Met a Friend

A week and a half ago I was finally able (the lack of bandwidth had previously prevented it) to sign up for a Moto mail account (which is good for US to theatre or from somewhere in theatre to somewhere else in theatre), and I sent Agur a Moto mail to encourage him, send him a greeting, and let him know where I work in case he was ever in the area. Then, about three days ago, there he was, in my office! Turns out he occasionally does make it to my area, and he was able to stop in and see me. We were able to chat for a (short) while, and compare experiences thus far. Though my living conditions and lifestyle here are considerably different than his (I have a lot more ‘comforts’ at my disposal), he said that he has been overwhelmed by the care and generosity of the Community back home. He said that he receives more than double the ‘care’ packages of anyone in his unit! One of the drawbacks of his situation is that he has no easy way to communicate frequently or at length with folks back home, so I thought I would keep you informed of how he is doing. He is in great health (might be a little leaner, but says that is not due to lack of sustenance—probably related to strenuous activity in this climate), good spirits, and it was great to talk with him.

We both would like to thank each of you, and all of you corporately, for your support, care, and encouragement of us over here. We are aware that our physical experience of your efforts is but the tip of the iceberg, that there are many more, in addition to those we know of, who are praying for us and supporting us in many ways that we will probably never have knowledge of. Thanks.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

View at Work Improves

Thanks to my brother Matt, here is the current view above my desk at work. The poor HD calendar never stood a chance, really, and the other wall, that has an even bigger poster on it, cannot be seen in this photograph. Yes, I’d say things were looking up, it terms of extremely high quality visual representations of extremely high quality two wheeled vehicles. Actually, this would be the perfect place for an Adventure series motorcycle if it were not for the substantial hazards not normally associated with the ‘road.’

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Two Months

Well, I have actually been in country for more than two months, and I am very blessed. No athlete’s foot or fungus, no major sinus-headache-flu bug, no gastro-intestinal-runs crud, or any other physical mishap of any kind. I’m hanging on to my high end toilet paper, Matt, though I hope that its use does not become essential. My tooth has become a non-problem (thanks for your prayers). I have been flooded with Moto mails, packages, snail mail, and support. I am very encouraged by your care of me during what is otherwise a difficult time (separation from Sheryl and Joshua, etc.)

I am also encouraged by the tremendous resolve of the people in this country to seize the opportunity that lies ahead of them, an opportunity created by the policy of regime change implemented by the united (at the time, anyway) leadership of the United States. I am very honored to be a part of a dedicated military who, every day, it seems, find better ways to accomplish their mission here. The initiative, courage, applied values, enthusiasm and dignity that accompany every task are an inspiration to me, and they are certainly enabled, as I am, by the support and the will of the people. This support is a tangible thing to me here; why I did not feel it so dramatically for the 4 years I was on involuntary mobilization orders, non-deployed, in the very place where this support originates? Makes me wonder.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

French Horn Player

Good news, we’ve got a new French horn player for the FaBQ, a Marine from CAG (Civil Affairs Group). She can only practice with us on weekends, but will work on the music on her own during the week. We’ve also found another trumpet player. This gives us three players for two trumpets, two of whom can only practice intermittently, so it may work out. In the meantime, the trombone, 1^st trumpet and tuba are having fun tackling music way beyond our depth (Armed Forces March and The Thunderer, for Memorial Day in three weeks or so), but having a lot of fun doing it.

I was wrong, the ‘rainy’ season is not over yet, with rain forecast twice in the coming week. Guess I’ll have to carry that (mostly useless, being as it was made for a vertically challenged average height of 5’ 8”) poncho around a little longer.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Boxes

Here's a picture taken right after the Sunrise Service on Resurrection Sunday.

I don’t have time to say much today, but I want to thank my Mom and Dad for the package they sent. Great stuff, I really appreciate it. The energy bars looked like top quality (never had those type before), and the practical stuff is much needed. I’d also like to thank Steve, Sandi, Elena, Emma, and Evan for the package they sent. How thoughtful, you guys, what a great variety of stuff to spoil me rotten.

