Anthrax and smallpox and typhoid.....oh my!!!

Ok so I have some info to put out to anyone that still reads this anymore. In case you have been living under a rock and doesnt know, I will be deploying to Iraq sometime during the first week of July. We still dont have a definate date yet but we have a 2 week timeframe that seems to be solid. Regardless of what you heard on TV, Obama is not pulling everyone out of Iraq in 18 months. He is just pulling all the COMBAT troops out which means soldiers like me will still occupy Iraq for sometime. It will end up being like South Korea or Germany. My main mission during my 12 months (or longer) in the sandbox will be support to the Detainment Facility in Taji which is about 25 miles northwest of Bagdad. I will setting up and maintaining communication equipment and generally sleeping alot, playing video games and deciding on what car to buy when I get back.

Ok now that that is out of the way, I can tell you a little about what has been happening the past couple of weeks. Today, we turned over responsibility of the battalion to the new battalion that got stood up. Basically that means that I am no longer responsible for all the automation and daily tasks that I used to do. All I have to do now is train and prepare for the deployment. I started to get a taste of that the past 2 days. Both days we had formation at 0430 and rode buses to Ft Riley (about 2 hours away) to get issued gear and check that our medical and finances were in order. Monday, I had a mini Xmas, Army style. I got so much free stuff that it filled 2 duffel bags and a brand new ACU ruck sack. If I had to list it all, i would be here all day. But some of my favorites, A Gerber multitool, 2 pairs of shades, ACU backpack, hi speed gloves and lots of cold weather clothes that will completely useless in the Iraqi 120 degree summer. Tuesday, however, was not as pleasent. In one day, I got infected with smallpox, typhoid and anthrax and had to wait in amusment park length lines all day. Overall, it ended up being a 16 hour day and now my right arm is sore and my left arm will have to be covered for at least the next 3 weeks while the pox works its wonder after which it will leave a nice 1/2 inch scar. I guess I will have to get a tattoo to cover it up (haha Mom)

Ok well I guess that is about all for now. I plan to be coming home during the first week in June for about 2 weeks so plan wisely kids. Thank you to everyone who has sent me a card or a package recently. Trust me, they means more than you can fathom. I save everyone of them.

Your highly contageious soldier
Frank