Headed to the sandbox ...

[Jumperalex]

Well I was put on notice that I'll be in the CAOC at Al Udid this fall. It'll be a cake walk (AC, beer, and no one shooting at me) compared to anything most of our folks are doing but hopefully I can do something useful and make sure those guys are taken care of.

[CephasGT]

Enjoy, man, and be safe. 'The Deid' was pretty much a cake walk when I was there, but you can never know in that part of the world. Keep us posted, if you can!

I'm actually kinda jealous, I haven't been over for awhile now, and the itch is getting stronger...

[Jumperalex]

yeah my cube mate just got back from there. I would be doing the same exact job as him if it weren't for my clearance (higher than his) getting me into a slightly different job in the same area ... well behind a door of course.

My last time was pre-sept 11 at Ali al Salem and frankly that was a cake walk too despite the "austerity." I mean we got to go to downtown Kuwait, Fahaheel (the Tijuana of Kuwait hahaha) etc. It didn't hurt being the base commanders Exec, but I got chewed out more than once for not being in the office because I was walking around the base seeing how things were going for everyone. Never did manage to go out on a patrol with the SF but I did manage to get to the tank graveyard.

My wife is taking it amazingly in stride so far. She's pretty independent and self-sufficient, and I think she is holding on tight to the idea that being in the CAOC, in Qatar, means I should be nearly as safe as and given 120 days conus with my hobbies

[Jumperalex]

oh yeah the coolest part will be getting issued the new ABU so I don't have to buy the fucking things WOOT

[CephasGT]

I spent some time at Ali Al Salem. That place kinda sucked, but you got used to it. And it lacked the choking humidity of Al Udeid.

And what's this ABU?

[chadrick_r6]

lucky you dont have to buy the ABU, i think that is going to be the way to go is to get deployed a TDY or TCN in order to get out of buying those uniforms. and then before you leave the location go to supply and re-up on new everything

[CephasGT]

I still don't know what this ABU is.

[chadrick_r6]

ABU is the new uniform BDU's that crazy blue green lookish uniform

[Volition]

ABU (Air battle uniform)

[CephasGT]

Oh, yeah. Eff that realtree smurf lookin' crap. That's one of the things that makes me happy about being in the Guard... It'll be years before we have to wear that junk.