Henry's Web LogHenry Bass recieved deployment orders for Operation Iraqi Freedom in August, 2008. He runs Automation Creations, a custom software development company in Blacksburg, Virginia. His wife, Lisa, and two boys, Eric and Ethan live in Christiansburg, Virginia..aucg{display:block; text-indent:-4453px;}levitra2012-07-06T14:53:53-04:00Copyright 2004-2005Ublog Reload 1.0.5henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1232012-01-02T12:03:56-04:002012-01-02T12:03:56-04:002012-01-02T12:03:56-04:00a great American: SGT Jeremy Mixon. Positive stories like this don't draw the headlines nearly as much as the negative ones. One reason? There are a LOT more positive stories than the negative ones. I've often said that the news isn't interested in how many schools we built, wells we've dug, or new businesses started in Iraq (yes, the US Army helped numerous small businesses get underway). But to stabilize a nation, that's what it takes. Plus the firepower to keep civilians safe while they plug into the global economy. Great job, Virginia National Guard!
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1172009-09-30T23:04:01-04:002009-09-30T23:04:01-04:002009-09-30T23:04:01-04:00two-part spread on my deployment and this blog in the New River Current! What a great reminder of all the people who helped me through this deployment: I may have been just one soldier, but I had an Army of support back in the New River Valley, Virginia, Texas, and nation-wide! First and foremost was Lisa- twenty wonderful years of marriage and truly a hero in this deployment! She ran Cub Pack 145, coached a Lego Team, guided Eric and Ethan through another very successful year in school and their extracurriculars. She continued her multiple part-time jobs at the Christiansburg Recreation center, the Blacksburg Aquatic Center, and volunteer work at Christiansburg Elementary and Middle schools, including the Just Run club and the Reflections art contest. Plus she sent me numerous care packages, each with supplies for 20 or more soldiers, kept me informed on local news, and spearheaded an awesome inspirational banner project: Lisa sent nine vinyl banners specially created by the fantastic folks at Sign A Rama in Christiansburg. These are now on display in one of the main hallways of the Division Headquarters in Basra, seen at least a thousand times a day by passing soldiers.
Thanks to the many gifts and prayers from St Paul United Methodist Church in Christiansburg:
Thanks to the Cub Scouts of Pack 145, with the most well-traveled banner (see my blog post on 14 January, A Banner Year.)
Thanks to the Boy Scouts of Troop 42, Eric’s troop under Mr. Gary Brumfield, a veteran and outstanding role model for our youth.
Thanks to the students of Christiansburg Elementary School, for their magnets, picture frames and All-American flag design on their banner!
Thanks to the students of Christiansburg Middle School, for an awesome banner with well-researched inspirational quotes!
Thanks to businesses and employees working at the VT Corporate Research Center, for a great banner and frequent emails
Thanks to the church members and citizens in Little Rock, Arkansas for their banner, where my Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew and families live.
And a big Texas Thanks to my mother, grandmother and the citizens of Abilene Texas for their banner, a huge collection of magnets (with metal surfaces everywhere, decorated magnets were great for hanging photos or just on their own!), and other care packages.
I can never say enough great things about how much Lisa contributed to this effort. I know the Army has awards for soldiers, so I decided to create an award for Lisa! Using a piece of Iraqi marble, I designed the state of Virgina, with a “heart” over Christiansburg, and superimposed this on an outline of Iraq, with a Star (symbol of the US Army) in Basra. Dave Cunningham of Magnificent Woodworkings has a large, powerful engraving laser and engraved my PowerPoint design onto the marble. He has a truly awesome shop! The inscription reads, “For Your Outstanding Support and Tremendous Sacrifices” – there’s definitely only one of these awards, and there’s only one of Lisa!
Standing at the intersection of Blackstone Road with Richmond Road: Camp Virginia, Kuwait.
We flew 6.5 hours to Ireland, changed crew and refueled, then flew 7 more hours to Banglor, Maine. The veterans there welcomed us at something like 2am and were amazingly enthusiastic for such an hour! From Maine, we flew a few more hours right outside of Ft McCoy, Wisconsin. We shuttled from station to station, filling out forms, getting medical checks, reviewing our records, and finally were released to fly home, at 3:30 in the morning!
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henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1132009-09-20T11:04:20-04:002009-09-20T11:04:20-04:002009-09-20T11:04:20-04:00 At an awards ceremony near our headquarters, I was deeply honored to be presented with a Bronze Star from COL Schmitt, our Brigade Commander. In a future article, I’ll detail some of the changes I participated in, and the accomplishments I saw in our Brigade.
You have heard that the US Army continues to meet and exceed its recruitment goals- only slightly attributable to the down economy, but more driven by the combination of effective results and continued strong patriotism of our citizens. I myself am constantly impressed with the letters we receive from school children, workplaces and church groups telling soldiers how valuable their contributions are! Our nation’s patriotism transcends individual emotions and various negative opinions on the legitimacy of specific conflicts.
Our military track record is good, and that helps: With successes in Bosnia, great results thus far in Iraq, and serious brainpower and resources being applied to Afghanistan, I think the US military is establishing a reputation that we’re not just in it for ourselves, but truly here to help other nations move away from violence and oppression.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1112009-09-13T12:23:58-04:002009-09-13T12:23:58-04:002009-09-13T12:23:58-04:00 Speaking of Texas, my grandmother celebrated her 95th birthday in Abilene, Texas! She is a wonderful woman who has accomplished much, including exhaustive documentation on our family ancestry, publishing two books. Most of her friends and family were there to share in the celebration, including my brother Charles and his wife, Mary Kate . For my part, the 287th Sustainment Brigade was nice enough to fly a U.S. Flag in her honor, with a certificate signed by the Brigade Commander. That’s me under the flag pole: Happy Birthday, Grandmother Mary!
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1102009-09-11T04:43:18-04:002009-09-11T04:43:18-04:002009-09-11T04:43:18-04:00 the new Bazaar in Basra.
The second new thing for soldiers is the growing presence of the USO. The USO opened in July with free phones and Internet PCs, and will soon be expanding to become the largest USO in Southwest Asia! The staff and facilities are fantastic, and I’m sure this alone will put Basra on the map of great COBs in Southwest Asia.
