August 27, 2007
Per an email from his Mother, Patti Ranous, Kyle left Kuwait today for assignment at an unknown base in Iraq.
August 19, 2007
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to send a quick update to let you all know Im still alive, Were in Kuwait for the time being just training a bit. I hope all is well with everyone and I will write back a little longer when I have a chance.
-Kyle
August 8, 2007
Well, I made it back to the land of Germans safely. and with few more issues with the airline, none that weren’t easily handled. Since then its been busy, everything is ramping up and getting ready to go. We have our flight date, and I cant give you the date but its in the next 5 days. Y’all will know when I leave. I am the key witness for a courtmarshell case against the e-6 and e-4 that stomped the kid I was doing First Aid on the night before I left. This is becoming interesting because now you have GEN Patreaus (who knows me by name now) and the 1st AD Commander arguing over weather or not I will be flown back for the trial. This kid is now in a hospital in Texas and is paralyzed from the waist down and coming in and out of coma’s, If he recovers there expecting him to have less then 40% brain capacity. The doctors report says that whoever was the first one there doing first aid saved his life. I don’t exactly by it because I didnt do much, nor do i know if thats a life worth living. JAG has told me that the family of the Soldier wanted to sue me because I didnt “do all in my power” to save him. But apparently that got shot down. In short this is bringing me a lot of unwanted attention, so much for flying under the radar. I got my official promotion last week, though as far as the army is concerned (and my pay which is all i care about) the Promotion happened 2 months ago. But its nice to be able to actually wear the rank. Well I hope everyone is doing well. Im off to bed now, had a long day.
-Kyle
January 18, 2007
Hello Everyone,
I just got back from a 3 day excersion to the hospital where they found a small Tumor, and removed it. I was held over for another day to make sure there was no internal bleeding. The tumor was only 1cm long, and they feel that it was just a tissue growth however they are are running tests to find out if its malignant or not. Im not to worried. Im back home now, or well as home as barracks can be. Im doing fine just tired and grumpy from a long drive. I hope everyone is doing well. I leave next week for about a month for training, so I will be off the net for that time. I will send out an e-mail with some pictures when we get back.
Kyle
January 28, 2006
Well like my last e-mail implied and the subject says, this week has been LONG. Monday we drew weapons, and cleaned them……I sat and rubbed the outside of my SAW with a cloth, then took it apart and put it back together a bunch of times.Tuesday, they did not make me go out to the range. In the morning I slept….then at Lunch my team leader grabbed me and one other guy to go to Best Buy and pick up his new 50″ plasma TV, using my truck of course. We pick up the TV, take it to his house, set it up and drive back to the barracks just in time to be asked to drive some stuff out to the guys on the range. This is around 1700 (5 PM). we make a few runs get back and told we can be released when everyone else gets back from the range, this was at 2230 (10:30 PM) I then help the guys clean there weapons and we get released about 11:30. The next morning we get up at 6 and are told to draw our weapons and stand by. about 8:30 a Stryker Pulls up we hop on and are taken to the range. there are 2 SAW gunners from 1st Platoon, and no one knows why we are at the range. So we sit ourselves down by the Ammo shack when another Stryker pulls up, sees our SAWs and says hope in will take you to Range 89 (the Machine Gun Range) where 3rd platoon is out with there SAW gunners and Weapons squad. They have more then enough ammo so we Zero our MGO’s (Machine Gun Optics) and qualify. Now the Sgt. Running the range slightly upset because the 2 of us from 1st Platoon only had short barrels and no spare barrels (when qualifying with any weapon you want to use a longer barrel as it is more accurate). However I scored a 37 on the qualification and the other guy scored a 34. Expert for me and Sharp shooter for him. The next closest score was a 30. The 3rd Platoon platoon leader started to call on the radio to put in an in unit transfer for us to move to 3rd platoon. our PL shot that down. After all were qualified we just burned ammo. Once it got dark the Sgt. running the range handed me about 500 rounds and told me to make them disappear. I loaded the link into my SAW, turned my NODs(Night Optical Device) on and used my night laser to shoot Chem lights that were thrown out into the field we were shooting in. Watching through Night vision as tracer rounds make Glow ticks explode, is really cool. we got back from the range about 10:30 and clean our weapons. we turn them in about 11, and go to sleep. Late call Thursday morning. Didn’t have to get up until about 8. drew weapons, cleaned them some more (not enough seeings how I put around 1100 rounds through mine) and had some classes on entering and clearing rooms. Normal deal Friday, up at 5:30, PT then a formation at the Motor pool where we cleaned out our convexes. I scored close to $300 in free gear from stuff that we were going to throw away. 15 pairs of replacement lenses for my goggles ($20 a piece) a brand new pair of shooting glasses with 3 different lenses that I gave to someone who didn’t have any. And some other small assorted things. All in all it was a tiring week, but a good one. Next week we have a 3 day field problem in MOUT City (Military Operations in Urban Terrain). However I dont get to go because I am in CLS (Combat Life Saver) classes all week. A attached a few pictures of my weapon. (No weapons. Only of him) Ill have more later, some from actually in the field. If we ever go out and its not raining.
