Days in waiting ...

The latest news includes some less than exciting information. Again, everything is subject to change and undoubtedly will change before it becomes actuality. As it turns out, most of Kyle's squad is shipping out to their FOB this week. Kyle, however, will be staying back for a couple more weeks to accompany his partner - Josh. In a moment of administrative amnesia, Josh's name was left off the list of soldiers to ship out this week. Therefore, since Josh and Kyle travel as a team, they will BOTH remain in Kuwait a little longer. From a parents perspective, this is just fine. From a soldiers perspective, this is not great. Our soldier was excited, however, about the news that he and Josh would likely travel to their FOB by C-130 (cargo plane) rather than lumbering across the desert in a mechanized convoy.



Of a more unhappy nature (from parents viewpoint) is the news that the MRAP (Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected) vehicles Kyle and his team will be patrolling in are not equipped with the CROWS (Camera Remote Operated Weapons System). If you are interested in knowing what these acronyms mean, you can find them demonstrated on Youtube. In a nutshell, that simply means that the gunner on the top of the vehicle is actually a human being, not a piece of robotically operated equipment. Kyle further informed us that the most junior members of the squad (Josh and Kyle) will be performing the functions of driver and gunner. Therefore, Kyle and Josh will split time in the 50 caliber gun touret atop the MRAP vehicle. Can you say, "sitting duck?" For those readers who have an active prayer life, this is a clear point of prayer support.



Yesterday was a good day for Kyle. Any time he gets to shoot is a good day. He and the rest of his squad got up at 0230 hrs. (the most comfortable time in a desert) to "zero" their weapons. This means that you shoot your weapon to see that it is properly sighted in. He was able to perform this in relatively short order. Then he and other Infantrymen went back to their vehicle to nap while the POG's (a derogatory term for all military "Professions Other than Grunt", i.e. non-Infantry) tried to find the target. For PFC Infantrymen, the great equalizer is the firing line. It is on that line that you demonstrate your worth as a warrior.

Kyle added one bit of information that was even more sobering than the above. As he and some friends were in the D-Fac (Dining Facility), they noticed a commotion in the courtyard outside. As they listened, they discovered that a Lt. Col. (not Kyle's) had dropped dead of an apparent heart attack. What a powerful reminder that life is a momentary and precious gift. We want to live it well, and might I add, to the glory of God. More to come ...