Meet Elvis and Ringo. These are two dogs who arecurrently serving our country in Iraq. I liked the picture of elvis with his ear down as he it shows his softer side. The pointy eared canine is Ringo and he's a proud dog.

Anyway, as my time winds down here at Ft. Bliss since I depart on Saturday I thought I'd share some of the interesting things I've learned while being here.

First, the acronyms. My goodness the acronyms there is nothing more to say about them than there's a bunch.

Second, the warrior ethos and the attitude of a well trained soldier are hard to beat. These men and women serving our country all have a story some happy some sad. There are soldiers who are here because they were called up by their government. They are serving proudly along side of the regular military. Without them we would be having a much harder time of things. There are soldiers whom I have met that need council. I have found myself in more than one situation where I was called on as a counsellor for a soldier who was having a hard time letting go of the war in Iraq, the men who fell at their hands and the men in our army who fell because of their orders. I have yet to hear a story of someone who was in the wrong but yet many still blame themselves. Next time you see a soldier think about what they might have gone through to protect you, your freedoms and the future of America.

Last, I have learned that I/we can be happy anywhere. No matter where you go in this world of ours there is positive to be seen, love to be shared and beauty to be seen. There are always things to do and if you can't seem to enjoy an area you probably are sulking from a predisposition which you imposed upon yourself before even arriving.

If you ever wondered why the military sends troops to El Paso to train for deployment and why large units like the 4/1 Cav are moving here, the answer is below. This is the new Dfac which is being built out at Biggs field. The climate terrain, and general environment of the new barraks for the troops are very similar to what they will experience over there. This is an extremely good transition point for our troops. We are blessed as a country to have such an extensive list of areas in the US where we can emulate practically any environment which our soldiers would encounter in the world.













I Just think these vehicles are really cool. Watching them drive is facinating. The two front sets of wheels turn simultaneously for maneuverability. This is one heck of a workhorse machine. 

They're not in camo! They're just hard to see.

This is Cpt. A on the right and Sgt. J's son on the left coming down from the rock face. They went up farther than Sgt. J or I. Anyway, I thought this was a fun shot.

Today was a god back to normalish type of day. This morning was NAF training (non appropriated funds) and I sent home the declaw I did yesterday. Then it was time to figure out what I am going to do for the rest of the week as all of the captains in the branch are off to JOC (junior officer council) in SanAntonio. So I get to be the trainer on Friday and the rest of the week I will work with the 91R's.

I was basically done with the day today at noon and did a little aquisition of training materials and some photography. I also found a cool museum on Biggs field. It is the NCO museum (next to the sgt. major's academy surprise surprise). It had a really good presentation of the NCO positions in the military since the revolutionary war. I enjoyed seeing the progression of uniforms and chevron rank structure changes.
So tomorrow I start at 0530 with a DFac inspection. Therefore tonight will be hit the sack early time. 

Led not by a fear of heights so much as a desire to return to my wife I said to Sgt. J I will go no further!!
Yesterday, a small group of us (Cpt. Arakaki, Sgt. Johannesen, Sgt. J's son, and I) decided that we were going to attempt the Ron Coleman trail in the Franklin Mountains State Park. This trail to our knowledge was not exceptionally difficult, rather it was just listed as difficult on the trail map which Karly and I aquired the week before.
The trail is registered as being 3.8 miles long spanning the park from McKelligon Canyon to Trans-mountain road with a 40 foot climb.
As we began the hike very close to the trailhead while starting the initial ascent to the saddle we went up about a 40 foot climb which was at about 60 degrees. We thought that was going to be the roughest part but guess what, we were wrong.
As we continued on the trail which went along the ridge atop the mountains we noticed that the majority of the trail was within a couple of feet from the rock face. Continuing on we reached about the 1mile mark where the trail crosses from east to west and just about got blown off the mountain. Then the fun began.
Once we reached the west face of the mountains things got sticky. It started with a 12 foot climb that was somewhat protected but still kind of scary. So we all scaled the first little bump only to find the trail was a questionable hike along a 45 degree top of a cliff face which went down about 40-50 ft. but it wasn't too bad so we passed that 100+ft and the trail got a little easier. then the ascent. We started to go up and the trail got harder. Then we reached the point where I took the picture below of Sgt. J's son on the rock face which was the easiest section of the 40 foot climb. Keep in mind we're already at 6200ft altitude and about 1500+ feet up on another rock face. So We all conquered our fear of heights and made it up that first 15ft to the window which is the picture of the city below.

The 3rd picture is where Sgt. J and I perched below the window to take in the view and attempt to keep from dying. It was from this position which I called my lovely wife and said pray for us we aren't going any further.

