The Gun Line MkIII

Firebase Rockford’s newest residence… Ice.

I find myself looking around and wondering, “What now?” I haven’t just been sitting on my duff since I’ve been back. I’ve been looking and applying for work.  I’ve been scheming with an old running mate to submit a business proposal that taps into a proven skill set of mine.  I’ve been in contact with [...]

It has been one month since I returned home.  So far, it has gone smoothly, more sweet than bitter.  I have a few issues on which i am working with the VA.  They all are physical, and not so debilitating as to have a major impact on my quality of life.  There’s the tinnitus that [...]

I’m going to say it up front…  I was a fobbit… I was one of the Command Post guys…  I had a set schedule, I didn’t go out on missions.  I stayed behind when my guys went out and I manned the various communication systems that monitored them when they went out.  I watched them [...]

I’M HOME!!! That’s it:  Mission Accomplished.  End of Mission.  Rounds Complete. I’m home…  No more soldiering for Sergeant B.  It’s over… Or is it? It was once thought that once a soldier had returned from whatever war he/she was fighting, that everything would go back to the way it was, as if nothing had changed.  [...]

Green 3…

I hate running… I would rather heft a 70 pound pack on my back and “ruck” or “hump” 12 miles over hilly terrain than put on t-shirt, running shorts, and “go-fasters” and run 2 miles on a flat course… When I was a young Marine infantryman, I did run, but only because I had to.  [...]

(My observation of the anniversary of the D-Day landings is a quiet one:  My Grandfather was responsible for a number of the destroyers providing off-shore fire support for the invasion forces.  His contribution was as important as anyone’s but there are others’ whose stories of personal fortitude deserve to be celebrated in a louder voice [...]

Memorial Day…  A day to remember those who have gone before. Particularly poignant here in Iraq.  It’s never too far from my mind, the fact that we have lost brothers and sisters on this very post.  Having been here for the better part of a year, and being the curious soul that I am, I [...]

Iraq!  Do  you remember your sons and daughters huddling in the night, frightened of the future? Do you remember when a tyrant forced his will upon you, and forced your sons to fight, while his own sons took your daughters from the streets, and violated them? Iraq!  Do you remember when your army was confused, [...]