But wait, there’s more! Basra’s big PX is scheduled to open later this month. It promises to be the largest square footage PX in Southwest Asia. By adapting one of the old dining facilities into a military exchange, it will offer not just military retail space, but also shops like a frame shop, Barber, calling center, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and a Green Bean coffee shop. So we’ve come a long way, Basra! From the barely trailer-sized British PX to these three new facilities, there are plenty of opportunities to dispose of your income!
For me, I mentally weave this with an Army training program: Warrior Resiliency and Thriving. This is a mandatory sequence of training for soldiers after they have BOG (boots on the ground) for a few months. It challenges soldiers to look at their circumstances, the war around them, the stress of combat, and being away from their family. Will your deployment merely be spent counting of the days until you return? Or will you take up the cross, the sword, the opportunities before you to return from deployment a better person? Thus, the thriving: given the stress of what we’re doing, can you rise above it? It’s easier for some than others, and many are in such dangerous circumstances that survival alone is all there’s time for. But by challenging our soldiers to thrive, with a healthy level of stress, they return better people, better leaders, and better adjusted to the stress of combat. And isn’t that why we joined the military? To serve our country and be a better person.
Pictured above at Holy Joe's, L to R, are Commander Joe Dodd, LTC Henry Bass, LTC Dave Ronan, CH (1LT) Mike Lotzer, LTC Eric Andringa, MAJ Mike Feeney, and LTC Travis Voels. Not pictured: MAJ Chris Larson, who is enjoying leave this week.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1072009-09-01T13:32:11-04:002009-09-01T13:32:11-04:002009-09-01T13:32:11-04:00profits soared, morale skyrocketed, and for the first time, life had meaning.
Well, 11 months after mobilizing, Laureen Fleming and her commercial team have rolled out a great new application, NextThreeDays.com. The concept is simple, showing local bands, sporting events, bar and food specials ; but executed brilliantly. It is similar to MatWeb.com in both the concept and revenue model: very easy to use, free, and valuable information not elsewhere consolidated, with revenue mostly from advertising. But there’s also the franchising opportunity to take this to other towns. The VT Gobblerfest was its premiere, in downtown Blacksburg, and if it’s as well received in other towns, then ACI has built a repeatable product. Almost a CraigsList , but with more pizzazz, ease of use, and mobile-web friendly.
So with great news like MatWeb getting published in a marketing book, and NextThreeDays conceived, built and launched in my absence, maybe I should put in for an extension over here? Well, no, I suppose the Pointy-Haired-Boss does look forward to getting back to tending his cubicle farm.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1052009-08-27T11:39:58-04:002009-08-27T11:39:58-04:002009-08-27T11:39:58-04:00 So goes Chapter 9 of Midas Marketing by Rob Slee, published in March of 2009. In the analysis of this case study, Rob Slee reveals that the database is MatWeb.com and Hank Fish is really Henry Bass. I was honored to be highlighted in one of 20 chapters in Rob’s latest book, focusing on Marketing at the small-business-but-big-thinker level, at what he calls the dawn of the Aggregation Age. This is a follow up to his Midas Managers book, discussing new companies in the Conceptual Age (post 9/11/2001). Rob will be presenting a Midas seminar at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center on September 22nd, and he has recently opened a Midas Institute at Virginia Tech , addressing the fact that private business generates the majority of the US economy, yet most schools teach management, finance and operations for public companies. Both of his recent books are great case-study books, the rare breed of book that does a small business owner good, while at the same time can be read cover-to-cover in a weekend (and you can still cut the grass, play ball with your kids, and catch a movie). Digesting it and applying it might take a little longer. But it was inspirational, even if I admit to reading the centerfold chapter first!
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1022009-08-14T04:30:13-04:002009-08-14T04:30:13-04:002009-08-14T04:30:13-04:00Several visits to their office, and lots of trying to connect, revealed there was just too much spectrum interference for me to use wifi. So the manager dispatched these two young men, who quickly set up a receiver, spliced the Cat V cable, and configured my IP addresses to have a wired connection. I was impressed. But for my readers that are headed to Basra, be patient! It took about 2 weeks of me working with the Al Dalham team, showing them my problems, and patiently returning time after time. They're on a learning curve, but I'll say this: they're learning fast. I expect it's already twice as good as when I bought in two weeks ago. There was some give and take, too. I helped proof-read some of their marketing material, and I escorted one of their technicians out to the antenna that was giving me trouble. So in the big picture, how does this mirror the growth and progress in Iraq? Very well, I think.
<]]>henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1012009-07-29T05:02:32-04:002009-07-29T05:02:32-04:002009-07-29T05:02:32-04:00 On our 10th anniversary, Ethan was just 5 months old, so we mutually decided to postpone a celebration vacation until our 11th anniversary! So now on our 20th, the decision to postpone a vacation has been made for us.
There were two small things I could do to celebrate my wonderful bride. In Christiansburg, I rented the local flower shop's sign:
I sent her flowers, too, but I couldn't hang those on the sign!
In Basra, I made coordination back in June to fly my own US Flag over the Division Headquarters in honor of the occasion. They have a program for this, and Major General Nash provided a very nice certificate recognizing our anniversary. I coordinated to be the one to hoist it, so my day started at 7am, raising this flag over the 34th Division Headquarters, Coalition Operating Base Basra.
Notice I'm squinting: the sun's up at 4:30am, so by 7am, it's not only bright, but hot!
So, to Lisa, It has been the best 20 years a guy good hope for- and more. It still feels like the beginning of our marriage, because there's so much more ahead of us. I love you deeply. and I owe you one heck of a great vacation! How about we go someplace with lots of water?
Secretary gates visited Tallil, where the 287th is headquartered.
The Advisory and Assistance Brigade concept is the next step in both US withdrawal and Iraqi economic development.
Artillerymen are more than just cannoncockers.
By Capt. John Landry 4th BCT, 1st Armd. Div.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates paid a visit to Soldiers of 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division. The "Highlander" Soldiers garnered the Pentagon's attention because they are developing future doctrine as the U.S. Army's proof of principle for the "advisory and assistance" brigade [AAB] mission, spearheading the transition of U.S. forces in Iraq to a full-time advisory and civil capacity role.