-Kyle
January 4, 2006
Well, Tuesday started training with my unit.We were broken down into specific positions, and I am the SAW gunner and ATL of ‘A’ Team, 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, C co 1-5 INF. the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) is a light Machine gun that fires the same rounds as the M16/M4 family of rifles. However it is belt fed and fully automatic pumping out 725 rounds per min. It was 15.9 lbs unloaded, and increases my combat ammo load from 220 rds. to 600 rds. Ammo is fed to the weapon by a box magazine containing a belt of 200 linked rounds. I know no one really cares about this so I will stop there. So our first morning of Pt we went on a 5 mile run, except something was wrong. I was out in front smoking everyone else…..that’s right I am the fast guy of the squad…scary thought huh? did you ever think that I would e considered the fast one? However, as my team leader puts it “Who needs to run when your mechanized?” Speaking of Mech. This week we started working on our Strykers. Attaching floor plates and armour plates. basic stuff that any monkey with one arm could do, but then again we are privates. In February I will be going to StrykerNet. A 2 week long class where one learns to drive, operate, and maintain our vehicles. Also, I received a room mate. He is rather sloppy and likes to stay out late, but isn’t all that bad. We are still going to Germany in June, I’m looking forward to that. and Other then that not to much is happening. I have my address for those that were asking for it, its:
PFC. Kyle Ranous
C co. 1-5 INF MBN 494
P.O. Box 339503
Ft. Lewis, WA 98433-9503
July 24, 2006
Hey, Everyone
I’m sorry I haven’t gotten an e-mail out sooner, I just recently got internet in my room and since we got here we’ve been really busy (Both working and playing). We’ll I guess ill start from the beginning. We had a long 15 hour flight over here, stopping once for an hour on the eastern cost of Canada, we weren’t aloud to get off the plane, leaving at about 4:30 PM Sunday and finally getting to our rooms to rest about 6 PM Monday German time. It was extremely hot and humid when we got here and the mosquitoes were horrible. The first thing we were briefed on was that, yes the drinking age is 18 and that it could very easily be hanged to 21 if we screwed up, so far no one has screwed up. After that we spent the next 14 days inprocessing which consisted of medical check ups (healthy), Dental check ups (good), Finance (still getting paid), 4 days of German language and culture classes (good refresher) and Death by power point (all the dumb power point presentations that take 6 full work days to watch) After that we started to work, get the barracks ready for everyone to move in, set up the motor pool, take and teach some classes (Radio procedures and AT-4 rocket were mine to teach) and PT….allot. The next weekend after inprossesing happened to be 4th of July Weekend, so a couple of us went down to Munich for 3 days. It was a blast. Right after Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup game we were right outside the stadium in a massive street party. We had our first German cloths shopping experience….didn’t work out to well (Germans like really tight pants) And learned how to pass the time on long train rides…..trg qehax) Then it was another week of work, fallowed by a day trip to a Stadt Fest ( City Fest) in a town called Amburg. there we discovered, lieder hosen, ompa music, Bratwurst, and liter sized glasses of Local German Brew. Not to mention one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. It had been carpet bombed in WWII, Then Amburg became one of the American camps and they started to rebuild it to the original specs, Its amazing (Amburg is also where the ending scene in Mission Imposable III is filmed). Other then that we haven’t been doing much, besides work, Friday nights we’ll go to a random German City near us and just walk around. Were trying to plan a few Company sized trips to Berlin and Normandy and Prague, so hopefully those will happen, but we will see. From September through January we will be training pretty hard since we will have allot of new guys and have to get them up to speed (Minus a few trips to October fest). Also, I have decided to make an attempt at Warrant Officer Flight training, To go fly Helicopters, so Ive been working on that a bit, we will have to wait to see how that goes. All in all its great here and I’m loving it. I hope all are doing well.
