14 days to go....

[Matt34]

Leaving a bit sooner than planned so I'm getting my gear together. Ordered and received this yesterday.
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.322764/sc.21/category.269/it.A/id.3578/.f

Only vest I could find that matches our new uniforms, has a crossdraw hoslter and allows for enough room for a full combat load. Also got my velcro blood type decals for the vest and a more comfortable headband and chin strap for the kevlar helmet. Only thing left to get is some decent sunglasses and a couple more foot lockers for all the gear.
Getting rails, M68 scope and shotgun handle put on my M4, should be done this week. Of course all the personnal affiars are takin care of, power of attorney for the wife, storing the car, replacing the washer that just took a dump on us , etc.
Beast, my MWD, got a clean bill of health from the vet so she is ready to go. Got her some "doggles", a level III vest and some booties for her paws.

On another note I'm thinking about moving the home theater and projector into an unused 12x13 spare bedroom in the next couple of days. I just need to paint it, remove the ceiling fan and mark off a screen. I'll most likely ditch the 106" as it will be too big and just project onto the wall using some matte white paint. The rest of the walls I was thinking along the lines of an "eggplant". Guess we will see when I go to home depot. Gotta keep busy....

Edit: For whatever reason I feel more nervous about this deployment than the last one. I know what to expect for the most part.....who knows, maybe I'll get a cush job in Kuwait.....somehow I doubt it.

 

[Buckle-meister]

For whatever reason I feel more nervous about this deployment than the last one...

Be safe Matt.

 

[mulester7]

For whatever reason I feel more nervous about this deployment than the last one

.....I can't see how it wouldn't always be a matter of concentrated concern and nervousness....but Matt, for whatever it's worth, rest assured, our thoughts and prayers will precede you, Young Man.....

 

[mike c]

God bless you.

 

[Nomo]

Good luck over there Matt. Don't forget about us. We certainly won't forget about you.

And thank you.

 

[Matt34]

Good luck over there Matt. Don't forget about us. We certainly won't forget about you.

And thank you.

I'm sure I'll still be around. I made real good friends with the cable-dogs last time around and we were the only ones that had cat-5 ran to our tent.

 

[masak_aer]

Just come home safely Matt...Thank you...

 

[Johnd]

Matt: thoughts and prayers until your return.

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Matt, You are a great American...God bless and be safe.

 

[Kai]

God bless and keep you safe.
Keep you *** down and your head lower.

 

[Sheep]

Kick some *** sea bass! I always wanted to say that.

Keep safe Matt, that SRT-4 won't drive itself.

And post some pics of that new room once all said and done!

SheepStar

 

[Matt34]

Thanks guys!

Kick some *** sea bass! I always wanted to say that.

Keep safe Matt, that SRT-4 won't drive itself.

And post some pics of that new room once all said and done!

SheepStar

Starting on it tomorrow, will post pics of the progress. It's not going to be much(no furniture to really place in there atm) but I have a feeling it's going to sound 10x better.

 

[majorloser]

Hey, remember, we want you back!

Keep your mind on the task and stay safe. Don't do anything stupid and most important stay sharp.

 

[wilkenboy]

Edit: For whatever reason I feel more nervous about this deployment than the last one. I know what to expect for the most part.....who knows, maybe I'll get a cush job in Kuwait.....somehow I doubt it.

Matt, completely understandable. I went in with the initial force and not knowing what was coming was a part of the stress - now the stress is you know what to expect...

I think you'll find on-base amenities are considerably better this time around, although convoys and missions outside the wire are just as bad.

Take care, stay alert, and stay focused on your task.

~Josh

CPT Josh Wilken

Combat Engineer - 2003-2004, Ramadi, Fallujah, and some distant parts of the western wasteland.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Important work

Matt,

Take care of yourself and your partner.

Thank you both!
SBF1

p.s. If you want to keep busy, post a picture of your partner in her gear! I'd love to see it. (I'm a dog lover)

 

[MacManNM]

Remember, America is proud of you. We need guys like you to watch our backs. You guys are fighting over there to protect the innocent people over here. God speed.

 

[Matt34]

Matt, completely understandable. I went in with the initial force and not knowing what was coming was a part of the stress - now the stress is you know what to expect...

I think you'll find on-base amenities are considerably better this time around, although convoys and missions outside the wire are just as bad.

Take care, stay alert, and stay focused on your task.

~Josh

CPT Josh Wilken

Combat Engineer - 2003-2004, Ramadi, Fallujah, and some distant parts of the western wasteland.

Yeah, I don't know how many times I drove up and down the highway to the BI-OP in a soft-skinned suburban and never even thought about about IED's at the time.

Ramadi and Fallujah huh....I'll be happy to go back to Baghdad before either of those places.

 

[Matt34]

Matt,

Take care of yourself and your partner.

Thank you both!
SBF1

p.s. If you want to keep busy, post a picture of your partner in her gear! I'd love to see it. (I'm a dog lover)

I'm bringing the digi cam so expect some video and photos.

 

[loserwife]

Please take care and God bless.

 

[Matt34]

Please take care and God bless.

Yes Ma'am!