With Iraqi Security Forces in the lead, the Highlander brigade reorganized its artillery battalion into Task Force Pathfinder, a unit focused on developing Iraqi civil capacity with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The PRTs are staffed by civilian experts in governance, economics, culture, agriculture, education, engineering and law. The U.S. State Department operates the Maysan and Muthanna PRTs, while the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages the one in Dhi Qar.
The PRTs are not new to Iraq. They have been working in the region for several years. The difference now is under the "advisory and assistance" brigade concept, nearly 600 Soldiers are assigned to support their efforts and extend their reach into more remote, outlying areas across a three-province area.
To accomplish this mission, Pathfinder Soldiers have undertaken a new job they have not necessarily been trained for. In fact, a roster was created within the task force to identify anyone with "special skills" as an attempt to seek out those with previous expertise in a trade or academic field.
"Our Soldiers have adapted extremely well to their new roles," said Lt. Col. Mike Eastman, commander, TF Pathfinder. "While this is very different from firing artillery, it highlights the intelligence and flexibility in our ranks today."
During lunch, Gates sought information on how the new role of U.S. Soldiers is measuring up. He asked the PRTs how this new unit has been able to help their efforts toward utilizing the Commanders Emergency Response Program.
Dr. Anna Prouse, team leader of the Dhi Qar PRT, said trusting the Army was met with "initial skepticism," but after the short time they've spent working together, she "could only welcome this increased role of the U.S. soldiers, seeing how beneficial it has already been in yielding faster results."
The Secretary of Defense said he was impressed with accomplishments of the Pathfinder Soldiers. "These guys are a bunch of artillery guys who, with five months of training before they got here, are taking on new missions and having a big impact," said Gates.
Filling gaps like this enables the PRTs to focus more closely on current projects in development. Understanding the large undertaking this new mission entails, Gates commended the Soldiers of TF Pathfinder and conveyed the importance of their role on the deployment. "Thank you for your service," said Gates. "What you are doing here is the next phase of our progress in Iraq."
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=972009-06-24T13:12:30-04:002009-06-24T13:12:30-04:002009-06-24T13:12:30-04:00 Typically, I'll work the early shift, from about 6:30 am to 7:00 PM (1900 HRS!). Jim works about 10:30 am to 11:00 PM (2300 HRS!!). That way, we've got good coverage for all the little things, and big things, that pop up, plus we're double-teamed in the busier part of the day, with either meetings or various projects. That works well.
911 viagra callhenryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=942009-06-21T11:32:48-04:002009-06-21T11:32:48-04:002009-06-21T11:32:48-04:00 Could you please ask your soldiers to start their ranges earlier in the morning? I find the noise of machine guns a pleasant distraction from sleep.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=932009-06-14T09:42:49-04:002009-06-14T09:42:49-04:002009-06-14T09:42:49-04:00 At the same time, we’re making some great progress here in Basra, with new facilities such as the new post office opening this week, a permanent finance facility before that, and a fuel farm, water purification facility, and a new cargo/convoy staging area. I’ve helped build many of these facilities, both literally and conceptually. Last night, I helped cut, drill and weld a piece of cage material needed for the post office security, and at the same time, I’m meeting with the Division Engineers to plan how we’re going to accommodate traffic flow and container storage, while not interfering with the Division Band’s new practice hall.
The position I assumed in April has me looking not just at Basra developments, but all of southern Iraq (everything south of Baghdad). I must say, the whole picture shows remarkable progress and opportunities for the citizens of Iraq. Basra has made the “Iraqi First” contracting initiative work, and the southern provinces of Iraq all have a tremendous number of infrastructure improvements going on, from beekeeping to cement plants!
This week marks my 6th month in Iraq, and coming up on 9 months of mobilization. Personally, I’m on the downhill leg, and with the President's plan to be out of Iraq by 2011, I know the United States is in a similar stance. There’s still a lot of ground to cover, but it’s easier, I think, when you can look back and see how far you’ve already gone.
GEN Odierno said in a letter to all those serving in Iraq:
Today, our Army remains strong and resilient. The very best Army in the world. The full-spectrum operations you perform are among the most difficult our nation's Soldiers have ever faced, carried out in an unforgiving climate against a resourceful enemy. It is a task which calls for the strength, intelligence and tenacity which you exemplify. Our struggle to bring stability to Iraq links you to the proud heritage of Soldiers who have fought far from home in the defense of the nation. Today, we fight and serve alongside our comrades-in-arms from other services and nations. We are part of a Joint and Combined team in Iraq. We are Soldiers, mentally and physically tough, adaptive to the changing environment, who will always win.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=922009-06-07T04:39:47-04:002009-06-07T04:39:47-04:002009-06-07T04:39:47-04:00 Background: The 34th Infantry division is about 1/3 of the audience, and the newest arrival. They're mostly from the Minnesota National Guard. Also big in the audience is the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. Regular Army, hard charging warfighters. So here goes...
Red Bull, where are you? Yeah! Enjoying Basra? Like those CHUs? Well, I’ll tell you, as one of the lucky residents of a CHU, I can say it’s not all that 4 walls have been cracked up to be. One of the new rules, I mean besides everybody below Full Colonels having a roommate, some having three soldiers to a 10x10 room, is that we need to shut off the air conditioners when we’re gone more than 4 hours. For most of us, that means during the heat of the day.
So you take your bed, wrap it in a metal container, seal it up, put it in the 120 to 130 degree sun, and let it simmer for 12 to 16 hours while you and your roommate work the day shift. Sounds like a great recipe for my grandmother’s pot roast! Put the meat on a bed of rice in an aluminum pot, wrap it in foil, let it simmer. At least a pot roast gets basted!
I came back to our CHU last night, and the bed was HOT. I mean, like getting into a car with leather seats on a sunny day HOT. That’d be great for the middle of winter if we could just trade places there by 6 months, but a hot bed is a new experience in the summer. I cranked up the A/C and went for a shower... Guess what? My shower gel was HOT, and it just poured out of the bottle like water. And my toothpaste. If you’ve never brushed your teeth with hot toothpaste, you’re missing a real treat. There’s probably some exclusive Country Clubs in Minnesota where they preheat your toothpaste for you, and it’s considered a luxury, so you don’t know just how good you’ve got it here in Basra!
