So, what's new in Bahrain?

Hell all,

In short, nothing.  So, if you are pressed for time you can stop reading now, LOL!

This was my first week back after my travels to Egypt, so catching up was the main effort for me at work.

It is hard to believe it is Nov already and I have passed the halfway point of my time here.  I can certainly understand why people take the 2 weeks of R&R around their mid-tour window.  I was lucky to be home in Sept but ready for a break.  Well, 7 more weeks or so and I will be home for Christmas.  After that, only 4 months left.

Historically, we are approaching period when things slow down for the those in the military.  We have 2 long weekends in Nov and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.  Once Thanksgiving is over, everyone has the end of the year holidays in sight.  With so many people taking time off for Chirstmas, it is hard to get much done for those who are in the office during that time.

I don't have any travel planned for Nov but will be in the United Arab Emirates the second week of Dec just before I travel back to the states.  I've never been to the UAE so it will be a new stamp in my passport.

January is also shaping up to be busy with a couple of weeks of travel.  I will head back to Egypt and maybe back to UAE.

After years of my friends pestering me to get a Facebook acct, I created one around the time I left for Bahrain.  I must say, it IS a great way to stay in touch with everyone and have even reconnected with some people I have not heard from in over 25 years.  Thankfully, I don't have any friends who feel compelled to share with everyone that they had an Eskimo Pie for desert or something ridiculous like that.  

Well, like I said...not much to report from here so I suppose I will close before it gets down to me telling you what I had for desert yesterday.

Cheers,
Michael

So, what was Egypt like?

Hello All,

In a single word, great!

It was an easy 3 hour flight (I was upgraded to business class) and we were met at the airport by the transportation company hired to shuttle everyone to the hotel.

I could not believe how crazy traffic on the highways and streets were!  I saw cars triple parked and cars running 5 wide on the three lane highways.  Whatever money that was spent painting lane dividing   dashed lines was wasted.  All and all, think of New York city with twice the number of people on the streets, 4x and many cars, and 8x the chaos.

We stayed at the JW Marriott which is like an upgraded and much nicer Marriott hotel.  It had a resort fell to it with tennis courts, golf course, nice gym, plenty of restaurants, an indoor pool, outdoor pool, wave pool, and kids water park.  Before everyone starts think that this might constitute "fraud, waste, and abuse" of government funds, it was the only place the embassy would authorize us to stay and we got a very reasonable US government rate.  I must say, the security was very, very good with barriers, working dogs, robust security force, metal detectors at the hotel entrance, and x-ray machines for all the bags being brought in.

The conference itself (for Exercise BRIGHT STAR) went smooth and we made a lot of progress with our Egyptian partners as well as representatives from other nations which are going to take part in the exercise.  We were a little short handed because some of the American planners didn't show up.  I was pressed into service as the working group lead for SOF (Special Operations Forces).

The conference ended Tuesday but we were not flying out until Thursday.  It was important to my command that all 5 of us from Bahrain traveled together and that is the earliest we could get 5 seats on the same flight.  It is a big holiday this weekend and a lot of people are traveling (think along the lines of traveling in the US around Christmas) so we had a free day while awaiting travel.

What did we do with this free time?  Went to the pyramids, of course!

We hired a vehicle, driver, and guide for the day, all for the sum of $25.  It was a great deal and I could not believe how inexpensive it was.  When you consider that a doctor here makes $1000 a month, that sum probably seemed reasonable to the tour company.

The first place we toured was the National Museum.  This is the museum downtown where all the best Egyptian artifacts are displayed.  The place looked like it had not been updated since 1950 but they did have a lot of interesting things on display including a whole floor dedicated to items that belonged to King Tut.   The center piece of the museum had to be the mask of King Tut's mummy.  This is the mask you always see in pictures.  It a work or art made out of solid gold and weights 25 lbs.  It dates back to 1323 BC (3500 years old) and is priceless, needless to say.

After our visit to the museum, we were off to the pyramids.  I can tell you that pictures do not do the Pyramids of Giza justice.  They are really something special.  The guide told us that no, aliens did not build the pyramids but it was a very dedicated effort by tens of thousands of works (I don't think they were union guys!).  Can't imagine how many men it would take to move those 3 ton blocks of granite.

