Update from Rod @ Ft. Dix during FOB Tiger

Hello all,

All is well here in Fort Dix New Jersey. We are now training out in the FOB (forward operating base) It is a big tent compound in the middle of the woods. It is supposed to simulate a base in Iraq. Though everyone says the living conditions are not as bad over in Iraq as they are here in the FOB. There is around 1,800 soldiers sleeping and training out here right now. Our total stay out in this big tent city will be around a month and a half. Once we leave the FOB and go back to the main post of Dix, we go over to Iraq within a few weeks. Sounds like I'll get a four day pass just before heading over seas. We have to stay within a 250 mile radius. That will be around the end of November (Thanksgiving Maybe?) Carol is planning on flying out here for that pass.

We've been busy at the weapon firing ranges. A lot of early mornings and late nights at the night fire ranges. Almost all the guys here have came down with the crud, some have even been diagnosed with pneumonia. We had the Small Pox shot a few weeks ago and we are having a few side affect from that also, ( fever, chills, headaches). The last of the bad news is that I lost four of my guys in my platoon for medical reasons. The worst part of that is two of them were my squad leaders. Their replacements are coming soon, I hope! These are the guys that are supposed to make things happen and to enforce my orders and directions. The new guys will be busy making up training. My Lieutenant will be here on October 31, that will be a big help!

Well now for the good things. Training has been very good and the guys are doing well! We have been the talk of the Post on how motivated and disciplined we are as a Company. The guys in charge of training said we are one of the best Units they have seen come through here. (HOOAH!!!)

We are being trained on things like Detention Operations, Mobile Security Operations, Combatives (hand to hand combat). Weapons Ranges, First Aid Training, Chemical Warfare Counter Measures, Reacting to Motor Fire, Dismounted patrols, IED identification and how to counter or react to an IED. Last night my Platoon had their first solo mission. We were in charge of Force protection of the whole FOB. That means we had to keep all the bad guys out in all the good guys in. The trainers gave us plenty of situations to have to deal with and over come. They actually have native Iraqi people here that are hired by the Department of Defense to act as Insurgents and protesters or just every day good Iraqi*s. We shot them all! jk W did very well with all the scenarios that were thrown at us. We*ve had about 10 hours of Iraqi language. It*s hard to learn, but every little bit helps.

It sounds like our mission may have change a little. We may be on foot patrols with the Iraqi Army and or the Iraqi police. I will know more in a few days.
Well, As most of you know Taylor just tuned 12, Jessica had here Senior year Home Coming and Carol and I had our Anniversary on the 12th??. Busy at home it sounds like. I miss home and my family immensely and yes MN Fall weather and every thing that comes with it. The weather here is OK, Highs still in the 70's. Still a little warm with wearing the bullet proof vest (IBA's). This is probably cold compared to what it is like in Iraq. So I can't complain too much.
Oh yes, Care Packages, I have a few guys that don't get anything from home or have much family to send them anything. If any one wants, some basic fun Items are welcome,
Candy, Magazines, Hygiene Items, Minnesota Papers, AA Batteries, and AAA's, Music Downloads are huge, Robin had sent a pretty well rounded care package a few weeks ago. Carol has been sending Veny jerky also! Score!!

I want to ask for a few specifics for myself and for my platoon,
Knutson or Ryan may be able to help with this one?

-Nemesis brand, Clear and Black lenses Safety Glasses (no rainbow color tint) just shaded and or clear or yellow if possible, I have forty guys in my Platoon and our glasses get scratched easily and it takes forever to get any replacements.

Rick or Bruce, maybe to have an idea on this next one:
- Mill Tech Gun Lube? It is a lube that doesn*t let the sand stick to the weapons as bad as the rest of the lubes.

Carol has sent Jerky to me already! That was a big hit with my Joe's and ME!! The PX is OK when we have a chance to get there. Now that we are out here in The Outer Limits of Fort Dix (the FOB) we haven't had a chance for the last few weeks. The one good thing about that is, four of my Joe's have quit smoking already!! Lack of having them may have helped. I will try to send some photos with this e-mail. Hope all is well back home. I'll try to attach an updated picture of myself with this e-mail.

Bye for now, Rod.