Newfy's Brit Bullocks

I'm now 2 months into my tour and the repetitiveness of my job is definately starting to get to me. I try to curb my boredom by doing as much PT as possible and spending time in Canada House. I'm looking forward to Canada Day as they are having big celebrations for it, and I haven't really been able to celebrate it myself for 9 long years. I just hope we have good weather for it as it has been hammering down with rain for the past 2 days, believe it or not.

It's been a while since my last entry so I thought I better update it. I've been in Afganistan nearly 2 weeks now and apart from the heat, dust and constant smell of sewage from the treatment plant, affectionately known as the Shit Pit here in KAF, everything is good. I've got to meet loads of Canadian guys and gals and watch the hockey live which is definately a bonus. I've so far managed to avoid the temptations of Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and even Tim Hortons which are all readily available. I'm on a diet unfortunately so none of it for me, although Timmies is gettin increasingly hard to resist! Oh well, i've only got another 5 months and 2 weeks to go. It shouldn't be to difficult. Should it?

"MEDIC!!!"


The "Medic" call is an erie sound
As I run to help to see whats wrong
I am humbled when I see him on the ground
As I come close, I see he doesn't have long
I know I have work to do
But if god calls him his time is thru
As I fight God I try to save him.
But God and I both know who will win
All I can do is ease his mind
Let him know it is his time.
Time for him to go back home.
I let him know that he is not alone
His last words will always haunt me
As he gives me a hug he whispers
"Doc" please come with me.

"Doc" J.C., Medic, PFC,
Near Baghdad, Iraq, November, 2003.

Last week I went on 2 days of pre-op training for Afghanistan called OPTAG. Basically the first day is just powerpoint lectures and the second day is practical lessons.

We were shown many things alot of which the public will not see and I cannot talk about too much here. Videos taken by troops in combat and the like. In one town, Sangin, the troops cannot go out on patrol very often because of the risks and their base is attacked every day. Every soldier no matter what cap badge they wear is fighting.

We were also given lessons on the history of Afghanistan and the culture of the people. We have clearly seen that what we are doing is benefitting the Afghani people and we do it all completely legally. And for all of you that call us baby killers, I say this, what would you do when a child as young as 10 comes around a corner pointing an AK at you? You may not want to kill a child but if it's him or you I think the answer is obvious!

I wish that everyone could have the knowledge that we as soldiers recieve, but that can't happen yet. So please think before you attack what we do and demand that we leave as doing so would be more catastrophic than you could ever imagine.

P.S. To those of you who say we are not welcome there, from what i've seen the Afghanis are more than happy to have us and have great respect for all of us. Also, if people studied the beliefs of the Afghanis they may better understand why things happen the way they do in particular the Pashtunwali code.

Weapons


There are many types of weapons
But the ones that hurt the most
Are the weapons made of memories
And the deadly midnight ghost
Not all wounds are red and bloody
There are wounds that touch the mind
These are wounds that always fester
They're the never healing kind
Why are we who've done our duty
Plagued by wounds that never heal
Made by weapons of our memories
Which are worse than lead and steel