So they shipped me off early to Indiana
We asked for a pass for a few days and instead
got shipped here.

I just keep trying to take it in stride.

I met up with my unit and have been doing paperwork since.
The same paperwork that I did in GA but they said I have to
do it all over again here...fun.

I got shots for typhoid, smallpox and tb.
My arm hurts where I got the typhoid but whatever.

So this is a transportation unit and they are headed to southern Iraq.
I will probably be there about a year as I guessed so I just have
to put my head down and keep going.

Hopefully the days fly by and before you know it
I'm back here get demobilized and writing on my blogg.

That's it for now.

It's been another weekend here in Ft. Benning
I've had the last two weekends off and Jen has journeyed
out this way 4hrs each way to spend a couple days with me.

We've stayed at the Marriot and let me tell ya...I miss a real bed!!!
I sleep in bunk-beds now that have a hospital stlye twin bed...very comfy

I did also get my orders....I have been assigned to a Conneticut National Guard unit that
is training in Indiana right now

They are a trasportation unit and I believe that they deliver refrigerated and
dry goods to the different bases using 18 wheelers.

They are going to Iraq.
This is about all I know right now...I will find out more when I get to Indiana
on the 27th of this month. I think I will be there for amonth training but not sure.

So the questions continue...how long will I be gone for? where exactly am I gonna
end up? what will I be doing?

Not sure of any of these things at this point. I do know that the other two
E4's that I have been training with here have been assigned to the same unit.
That is a relief going in there with people I am beginning to trust.

I will keep you updated.

A new day a new weapon

The M249 or SAW(squad automatic weapon)

here ya go

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M249

and a couple of videos of course

this first one is sort of a modified version...the next two are what we fire

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3967365650162634286&q=m249&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-100261320268189579&q=m249&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1284996811718106555&q=m249&hl=en

this was the weapon I carried in Bosnia and for about 3 years
needless to say I loved IT!!!!

So today was another weapons

check it out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M203

here it is mounted on the machine gun
i actually found it on a video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7024603589635728063&q=M203&hl=en

enjoy
i did

Today I fired my first weapon...well not my first ever
but my 1st since being back

It is call the 240Bravo
Doesn't that sound mean

Check it out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M240

This second one is not me of course but it gives you an idea
of the size in relation to a person rather than just a picture

http://www.ironhorseonline.org/Pictures/August/Bravo%20Troop/kuwait%20ssg%20pena%20240b.jpg

here are some vids i found
for some reason firfox doens't always work when viewing
so you might need to use explorer

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2182977127653182491&q=M240&hl=en

and

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3301002156606196315&q=M240&hl=en

So tommorrow is another day and another weapon
I am hearing different things about when and where I am going next.
I might know Friday or Saturday
Do I really want to know???
That is the question.

Well not much has happened...

I had X-mas with the military...I got issued some of my gear
clothing and such.

I have also been cleared dentally and medically, a great victory in the eyes
of the military.

I should know in two weeks actually where and when I am going, so at this
point that is wht I am anxious for...well a little nervous but I do really want to know.

Monday I start with qualifications of weapons and stuff so that should be fun as
I always love firing the militaries weapons.

Hopefully soon I will be able to post pics...we'll see
I don't have wireless on base nor do a I have access to IM so you know
how much that is killing me. They classify it as a restricted site (GAY)

Hope everyone is well...I am in the bes spirits I can be
I'll check back soon

Oh sorry before but people that dont't have an account with the blogger can now post

hey everybody

the day is finally here and i have arrived at Ft. Benning
it's ok to say the least

lots of people going to lots of places...some maybe want to some maybe don't

but overall the journey has begun and hopefully the days will fly by

1 more day to go....getting crazy

have a few pics my old roomate snapped of me

they're pretty sweet

check them out on this site

http://www.joshgoleman.com/jp/