A blog of my adventures in my 2008 Iraq Mob<p> Enjoy<br> If you want to send items for the kids, send them to... <br> 1LT Eric Petrevich<br> HHT 1-102 CAV <br> CAMP BUCCA, IRAQ <br> APO AE 09375 <br> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <form name=count> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext'><INPUT TYPE="text" SIZE="69" NAME="count2"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </form> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext;display:none;mso-hide: all'><script> /* Count down until any date script- By JavaScript Kit (www.javascriptkit.com) Over 200+ free scripts here! */ //change the text below to reflect your own, var before="I return!" var current="I'm coming home!" var montharray=new Array("Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec") function countdown(yr,m,d){ theyear=yr;themonth=m;theday=d var today=new Date() var todayy=today.getYear() if (todayy < 1000) todayy+=1900 var todaym=today.getMonth() var todayd=today.getDate() var todayh=today.getHours() var todaymin=today.getMinutes() var todaysec=today.getSeconds() var todaystring=montharray[todaym]+" "+todayd+", "+todayy+" "+todayh+":"+todaymin+":"+todaysec futurestring=montharray[m-1]+" "+d+", "+yr dd=Date.parse(futurestring)-Date.parse(todaystring) dday=Math.floor(dd/(60*60*1000*24)*1) dhour=Math.floor((dd%(60*60*1000*24))/(60*60*1000)*1) dmin=Math.floor(((dd%(60*60*1000*24))%(60*60*1000))/(60*1000)*1) dsec=Math.floor((((dd%(60*60*1000*24))%(60*60*1000))%(60*1000))/1000*1) if(dday==0&&dhour==0&&dmin==0&&dsec==1){ document.forms.count.count2.value=current return } else document.forms.count.count2.value="Only "+dday+ " days, "+dhour+" hours, "+dmin+" minutes, and "+dsec+" seconds left until "+before setTimeout("countdown(theyear,themonth,theday)",1000) } //enter the count down date using the format year/month/day countdown(2009,6,20) </script></span><br> <span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'><a href="http://javascriptkit.com"></a></span></p> http://www.megageek.com/blog/mob2008.nsf/ en-us Sun, 4 Jan 2009 13:49:33 +0300 Sun, 4 Jan 2009 13:49:33 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/when-it-rains-it-pours Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/when-it-rains-it-pours?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/when-it-rains-it-pours Besides the internet being out, there were no trucks coming in and out of the FOB due to weather.  This meant no mail for anyone.  

Well, today the trucks got in and I got a bunch of great stuff.  (oh, and the Internet is half fixed.)

First were my textbooks to arrive.  While not really a tremendously great package, my classes started and I was really sweating getting them in time.

The first of the really great packages was from my girlfriend’s close friend, Jenny.  She had 300 copies of the photo of all my DFAC staff made.  I just got them here, and they are awesome. I’m sure that these pictures will mean a great deal for the staff here.  These guys work hard for years at a time and ask for almost nothing in return.  (Note, we are looking to do something very special for them all.  It will be long term thing they can enjoy.)

Finally, and my no measure least, is my buddy Bruce.  Since I left, he has been sending me some of the neatest care packages.  I guess he really knows me, because he is always sending me tools.
Today I got a 24 volt cordless tool set!  It’s great.  He even sent me all the attachments and such for the cordless screw gun.  I don’t thing that I had the package fully opened when I had the Allen wrench out of the package, and fixed the handlebars on my mountain bike (It’s impossible to get standard tools around here.  Everything is metric!)

Then I already started to draw up plans for the rest of the stuff I’ll be making.  With these tools, I can challenge the deck that I’ve wanted to build on my pod (really!)

My roommate came back to the room, saw the tools, then look at me and I swear I saw the fear in his eyes!  Me and tool, in Iraq; nothing good can come from this!  

So, now I just have to find a few extra hours in the day to really get to work!

Ok, so off to the deck project!  (Um, I wonder if I can make a hot tub out of some vinyl liners, an air hose, and sandbags?)
BTW, here is a picture of a sunset that I’ll be able to watch from my new deck!
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/when-it-rains-it-pours http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/when-it-rains-it-pours?opendocument&comments Fri, 2 Jan 2009 08:20:03 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/double-whammy Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/double-whammy?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/double-whammy Ok, a little while ago, there were 3 fiber cables cut in the Mediterranean.  This meant slowness or outages here in Iraq (and many other places.)  
Here is a link to a story about it…

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/12/mediterranean-c.html

Apparently, this happened last January when the same 2 fibers were cut!

http://www.ripe.net/projects/reports/2008cable-cut/index.html

(Thanks Paul M for the links and the insight.)