Call us wimps for not making it, call us whatever you want. We didn't have the proper gear, strength, stamina, nor the attitude to do the whole trail. Some time we might make it but I am not into risking my life for a good picture. I have too much going for me at home (I LOVE YOU KARLY).



Continuing on. We scaled the cliff back down and headed back to the trail head. I must say though the trail back was a lot harder. I didn't realize until the trip back with my weary legs, the fear of height and will to live kicked in that we truly were hiking on what I would in retrospect consider a truly dangerous trail.

Karly did a good job of finding out just how dangerous it was by finding an article about a death in July of 2005 which happened below the very spot where I prayed to God and turned back. Apparently that is not the only casualty that the Ron Coleman trail has taken either.
I a so very glad that we decided to turn back for our safety and perhaps next time we will have the proper equipment so that we can climb safely to the next part of the trail. Or perhaps we could convince the state park that it would be a good idea to put in a permanent steel cable so that casualties don't happen off of that rock face.

Till later. My best to all. 

For four days life was good. My bath towel didn't smell like anything. This morning once again it has the most obvious smell of amish pretzel, very yeasty. I'm not sure why they smell like that but they all do and they're fresh towels. Karly can verify this unusual occurence.

This is another group picture. I'm the one in digital camo. Can you see me? 

So after having the opportunity/experience, in my random sitting with people at the Dfac, to have lunch with two mormons (LDS) within this week I have come to some conclusions.

First, mormons hold a grudge. They do not understand forgiveness and certainly do not understand the idea of salvation by grace. They have not gotten over the mormon trail and no matter how much we (white people) would try to compensate for the movement it would not be enough. I find this to be a common theme among mormons and some of the north american indians and black people I have dealt with. They take any and every opportunity they can to try and make us feel guilty for introducing ourselves into their space/culture. We could give each of them a fortune to last a lifetime so they could live better than most "white men" and that would not be enough. Never mind the fact that the majority of the people who are holding the grudge have never in their life experience the oppression that their ancestors did and that some of their ancestors weren't even in the group that was oppressed (aka they voluntarily relocated or weren't in the picture at all). So that's enough rant on the fact that some people can't figure out reality or attempted reconciliation.

Second, this one applies to both mormons that I spoke to. They listen but do not hear. They make no attempt to understand your opinion no matter how truthful, incitefull, knowledgeable or just plain right you may be. I have a feeling it is bred into them or beaten (metaphorically) or something to not believe the opinions of non-mormons.

All I can say is that if this is how mormons treat people in general I can not understand how anybody would join their religion. Fortunately, I have the experience of working with a few who seem to be more understanding at least on the outside. Perhaps it is their temperament which keeps those individuals able to listen or perhaps it's because they are only LDS by name and not action, I don't know but I hope by the grace of God and the Lord Jesus christ as our lord and savior that those individuals who are of the ilk of the two I have spoken to recently have an awakening that they are not practicing what their "religion" speaks of.

Anyway onto a better subject.
The above picture is a group shot of the Ft. Bliss Branch team minus a couple of individuals who were either sick or on TDY. The shot below I found interesting so I have been taking pictures of some of the unusual road signs I have recently seen that they don't teach in drivers ed.

Tank crossing!!! STAY OUT OF THE WAY!!!















Oryx crossing. Big antlers on an animal which doesn't belong here (it's not native). But has adapted well to this environment. Unfortunately it has no natural predators in the area so we the people of military have it in our job to be the predation so that the oryx doesn't destroy the desert as it is. 

I just think this is cool. I enjoy hearing and seeing the troops marching down the street chanting their cadences. It's really cool. This is an AIT (advanced individual training) group.













This is the veterinary treatment facility at Hollowman AFB. It's an old firehouse.

This is a picture of more museum pieces. These are again on Holloman AFB.
This is me with my new haircut.


I'm not going to type much synopsis of this week right now as it is late and I am talking to my wife as I type. 

Ukraine Military vehicles and camoflage
US military vehicle with camoflage.
See the difference?



Anyway onto today.
Things were back to usual for being down here. Except that I woke up late 0720. This morning I showed up and about 20min later I began my surgeries for the day. I had three spays and 2 neuters to do. I was done with those by 1230 and had a good lunch.
I got back to the hospital and things were absolutely crazy. Apparantly life blew up today as the hospital was extremely busy, the two Captains were in a conference most of the afternoon. We gained a new NCO who will be replacing Sgt. Guerra in the NCOIC position allowing him to go back to the job he originally came to Bliss to do which is help out and be a Romeo. One of the specialist romeos came back as well from leave making things even more hectic. So I sat in my office secluded from the chaos until I was needed.
I later in the afternoon orgainzed the rest of my week. Tomorrow I will be going to Holloman AFB to work and Thursday after doing commissary inspection I will head to WSMR (white sands) for the afternoon. I'm looking forward to spending time away from Bliss.

