A few of our regular blog readers recently asked us to give you a tour of our dining facility.  That’s DFAC in military-speak, although some of our older readers might remember the military calling it a mess hall (ours is very clean….no mess here).

It took a few days, but I got permission to take pictures in the DFAC.  Our facility is very nice — well lit, clean, and lots of room for all of us Soldiers, civilian employees, contractors and even some local nationals.  It’s also a very secure building and well protected from enemy attack. 

After you enter the building, the first step is to clean up.  Signs announce that the best way to avoid disease is to wash your hands.  From my personal experience, the DFAC is the cleanest place on the FOB (and it also has the cleanest latrines), so I am more than willing to follow through on that request.   There are rows of soap dispensers, sinks and paper towels to get you on your way (I didn’t take pictures of the latrines…just take my word for it, they are clean).

Once you are giving permission to proceed, the world is your oyster (or veal cutlet).  Your first choice — eat in or take out.  Personally I like eating in.  The place is always filled with laughter, the sound of televisions, pots clanging….lots of activity.  My office is pretty quiet, so it’s a nice change of pace.  It’s always a great place to sit with friends and talk about life (please, no talking about work in the DFAC!!!).   But, if you really do need to get back to work quickly — and all of us are in that position sometimes — then you get the styrofoam 3-compartment container and some plastic utensils.

I must say at this point that all DFACs in Iraq are not created equal.  Some are very small.  In fact, some remote locations are pretty sparse.  Our Soldiers there get very little (if any) selection.  Luckily, those type of facilities are becoming rarer and rarer as the landscape of our presence in Iraq changes.  I’d say the DFAC at FOB Prosperity is a good size, but I have been in bigger.  

Since our DFAC is pretty good sized, we have a good selection of food.  We have a main line with a special menu of the day.  It might be steak and shrimp or it might be meatloaf.   It seems that many of our Soldiers, including LTC Perez, like it when it’s Mexican night in the main line.   However, our Executive Officer MAJ Lincoln nearly knocks people over on the way out of the office if he hears that pulled pork is on the main line.  Personally, I am not a big main line fan.

Besides the main line, we also have a sandwich line with all the fixings, and they will even grill it for you (mmmmm, melted cheese on pastrami).  Lots of our Soldiers take this line for lunch…and a cup of soup.

The next line over is the international line.  I am not sure why they call it that since the only thing they have there is spaghetti, a taco bar, and a couple types of curry.  Despite the misnomer, I do like the curry, and one of my new favorite foods is cauliflower curry.  It soaks up the flavor….in fact, I am salivating now just thinking of it. 

Just so you don’t think I hate vegetables, I will let you know there is a great salad bar with dozens of selections…and I have been seen grazing there.  You would hardly believe you are in a war zone in a desert with all the choices of fresh foods there. 

Before you sit down with that food you selected, don’t forget to stop by the drink area.  Although alcohol is off-limits in accordance with General Order #1, you can get a non-alcoholic beer in the drink lines, as well as sodas, teas, coffee, juices, water and energy drinks.

Oh….I forgot to tell you my favorite part of the DFAC, didn’t I?  Well, anyone who has been around me for even a few days knows my weakness for dessert….and the DFAC does nothing to help me curb that appetite for sweets.  Yes, they do put a beautiful selection of fresh fruit next to the hot cherry crisp ala mode, but come on, do you really think I can pass that up?  They also have a huge glass container filled with pies, cakes, and other desserts that changes every day.  Finally, at the end of the dessert area is my bliss — the ice cream line.  They ship in at least 8 different flavors of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream….and then put a whole cart full of toppings right next to it.   If you have never had strawberry ice cream with pineapple chunks, drizzled chocolate sauce and some crumbled sugar cookies, you do not know the meaning of nirvana. 

1LT Joseph Larrew cleans up before entering the DFAC.

1LT Larrew grabs his tray, plate and utensils before choosing his preferred food line(s).

Lots of good food in the main line served by friendly staff.

Most of the staff in our DFAC are from outside Iraq. They run the facility almost non-stop (it shuts down only 2 hours every day).

A DFAC employee scoops up some mashed potatoes and gravy.

This is better than Burger King! Grilled the way you like while you watch (extra onions please).

Today's international line has spicy chicken curry and a mixed vegetable curry.

The taco bar is one of my favorite places....especially when they have guacamole!

This is only side of the salad bar. Lots to choose from...and very fresh.

I love broccoli!

Bacon bits, cheese, croutons? What else could a person want?

Every time one of these trays gets close to empty, a replacement is rushed out to fill the void.

Staying hydrated in Iraq is important...and the DFAC gives you plenty of options.

Coffee -- regular and decaf -- and next to this is a variety of creamers.

Just when you thought it was safe to sit down, you pass by these desserts.

I'm sure my mom is asking, "Why did he ask me to send cookies and fudge?"

After you get a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you might want to put some strawberries or caramel on it.

MAJ Lincoln is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy.

1LT Larrew prefers his food a little more exotic.

Everyone from Birmingham will be glad to know that Soldiers like SGT Richardson can get sweet tea in Baghdad (well, at least you can at the DFAC).

