robcasting

Yes I know that is the opening line to a Beatles song. I often find myself humming as I leave my tent and it is about 110 out here. I know alot has been written about the heat but here is my two cents.
Yes it is a dry heat but at these temps does it really matter? I am not a water driner per say but i find myself constantly seeking a bottle of water...I want one now.
I will say this, the military has gone to GREAT lengths to make sure that water is available at every single turn. Every building has cases and cases of water stacked outside it everyday. If you use a casr a new is put there the next morning...so if you dehydrate...it's on you. Completely on you!
So yes it is unrelenting...but somehow bearable. I dont know these vendors that are all over the base just sit outside all day like its nothing with no water near by.
Next time I will tell you about the bathrooms....you will get a kick out of this one!

When I was on DG several people I knew were reading World War Z, by Max Brooks. They were all really digging this book. So right when I was about to leave the island I saw it in the free book bin and I picked it up. I had read the first 100 pages when I was in Norfolk but didnt have alot of time or enegry to really get into it until the plane ride here to Kuwait.
I really liked this book. Imagine a world where the dead begin to rise and begin their march to devour humanity.
Right now in the real world we deal with the fact that the War on Terror has made us rewrite all of our war docterines. We are also a country that is trying to keep the war away from our shores.
In this book docterines are rewritten again. The balance of world power dramacticly shifts once more as the war touches every shore. There is no, "lets keep em over there." The dead have risen everywhere!
Told in interview formats from people all over the world as they recap their trials in the Zombie War.
I feel that anyone who is watching the daily tale of our current war will find this book fasenating. If you watch the news daily this book will hold your attention!
Good on you Max Brooks...I liked your fist novel. Lets have another!
Remember everyone...HYDRATE!

After two days of flying and landing I am in Kuwait.
We land in the middle of the night and are put into staging areas to await further instruction. We attend briefings in the middle of the night. All of our baggage is hauled off of the back of an 18 wheeler and me and the rest of the 159 people from the plane have to sift through it to find what is ours.

We sleep...we move...we eat...we sleep.

This country is so dry...and the sand is everywhere, theres no escaping it.

Hydrating is essential. I drank two liters of water today and I dont think that is nearly enough for a day.

Also now we have to carry our weapons with us everywhere. While I type this there is an M-16 at my feet....its not loaded....but it's there.

Tomorrow is paperwork. It looks as if all that extra training we did at Fort Dix may cut down on the training we do here in Kuwait and we can get up to Baghdad all the quicker. Here's to hoping.

Alright...short post but I have a headache.

So the journey that began on February 7th starts its next chapter.

Tomorrow I fly out of the United States to help fight a war using the written and spoken word. I think bullets work better but hey who am I to judge.

Let's recap the last six weeks shall we:

Arrive at Fort Dix...no one knows where the Navy goes.

We are yelled at by a cranky Army Seargeant so tells us the living on this base will resemble something out of boot camp. It isnt really...we just arent allowed to leave and we cant wear civilian clothes.

We get issued all kinds of gear and enough body armor to make me feel 80 pounds heavier.

Classes begin on everything from land navigation to shooting an M-16.

The class on Land Navigation is especially fun as none of us have ever done this type of thing. The Navy in our class were very helpful and got us through it with minimal damage. Without them I think we would should be wondering through the Pine Barrens of New Jersey looking for our next marker.

Our schedule was very loose with classes changing at the drop of a hat...things being added others taken away. Where everyone that went to Fort Jackson is done and over in the sand box, we are still here.

We are finally allowed off the base and I am able to see my New Jersey family...I miss them.

Now we are done...we are validated...and tomorrow we fly out. The next part of all this is up...the Big Show if you will.

Do me a favor and pray for my small media group. We are heading in!
I will miss my kids the most...I always do.
Stay tuned...I bet the best entries are still to come.

Labels: I/A, Iraq, kuwait, Navy, rob Kerns

After being here at Fort Dix since March 29th my group is finally being let off the base for the weekend. Let me tell you they are really making sure our "i"'s are dotted and "t"s are crossed before we go.
Now if you know me you know I am not a person who goes out and parties down alot so I am going to enjoy the weekend with my family down in good old Stratford. I miss my family there and dont get to see them nearly as much as much as I would like.
So finally I am getting to get the Hell away from this damn base for but a weekend but it is my weekend and I plan to enjoy it.

Labels: Fort Dix, I/A, Iraq, Navy, Stratford