That is all for now. 

So I realized when I woke up today how the military life or the life of a salesman can be hard. I think it is harder for the person being left than the person leaving when that person leaving is going to a new location. This morning when I woke up I realized that I now have memories of Karly here. The pictures are in my head and they prompt reminders of my life away from here. The longing for companionship with my wife that is realized upon getting out of my shower/bed...is stronger after having her here. When there is no memory of having that here there is less longing and reminders.

I guess you could say that this weekend especially Karlys return to Iowa was a psychological experiment. I take it as a learning experience. I now know what it is like to "lose" someone even though I know that Karly will be there when I return to Iowa and that knowledge brings great peace, I now understand the feeling of loss which accompanies a more permanent departure (shuffle off the mortal coil). Like I said I have that peace of knowledge that I will see her again. But for a brief moment while she was in the air I believe that I experienced for a short while that sense of loss. The human psyche has an amazing compensatory mechanism which does take some time to start up. But thank goodness it does.

Wow, this is gettin way too deep and probably a little confusing. But I've attempted to explain it to the best of my linguistic ability. As you have probably guessed by reading my blog, I am more of a train of thought type of writer, spilling my ideas onto the page. Technical writing doesn't come easily and trying to explain complex emotion is even more difficult.

Ok I'm done rambling now.
All my love to Karly and the rest of my support network (family and friends). 

Here's the actual scud buster.
 

Fun pictures from the weekend. This is a patriot missile launcher located at WSMR (white sands missile range)

I thought this one was funny. The caution tape around the portajohn and the cones as she was coming out.
Caption: I wouldn't go in there if I was you!!!!

This is a sand dune folks. It's New Mexico not antartica.

I have been told by some people that it gets easier with time. I say to them, if it gets easier then there's something wrong and you need to look back to when you were in love with your wife. Karly just left to head back home where we will be back together again in three weeks. Let me tell you I don't think I've experienced anything as hard as what I just went through. It's not over yet I can tell. I love Karly more than I possibly could have imagined love could be. My lovely wife tends to be good at holding in her emotions and not crying but when she was hugging me at the airport and started crying it was the saddest feeling I've ever had. If it's supposed to get easier each time I think we both fail because I think this was harder than the first. The old saying that abscense makes the heart grow fonder is extremely true. So true that it is my firm belief that as God put us together only he can tear us apart. Karly is my one true love and no matter the distance that the world puts between us we will always come back together.

Anyway to caption the picture above and to fill in on the weekend since I didn't post for the entire time as I said I wouldn't, I will sumarize. Friday, pick up Karly (yea) go eat good Mexican, go to Bliss hotel for shower and unpack, tour Fort Bliss with Karly. Go to PX to get ACU pants, go to Class 6 for toasting champagne ($5 bottle on sale but still good), drive around outside of Bliss some. Go to makeout point on scenic drive where Karly sees her first foreign country and is amazed by the sea of lights that is Juarez after dark. Drive onward on scenic drive to ridge road. Head toward loop 375 which runs along border so Karly can be really close to Mexico but unfortunately never enter. Get lost in East El Paso. Finally find 10 and head back toward base. Eat dinner at Senses do Brazil churrascaria (which beared a resemblance to real churrascarias but left a whole lot to be desired). I'll be honest the meat was good but I've had better churrasca in a podunk backwater village in Brasil for 10 Reales ($4) maybe I'm a little biased so I need to try other American versions but my first impression was not so favorable as they haven't figured out how to do it right yet. I digress, back to hotel for bed.

Saturday, get up 6:15AM shower get ready and eat breakfast. Go to commissary to get cheer laundry detergent. Ft. Bliss museum was the first stop. On to trans mountain road. Get off at top for some hiking. Decide to go straight up canyon, find out two hours later that it's a long steep rocky hike. Gave up 250ft from top when I started causing a rock slide on my 50+ degree incline ascent up an older rockslide, and Karly started getting afraid of the height. Towards the end the hike was more consistent with rock climbing than hiking. Anyway, made it back to bottom after letting Karly have 10min head start so she didn't get crushed by a rock that I sent plumeting down the hill. Got in car headed to Mesilla NM for lunch. 30min wait at restaurant decided we were too hungry and went on. Found a middle eastern/mediterranian restaurant with what was quite probably the best chicken Karly or I had ever had. Head to white sands. Get on road which heads northeast and see 38mi to national monument. Randomly stop at dept. of interior campsite/national park within the mountain range due east of Las Cruxes and due west of White sands (town). Head to White sands town which is actually the military base. Go through the high security to get in. Visit the VTF and see a whole bunch of missles. Drive on to the natn'l monument. Drive around on the cool road which they have to plow the sand off of every day (it's gypsum sand so it is truly white as in the pictures). We were reminded of Iowa except it wasn't as cold. Headed to Alamagordo NM on the way to dinner which was south of El Paso. Headed southwest on 58. Made jokes about the prison inbetween White sands missile range and Ft. Bliss and how a prisoner would be foolish to escape and that we could just see the headline (military declares training excercise for escaped prisoners. ADA and infantry have had live fire authorization) he he he. Go through El Paso and head down 10 to Fabens exit and "North over overpass into desert" as the specific directions state on how to get to "Cattlemand's steakhouse". Had really good steak and sides. Got back to Bliss late.

