Hello there. Minnesota is still wonderful, as always. I thought I should update you on a couple of things.
1. I have had so much fun in such a short time. I've spent a lot of time with my momma and my girlfriends. I couldn't ask for a better time spent before deploying. I really have just tried to make the most of each day... even if that means staying up far past little Jacki Wacky's bed time (usually up till 3 in the morning and up at 9 the next morning. It's a good system.)
2. I will be going back on active duty on June 11th. I should be reporting to Fort Benning a couple days after. Which means, I'll be in Iraq before the end of the month. I've every emotion racing through me right now, nervous, scared, excited, happy, sad, upset... you get the picture. I think the best word right now is weird. I feel really weird. I think to myself "You are a 19 year old, normal American girl. You like shopping and your friends. Love to watch movies and spend time with your family. Your mommy and daddy are your idols. You are a monster when it comes to super nintendo. You love to curl up with a good book and spend the night that way. You can kick Harry's butt in cribbage, any time any day (does $1.97 ring a bell?). You are normal in every way except for the fact that you are going to Iraq." And it's always the last part that gets me.
3. Oh. And another thing. My most recent project is writing to the editors and owners of magazines and book stores to try and get reading materials for my unit. My dad said that it is something they are seriously lacking. I've wrote to at least 15 different sources... and a lot of them seem very willing to help. Just thought I would pass that tidbit along.
<3 Jacki
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
"My Autnie Dacki"
HELLO THERE FROM OH SO GLORIOUS MINNESOTA!!!! Sorry... had to get that off my chest. I've been home for a little over a week... and I can't believe how good it feels. Sorry I haven't updated my blog recently... I've really been going non-stop. But at the same time I'm really just been taking it easy (I'm not sure how that works?) ... the last week or so at Fort Huachuca really did a number on me, as many of you know. I don't really want to go over the details on here... let's just say it royally sucked and that I'm glad I finally got out of there... even if I did miss my first flight =/ and had 300+ pound of luggage (double :/)
I was actually starting to think that Arizona was green... green.... of all things. Until, I realized that Arizona foliage ain't got shit on Minnesota's. I can not believe how green this state is (regardless of the lack of rain). I never really realized it before.
Most of my time has been spent with my niece... and I can't really think of a better way to spend it. The first night home, she came with to the airport to get me. We didn't go to bed until 2 AM and woke up ready to go at 6 AM... She hasn't stopped talking since she's seen me. Her topics of conversation include anything hers (My Grandma, My Jacki, My Shoes... even if their not, My Cookie etc), bubbles, and anything she hears of interest that she feels necessary to repeat until someone acknowledges her.
We've gone to the cabin, shopping, blown bubbles, went out to eat, played games, had numerous slumber parties, colored, won a puppy and some boxers, went to the zoo (which she 'lubbed'), and even watched Happy Feet at least 11 times today. That is not an exaggeration. The best part, is half way through it skips... to which she says "That scares me!" However, jumbo gorillas apparently do not.
I haven't seen much of my friends... I've got some kind of disease that is making me sound awfully manly, and I'd hate for them to think that it is a result of the Army that I sound so masculine... it would be quite the tragedy. Tonight I have high hopes of seeing my friends Jenni and Deidre... and hopefully they will forgive my temporary voice change =]
Here are a couple pictures from my recent escapades. Believe me... there are many, many more. I won't overwhelm you guys just yet though.
One more thing before I log out... I just wanted to say thank-you so much for everyone's support and for thank-you for everyone who has been keeping up with my blog. It means a lot to me and it's good to know that I've got so many great people looking out for me.
I was actually starting to think that Arizona was green... green.... of all things. Until, I realized that Arizona foliage ain't got shit on Minnesota's. I can not believe how green this state is (regardless of the lack of rain). I never really realized it before.
