Assignment News

Shortly after returning to Speicher, which is much warmer now by the way, I got news from branch about the assignment. I will be working at the National Counterterrorism Center in Mclean, Virgina. Hopefully I can learn alot and contribute to their mission of protecting Americans at home and overseas from terrorist activity. Lots of pressure there not to miss the slightest clue that can be pieced together with others to prevent attacks. The president is looking to fill the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) job. The new director will be the fourth since 2005. Hard for them to stay on for too long when they ultimately take the blame for security incidents like the underwear bomber on Christmas day. The DNI serves as the head of the seventeen-member intelligence Community, but has no authority to direct them. Some, along with me, would argue that sometimes it is impossible to connect the dots prior to an incident, but when you look back at what was available it is all laid out nice and easy. Looking forward to the move and getting settled.

R&R

I finally got out of JBB and had a very short stay in Kuwait before making it home on Friday 7 May. After a couple days of relaxing around the house the weather was nasty so we booked a trip to Mexico and had a very nice visit down there. Had a nice visit in STL on the way out and back. Returned for a week of relaxing, and was able to stain the back door and do a few other things around the house. Spent two nights playing with my new telescope. Not much luck the first night, but after learning some lessons and doing a little more reading of the instructions, we had more success the second night (after waiting out a few cloudy and rainy nights). Once it is calibrated and knows it's location, navigation to other items is as easy as touching a few buttons. Focusing can be a bit tedious at times, but Saturn was definitely the highlight of the evening. Yes... we could see the rings! Also took a motorcycle ride a couple days before leaving and before the Kansas wind tried to blow us away. As usual I had a great time. By the way Teddy is a very talented frisbee dog. Wish I could have stayed home an additional day for every time I tossed it for him!

Delays followed by Delays

I am stuck at Joint Base Ballad. Delays yesterday have pushed everyone to the right. When that happened on my Arizona trip I simply rented a vehicle and drove. I do not have that option here, so I will just hang out. So I am off to keep myself occupied.

Branch AWOL

Still no additional information/confirmation on the assignment. Maybe I will have better luck getting in touch with them when I get to the states. Still set to leave here sometime on the 4th. Should be home around the 6th or 7th. Things are going well here. I took a PT test yesterday, because everyone is taking record in May. I will be gone for the scheduled date, so I took it early. It went well. I maxed all of my events. 82 Push ups/89 Sit ups/2 Miles in 12:55. Also did height and weight. I must have shrunk and inch because I am usually 70 inches, but they said I was 69. Must have not been standing up as straight as usual. I weigh 173 pounds, lightest I have been in a long time. I feel good though, so I think it is a good weight for me. Can't wait to get home.