Well, I have been at CRC (Conus Replacement Center) for about 5 days and it has been interesting. Well, not that interesting. This is a short week long processing course where the Army double checks to make sure that everyone is ready to deploy. Ready medically (shots, dental exams, etc.), equipment (they issue an amazing amount of equipment, and it is actually less than they used to), and weapons. Tomorrow we will go and qualify with our 9mm pistols.

We were issues our body armor yesterday. This vest weighs a fair amount but is the one thing that I don't want to go into theatre without. Today we had a IED (Improvised Explosive Device) training session. They aren't trying to make us into IED experts but to give us some familiarization with them.

Interestingly enough, there are actually more civilian contractor here than military personnel. They vary from highly specialized technicians and consultants to shop clerks. Overall, it has been a pretty positive experience here. There is only so much that one can do to make, "Hurry up and wait" tolerable. They have been doing it for quite some time here so it functions as a reasonably oiled machine.

I have been busy enough that I haven't been able to think about home too much. It still doesn't seem real and I feel as if I will be going back home in the next day or two. I think it will hit me like the summer heat in Kuwait when I step off the plane into 100 degree weather at 3 in the morning. We had a great time with Mom and Dad before flying out. It is nice to know that I have so much support here at home.