Most of my time has been spent with my niece... and I can't really think of a better way to spend it. The first night home, she came with to the airport to get me. We didn't go to bed until 2 AM and woke up ready to go at 6 AM... She hasn't stopped talking since she's seen me. Her topics of conversation include anything hers (My Grandma, My Jacki, My Shoes... even if their not, My Cookie etc), bubbles, and anything she hears of interest that she feels necessary to repeat until someone acknowledges her.
We've gone to the cabin, shopping, blown bubbles, went out to eat, played games, had numerous slumber parties, colored, won a puppy and some boxers, went to the zoo (which she 'lubbed'), and even watched Happy Feet at least 11 times today. That is not an exaggeration. The best part, is half way through it skips... to which she says "That scares me!" However, jumbo gorillas apparently do not.
I haven't seen much of my friends... I've got some kind of disease that is making me sound awfully manly, and I'd hate for them to think that it is a result of the Army that I sound so masculine... it would be quite the tragedy. Tonight I have high hopes of seeing my friends Jenni and Deidre... and hopefully they will forgive my temporary voice change =]
Here are a couple pictures from my recent escapades. Believe me... there are many, many more. I won't overwhelm you guys just yet though.
One more thing before I log out... I just wanted to say thank-you so much for everyone's support and for thank-you for everyone who has been keeping up with my blog. It means a lot to me and it's good to know that I've got so many great people looking out for me.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Illegal Ass Exploder
Hello there from glorious Fort Huachuca! Graduation is fast approaching and I have successfully completed FTX. I stink, I'm tired, and I'm dirty beyond belief. But I thought I would write this up while it was fresh in my mind. Basically, our days were broken down into two parts. Half the day we did interrogations and half the day we had missions. The missions would consist of a TCP or a FCP as well as what we call Town. Once we were done with each part, we had numerous reports we had to write, which is what generally kept us from going to bed. I'm going to try to explain this as best as possible, but it will probably still be a little confusing. Here goes:
DAY 1: We had our initial brief for our glorious FTX (Field Training Exercise) until midnight. It was a hoot and a holler, let me tell you. It was packed full of fun filled slide shows and safety briefings, my absolute favorite. Everyone was "wide awake." lol. Basically, they crammed a run down of the whole time we would be out there into a 6 hour block... not the most interesting thing in the whole wide world. From the briefings, I left immediately for FOB Dagger or Site Uniform, one of three training sites. It was midnight by the time we finally got to the site. That night was the start of no showering, no cellphones, and no sleep. Although, I've been preparing for the whole "no showering" thing for months in advance =]
DAY 2: The next morning we woke up at 4. All of us bumbled around our tent, running into rucksacks, cots, and other sleepy girls. It was FREEZING! First of all, this site is up the mountain a bit and it's the desert, which equates for a double whammy and also for frost bite. I felt paralyzed trying to tie my poor boots. Breakfast was next... and as I would come to find out, it would be the same thing every morning. Spongy eggs the consistency of some foreign jello, the greasiest sausage patties you ever did see, and some smooshed up tator tots. What a treat! The rest of the day was filled with nothingness. Most teams went out to start training, but nothing was scheduled for our team. However, an MRE did come for lunch and some giraffe meat also came for dinner. We didn't go to bed that night until 12:00 pm. Oh boy.
DAY 3: I am THE camp whore. Not just any whore, but THE camp whore says my very friendly detainee that I was escorting to the interrogation room. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit as he yelled at the top of his lungs: CAMP WHORE! SHE'S THE CAMP WHORE!" And this, my friends, is what I deal with when I talk to these lovely people. Everyone in the camp could hear this fine gentleman. It's good that me and my detainee got off to such a good start. Let's just say that that interrogation did not end in the detainee's favor.
DAY 4: Today I went to what we call a TCP (Traffic Control Point). Basically, civilians approach the checkpoint and then they are taken off to the side for questioning. Basically, the intel team is just looking for information pertaining to terrorist or insurgent activity. On this particular day, I had the pleasure to meet a man that was on the very large side. Apparently, he took a liking to me because he invited me back to his mansion (apparently he inherited money from his father who was in the oil business) where we could go swimming, since it was so hot out. I declined the large man's offer. I just don't think I'd like to see him in a speedo or anything less than a dishdasha (that's the garment they wear in the middle east). I think I should explain that all of the people we meet during FTX are civilians that are paid to come in and act as if they were really Iraqi civilians. Whether they are participating in interrogations, TCP, or FCP (which I'll explain later). I'm not sure if this made it any less or more creepy.