All of you out there have been so giving that I no longer NEED any thing (duct tape I’ve got a great supply, have plenty of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, stuff like that). That doesn’t mean I don’t WANT anything, such is the nature of things. However, I want you to know that I am not taking your care of me for granted, nor the great quality of life I’ve got here—I just sent a moto mail (it works within theatre, but not back to the US) to a friend who is really out there in the field. An update on my tooth—it has not been bothering me at all the last week, thanks for your prayers.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

WBGTI

This is getting to be a pretty important acronym for me out here. The Wet-Bulb-Globe-Temperature Index, the Navy and Marine Corps’ preferred heat index, incorporates the temperature at which evaporation is occurring in the atmosphere. The Marine Corps communicates the heat index to it’s personnel via a colored flag that is flown in various locations on base, including in front of the Group Aid Station (GAS): White Flag (WBGTI less than 80): No current restrictions; Green Flag (WBGTI of 80 to 84.9 degrees F): Heavy exercises, for unacclimatized personnel, should be conducted with caution and under constant supervision; Yellow Flag (WBGTI of 85 to 87.9 degrees F): Strenuous exercises or physical labor should be curtailed for unacclimatized, newly assigned Marines and Civilian Marines in their first 3 weeks. Avoid outdoor classes or work in the sun; Red Flag (WBGTI of 88 to 89 degrees F): All PT or very strenuous work should be curtailed for those not thoroughly acclimatized by at least 3 weeks. Personnel not thoroughly acclimatized may carry on limited activity not to exceed 6 hours per day; Black Flag (WBGTI of 90 and above degrees F): All nonessential physical activity should be halted.

The WBGTI makes a big difference, and temperature is (apparently) one of the least important factors. For instance, the next four days here will be 1. 99F, 2. 94F, 3. 99F, and 4. 95F. However, for each of those days, the flag condition will be 1. red, 2. black, 3. yellow, 4. green. However, these guys who came up with the WBGTI were right on the money, and I’ve learned to adhere to the flag conditions.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Rain

Two days ago it rained on and off all day, occasionally coming down at a tropical rainstorm pace. I have great memories of running barefoot in the rain as a kid (in fact, shoeless in the rain was a strictly enforced rule at the school I attended as a kid, probably because such a rule more than tripled the life of shoes during the rainy season). Some of the Marines that were supposedly conducting martial arts training in a sandy clearing decided to have fun and the training session degenerated into a mud fight. It looked like a lot of fun.

The next morning, my trip to the shower trailer highlighted the downside of such muddy activity: one shower stall in particular was covered with a half inch thick layer of mucky goo, and the floor was almost as bad. Ah well, I don’t think anyone around here minds, as long as at least one shower stall is clean enough for those who can’t handle a little mud. As little as it rains here (we’re probably now at the extreme end of spring here, that may have been our last rain of the season), I sure enjoyed it.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

I'll Never be a General

Someone (thank you, Judy, your confidence in me is inspiring) wanted to know why I could not be a General. I’ll try to explain as briefly as possible (ha, ha, like it is really possible for me to be brief when discussing a complicated topic in which I am considerably invested). There are two general entry ranks into the military, Private (enlisted) and 2^nd Lieutenant (commissioned officer). The majority of military personnel serve their whole career within their chosen rank structure. Commissioned officers have no other option—they may resign their commission if not promoted, but if they are not competitive with their peers they may not rip up their commission and enlist. Their commissions are signed by the President and instituted by Congress, they must have a 4 year college degree, and they serve an initial obligation of at least 4 years. Commissioned officers are the white collar professionals of the military, and provide the executive functions.

Enlisted personnel, on the other hand, may aspire to a commission. Given the concurrence of their chain of command, once they achieve the appropriate education (usually at their own expense, during off duty hours), they may apply for a commissioning program. Enlisted personnel, the blue collar professionals of the military, bring a unique perspective to the table, and a different set of experiences to the table than the average college grad, and the non-commissioned officer (NCO) and staff non-commissioned officer (SNCO) corps are routinely referred to as the ‘backbone of the Corps.’ Based on practical leadership vice executive potential, the Services purposely commission as many as 20% of their officer corps from the enlisted ranks. Enlisted personnel generally provide the management and performance functions, and there is generally no Marine more respected in any command than the First Sergeant or Sergeant Major.

