The obligatory post apologizing for not posting. I've been traveling around the province, trying to take a couple classes. My internet is spotty - especially for Blogging. I will keep adding more words on the left hand side. My new favorite - "predecisional."
Sorry I have not been able to call or email much. When I return from Warhorse, and move into my permanent home, I'll have much better connectivity.
I have arrived at my more or less permanent FOB, FOB Caldwell, my home for the next 8 months. Though I had any number of concerns about the quality of this place prior to coming here, I have to say, it's not bad at all.
I have a very large office/supply room, well designed and well furnished. It, like the rest of the Squadron headquarters, is a real, hard-stand building, with indoor plumbing. We have a small dining facility with a good variety of tasty food. I'll live within 100 meters of a gym with more than enough room and equipment. I will soon have my own room, with internet, sparsely furnished, which Alsmasi likens to my Freshman dorm room. Combine all of this with the fact that this place is small (less than 2 sq km) that it takes five minutes to get from any one place to any other, and I can certainly say that I have lived in worse places.
There will be much more to follow as I get more and more access to the tubes. I am alive and relatively well. Anyone who wishes to send anything to me can find me at
CPT David Von Bargen 1-14 Cavalry, 3-2 SBCT FOB Caldwell, Iraq APO AE 09324
That said, I'm, sitting fairly well right now, so feel no obligation.
Cidy has turned me on to and helped me establish a Google Voice account. I have a web-based voicemail account that anyone can call to leave me a message. The great thing is that it then emails me the voicemail and a transcript. The number is below, and if you click on the widget below, it will connect you to the voicemail for free.
