well got told on Thursday, that Tuesday I leave for Camp Lejeune for some training, then sometime after that I will be going to Iraq for 6-7 months to train Iraqis. Gonna be hard leaving the wife and my 3 girls behind, especially with christmas right around the corner.
So wish me luck
Full Version: I can get to Iraq like this
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > U.S. Military Issues > U.S. Military Issues Archive
Sorry to hear you will be leaving before Christmas. I'm sure this will be difficult for you and your family. What type of training will you be doing? And you will be back home in about 7 months? That's good news! The best to you...be well, stay safe and keep in touch with us here when you are able to. 
QUOTE(noonanda @ Dec 3 2005, 06:48 AM)
well got told on Thursday, that Tuesday I leave for Camp Lejeune for some training, then sometime after that I will be going to Iraq for 6-7 months to train Iraqis. Gonna be hard leaving the wife and my 3 girls behind, especially with christmas right around the corner.
So wish me luck
So wish me luck
Best of luck to you! Come back safe.
Good luck and be safe!
I wish the best of luck to you bro. Make sure to come back safe.
Come home safe and not missing any parts. Leaving the family sucks.
The very best to you, noonanda.
noonanda - will you be allowed to post here when over there or do you know?
Your contribution to getting the Iraqis trained will be immensely appreciated. Stay safe, and have an early holiday filled with good memories to carry along.
lenal
:holly:
Your contribution to getting the Iraqis trained will be immensely appreciated. Stay safe, and have an early holiday filled with good memories to carry along.
lenal
:holly:
Be safe & please keep us posted when you get back!
God Bless...
Be Safe...
Come Home Soon.
Sad to hear, my (almost) namesake! Best of luck and prayers for you and your family.
There was a Lt. Col. from here that had your job just after the war 'ended'. Remember hearing about the 1000s of Iraqi recruits that deserted en masse? That was the unit he was working with. I can only hope things are not as FUBAR as they were when he was there, so you get home safe, soon and sound.
There was a Lt. Col. from here that had your job just after the war 'ended'. Remember hearing about the 1000s of Iraqi recruits that deserted en masse? That was the unit he was working with. I can only hope things are not as FUBAR as they were when he was there, so you get home safe, soon and sound.
Try and keep the dust out of your weapon,
keep your head down and listen to that
still small voice.
All my respect, all my prayers.
Stay in touch when you can.
Oh yeah, if there's anything the family
needs while you're in-county...PM me,
it would be an honor.
keep your head down and listen to that
still small voice.
All my respect, all my prayers.
Stay in touch when you can.
Oh yeah, if there's anything the family
needs while you're in-county...PM me,
it would be an honor.
I spent Christmas in Viet Nam in 1967. It ain't about trying to be a hero for your country or your (gag) president. Think about your family and get back here safe and sound. This country will use you as a soldier and abuse you as a veteran. Always remember that. Good luck, brother. God bless you.
Please let us know how you and your family are doing during
these hard times, Noonanda.
these hard times, Noonanda.
QUOTE(noonanda @ Dec 3 2005, 09:48 AM)
well got told on Thursday, that Tuesday I leave for Camp Lejeune for some training, then sometime after that I will be going to Iraq for 6-7 months to train Iraqis. Gonna be hard leaving the wife and my 3 girls behind, especially with christmas right around the corner.
So wish me luck
So wish me luck
Good Luck, SSGT noonanda!
With guys as sharp as you now training Iraqi's we should be out of there in no time.
If they allow you to do it, post some messages here to let us know how you are doing.
Dear Noonanda -
I hope you do check in before you go to see how much you are valued around here!
Bless you and stay safe!
-Pegatha
I hope you do check in before you go to see how much you are valued around here!
Bless you and stay safe!
-Pegatha
The Marines Hymn
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli' ,
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.
Semper Fidelis, ssgt noonanda
You have a good marine to follow in General Pace .
From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli' ,
We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.