SPC Clifton knows that nothing goes better with sweet tea than a hot slice of pecan pie.

Of course, you can choose to eat healthy at the DFAC. Every day we get a wide selection of fresh fruit.

The first thing you see when you enter the main hall of the DFAC, and the last thing you see as you exit are U.S. Soldiers. They maintain order, track numbers, and always greet you with a smile.

Good questions…As far as working in an area that I enjoy: The way I was able to get a job in Public Affairs/Broadcast Journalism is by taking the ASVAB seriously. I believe seniors can still take them in high school (I took mine at the beginning of my senior year so I didn’t take mine at the school). Obviously, the higher your score on the test the better job you can get. Every part of my “job” in the Army I enjoy. I’ve travelled around Iraq with a video camera following different units around to get their stories. I’ve had a four hour radio show, which of course is awesome! Along with the radio show I produced the Freedom Radio News and “spots” which is the AFN equivalent to commercials. Now I am working with reporters from around the world to get them where they need to be to get their stories. I’m constantly meeting new people with all kinds of different backgrounds. I believe it helps me be a more rounded person. How often do I get to change jobs? Within my MOS (Military Occupation Speciality) I can change jobs pretty often since there are so many different things involved with Public Affairs. I could be doing press releases, escorting media on the battlefield, working with the local media, and such. On the broadcasting side I could be doing Electronic News Gathering for radio and television, I could be an anchor, a producer, a camera man, a reporter, or a radio DJ. Those jobs could change as often as they need someone to fill them, going back to being well rounded. As far as getting a different MOS altogether…that depends on what contract you sign. My original contract was for 6 years active reserve and 2 years inactive reserve as a 46R (PA Specialist/Broadcast Journalist), I re-enlisted last year to do another 6 years of this because I enjoy doing what I do for the Army. If I wanted to change my job though I could sign a contract doing whatever other job I am qualified for. But all that stuff is better taught by a career counselor. Glad you guys are reading the blogs, but don’t stop at just reading mine, there are many other (much better) writers than me here, with some good stories and their own angle on this deployment thing. Some of which this is their first, second, or third. Me personally this is my second so I have a completely different view of it thatn some of the others. The trick to surviving any deployment after getting into a good routineis findinf a hobby to get into after work. I work out 5 days a week, which helps me in alot of ways, physically and mentally. Also, I play guitar, I’ve actually recorded one song since I’ve been here. If you are interested you can check it out on my band’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/actofsummer. Well, I hope I was able to answer all your questions. If there’s anything else you want to know just ask. Later!

BG Rudescheim from Multi-National Division - Baghdad finished his press conference on Sunday, March 15, and exited the stage and slipped out through the door.  He spent a few minutes talking to his advisers and then left the Combined Press Information Center for one of the many other appointments he had in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq that day. 

LTC Perez told the staff to go eat lunch but be back at 1 p.m. for an all-hands review of the previous press conference.  We all assembled at the appointed time and began the review.  After a 15 minutes of discussion, LTC Perez asked SPC Brad Richardson what he thought of the day’s press conference, and asked him what he did to make sure it went off without a hitch.

“I was responsibile for the dais.  I made sure the table was clean and the glasses were filled with with for the guest speakers, sir,” he said.

The commander smiled and told SPC Richardson that he had done a great job, and told him that commitment to excellence deserved recognition.  He called him forward and gave a nod to someone else in the room, and then asked SPC Richardson to come forward.

“Attention to orders,” was called out and all the Soldiers of the 314th PAOC took their feet with a smile.  All but the soldier called forward knew what was about to happen, and even he was now beginning to understand.

AS SPC Richardson stood in front of the commander –face to face — orders were read promoting him to the rank of sergeant — a rite of passage for every Soldier as they enter the ranks of other noncommissioned Soldiers.

When the orders were completed, LTC Perez took the specialist rank from SPC Richardson’s uniform and replaced it with sergeant’s rank.  He then placed a patrol cap with sewn-on sergeant rank on SPC Richardson’s head.

Salutes and hand shakes followed — all captured by a camera (photos to follow soon).  SGT Richardson turned with a new smile of pride (and increased paycheck) and returned to his seat.

Thank you to the 11th Military Police junior enlisted promotion board members for recognizing the leadership potential of SGT Richardson and recommending him for promotion last month! 

NOTE:  Several soldiers in the 314th PAOC will be submitting promotion packets for consideration in the beginning of April with Task Force Jayhawk (326th ASG from Kansas City, now serving at Camp Victory).  We hope to share more good news in the very near future.