Then to make matters worst, the internet provider here on the FOB is having massive equipment failures and needs to replace their equipment.  So they estimate that they will be down for up to four days.

What really sucks is that my college courses started this week!  UGGG!!!

So don’t expect many postings or emails from me (or anyone else at Bucca) until after January 6^th.

Sorry. ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/double-whammy http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/double-whammy?opendocument&comments Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:15:09 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/christmas-in-the-desert Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/christmas-in-the-desert?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/christmas-in-the-desert Well, Christmas is over here in Bucca and I’m still trying to catch up with the work!  As always, our DFAC staff went way overboard and put on another breathtaking presentation for both sight and taste!  The food for Christmas was even better that Thanksgiving (as if that was possible!)

The displays were mind blowing.  There was a full color Nativity scène made from butter!  There were more cakes that I can count.  The fruit carvings were everywhere.  In fact, I’m not even going to be able to show you a quarter of what they did with this blog entry as I don’t have that much space to post all the pictures.

Speaking of pictures, my job for the day was to photograph the over 10,000 soldiers that came through the DFAC with Santa.  That’s right, we had a Santa complete with sleigh, reindeers, and even gifts for the soldiers.

So I was taking pictures all day and now have over a thousand pictures (most of the pictures where taken on the soldiers’ cameras, but I used mine for those that didn’t have one.)

Turns out that Santa in the desert is a huge hit!  Our Santa was a great guy!  (Although his wife doesn’t know he is in Iraq.)  

So without anymore babbling, here at the photos.



Note, the above cake was four feet high by 8 feet wide!




]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/christmas-in-the-desert http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/christmas-in-the-desert?opendocument&comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:18:22 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/pups Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/pups?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/pups I really miss my pup here.

Luckily, a few days ago, I got to play with the K9 units around here.

There are two dogs.  One is Lux (the male) and then Luca (the female.)  Both are top notch dogs (and total “hams” when you know how to interface with them.)
When I was a police officer, I handled a K9 for a little while.  He was a 120 lbs bloodhound named “Sam.”  

I’ve never seen a female dog used for attack and protection before.  But despite Luca being a real sweetheart when you have her away from others, she is one of the meanest police dogs I’ve seen in quite some time.  

Here are some pictures of the dogs and their training.





]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/pups http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/pups?opendocument&comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:05:56 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/“going-native” Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/“going-native”?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/“going-native” In my line of work, there is a very real possibility of “going native.”  It’s a condition similar to Stockholm syndrome.

One of my good friends here gave me a complete set of local clothing (well, this is the Kuwaiti style of dress, not Iraqi.)

I just thought you might enjoy it.  What do you think?
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/“going-native” http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/“going-native”?opendocument&comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:41:45 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-greatest-gift-of-my-life-- Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-greatest-gift-of-my-life--?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-greatest-gift-of-my-life-- A few days ago, I received my Christmas gift from my girlfriend.  She had been telling me how hard she had been working on it, so I was very excited to see what it was.

I opened up the package and there was a DVD.  Of course, I ran to my pod to play it to see what was on it.

For the next 27 minutes and 16 seconds, I was speechless.  My girlfriend had tracked down most of my family and best friends over 3 states and met with them to create a video message for me.

As each person came on the screen, I was stunned.  She put together a few dinners with my buddies just so they could make their recordings.

She met with my buddy Bruce, who took her to the Touch-a-Truck event in the county so she could meet with members of my dive unit.  They all had words for me on the video as well.

Then, and this was the most selfless part, she suffered through Thanksgiving with MY family!  I can only image what that was like for her.  8>)

I am really speechless on what to say about the whole video.  To see how much my friends and family supports me was so touching that I can’t find words.

At the end of the DVD, were a few shots of my kitty and my parent’s dog.  It ends with a shot of my house.

Seeing the time that my girlfriend put into the whole production, the thoughtfulness, and careful planning she went through was amazing.

I’m not a fan of holidays.  I really don’t like them all that much.  Add to that here in Iraq, I’m twice as busy during the holidays to prepare for them, and I wasn’t looking forward to Christmas much this year and I wasn’t having a great time these past few weeks.

