• Home
  • Product
  • Testimonials
  • About
  • Contact
  • STAC Login
    • Search Profiles
STAC Card
  • Home
  • Product
  • Testimonials
  • About
  • Contact
  • STAC Login
    • Search Profiles

Deployment Blog Part III

3/19/2019

1 Comment

 
I have officially crossed the midway point in the deployment. It is crazy how humans have the ability to cope with their surroundings, and within a short time, find it ordinary and to make a routine that almost seems normal. I know that I have gotten to this point. Home seems almost foreign, it will almost be a culture shock when I do eventually go home.
Picture

Picture
Back at home in Ohio, the temperature has been below 40 degrees most of winter and has seen lots of rain and snow. I haven’t seen a serious rainstorm since November (although when it did rain, we received the average yearly rainfall of Kuwait in just 8 hours, the base was flooded. But that was a one in a hundred-year rain storm).  

It does rain, but it mainly sprinkles. And it doesn't rain for very long either.

Picture
Snow storms have been replaced by sandstorms, of which we have had 3, but none major. To me, 50-degree weather is freezing. I’ll even wear hoodies and pants when it’s in the upper 50s. I have been lucky enough to have started being here in the winter, the temperature is relatively warm (70s) and sunny during the day and cool at night (40-50s). 

Sand storms are rather annoying. Unlike snowstorms you have to actually worry about the sand getting in your eyes. You also have to cover your face so no sand gets in your mouth. I'd take a snowstorm over a sandstorm any day.  

Another difference is the living situation. I lived in a nice house with just my wife and daughter, I also have the luxury of a master bathroom back at home. I now live in a barracks with 35 other males. It is an open barracks, but we have “rooms” separated by the wall lockers, our “doors” are curtains. Most people have tvs, or game system to stay busy at the end of the night. The barrack surprisingly stays relatively quiet and lights are out by 2200 during the week.
Picture
Picture
Picture
My barracks does not have running water or internal plumbing. Instead there are bathroom trailers on both side of the barracks complex, of which my complex alone has 45 barracks buildings. The bathroom trailers are alright, just never expect to have a consistently warm shower, just expect a cold shower and savor when you get a warm shower. 
Picture
Picture
Another interesting thing, is that some of the portlets have running water. There portlets with the running water are spray painted “western style,” and they have a real toilet and urinal. If you are wondering, yes, they do have an “eastern style” portlet, it literally is a portlet with a hole instead of a toilet.

Speaking of water, there is no “potable” running water in my zone. All water that is drinkable is bottled water. I drink anywhere from 6-8 bottles of water a day. Water stations are set up around my zone for soldiers to grab water. It will be odd paying for bottled water when I get home, as it is free and readily available.
I still get the chance to Facetime my wife (Julie) and daughter (Jane) 2-3 times a week. Pictures and videos are also my lifeline, of which I now have over 800 of Jane. Being away from my wife and daughter has still been the hardest part about this deployment, the best parts of my day are getting those pictures and videos. And the highlight of my week is getting to facetime them. I know I’ll never take family for granted. I’m blessed to have a great family that messages me regularly and sends me numerous care packages (I have been called the "Care Package King"). It’s crazy how going away 7,000 miles can sometimes bring you closer to people. I know that I feel closer to my family. 
Picture
1 Comment
Amy Henry
3/28/2019 10:22:15 pm

Craig,

Nate and I just came across this blog post. It is so cool that we get a glimpse into your experiences overseas. We all miss you dearly and look forward to the time we are all together again. Nate wants to tell you he loves you so much and he can’t wait to play soccer with you. Sammy is getting so big, she is crawling and working on taking a few steps. I think she will be walking in no time.

Love, The Henry’s

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    STAC Admin

    Categories

    All
    Army
    Monday Motivation
    OSHA
    Safety Articles
    Safety Pictures
    Safety Stats
    Safety Videos
    STAC
    Training Series

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    April 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017

    RSS Feed

STAC Enterprises, LLC Copyright © 2017-2021
  • Home
  • Product
  • Testimonials
  • About
  • Contact
  • STAC Login
    • Search Profiles