DAY 5: I learned a fun fact today. Did you know that a menstruation cycle attracts wild life? We (the females) have been recklessly putting FOB Dagger in unnecessary danger. We have put the safety and integrity of the FOB in jeopardy merely by having a menstruation cycle. This, my friends, is what we have been told. May not in so many words, but it was said none the less. Apparently, it rings true. We have had 4 separate skunk attacks since we have gotten here, 2 brown bear sitings, and an alarming amount of dog sized rabbits. I have no one to blame but myself. I am joking, sort of, but we really were told to be extra cautious about our cycles because it attracts animals. The animals, they said, can strike at any time. Even at night, when you least suspect it.
Today was also a FCP (forward collection point) day. FCP is a result of some sort of event that takes place (an ied is detonated or sniper fire... something along those lines) and the people in the immediate area are rounded up for questioning. Today's FCP was a result of an IED detonating along side the road. There is a minor twist in the plot... witnesses at the scene said that they saw two men digging along side the road and a dead donkey was close to the road. It appeared as if the two men were burying the donkey... until a few minutes later the men walked away and the IED they were apparently burying went off... and donkey parts were flying everywhere. Our search was to find the men that were involved in the IED... the people burying... detonating... yadda yadda yadda. We detained two of the people involved for interrogation later.
DAY 6: I got my interrogation schedule and was pleased to find that I was interrogating a Mr. Bahli. Bahli had been involved in the burying of the IED in the previous day's FCP. Bahli had a pleasant disposition... defined by the fact that he did not scream that I was the camp whore. Bahli was adamant that he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time... as he said repeatedly "I was on my way to complete the Hajj. I didn't see anything. I was all alone." Which, in turn, I told him "Ok. this gives me a great idea... I'm going to make a Bahli Dolly. And every time I pull the string it will say 'I was on my way to complete the Hajj. I didn't see anything. I was all alone.'" Also, I asked him if he wanted to forever be known as the man that exploded an ass. What a way to go out! Not only that, but he was from Yemen... without an ID... therefor... he is an illegal ass exploder. Much much better.
Day 7 and Day 8: Both days were mostly just wrap up days. Clearing the area of all sensitive material, policing up the area of garabage and ammunition fired. We left saturday (today) at about 10 am. We had to come back and clean weapons for a couple hours and than I crashed. I love sleep and I missed it far to much. I think you should also know that I have perfected and I am currently rocking the hand tan. It's gotten gruesomely worse. Just grand =[
I love you guys! It won't be long until I'm home!
DAY 1: We had our initial brief for our glorious FTX (Field Training Exercise) until midnight. It was a hoot and a holler, let me tell you. It was packed full of fun filled slide shows and safety briefings, my absolute favorite. Everyone was "wide awake." lol. Basically, they crammed a run down of the whole time we would be out there into a 6 hour block... not the most interesting thing in the whole wide world. From the briefings, I left immediately for FOB Dagger or Site Uniform, one of three training sites. It was midnight by the time we finally got to the site. That night was the start of no showering, no cellphones, and no sleep. Although, I've been preparing for the whole "no showering" thing for months in advance =]
DAY 2: The next morning we woke up at 4. All of us bumbled around our tent, running into rucksacks, cots, and other sleepy girls. It was FREEZING! First of all, this site is up the mountain a bit and it's the desert, which equates for a double whammy and also for frost bite. I felt paralyzed trying to tie my poor boots. Breakfast was next... and as I would come to find out, it would be the same thing every morning. Spongy eggs the consistency of some foreign jello, the greasiest sausage patties you ever did see, and some smooshed up tator tots. What a treat! The rest of the day was filled with nothingness. Most teams went out to start training, but nothing was scheduled for our team. However, an MRE did come for lunch and some giraffe meat also came for dinner. We didn't go to bed that night until 12:00 pm. Oh boy.
