Winter is coming

Wednesday afternoon 11 Dec. Cool here in Afghanistan. Last night we had a drizzling rain, the whole camp is damp. I was sick last night, and I had to run to the bathroom in the morning. I had a small breakfast. The lunch was excellent. Tacos, enchiladas, refried beans. I ate well. We got a new instuctor today, and I helped him move into our barracks. We were supposed to attend a security briefing today, but the briefer did not make it. We have been re-scheduled for Thursday, and Friday is our off day. This looks like a great project, I am excited about completing the entire year, and perhaps getting another project with this firm, or on a training project with another firm. As the combat role for the USA is winding down, the Afghan police and Army will be increasing their roles. So there will be training roles for subject experts like me.

I was transferred to Camp Morehead, east of Kabul. About 45 minutes driving time, from my old Camp. The camp is small, but it has a decent barracks, and the shower house has hot water. The chow hall is decent, but my old discomfort has returned. It is December, and the cold weather has not arrived. The days are pleasant, about 70 degrees! All I need is a light jacket for night wear. The barracks is as quiet as a tomb, but I still have some difficulty sleeping. The project is on track. I drove back to Eggers yesterday, and collected some additional materials. For now, we are setting up the classrooms, and preparing for the students. I met an Afghan man today. He had light skin, and Slavic features. Obviously he is a child of one of the Afghan women who were raped when the Soviets invaded in 1979. I pray that we will not meet the same fate as the Soviets. We came here to help the Afghans, and to crush the Taliban, and make this a safe nation. I believe we will be able to do this.

One more day here

I got an email from a brother in Montana. He thinks I can write a book. I cannot imagine if anyone is interested in what I have to say. I got Thursday off, and worked on Friday. And Saturday. someone left our barracks, and he left behind a blanket. I am using it. The barracks is OK, I guess. at least it is quiet. My typical day. The barracks get noisy about 0630. men starting to wake up .I get up around 0700am. I get a shower every two days. The weather is cool, and showering every day is not necessary. The water in the shower is good enough. It is disenfected, but not "potable". You should not get any in your mouth, so that makes singing in the shower not advisable. I dress, and go to the chow hall. The food is good, you eat on cardboard with plastic forks. I try to get a bowl of cereal sometimes. The chow hall has UHT milk. I was first introduced to UHT milk, when I lived in Germany 1976. I wish I could get UHT milk in the USA. but it is illegal in most places. The "terps" call in on the cell phone about 0800am. I have to go to the front gate, and meet the three men. Then I must escort them through security. Then are patted down, and x-rayed, and the metal detector wand is used. Then they must do the retinal scan. I take them to the office. more later.

Thanksgiving day at Eggers

Greetings all! I got up today, as usual. Then I ate a small breakfast. I actually forgot it was Thanksgiving day. At the chow hall, we had an excellent feast. A two-star General officer was on the serving line, dishing out mashed potatoes. I get today off, and then I will work tomorrow.

Two weeks at Eggers

I have been here two weeks. (not counting the week I was away at Forward Operating Base Shank). The base is small, and easy to get around. There is no ATM and no way to get any paper money. I had my wife send me some cash in the US Mail. The food is about the same as usual. Greasy, industrial-grade institutional food. I was so tense last afternoon, that eating was impossible. And this morning, breakfast was out of the question. I went to the chow hall for lunch, and happily there was barbequed chicken, which was excellent. I also had a poorly made beef enchilada, and some chili. I have eaten so much chili in my 9 years here, that I could float a boat with the stuff. Also cookie and cream Ice Cream, bravo. I got a couple of talking books, and I will now listen to the story of Bunker Hill. By 800pm, I am exhausted, and then I just crawl into the bed and sleep very soundly. Then at 0300am I wake up, and it is difficult to go back to sleep. At 0800am, I go to the front gate, and pick up the interpreters.

Bombing today

There was a bombing today near where I am in Kabul. I did not hear it. But my firm did a "roll call" to account for all of us. Next week there will be a "Loya Jirga". This is a conference , or "rendezvous", when tribal chiefs from all over the country will meet to "pow wow" with each other. We can expect more terrorism , and more bombings, during the conference. We shall see.

Pressing on..

