Hello All,
My clear as mud situation is now crystal clear. I am not going to Abu Dhabi (UAE).
I was told a couple of days ago that I am not going to UAE and will continue my work in Bahrain. The command that was responsible to fill the personnel requirement has come up with a name so my trip is off.
The worst part is getting whipsawed back and forth. I was packing and getting ready to ship stuff to myself so now I have to undo all of that. I was looking forward to going but staying here is not the end of the world. Diving was going to be better there which I was looking forward to.
Just as well, I suppose. I recently bought a package of individually wrapped slices of American cheese. If I had to leave, that would have all gone to waste.
There are worse places to be for sure like Afghanistan or Djibouti, so I can't complain.
I can tolerate all of this because I know this is often how things work in this business. I also say, "believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you see".
I will have some time off here next week for the 4th of July holiday. Not sure what I am going to do but will probably play around with Facebook, which I just signed up for. Maybe it will help their stock price, lol.
A short post this week but, like Djibouti, not much changes here on a week to week basis.
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their summer. I would say it is getting hot here, which it is, but I see it is pretty hot back in the states too.
Cheers,
Michael
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Clear as mud
Hello Everyone,
Once the word spread that I was taking a new assignment in UAE, it was as if I died. Emails are down to a trickle as people remove me from their distro list and they even assigned my desk to someone else! No meeting invites, no phone calls, no emails....just biding my time until my visa gets approved.
There is also some mixed signals on what I will be doing in UAE. It seemed pretty solid that I would be working with the Presidential Guard. Now I am hearing that I may be working out of the US embassy. No one at my command really knows and my emails to points of contact at the embassy go unanswered.
This doesn't surprise me. My experience has been that Dept of State people don't like those in the military. Not really sure why. Many I have met seem a little smug and condescending. I'm sure I can win them over with my pleasant disposition and helpful nature! Actually, Jodi says people are a little standoffish because I am "mean looking". I will have try to be less "mean looking".
One thing I have been told is that I am going to UAE. Probably best to just stop asking questions at this point. I will figure it out when I get there.
My visa might be done this week but if it isn't then after the 4th of July for sure. This will be my second 4th of July in a foreign country. Back in '09 I spent the 4th in France. This year will be a location in the Middle East peninsula. I can tell you I will be enjoying some traditional fare like a hotdog and it will be 100% beef. No pork out here, thank you very much.
Other then that, it has been a typical week. Well, better go do some packing.
Cheers,
Michael
Once the word spread that I was taking a new assignment in UAE, it was as if I died. Emails are down to a trickle as people remove me from their distro list and they even assigned my desk to someone else! No meeting invites, no phone calls, no emails....just biding my time until my visa gets approved.
There is also some mixed signals on what I will be doing in UAE. It seemed pretty solid that I would be working with the Presidential Guard. Now I am hearing that I may be working out of the US embassy. No one at my command really knows and my emails to points of contact at the embassy go unanswered.
This doesn't surprise me. My experience has been that Dept of State people don't like those in the military. Not really sure why. Many I have met seem a little smug and condescending. I'm sure I can win them over with my pleasant disposition and helpful nature! Actually, Jodi says people are a little standoffish because I am "mean looking". I will have try to be less "mean looking".
One thing I have been told is that I am going to UAE. Probably best to just stop asking questions at this point. I will figure it out when I get there.
My visa might be done this week but if it isn't then after the 4th of July for sure. This will be my second 4th of July in a foreign country. Back in '09 I spent the 4th in France. This year will be a location in the Middle East peninsula. I can tell you I will be enjoying some traditional fare like a hotdog and it will be 100% beef. No pork out here, thank you very much.
Other then that, it has been a typical week. Well, better go do some packing.
Cheers,
Michael
Saturday, June 16, 2012
So long, Bahrain
I hardly knew ya.
Hello Everyone,
As you can probably infer from the title of this week's blog. I will be leaving Bahrain shortly and not coming back from what I am told.
A higher priority mission has a requirement for a combat arms LtCol and I am the guy going to fill it.
The United Arab Emirates recently established a new unit called "The Presidential Guard" designed to be an elite strike force. When the President of UAE (there are 7 emirates or regions which have united and elected a president unlike other middle eastern countries which are kingdoms) was asked who he wanted to train this newly formed elite unit, he responded, "I want the best in the world to train this unit...the United States Marine Corps."
High praise indeed.
So, I will be leaving as soon as my visa to entry the country has been processed which will take a couple of weeks. I will be serving as the Recon Group OIC (Officer in Charge) and will advise/assist a Col from the Emirates. Sounds interesting enough and I am honored to be part of the small group carrying out this important mission.
The UAE is the crown jewel of the middle east and I am looking forward to setting up shop there. Specifically, I will be in the capital city of Abu-Dabi.