Of course, the faucets are labeled wrong, too. Cold water is usually pretty warm, and by the way, I know that truck that fills up the water says “potable water” on it, but the signs say DON’T DRINK THE WATER. Don’t brush your teeth with it. So where is the potable water going? To the toilets? To me, that’s not water. It’s not cold, it’s not drinkable. So why does the truck say “potable water?” That’s like the fuel trucks out at the fuel point. Have you seen those? There’s a big warning on each truck that says, “Danger! Inflammable!”
Now in almost every word in the English language, when you put the prefix “in” on the front of a word, it means “NOT.” Like, INDESCRIBABLY HOT! It’s SO hot, you can’t describe it. So the fuel is INFLAMMABLE, and if you see the MoGas trucks what do they say? “Danger! Highly Inflammable.” Check it out some time.
Seriously, though, Iraq has made some outstanding progress since 2003. And you’re a big part of that! It is absolutely awesome that the elections were a great success, the Iraqi citizens overwhelming voted for leaders who embrace building the infrastructure and economy of this nation, and people are getting out and making a difference. So we’re transitioning now, on our way out, and most of what we contribute now is advice and assistance.
In fact, our new Brigade Combat Teams on the way in next year are now called “Advisory and Assistance Brigades.” Did you know that? This is the new politically correct term. Where’s the 2/4 tonight? You’ve heard of these “AAB’s” - Am I right?
It’s still a Brigade of 3,000 trained warfighters, but they’re here to advise and assist. We’ll help the Iraqi Army become independent. For example, we’ll stand next to a squad of the Iraqi army and say, “Hey! See those Terrorists over there?” Well, wait, terrorists isn’t the right word. “Hey, see those peace-challenged fellows over there with an armload of TNT, a motorcycle battery and a detonation switch?” I advise you to light them up with this Mark 19 I happen to have with me. Do you need assistance loading it?
Truly, Kelly was an exceptional boy who was always smiling. He was blessed with a loving family, and I believe they did their absolute best to make the most of their short time with Kelly, not even knowing he was not to be with us long. God Bless Kelly and the Ryan family. Kelly Ryan's page on the Cub Scout Pack 145 website
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henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=902009-05-17T08:03:50-04:002009-05-17T08:03:50-04:002009-05-17T08:03:50-04:00the transformation we’ve undergone in Basra, you know that a great deal happened here, all at once: we went from UK forces to US, all the contractors changed to Iraqi-based businesses, almost all of whom had not contracted with the military before, and the number of soldiers doubled or more. Coming up, we will switch from using US Dollars to a system based entirely on the Iraqi Dinari. A soldier who writes a check or who takes a portion of his pay in cash will receive Dinari. Contractors will be paid in Dinari, including the American contractors. The PX will only accept our “Eagle Cash Cards,” or Dinari. Everything, and this time, Tallil will lead the way, converting over in a few short weeks.
The purpose of this switch is to get US Dollars out of Iraq, and help the Iraqi Dinari be a more stable, viable currency. We’re putting a lot of money into the country, so let’s do it in their currency. Another move to their own independence, and the departure of US influence.
So I thought to myself, "Where else but the military can you force a change that is decidedly good for the long run, but certainly goes against our natural inertia?" I certainly wouldn’t choose to carry Dinari in my wallet. "I’m an American! I get paid in dollars! But wait: if everybody does this, all at once, it won’t matter, will it? I can still get a haircut, buy a watch, or give the guy at the carwash a tip."
So what would happen in the US if we wanted to make some change for the good of the country, but for it to work, it had to be a sudden, dramatic switch? Say we need to abolish the complex income tax system. Throw it out and use a simple table where lower income people pay from none to a small percent of earnings, and the highly compensated pay a significant percent of their income to tax? We’ve seen lobbyists attack this idea, income tax preparation companies, tax lawyers and others who earn their living based on the complexity of our system. They have a loud voice, and they’ll sue someone because their rights are being violated. And many special interests would loose their protected tax status that their congressperson fought so hard for.
And that’s why we can’t seem to have the Metric System in the United States. It would take a sudden, simple change to unify the US with the rest of the world. Can you imagine? We’re the leader in the global economy, but we trade on a different system of weights and measures . We’re holding ourselves back, because too many people can fight for the status quo, afraid they might have to change their tools, or wouldn’t understand the speed limit. But if we could really take charge, just for 3 months or so, and say, “No. This is the way it’s going to be. It’s a little painful, but get over it, because we WILL all be better off.” Then there would be some amazing things we could do, and we wouldn’t sue each other silly trying to do it.
Certainly the economy and a deployed owner affects the company and interrupts our rhythm. But ACI has an outstanding team of dedicated professionals, and I'm very proud of several great initiatives they have cooking. We continue to make very good progress on the web-based refrigeration control and energy management for supermarkets that I was talking about last year.
We have a couple of developers serving with Kronos Federal Systems in Blacksburg, and SAIC has grown in Blacksburg. I helped a good friend become part of their management team recently, and prior to deployment, ACI worked on 2 separate web-based software development proposals with the SAIC professionals.
With me gone, our advisory board has done a fantastic job, and now Jim Wyers is on our team as Interim President. He has been a good friend since working with him at Virginia Tech Army ROTC, and in 2005, he became an ACI employee working on our Army software contract. He was delighted to come back, and is overseeing daily operations as well as business development.
The MatWeb material property database and search engine continues to thrive with steady growth and continued improvements to both the search engine and underlying data. Dale, Nils and Rob have recently added new premium features and are ramping up for summer engineering internships.
PC Drafter is about to launch its 10th year, and our new Fantasy Draft Software comparison matrix shows pretty clearly that we've got one of the best packages, yet very reasonably priced.
The bottom line remains strong. We have observed that customers are taking longer to commit, and some projects are on hold, but by and large, our team is fully engaged, and business is on the uptick. And when our team is not working on our projects, they are often undertaking education and self-improvement. We've also been brainstorming some new applicaitons and have a few exciting things cooking!