DAY 3: I am THE camp whore. Not just any whore, but THE camp whore says my very friendly detainee that I was escorting to the interrogation room. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit as he yelled at the top of his lungs: CAMP WHORE! SHE'S THE CAMP WHORE!" And this, my friends, is what I deal with when I talk to these lovely people. Everyone in the camp could hear this fine gentleman. It's good that me and my detainee got off to such a good start. Let's just say that that interrogation did not end in the detainee's favor.
DAY 4: Today I went to what we call a TCP (Traffic Control Point). Basically, civilians approach the checkpoint and then they are taken off to the side for questioning. Basically, the intel team is just looking for information pertaining to terrorist or insurgent activity. On this particular day, I had the pleasure to meet a man that was on the very large side. Apparently, he took a liking to me because he invited me back to his mansion (apparently he inherited money from his father who was in the oil business) where we could go swimming, since it was so hot out. I declined the large man's offer. I just don't think I'd like to see him in a speedo or anything less than a dishdasha (that's the garment they wear in the middle east). I think I should explain that all of the people we meet during FTX are civilians that are paid to come in and act as if they were really Iraqi civilians. Whether they are participating in interrogations, TCP, or FCP (which I'll explain later). I'm not sure if this made it any less or more creepy.
DAY 5: I learned a fun fact today. Did you know that a menstruation cycle attracts wild life? We (the females) have been recklessly putting FOB Dagger in unnecessary danger. We have put the safety and integrity of the FOB in jeopardy merely by having a menstruation cycle. This, my friends, is what we have been told. May not in so many words, but it was said none the less. Apparently, it rings true. We have had 4 separate skunk attacks since we have gotten here, 2 brown bear sitings, and an alarming amount of dog sized rabbits. I have no one to blame but myself. I am joking, sort of, but we really were told to be extra cautious about our cycles because it attracts animals. The animals, they said, can strike at any time. Even at night, when you least suspect it.
Today was also a FCP (forward collection point) day. FCP is a result of some sort of event that takes place (an ied is detonated or sniper fire... something along those lines) and the people in the immediate area are rounded up for questioning. Today's FCP was a result of an IED detonating along side the road. There is a minor twist in the plot... witnesses at the scene said that they saw two men digging along side the road and a dead donkey was close to the road. It appeared as if the two men were burying the donkey... until a few minutes later the men walked away and the IED they were apparently burying went off... and donkey parts were flying everywhere. Our search was to find the men that were involved in the IED... the people burying... detonating... yadda yadda yadda. We detained two of the people involved for interrogation later.
DAY 6: I got my interrogation schedule and was pleased to find that I was interrogating a Mr. Bahli. Bahli had been involved in the burying of the IED in the previous day's FCP. Bahli had a pleasant disposition... defined by the fact that he did not scream that I was the camp whore. Bahli was adamant that he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time... as he said repeatedly "I was on my way to complete the Hajj. I didn't see anything. I was all alone." Which, in turn, I told him "Ok. this gives me a great idea... I'm going to make a Bahli Dolly. And every time I pull the string it will say 'I was on my way to complete the Hajj. I didn't see anything. I was all alone.'" Also, I asked him if he wanted to forever be known as the man that exploded an ass. What a way to go out! Not only that, but he was from Yemen... without an ID... therefor... he is an illegal ass exploder. Much much better.
Day 7 and Day 8: Both days were mostly just wrap up days. Clearing the area of all sensitive material, policing up the area of garabage and ammunition fired. We left saturday (today) at about 10 am. We had to come back and clean weapons for a couple hours and than I crashed. I love sleep and I missed it far to much. I think you should also know that I have perfected and I am currently rocking the hand tan. It's gotten gruesomely worse. Just grand =[
I love you guys! It won't be long until I'm home!
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