Not sure where I will be living yet but I think everyone is living in hotels. Not the Holiday Inn Express mind you. My quarters there should be better then where I am now, as nice as that is. I should be in a 3 bedroom suite so I should have more square footage then my 2 bedroom flat.
The only downside is that I don't' think I will have any place to cook but should at least have a small refrigerator. The last thing I can afford to do is to get off track with my eating habits. I'm sure I will have a gym available so I will be able to keep up my daily gym routine. Think I have lost about 30 lbs since I reported to Djibouti in Aug 2011.
It looks like the diving in UAE is a lot better the Bahrain so I can jump start that effort also. There will be Formula 1 race there in Nov so I hope to take that in too.
That's it from here. Getting pretty hot here and predicted to reach almost 110 degrees this week. Unfortunately, it is just as hot in UAE!
Cheers,
Michael
Hello Everyone,
As you can probably infer from the title of this week's blog. I will be leaving Bahrain shortly and not coming back from what I am told.
A higher priority mission has a requirement for a combat arms LtCol and I am the guy going to fill it.
The United Arab Emirates recently established a new unit called "The Presidential Guard" designed to be an elite strike force. When the President of UAE (there are 7 emirates or regions which have united and elected a president unlike other middle eastern countries which are kingdoms) was asked who he wanted to train this newly formed elite unit, he responded, "I want the best in the world to train this unit...the United States Marine Corps."
High praise indeed.
So, I will be leaving as soon as my visa to entry the country has been processed which will take a couple of weeks. I will be serving as the Recon Group OIC (Officer in Charge) and will advise/assist a Col from the Emirates. Sounds interesting enough and I am honored to be part of the small group carrying out this important mission.
The UAE is the crown jewel of the middle east and I am looking forward to setting up shop there. Specifically, I will be in the capital city of Abu-Dabi.
Not sure where I will be living yet but I think everyone is living in hotels. Not the Holiday Inn Express mind you. My quarters there should be better then where I am now, as nice as that is. I should be in a 3 bedroom suite so I should have more square footage then my 2 bedroom flat.
The only downside is that I don't' think I will have any place to cook but should at least have a small refrigerator. The last thing I can afford to do is to get off track with my eating habits. I'm sure I will have a gym available so I will be able to keep up my daily gym routine. Think I have lost about 30 lbs since I reported to Djibouti in Aug 2011.
It looks like the diving in UAE is a lot better the Bahrain so I can jump start that effort also. There will be Formula 1 race there in Nov so I hope to take that in too.
That's it from here. Getting pretty hot here and predicted to reach almost 110 degrees this week. Unfortunately, it is just as hot in UAE!
Cheers,
Michael
Sunday, June 10, 2012
So, what else do you see in Jordan?
Well, we have seen the pictures from your last post including large quantities of roasted meats, some Middle Eastern pipe thing. What else did you see?
Last weeks post was actually the second half of my trip. In addition to my day job, I also took on the role of cultural ambassador from the US. Because of my charming personality, cultural awareness, and pleasant disposition, I was especially well suited for my additional duties after hours.
The first portion of my trip was spent down in southern Jordan at a small outpost near the Saudi border. The first two weekends featured reduced operating hours so folks could take advantage of "cultural days". The command set up a different trip for each weekend. The purpose of cultural days are so that Jordanians can be exposed to Americans (and vice versa), we put a little money into the economy, and see something interesting at the same time.
One trip was to the Dead Sea and to a spot on Jordan River where it is said Jesus was baptized. This would have been a cool trip but I missed it because I had already been sent to another training area 2 hours north.
The other trip was to the ancient city of Petra. Petra is one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. It was really something to see the rather well preserved ruins of this city which dates back to 100 BC or so. I think the oldest thing I have seen to date was weapons and armor from the 1100's when I was in Germany back in 2009. So, this is now the oldest thing seen to date.
Jodi has been to China so she has seen things probably from 4000 BC.
Anyway, Petra is a city that has largely been carved into the cliffs. You enter the city by walking down a passageway flanked by cliffs several hundred feet high. It was really pretty breath taking and hard to capture in words or pictures.
You exit this 1200m passageway at the treasury, past a 7000 seat coliseum, through the old city, and then climb 900 stairs stretching over a mile and finish the journey at the monastery.
My cultural trip was the highlight of Jordan and I am happy to say I have been to such a historic site.
Not much else going on here. We normally work Sunday through Thurs. Those who went to Exercise Eager Lion were given an extra day off last week and this week. This being Sunday, I would normally be working instead of typing out a blog entry.
