life at brigade

It's rained here 5 times since I've been here, and I think fall is finally here. It's a welcome change from the 100+ degree days.

I continue to be surprised at the difference between the brigade and division. At the staff meetings I learn how things really work, as opposed to the division level where they just tell the brigades what to do and don't support their work. There are a lot of sharp people here, especially the commander. There are also others like the leader of the provincial reconstruction team leader. They do so much to help the people of Iraq, like helping them make the best of their resources (like dates and honey). The leader is fascinating. I could listen to her stories for hours. She's been all over the world and was told us about the time she stayed with Mother Theresa for a month or so. Unbelievable.



This week went by really fast. I hope the next couple weeks go by just as quickly. I can't believe it's Halloween already. The only good thing about that is that the Simpson's Treehouse of Horror is on for like 7 hours. I do miss the holidays like this one that I spend with the kids. There's a haunted house here and they do a good job of trying to make it like back in the states, but the more they do, the more I miss home.

Better view from below

I recently got transferred temporarily to a brigade to help out with their public affairs while someone goes on vacation. It's a lower level than my division headquarters and has given me a chance to see a lot more of what's going on with our troops. I've met quite a few Iraqis and it's nice to see that they're a lot like us. Just trying to make a living and fix their country.

It's also been cool to see the actual progress that we're making. They're still a ways a way and there's a lot of issues, but the U.S. has a lot of issues and we've been working at it for over two hundred years. Who can realistically expect Iraq to pull it all together in 6 years?

Anyway it's helped restore a little bit of faith in our effort.

Taking a load off at the hotel at the Victory Base Complex. Behind me is Al Faw Palace. From my recent trip to Baghdad.