It's all about participation

Good Morning from sunny Kuwait,


Below is an update from the last few days in Kuwait.

03MAR12


We saw Minnesota Soldiers today! WOO HOO! It was so great to see them. They came to the workshops with their MyMilitary GPS LifePlan goals completed. In addition, they brought their resumes and cover letters. It is so energizing to have our Soldiers ready to participate and engage in the workshops.


Today feels like a very windy spring day in Moorhead. But add a lot of dust and sand. I actually felt the sand in my teeth and mouth after only walking from our workshop tents to the USO tent (about 100 yards).


I was advised to not wear contacts because of the extreme dust and sand. I'm wearing my glasses. Unfortunately, having to wear my glasses means I'm unable to wear sun glasses. The sun is so intense that being outside for even one minute takes a considerable toll on my eyes. It takes my eyes a few minutes to adjust when walking indoors again.


04MAR12


Today we saw SO many energized and appreciative Minnesota Soldiers. We received thank-yous and appreciation from the Soldiers that we came to Kuwait to work with them prior to their arrival back in Minnesota. We heard a lot of Soldiers say that they received more out of the workshops than they anticipated.


I have finally been able to get a somewhat sense of direction. For those that know me, I don't do north, south, east or west. I only know left or right. Let me try to explain why it has been so difficult. Tony and I start our first presentation in Tent 19-7 which is the second tent in the row, but the ERT calls it Tent 1. Then we move to Tent 2, which is the third in the row, but numbered Tent 19-6. Can you know see why we are confused and lost?

Today, I was able to see a great friend that is deployed with the 1-194 CAB (The 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor) out of Brainerd, MAJ Suarez. It was so great to see him.

As of last night, we trained a total of 663 Soldiers.

05MAR12

Every day we awake to Reveille being played at 0600. Today, we also awoke to the sounds of field artillery. It sounds like thunder or fire works that are miles away. This sound has been occurring since before 0600 this morning. It puts things into perspective of what has occurred in this area of the world for the last 9 years.

I was also able to receive a tour of Camp Buehring today. We drove around the perimeter and saw Apache and Blackhawk helicopters. Also at Camp Buehring are Patriot Missiles from the Gulf War in 1991. As we continued our tour, I saw a lot of equipment that was pulled out of Iraq at the end of the war. It was interesting to hear the stories of the equipment that was first used in Iraq and how it evolved because of the sophistication of IEDs (improvised explosive device) as the war progressed. HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) were not even allowed in Iraq in the last few years because new equipment was introduced that had more protection and armor.

It is great to see how many Soldiers plan to continue their education. When we ask how many plan to continue or start college, about 80% of the hands are raised. Minnesota Soldiers understand the importance of continuing their education and receiving degrees.

Below are some pictures from the past few days.

Until next time,
Gina

 The MnSCU banner hanging in Tent 2.

 A water station. These stations are all around Camp Buehring and filled with bottles of water.

 The ERT (Employment Resource Team) ready to work early on Sunday morning.

 My team members attempt to help with my Diet Coke request.
It was Coke but they wrote "DIET" on the cans.

Minnesota Soldiers ready and prepared for the workshop.

 

MAJ Ed Suarez and me.

 

The USO where I make phone calls and use the internet.