Life on FOB Ghazni

I'm sure some of you are wondering what life is really like, day to day, here on FOB Ghazni.  Our FOB is pretty small, but there is plenty to do!  We have our ADT-5 area, located on what we call Broadway, with our own Crossfit gym and MWR for movies or hanging out.  If you get the urge to shop or have a coffee, you can go to "Town", the local national shops located here on the FOB.  Three times a week, the bazaar is open. 

The most popular thing with our ADT-5 Soldiers here is definitely working out.  Our Crossfit gym is well attended, and we have a lot of dedicated runners on our team.  There are three running routes around the FOB: short, middle, and long routes.  In fact, we're looking at trying to have a half-marathon!  In addition, there are volleyball courts, lots of baseball fans, football, and soccer played.  (I hear you don't want to challenge the Polish or Afghans to a soccer game!  Apparently, you're sure to lose!)

During the day, of course, we do have jobs to do...  Check out the pictures below to see what everyday life is like for your Soldier!



This is the wonderful lady you talk to if you need a caffeine pick-me-up!



SPC Elkins shops for a new watch at "Z"'s shop in Town.

SSG Constantine fixes a radio in one of our trucks.



Chief Gilmore, SPC Dominguez, and SPC Elkins laugh about a clumsy moment.



MAJ James checks his email between meetings.

CSM Dula checks on a project while SSG Rosario takes a break.

Alberoni High School

As a part of our mission, TX ADT-5 has gotten involved with the Directorate of Education in Ghazni Province to try and introduce Agriculture Education classes to the schools throughout the province.  We are doing this by working hand-in-hand with our Polish DDG counterparts.  Our first school we have worked together to equip and start an agricultural curriculum in is Alberoni High School.  Our Polish counterparts are providing tents for additional classrooms, while TX ADT-5 has provided a fuel tank for the generator they use to pump water from the well, an irrigation system, gardening tools, and the curriculum for the students to learn.


Alberoni High School teaches approximately 3,500 students, who's families will be directly impacted by their agricultural education.  The girls will be learning biology with practical application, increasing their ability to attend college one day if they desire.  But, it will also increase their earning potential immediately as 80% of Afghanistan's GDP is agribusiness based. 



<>

The students drew a picture of the human skeleton and labeled the bones in English.



SGM Muckleroy and the Polish DDG representative discuss agriculture curriculum with Alberoni's Director.



SPC Elkins provides overwatch while 1LT Frost surveys the proposed site for the agriculture training.



The current tents the students use for some of their classes.




Girls sitting in class learning mathematics.

 

There isn't enough classrooms and tents; some of the girls learn on the steps of the school.



ADT-5 Patch Ceremony

On 9 September 2011, TX ADT-5 performed their patch ceremony.  This is an important tradition where the Commander of the unit places a patch on his subordinate leader's right shoulder, signifying that they are now combat veterans.  The subordinate leaders then place the combat patched on the right shoulders of their subordinate soldiers.

This is a ceremony typically performed about 30 days after a unit arrives at their duty location in a combat zone.  The "T" patch, worn by soldiers serving in the 36th Infantry Division, formerally the 49th Armored Division, has seen combat in all of America's wars since WWII.  The "T" patch was also worn by the Army's most decorated soldier in WWII, Audie Murphy.  (Read the history of the 36th ID here.)

See if you can find your soldier below!

CSM Dula and LTC Gaudsmith place patched on their subordinate leader's right shoulder.

LTC Gaudsmith shakes hands and trades a patch with his Polish counterpart here on FOB Ghazni, COL Pollus.  It is customary to trade a piece of uniform with foreign soldiers you have served with.

LTC Gaudsmith addresses TX ADT-5 to commence the Patch Ceremony.

LTC Gaudsmith places a patch on CSM Dula's right shoulder.

MAJ James watches while SGM Muckleroy punches the patch just placed on SSG Martinez's right shoulder.

LTC Gaudsmith and CSM Dula greet the honored guests from Task Force White Eagle and U.S. Dept. of State.

To Our Loved Ones...

I know that it's been a while since our last blog, and I'm sure people are wondering what's been going on.  We've been busy running missions to support our role here in empowering the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and trying to settle in.  We've had our patch ceremony (write-up to follow).

Today, I know that my loved ones back home have been wondering what's going on over here and whether we're all safe.  After looking at the headlines for the day, I can see why.  There's some frightening stuff there about what's been going on in Afghanistan.

Let me reassure you, we are all fine here.  The headlines you've been hearing are not about Ghazni Province.  Know that we are safe, and that if something were to happen you would not be finding out from the news.

If I may be so bold, I know what you are going through.  See, I'm in a dual-military family.  I've been the one left behind, wondering what's going on every time I heard one more thing on the news.  In my opinion, you have the harder job right now.  The only advice I can give you if you are worried is: trust us.  Trust in our abilities as Soldiers, and trust our Commander to make the decision that is the best for us.

So, to all of our loved ones, stay strong!  We can't wait to see you again!