There is no Masonic lodge here at Camp Eggers. The Camp is closing, and the military and civilian personnel will be relocated. I will move to Camp Phoenix.. I have been in contact with a man who is in Texas, and we might possibly get a military lodge underway in Camp Phoenix. I have had some illness here, the usual traveller's discomfort. Just must keep running to the men's room . We do have an informal Masonic assembly here. I met some of the men last night, we had a short discussion. Since there is no lodge here, I need not be concerned about the possibility of attending a "clandestine" lodge.

two weeks at the roof of the world

I have been here for two weeks. Afghanistan does not change. After the Americans (and other nations depart) it will go back to being a primitive country, ruled by the war-lords. Democracy will not take root here, this is not South Korea. I returned from my first road trip (on this project). I did not get a chance to shower for over a week. When I got back to my barracks, I took the mother of all showers, and scrubbed myself down to the raw skin. Unhappily, I still have the traveler's discomfort. Five trips to the toilet every day. The food never changes here! The same boneless chicken, and tough beefsteaks, that I have been eating since 2004. All served on cardboard, and you eat with plastic forks. The breakfast is solid and greasy. Bacon and eggs, grits, frosted mini-wheats. The company issued me a cellphone. Cellphones in Afghanistan, do not have monthly plans like the USA. You have to buy minutes at the phone store. There is a "secret" number, that you must scratch off, then key that number into the phone. As you talk, the minutes go down, and then you go buy some more. I bought my own minutes, and the firm gave me some additional minutes. I forgot to take my phone charger with me, on the road trip, and the battery ran down. I bought a new charger for $10, so now I have a spare. I will know better, next time. Always bring a spare battery charger. I am continuing my in-processing. One thing I could really use is a spare laundry bag. The laundry office gives you a bag, with a serial number. You must fill the bag with your soiled laundry, and turn it in. You cannot use your own bag! And you can only have one bag. If I had a spare bag, I could "rotate" and have one in the laundry, and one in the barracks, and just exchange them. When I was at Kandahar, a lodge brother got me a spare bag, and I was able to obtain a third bag from some one else. I was able to turn the laundry around quickly! My barracks did not have any chairs. No place to sit down in my quarters. So I went to gym, and "appropriated" a chair, and took it to the room. Problem solved. Afghanistan is a dirty country. Soot, filth, pollution, etc. Today I saw a man sprinking water on the street with a water can, like you would water your garden with. Turns the dust to mud. This country is either a pile of dust or a lake of mud. And it is DRY here. Relative humidity very low, so my mouth and throat are always dry. And the elevation here in Kabul is about 7000 feet. So I am getting used to the thin air. Basically, Afghanistan SUX. But I would rather be working here , that unemployed back home.

First week in Afghanistan

I got my first week in Afghanistan. I am in an open-bay barracks, third floor. No privacy, not even a locker. I have to store my personal items on the top bunk. I got my first assignment, I had to fly to Logar province, Camp Petre. The base is a join USA/Romanian base. I had to do an assessment on 13 Afghans. I stayed in a barracks, the toilet next door, had no water, I flushed it with bottled water. I had to meet a ride, to drive 10 minutes to the chow hall. I finished the assessment, and then got a flight to Bagram. I am at the largest camp in Afghanistan. The chow hall is decent, but I have not obtained a room. I got in last night, and I slept in the waiting room.

Arrived at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan.

This has been a long trip. I was selected for the job in September. I flew to Atterbury, and when I arrived, I learned that I had no military ID. I had to fly back to Alexandria VA. Then I flew to Atterbury, and then on to Kuwait. I was sad that Ali Al Saleem has closed. It was an old friend, I flew through Ali many times in the past nine years . American contractors are now flying to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. We stay in tents, and then on to the destination. I stayed in a tent, and then I flew to Kandahar, Afghanistan . I spent 12 hours in the waiting room at Kandahar, and then I got a flight to KAIA, the civilian airport at Kabul, Afghanistan. I was lucky, and I got a room at the transient barracks, and the first hot shower I have had in 6 days. I checked in with my company, and I arranged to be picked up. The firm sent a driver, and I arrived at camp Eggers. I am now in the "swamp" a barracks. The dining hall is next door. I am only able to eat once in 24 hours, this is the worst case of jet lag, I have ever had.

Final day at Atterbury

My paperwork has been delayed,but it should be completed today, Friday 25 Oct. I am supposed to fly to Kuwait today, and then on to Afghanistan. We shall see.

Back at Atterbury for the fourth time

Flew from WashDC to Indianapolis on 19 Oct. Got the shuttle bus to Atterbury, went to the barracks. Started in-processing on Sunday 20 Oct. This time, the CVS (military) computer system had my name, so I got my military ID card. (applause). We finished by 11am Sunday, and I went to the chow hall. Got some fried chicken and baked fish. Army food never changes. Then I watched some TV, and went back to the barracks. The barracks is almost empty. only two other men in my section. I forgot to bring any towels, so I must go to WalMart and get some towels.

Well. I went to Camp Atterbury, and when I arrived, the Army could not do the processing. With no military ID card, you cannot do the processing. So I had to fly back to my residence in Alexandria, VA. The DEERS computer now has my record, so I can get the ID card. While I was eating a candy, one of my crowns popped off my tooth. So I had to see the dentist, and get a new crown. I had it installed last night. I have been enrolled at the processing, and I will fly back to Indianapolis on Saturday 19 Oct. Then I will start the processing again. Then back to Kuwait. I have done the process, once at Fort Bliss Tex, 5 times at Fort Benning, GA, and this will be the fourth time at Atterbury.

