimal interaction with the local populous, that we (the military) are not too well liked here.  I can't say I would be too fond of an occupying force taking over small towns in the US, so I can't say that I blame them.  But with our primary goal of winning hearts and minds, I'm not sure if we're succeeding.  Young children are hardly our primary concern, despite the fact that 10-12 is not too far from old enough to be a fighter.  But children grow up, and their thoughts and memories stay with them as they grow...  Are we really winning their hearts and minds, or was this simply a case of children being children, throwing rocks at cars and causing mischief for the simple sake of causing mischief?

 

I hope the latter, otherwise we will be living and fighting and dying in this place for many more years.  And considering we had rocket attack #24 in the middle of my writing this post, I think it's time to leave for good.