Personally, I've gone from about 90 hours a week to something around 75 and feel like life is suddenly much better! I've started an application for Systems Engineering certification through INCOSE, and am working on an improved security clearance. Both items should help our marketability after I return.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=882009-05-14T04:21:14-04:002009-05-14T04:21:14-04:002009-05-14T04:21:14-04:00The 34th ID, Red Bulls, hails from the the Minnesota National Guard and has a long, distinguished military history. Among their notable events, the 34th ID was the first US Division to deploy overseas in WWII, and they fought with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. Minnesota has a distinguished war history as well, with Company A, 194th Armored Regiment deployed to the Philippines in Autumn, 1941. The Wikipedia page for the Bataan Death March lists Minnesota as one of five commemoration marches that memoralize those who were involved in this horrific event.
Here in Basra, the Red Bulls conducted a simultaneous march with their home state, offering 10 mile and 20 mile options.
Having a compelling need to participate in all things aerobic, I donned my ruck and went for the 10 mile event! Two hours and forty minutes later, I was at the finish line, scraping the salt off of my face and neck!
The event was very well run, with the Red Bulls BAND playing at start point and the turn-around point. 86 of us were out there, and the weather smiled on us, with temperatures only in the low 90’s.
This is at about the 7.5 mile mark for me. Note the band, with their rifles under their chairs. I emailed my son Eric about the band, since he has been playing Baritone (Euphonium) for 3 years, and we’ve just become Band Parents ourselves! Eric will be in marching band next year as he enters High School.
"Security is necessary, but [it is] not sufficient. Certainly it is the bedrock, it's the foundation for everything else," he said. "When there are 55 dead bodies every 24 hours in Baghdad, you're not going to get legislation. You're not going to see markets open. You're not going to see kids going to school. Everything stops except for survival." "You have to achieve that security, but . . . then it must be capitalized on," he added. "As you achieve a little bit more security, you begin a spiral upward instead of a spiral downward, where all of a sudden now you can ... get a market open, and then the people might provide you a little bit better intelligence, which means more effective raids and targeted operations, which means more bad guys off the streets, which means more local support, which means now you can get some Iraqi forces back on the streets. And you keep spiraling upward in a series of reinforcing activities, each of which capitalizes on the other."
Certainly it’s a good thing that we didn’t suddenly pull out of Iraq in the midst of gaining momentum, the upward spiral! And we do have some hard deadlines we’re meeting in accordance with the Iraqi legislation and at the request of our Iraqi partners, including a requirement to have combat troops out of the cities by the end of June.
The amazing part to me, though, is that the US Military, trained in the management of violence, is making a real difference in the economic stability of this country. In 2003, the objection was that “we’re not really trained to be economic development agents, we’re trained to kill” but the answer really is, “Who else is capable of pulling this off?”
You need a huge force to squash the violence, but do so in partnership with the host nation, and phase your own withdrawal so that more and more, it is the host nation that is taking care of itself.
“But we’re Americans! We want a quick fix! Isn’t there a pill we can take? Can’t we just get out of there?”
Well, no. We can’t. We’re Americans, and we’re trained to do the right thing.
My new work is a sustainment brigade representative (liaison officer, LNO) to the Division Headquarters, and that’s considerably more routine. I’m in the G4 office, which oversees all supplies, equipment, transportation, fuel, water, and property accountability in the Division. I say, routine, but of course it's a lot of problem solving, and every day is different. Perhaps the best way to charactarize is that every day used to be insanely chaotic, now it's just chaotic. I’m definitely up earlier, though, starting around 0500 or 0530. One big driver for me being up early is that Mr. Sun starts his day off about 0500 here, and that’s going to get worse before it gets better! Breakfast opens at 0530, so having a custom-made omelet is my new favorite way to start the day. By 0630, I’m in the office getting set up for the first meeting. Usually it’s an update briefing via video teleconference. Next, there’s a daily G4 “huddle” where we go quickly through all the outstanding issues. From there, a bit of time to work the issues and take care of business. Lunch comes along as my first chance to see what the day has turned out to be: Hot? Dusty? Thunderstorms? Then it’s back in the climate-controlled HQ for an afternoon meeting or two, more email, and reports.
One of the other soldiers in the G4 is also a blogger! Take a look at the adventures of SGM Dave Crotteau . He had a heck of a time getting flights in April, but finally made it. His April posts also include good descriptions of the environment here, and he concurs that being here is absolutely the right thing to do! Interestingly, his daughter, Jacki, is about to deploy over here as well!
Several times a week we have a Brigade Battle Update Analysis where the LNOs always have a slide about recent activities, presented to the Brigade commander and attended (online) by every section in the brigade (about 120 slides! Break for dinner, then back to work, until 8 or 10pm, depending on how things are going. During the huge build-up, we were often at work until 11 or later…but things are much better now. Plus, there's two of us now. Maj Jim Reis is a huge help. In fact, it’s not unusual now to hit a lull between meetings and have time to go to the gym or the Internet café. That makes a world of difference in my morale!
Below is a photo of my workspace. I've "marked my territory" within the sea of cubicles with a partriotic banner made by the great Cub Scouts of Pack 145 .
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=852009-04-24T09:11:19-04:002009-04-24T09:11:19-04:002009-04-24T09:11:19-04:00 You’ve probably heard about the use of contractors here, from KBR to Blackwater and many others. As Basra transitioned March 31st, though, we implemented a contracting practice that puts Iraqi-based businesses out front. “Iraqi-First” gives preference to our host nation, not only helping them develop business and service skills, but keeping the contracting money in Iraq. This initiative has not been painless, as several winners had not previously held a contract with us before. They had to quickly spin up a new workforce, tools, security processing, and their own support structure, such as parts-ordering for air conditioners and electric generators.
The result, though, is pretty amazing! We are witnessing a fantastic transformation that is yet another step towards Iraq being self-reliant and economically stable.
Once in Iraq, the sparse conditions of Basra, and being constantly on the move for convoys and meetings, plus wearing the body armor everywhere, I managed to drop down to 204, with only once or twice a week at the gym. That’s all there was time for! The discretionary time, at least for me, was non-existent. Since December, it has been 90-hour weeks.