Well, we’ve been here over a month now and we’ve all gotten settled down into a decent “battle rhythm.”  As you may or may not know, we’re not doing exactly what we thought we would be.  I thought I’d get to do some electronic news gathering while I was here, but I am not.  My job here is to help coordinate Western media embeds in Iraq.  I provide guidance to reporters on how to get the process started, send requests to division Public Affairs Offices, and coordinate travel for the reporters when they get here.  Not a bad gig, it’s an important part of getting the story out…getting the storytellers where they need to be.  But there is a great lack of creativity or even variation in my schedule.  You’ve seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murray right?   That’s what this is like.  In the words of Trent Reznor, “Everyday is exactly the same.”  Anyway, the lack of creativity in my job has forced me into other forms of cretive outlets, first of which being my guitar.  I’ve been playing a lot lately, learning new songs and writing my own.  Also, I’ve already made one video of the 314th’s trip to New York (though I was told I can’t put it on the blogsite, but you can find it here:  http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=52303669).  PS:  not a big fan of Windows Movie Maker, I need to go back to professional software.  My next goal is to do a little mini-documentary on myself, kind of like “a day in the life of…”  thing.  I am taking extra steps to make sure it is entertaining and not really as boring as my days really are.  So this is for all those looking to hear from me, I am in the process of something really cool for you guys.  I’ll keep in touch, but as for now, back to reading emails from reporters…the emails, the emails, the emails…so many emails.  Later homies.

So, a lot has happened since the last time I posted a blog.  Let’s start with the very motivating trip to New York on December 30th courtesy of Sergeant Major Falardeau.  I had never been to New York so like most of us from Alabama, I expected a little less courtesy than we received.  Like the others have mentioned, as soon as we stepped off the ferry we were greeted with thank you’s, people wanting to take pictures with us, and applause.  This theme maintained the rest of the day.  We got to see Ground Zero, the view from the top of the Empire State Building (by the way, I was so nervous up there I wouldn’t even let go of the rails and kept checking my footing to make sure I was stable), Times Square, and last but not least Spamalot (Broadway musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail).  At the show someone gave two tickets, both 3rd row center, to the unit.  Myself and PFC Clifton were the two very fortunate ones to watch the 2nd act from up front.  Afterwards, we went on stage and met the cast and took pictures and all the things you would expect people who had never been in that situation before would do.  The cast were all extremely nice and appreciative of us, even Clay Aiken, though he was a little thrown by the fact we were from Alabama like his rival from American Idol.  Anyway, that was definitely a motivator, no matter how bad things get, I can look back on that day and remember the good time.  Well fast forward to January 4th, we flew out of McGuire AFB to Iceland, Germany, and finally landed in Kuwait.  Don’t remember how long the total flight time was or even when it was we got here, it all seems like a blur to me.  Now we are in Camp Buehring, sleeping in tents on little cots awaiting the day we move north.  Picture a desert…thats where we are…a whole lot of sand, people.  Well, I’m out, it’s 5:30 in the morning and I’ve been up for 3 hours, it’s breakfast time.  Remember, “Alway look on the bright side of life!”  HAHA

Well, the Christmas break was great, but way too short.  As the realization set in that I was back at Ft. Dix, my travel-weary mind kept wandering back home.  The warmth, the privileges, the freedom, but mostly the closeness to the ones I truly love and care for…my family.  The most difficult part of a deployment to me is not being around my family and friends, the ones who are there when I need them, or just to hang out and kill time.  I forgot how different life on the other side of an Army post is, even after such a short time.  I am almost a completely different person at home than I am when I’m doing Army stuff.  As Brad had to start transforming back into Specialist Richardson, travelling to Birmingham, Chicago, Philadelphia, then Ft. Dix, New Jersey on only a couple hours of sleep, I got pretty down.  I wrapped my head around this idea that I was going to be miserable back here and didn’t think I was going to be able to get out of the funk for a while.  Well, being at home I had forgotten what it’s like to be in the 314th, even after only a short time.  They are like a family, maybe a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless.  There are the ones that are there when you need to laugh, or you need to get something off your chest, or if you just need help with something.  The soldiers in this unit have become like a second family, the family that I’ll be living and working with for the next year.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it is true, we’ve banded together pretty tightly over the past few months.  Of course, just like any family there will be disagreements (can’t wait to see who blows up  first, haha).  But, if I have to go to Iraq, there is no other unit I’d rather go with.

As I sit here on CQ listening to SFC Poulten play some Rage Against the Machine, I can’t help but wander, “where is there cell phone signal?” and “why can’t I sign on to Yahoo Messenger?” Oh well, Christmas leave is coming up soon and I can’t wait!  I love watching the expression on my family’s face (especially Bradley’s) when they open their gifts.  Anyway, the reason I’m not able to maintain a consistent line of communication with my family and friends back home is because there is no signal here.  Believe me it’s not because I’m not trying, I’ve wandered the halls of our building day and night searching for the best place to make my calls, or at least send my test messages out (normally not realizing they didn’t send until hours later when I see them in my outbox).  Before I sign off for the night I’d like to thank Gene and Sherry (not sure on the spelling) in Birmingham, Alabama for the wonderful dinner at Kobe Japanese Cuisine.  SSG Daley, SGT Fowler, and I were eating, enjoying our last night of personal freedom in Alabama and after talking with the slightly older couple, who were both former Navy officers, asked for our checks.  We hadn’t realized that they had already told the waitress to bring them all of our checks and paid for it…sneaky, sneaky.  Well, that is it for me, my time is up, hopefully next time I write I’ll have something more exciting to share.