We also went inside the biggest pyramid and climbed up a very steep, 3 1/2 foot tall shaft and into the chamber were the mummy of King Kufu was laid to rest.

The final stop was a short distance away to see the world's largest monolithic statue.  It is 260' long and taller then a 6 story building.  It was really something to see in person.

One other interesting thing I saw in Cairo (a very polluted and dirty city) was the headquarter of former president Mubarak, which is right next to the National Museum.  It was interesting because during the revolution in Jan 2012, it was set on fire.  The current government has prohibited it demolition or even cleaning it up.  It is to serve as a reminder of Mubarak's dictatorship and a symbol of the revolution.

 In a nutshell, I was very happy to see Egypt

Hi Ho, Hi Ho....

It's off to Cairo I go.

Hello everyone,

Jodi update:  Jodi continues to a little better everyday.  She tends to over do it at times which the doctor warned against.  She hasn't had any addition complications since her first week when so fluid was accumulating in the area that the tumor occupied.  So, per my post last week, she is out of the woods for the time being.

As for me, pretty busy week at work.  We have a lot of activity planned for the upcoming 6-12 months which means lots of planning going on now.  Things have quieted down a lot in the region so there was no need to cancel my trip to Cairo.

Don't know how much time I will have for sight seeing but the pyramids are less then 30 minutes from the hotel.  It would be a shame to go to Egypt and not see them as I don't fore see vacationing there, much to the dismay of their tourism board.

Speaking of tourism, I was telling Jodi that there are so many great things to see in the US, we should spend our money keeping OUR countries tourism industry move forward.  Jodi wants to see the QE II in Long Beach, CA, and I would like to see Laguna Seca Raceway in norther CA.  Maybe during a race weekend, what do you say, Honey?  Laguna Seca in the vicinity of San Fran where I would also like to spend a weekend.

Of course, one of our first trips will be a long over due journey to see Jodi's grandmother in KY.   Think we probably owe the kids some sort of fun trip what with as much as I have been gone.  This would hardly be "compensation" but it is always nice to take them someplace where they can enjoy the benefits of just being a kid.

That is about all there is to report from here.  By the time I get back from Egypt, I will be at my 6 month mark of my assignment.

Happy birthday to all the US Navy sailors and former sailors out there!  The USN was founded a month before the USMC and this is their birthday weekend (13 Oct).  So, a thanks goes out to my Uncle Tim who served in the USN as a young man, to my Dad who was in the USN Reserves and to my sister Michele who served on active duty.

Until I see you...
Michael

Out of the woods...sort of

Hello All,

It has been a hectic couple of weeks and I am back in Bahrain.

Even though my emergency leave was not approved, I paid for my own ticket to fly half way around the world to be with my wife during a very difficult time.

Jodi had her surgery on Tues, 25 Sept.  Out of all the things that could have went wrong, none of them did.  I was home for the week until last Sat, when her sister-in-law, Sarah, took over as household assistant.

We were happy to hear that the lab results of the tumor were benign.  Another blessing.

However, there were a couple of disappointments.  The radiologist reading the CAT scan missed a couple of tumors and the surgeon said that some of the cells from the tumor spilled onto the healthy surrounding tissue.

What this all means is that Jodi is not out of the woods yet.  It is probable that she will need to have this procedure done again.

We have both learned a lot over the last few months, most of all to cherish life and each other.

Thanks Sarah for coming down and thanks to her husband who rearranged his work schedule (a few times) to make it happen.

Yesterday is gone, let it go.  Plan for tomorrow but there are no guarantees.  You have today...don't waste it.

Kids, thank your parents for the sacrifices they made and tell them you love them.  Parents, tell your kids you are proud of them and tell them you love them.  Husbands/Wives, tell you partner you love them and mean it from the bottom of your heart.  If someone you love has been called home, tell them too...they can still hear you.

See you next week (I hope!)
Michael

3 Continents in 3 Weeks...NOT!

Hello All,

3 continents in 3 weeks was the plan, last week.  As most of you know, I had travel planned to Germany (Europe), Jordan (Asia), and the US (North America).

We have a saying in the military...no plan survives first contact.  That certainly was the case here.

