Thank You President Obama.

Amazing how something with no vulgarity can be one of the most
insulting and powerful messages to Obama that I have seen to date!


OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT:

Dear Mr. Obama,
Thank you for not going to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
There is something very sacred about that place and about that day.
Those who bled and died for this country deserve to be honored and saluted by people who love their country and honor their sacrifice.
You don't belong there.

Oraig P. Jacobi
Col, USA (Ret)
McLean, Va

~The flag does not fly because of the wind that blows it.
The flag flies because each soldiers' last breath blows by it.~

Things We Hate About the Army. And Love.

I think boredom has gotten the best of me today.


Things We Hate About the Army.


1. Work harder, not smarter.
2. KP.
3. Egotistical Officers that think they are a better person because they make more money.
4. Head Count.
5. "Hey You" details.
6. Flu Shots. Mandatory Flu Shots.
7. FMs
8. TMs
9. AARs
10. Mass Punishment.
11. The Beret.
12. WWTABWA. (what would the army be without acronyms).
13. Sounding off.
14. Lack of privacy. You are NEVER alone.
15. The retired ones who work on a contract. They think they still outrank you. The minute you got out, I didn't have to listen to you anymore!
16. Drive on!
17. Drink Water!
18. 800 mg Ibuprofen
19. Discouragement of creativity and ingenuity.
20. Packing lists.
21. If it makes sense, its wrong!
22. Guard duty/Staff Duty/CQ
23. If they rank higher, they are right.
24. Parade Rest.


We Love This About the Army.


1. Free medical/dental
2. Free housing and utilities. 
3. College money.
4. 30 days of paid leave per year.
5. Guaranteed Paycheck.

Some Catch Up.

So, some things since I last wrote. 


Prince William and Kate married.
Osama bin Laden is dead.

Yup, thats pretty much everything lol.


As for me, the endoscopy was fine (ulcers were healed), biopsies were negative, and every other single test that I have had has been negative thus far. Tests like xrays, CT scans, a HIDA scan, and endoscopies are all normal. So, why am I always so sick? Ended up in the hospital friday night because I was puking my everlasting brains out and the CQNCOIC (charge of quarters non commissioned officer in charge) made me go. They admitted me, gave me fluids, watched me, did tests and let me go with a provisional diagnosis of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS - not quite like the store tho). They also are finally starting to catch on that it might not be the GI system directly. But, they also threatened me with a medical discharge...and I don't want that. I have never been to sick call or the hospital at my own free will. I am always made to go. Yet, they still question my ability to perform as a soldier. Hmmm, well follow ups this week. Hopefully, I will be able to convince them that I belong in the military and will have no problems...even if that takes a bit of lying. 

Stuck.

Just been here at Charlie Company. Same crap different day. 2 new platoons are here. And unfortunately, they decided to move three of the females into my room. They snore. It sucks. So lets see. I have an endoscopy with biopsies on tuesday. Hopefully they will find some answers as to why the medications are not helping the ulcers. Just been pullin CQ shifts out my ass, so boring is an understatement. I'm on a special workout from one the SSG's here. Well, technically, hes a SSG (P), and he likes to throw that out there. 
Other than that, not much has been going on. Can't wait to get outta here and PCS to Drum. Hooah, out.

I'm Having Separation Issues.

So, after I spent a couple days back at Charlie Co, our Sgts wanted the weekend off. Perfectly understandable. But, in order to make that happen, we would have to not be there. Their solution? They sent us to Echo Co. Dayuummm, they have some real dawgs here. Makes me appreciate how our 1SG took care of the females. Pulled a bunch of details today, including working in the armory. Its been Heat Cat IV here for the past few days, but being from TX has been to my advantage, because honestly, it's really not that hot. Unblousing all their uniforms is totally unnecessary and makes them look all jacked up. 
As for other stuff, went to the GI Specialist again today. Medication was switched to see if that was the cause of my ongoing symptoms. I have a gallbladder ultrasound on Friday and if that comes back ok, I go back in for another endoscopy and more biopsies. Fingers crossed. I love the military and I don't want these issues to keep me from achieving my ultimate goal. Drink water drive on. Hooah!

Playing Army Again

Got back to Fort Jackson yesterday around 1800. Didn't know people would be excited to see me, but I got a lot of hugs. Got my stuff unpacked, for the most part, but left some of it packed on account of moving companies once I get medically cleared. 
Our wake up was at 0330 today so that they could get ready for graduation. Went to put out flags at batallion and then chow. After chow, helped clean more and then off to the ceremony to be ushers. Basically, we did whatever was asked of us, including cleaning. After graduation was the hard part. I had to watch everyone leave. It was actually harder than what I thought it was going to be. It is what it is. We are stuck as med holds. Not horrible, but definitely boring. Basically, it feels like I'm stuck at home and grounded. Details whenever they need us. And just sitting around when they don't. 
My follow up with my doctor is tomorrow morning at 0945. I don't exactly know whats going to go down, whether or not I will be cleared. But we will see. 

It Just Doesn't Stop.

Just as I was getting over the bout with bronchitis, I woke up one morning and could not move my left ankle at all. The pain is actually what woke me up around 0600. The first thought that came to mind was, "I'm not supposed to go back to the company more broke than when I left." So, that's when the adventure started. This pain was worse than the actual surgery I had on the ankle back in October 2009. And, it wasn't the first time I had dealt with it. I called for my mom to go get my boot from the surgery. It was the only way I could see me walking. I called my old surgeon (who did both the knee and ankle surgery) and they told me to go see someone ASAP. Went back to that Urgent Care Place (Doctors Express). They took xrays, and told me that it looked like I had broken the graft site and the tendon had fallen out of the bone. Grrreattt. They thought it was the horrible sprain I had had back in basic training. They ordered an MRI. The only problem is that my TriCare, only has Direct Service at the moment, meaning I can only get treatment at MTFs (military treatment facilities). I went home with a prescription for Vicodin and rested the rest of the day. Then, nighttime. I was in so much pain I cried most of the night, not getting any more than 1 hour of sleep the whole night. Off to the hospital the next day at 0700. Except with the ER, they wont do MRIs for something so "simple." So, we eventually called Fort Hood. They said come on in, we will get it taken care of. Took the 30 minute drive there, sat a bit, got more xrays, and then went to see the doctor. He thought it was a rather simple case, after hearing about my previous reconstruction surgery. He came in after seeing the xrays and does the normal meet and greet. He goes, "You have arthritis." I went, "Huh?" as my mom goes, "What?". "You have arthritis," he repeated. Oh. Turns out I have severe arthritis resulting from the surgery. This episode of pain was just a flare-up. He gave me some Vicodin and some Prednisone. I wish he was my first doctor in this mess.
So, after a couple days of the Prednisone treatment and still taking a Vicodin when I need it, the arthritis is slowly going back into remission. He told me it would keep flaring up at random times for the rest of my life. But, at least next time, I'll know exactly what to do.
As for my military career, I don't know where this will take me. I guess I'll find out when I go back to Fort Jackson and talk to my doctor. I love the military. It's my life and I don't want it taken away from me.