-Kyle
January 22, 2006
So, we were set to have an inspection this week (‘an’ being the key word). We even came in on Monday (our day off) and set up for said inspection. Tuesday rolls around and our Platoon Sgt. comes to inspect and decides that we have done it all wrong. Well we did it the way our Squad leaders told us to so we wearnt in trouble…we just had to re due it all for the next day. so we re due it. then we get word from our 1Sgt. that he wants to inspect our Kit (this is what we call our field gear). This is to be done at 1300 (1 PM) the fallowing day. Well 1300 the fallowing day a solid 75% of the company had appointments…so about 30 of us were there. 1Sgt. decided he didn’t like this so instead we will have another inspection at 8 o clock that night. at this 8 o’clock inspection we find out that the next day the 1Sgt. and CO will be checking our rooms. so the next day we have another inspection. This day we draw our weapons and have classes for people who have M4’s. Me not being part of that sat in my room and took my weapon apart, and cleaned it, and put it back together…and took it apart again and put it back together…and so on and so forth. For a good 3 hours. we have our inspection and someone in 2nd platoon calls the 1Sgt. Sgt. well we learned the hard way not to call him that. and he told us that he would inspect again the fallowing day. The fallowing day and we draw our weapons to continue the M4 Class….so Guess what I do. That’s right I take it apart, and put it back together. we have our inspection, turn our weapons in and realise that a weapon is missing. BIG no no. After a 3 hour lock down the armourer finds the rifle ( he had put it down behind a SAW) and were released just in time for the day. (lucky us). This week we spend 3 days at the zeroing range for the M4 and guess who still has to go every day all day, that’s right me. what will I do, probably take my weapon apart and put it back together. I may not yet be trained to shoot it, but I sure can take it apart further then any armourer can with out a manual. But all is well, February we have our first Field Problem. 3 days long but its at MOUT city (Military Operations in Urban Terrain, Urban Combat) and that proves to be a rather fun 3 days. More next time with the possibility of pictures.
-Kyle
June 7, 2006
hey everyone, just a quick note, I have my mailing address for Germany. Im leaving sunday, Ill probably be out of touch for a week or two, tell I can gete internet and phone service.But here is my mailing address
PFC Kyle Ranous
C TRP 1-2 SCR
CMR 411 Box # 6792
APO AE 09112
Force Package #1
Im sure the Force Package #1 isnt nessasary, but if you send somthing then Write it in just to be safe. Well I hope everyone is doing well, I must get back to work.
