Don't take this lightly!

Tigris River in downtown Baghdad!
Mosque compound in DT Baghdad!



As our good man SSG Brennan used to say on the
PDHA team from NC! "It's another great day in paradise!" Oh, well, he also used to say "I'm possessed!" To which he was a wicken in religious terms! A wicken, if you don't know, is a witch in religion terms! Well, that freaked me out a little at first, but as he told me more about it, and as I gave him crap, you know, I understood it, and had no real interest in it, but he was faithful to it, and it didn't seem to be about witchcraft, just a different form of faith! He ended up being the most sane one here in the end before the NC people left! His favorite show was, of course, Charmed!!! For real, it was!

OK, so today, I want to give a little wisdom, advice, preparation, or whatever they want to take it as to a lot of soldiers that are going to be preparing for the upcoming rotation of deployment for the MN Army NG to here, or WHEREVER they go!
I KNOW what it is like to have all the RUMORS swirling around your units, and everyone wants the inside scoop and to be aware of what is happening first! Well, first of all I was one of those people, but I will tell you what! Nothing now, or EVER in this deployment, is what we had heard before we left MN! Meaning that when poeple in your unit say they don't know what is going on they probably don't! So don't start things! Because, I will say one thing, you are IN the Army's plans, they are not deploying you, training you, and sending you to MS and then deciding what they are going to do with you! It is planned! BUT, either way, you need not concern yourselves with where you are going in the end! You will be going through intense training 1st! The biggst thing is to LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN FROM THAT TRAINING! Because now, more than ever is the difference between LIFE OR DEATH! I realize that a lot of people have Bosnia, or Kosovo experience, but how many poeple did you know die or get wounded during that deployment? This is REAL shit, and I will GUARANTEE that the NG units that have come over here, from tight knit communities will NEVER be the same that they have lost numerous members to their towns! Do a Google search about Ohio! Ask Michelle in Iraq right now, who is in the Reserves and has been wounded, and her Battle Buddy killed in her arms! I call her a hero, and way more brave than even I, but she tells me she doesn't see herself as a hero, she is doing her job! Michelle, can you back me up on this?
So anyways, I will tell you that you should take this time you have where you know that you will be deploying soon, and get things in order! Your jobs, your spouses jobs, your daycare, your wills your Power of Attorneys(HUGE, do not overlook that!), your finances, your bills!(Set them up automatically, don't leave your spouses with that). Make sure they have a support system within your family, neighborhoods, UNITS, FSG(Huge). Prepare for REALITY! Don't think you will not feel the effects of war! Make sure you are mentally prepared to go. Take care of your families before you go, THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU WHEN YOU ARE GONE!
The hardest part of beign deployed is having NO CONTROL of things at home, and things you controlled before, and that sucks, but you have to get used to it! DO NOT BE MACHO as a front! I don't care what your job is, YOU SHOULD BE SCARED SHITLESS! That is not to scare anyone or anyones family members, but if you think this is going to be an easy deployment, THINK AGAIN! Don't start rumors, listen to rumors, or follow advice from rumors! You will be WRONG! Make sure your families face reality in advance of your departure, and you pay attention to their needs BEFORE leave! You will ave plenty of time when you are gone to worry about yourself. Believe me the first couple months will be hardest for THEM, not you, so get them taken care of! The stress of danger, and the desert will give YOU enough to worry about the first couple months! Also, make sure you find a way to communicate on a regular basis, whether in the states it's cell phones, or in Iraq!(Buying cell phones, DSN #'s, SPAWAR).
My whole point to this is to say don't be casual about reality before you leave, cherish the time you spend with your family before you leave, and you will feel better when you are gone!
People that have been to Bosnia, or Kosovo know the family stuff, but I don't think are prepared for the actual job they are about to embark on!
Make sure you are in shape mentally and physically, for the weather, there will be no reason to have heat injuries if you are prepared. Some Active Duty think NG are typical stereotypes, but when I pass them on the runs, and have better points in meetings, and have to constantly correct them, they shut up fast! Make yourselves the best individual and team before you go!
I tell all of this mainly for the people I know going with that rotation, but everyone can learn something from people that are here now! If anyone else over here can add to this, please do!
Minnesota will be represented well, and lets make sure they are prepared!

Thats all for today, boring(but important) stuff, and I think the Star Tribune article might be in todays paper, it is about weather I think! He said things can change last minute, so we'll see!
Also, the article in the South Washington County Bulletin should be out now!
Check and see if they are there!
Everyone that is deploying, you have my commitment when I get back to do what I can for you when your gone! So many people have done SO much for us! I will return the favor!

Later,
Erik,