The Waiting

I think Tom Petty's "The Waiting" is appropriate now. I returned back to Fort Bragg, NC after some brief leave in Maine with Audrey. Since I've gotten back we had a graduation ceremony and now we're waiting for our flight out of here to Afghanistan. Last I heard it was pushed a day or two to the right. I'm sorry if I throw out acronyms (it's a military way of life), but I'll try to refrain from using them. If I do use them, I'll be sure to explain them.

IA stands for Individual Augmentee. Essentially all of the training I've done to fly has gone on the back burner and I'm being sent to Afghanistan to help the cause in reconstructing it. Mom, my engineering degree has finally come to use as I'll be serving as the engineer on a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Granted, my engineering experience is limited to a degree and no practical experience, but from what I understand their building methods are fairly archaic. I understand I'll be granting contracts on construction projects, traveling in convoys to evaluate the work, and paying the contractors for the work so that they can distribute it to their laborers.

The Province I'll be living in for the next 9 months is Ghazni (feel free to Google it). I hear it will be cold when I arrive. Apparently they receive 22 feet of snowfall and temps reach -22F. I can't imagine much construction will be taking place then. Much to learn still during my turnover with the engineer who is currently there.

Drew