Getting this DVD was like being visited by all three of the Christmas ghosts (past, present, and future) and having them show me my life.

I don’t know what else to say, except I’m very lucky to have that many people that care and love me back home.

Merry Christmas to all!
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/the-greatest-gift-of-my-life-- http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-greatest-gift-of-my-life--?opendocument&comments Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:42:40 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-hump-day Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-hump-day?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-hump-day Today is the BIGGEST hump day there is.

“It’s not Wednesday,” you may say, and you would be correct.

However, it IS hump day.  How so?

Well, for those of you that read this blog (both of you), you may have noticed the little counter on when I return.  Today, that counter struck 180 days.


In NJ there is a law that we can’t be deployed for more than 1 year (360 days.)  So that means that my deployment has hit the halfway point.  Better yet, I should be HOME before that 360 days is up, so it is even a little less.

What this means for me is that for every day I have been away from home, I just need to be away one more day.  This works second by second (15552000 seconds so far.)

So, I can start to really count down now.

15552000
15551999
15551998
15551997

Oh, you get the idea! ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/happy-hump-day http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-hump-day?opendocument&comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:10:16 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/girl-scout-troop-1138-milford-nj Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/girl-scout-troop-1138-milford-nj?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/girl-scout-troop-1138-milford-nj My Niece, Amanda is in her local Girl Scout Troop (1138) and they have been collecting Girl Scout Cookies for us here to give out to the soldiers and the local children.

She told me that she was going to send me a box of cookies.  I was expecting a few boxes of different kinds.  What we ended up getting was two HUGE boxes, packed to the brim with just about every flavor of cookie the Girl Scouts sells.  (BTW, did you know they came out with new flavors this year?)

After the troops took a couple of boxes (many soldiers didn’t want to take any once they found out the rest of them will go to the local children,) I brought the first box out one of my trips to the locals.

I couldn’t even get a picture of all the boxes of cookies there were so many!  The local kids loved them.

Since this was such a great gesture of generosity, of not only the Girl Scouts of Troop 1138, but of the surrounding community, I’m going to do something I haven’t done on this blog…

I’m going to shut up.  Instead of trying to tell you how amazing it is to see hundreds of kids, women, and grown men smile and cheer for boxes of cookies, I’ll just post some of the pictures.

Of course, I can’t show the locals' faces, but I think its clear what a simple gesture like this means to them.










Troop 1138, I thank you, The locals thank you, the new Iraq thanks you! ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/girl-scout-troop-1138-milford-nj http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/girl-scout-troop-1138-milford-nj?opendocument&comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:15:00 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/quick-you-need-to-host-a-dinner-for-20-people-uh-i-mean-40-people Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/quick-you-need-to-host-a-dinner-for-20-people-uh-i-mean-40-people?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/quick-you-need-to-host-a-dinner-for-20-people-uh-i-mean-40-people Actually, it was more like; “You need to host a dinner for the 40 most influential Iraqis in Southern Iraq.”  Everyone from the Mayor of the Basra providence to the commander of the Iraqi military in charge of Southern Iraq, to the police chief of Um Quasr to all the local sheiks and tribal chiefs.

The first I heard about it was four days prior to the event. But it was only for 20 people.  The morning before the headcount jumped to 40 people.  We had over 45 guests in the end.

So I was in a room filled with the most important people shaping Iraq from Baghdad to Kuwait.  What a great feeling.  I got to speak with most of them (and pictures that I’ll cherish for my life.)

One of the funniest things was the fact that we gave them “US Cavalry”, “Ranger Joe’s”, and other military gear catalogs.  They are in the process of standing up entire police forces, and military units and they love to see the gear that they can get!

So how did it go?  Well, we are planning to do it again in February.  With the additional time, we can do lots more planning and make it even better for them.

Being in charge of the DFAC, I was running around like crazy trying to make sure everything was perfect.  I almost ended up driving to Kuwait the night before to pick up flatware and glasses!

Here is a picture of me with some of the Iraqi Army officers.
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/quick-you-need-to-host-a-dinner-for-20-people-uh-i-mean-40-people http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/quick-you-need-to-host-a-dinner-for-20-people-uh-i-mean-40-people?opendocument&comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:10:21 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/what-do-you-do-with-a-6’-bomb Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/what-do-you-do-with-a-6’-bomb?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/what-do-you-do-with-a-6’-bomb Hit it with a hammer, of course!

