Hello Everyone,
A whole lot has happened since the last time I wrote.
#1, I officially became a combat veteran, although I haven't been in any combat yet. You see, we had an alarm at camp Julien, and we all had to run to the bunker. The official story is that we were attacked by two rockets... that is what is written on the official report. However, we never heard anything at all. We just passed the time making jokes, while the Canadians ran around like crazy.

After Thought: We did not receive Combat Infantry Badges for this BS rocket attack or for any of the real rocket attacks we experienced downrange. I only received my CIB after being in an actual engagement with the enemy. However, the National Guard hero staff offficers at Phoenix were turning themselves in like crazy for medals and badges-even though they never went downrange ever!!! When the active duty command got wind of all the bullshit, they made the process much more difficult for the jerky National Guard yahoos, so a lot of REMFS never got their BS awards.
We actually had jack asses come to our firebase on nights that rocket attacks were expected so that they could put themselves in for awards. These slime balls would spend the night, not help us in any way, never go on missions, leave in the morning, and then put themselves in for Bronze Stars---I am so glad they never got any, it would lessen the awards real Soldiers and Marines actually earned going on combat missions day in and day out.


BUNKER
This is my team in the Bunker becoming combat veterans
Hiking
#2. I have been doing a lot of hiking military style, which we call road marching. Once a week, I hike up to what used to be a Russian officer club during the occupation. It is a difficult hike, but well worth it.
After thought: This proved to be very valuable, as once we got downrange we climbed up and down ridiculous mountains day in and day out.OCLUB
Here is a picture of the Russian officer's club. It is complete with a swimming pool and bar. Too bad it is all badly destroyed. There are unexploded bombs all over the place here, and we have to be careful not to venture off the road, because of all the mines.
Affter Thought: Later a special forces team moved into the building and completely rebuilt it--minus the bar of course as American military personnel are not allowed to drink, because the command treats them like children.
Sunrise
This is a sunrise over camp Julien. The flag and tents in the foreground belong to the Hungarian army.
I will continue the news on the next e-mail. Now, on to the random pictures.
German UA
The German War Machine. These things are over 12 feet tall, and very imposing. It is like a Hummer on steroids.
Roster
This is a rooster riding on a donkey. We passed this caravan of nomads on one of our missions. I just couldn't pass up the photo op.
I hope you are all doing well.
SONNY