Under consideration: Mule(s)

I have always liked mules. Did you realize that a mule can live up to 50 years? Incredible. Richard is engaging on the Florida real estate/rental scene with some land for the mule operation. And goats.

My inner Camp Commandant

I washed my hands as all do before entering the line to the dining facility. All the while some soldier was using the f-word with such frequency it gave me pause. As I passed him I mentioned that his language was obnoxious.

Good to the last drop

Today I received my demobilization orders. This is a great sign. I may be able to leave in late April. My relief may arrive in late March or early April. I believe that they are actually going to provide him some training before he gets here. My orders in country take me out early May.

Ever the nerd, I need to communicate this information to my Navy Reserve unit so that we can schedule my PQP board upon my return.

Field trip

I flew to another location recently for a couple of days. The base is currently maintained by the Germans, and the dining facility is run by the Norwegians and staffed by a gourmet Swedish chef. What an experience. It was noteworthy to have portraits of the King and Queen of Norway in the dining room. The two of them probably got together and and strategized that gourmet dining facilities for their army was the way to go. Most of these other troops are not subject to General Order No. 1B, as I am, so there were drinking establishments like beach clubs, tucked away in tents here and there.

BREAK BREAK

A commentator to this blog, my dear friend gloom, has embarked on a different kind of field trip, he has been mobilized to support rescue efforts in Haiti. The Navy Reserve, I see, is cutting 30 day orders to help with the efforts there. Be safe, gloom. Ah, the things you will see. I mentioned to Richard last night that gloom was deployed, and he recounted a story from his Navy days, when the Royal Navy and US Navy were sent to Hong Kong after a tidal wave. Their mission was to clean up the island, because the citizens of Hong Kong would not. He stated that the bodies after a week in the sun, no longer resembled humans.

PQP/PQS brother

A new LTJG here who passed the PQP/PQS board is going to give me the lowdown on the board. He said the board runs from 1 hour to 4 hours. My unit back in CA will also provide me with their guidance on format/material. I am 90% done... Doctrine remains.

PQP Breakfast Club

After a 12 hour shift, the club and I adjourned to the DFAC for a breakfast meeting in order to hear me pontificate on the John Keegan book. It was a success. The next book I will read is the Admiral's Advantage, which looks a bit dryer. After that, there is the module on Doctrine, then I am ready for the PQP board back with my reserve unit in California.

To Jacksonville!

I learned yesterday that the Navy has offered me an indefinite recall, starting with a two year sea tour based in NAS Jacksonville (JAX). I am very pleased by this outcome, as I had requested to go to Florida. There are sweeping changes ahead when I get home to California. My orders, as it stands, commence in July. I will be assigned to a helo squadron. Hot damn!

PQP brothers

LCDR T said he was able to sign me off on one of my PQP chapters after his 12 hour shift. He happened to have expertise over the module in question. I mentioned to him that I am reading two books for the professional development section. LCDR T is quite the history buff, so he wanted to be included in the discussion I was going to have with the history professor LT M (Tumor of Tobacco). Next Monday morning the breakfast club convenes to discuss John Keegan's book.

I am looking into possibly having my PQP board here, which may be difficult to coordinate.