Sunday, Wake up 0715 get ready and go to breakfast. Church at 0900. Pack at hotel. Lunch at 1115 at the officers club. 1400 airport, 1430 security, 1515 Karly heads off on her way to Ames (ter, tear, tear). Just the thought of her departure brings the emotion back.

Karly at national recreation area.

Casing which held original atomic devices which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Karly found the flying saucer. It's true, they do exist. Area 51 beware.

Here is where I am. This is Fort Bliss taken from satellite images off of google earth. Bliss inn is where I had to run to the other day from bldg. 5016 where I abide and am currently typing from.

This is a picture taken from an elevation of 5280 ft in the Franklin mountains state park. This location is just off the trans-mountain road which connects East El Paso to west El Paso. I hiked about half way up the mountain before discovering that it was too cold to go any further (my camera froze up) and I started getting a headache which was likely do in part to the altitude and a slight head cold I've had as a result of the desert temperature fluctuations (30's in the morning and 60's in the afternoon).

These are some pictures of the VTF at Fort Bliss. I admit they're not very exciting but alas it is where I work down here.

So Karly (my lovely wife) is on her way from Georgia to El Paso as I type. I am extremely excited for her arrival but I just have to wait. I'm not sure what we will do for tourism and such but we're really good at the whole fly by the seat method of having fun. I will not be posting untill she departs as I don't want to waste any of my time with her by typing.

Today was very fun.
I had the opportunity to get M9 qualified. So I did. The process started yesterday with PMI (primary instruction) where I learned the basics of the weapon. Then at 0600 we left this morning for the range where we would live fire and if we were good enough we would qualify. We got to the range and it was quite a set up. I of course have never been to a military range before so it was all new to me. But the area was quite picturesque with a mountain backdrop on a desert sage brush and cactus foreground. Right in front of us we had a row of 20 firing positions with 7 pop-up targets on each. The objective of course was to hit the target when it pops up thereby making it fall down.

I was in the second group for qualification. The first group was security guards from Beaumont who had to qualify. We loaned them our kevlar and watched as they attempted to get it done. Unfortunately, I can say that I don't feel very secure when it comes to Beaumonts cops. Fortunately they aren't MP's and they generally don't have to even carry a weapon because it took most of them 2 tries to qualify.

Anyway, my round commenced and I have never shot an M9 (9mm) before so I was a little wary of the weapon. We had one shot for familiarization and no practice with loading or unloading. Thus my faulter when I was reloading on the 2nd target run.

So to make the story short. I qualified so all is good. I also learned that larger groups follow more of the hurry up and wait theory of military service. When I'm with just the VTF things happen fairly quickly but today I think we spent most of our time waiting on people to do what should have been easily accomplished in half the time that it took. But I guess that's why they do training so that those who are inefficient can become more proficient. I just wish more people would be self sufficient rather than having to have things given to them with a silver spoon. Intuition is a good thing.

BLOGGING WITH PICTURES BY PAUL
So I forgot the tripod and Karly isn't bringing much luggage so I had to use what I have available as a tripod. In this lovely case it's my outstretched arms. This is me in my ACU's and berret(sp?). This is me happy and smiling as usual.







I'm having trouble figuring what format I have set up here so you'll have to deal with my random locations for text vs. pictures. This is a "more appropriate" military type of picture. I am serious as you can see. I am a very serious guy as all of you know. The sunglasses are to look cool but they also do a good job of blocking the sun. This pic was taken from on top of my mini kitchen (aka fridge, freezer and microwave combo).







Next picture is of a howitzer. This is an older artillery piece which is on display at the newest of the Fort Bliss museums. They don't have good displays of the current weapons mostly because they are still very functional and being used in places such as Iraq. I thought this was appropriate because Fort Bliss is the current home of the Army ADA or Air Defense Artillery.




We have a project going on currently to take pictures of all the MWD's which come through the hospital at Ft. Bliss. I like the idea so I shall share the first really good shot I have with the world. This is Dino. He is a MWD (military working dog) who is currently on his way to Iraq to serve our troops. All dogs being deployed currently go through Ft Bliss on their way out.











That is all for now. I like this whole picture thing and I hope that you do too