Month-ish.

Friends and Family,

Well here we are. The outgoing unit is gone and we have the mission. We are currently operating at our prescribed battle rhythm, and generally sweating our collective asses off. Everyone says "you cannot comprehend how hot it is...its like opening an oven and walking in..." No kidding, that's what it feels like some days. What is surprising for me is the humidity. I spent a summer in Kentucky and didn't think it could get worse than 110% humidity. Well, just make it 95 degrees outside and friend, it is worse. I cannot comprehend how the boys in Iraq are running missions and getting into firefights in this weather.

I am still the FDS OIC, and a shift Tactical Director (every 3rd day I pull a 24 hour shift, preceded by an 8 hour day), but now I have definitely taken on the lead evaluator position for my location (a bunch of protracted evaluations per month) and was recently appointed the S-2 (intelligence and security) officer for my location. It is my job to know the threat in-and-out anyways, so basically when we have to brief people or perform threat analysis, I'm the guy. Fortunately, this all sounds worse than it is, and I am a great manager of time. I can't be specific with schedules on here, but I work a bunch, then I go to the gym, then I sleep. That's pretty much it.

Perhaps it is better that I am so busy and constantly thinking of the next step, because otherwise I'm sure my thoughts would be occupied with how much I miss my sweet girls. Kennedy is growing every day, and Cadence is figuring her little world out more and more. I am so pleased that they have such a positive environment for their bodies and minds to grow. This job allows me to see how other walks of life choose to raise their children, and lets just say Michelle and I have made some great choices and been supported by some wonderful family and friends.

The girls successfully made the move from Lawton back to Austin for the duration of my deployment. They are no doubt missing our great friends in Lawton, but we felt that Austin was the best option for the family. Thanks to Mike and Susan for opening up their home (again)! That move was a beast and my savvy wife managed to make it as seamless as possible. Thanks to all who pitched in money, time, or sweat!

Speaking of sweat, I have lost 12 pounds since hitting ground about a month ago, presuming I was around 240. 229 is my "tape-weight," meaning the army has deemed that the weight that, once over, I must "tape" and calculate body fat. If found to be over your allocated body fat percentage, then you are in trouble. The best way to deal with this is to just weight less than your threshold. 228 at the moment, and I am going to get more lean. Then I am going to get huge like my brother in law.

Last, most of the high-ranking movers and shakers on the AF side of the house are new and have no idea what PATRIOT does and doesn't do. I have been fortunate to be able to brief them a number of times, attach myself during exercises, and generally partake in their decision making processes. This is important on a number of levels, but most of all I really like educating folks who think all we do is accidentally shoot down aircraft.

Wish I had something funny to report. Rest assured, when something funny happens, you will know. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Back to my shift.

Regards,

Derek