Work....work....work....

I promised you some pictures and here they are! Sorry, it took me a while to get them. Everyday is a new issue and a new solution.

One of those issues was getting all of the personnel on this camp accounted for. There was not a very good job done about this before. So, when I was charged with supervising housing, I decided to do something about it. It took me about two weeks, but I finally finished. It is difficult because people like to move around on their own and change things about their rooms without telling anyone. I came up with a solution to that. Anyone, now, who moves without my permission has to move out of their room and move into an open-bay barracks. Like those that I lived in when going through training. No room, no lockers, no space to themselves. I'll give them about a week and then move them back to their original assignments. Haven't had any complaints from those above me yet.

Another problem was that I was moved into a real rat trap of a b-hut when I got here. At the same time, I was 'assailed' by these government contractors about being promised one of the new buildings for their sleeping quarters. Well, they were 'promised' by this Command Sargent Major, who is a blow-hard and doesn't have the authority to promise anything. Well, I corrected the problem. I moved into the new building and found another one for them. You've seen pics of my room when I first got here. I've included some of my new space. I made some improvements. I had a wall locker built and a bed. I built a desk myself and a door for the room. I actually feel like I have some illusion of privacy.

I had to leave the camp the other day to escort a dump truck full of sand to the camp. So, I took the time while walking out there to take some other pictures. This whole place looks like this. I know, it's a little barren. Nothing modern out here.

I had to participate in a convoy today. We had to go out to a German base on the other side of Mazar-e Sharif. It took us about 1 1/2 hours. Still amazing to see how they live. I know that they have no choice, but still a stark reminder that we have it pretty good.

I'm getting more involved with things around here. I'm supervising the expansion of the camp. Basically taking over a part of the camp that was previously separate and belonged to some special forces guys. We had to renovate all of the b-huts for people coming in. Some were turned into offices. We also have started a winterization plan. The buildings here were built very poorly and do not have much, if any, insulation. The newer ones are much better, but the old ones need a lot of work. Should be able to get it done before it gets cold here. Hard to imagine it ever being cold here!

I get to talk with my wife and daughter most days via SKYPE. I even got my parents to get a webcam. Really helps to keep the morale up. I got a couple of packages the other day. Even though I have the internet, it's still cool to get mail the 'old fashioned' way. I received a pillow, some sheets and a few other things I needed.

Anyway, I have to get going. I have more work to do. Take care all. Let me know if you like what I have to say or if I can tell you anything else. I'll talk about what I'm allowed to.

Later!