-Kyle
February 24, 2007
Hello all,
I know its been awhile since Ive written an update, there just hasnt been much to write about. As im sure most of you know I was hospitalised about a month ago when they found and removed a small benign growth. And all is well now. We spent about 2 weeks on a training mission where I perfected being a combat secretary……Its so much fun sitting in a stryker copying down radio transmissions. But because my supervisor kept wanting to run off and take pictures of ourMGS platoon(reasons for him doing this are known by only me and him and would be two complicated to relate here but I assure you are complete BS) so I got stuck doing that instead of security for our 1SG wich is my normal job. On our last mission of the rotation our Vehical was in a blocking position and observed a civilian vehical droping off an object on the side of the road and come towrds us. Our Genious XO decided we needed to call up another vehical to intercept them. instead I hoped down stoped the car searched the 4 personell and captured 3 High Value Targets, 2 being number 1 and 2 for that mission. yet because this is the Army and my supervisor was off in la la land and not doing his job I got nothing but a hand shake from our BC. Im not bitter about it or anything but one would think that somthing like that would be proof enough to put a person back on the line, aparently not. Since then weve been preping for EIB and working 80 to 90 hours work weeks. Our unit is scheduled to Deploy to Romainia this summer, I have droped my intent to go to EOD and will start that process, depending on how that goes and weather or not my feelings for this unit get better will depend on if I deploy with them or go to EOD school this summer. Right now im leaning extremly strongly on EOD. Thats pretty much all from my end. I hope everyone is doing well and having a great 2007.
-Kyle
April 16, 2006
Well this week has been event full. I spent Monday and Tuesday studying. On Wednesday I did one last once over on my Class A uniform and went in for the Soldier of the Month Board. There were 3 of us competing for Soldier of them Month, we got our brief on what was expected and how we should enter/leave etc. It was determined that I would be the 2nd person to go and we went to the waiting room. the first guy went in (a PFC from A co.) and was in there about 4 min. (less time then I was hoping he would). My squad leader went in and announced me, I knocked, entered, and reported. I was given some facing movements, told to sit down and the Inquisition began. There were 4 senior NCO’s asking me questions. 2 1SG’s, one SFC. and our Battalion Sgt. Maj., each had 5 questions ranging from flag Etiquette, to Army Community services, to Communications. I answered 17 questions write which apparently is impressive, I was dismissed from them bored and sent out side (of course once the door closed I knew the answer to all 3 questions that I missed). I was sent into the waiting room and the third guy went in for his turn, after he was done we were all called in and I was told that I had won. great, I won an early wake up the next morning to go meat with the battalion Commander and a trip to another board. The next day bright and early I meet with the BC and he gives me a coin and does the whole spiel about how I cant let up because now I’m representing the Battalion at a Brigade board for Soldier of the Quarter. all said and done, Friday was a day off for us, My room mate and I celebrated by me betting him lunch that I could stick my self with an IV….after 2 unsuccessful attempts and a ruined pair of jeans later, I gave up and told him I bet he couldn’t even stick another person…..so he stuck me and proved me wrong….smart ass. Well That’s all for now, Ill send another update when there is something to send. I hope everyone had a Happy Easter
-Kyle
May 9, 2006
Hello all,
I hope this finds everyone well. Last night about 2:30 we got back from an 8 day field problem (War Eagle Forge). Basically consisted of lots of long days, little sleep, Village Cordon and Searching, TCPs, Shoot Houses, and Patrolling. On our 2nd to last day out we hit Ft. Lewis MOUT City. I fully built up city, with streets, a hospital, hotel, apartments, Police Dept. Fire Dept and the such (Granted all empty). Being tired of sleeping outside, we decided for the night we would occupy the hospital. It Just so happened that Air Force MPs had the same idea. so we kicked them out and took the building for ourselves. This is where being the RTO reaps its benefits. While everyone else slept in one big room, our PSG wanted to be able to get to me in a hurry if need be, so I had my own room off to the side. well the last day consisted of squad live fires, and me, I stayed in the Stryker, Relaying info between squad leaders…..all day. Well were back now and wont be going out to any ranges or anything until after we get to Germany, which is just around a month from now. So I will be Busy Outproducing and the such.