Semper Fidelis, ssgt noonanda
You have a good marine to follow in General Pace
.
You and your family will be in my thoughts.
May you be safe and return to the arms of your loved ones soon.
May you be safe and return to the arms of your loved ones soon.
QUOTE
Prayer for Those in the Armed Services
O God of Mercy, we beg You now to protect in a special way those who are fighting for us and for the country we love. Bless them and take care of them. If they are tired, give them strength. If they are wounded and suffering, give them comfort. If they are lonely, touch them with Your gentle hand and let them know that You are near them. Grant them strength, wisdom and help through Your power and Your limitless love. Amen.
O God of Mercy, we beg You now to protect in a special way those who are fighting for us and for the country we love. Bless them and take care of them. If they are tired, give them strength. If they are wounded and suffering, give them comfort. If they are lonely, touch them with Your gentle hand and let them know that You are near them. Grant them strength, wisdom and help through Your power and Your limitless love. Amen.
I don't know you but I plan to pray for you and your family. Please be careful. You honor us tremendously. THANK YOU for your service. 
QUOTE(noonanda @ Dec 3 2005, 08:48 AM)
So wish me luck
Fair winds and following seas there shipmate! Be safe, stay well, keep yer head down, yer powder dry and the sand outa your MRE's, eh? Stay in touch if you can. 'Twould be nice to get more first hand reports from forum members like SFC White provides.
Take care man and get back soon.
We'll be thinking about you.
java script:emoticon(':grphug:')
We'll be thinking about you.
java script:emoticon(':grphug:')
SSGT NOONADA
Good luck bro; you Marine's got the hard end of the hammer out there. Kirkuk is in a different world from the Euphraites river valley. We get the occasional IED and SAF here but it's not so much different then East LA or North Philly.
Read <<skimmed>> through the Presidents latest plan. Seems that all is a go up here spare the political part.... getting the beaurocracy up and running without running it for them has been a thinking mans game, one alot of military types are not prepared for.
It's also still very difficult to squeeze money from Baghdad; and there is plenty of funds disappearing just like a river in the desert; it dries upto a trickle before it gets to you.
Visiting Orphanages, hospitals, clinics, schools and local businessmen while conducting presence patrols in the Kirkuk area. Working with the Iraq Army up this way too; they are doing a better job at integrating the army accross ethnic lines.... the Police are an entirely other matter.
The soldiers are handling the basics pretty well but they don't like to travel to far from home (home at night); and if they don't like the mission or odds it's too easy for them to walk away.
It seems firing someone for incompetence (or not showing up) is a cultural tabu and nepetism is rampent.
Anyway good luck I'll send ya a message with my email... if you're ever up in Al Tameen or Sal La Din province let me know and I'll do the same.
Peace
SFC Jeffrey White
B Co 451 CA BN // KIRKUK // APO AE 09359
Good luck bro; you Marine's got the hard end of the hammer out there. Kirkuk is in a different world from the Euphraites river valley. We get the occasional IED and SAF here but it's not so much different then East LA or North Philly.
Read <<skimmed>> through the Presidents latest plan. Seems that all is a go up here spare the political part.... getting the beaurocracy up and running without running it for them has been a thinking mans game, one alot of military types are not prepared for.
It's also still very difficult to squeeze money from Baghdad; and there is plenty of funds disappearing just like a river in the desert; it dries upto a trickle before it gets to you.
Visiting Orphanages, hospitals, clinics, schools and local businessmen while conducting presence patrols in the Kirkuk area. Working with the Iraq Army up this way too; they are doing a better job at integrating the army accross ethnic lines.... the Police are an entirely other matter.
The soldiers are handling the basics pretty well but they don't like to travel to far from home (home at night); and if they don't like the mission or odds it's too easy for them to walk away.
It seems firing someone for incompetence (or not showing up) is a cultural tabu and nepetism is rampent.