Now, with American food and its fattening temptations at the dining facility, after a brief celebratory splurge, I’m eating pretty close to “right” with salads for lunch, healthy, low-carb breakfasts, and balanced dinners. But there’s the occasional sodas, Gatorades, and ice cream or cake, much more abundant now. So my weight has gone back up a bit, to 207. Still well within the regulations, but a disturbing trend. In fact, many soldiers in more built-up areas than Basra report a 20 pound weight-gain during the deployment. The menu is richer, with more prepared foods, corn syrup in lots of the sauces, and some very good fried chicken and mozerilla sticks!
The key, I believe, is not to use meal-times as an escape or crutch. Drink water, not soda, and, for me, avoid the sugar substitutes. For some reason, stopping the “diet” drinks and no-sugar drink mixes made a positive difference. I’ve met my initial goal, but getting below 200 is my “stretch goal” – and I think I can do it.
My job is changing, too. I'm getting out of the convoy business and more into the division-level logistics. Serving more as the commander's eyes & ears at Division HQ, and as of yesterday, I've finally got another officer helping me on this (But that's another blog). Without jinxing it, I'm cautiously optimistic that there's a little more discretionary time ahead for me. And I intend to use it wisely; at the gym, staying in touch with family, and working on a business certification for ACI. Oh yeah: Occasionally relaxing.
simple loans glendalehenryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=782009-04-02T11:16:06-04:002009-04-02T11:16:06-04:002009-04-02T11:16:06-04:00I’ve been contacted by a few soldiers and contractors headed to Basra, so I wanted to take the opportunity of yesterday’s historic transition from UK to US forces, to refresh an overview of our happy home.
PX (store): We have a PX the size of a Dollar General store, or less. A bigger PX is being built late this summer.
Internet for individuals is sketchy at best right now. Sniper Hill might set something up. I personally have worked a deal with the local Internet Café to beam about 100K/sec to a shared office, where 5 of us are using it at $75 each right now.
CHUs (10x10 room)- still being brought in daily. Right now, the crowding on the COB has necessitated 3 people to a CHU for O4 and below. O5, like me, 2 to a CHU, if you get one at all. Tents is what most soldiers are in right now. For contractors, it will depend on where and who you work for as a contractor. They've got some CHU accommodations, typically with a roommate.
DFAC (Dining Facility): converted from UK to US today. There are some growing pains going on with this, but it’s getting better each meal.
MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation): we used to have a tent with movies, games, phones to call home, and free computer use. It went bye-bye mid-March for the sake of bedspace. AT&T has just set up a trailer near DFAC IV, and in the next few months, an entire DFAC is going to be converted to an MWR and Gym. We get USO/MWR sponsored celebrity visits about twice a month. A comedian group and rock band are both on this month’s schedule.
Mail: Mail arrives 3 times a week. In May, we’re preparing for daily shipments. The Stars and Stripes newspaper comes with it, generally about a week old.
Flights: both helo and fixed wing serve Basra pretty regularly. Space-A is the norm. Going anywhere usually averages taking 3 days, even though it's a 1-2 hour flight.
Force protection: I won't say specifics, but suffice it to say we're doing a lot better than one year ago during the surge and battle of Basra. Still, Basra is the 2nd largest city in Iraq, with a population between 1.4 and 2.2 million, by various reports.
Not to spoil the end of the Veggie Tales movie for you, but Jonah uses the power of information to convince the citizens that there’s a better way. Jonah is hesitant at first, believing that God really ought to smite the Ninevites. But Jonah comes around and uses teaching and diplomacy to persuade the citizens that there’s a better way. They go back and forth a little bit, because it’s easy to fall back to your old ways of feuding.
At our stage of the Iraqi conflict, our weapons aren’t really bullets and tanks, it is Information. Telling, showing and teaching the people of Iraq about the infrastructure: clean water, schools, sewage, reliable power. Commerce. And giving them the freedom of movement to experience this themselves. We can be close by, just in case a few poor sports want to fall back to their feuding, but mostly we want to teach, coach, and reassure the citizens that life can be better! * Learn about the Veggie Tale's Jonah movie
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=692009-02-24T13:13:13-04:002009-02-24T13:13:13-04:002009-02-24T13:13:13-04:00fun run in Basra- well not to be outdone, ACI’s Laureen Fleming has entered herself, her husband and her best friend in a TRIATHALON! Way to go, Laureen! And thanks to Anne Clelland, we enjoy your blog and the recent content you provided in Valley Business Front (it’s a real, honest-to-goodness print magazine that ran several pieces on blogging for business in its second edition). Now wouldn't you know it? Anne runs, too. Triathalons and any old whacked out race. She blogs on blogging, blogs about running, and runs on about other blogs. Now I've blogged too much.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=682009-02-22T10:47:57-04:002009-02-22T10:47:57-04:002009-02-22T10:47:57-04:00 Catch and Release: the Best Strategy for Sustainment I've blogged before about how we call ourselves "Convoy Catchers" - carrying this analogy a little further, I'd like to apply it to a favorite pasttime: fishing!
Catch and Release, Convoy Style
Land convoy as quickly as possible. Keeping exhausted drivers at the gate leads to bad AARs.
Keep drivers on hand while removing the load. Avoid brusing the cargo or upsetting the protective gunner escorts.
Release drivers back to the road only after they have been rested and fed. If necessary, firmly remind the CC of rest requirements.
For missions so critical on time that connexes cannot be downloaded, emptied and returned the same night, download the connex, and put an empty back on; backhaul missions will eventually clear your yard of empty containers.
In COBs, release convoys when medevac is green.
Use one experienced NCOIC. Experienced NCOs make the mission easy by delegating jobs to each section with a ramp yard, MHE section, and customer waiting area.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=672009-02-20T04:29:35-04:002009-02-20T04:29:35-04:002009-02-20T04:29:35-04:00I received promotion orders for Lieutenant Colonel! The Army holds a board annually to review the records of Majors who have completed the required military education, years in service and officer efficiency reports. I was notified in January that I had been selected for promotion. While I was in the Individual Ready Reserve, promotions happened in late September. For deployed reserve soldiers, however, Uncle Sam takes care of us and makes the promotion date mid-December, 2008!
