Ok, so maybe I’m not really at the “front” and it’s a little more like the “middle”. At any rate, over here in the “middle” we’re enjoying our nightly routine of inbound mortar and rocket attacks punctuated by sporadic small arms fire and IED explosions. But we’re not complaining, it could be a lot worse.
Chow on the other hand is truly superb! The government contractors via Third Country Nationals has truly cornered the market on how many different ways you can apparently prepare chicken and rice three meals a day. Don’t get me wrong, we are some how managing to see our way through each meal with only two different flavors of ice cream. But we’re not complaining, it could be a lot worse.
We have it pretty good here at Camp Anaconda, Iraq. We are living in 100 square foot rooms carved out of single-wide trailers even an Arkansas trailer park snob would be too proud to live in. But we’re not complaining, it could be a lot worse.
I fight my way through the daily barrage of pre-meetings, meetings and re-meetings. Baby-stepping my way through each day wondering if there will be a third flavor of ice cream at dinner? Do I feel guilty drawing combat pay here? Hell no! Do I feel guilty drawing my salary from Uncle Sugar tax free? Don’t be absurd! Do I regret not going Air Force? Hell yes! Ha ha…only kidding. But we’re not complaining, it could be a lot worse.
If I don’t have a single bullet, RPG or missile fired at me as I zip around the desert in my Black Hawk helicopter it will be a good year! I’m not here for the glory, or the air-medal, or bragging rights at the Officer’s club when I get home. I’m here doing a job that may be a little less “Hollywood” than most, however, I’m also smart enough to know the difference.
But…we’re not complaining, it could be a lot worse!