The extra day off has got some downside to it. Turns out I am pretty bored on days I don't work. Bahrain is a small island and you can only walk around the mall so many times. Honestly, Djibouti had more going for it as far as filling downtime. Hard to believe I am saying that. Of course, the living conditions are much better here but everyone does their own thing when not at work. At Djibouti, we were all kind of trapped there so there was more camaraderie.
Well, that is about it for now. I think I am supposed to go to Oman at the end of this upcoming week so that will be a new stamp in my passport.
Jodi is doing great running the house by herself and I miss her dearly!
Until next time,
Michael
Last weeks post was actually the second half of my trip. In addition to my day job, I also took on the role of cultural ambassador from the US. Because of my charming personality, cultural awareness, and pleasant disposition, I was especially well suited for my additional duties after hours.
The first portion of my trip was spent down in southern Jordan at a small outpost near the Saudi border. The first two weekends featured reduced operating hours so folks could take advantage of "cultural days". The command set up a different trip for each weekend. The purpose of cultural days are so that Jordanians can be exposed to Americans (and vice versa), we put a little money into the economy, and see something interesting at the same time.
One trip was to the Dead Sea and to a spot on Jordan River where it is said Jesus was baptized. This would have been a cool trip but I missed it because I had already been sent to another training area 2 hours north.
The other trip was to the ancient city of Petra. Petra is one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. It was really something to see the rather well preserved ruins of this city which dates back to 100 BC or so. I think the oldest thing I have seen to date was weapons and armor from the 1100's when I was in Germany back in 2009. So, this is now the oldest thing seen to date.
Jodi has been to China so she has seen things probably from 4000 BC.
Anyway, Petra is a city that has largely been carved into the cliffs. You enter the city by walking down a passageway flanked by cliffs several hundred feet high. It was really pretty breath taking and hard to capture in words or pictures.
You exit this 1200m passageway at the treasury, past a 7000 seat coliseum, through the old city, and then climb 900 stairs stretching over a mile and finish the journey at the monastery.
 |
| the coliseum |
 |
| ancient cogs |
 |
| the monestary |
 |
| the high walled entrance to Petra |
My cultural trip was the highlight of Jordan and I am happy to say I have been to such a historic site.
Not much else going on here. We normally work Sunday through Thurs. Those who went to Exercise Eager Lion were given an extra day off last week and this week. This being Sunday, I would normally be working instead of typing out a blog entry.
The extra day off has got some downside to it. Turns out I am pretty bored on days I don't work. Bahrain is a small island and you can only walk around the mall so many times. Honestly, Djibouti had more going for it as far as filling downtime. Hard to believe I am saying that. Of course, the living conditions are much better here but everyone does their own thing when not at work. At Djibouti, we were all kind of trapped there so there was more camaraderie.
Well, that is about it for now. I think I am supposed to go to Oman at the end of this upcoming week so that will be a new stamp in my passport.
Jodi is doing great running the house by herself and I miss her dearly!
Until next time,
Michael
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Back from Jordan
Hello All,
Wish I could have come up with a better title for this post but nothing really worked.
At any rate, I am back from Jordan after having been gone for most of the month. We were in a pretty interesting spot from a geographical standpoint. The small outpost we occupied was in the very southern portion of Jordan probably a mile from the Saudi border. Across the Red Sea was Egypt (about 12 miles away but we had a really good view) and you could see a little slice of Israel from our vantage point.
The reason I was in Jordan was for an exercise called Eager Lion 12. It is an annual exercise but this one was a little bigger then normal....12,000 troops from 19 different countries.
I had only been in Bahrain a short time when I was told I was going with most of everyone else on this exercise. Trouble is that no one really gave it much thought beyond that. I hit the ground running but really didn't have a job. Sounds like fun? No. Try filling an entire day with no real mission. You can only be helpful for so long before you start getting in the way.
After about 5 days of "helping". I was given a new task. I would travel 2 hours north to the main training area and assist the Jordanian HQ with their planning efforts and provide a critical comm link back to my command, which happened to be the higher headquarters of a large USMC unit and the Jordanian brigade.
I was issued a satellite phone, a laptop computer, and a device about the size of a bathroom scale which would provide for a satellite uplink for the computer.
Once I arrived to their headquarters compound, I was greeted like I was a rockstar. A few of the soldiers carried my bags in and I was promptly brought some chai tea. Turns out that we would be drinking A LOT of chai over the course of the next couple of weeks.
The Jordanians are structured much like the Brits probably were many years ago. The Jordanian commanding officer, also a LtCol like me, has 2 full time porters whenever he is awake. These guys clean his office and room, wash and press his uniforms, bring him water to wash with in the morning and prepare and serve his food. The 6 other officers have a couple of porters themselves but they mostly served the officers tea and food.
I thought this was kinda weird at first but quickly got used to it. I was the guest of the commanding officer so I was treated much the same as he was although they didn't do my laundry.