This was an ordinance that we found the other day.  Of course the normal amount of horsing around has to happen first!

]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/what-do-you-do-with-a-6’-bomb http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/what-do-you-do-with-a-6’-bomb?opendocument&comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:46:30 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-most-touching-graduation-ever. Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-most-touching-graduation-ever.?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-most-touching-graduation-ever. OK, I’ve been to lots of graduations in my life.  Mostly from schools that I’ve graduated from but some where others graduated.

A few days ago, I attended the most touching graduation of my life.  I was brought to tears.

Who graduated you ask?  The graduates were 150 people that are classified as enemies of the United States.  That’s right; detainees from Iraq graduated the Bucca Enrichment School.  These graduates have spent the past few weeks gaining general educations, work skills, or agricultural skills.  

These classes are not required, but there is a long waiting list to get into them.  Many of these students have worked hard and learned more in the past few months then in the previous decades.

We sat right along side of the graduates, no protective barrier, no weapons.  In this school, they are our friends.  I was proud to be apart of their education.  To hear the stories that these guys have will bring a tear to your eye.

The most common comment from the students was that the school has taught them to read (in English AND Arabic) and they can’t wait to read their own children a bedtime story.   Another common reaction was to see them cry as they read the Koran, by themselves, for the first time in their lives.  

Obviously, there were no cameras allowed. However, there are a few pictures that will be released of the event.  Once available, I’ll hope to post them here.

The ceremony was held in English and Arabic.  In the beginning, one of the students brought the new Iraqi Flag up to the stage, right before he stepped on the stage; he stopped, turned around to face the crowd and waved the flag with the pride of a true patriot!  The look on his face said it all.

Then we all stood at attention, saluting, while the entire graduating class sang the Iraqi national anthem.  

There were two of the fun stories here.  First, was about their clothing.  They have yellow jumpsuits not uncommon from the ones you see in US prisons.  The difference is that over time, these jump suits have come in different shades of yellow.  The students rip them apart, and trade the pieces of fabric.  Then, without needles, they sew the different shades of materials into new jumpsuits.  Many of these jumpsuits resemble designer clothes or patterns.  Some of the students even paint their clothes with the tea and mud to get a larger color variety.  The patterns and pictures they design on their clothes range from Nike “Swooshes” to full color paintings of eagles, Iraqi flags, or other images.

After the service, the detainees are given refreshments.  For the most part, it is the first time they have had soda in years.  So they of course savor them.  The funny part is that one time the school had Diet Pepsi.  None of the detainees would drink it!  (Sorry Pepsi!)  I think that would make an awesome Coke commercial!  8>)

In the end, I was proud to shake the hands of the students that have made a commitment to their own futures, as well as the future of their country.  Since deploying, I don’t think that I have had a better experience then sitting next to these 150 students and watching their lives change for the better!
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/the-most-touching-graduation-ever. http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-most-touching-graduation-ever.?opendocument&comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:34:24 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/crunch-time Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/crunch-time?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/crunch-time OK, there is a lot that is happening here.  I want to update you all on the happenings however; not only am I busy as a result of all that is going on, but I have a final project due for my Project Management course for my Master’s.

I’m on week 2 of this project (it’s huge) and I need to get it finish. So I will not be posting anything here until the project is done (should be before this Sunday.)

Please check back because I have lots to post about!

Till then, here is a little holiday shot I took tonight…
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/crunch-time http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/crunch-time?opendocument&comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:41:32 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/i.c.o.a. Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/i.c.o.a.?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/i.c.o.a.
Today I went down to the Iraqi Correctional Officers Academy (ICOA.)  This is where US soldiers are training Iraqis to run the detention facilities.  

It was a very humbling experience.  To see the adversity that the Iraqi cadets have to overcome to complete this training is eye opening.  They work very hard and don’t get paid a single cent until they graduate.  

The training they go though is very comprehensive and thorough.  Some of these Iraqis are risking not only their own lives, but the lives of their families merely by trying to become a correctional officer.