The first leg of my trip went ok as I was off to Garmish, Germany, which is in southern Germany on the Austrian boarder just north of Innsbruck.  As always, traveling sucks.  I hate dealing with customs agents, airport personnel, and long flights.  Thankfully, I had a couple of good books and the in flight entertainment system is free so I watched a few new releases.  Also (thankfully), airlines anywhere outside the US treat you like a human being and not like cattle being loading onto a transport.

Leg two of my trip was to Amman, Jordan.  I was looking forward to spending a day of down time in Munich awaiting my flight to Jordan but was contacted mid-week telling me that all non-essential travel to Jordan was to be cancelled by direction of the Ambassador.

Makes sense I guess...people climbing over the walls of an American embassy and burning the American flag does not instill a lot of confidence (embassies are sovereign US territory by the way so this was an act of war).  I would hate to end up like US Marine LtCol William Higgins who was video taped swinging from the end of a rope in Lebanon, Aug of '89.  History repeats itself with the death of Ambassador Stevens and his security team which included at least 2 former Navy SEALs in Libya.

Marine Fleet Anti-terroism Support Teams (FAST) are being rapidly deployed through out the region and I am keeping a low profile here at my current location.

A storm is coming...you will need more than an umbrella.

The third leg of my trip was to hometown USA so I could be by my wife's side as she undergoes a high   risk surgical procedure.  My "family" didn't see this as much of an emergency, so I will be riding it out here.  Trip cancelled.

I love you, Wife!

Hope all is well in your part of the world,
Michael

BETRAYED!

Hello everyone,

I just found out the the top level decision maker here did not accept the recommendation of our Personnel Officer (who studied the Marine Corps Order on emergency leave) or my boss , as well as the attending surgeon, and decided to not approve my emergency leave.

I can't even begin to tell you how angry I am.  My wife is having surgery to remove a tumor from her neck which may or may not be cancerous and this does not constitute an emergency?  I'll bet things would be different if it were his wife.

Did he speak with me personally?  No.  Did he speak with the command's surgeon?  I don't know but I am confident that he did not.

This is now a family problem and there will be a family solution.  This family does not include the Marine Corps.  We don't need their help nor do we want it.

Turns out that "leave no man behind" and "we take care of our own" are nothing more than catchy phrases that we put on posters.

Additionally, all this talk about "how important" families are and "we couldn't do what we do if it were not the family members back home" are nothing more then talking points for Generals briefing congress.

If anyone at work has the gall to ask me how my wife is doing I think I will probably explode.  They have not earned the right to know anything about my wife and they are asking because they think that have to...not because they really care.

I have spent a fair amount of time around men and women from other branches of the service and I think the Army and Air Force do a better job of taking care of their people.

I am very lucky that we have family and friends who are willing to support us during this difficult time.  Thank you to you all.

Michael

For a second week in a row...

I'm drawing a blank.

Hello Everyone,

You know, I sat down last week to blog and after about 5-8 minutes, I determined that I just didn't have anything to say.

And...for a second week in a row, still don't.

I actually had more materiel to work with in Djibouti and lots more in Germany.

Life is very predictable and boring here.  Every day is pretty much like the last.

We did get some Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) sustainment training last week which was the only thing even remotely noteworthy.  Training was pretty basic stuff but not a bad idea to get a refresher every now and again.

The continued civil way in Syria along with the vast stockpiles of chemical weapons there has the entire region on edge.  Refugees are spilling over the boarder into Jordan and Israelites are being issued chemical protective masks (gas masks).  This is all unclassified, open source information in case you think I am divulging some secret information, by the way.

I have decided to carry my mask with me to and from work so I always have it available.  I will also keep protective outer garments here and at the office.  If I see any explosions and then some odd colored smoke, I don't want to have to drive to work to get my gear.  I don't think I could hold my breath that long anyways, lol.  I think we are suppose to be doing some drills are work.  Should be interesting trying to use a computer key board wearing gloves designed to clean up chemical spills.

After the first week of September, I will be on the road the entire month.  The change of scenery will be welcome.  I think I will even have an extra day in Germany and plan on spending it in Munich.

That's about it from this tiny island off the coast of the Saudi Arabian peninsula.

Cheers,
Michael