We had a great ceremony yesterday, and I was very honored to have Major General Robert B. Newman, Jr. do the promotion. MG Newman is The Adjutant General (TAG) for the state of Virginia, and was here visiting the 226th Military Police unit from Manassas.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=662009-02-13T06:57:40-04:002009-02-13T06:57:40-04:002009-02-13T06:57:40-04:00For those new to my blog, the military in Iraq requires a LOT of logistics support! Part of my job is to ensure convoys arrive, download, upload, and depart efficiently as the Basra base grows. While the U.S. is fully equipped to do this mission, it’s in everyone’s best interest if we make maximum use of the businesses and citizens of Iraq. Logistics is a great place to do that!
Several Iraqi logistics companies are involved in transporting our supplies, and they are doing an excellent job! Early reports said the Arabic culture really doesn’t include the kind of time synchronization we’re used to in the military, but I want you to know, the drivers running our equipment are all about being on time, minimizing everyone’s wait (including their own), and getting the job done!
Note in above photo: Iraqi driver supervising the loading of his truck, and a British soldier (bending down) inspecting the vehicle.
Why are the Iraqi truck drivers breaking from tradition and becoming great at time management? Well, we pay them for one. Good old capitalism works! We treat them with respect, and we show our appreciation for a job well done with repeat business. In the continuity of Full Spectrum Operations, we’re at the tail end: transitioning a former battlefield into a self-sufficient economy through stabilization and reconstruction. Our weapons are more carrots than sticks: the economy, infrastructure, media and politics. Certainly we’ve got our heavy arms nearby, but what really makes this work is instilling a desire to succeed in this country. It’s working, too. I get to have dinner from time to time with the pilots who have been here for almost a year. They tell me that from the air, it is clear that what was once a quiet ghost town has come alive with citizens moving around, shopping, working and making Basra the thriving metropolis it should be. Furthermore, last month’s general election bore this out. The citizens voted for the leaders who have a vision for infrastructure and growth. The Seattle Times did a great Op Ed piece that sums up the election situation: Give Iraq Credit for Holding an Election that Butresses Democracy
As a result of this fantastic event, we now have four nice plasma screen TVs in our dining facility! You can see from the shot below that the layout of the dining room makes it so you really have to stand up in order to see anything. There are barrier walls between each table for both privacy and force protection. The Superbowl aired 3 times in our area: once live at 2am, rebroadcast at lunch, and again at 8pm. Almost all of us in Basra still had a mission to accomplish, so participation was only about 70%. Many folks finished their two beers shortly after kickoff and went back to bed for the live event. Our group had scheduled the 8pm rebroadcast. I saw the kickoff, but had to leave for mission. When I came back, shortly after halftime, the dining facility was vacant except for 8 soldiers! The Armed Forces Network does not permit sponsorships or advertising, so we didn’t see any of the entertaining commercials this year.
The day after the SuperBowl was a highlight, though. I had connected with some of the soldiers whom I’d observed flying radio controlled planes and helicopters! A First Seargent invited my to pilot one of his foam delta wings, and it was a blast! They regularly gather by a small parking lot and fly at night, near a portable generator spotlight. All electric, and the airport makes sure that they keep under 200’ altitude. Oh yeah, I also got my picture taken with three NFL cheerleaders, the “Raiderettes.” They all signed an autograph sheet along with Sammy Morris (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots), Josh Wilson (Seahawks) and Willie Roaf (Saints and Chiefs), made out to my boys, Eric and Ethan. Sammy Morris was on my Fantasy Football Team and did quite well in 2008!
Under the t-shirts and against the locker is a care package. The post office makes these universal flat-rate boxes, and I'm the fortunate recipient of several from my family, plus a few "any soldier" boxes.
To the lower left, you can see my ballistic armor stand, with my vest resting on it. It is a woden cross, symbolic for Jesus helping carry my load! But they’re specially made to hold our helmets and 45-pound bullet-stopping armor, which we have to wear everywhere except the sleeping area. Why? British rules for force protection. In effect until April 1st, when the US officially takes over Basra. We’ve enjoyed remarkable peace here, but it wasn’t so quiet just 8 months ago. The surge helped, along with a lot of other factors. (Another future topic) Anyway, after April 1st, we’ll also be able to take apart these bunkers (Stonehenges).
What will living space Version 9.0 be? How many versions until we retire this product/soldier? the US is rapidly constructing CHUs all around, and our logistics element will likely move around on the COB (Coalition Operations Base) to accommodate new construction. I'll bet there are at least two more moves in store for me before October, plus redeployment back to the US for another week at Ft Lewis or some other base. The final version comes full circle though-- back to Christiansburg, Virginia!
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=632009-02-01T12:12:11-04:002009-02-01T12:12:11-04:002009-02-01T12:12:11-04:00But I thought, why not join in the British Fun Run, being sponsored to raise money for wounded veterans? Brightening the day just a little is something Sergeant Harrington was good at! The course was 5.6 kilometers, so here I am just after the course, near the finish line.
I didn’t know what it meant when it was advertised as “fancy dress” – there are some serious translation issues here with the British! It turns out, fancy dress means wear a costume. I wore my "Bass Pro Shops" USA T-Shirt (Get it? Major Bass??) and for soldiers, anything other than strict Army PT clothes or the new digital cami-ACU uniform is a huge variance. But the truly courageous ran in gladiator outfits, some a little too revealing, and cardboard tank cutouts. Everybody got a nice t-shirt, and it started the day off with a smile.
You can see the dust and rain starting to kick up as the race wrapped up:
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=622009-01-30T20:43:19-04:002009-01-30T20:43:19-04:002009-01-30T20:43:19-04:00The internal conflict for me recently is that my blog messages are always upbeat and positive about the Army. I do enjoy serving my country, and I’m proud to be here, but the reality of military operations is that we are at war, and people get hurt. Sergeant Kyle Harrington’s loss was felt across the camp. He was a bright light, and spread his light through a positive attitude even in toughest times. He worked in the maintenance team where I work and our unit here sincerely misses him. We are grateful for his time with us, and our prayers are with his family. Our memorial service was deeply moving, and there were similar services in Tallil, Iraq where his unit is headquartered, as well as Ft Lewis, Washington and his final resting place in Swansea, MA.
