Changes in Temperatures, both environmental and mental
Well, May is almost half over. That means 6.5 down, 8.5 months to go. The problem I see with that is, I still have to go more than what I have already completed and the deployment is ...let me check the donut of misery...43% complete. The donut is this nifty Excel sheet that breaks down the how much left of time into Weeks, days, hours, min and secs to go. It also tallies all the per diem and family separation pay that has Accrued. Then on the side is a circular pie chart with the done and to go. It's fun, in a desperate kind of way.
So now on to the title of this month's entry. As you have probably already deduced, from past blogs and the opening tone of this entry, is that the overall attitude after the 6th month sharply declines. That has been proven in all sorts of scientific research, as well as data collected on troops from mental health assessments to suicide rates. That is why the Marines, Navy and Air Force only stay in Theater for about 6 months. You would think that the Army would pick up on this? NA! Lets extend them to 15 from 12 months, that should do it. ARG. Ignorance. In any case....that is a whole other discussion best saved for being engaged in over a few beers. So there is the increased mental temperature. Tempers and frustration over here is escalating at a furnace's pace and is fueled daily by decisions and actions of every level of soldier from PVT Joe Snuffy to the highest office in Washington. I prefer not to expand on my thoughts for you on this forum for fear of repercussion either socially by some irresponsible Anti-whatever person or from anyone reading from my circles here in the Military. Just know, as with any long term work engagement that is strenuous, people get frustrated with what they have no control over even in their "controlled environment".
Then on the flip side, we have some crazy heat going on over here and it is only May. The other day it felt like someone had a blow dryer on high right in my face. I swear my eyelashes curled up on themselves (like hair does when you get too close to a flame). I check on the thermometer that is out every-so-often and it read 120 deg F normal shaded bulb while the black bulb read 134 deg Fahrenheit. It was pretty hot, but you know, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.... although I could have done without the oven fresh breeze. Those two incidents were independent of one another, but you get the point. But... that is here in Iraq. In Kuwait, south of this lovely hole, it is significantly hotter. My cookies and chocolate covered Espresso beans can attest to that. Thank you Kelly and Tim, I am still trying to figure out how I can still consume them. Trust me, where there is a will, there is a way. So the moral of the story... There are 2 actually. 1. Don't go to Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East. It's hot and it sucks. 2. Don't send chocolate to soldiers between the months of April and October. Here are some victims of the summer like heat.
As a side note or 2. The summer highs are in the 140's and 150's dry bulb.
Secondly, they have bugs like this that get in your sleep areas!
So now on to the title of this month's entry. As you have probably already deduced, from past blogs and the opening tone of this entry, is that the overall attitude after the 6th month sharply declines. That has been proven in all sorts of scientific research, as well as data collected on troops from mental health assessments to suicide rates. That is why the Marines, Navy and Air Force only stay in Theater for about 6 months. You would think that the Army would pick up on this? NA! Lets extend them to 15 from 12 months, that should do it. ARG. Ignorance. In any case....that is a whole other discussion best saved for being engaged in over a few beers. So there is the increased mental temperature. Tempers and frustration over here is escalating at a furnace's pace and is fueled daily by decisions and actions of every level of soldier from PVT Joe Snuffy to the highest office in Washington. I prefer not to expand on my thoughts for you on this forum for fear of repercussion either socially by some irresponsible Anti-whatever person or from anyone reading from my circles here in the Military. Just know, as with any long term work engagement that is strenuous, people get frustrated with what they have no control over even in their "controlled environment".
Then on the flip side, we have some crazy heat going on over here and it is only May. The other day it felt like someone had a blow dryer on high right in my face. I swear my eyelashes curled up on themselves (like hair does when you get too close to a flame). I check on the thermometer that is out every-so-often and it read 120 deg F normal shaded bulb while the black bulb read 134 deg Fahrenheit. It was pretty hot, but you know, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.... although I could have done without the oven fresh breeze. Those two incidents were independent of one another, but you get the point. But... that is here in Iraq. In Kuwait, south of this lovely hole, it is significantly hotter. My cookies and chocolate covered Espresso beans can attest to that. Thank you Kelly and Tim, I am still trying to figure out how I can still consume them. Trust me, where there is a will, there is a way. So the moral of the story... There are 2 actually. 1. Don't go to Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East. It's hot and it sucks. 2. Don't send chocolate to soldiers between the months of April and October. Here are some victims of the summer like heat.
As a side note or 2. The summer highs are in the 140's and 150's dry bulb.
Secondly, they have bugs like this that get in your sleep areas!
posted by Chris @ 5/12/2008 11:39:00 AM
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