How I Spent My Summer Vacation

In Iraq

Before We Get Started:

DisclaimerThe ideas and opinions expressed by me are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the view of any other author, authority, or non-authority blowhard; any U.S. federal, state, or local government agency or administration; the Politburo, the pirates of lower Arbat street, the Diet, or any other foreign government, government agency, or administration; any employer or client; any spouse or significant other; any past, present, or future mother-in-law, in-law, out-law, cousin, aunt, uncle, or other relative; any friend, acquaintance, co-worker, or that strange person down at the coffee shop; any supervisor or person supervised; any organization for which work is done on a paid or volunteer basis; the dog, the cat, and most especially the wolves; and, are neither approved or disapproved by any employer, client, member of the government, or any corporation or other business entity. All provisions, decisions, declarations, demarcations, and other are subject to availability and no warranty or guarantee is expressed or implied. Tag, tax, and title are extra.

Why I Didn’t Advertise

While Blackfive has many highly placed readers…

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12233

How Did I End Up In Iraq?

Good QuestionSort Answer: A Reporter Said Something Stupid

Dog bites man, but…

How dare a college grad and engaged citizen volunteer to join the Army to fight for his country! (Which is something that most of the brave souls who inhabit the milblog community prefers to leave to others.)

Paul McLeary, Columbia Journalism Review

How Did I End Up In Iraq?Good Answer

I Challenged Him

…While your mea culpa is a step in the right direction, the profound problems that underlie your original piece remain. I would still fail both missives in a JM 101 course, and I say that as someone who believes in real journalism (not the media) and who is proud to have the words Kappa Tau Alpha associated with his name.

Since there are some profound and troubling issues that remain, let me make an offer. This fat ol' crip is willing to take a leave of absence, or quit my day job if necessary, to take a trip to embed with the troops. As part of that journey, let's you and I go visit the unit in question, and let the people there tell you the problem with the message.

…How about it, are you and CJR willing to put your money where your mouth is? I'm willing to put my body and what meager funds I have on the line for this. How about you?

How Did I End Up In Iraq?Obvious Result

He accepted.

I went.

He didn’t. No message, no warning, no surprise

‘Nuff Said

The First Part: West RasheedWell, Really Baghdad/Green Zone For A Day or So

Night Flight In/Gryphon AirNight RhinoCPIC for BadgeScreaming At Dead Laptop Power SupplyThe Start of a long and painful involvement with Apple PRPhotos? What Photos?

The First Part: West RasheedWhere The Heck Is West Rasheed?

The First Part: West RasheedReminds Me Somewhat Of South Georgia…

The First Part: West RasheedExcept For…

The First Part: West RasheedA Different View

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The First Part: West RasheedVirginia

The Second Part: Al Qa’imWhere???

The Second Part: Al Qa’imIs This The Moon Or BP Okinawa?

The Second Part: Al Qa’imImages From Battle Position Vera Cruz

The Second Part: Al Qa’imVarious Images

The Second Part: Al Qa’imBest Viewed From The Back Of A 7-Ton?

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The Second Part: Al Qa’im

In Memoriam

Lance Corporal Jeremy W. Burris 1st Battalion, 4th Marines

KIA 8 October 2007, Al Anbar Province

Semper Fi

The Third Part: LRMCWhen Sick Or Injured…

GeneralRamadan Feasts

GeneralWhat Does A Cache Look Like?

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GeneralWas I Really There? I Report, You Decide!

The Obscene AmenitiesA Quick Salute To Billy Arkin

Some Favorite Photos

Some Favorite Photos

Some Favorite Photos

Some Favorite Photos

Some Favorite Photos

If You Really Want To KnowMilblogs:

http://www.blackfive.net/main

http://www.mudvillegazette.com

Real Reporting

http://www.michaelyon-online.com

http://www.michaeltotten.com

Iraqi

http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com

Thank You!To the readers at Blackfive, Laughing Wolf and elsewhere who donated to make this possible

To my friends for supporting me

To Soldier’s Angels for opening doors and making things happen, and especially to:

MaryAnn Phillips

Lynette Roncin

Richard M. John

Patti Patton-Bader