Commandant's visit

I recently had an opportunity to have dinner with General Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in Baghdad. I had a great time and really enjoyed the fellowship of talking with the two top Marines.

An old photo

A co-worker of mine just found this photo hiding in his section's website, it's me with a former Miss America reading letters sent from school children back in the states to service members over here, I still have the letter.

The Avengers

The therapy group which I lovingly refer to as the Avengers. From left to right, me, Jimmy, Gunny Escobar, 1stLt Justin Bramblett, and Master Sergeant Carlson. We all work together on the JOC floor at night and meet twice each shift to pontificate about matters that concern us. We're mostly disruptive, we make fun of each other, the other services, and work out our frustrations relating to our jobs. Avengers Assemble!

Random boredom

If life gives you lemons, then do a handstand in the Palace foyuer just for kicks!

Promotion for a buddy

I got an awesome opportunity on the 25th of May, to pin on a fellow Lieutenant. 1stLt James Munn seen here is being given the officer's oath.

Here's Gunnery Seargent Escobar reading the promotion warrant.

And here I am changing out those green 2ndLt bars for a pair of chic black 1stLt ones, we all wear subdued rank aboard the base. Left shoulder,

Right shoulder.

These other service members also were taken on stage to sing their service's songs.
These were taken during a USO concernt featuring a country cover band named Country TonightThis was shortly before the singing, me flanked by two former Miss Americas.

15K 1:08:43

It decided to rain in Baghdad for the two hours prior to the race, but once it began not a drop fell. That didn't stop the roads from washing out with mud though and this is the aftermath. You can check out all the detail on the run at -