The first picture is of my room in Leshi town (the MOUT City)
The Seacond is me in the Stryker durring Radio Watch
The Third is a group of us durring a resupply
and the last is a cool picture
Well I must be off to resupply the fridge, I will talk to you all later,
Kyle
November 11, 2005
Well I figured Id just send a blanket e-mail out to everyone about my first week of regular Army life. That way those who would like to ignore it can and those who dont, well you get the picture. So monday after my not so long flight(though it felt like forever), in wich I was seated next to the largest man that was in the air that day, I was picked up at the airport and spent the day with my sister. eI signed in that night after duty hours so that I wouldnt have to deal with Unifroms. After duty hours it is ok to sign in in civies. I spent 45 min. getting my packet in order signing forms and getting my room asignment. I get my stuff situated in my wall locker and fold my sheets into a pellow(we were not given sheets and we have to lock up our lennins every morning so we dont make our bunks) and went to sleep. day 1 breifing 5:50 AM (wait day not starting at 4:30?) yadda yadda yadda. Day 1 ends after 5 breifings…wait its only 3:30……the day cant be over……o wait Im wrong it is. so the rest of Day one is comprised of me sleeping and going to the Gym right accross the street. Day 2, PT, we were told the day before to expect a hard day of PT. The 1Sgt. tells us were going on a company run and that its going to be a tough one. Comming from an Infantry Training Unit 4 mile minimum instantly pops into my head, then I think no way its 4 probably 6. Then the 1Sgt. says “2 Miles sounds good to me.” Among the groans from everyone else the three of us Infantry fellows look at each other with a very confused look on all our faces then the ranking of us, an E-5 says its probably a 7 min pace. Again we were dead wrong. 24 mins. later we are jogging in place 200 M from our end point waiting for a few fall outs, when I ask “why dont we go back and get them?”(Infantry takes the “we will leave no one behind” thing seriously and this is what we always did). Blank stares was my answer then someone piped up “Why would we do that?” again confusion is brought to my mind. so we finish our run and start day 2 of prossesing. Much the same as day one. except in the Afternoon we went to CIF to get our issue. The great thing about being Infantry is they give you alot of neat new shinny toys to break. So I walk out of CIF with one duffle bag, 1 ruck sack, and a 3 day assult bag , all filled to the brim with smaller items, my IBA, and Sleep system. I look around at the other people and they have everything in a small ruck sack or single duffle bag. so we get back secure our gear and head down to the smoking area for one last formation….its 3:45. we form up and our Platoon Sgt. says “ok I need to give everyone there duty breif for the weekend. I need all of my 11B’s(Infantry) and MPs to fall out over here.” “OK you are released Im not giving you duty.” Our PS didnt like to give MPs or Infantry detail because in his words “MPs give me tickets and Infantry will kick my a$$” so we left before he changed his mind. Day 3, no PT, Sgt.’s training day, Formation BDU’s 6:10. Safty Breifing for 4 day weekend, more breifings, day is done at 2:45 this time. I get my stuff ready for the weekend and pull out my uniforms to get my unit patches sewn on. Jen picked me up we went to clothinig and sales I handed the alteration lady my uniforms and my form from CIF and she says “Do you have your patches” my reply is “They told me at CIF that you had them for us” she says “No you have to buy them” sigh theres 12 dollers down the drain. no $12 dosnt seam like all that much, but when you make $2.42 per hour, its alot. so I get my patches go pack to Alterations and she says “OK you can pick them up on Wed.” I need at least one for teusday. so with a hudge sigh and acting like I am inconveinancing HER she tells me to wait for a few min. tosses one of my tops to some lady in the back who sews the patch on and tosses it back. Kyle 1 DA Civillians 0. All in all week 1 is pretty laid back and boring. My unit sponser and I talked a bit. Im going to 1/25th ID. we are PCSing to Germany next summer. Its an awesome unit. very high speed, and we get to play with Strykers (a Lightly armoured assult Vehicle). Next week I will finishing prossesing and go over to be with my unit. It shall be interesting to see how things work out.