There is a poster on the wall in the museum that sums it up.  I will simply end this blog entry with that poster…
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/i.c.o.a. http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/i.c.o.a.?opendocument&comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:22:40 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-best-gift-i-didn’t-know-we-needed Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-best-gift-i-didn’t-know-we-needed?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-best-gift-i-didn’t-know-we-needed Today, a very thoughtful friend of the family sent me a bunch of holiday decorations and a bunch of Christmas gifts.  (I didn’t wait for Christmas because one of the boxes was marked “Perishable.”)

In the box, was one from her dog, Belle, which is hands down the best gift we ever could have received.  I would never have thought of getting it here (or that it even existed!)

You see, most of the year here in Iraq, the flies are punishing.  They don’t let up and there are just too many of them.  To make matters worst, they almost never land on anything but your face.  This makes them very difficult to kill.

Not only that, they laugh at fly tape! In fact many flies land on the tape, look at us and then fly away.  I swear I’ve actually seen one fly flip me the bird!

In our office, we have a “fly termination” tally.  Each of the people in the office has a score next to their name that corresponds with the amount of flies they have killed.

Here is a picture of the tally board (upper right corner of the picture.)  BTW, I built that table to hold all the cookies and such that I can’t eat!  8>(



Today, we added the name of this very special gift to the tally board.

What is it you may ask?

It is a terrarium with 10 different species of carnivorous plants!  Seriously!  10 plants that will fight back.  Now, there is a germination period, so it will take some time before they are tallying up points on the board, but we can wait!

Here is a picture of the box!  I’ll send pictures of the plants as they start growing.
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/the-best-gift-i-didn’t-know-we-needed http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-best-gift-i-didn’t-know-we-needed?opendocument&comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:44:32 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/those-wonderful-people-that-work-at-the-dfac Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/those-wonderful-people-that-work-at-the-dfac?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/those-wonderful-people-that-work-at-the-dfac Today I presented every one of my nearly 300 workers with personalized certificates of appreciation for the work they did on Thanksgiving.  I made them, and myself and the FOB commander signed each one.

Today I presented them to the staff at the DFAC.  I had a forklift come buy so we could get a good group photo.

If there is anyone out there that wants to help, I’ll send you the full version of this photo in digits and if you could make 300 copies of it and send it to me that would be great!  (I want to give each person their own copy.)
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/those-wonderful-people-that-work-at-the-dfac http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/those-wonderful-people-that-work-at-the-dfac?opendocument&comments Tue, 9 Dec 2008 17:26:41 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/why-we-are-here. Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/why-we-are-here.?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/why-we-are-here. Today is the second day of the Muslim holiday called Aid (pronounced “EEE-ad”)

It is when a family gives to charity.  It happens twice a year, once now and once following the Ramadan festival. It is a little like our Christmas custom of giving gifts (however the Muslims have NOT allowed for commercialism to ruin their giving.)

So it was a perfect time to pack up all the treats, toys, school, and art supplies and bring them to the kids.

My mom sent me a homemade “Santa Bag” that was filled with toys for the local kids.  Along with Mare, another very generous friend of the family from NJ, who has been sending stuff for the kids all along, we had plenty of goodies for the kids.

Here is a picture of me with the bag (filled with toys, and that was only about ¼ of what we had.) After today, the bag will be donated to my DFAC so they can use it for the holiday decorations (they have some GREAT ideas but I’m not going to spoil them here!)


Here is a picture of a local Iraqi child opening a trick jar of jelly beans. (Note, I will blur all the locals’ faces in these pictures.)


Here is the bench of stuffed animals that we had for them…


Here is a picture of a local girl that couldn’t wait to put on the mask that she got.


Finally, here is a picture of me and a local child.  These kids are so grateful for whatever they get.  It’s so much fun to hand this stuff out.  (BTW Mom, don’t think I didn’t notice some of my old toys in that bag!)

Anyway, I encourage any one that wants to send stuff for the kids to send it to me.  I will get it to them.

Here is my address again…
1LT Eric Petrevich
HHT 1-102 CAV
CAMP BUCCA, IRAQ
APO AE 09375

If there is one thing to learn out here in the Middle East for me, it is that kids are the same everywhere and a small toy or gift means the world to them.  It is, in my opinion, the reason we are here! ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/why-we-are-here. http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/why-we-are-here.?opendocument&comments Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:00:05 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/making-the-papers-even-in-iraq. Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/making-the-papers-even-in-iraq.?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/making-the-papers-even-in-iraq. For those of you that know me, you know that I try to get into the newspapers at least once a year.  The hard part is that I have to get into the papers for something GOOD, it’s way too easy to get in them for something bad.

