Sleep

Sleep when you are dead, is a term used quite often around here. There is always more work then will even be done, so you just try and put out the fires (those problems that come up that need to be handled right then, not burning fires). I've been sleep deprived for the last two weeks, and it's about to get me. I think I might not make it tomorrow. I might fall asleep on my feet. At least when I do sleep, it's good sleep. I'm so tired as soon as I look at my bed I'm asleep. Right now I have to stay awake while some of my men finish a project. It just wouldn't be right for me to sleep while they work. Even-though I will allow them to sleep late tomorrow and I have to be up in 5 hours right now. And that's only if everything goes right tonight. Last night I had to get up at 4:30. I hoping to sleep all the way until 6 tomorrow. We'll see. I still have a mountain of things that need doing, but all I can think about is sleep. So I thought I'd write something about it. You never know.

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Simple Joys

Even in a combat zone some simple joys of life come. And sometimes those simple joys are bigger accomplishments here. Two days ago I gave a locally made filing cabinet to my men and asked them to put it together, since, as you know all “good” office furniture comes “some assembly required.” So I went back that night to get it and they said they weren’t finished. I went back the next night and the same thing. Today I went over during the day and the thing still wasn’t finished. In fact it looked the same as that first night. The IT guy staying there said it couldn’t be put together. Something must be wrong, and of course there were no instructions. So we spent the next two and a half hours working on this jig saw puzzle. We finished and we were as proud as if we just won a medal. The little joys in life can be enjoyed anywhere and you should appreciate them we they happen.

Fighting Boredom

I fight boredom more then the enemy. Waiting for something to happen day in and day out is like getting ready for the Super Bowl and then not playing it, everyday. Everyday my men and I get all dressed up and then sit and wait. Sometimes we can here the fighting, sometimes just nothing. I mean not a darn thing. We just wait for something, anything to happen. But be careful what you wish for. When you work security a little excitement can be way too much. “Combat is long periods of complete boredom followed by short intense times of complete panic.” I don’t know who said it, but he was exactly right.

Living Conditions

Something can be said for modern, western, life. A lot is said about it here in Iraq. We miss the freedom, stability, and “conveniences.” Little things, like having your own room, being able to eat chow when you want, and not having to think about what might kill you all the time. Some things you just get used to. Like the incoming fire alarm happening after a rocket has hit. No one even goes to a shelter anymore. You are going to get hit or not. Not a lot you can do about it. I equate the danger with driving to work every morning. You will either get hit by someone else driving to work, or you won’t. The modern life I miss. Walking half a block to use the bathroom and take a shower is a pain. Having to take a shower with 20 other guys is a pain. Not having an internet connection of my own sucks. But at least we have power to plug into now. The first tent we lived in didn’t have any electricity. Call FEMA. People are going to die, there is no electricity here! Just kidding, but you can see how different it is here compared to America. I miss my bed too, the one here sucks. The one here is not exactly a sleep number. It could use some work.

OPSEC

Operational Security, the reason more people get into trouble then anything else. It’s so easy to pass information over the internet and phones without thinking about it. I’ve posted some pictures for my friends and family but have to be careful. Most pictures contain operational information about ability and numbers. If I show a picture of me in all my gear, it shows what kinds of weapons and equipment is standard in the business. I can’t talk about over half of what I do out here because of OPSEC. My wife has come to except the vague statements I give her. Sometimes she asks pointed questions and I have to reminder her that I can’t answer that over the phone. She’s really cool about it.

The problem comes when two operators start talking. They talk about everything, and know that the person is cleared for it. We sometimes forget that someone else is listening in. It’s not as bad as in 2003. I use to begin my conversations with my wife by saying hello to the people on both sides. The Americans and Iraqis both listened to our conversations.

X-Pat

It all starts with a name. X-pat is what I'm called now. It used to be Marine, Husband, and a host of other things. Now it's X-pat. X-pat stands for ex-patriot. Kind of sounds harsh, but that is my clasification now that I am a private contractor here in Iraq instead of with the military. Funny thing is, that I will be doing one of the same jobs I did when I was with the military, but now I get more money, better weapons, better equipment, and better living conditions. Go figure. So what's in a name? Not much. Everyone I work with was in the military and it's like never leaving. I can just wear khaki pants and polo shirts now, instead of a uniform. I'm still serving my country and protecting Her interests in one of the most dangerous places in the world (the only worst is D.C.). So the next time you here the word mercenary, think about those x-pats that are still serving their country, only in a different way.