-Kyle
November 20, 2005
Welcome to week 2 of my great 5 year adventure known as the Army. Seeing as how LAST weekend was a 4 day weekend I didnt start work untell Teusday. Teusday morning started out just as any other morning, get up at 5:15 to get myself ready for PT, go to PT, but wait, there is now somthing different. the ground is white…no, not snow just frozen grass. PT at 27 degrees. Im thinking o great this will suck. After a leangthy breifing by our 1Sgt. our Platoon Sgt. tells us that were going to go to the gym for PT (SCORE!). so after 45 min at the gym, 3 of us decide we’ve done enough PT and take a jog back to the barrecks to shower and get some breakfast. This is really the last day we have of in prossesing and is also the longest day. Dental breif untell lunch, medical breifing untell 1600 (4 PM) then personell file review to make sure I didnt screw anything up, and no Dan and Jen I did not screw anything up. 1730 and Im done, I go relax with some friends who decide we should order a pizza. We call and place our order at 1930 (7:30 PM) and at 2100 ours along with 2 other peoples pizza have not arrived, one of them calls and yells and gets no where, he finnally informs the person that there are several people in this room who are trined to kill and get very cranky when they are hungary, 15 min later the pizza shows up. Needless to say no tip was given. the next morning we repeat the prosses for PT. only this time its not as cold (37 degrees). we decide to go on a 2 mile run as a platoon. nice pace just enough to get the heart rate up and build up a bit of a sweat. then our platoon sgt tells us to meet at 0930. the time comes, we meet, we turn in our packets and at 1015 we are done for the day. Baisacly I spend the rest of the day putting my MOLLE gear together (The stuff is so simple it is hard) and head over to the PX to kill the rest of the day. Thursday rolls around and The day has come for me to ship to my unit. We turn in our linnen and clean out our rooms, an experiance I would rather forget seeing as how we had to clean out the ceiling wich hadnt been done in several years. Finally we bored the bus and head out. Once we hit 1/25th Head quarters I hope out with all mine stuffe (alot of it mind you) and sign in yadda yadda. Im told I will be going to the 1/5th Inf regt. and I head over that way. I am greated and told I will be going to C co. 1 Platoon, this is happening alot (basic training unit was C co. 1st Platoon). I meet my team leader he gets me squared away in my room and starts the lectures. These guys just got back about 5 weeks ago from Iraq. I am told that they are all tight with eachother and I am nothing more then the FNG and Cherry and that I need to know my place.I am then regaled with the history of this past year. durring the 365 days that 1/5th was there they ran 2600 combat missions. I am told that these men know who they can and cant trust and that as of now, I cant be trusted. I am told not to take offence by it and that I will have my chance to proove myself once the unit gets back from block leave and we start training again. I find out that my Room mate is leaving the army and spends his nights elseware so I have a room to myself. I am overjoyed by this fact since this means that I will get to arrange the room to my likings. Once this is over it is time for Final formation. we form up and as our platoon Sgt. calls us to attention my Team leaer tells me to raise my hand. this is how the next 10 mins goes. PS-”You think that when I call you to attention you an raise your hand? Why did you raise your hand?” me-”I was told to, Sgt.” PS-”Yea well why dont you just fall out and start pushing” me-”Roger, Sgt.” I push for about 3 min (hit 62 pushups, start to slow down) and am told to rool over and start doing flutter kicks. I do flutter kicks for the next 6 min. I am then told I can get up and I am done for the day. So I go for a walk, 30 mins. later I decide I have gone far enough and start to head back, but wait, wheres back? I decide to use my awesome scout learned orientering skills, I close my eyes spin in a circle and start walking in that direction. Luckily it was the right way. I go to sleep and get up the next morning for PT. PT is conducted in squads and my squad wants to play basketball. The teams are 3 Spc, and 1 PFC (me), vs. 2 Sgt.’s and a SSG. A wager is made that the losers buy the winners breakfast, we lost. I sucked, but I learn my first lesson. If you try, you are going to be respected for it. If you fail they will tell you, and you will be corrected, but respected for trying non the less. The rest of the day is spent filling out forms and sitting in my room listening to music surfing the internet. We have nothing to do untell January, so that is what our days look like. My team leader finds out I have family in the area and tells me to get off base, and that he dosnt want me here this weekend, I oblige. It is know Sunday night, I am BACK at the barracks getting ready to do it all over again on monday. Im starting to think that this life isnt so bad. Well I must be going know. If you have made it this far into the e-mail I am sorry, I know its is boring but hey I was told to keep everyon posted, see what you did to yourselfs? Now Happy Thanks Giving, Feel free to call me anytime you would like (818)434-2487 and Now I must really be going.