So far, I’ve been successful.  So much that I built a database to keep a collection of most of them.  I mean, how many people can boast about being on Brazilian TV getting interviewed while have their voices translated into Portuguese?  Or have had a picture of them, ‘above fold’, on the front page of three major newspapers, in three different states all for good things?

Here’s a link to the database if you REALLY have too much time on your hands.

Moose in the News


Ok, enough of my ego stroking (if I don’t do it, no one will.)  8>)

Anyway, here is an article about one of the things I’m doing here for the soldiers.  Note this story is much bigger and should appear in other magazines and newspapers with more detail on just how important it is.  (Note, I run the ONLY 24 hours DFAC in Iraq and I now have the only one with the Go for Green program.)  But for now, this is the only one that has covered it.  
Click on the link below to open the article in a new window.
Go for Green article.pdf ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/making-the-papers-even-in-iraq. http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/making-the-papers-even-in-iraq.?opendocument&comments Thu, 4 Dec 2008 21:40:16 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-feel-go-story-of-the-year-really Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-feel-go-story-of-the-year-really?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-feel-go-story-of-the-year-really Today I got to go down to the school in the TIF (Theater Interment Facility.)  This is the school where they teach the detainees either basic education, wood working, or farming.  I can’t say enough about what they do there.

First off, since the school opened, there has not been a single incidence of detainee on detainee violence, or of detainee on guard violence.  This is pretty amazing as since it opened, every class is filled up and there is a waiting list to get in.  Also, in the wood shop, detainees have access to power tools and other implements.  

First, I want to start with the school.  It has three phases.  Phase one is basic education (about 3^rd grade level.)  Phase two is more advanced about to 8^th grade.  Then there are other classes to supplement them.  One of the coolest parts of this school is that the detainees are trained to teach other detainees.  These detainees teach their classes standing in one yard, teaching through a fence to other yards.

Many of the detainees learn to read here and are finally able to read the Koran for the first time.  Many have been brought to tears because they can finally read it to themselves.  Many return to their home after being released and can now read to their children.

Note, the education certificates they get here and at the farming Vo-Tech are stamped by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and is recognized as a formal education.

The wood shop is one of the most amazing places here.  There are two shifts.  The morning shift is made up of the more serious workers and they have production line efficiency with what they build.  One of the most important items that they produce are the desks that go directly into Iraqi schools for the kids to use.

The afternoon shift is more of the educational “how to” part of the day.  In those shifts, they build different projects.  Most recently, the detainees came up with a competition to build the nicest bench.  The three finalists were on display.  They were all impressive with their own characteristics.  The one that caught my eye was one that looked air brushed.  It was in fact, air brushed.  The detainee used a paper cup, a pen, and a tube and made a human powered airbrush to paint the bench.  I was speechless.

The last part of the school is the agriculture section.  It was started by lower enlisted mid-western boy who was a 4H member.  He came up with the process to teach them how to farm with limited soil, water, and other resources.  It teaches the detainees how to make soil from sand (REALLY) though composting techniques.  Then they learn how to plant and care for the crops.  If you ever see a wooden box in the middle of a desert, over flowing with corn stalks, it will take your breath away.

One of the other arts and crafts projects they do here is really touching.  A while ago, detainees started to take their clothes and sew little teddy bears that they gave their kids.  Now the detainees make these bears as arts and crafts.  (See picture below.)  They are affectionately called, “Bucca Bears.”

There is one rule to this school above all.  “You walk in with a smile, and you walk out with a smile.”  It doesn’t seem to be a problem for the students!

-The pictures below have been approved for release.-



Bucca Bears
]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/the-feel-go-story-of-the-year-really http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/the-feel-go-story-of-the-year-really?opendocument&comments Wed, 3 Dec 2008 21:34:04 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/operation-littlefeet Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/operation-littlefeet?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/operation-littlefeet As you may have noticed, I was unavailable for a few days.  I was on a mission outside of the country.  It was a fun mission; in fact many here are jealous of me for going on it.
I can’t talk about it, but I can say that sometimes, everything that goes wrong, will, and then some.  

The only part I wasn’t involved in planning and prepping was done by someone that completely dropped the ball.

As the leader of a REALLY small team (just me and an interpreter,) once on the objective, all the pieces of the plan that I didn’t personally prepare, clearly weren’t ready.

