Monday, November 23, 2009
Battle Rattle
It’s not as elaborate as the Army guys here, but anytime we travel off base, I have to wear my “Battle Rattle.” I just carry a M-9 on my right hip, a couple of full magazines on the left front of my vest, first aid kit on the right front of my vest, helmet, and full goggles for eye protection (and my gloves were in the vehicle). I attended another meeting with our ISAF and Afghan partners the other day. So far, I’ve been off base five times. As I look at this picture of me, it makes me think how foreign this image is compared to the image my family must have of me. I’ve been in the military a long time and I’ve worn various types of Battle Rattle and carried (and fired) numerous weapons, but I don’t usually see myself dressed like this. And my family, who’s never been at any of those exercises or deployments with me hasn’t seen me dressed like this. They usually see the easy-going husband/dad in Florida Gators or international soccer jerseys. While it looks a little foreign to me, it feels natural given the environment. I wonder how strange it must look to them.
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You look great! What kind of location is that? It looks like you've gone to a country house. Love You! -Val
ReplyDeleteA "country house" sounds too nice. The meeting was at one of the Afghan military compounds. It was nice to see some trees and greenery, but you'd be shocked how run-down the buildings were. It was definitely a different standard of living, but the Afghans were gracious hosts. I enjoyed a cup of hot tea and a pastry. Love You! - Eric
ReplyDeleteHey Dad! Cool gear! Vance is going to be amazed when he sees this.
ReplyDeleteLove you!!! ~Emily
After watching AFN all these months you do look "normal" in that gear. Wow that's a lot of stuff to wear.
ReplyDeleteSeeing you in that environment makes me think you're meeting some arms dealer trying to convince him not to sell arms to the bad guys. At least they gave you a pastry and tea.
Maybe country house wasn't the right word order. It looks like a house in the country - the boonies. Not official, like where your crazy old uncle might live. And I guess I'm so used to seeing the uniform, that the extra items, especially since they match, don't look too off. It looks like an amped up version of my usual hero.
ReplyDeleteNow, did someone mention pastry?
I Love You. - Val