Family Reunion

Hello Everyone!

I have officially made it all the way home and reunited with my family. Seeing Cole was an absolute surreal experience! He is so much bigger and mature than 3 and a half months ago when I started on my Iraqi adventure. He is walking like a champ and saying a few words including "no, uh-oh, and thank you." He is probably saying more but that is all I can decipher at this time. He came to me quickly and made all my worries of being forgotten melt away. Jay has been trying hard to train me in the routine that has worked so well for the two of them, but jet lag is making me a slow learner. Haha.

I want to sincerely thank everyone that has supported me and my family during this challenging adventure. I hope to talk with everyone very soon!

Thanks!!!!!

Heidi

Ft Bliss - AGAIN

Will the fun ever end? The army seems to be a test of personal perseverance and patience. I have been trying desperately to get home to see my family and friends since June 16th. Now it is June 25th and I have finally arrived on United States soil only to be told that no one actually works on weekends at this wonderful army installation. Furthermore we were unable to do any outprocessing on Friday because we didn't arrive until 8 AM instead of 6 AM.

Patience.....Patience.

Now I am up in the middle of the night blogging due to some killer jet lag. But at least I am no longer in Iraq with all the big booms, and out of Camp Doha, Kuwait where I was sleeping in a 250 person open bay where the lights were on 24/7. Things are definitely improving.

I hope to start outprocessing early on Monday and hopefully get home by Wednesday. I can't wait to see Cole who is walking all over the place and saying a couple of words. Only 4 more days.....

Heidi

Guess who's back? Back again. Heidi's back! Tell a friend...

This is Jay, so don't accuse Heidi of referring to herself in the third person.

Just thought I’d pass along that Heidi made it back to Ft. Bliss today (6/24) in El Paso.

I’m sure she’ll provide more details later.

Heading Home

Hi Everyone!

I apologize for not writing anything lately but things have gotten really busy at our unit. I am trying to pack to leave today or tomorrow and there still isn't a psychiatrist to replace me! I am working up until the minute I get on a blackhawk to fly away.

The situation is bittersweet in several regards. I am ecstatic to get home and see my family and friends, but sad to leave all the new friends I have made here in Iraq. It is also tough because most likely one of the Docs is being extended. I am afraid to even ask about the situation because it puts the sights back on me as a possibility. I was their first choice to extend but they felt it wasn't fair with a small child at home.

Yesterday and today have been close to the hottest days since I arrived in country. It feels like close to 120 degrees. It is very difficult to breathe with such hot air. When I go to wash my hands in the bathroom the cold water is almost boiling and we never run out of hot water for the clothes washer or the shower.

I will try and keep people updated over the next two weeks as I journey back home to Kansas. You wouldn't believe how many times I have been teased about being from Kansas. Again, thanks for all the support from the homefront.

Heidi

DVD Heaven

I have been reading on the internet about pirated copies of Star Wars and other new release movies. Mostly I read about how angry the film industry is at the piracy cutting into their profits. Here in Iraq we are surrounded by a sea of pirated DVDs. Apparantly there are already perfect copies of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith circulating around the combat zone. In Balad, a forward operating base which is home to almost 15,000 soldiers, they are actually playing the new Star Wars movie in a full size theatre!

Here in the IZ there is a store called Sam's (Not the Walmart affiliate that we all know and love) that could easily be renamed DVD heaven. Almost any DVD you can imagine, both new releases and old classics, are are available at Sam's for bargain prices. There are some serious drawbacks with pirated DVDS. Often the quality is very poor and grainy or you can hear talking and noises from the person who is obviously filming the movie inside a real theatre. An even worse problem is when the last 5 or 10 minutes of the movie are missing. As you can imagine, it is very frustrating to waste your time watching an entire movie and then unexpectedly miss the finale!

Overall DVDs are one of the most popular forms of entertainment for soldiers here in Iraq. I have been very lucky to have my cousin Danna sending recorded DVDs of current TV shows so I can keep up with Desperate Housewives, Gray's Anatomy, and Survivor to name a few. Danna recently sent me DVDs #51 through 57 including numerous season finales. When I leave Baghdad many of my fellow soldiers will probably go through withdrawal from missing their TV fix which has been supplied by my cousin's hard work and generosity.