Anyway good luck I'll send ya a message with my email... if you're ever up in Al Tameen or Sal La Din province let me know and I'll do the same.
Peace
SFC Jeffrey White
B Co 451 CA BN // KIRKUK // APO AE 09359
Keep the helmet and the flak jacket on tight Staff Sergeant. Come back safe and sound.
You'll like Camp Lejeune this time of the year. Give you a hint, take plenty of long-johns with you. When that northeast wind barrows in off the Atlantic it will chill you to the bone.
I wish I could go with you.
Added on edit:
I almost forgot, GOOD LUCK NOONANDA!
Semper Fi.
You'll like Camp Lejeune this time of the year. Give you a hint, take plenty of long-johns with you. When that northeast wind barrows in off the Atlantic it will chill you to the bone.
I wish I could go with you.
Added on edit:
I almost forgot, GOOD LUCK NOONANDA!
Semper Fi.
As others have mentioned, I hope you can keep us here updated as to what's going on there, how you are doing and stating your own opinions as far as you are albe or allowed to.
Update to the sitrep, going to pendleton instead of lejuene, and as of right now(always subject to change) not leaving till monday morning. Dont know how long I'll be at pendleton before going to Iraq, less than a month definately
Well Im out out at the home of the best Dang Division in the Marine Corps, we have all kinds of training going on. From what I have been able to figure out, Myself and many other Marines will be attached and working directly with the Iraqi units, Probably the Lvl 2 units as were mentioned in this post http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/for...showtopic=44663 to help bring them totally up to speed. Im looking forward to it, training with and teaching the Iraqi's.
One thing that stick in my mind now more than ever is a saying I have heard, not sure who originally said it or how it goes exactly but the saying issomething like:
"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing". Well I am doing something!
One thing that stick in my mind now more than ever is a saying I have heard, not sure who originally said it or how it goes exactly but the saying issomething like:
"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing". Well I am doing something!
We'll all be praying for you. Watch your back and come home safe. 
The door to my humble home is open to you while you are at camp pendleton...
Good luck Staff Sergeant
Hey, Noonanda, where you from in Oklahoma? I'm from OKC!
-Pegatha
-Pegatha
QUOTE(Pegatha @ Dec 14 2005, 08:50 PM)
Hey, Noonanda, where you from in Oklahoma? I'm from OKC!
-Pegatha
-Pegatha
I was stationed on Ft Sill, Im at Camp Pendleton right now finishing up some pre deployment training. Found out we will be working in the "Sunni Triangle" Not sure if I can mention exactly where, you all know the drill. We will be advisors for a Lvl 2 Iraqi Bn, Im the Arty Rep. We start a leave block end of this week till beginning of January(going back to OK then florida) wehn I get back out here we will be getting ready to depart for the sandbox.
Hey all updated SitRep.
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
QUOTE(noonanda @ Jan 18 2006, 09:24 PM)
Hey all updated SitRep.
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
Be well, stay safe!!!! We're thinking about you....
QUOTE(noonanda @ Jan 18 2006, 08:24 PM)
Hey all updated SitRep.
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait. In a few days we will move north into Iraq. Thanks for your support, it does mean alot.
Im gonna PM Marine with my Mailing address over here, if anyone wants to drop me a line contact him.
I'll try to post when I can but it may be few and far between.
Semper Fi
Not sure what camp they are at, but my town's National Guard unit is on the border driving convoys. Ask around to see if anybody from NE Wisconsin is around
My neighbor is the MSgt.
QUOTE(noonanda @ Jan 18 2006, 09:24 PM)
After a 2 day delay I am now in Kuwait
Let's be careful over there, eh? Methinks, even for them that party with arty, there be somethin' bigger'n a sand fleas that tries to bite.Like I told SFC White, keep your head down, your feet driy and the sand outa your MREs! Be safe, stay well and keep in touch best as you can there Staff Sergeant!
Hope you come back safe, sound and as a Gunny, eh?
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