Turns out that the Jordanians as a society are very welcoming and friendly people. Everywhere I went, I received an invitation for tea, coffee, lunch, or dinner. Even a stop for 30 seconds of info would often turn into a 30 minute meeting, most of it socializing.
As I had previously learned, this is the way you do business in the Middle East. It is not "right down to business" as Americans are accustomed to. First you have tea, ask about family, share a little info about yourself, where you are from, etc. As that is winding down, move on to the purpose of your visit.
I was meeting with the "Sahara Police" (desert police) to address a problem we were having with nomads stealing our targets. After finishing that meeting, my vehicle needed gas so I stopped at a gas station down the road. After the attendant finished pumping gas, guess what he did....invited us in for tea! I really got a kick out of that. I was in my uniform along with a couple of Jordanian officers. They told me that to entertain a US officer would be a great honor for the man. It was rare that I turned down an invite which is seen as very rude, but the Jordanians said we had to get back. We apologized to the man and told him that we hoped there would be another time to sit with him.
My time there ended after the counter-attack against a national enemy. There were many distinguished visitors including the US 4 star General in charge of US military operations in that region and His Majesty, the King of Jordan. The King was very pleased with how everything went so we all considered it a success.
It was an awfully long trip but I was glad I went. I made several new friends, was immersed in Middle Eastern culture (you would be surprised how quickly I mastered eating with only my right hand and you probably remember what the left one is reserved for), and got a new stamp in my passport.
Until next time,
Michael
 |
| Large quantities of roasted meat, yum! |
 |
| Hittin' the shisha pipe. |
 |
| Enjoying tea and new friends |
 |
| Our last meal at the compound |
Wish I could have come up with a better title for this post but nothing really worked.
At any rate, I am back from Jordan after having been gone for most of the month. We were in a pretty interesting spot from a geographical standpoint. The small outpost we occupied was in the very southern portion of Jordan probably a mile from the Saudi border. Across the Red Sea was Egypt (about 12 miles away but we had a really good view) and you could see a little slice of Israel from our vantage point.
The reason I was in Jordan was for an exercise called Eager Lion 12. It is an annual exercise but this one was a little bigger then normal....12,000 troops from 19 different countries.
I had only been in Bahrain a short time when I was told I was going with most of everyone else on this exercise. Trouble is that no one really gave it much thought beyond that. I hit the ground running but really didn't have a job. Sounds like fun? No. Try filling an entire day with no real mission. You can only be helpful for so long before you start getting in the way.
After about 5 days of "helping". I was given a new task. I would travel 2 hours north to the main training area and assist the Jordanian HQ with their planning efforts and provide a critical comm link back to my command, which happened to be the higher headquarters of a large USMC unit and the Jordanian brigade.
I was issued a satellite phone, a laptop computer, and a device about the size of a bathroom scale which would provide for a satellite uplink for the computer.
Once I arrived to their headquarters compound, I was greeted like I was a rockstar. A few of the soldiers carried my bags in and I was promptly brought some chai tea. Turns out that we would be drinking A LOT of chai over the course of the next couple of weeks.
The Jordanians are structured much like the Brits probably were many years ago. The Jordanian commanding officer, also a LtCol like me, has 2 full time porters whenever he is awake. These guys clean his office and room, wash and press his uniforms, bring him water to wash with in the morning and prepare and serve his food. The 6 other officers have a couple of porters themselves but they mostly served the officers tea and food.
I thought this was kinda weird at first but quickly got used to it. I was the guest of the commanding officer so I was treated much the same as he was although they didn't do my laundry.
Turns out that the Jordanians as a society are very welcoming and friendly people. Everywhere I went, I received an invitation for tea, coffee, lunch, or dinner. Even a stop for 30 seconds of info would often turn into a 30 minute meeting, most of it socializing.
As I had previously learned, this is the way you do business in the Middle East. It is not "right down to business" as Americans are accustomed to. First you have tea, ask about family, share a little info about yourself, where you are from, etc. As that is winding down, move on to the purpose of your visit.
I was meeting with the "Sahara Police" (desert police) to address a problem we were having with nomads stealing our targets. After finishing that meeting, my vehicle needed gas so I stopped at a gas station down the road. After the attendant finished pumping gas, guess what he did....invited us in for tea! I really got a kick out of that. I was in my uniform along with a couple of Jordanian officers. They told me that to entertain a US officer would be a great honor for the man. It was rare that I turned down an invite which is seen as very rude, but the Jordanians said we had to get back. We apologized to the man and told him that we hoped there would be another time to sit with him.
My time there ended after the counter-attack against a national enemy. There were many distinguished visitors including the US 4 star General in charge of US military operations in that region and His Majesty, the King of Jordan. The King was very pleased with how everything went so we all considered it a success.
Until next time,
Michael
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