Paperwork foul-up

Guess what? There was a glitch in the paperwork. The man who used to handle the taskings, is not working due to the government shutdown. So my paperwork is held. So I must spend an extra week in the barracks in Camp Atterbury. At least I am on the payroll.

Day 1 at Atterbury

I checked in this morning. Began the paperwork. Cold, damp, rainy, generally miserable. I am still not in the Army computer system, so I cannot get a military identity card. Will start on it tomorrow morning.

arrived at Atterbury

Back at Atterbury. I flew from Reagan National at 200pm, there were two members of congress on the flight. I told them that contractors do not get medical care at the bases in Afghanistan. The flight was ok, but the airplane is small. I got my luggage, and got the shuttle bus to Atterbury. Then I got my room assignment in the barracks. I wish the firm had budget for rental cars, and hotel. The next week will be like the previous times. I did the processing once at Fort Bliss, and five times at Fort Benning, and this is the third time at Atterbury. The army took the television out of the main hall :-( How sad. But I guess that I can cope with it. I took two more of the on-line army courses. On Sunday, I will meet at 0800, and begin the processing. The flight to Kuwait is on 11 Oct.

Heading back to Afghanistan

I am delighted to report that I have been hired by a firm (I do not care to disclose the name here). I signed the contract, and I took my physical exam last week. I lost 30 pounds in the last six months. I am as healthy as a buffalo, but I must be seen again by the Army doctors at Camp Atterbury. I will fly to Indianapolis on 5 Oct. I will go to the barracks, and spend a week in Army processing. I have done Fort Bliss (El Paso) once, and Fort Benning (Columbus Georgia) five times, and Atterbury three times. This is my tenth time through the Army processing for overseas deployment. I will be working in downtown Kabul, I have been there many times, but I have not worked in Kabul since 2004. I was working for a firm, and my contract concluded on my 50th birthday. I flew home immediately. Six days later, my breakfast table was blown up by a truck suicide bomber. I think this will be an excellent contract. I am scheduled to work for a year.

Another Interview

I got up Sunday morning, and I received an email from Afghanistan, asking me to be home for a phone interview on Monday. After all these months, the interviews are coming! I will return to Afghanistan soon.

Interviewed!

I did an interview, and the individuals I interviewed with were very nice. I was informed that another candidate was selected. I am still looking.

Rumors!

There is a rumor going around, that I have been hired by a firm. I do not know how this rumor got started. I would like to know more about this position. Who hired me? When do I start? and what is the salary/benefits? If anyone has any information, please send it along. I am still seeking employment, I have a couple of leads, and I send out applications. Check out my linkedin profile. http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesemartintelecomm

Interviewed!!

I have been out of work since February. Even though there is a war on, and I have been working in Iraq/Afghanistan since 2004. I interviewed today, with a major firm, that has a satellite project in Afghanistan. Then, when I got home, the project manager called me from Afghanistan, and we discussed the job, and life in Afghanistan. The firm has other candidates, but they indicated that a decision will be made in less than a week. If they hire me, I will return to Afghanistan.

Interviewed!

I was called by the Program Manager, about a possible job in Afghanistan. The firm has already interviewed my references. This is not an offer yet, but soon! Also, a recruiting firm in New York, has been interested in me for some months, about a possible job in Saudi Arabia. The man called me last week, and we had a short discussion. This unemployment is bad, and I hate it. With luck, one of these jobs will come through. If you are reading this blog, and you know of any possible international employment for a cleared telecommunications engineer, please see http://www.beyond.com/charlesmartin

Possibly heading back

I may be seeing the end of the unemployment. I received a call from a firm, asking if I was interested in a project. The person said to expect a call on Monday, with an interview (job in Afghanistan). And a recruiting firm in New York City, has me in for a possible contract in Saudi Arabia. The firm called me on 30 July, and asked if I could be in the Kingdom on August 11. I said ,that I was packed, and ready for travel. But it can take some weeks to get a work visa, to be able to enter Saudi Arabia. We shall see. I have been out of work since I returned from my last project on 25 January. I keep applying, but no offers. I really want to return to Afghanistan, before the show is over. Stay tuned.

Interviews! Possible Employment

Last week, I got a call from a firm in Manassas VA. The firm scheduled a phone interview for a job in Afghanistan. I did the interview, and I will find out something soon, I hope. Then on Tuesday, a firm called me about a possible job in Afghanistan, and to expect a call on Wednesday. And sure enough, I received a call from the project leader, in Afghanistan. The interview went about as I expected, no offer. This unemployment is really bad. I want to return to the combat zone, before the whole show is over. And if I can get a job in Saudi Arabia, that is even better. No combat.