I was about to throw in the towel and abort the mission it was so bad.  But then I thought about how it’s times like these that one finds it in himself to dig deep, take a deep breath, and embrace the suck!

I would be risking a lot on one gamble after another.  There was no guarantee that at any stage, everything wouldn’t come unraveled.  So, I told the ‘terp, “if you want to abort and catch the convoy back, I will not hold it against you.”  He looked at me and said, “Let’s do this.”

It was with that we embarked on quite a strange journey.  Each step needed to be made up as we went.  It was one dead end after another, then we would find a way to make a little progress until the next step and the process would repeat all over again.

I obvious can’t talk about mission specifics, but it was quite an experience.  The mission was not only 100% successful, but I managed to complete some additional objectives along the way.  In fact, I linked up with, and made arrangements for two other soldiers from my unit to return to the FOB with me (they were also stranded outside of Iraq.)

So my record for combat missions that I led stands at 100% of missions accomplished, and a 200% survivability ratio!  Beat that Patton.


Yes, that is a NJ license plate.  8>) ]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/operation-littlefeet http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/operation-littlefeet?opendocument&comments Mon, 1 Dec 2008 21:52:54 +0300 http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-thanksgiving Moose http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-thanksgiving?opendocument&comments http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-thanksgiving I know this is a little late, but running the only 24 hour DFAC (Dinning Facility) in Iraq is tough.  We feed about 15000 meals a day.  Now if that isn’t busy enough, realize that it isn’t my primary job.  It’s just an additional duty.  So I get to try to run it, make it better, and fix any issues all in my “spare time.”

Once you couple that with the holiday meals, and you have a train wreck waiting to happen.  Except for one thing,  I have about 300 third county nationals that want nothing more than to make this Thanksgiving one that each soldier, airman, sailor, and the Marine (yes, there is only one,) will never forget.

They worked round the clock for 48 hours prior to the t’day meal.  At two different shifts, they were at 100% staff (that means that everyone last one of them was working.)  Many of them even volunteered for double shifts.

What they did was nothing less than amazing.  I don’t think that a single soldier walked away from the DFAC that day for want of anything.  The food included turkey (both baked and deep fried,) prime rib, lobster tails, cranberry sauce, shrimp (both deep fried and raw,) sparkling wine (non-alcoholic,) egg nog, and just about anything else you can think of.  Of course the soldiers could get as much as they wanted, and come back as many times as they could.

The decorations were spectacular.  There was a HUGE turkey made of butter.  They also made a church, a tee pee, 3’ tall cut outs of pilgrims everywhere, ice sculptures, and HUGE tables of fruit and cakes.

As always, senior leadership serves the holiday meals, so there is a picture of me taking my turn serving food (hat and all.)

If you notice the picture of the tee pee, there are “Go Green” posters in the background.  Not only do I run the only 24 hour DFAC in Iraq, but I was also the first DFAC in theater to implement the Army’s “Go Green” nutritional program.

I do want to get back to the staff of local nationals that I have working in the DFAC.  These guys work hard.  They live in a small man camp right behind the DFAC and they can’t roam freely on the base.  That means that some of these guys have worked, lived, and played, in about a 10,000 sq ft area for up to 5 years.  They are all excited about it as well.  

Many of you reading this wouldn’t believe the conditions that some people come from.  When I talk to them they always tell me the same thing.  Where they come from (they represent about 15 to 20 countries in the world) they would have nothing.  Working for us, gives them a healthy and stable living situation, and they can send all their money back home and support their entire extended families.  Since many of them were unskilled labor, they wouldn’t be able to support themselves in their home country, never the less their entire family.  They ask for so little and are so willing to give.  They love to get pictures of themselves to send home, so I always try to take pictures of them and give them print outs to send home.  For their privacy, I will not post any of their pictures here, but rest assured, I don’t have a single picture of any of them where they don’t have a genuine smile from ear to ear.

This year, I’m thankful for my friends at the DFAC.  Each and every one of them works their heart out and never complains.  I’m thankful for their successes, their outlook on life, and I’m thankful that in some small way, I can be a part of each of their stories.  

Notice the huge turkey made out of butter!


(Yes, these fishes are made out fo butter)

]]> http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dxcomments/happy-thanksgiving http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf/dx/happy-thanksgiving?opendocument&comments