Warrant Officers bridge a gap between the enlisted and the commissioned corps, restricted to specific military occupational specialties (management and performance functions) but still entrusted with company to field grade responsibility (executive function). All warrant officers come from the enlisted NCO or SNCO ranks, and are selected by both technical competence and leadership criteria. Very few opportunities exist to transition to the commissioned ranks from the warrant ranks, though it is not unheard of (I know of two Marines in my 24 year career that have been members of all three rank structures). Given that whenever a Marine transitions to a new rank structure he begins at the bottom rung on the new ladder, and given about 25 years of service to achieve terminal rank in any one rank structure (or two structures in the case of enlisted to warrant), for me to achieve the rank of General I’d have to apply for a commission, ‘revert’ to a 2^nd Lieutenant, and climb all the way to General in less than 15 years.

Exceptions to this may be found in inter-Service transfers (enlisted Marine becomes army officer, air force officer becomes army enlisted, etc.) but these are outside of my knowledge or experience (urban legend or hearsay).

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Resurrection Sunday

I was recently challenged by a Master Sergeant in my shop to consider that Easter is a secular holiday—where Resurrection Sunday is a Holy Day for God’s Community. Since then, I’ve been very conscious about engaging folks with a verbal greeting related to Resurrection Sunday vice a happy Easter. The distinction might be subtle, perhaps lost on many, but I’m convinced that a people, a culture, or a community, and what their priorities and values are, can be determined through a study of their language. I feel that the Community of God is called to be distinct from the world, and this distinction should be as recognizable in our language as in our actions. Of course, language constantly shifts, and the Community must constantly develop new language (that really means the same thing) as the world seizes our words and robs them of power through applications apart from the working of God in our lives.

Conversely, the worldly colloquialization of many words spiritual in nature provides many instances where the Word is present yet unrecognized in the speech of many who truly perceive not (or care not) of what they speak. May God give me boldness and tact, wisdom and disdain of self, insight and recklessness, and an awareness of His working in every situation to act in all situations in ways that bring glory to Him.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Another post from Sheryl

Jon was going to try to post his own message on the blog today, but since it is already "tomorrow" over there, I'll post a note for him.

This morning he wrote me the following, "The Good Friday service was very well done, the band debut (we played "O Sacred Head") went well (by all reports), and we are supposed to play at least three times on Resurrection Sunday ("Christ the Lord is Risen Today" at three different services)."

Hopefully Jon will have a chance to post after all those services tomorrow.

Sheryl for Jarhedjon

Tooth problems

Jon is still too swamped to post to his blog. He gave me permission to share this e-mail that he sent me earlier this week. Thank you for your prayers for his tooth and his busy schedule.

"Another situation that could use prayer is my tooth, one on the upper right, that has been an issue for some time. Back at Pendleton, the doc thought it might be a hairline fracture on the tooth, so he put a special kind of cap on the tooth to keep if from 'splitting' and causing me pain--the only discomfort I experienced was when eating very hard objects, like corn nuts :) That seemed to work for about 6 months, and then, shortly before I deployed, it was getting pressure sensitive again. I went to the same dentist, and he said we'd eventually have to do a root canal, but it was too early (it would need to get temperature sensitive, to both hot and cold, before it would need to be done). He said there was a great dentist here that could do it.

Well, I spoke to the great dentist here, he's a great guy, but limited in what stuff they have, and he told me that he can't do root canals (at the base I'm at, and flying you after oral surgery is against military regulations), only pulpectomies. These are apparently stop gap measures, and he said they would have to go back in every 3 or 4 months to redo the pulpectomy to tide me over until I got back to the states. It is not something that can be done during the two weeks in the states, because it takes two weeks to get the temporary crown fitted, and then there is the not being able to fly after surgery thing again (I think its two weeks after). So bottom line, the dentist here suggested putting off any surgery at all until the last possible moment, and when I can't take the pain anymore, they'll rush me to the front of the line, do the pulpectomy, and then I'm on that three months cycle thing until I get back... So pray that God would arrest the corruption of this tooth and the attack on my nerve until I get back to the good ol' US of A."

