[cougarnurse]

FYI.....Mag was due back in the states about now. Hopefully, after things settle down, he'll be back to post a bit before heading back.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by jane123

Hello Cpt Barrett,
My name is Janella and I hope this email find you well in good spirit. I, myself was in the army for over eight years. I was supply but now I am a registered nurse one class away from my BSN. Of course, I plan on coming back in. I just wanted to know what are the conditions like in Iraq for a nurse. Living, working and anything else you can tell me.

I'll be more than happy to give you the straight scoop... as I have experienced. However, I'm on R&R right now for 18 days in Texas. My wife & I are doing a lot of running around in the Austin area. Last week our youngest son graduated college, comissioned 2LT [Army ROTC], and got married. It was all awesome. All this feels so surreal. I'm dreading going back but wife & I are trying not to think about it so we can enjoy each each moment together.

Anyway, look for my reply in the middle of next month. Thanks for your patience.

BTW, Merrry Christmas to all!

[jane123]

Congrats on your son's graduation, commisioned and marriage! I know you are so happy and proud of him. Best wishes to your family and a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I look forward to hearing from you.

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

I'll be more than happy to give you the straight scoop... as I have experienced. However, I'm on R&R right now for 18 days in Texas. My wife & I are doing a lot of running around in the Austin area. Last week our youngest son graduated college, comissioned 2LT [Army ROTC], and got married. It was all awesome. All this feels so surreal. I'm dreading going back but wife & I are trying not to think about it so we can enjoy each each moment together.

Anyway, look for my reply in the middle of next month. Thanks for your patience.

BTW, Merrry Christmas to all!

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by jane123

Congrats on your son's graduation, commisioned and marriage! I know you are so happy and proud of him. Best wishes to your family and a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I look forward to hearing from you.

I sent you a PM today.

[MagRedC5]

I had a great 18 days R&R! I now have a daughter-in-law. OMG, they are already talking about having kids. Geeez, I told them to wait about three years so I'd at least be 50 years old, LOL.

It was absolutely wonderful being with my wife, again. It was very sad when we had to go our seperate ways. At least the deployment is more than half way over with about 5.5 months left.

IMHO, if the Army wants to improve on nurse retention they better do away with 15 month deployments, ASAP. I know a lot of good officer nurses ending their military careers when we finish this deployment.

[syudent1010@aol.com]

I am glad to hear all is well with you. Congrats on your son's commissioning & marriage. I myself am waiting to take boards and then hopefully go to OBC in March. I hope to go to Germany or Lewis for my first duty station, Any pointers on Lewis? I also would like to get the realistic view on life in the ANC, especially the sandbox. I currently work with a ER doc that is a retired army colonel, he has shown many pics of hospital life over there and told many stories. Any info would be much appreciated, Thank You! I hope you are adjusting okay to life back in the sandbox and I hope you and your family had a good holiday season.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by syudent1010@aol.com

I am glad to hear all is well with you. Congrats on your son's commissioning & marriage. I myself am waiting to take boards and then hopefully go to OBC in March. I hope to go to Germany or Lewis for my first duty station, Any pointers on Lewis? I also would like to get the realistic view on life in the ANC, especially the sandbox. I currently work with a ER doc that is a retired army colonel, he has shown many pics of hospital life over there and told many stories. Any info would be much appreciated, Thank You! I hope you are adjusting okay to life back in the sandbox and I hope you and your family had a good holiday season.

OBLC in March is a good time regards to weather in San Antonio, TX. I was squad leader at OBC [name has been changed since my time] and really enjoyed myself. Of course, once you have been to USMC Boot Camp [1980] everything else regards to training is cake. Will you be in the Reserve Component, or Regular Army? BTW, I've done both.

When not PROFIS to the 31st CSH out of FT Bliss, TX I'm PCS at Madigan Army Medical Center [MAMC], FT Lewis, WA. In fact, looking forward to going back to MAMC this June

Ask me some specific questions regards to MAMC. I work on ICU-E & my wife is civilian nurse [GS-10] on 2S, telemetry, at MAMC. I love being active duty nurse Soldier... at MAMC. However, my current deployment is tooooo long [15 months] and not to happy with the mission [health care for over 25,000 detainees]. At first, we lived in an 80-person tent [meant for 60] for three months. We slept in bunk beds and mice could be heard running around. Now, since being in two-person Pods [similar to little metal buildings you see at constructions sites] the sleeping quarters are much better. The chow is awful. I could be more specific but I'd rather you send me specific questions. I will say we have IEDs outside our perimeter & do get mortars from time to time. In fact, on June 9th we had a Mascal. Look up wikipedia.com, then search Camp Bucca.

I do feel recharged after my 18 days R&R and it helps to know we have less than five months left.

[cgrunrun]

Just throwing a little extra love at all you guys and gals over there in the box!!
Went to the National Cemetary in Chattanooga the other day- my stepdad was buried there in Sept. Definitely felt the mist in my eyes but also a tremendous surge of pride and respect for all those who serve.

[AmandaWIRN]

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

I had a great 18 days R&R! I now have a daughter-in-law. OMG, they are already talking about having kids. Geeez, I told them to wait about three years so I'd at least be 50 years old, LOL.

So we might have to start calling you Grandpa pretty soon! hehe

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by AmandaWIRN

So we might have to start calling you Grandpa pretty soon! hehe

LOL, I'll be one of the youngest & fittest grandpas on the planet.