Read the "Green Zebra" and it sounds like what others might be experiencing. Even us peacetime guys experienced withdrawal when we got out, also that the ratio of former service to civilian "Gee, what did ..." was the same back then.
However, while it was great to also read the other postings on there, it's unsettling that "Doonesbury" is the tagline on the "Sandbox." Trudeau has been dead to me for years but maybe there's a tad bit of value to that old hippie SOB after all. Still, haven't noticed his cartoon for years.
I loved your posting -- helps me as a mother to know what to ask and how to listen when I have to deal with the return of my "child" from the war zone. Today, in my state, all the flags are at half mast for a marine who was killed this past week in Afghanistan, every flag I drive by catches my attention and I send prayers off to whomever is listening for peace for his soul and healing for the family and friends left behind. I hope you can enjoy NYC, there are wonderful people there, not just assholes :). Thanks for your service.
Doonesbury's Sandbox is how I got turned on to the wonderful world of milblogs. I never would have found a way into the war without it. Of course now I found the cave opening and can explore for hours since I have the way in. Great advice should I actually see one of these rare birds, 'cept my kid.
This website is privately operated and was designed to provide personal information, views and commentary about the author's experiences in Iraq and elsewhere. The images depicted and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author and not those of any agency of the United States Government, expressly including, but not limited to, the Department of Defense and the United States Army.
The purpose of the website is to serve as a means of communication between the author and his family and friends. If it brings a bit of clarity to the American people about Iraq, the nature of soldiering, or war in general, that'd be pretty cool, too.
And no worries, Spooks. The author is not going to shatter the crystal vase that is OPSEC, because his CO proofs everything that is posted. He thinks the author is special, but in a very different way than Momma G thinks the author is special.
LT G's running Army translator
For those of you that don't speak grunting acronym:
Ranks: PVT, PV2- Private PFC- Private First Class SPC- Specialist CPL- Corporal SGT- Sergeant SSG- Staff Sergeant SFC- Sergeant First Class MSG- Master Sergeant 1SG- First Sergant SGM- Sergeant Major CSM- Command Sergeant Major 2LT- Second Lieutenant 1LT- First Lieutenant CPT- Captain MAJ- Major LTC- Lieutenant Colonel COL- Colonel GEN- Stars, stars, and more stars
Acronyms: OPSEC- Operational Security PLT- Platoon OP- Observation Post PL- Platoon Leader PSG- Platoon Sergeant CO- Commanding Officer; Company/Troop Commander FOB - Forward Operating Base AO- Area of operations NCO- Non-commissioned officer; general term for all sergeants' ranks JAM- Jaish al Mahdi AQI- Al-Qaeda in Iraq TOC- Tactical Operations Center IA- Iraqi Army IP- Iraqi Police SOP- Standard Operating Procedure QRF- Quick Reaction Force EOD- Explosive Ordinance Disposal
Military jargon: Jody- The non-military guy who is back home with the military guy's wife/girlfriend. Jody leads a simple, soft life, and vengeance upon him will be swift and merciless. Fobbit - A term used to describe soldiers who never leave the wire, also known as the FOB. Originally used as a derogatory term, it has evolved into a term most often used by fobbits themselves. Terp - Interpreter. General Order No. 1 - The base order for all deployed military personnel in Iraq that bans alcohol use, pornography, and a litany of other vices. Thanks a lot, Vietnam. You had to ruin the fun for everyone. Frago - A fragmentary order; the ever-evolving update and change to mission that serves as the ringmaster to the Army's circus. Charlie Mike- Continue mission. Mikes- Army cool-guy speak for minutes.
Miscellaneous: Anu al-Verona- The nom de plume for our current location in Iraq. Ali Baba - General Aranglish term for thief and villain. Dear John letter- A tradition as long as warfare itself: the physical manifestation of every soldier's worst fears. They vary in form and are sometimes riddled with excuses and rationalizations, but all essentially say the same thing: "Hey G.I., while you're at war, I got other things going on, because I'm not willing to put my life on hold for you. Loyalty is better served as a puzzle answer on Wheel of Fortune." Bitterness is a common emergence post-Dear John.
3 comments:
Read the "Green Zebra" and it sounds like what others might be experiencing. Even us peacetime guys experienced withdrawal when we got out, also that the ratio of former service to civilian "Gee, what did ..." was the same back then.
However, while it was great to also read the other postings on there, it's unsettling that
"Doonesbury" is the tagline on the "Sandbox." Trudeau has been dead to me for years but maybe there's a tad bit of value to that old hippie SOB after all. Still, haven't noticed his cartoon for years.
Good job, Cpt G.
OldGrouchy
I loved your posting -- helps me as a mother to know what to ask and how to listen when I have to deal with the return of my "child" from the war zone. Today, in my state, all the flags are at half mast for a marine who was killed this past week in Afghanistan, every flag I drive by catches my attention and I send prayers off to whomever is listening for peace for his soul and healing for the family and friends left behind. I hope you can enjoy NYC, there are wonderful people there, not just assholes :). Thanks for your service.
Doonesbury's Sandbox is how I got turned on to the wonderful world of milblogs. I never would have found a way into the war without it. Of course now I found the cave opening and can explore for hours since I have the way in. Great advice should I actually see one of these rare birds, 'cept my kid.
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