Sheryl for Jarhedjon

Too busy to post

Once again Jon is too busy to post but he asked me to send the following message, "Please give a BIG thank you to Bob and Sharon and Kristin and Rani for the boxes of GREAT stuff they sent me, got them yesterday." Thanks to you all who are writing, sending packages, reading and praying. If you want to see what Joshua and I are up to -- check out my blog at http://2006marinewife.blogspot.com/.

All for now.

Sheryl for Jarhedjon

Spring Sprung

I can't speak for whether Spring is always as short her as it appeared to be this year, but this year spring sprung so fast I almost missed it. The temperatures are climbing into the 90's every day, yesterday was actually pretty humid preceding a rain that started during the night and was still winding down early this morning. All of the sudden, it seems, the bougainvillia are in full bloom, bird chirping can be heard from every piece of vegetation, and things are significantly greener now than they were about two months ago when I got here. About half of the days are overcast due to cloud cover (not dust or haze).

I'm told that in a couple of months, all the overcast will be due to haze and dust, the temperatures will be in the 120's, the humidity will be nothing more than a faint memory (thankfully), and the evidence of spring will be obliterated. Until then, I'm enjoying this, and hopefully by then I'll be a little more accimatized.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Digs

My digs, or my hooch, or room, whatever you call it, is my home away from home, and it is very accomodating. I think I have mentioned how blessed I am on numerous occasions, and to demonstrate that for all of you, I thought I would show you the difference between the room I've been living in and the living conditions of some of the Marines who are the real heroes of this GWOT out on the FOBs. The picture of the living areas of the Marines of 3/5 appeared on the official USMC webpage, so I don't feel I'm posting anything that is not already in the public domain. Pictures of MY room, of course, have never appeared on the public domain, so consider yourselves priviledged.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Mouthpiece

I know that I have praised the Machinist Mate who fabricated the tuba mouthpiece for us, and I thought you all should see his handiwork. Again, we did not have a tuba mouthpiece for him to 'copy,' we had a trombone mouthpiece, which is close to 20% smaller (and of course, the 'tube' the mouthpiece fits into is significantly larger). Petty Officer Heard took a few measurements of the trombone mouthpiece, measured the tuba mouthpiece 'tube,' and that was it.

The weather here is starting to heat up, I know we are at the very cool end of what has been a beautiful spring here. There is quite a lot of green right now, as there has been some rain the last few months, and the birds are in evidence (and audible) everywhere there is the slightest vegetation. I'm still having trouble with email, but a co-worker has helped me with a work-a-round, so Sheryl and I have been able to communicate (even chat, which is fun). It kind of feels more personal to be in this part of the world for Palm Sunday. Thanks for your prayers.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Quintet

Actually, this is NOT another celebration of my promotion to CWO5. It is about the five instramentalists who have gotten together and formed the quintet that I've been playing with daily. Most of us have not played in twenty years, and it has been a lot of fun. Our first (and perhaps last, as we will be losing our French horn player shortly thereafter) performance is scheduled for Good Friday, to be followed by another piece on Easter Sunday.

I am still not able to send emails, but I can recieve them. They know about the problem, and are trying to fix it, so I'm thankful for this way that I can still stay in touch. Otherwise, things are going very well here. Thanks to Sheryl for posting a link to the webpage of my command.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Gone Dark

Just wanted to let everyone know that email services are currently not possible from my location, but I'm fine (OK, this probably only affects my immediate family, as they are the only ones who are in email contact with me, but I did not want them to worry, and this is the only way I can easily let them know that the lapse in communications on my part is simply routine procedure or something on the Marine Corps' part).

I'd like to thank my folks for the package they sent, particularly my Mom for her special baked contribution. I'd also like to thank Jim & Dana for their very special gift--Guys, I am overwhelmed by your generosity, you can believe that I will put this to immediate use--it will really help Sheryl and Joshua identify with me and understand my life here. Perhaps you just reduced the length of my blogs, too, which minimizes the travail of those who endure this site--as one picture is worth (and hopefully will replace) a thousand words. Of course, this is problematic, as I'd like it to be MY 1,000 words that you "see," who knows what 1,000 words you will see if I don't attach a commentary....?

