My mailing address

As requested, here is my mailing address, should any of you feel the need to send me some ice cream....I am, of course, joking about that. I just realized that some of the people who follow this would actually mail some. It would melt. I would probably still eat it.

James Petersen
COB Adder (T-1)
APO AE 09331

There is a difference

On Thanksgiving, there was a line about 200 meters long standing outside the chow hall waiting to get in and eat the turkey-like substance with "all-natural flavoring". The private security guys were letting people in about 5 at a time- 5 out, 5 in. The majority of people waiting in line were Army specialists, which is one of the bottom ranks on the army's enlisted side. It was to my complete and utter disbelief that I witnessed several army officers and staff NCOs walk to the front of the line and cut in so that they could eat. This was unbelievable and appalling. In the Marines Corps, officers always, always wait for the enlisted marines to eat first. We take care of the marines in our charge and we lead by example. I find the majority of the army, at least on this base, to largely lack any hint of professionalism and integrity. Even my Indian workers look at them and say, in broken English,  "American army, too much food..." whilst making gestures to symbolize a round stomach- obesity. Are there no standards of physical fitness? Is there no concept of professionalism? Again, I do not intend these remarks as blanket labels for all of the army, as I have met several solid soldiers with whom I would be proud to fight alongside. Perhaps these are just some of the consequences of an organization that has grown too large too fast....standards are lowered, accountability becomes lost.
The other thing that absolutely infuriates me is how the army treats their Iraqi interpreters. I had a long conversation with a 23-year-old interpreter the other day. He has spent the last 3 years working with infantry Marines in the Al Anbar Province (where I fought as a Marine). He described to me Marines treated him as one of their own, with dignity and respect, because they trusted him. The army, however, treats him like a piece of dirt....just another dime-a-dozen foreign worker, when in reality, this guy is risking his life every day to help us out and to better his family's life. I am proud to be a Marine.

Use caution when doing "the windmill"

These signs are all over the construction sites on base. In an effort to avoid getting into certain trouble, I always ensure I am able to break-dance safely, or not at all.

Missa! No Beef! No Beef! Beef no gud, no gud!!

The title of this post is the reaction that I hear, 6 times a day, when I grow bored and begin to think it's a good idea to inform my 10 workers, of Indian descent, that my the US Dept of Defense chow halls will no longer be serving chicken in the dining facility, only beef.
After spending 6 interesting hours in Dubai, which included eating fish at a local cafe and unknowingly thwarting the efforts of an Asian prostitue (I turned down her "massage", only to later find out a massage is a bit more than that) and a quick shower, I flew into Baghdad. The minute I stepped off the plane, the smell of Iraq hit me. Anyone who has been there knows this smell well: the combination of burning plastic and dust. It hovers in the air, at times, even blocking out the sun, and nauseating and sickening. But, I loved it, because I was finally back here. I ate lamb schwerma inside the only Baghdad airport restaurant, which would have been a bit bland, save for the ketchup that Achmed, the "cook", decided to add for last-minute "American" flavor. Mmmm, lamb and ketchup.
After spending the night in Baghdad, I flew to Nasiriyah, in southern Iraq. I was able to walk around the 4,000-year-old Ziggurat of Ur, which is actually on our base, and absolutely fascinating to a lover of Biblical history, such as myself. The ancient ruins of Abraham's house are next to the ziggurat and are equally as fascinating. I will post pics as soon as security conditions allow.
Unfortunately, I will be transferring to a different base in order to fill the needs of the Dept of Defense's task force. I will disclose more details after it is safer to do so on this public blog.
I really like my Indian crew, and they seem to be fairly fond of me too, and tease me as much as I do them. They are only fed white rice for all 3 meals, so I try to sneak some meat out of our chow hall to give them some variety and morale. It's great to be back.

On the eve of Iraq

I am headed to Iraq for the 2nd time in 5 years, though not as a Marine this time, as a civilian contractor. I have been in Houston for the past 2 1/2 weeks for processing.
As I sit in my posh, Hilton suite on the night before flying to Baghdad, I feel compelled to share just a few of the observations and events that I have seen over the last several days. First and foremost, this "posh suite" I speak of did not come to me entirely free of charge. After the contracting company for whom I am working for felt it necessary to pair me up with a roommate last week, I was finally offered the opportunity to have my own room.....simply because, according to the male manager here, "really good-looking people get 'special treatment'." Thanks, buddy. As flattered as I was not, I do appreciate the two plasma TVs and feather bed. Much more was said to me about this man's wishes and desires towards me, however, this is a public blog and I will stop here.
I have met many people from all walks of life, all here with the common goal of getting ahead in life with some contracting work in a war zone. Some had 2-inch-long earrings in the shape of the great state of Texas. Many lacked the desire and/or aptitude to properly hygiene on a regular basis. I have never heard more double negatives and/or a complete ignorance of how to properly place a subject and predicate together. I am still at a loss as to the appeal of a "grill" (gold or silver-capped TEEF) or the benefit of tattooing your own name on your body (in case you forget the correct spelling, perhaps?). However, at the end of the day, the majority of these people are very patriotic and willing to work as hard as they can to get ahead in life, and I respect that. This should be a very interesting journey.