Andrew Checking In

[Andrew]

All is well in Iraq.  We continue to take incoming,  but their quality control is way down.  A bunch of rockets hit on New Years day, but none detonated.  Guess that they lost all their good stuff when we went into Fallujah and cleaned them out.

We watched "Bug" late Sunday night.  The Marines enjoyed it.  I will make another post, just to talk about the movie.

Katie is still very pregnant.  The doctor told her any day at her appointment yesterday.

I picked up a new pair of knives.  One is a titanium alloy Mission MPT-Ti, which is strapped to my leg right now (beside the 9mm).  Nice knife, very lightweight, does a good job prying.  The handle is quickly growing on me, but it is difficult to get the knife shaving sharp.  The other is a Busse SF Natural Outlaw made from INFI steel.  I had it sent home, because I'll need a custom sheath made for it.  The Busse has a no-matter-what warranty.  If I break it, no matter how, he will replace the blade.  Whew, maybe I am done destroying K-Bars.  The armorer must hate me.  However, it should be pointed out that only one knife has survived through the years and that is a Gerber BMF I have owned for over a decade.  It is just larger than I like for a tactical.

I also killed my LED-upgraded maglite (MiniStar 2).  Hard shock, shattered the reflector and ripped the LED off the circuit board.  I put the stock reflector and bulb back in it for now.  I also ordered a Longbow ECO LED light, which survived 60 foot (onto concrete) drop tests and is waterproof.

I seem to be hard on my gear.  All the Marines are joking that something needs to be "Borntreger Tested" if someone wants to claim it is really durable.

Also, a picture of the the data communications Marines out here.  We are supporting a huge area, something like 800 users, and sometimes special detachments (like Fallujah).  The four young Marines here are doing a job that makes me proud to be with them.  One was just given a meritorious combat promotion to Sgt.

I will just provide a link, because the file is 110k.

Data_Marines

[Scott]

Great, keep sending the photos Andrew. I don't see you in the picture. Are you in the picture?

[BeyondTheGrave]

good to hear from you Andrew. stay safe.


You can’t give it, you can’t even buy it, and you just don’t get it!-Aeon Flux

[Andrew]

I would be the Marine on the far left.

From right to left, Cpl Castille, LCpl Cropper, Sgt Davis, Cpl Miller, and myself.

I'll have more of an opportunity for posting some pictures after I get back.

[daveblackeye15]

I think Andrew is the one on the far left. I've seen him before in pictures and I remember him having a mustache I'm guessing that the person on the left is he.

It's always a relief to hear that you're okay, I'm they enjoyed Bug.

[trekgeezer]

Glad everything is going okay and that you are safe. Bug is a classic.

[Scott]

> I picked up a new pair of knives. One is a titanium alloy Mission MPT-Ti, which is strapped to my leg right now (beside the 9mm).

Oh, ok I thought maybe that was you on the left, but wasn't sure.

[Rob Phillips]

. . . from an ex Army guy.

The first time was my war . . . thanks for finishing what we apparently did not.

As an American and ex soldier thanks to you and your family for the sacrifice you're giving. You and your family in (and fellow leathernecks) are in my family's prayers daily . . .

Send us a mailing address (to my email) to let me know if you or any of the guys need something in the way of a care package or help on the homefront!

Sempher Fi buddy
Sgt Robert Phillips
Military Police Corps
USAR 1984-1992

[JohnL]

Glad to hear you're alright and that everything appears to be going well for you.

Come back home safely.

[Menard]

Hey Andrew,

We all got confused last night. Then upon further contemplation we discovered that we've been that way all along ( :



Take Care

[daveblackeye15]

Ha ha, I guess Andrew and I were typeing at the same time. That must look pretty weird

"I think Andrew's the one on the left"

"NO DUH! HE JUST SAID IT A POST AGO!!"

[nshumate]

Andrew, I can only imagine how hard it is for you to be away from Katie right now. You're in my prayers,

[Chopper]

hey Andrew! i can only reiterate what everyone else has already said, so take care and come home safe :)

-Christopher

[peter johnson]

Hey, Andrew, if you haven't already, check out Mandel's "user comments" on Elves & ROBO-mess -- You'll be glad you did!
peter johnson/denny crane

[Grimsnipe]

Hey we miss you man!  You stay safe and keep checking in every once and awhile so we know how you're doing, okay?

-grimsnipe

"Are you the one telling me to beware?  Cause I'll tell you where to be!"
         -Master Shake, Aqua Teen Hunger Force