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Great Stuff

Sheryl has requested an itemization of the stuff that I need / want / would like to get while I’m here. Before getting into that, I would like to thank Sheryl and Joshua, my brother Greg, Joe & Helen, and Kristen & Rani for the packages they have sent me. NOTHING that you sent was unappreciated, and all of it was put to immediate and positive use. I have plenty of books to keep me busy, something I am very appreciative of, and though there as no such thing as too many books, I probably will not be able to read them, and bringing them back with me is problematic. The stuff below is categorized into what I particularly love and made the trip very well, and then a second list of stuff that I particularly love, did not make the trip perfectly, but my enjoyment of the item was not diminished by whatever minimal damage may have been done.

List One: trail mix of any kind; jerky of any kind; nuts of any kind (the sesame seed coated cashews were like gold); energy, granola, power or snack bars of all types; fruit leather, fruit rolls, or dried fruit; hard candy (coffee nips or butterscotch drops); instant specialty coffee or flavor syrup (vanilla, amaretto, etc.), and chocolate (any kind, but my favorites are Reeses cups and peanut butter M&Ms, any chocolate/peanut butter combination bar and/or bar and wafer, then Snickers, Butterfingers, 3 Musketeers, and Mars).

List Two: cookies (this is a whole category by itself, but Nutter Butter or Nutter Butter Bites are a favorite, and Girl Scout Cookies are very popular, particularly Samoas [Chololate and coconut covered donut shaped wafers], Tag-alongs [chocolate covered peanut butter wafers], and Café Cookies [for dipping in coffee]); crackers (this is another whole category, everything from Ritz and low salt Wheat Thins—my favorites—to regular saltines);

What I don’t need or items that are plentiful here (for a little cash) are: flavored drink mixes of all kinds, all the basics (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), and clothing items (socks, t-shirts, etc.). I hope this clarifies things for all.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

FIVE

When people have asked me to pick my favorite number, I usually say “4” or “8.” I don’t believe I’ve ever said “5.” That is not to say that I don’t have an association with the number at all. There is one in my SSN, there were four in my old work phone number, and five times five is how long I will have served in the Marine Corps come September 1. However, five is all of the sudden a very cool number to me, as I found out yesterday that I had been selected for promotion to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five. The message announcing the actual date of my promotion has yet to be released, but I expect the promotion to take place within the next sixty days. I was the second Marine selected of a total of three that were promoted of the thirty nine eligible officers. This could not have happened without God’s hand of blessing on my health and welfare, His leading and guiding through many decisions during my career, and His grace and mercy that sustained me always (but particularly when I was discouraged, rebellious towards Him, or made poor choices that discounted His presence or influence in my life).

Yes, I get paid more, but a promotion (particularly in this setting) is MUCH more about the increased leadership and responsibility that is commensurate with the new rank. In the case of CWO5, it is a “terminal” rank, meaning that it is the highest grade a person can achieve within a particular rank structure (enlisted=Sergeant Major or Master Gunnery Sergeant; warrant officers=CWO5; officers=General, though Colonel, the top of the ‘field grade’ officer structure—vice the general grade officer structure—is the more realistic). Terminal ranks carry with them additional perceived responsibility, as the Marine Corps’ expectation is that Marines who attain these ranks particularly characterize not only the historical traditions of the Corps’ past leaders, they must also set the current example and mentor the Corps’ future leaders. Please pray for me as I figuratively don this boatcloak (OK, mantle, but in the amphibious warrior tradition of the Corps) of trust and responsibility, for in my own strength alone, I will fail.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Good Times

The National Security Policy is detailed annually in an open source document. Although it is 60+ pages, the first two priorities can be summed up pretty easily: 1. Protect and defend the United States of America, her citizens, and their way of life; 2. Protect, defend, and provide for the commerce and trade, industry and manufacturing, and importing and exporting that provide for both the livelihood of her inhabitants and maintain the strength of the nation in international terms. I suppose this could be simplified even further to something like, “Maintain a representative democracy that continues to provide the conditions in which the American Dream is still attainable to those willing to accept responsibility for the freedoms they enjoy.” Is the military engaged in the Global War on Terror for economic reasons, over the oil, or out of the necessity of keeping the sea lanes open? Those are rhetorical questions, given priority #2 in the National Security Policy. Is the military engaged because the security of the United States, the safety of her citizens, and their way of lives are directly threatened by terrorists? A resounding “Yes,” given priority #1 in the National Security Policy.