Still trying to return

I was laid off on 24 January 2013. The firm lost the funding on the contract, and I was laid off. I began my job search immediately, trying to return overseas. I have had a couple of contacts, and I get emails often. To the people who are assisting me in returning to work, I am grateful. I am now in for two(2) different jobs with different firms in Afghanistan, and one in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi job looks promising, but it can drag on and on. I am optimistic, that I will get hired by someone soon. I am also looking for work in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area. There are firms hiring here. Maybe some company can use me. I found out Friday (June 7), that my brother-in-law was laid off. I hope he gets something soon.

Seeking work

I continue to be unemployed. I lost my job 24 Jan 2013. I am seeking work in the combat zone, and here in the WashDC metro area. Today I had a very good interview about a job in Saudi Arabia. I have a good chance for this position, and I should find out soon. I am also in for a job in Afghanistan, a man here in the DC area is pushing it for me. If anyone knows of work in the Afghanistan area, or here in Northern Virginia/WashDC, please see http://www.beyond.com/charlesmartin

Unemployed again

Well the project I was working on was cancelled. Such is the way of war. I am now back in my residence in Alexandria, VA. I am seeking work. I have been to a couple of job fairs, and I have been on the internet, sending out resumes to employers. I would like to return to Afghanistan, and do some more work there. I have sent in some applications, and I may hit one. There is work here in Northern VA and Metro WashDC. I get a call from time to time, and once in while, one of them is interested. Stay tuned.

I am still at Atterbury. It is COLD here on the Indiana prairie. I completed my out processing, and I scheduled a flight for tomorrow (Tues 22 Jan). I will fly home to WashDC, and see about getting back to Afghanistan.

Returning to the USA

I was hired for a project in Afghanistan. I accepted the offer, and I went to work (in the USA) on Nov 2. I completed my in-processing and got my email account, and insurance, etc. I was scheduled to attend a one-week training course in Maryland, prior to deployment to Afghanistan. I had an administrative hang-up, and I had to go on "leave without pay" status for a couple of weeks. The problem was cleared, and I was scheduled to fly to Atterbury (Indianapolis) on Jan 5. I completed the Army processing, and got all of my shots, and x-rays, etc. I got on the plane and flew to Kuwait. I then got a military flight to Kandahar and went to the barracks. I arrived at Kandahar at 1000pm, and waited in the terminal buidling for two hours. When no one arrived to get me, I just went to the transient barracks. I met with my team, and got my work assignment. Then (thankfully) I was taken back to the barracks, and tried to sleep and get over the jet-lag. I was sleeping, and a man from my company came to the tent to wake me up. I was told that the project chief wanted to see me. I met with him, and he informed me that there was another administrative problem, and that I would have to leave Afghanistan. I had been in the country for less than 24 hours. I packed my belongings, and got a flight to Ali Al Saleem Kuwait (I am there now). I am scheduled to fly back to the USA on Saturday, and then out-process with the Army and return home. I do not know if I am to be released from this contract or not. I hope that my firm can fix the problem, and that I can return to Afghanistan for work. Stay tuned.

Two days in Atterbury

It is COLD here! I have been at my residence in Alexandria VA for three months. The winter has been very mild there. I have been enjoying the USA. I love to watch old "Law and Order" reruns on TV, and sit in a hot bath, and eat mexican-style eggs. Fry a couple of tortillas, and spoon salsa on them. Then fry three eggs, and place them on the salsa, and sprinkle cheese on the eggs. Then pop the eggs under a broiler for a couple of minutes, and melt the cheese. Excellent. My mother-in-law has been in town from Russia. I am not saying she is mean, but her speed-dial is 666. That should tell it. She is a vulgar, trashy person, and she curses at me in Russian. I am glad to be out of there. The Army food here is much better than I expected. Last night, they served a decent pot roast, with pasta and marinara sauce. I gobbled it down. I had to get up at 0500 this morning to meet a 0600am formation, I got out early, and I went to Subway and had a philly-beef sandwich. I think I will get chinese take-out tonight. The guys here watch FOOTBALL on the TV all the time. I prefer some other television, I never liked any televised sports except horse racing. I will continue to do the Army processing, and get my ID card, and clear the medical. I plan to fly out of here on Friday. I have only two green duffle bags, and one of them is filled with my helmet and flak-vest. I will have some additional clothing sent to me in the APO mail, once I get to Kandahar. I have been getting a lot of SPAM on this blog. I moderate all comments, so all of it goes to the trash. I wish you SPAMMERS would find some other place to SPAM! I do enjoy getting legitimate comments. Please send them along.

ATTERBURY!

Here we are. COLD, 20 degrees with wind chill making it lower. Back to Afghanistan on Friday.