Heidi

PSDs-Personal Security Details

Every morning when I go to the gym to workout I am surrounded by civilians that work with different companies known as Personal Security Details (PSDs). Two of the biggest companies are Blackwater and Aegis. These men are muscle bound, Neanderthal types that provide security for various military and civilian big wigs. Many of the men working PSD are previous military that recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan, resigned from duty and came back for triple the money as private contractors. They have more freedom as PSD including more relaxed rules of engagement, the right to drink alcohol, ability to wear civilian clothes, and most importantly the right to quit and go home at any time. They make about 9,000 dollars a month of which 6,500 is tax free. On top of that every 4th month they return home and still receive anywhere from half to full pay. Some of the former marines now working as PSD have been receiving phone calls from the military calling them up to active duty status. They mostly ignore these calls since they are already in Iraq earning much larger salaries.

Several people had the idea of switching all security services over to PSD companies and letting the national guard and reservists return home. I think this is a wonderful idea! Many infantry soldiers are performing military police and security details which is not consistent with their primary mission. This is a very dangerous job that isn't worth the small amount of money they are paid, and requires totally different training than they normally receive.

My unit does not allow the use of private contractor PSDs due to the danger involved. Many of these men would be considered cowboys and take many risks when transporting their clients. They are ready and available to transport folks all over Iraq at almost anytime.

One night at dinner in the palace an army colonel in the national guard shared his outrageous PSD story with me. He lost his digital camera in Kuwait on the way to Iraq and planned to purchase a new camera at the PX in Baghdad. He soon discovered that very little is available at the Baghdad PX and decided to take a day trip to the walmart sized PX in Camp Victory to do some shopping. After his movement requests were turned down by several military agencies he then approached a private PSD company for assistance. The men were very accommodating and asked him to show up the following day at 0900 for a convoy traveling to Camp Victory. On the day of departure he was shocked to learn the convoy was set up specifically for him. (Of course the PSD had no idea that the colonel was just going shopping at the PX.) After arriving in Camp Victory the private contractors asked the colonel where he needed to be dropped off. In response the colonel made up the name of one of the ministries because he was too embarrassed to admit his true destination. He definitely has a story to share with his kids when he gets home. I am just glad no one was injured or killed on this frivolous mission.

Heidi

PS. I just learned that the PX in Camp Victory was hit with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) yesterday killing 1 person and injuring 20. I think it is time for me to come home.

Driving

Hello everyone! I have not been as regular to post messages on my blog because not much new has been happening. It seems I could write limitless negative blogs about the current state of the war, but I don't know if that is helpful for myself or those of you reading my posts. Also I have been busier with my psychiatric duties as many of the current soldiers in theatre hit their 6 month point of deployment, which leaves me less time to write.

Anyway, I had a new experience in theatre today....I was able to drive! I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but after almost 3 months it is pretty darn fun. I don't have a military driver's license but learned I can drive any civilian vehicle. My unit has a couple of private SUVs that belong to the Chaplain and First Sargeant. The Chaplain is gone to his 4 days of R&R here in Baghdad and left the keys with others to use his car if necessary. I had a transportation emergency, I needed to get to the palace pool for some R&R of my own, so I was able to borrow the vehicle.

I have to pass through one Marine checkpoint on the way to the palace. It isn't a big deal, but something new for me. Everyone must stop about 50 yards away and wait for the Marines to motion you forward. Once you drive forward the soldiers check IDs of everyone in the vehicle and then release you to proceed. There are signs at every checkpoint clearly stating that deadly force is authorized, so it is definitely important to follow the rules. When someone isn't paying attention or following the rules all hell breaks lose. Let me assure everyone that I am paying close attention and following every command the Marines give me.

The pool was fun and refreshing. Now I am ready to get back to work and complete my mission. Thanks everyone for all of the support from home. I am starting to count down the days until I can return to the states. Yea!

Heidi