So how do YOU back there in the States support someone like me? Easy. Take your family to Yosemite for a week or two, climb Half Dome for the first time. Visit Yellowstone, the Gran Titons, and traverse the fields of South Dakota and Iowa. Go waterskiing on a lake at a state park, or go canoeing on the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Go white water rafting down a river in Tennessee, see the Grand Canyon, or hit the beach during Spring Break. Maybe go on a road trip and see a bunch of the country that you’ve never seen before. Then take a few moments to sit down and write a letter, type an email, or send a Motomail to a serviceman or woman and tell them of the great time you had, what you did, the people you connected with, and how meaningful it was. Next time you see someone in uniform, thank them for their service. The best way to thank those who serve is to fully appreciate the benefits their service provides. Let the good times roll.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Bright Spot

In the midst of long days, multiple mundane tasks, and the monotony of periodic recurring chores, it is easy to descend into discouragement (or worse). I have discovered, however, that I am surrounded by a plethora of indomitable entities that are determined to not only survive, but thrive. The one in twenty or so that I pass on my walk to work that smile and greet me with genuine cheer. The men that are in the brass quintet with me who meet daily, for whatever reason, to make ‘music’ (OK, noise, at this point, would be a closer description, but nevertheless a meaningful process by which it is derived. And a praise note, the Chaplain, our trombonist, found another trumpet player, so we are in fact a full quintet—‘til our French horn player leaves in 20 days). You, who read and comment on this blog, send me Motomails, packages, and snail mail, are a MAJOR breakthrough in the otherwise downward spiraling gyre. There is even a sprig of bougainvillea that is brightening the mud-brown covered gravel adjacent to the sand brown concrete steps in front of our khaki brown painted barracks affectionately referred to by its inmates as a blockhouse. There is church on Sunday in the midst of an every-day-is-the-same seven day routine.

Thank you for your prayers, your support of Sheryl and Joshua, and your support of me. I experience God’s blessings every hour of every day, in His protection of me, in His provision for me, and in His intervention in my life. Please pray that I would get a little more proactive in my response to His intervention. Thanks.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

BMW Calendar

The “Calendar Wars”’ have started in our shop. It all started when a co-worker put up a Harley Davidson motorcycle calendar. Now, a Harley Davidson is not a bad motorcycle, but those of you who know me are aware of a certain bias that I have for BMW motorcycles. One of the reasons for my bias is 8,300+ miles in 24 days without a single mechanical glitch. If you are planning an intensive motorcycle tour like that, I have three pieces of advice for you: don’t underestimate or discount the toll such a trip will take on your body, so plan your route to insure frequent access to Red Bull and aspirin and wear all the protective gear you can get your hands on (I recommend Aerostitch); take a camera and keep a log and a journal so you can ‘capture’ the trip in as many ways as possible, who knows when you’ll have the opportunity to take such a trip again—if ever; finally, take a motorcycle that is dependable (operable in a full range of road and weather conditions), chock full of safety features (ABS dual front and rear disk brakes, engine guards, wind and brush deflectors, auxiliary lighting), and low daily maintenance requirements (shaft drive, oil cooled, synthetic oil, fuel injection), in short a BMW.

My dilemma is that I’m confronted every day, all day, with the image of a Harley Davidson, and it will be a different image every 30 days or so for the next 11 months. I’d like create an ‘equal opportunity’ motorcycle exposure environment where the Marines in my shop are exposed to a quality motorcycle of a different manufacturer, Bavarian Motor Works, to be precise. Problem is, though there are undoubtedly BMW dealerships/outlets in this area of the world, I don’t have access to them. If you DO have access to such a place, and are also inclined to insure BMWs are adequately represented in an arena in which they are currently noticeably (to me and my co-workers) absent, could you please send me a poster calendar (with only the motorcycles pictured, so the Commandant would approve its display in the work place) to increase our available vistas featuring two wheeled vehicles. Additionally, I can use the calendar to count down the days until my return.

Semper Fi, Jon G.