This week started off with a brief to MG MacDonald. ( BTW the way to remember the stars on the Generals is “Be My Little General” which helps you remember that Brigadier General is a one-star, Major General is a two star, Lt General is a three star and a four star is just General). I think I mentioned this in a previous blog, but we had for a while a chain of Generals whose last names all began with M. McMahon, a one star, MacDonald, a two star and McCrystal a four star - it was easy to code them as M1, M2 and M4. My briefs to M1 were described in a previous blog, this was M2. He was coming down for a briefing on KAF projects and build out plan. I was told to dust off the KAF Build Out plan that I have been adjusting and briefing for a few weeks now and to add some additions due to some land acquisition that we just got approved. When you brief a two- star there is more preparation involved. I made the changes, met with my “boss” Commodore Schmader to review it and tweak it for about an hour. I met with COL Johnson, which is who told me to prepare the brief, as well. All the prep is to make sure that the “face” time you have is used most effectively to communicate your message – in this case we had an hour. It paid off and we were able communicate the challenges and also able to have some decisions made that give us a direction to go. As most briefs at this level, the direction given means some more work to iron out the details and make it happen. All in all, a good opportunity and experience. Below is a picture of MG MacDonald being briefed at Mustang Ramp. I was along primarily as a spectator but also in case the O-6’s who I work with had any questions that I may be able to answer. We travelled back to a conference room for my brief.
I have been feeling better. My ear is still bothering me after 10 weeks. I was told then that I had swimmers ear and that is would go away with a decongestant – no totally gone yet. I have been working out 4-5 mornings a week. I alternate lifting one day and running the next. My lifting is progressing slowly – I think I’m too old to make the progress I used to make when I was younger. I am up to about 4 miles (6.5K on the NATO treadmills) three times a week. I have been doing ok, hopefully I stay healthy and can keep bumping up the miles there. By the scale, I have lost about 3 pounds total – but I’m getting a little stronger too. The food here is still a little suspect, but for a war zone it is acceptable. I did go out to the DFAC in a tent called Harvest Falcon this week for lunch one day – we don’t go often because you have to drive and the lines are long because the food is better – and had a chicken salad sandwich on a roll with tomato and onion, a cup of new england clam chowder and chips…I actually said, that is the first meal that replicates something I would have had for lunch at home. The meals are usually not that great so I supplement with an item that is available every meal – french fries ( my daughter Madi would be jealous ). That may explain the lack of weight loss
Otherwise, things are moving along – unfortunately, by this stage of the game, 16 weeks is not quite 4 months. I will have to wait a week for that. It will be a nice marker though – it will also put me under 10 weeks (single digits) if all goes to plan and no delays which are always a possibility.
I hope this finds you well. Thanks for following along and for your e-mails. Until next time….