the one and Only,
PFC. Kyle Ranous
P.S. Comments were made last time about my spelling, but well We all know I cant spell and well I dont really like spell check cause it changes the words I write correctly so Im sorry your going to have to eal with it tell I learn to spell
October 9, 2006
Hello all,
Finnaly I have somthing to write about. I hope everyone is doing well. Nothing new has been going on since the wedding, pretty much just work. we had a 4 day weekend this weekend and my room mate Patty and I decided we would go visit his mom in Ramstein. Now this is his mom, Like i would call Mrs. Corrigan, Mrs. Smirke, or Mrs Friedenberger mom. So we make the 5 hour drive to Ramstein AFB and discover they went on vacation….guess we should have called first. not to let our weekend be ruined we decided to get a room on post and figure out somthing to do in the morning. After going to check in and being informed that there are no rooms available at our pay grade we informed the nice girl working the counter that we had to drop someone off at The hospital, and didnt feel we were up for the drive back just to turn around and come back in the morning, so they gave us the only 2 rooms available…set aside for guests of the rank of Col. or above. (I recognise that someone might feel the need to raise an integrity check, keep in mind that im in the Army, and it is my job to fool and get everything I can from the Air Force) after a night in huge suits at only $43 a room we decide to head to Bitche, France. Im guessing you can see our attraction to the location. There is also a French fortress there, and was the only French Strong hold to not get taken by the Prussians in 1871. Though they still lost the war and were given allowed to leave so the Prussians could have the City. After spending some in France we decided to head to the an American Hotel in the Alps…by way of Austria of course…..Austria at 8 at night isnt very exciting….lots of mountains and winding roads. we got to the Hotel, A very nice hotel. Large, lots of rooms, woodsy, and a great resturant. The next day we decided to go to an old salt mine and take a tour….Interesting. Id suggest it for those with kids or who have a great interest in salt….you take a cart train 600m bellow service thn ride wodden slides down further and look at….well salt rock. All in all the weekend consisted of alot of driving and alot of seeing the European Country side. Nice relaxing weekend, different from the norm wich is always nice. Well I need to get back to work, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying them selfs.
Kyle
March 13, 2006
Hello all,
I know its been awhile since my last update, and were getting ready to go on a field problem tomorrow for a few days so I figured now is as good a time as any. So here is the run down. 2 weeks ago we had a class A uniform inspection…now this is a little bit different then the one’s we had in scouts. we stand at parade rest for about an hour (which is extremely uncomfortable) then either the CO or 1SG. comes and looks us over and asks us questions about out weapon system…which at the time was the M249. well apparently my uniform looked good and I answered my questions right, cause I was pulled out of the formation with 3 others and we got praised and were given the next Monday off. well the Tuesday after that I had CQ and was reading a book titles “Study for the Board” and the 1SG. saw and decided I was going to the Soldier of the Month Board…this Month. Then on Weds. while I was on Comp time, something horrendous happened…they took my SAW away and made me Platoon RTO. Radio Telephone Operator. Basically I carry the Radio and talk to people to tell them what is going on. That’s in the Field. While in garrison, I sweep out the CP, make photo copy’s, perform maintenance on radios and basically be the “House Mouse” to the PSG. Ive done more paper work in the past week of my new job, then I have in my entire military carrier…all 9 months of it. So basically, I know nothing about my new job and tomorrow will be baptism by fire. For now, I must finish packing and get to sleep, early morning. More updates to fallow. I will try to not slack on them
-Kyle
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