Post by Update 14 on Aug 10, 2008 12:49:19 GMT -5
Three weeks since the last update. Not too bad right? Well it has been a very busy three weeks so there is plenty to write about this time.
First off, two of our Marines were recognized for their achievements so far in the deployment. LCpl Ray and LCpl Oliveras were each awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal for there contributions to the team's mission over the first 6 months of the deployment. Both of these Marines have acted in various roles through out the deployment including as our communications experts, drivers, and turret gunners. Over 1,500 miles and over 125 missions driven. They deserved the recognition.
Next, the team went from having one Sgt to having 3 within a week. Sgt Johnson returned from his R&R just in time to be promoted on the 1st of Aug. Just before this Sgt Matthews was added to our team. Sgt Matthews is part of the IRR recall which you may have read about. He may have thought he was finished with the Marine Corps, but the Corps has a way of getting the most out of you even if you were enjoying civilian life. Both of the Team's new Sgt's are already working in stride with our original Sgt, Sgt Vee. In a unit which is smaller than your standard squad (usually led by a Sgt), we now have an officer, SNCO, 3 Sgt's and 2 Cpl's. That's a lot of leadership for such a small unit, but we are making it work without a problem.
Our missions continue to be expanding into new areas. We are no longer the wide eyed tourists that we were the first time into the city, as we continue to make more and more trips there. We have been coordinating with the city government in their actual offices which is a nice change. The only issue is that the workers who don't know we are coming continue to think we are there to detain someone instead of help with water. Just another sign that our job should be carried out by civilians in the future. I think everyone will agree that is a good thing.
Cpl Mia has left on R&R but should be making it back here soon. Before he left all he would talk about were Steakhouses so I hope he's been able to have a steak or two.
SSgt Lee hasn't broken anything in his room recently which is a nice change. I think he's gone from watching Jeopardy to America's Funniest Home Videos so it's mostly just laughing coming out of his room.
Cpl Cruz continues to show how useful having an intelligence Marine on the team can be. It seems like every other day, he's come up with some new overlay or map to help the team. The use of terms like "spot rep", "reporting", and "imagery" is a little much at times. We can overlook that though.
LCpl Ebeling has been bumped around as to his job in the convoy recently with all the moving parts of R&R and additions to the team. He's doing a good job of filling in where ever it is needed.
Jack has been busy lately as well. He went on R&R himself and the team really couldn't do much of anything with out him. Of course we had another interpreter fill in, but it wasn't the same. At some points we just had to stop the conversation and say we would talk again once Jack was back. I've been giving him a lot of translations to do concerning more technical projects, so they are harder for him. He's doing a good job with the more difficult words and we haven't had too many "Money Pocket" translations.
Doc must have recently remembered that he was in the Navy because his hair has mysteriously gotten longer and longer as the deployment goes on. He's the one member of the team who doesn't get to be part of the rotated days off when they are available. I guess that's the curse of always being needed.
The Care packages have been great over the past few weeks. Sitewire, Brittany Burns and the Cincinnati Bell team, my parents and the Kingdom Kids, have all sent great care packages. Look to the pictures section in a few days to see how much we enjoyed them.
That's about it for now, but if there is anything I missed please let me know. As always we appreciate your support and think about you all. Thanks.
Lt Gilliland
First off, two of our Marines were recognized for their achievements so far in the deployment. LCpl Ray and LCpl Oliveras were each awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal for there contributions to the team's mission over the first 6 months of the deployment. Both of these Marines have acted in various roles through out the deployment including as our communications experts, drivers, and turret gunners. Over 1,500 miles and over 125 missions driven. They deserved the recognition.
Next, the team went from having one Sgt to having 3 within a week. Sgt Johnson returned from his R&R just in time to be promoted on the 1st of Aug. Just before this Sgt Matthews was added to our team. Sgt Matthews is part of the IRR recall which you may have read about. He may have thought he was finished with the Marine Corps, but the Corps has a way of getting the most out of you even if you were enjoying civilian life. Both of the Team's new Sgt's are already working in stride with our original Sgt, Sgt Vee. In a unit which is smaller than your standard squad (usually led by a Sgt), we now have an officer, SNCO, 3 Sgt's and 2 Cpl's. That's a lot of leadership for such a small unit, but we are making it work without a problem.
Our missions continue to be expanding into new areas. We are no longer the wide eyed tourists that we were the first time into the city, as we continue to make more and more trips there. We have been coordinating with the city government in their actual offices which is a nice change. The only issue is that the workers who don't know we are coming continue to think we are there to detain someone instead of help with water. Just another sign that our job should be carried out by civilians in the future. I think everyone will agree that is a good thing.
Cpl Mia has left on R&R but should be making it back here soon. Before he left all he would talk about were Steakhouses so I hope he's been able to have a steak or two.
SSgt Lee hasn't broken anything in his room recently which is a nice change. I think he's gone from watching Jeopardy to America's Funniest Home Videos so it's mostly just laughing coming out of his room.
Cpl Cruz continues to show how useful having an intelligence Marine on the team can be. It seems like every other day, he's come up with some new overlay or map to help the team. The use of terms like "spot rep", "reporting", and "imagery" is a little much at times. We can overlook that though.
LCpl Ebeling has been bumped around as to his job in the convoy recently with all the moving parts of R&R and additions to the team. He's doing a good job of filling in where ever it is needed.
Jack has been busy lately as well. He went on R&R himself and the team really couldn't do much of anything with out him. Of course we had another interpreter fill in, but it wasn't the same. At some points we just had to stop the conversation and say we would talk again once Jack was back. I've been giving him a lot of translations to do concerning more technical projects, so they are harder for him. He's doing a good job with the more difficult words and we haven't had too many "Money Pocket" translations.
Doc must have recently remembered that he was in the Navy because his hair has mysteriously gotten longer and longer as the deployment goes on. He's the one member of the team who doesn't get to be part of the rotated days off when they are available. I guess that's the curse of always being needed.
The Care packages have been great over the past few weeks. Sitewire, Brittany Burns and the Cincinnati Bell team, my parents and the Kingdom Kids, have all sent great care packages. Look to the pictures section in a few days to see how much we enjoyed them.
That's about it for now, but if there is anything I missed please let me know. As always we appreciate your support and think about you all. Thanks.
Lt Gilliland