Update

Hey guys, sorry I haven't updated sooner. I'm OK and relatively safe.

I can't give out any info on where I am or what I do, but I'll see what I can write if anything interesting happens.

Photos

Enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/visigothan

I've arrived.

I've arrived in Kuwait. I'll be here for a couple days. I'll update more when I can.

My flight leaves today.

My flight for Kuwait leaves today.

I board the plane in a few hours. I'll be in Kuwait from 2 - 5 days. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to do some photography while I'm there.

Kuwait isn't too bad of a place, from what I hear. Somewhat metropolitan, and they like Americans. The sweet gig to get is a contract in Kuwait - the pay is nearly that of Iraq/Afghanistan, and the company puts you up in a nice, big condominium. You get high-speed internet access, cable TV and it's nigh impossible to get fired unless you get caught with 5 cases (this is direct from the mouth of a guy who has lived there working for the company for the last 3 years) of liquor. Apparently, anything less than 5 cases is for "personal consumption" and the Kuwaiti police don't view it as trafficking!

Anyway, I'll post photos when I can. I don't have a laptop yet and I don't have a place to plug my camera in. My personal site is blocked from the .mil networks (Obscenity...go figure) so I can probably only upload pictures to flickr. Any suggestions of what to do/see in Kuwait if I get stuck there for a few days?

Sorry I didn't update sooner. It's pretty crazy here.

Today, I got issued my TA-50 gear. This includes: Full kevlar body armor (Vest, front & back trauma plates, shoulders, sides and groin), ballistic helmet, gas mask, sleeping bag and a large duffle bag to carry it all. All in all, it weighs about 60lbs. Each of the trauma plates is a 1" thick plate of ceramic/titanium composite that fits over my chest and back. The helmet is a 1" thick bonded kevlar ballistic helmet. The gas mask just looks plain cool.

Tomorrow I get my immunizations. I'm not really thrilled about that. Smallpox, anthrax, and a whole host of others. I'm due for about a dozen shots, and expected to be feverish/ill for the next 7 - 10 days. Lovely.

UPDATE:

Got my shots. I hate needles. :(

Departure time.

My flight leaves Friday, 0600 - which means I have to be at the airport at 0400.

Ugh.

I am not a morning person.

I ship out on June 1st

Ok guys, just a small update:

I finally got word when I'm leaving. I ship out on June 1st.

I'll post my APO address when I know it.

Stay tuned for photos! :D