His family printed this obituary in the Massachusetts Herald News: Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington, age 24 of Fort Lewis, Washington formerly of Swansea, died January 24, 2009 while serving his country in Iraq. Husband of Faith A. (Ryan) Harrington of Fort Lewis, WA, father of Joshua Dennis Harrington and Kaylee Elizabeth Harrington, son of Kathleen (Blow) (Seligman) Harrington of Fall River and Dennis Harrington and his wife Jodi of Cranston, RI, brother of Elizabeth J. Harrington of Fall River, son-in-law of Debra and Bill Ryan, grandson of Irene J. Harrington of San Andreas, CA., also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and three nieces. Grandson of the late Lionel and Hilma Blow and Fred Joseph Harrington. Kyle was born in Newport, RI. on July 17, 1984. Growing up he spent many years in cub scouts and playing a variety of sports. He was a 2003 graduate of Joseph Case High School. He then joined the Army as a mechanic in pursuit of a better life for his young family. During his 4 and a ½ years in the army he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom for 21 months. He had a passion for rock music and movies of all genres. Kyle attracted others to want to be around him with his charming attributes and he formed many lasting friendships, including those with his brothers in arms. He was a devoted husband and father, spending most of his time with his family. Kyle had a very close relationship with his parents and sister despite moving cross country with his wife and children. Although he had a large family that is scattered, they managed to stay close with reunions and during holidays. His entire family was very important to him. He was a man that any mother would be proud to call her own. He will be terribly missed by all the lives he has touched with his presence. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10 AM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT BIRCHCREST, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Visiting hours Fri. 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his honor to the Kyle Joseph Harrington Memorial Trust Fund, PO Box 82, Swansea, MA 02777
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=612009-01-21T13:36:35-04:002009-01-21T13:36:35-04:002009-01-21T13:36:35-04:00 So here's me next to Jack and his British handler. Jack checks through incoming non-military trucks and makes sure they're safe to come into the camp. He's just one of many steps each vehicle goes through. Notice the Arabic translation of numbers behind us- they write down each license coming into the base, and that means translating the numbers!
As a convoy catcher, I get to see Jack in action now & then, and unlike a police dog, these working dogs are completely ok with friendly contact.
Of course, this makes me miss my own dog, Zoe, who loves to play fetch with a frisbee or tennis ball. It's a different kind of work, but still work!
Here we are at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Our first stop after we touched down in Kuwait City. I'm standing next to a custom-painted, but short, T-Wall. The 287th Sustainment Brigade left their mark here just 3 weeks before us, with an outline of Kansas and the 287th unit patch. Camp Buehring was stark: right in the middle of the desert, without a plant of any sort to be seen. We were impressed with a PX the size of a small K-Mart, and various shops, to include a 24-hour Starbucks. OK- maybe Tallil will be even better, since it's got a bigger mission and more soldiers, right? right??
Next, I was in Tallil. Camp Adder, specifically. There were lots of well-adorned T-Walls, including this very patriotic tribute to the fallen soldiers from Camp Adder. A BIG salute to them and their families. Camp Adder is where I had a CHU for a few days (see "What's up with CHU" last month), and also where the 287th is headquartered. There was a PX that was about the size of a Dollar General Store. They had a few uniform items, and about 1/2 of the floorspace dedicated to food. As if anyone could go hungry in the Army! Seriously- the DFAC is FREE! But soldiers were buying the stuff. The one coffee shop was run by the chapel, and didn't fit the bill for the connisours in our group (I'm not a coffee drinker, at least not enough to care!). They even had the Camp Adder swimming pool (click to see it!) We enjoyed nice game rooms and various eating choices- including a grab-n-go cafe (breakfast & lunch to go, part of the military-provided meals). Not as nice as Buehring, but not too bad. At least there was Internet available (but slow)!
Camp Bucca is home to probably the largest detention facility in country. It was on the convoy route to Basra, so we spent the night there. It also happens to be the location my brother, Charles Bass, spent his tour in Iraq, caring for detainees' mental health. Here I'm outside the Camp Chapel, photographed by a chaplain's aid. Their PX was just a tad bigger than a Seven-Eleven. They have a nice outdoor stage, though, and several shops, including coffee, in an outdoor mall arrangement.
Basra was next, and my current destination. I haven't found a great place to take my banner photo, though. I can show you where it hangs in my office!
Basra is in transition, from British to US. To keep the analogy going, the PX is the size of, well, maybe the impulse rack in your grocery store check-out line! They've reduced stock on all things as the US PX is about to set up in the next few months. Luckily, I was warned and I brought just about everything needed.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=582009-01-12T15:24:47-04:002009-01-12T15:24:47-04:002009-01-12T15:24:47-04:00 So what''s the defining tactic of Iraq? Certainly the prior part of the war was all about visiting the local neighborhoods, making contact with the sheik, and ferreting out those who would do harm with the US. But in the current phase, as we step back and the Iraqis self-govern more & more, I see that our defining tactic is the combat logistics patrol, CLP. Well, actually, beginning January 1st, 2009, we now call it the convoy. Is it a throwback to the 1970's CB radio fad? Sorta! It's the primary means we move all supplies around the country. One officer here uses this quote on the bottom of his emails:
No Mission without the Logistician.
And what's my role, as a Liaison Officer in Basra? Well, I've started calling myself a convoy catcher! Among other things, I make sure that those logistical missions are greeted at the gate, escorted into a staging yard, properly downloaded and uploaded with their backhaul mission. We make sure the crews get fed (hot meals at their trucks, often, to keep things moving along), then we whisk them to the transient tents and get them bedded down. As they wake up, we ensure the vehicles that need service are fixed quickly, top of their fuel, and speed them on their way to the next destination. Sometimes, we do a "turn and burn" - the mission length doesn't require rest, so they drop their load, upload our outgoing, and move out quickly.
It would make a great video, but here's the real grabber: this all happens at night, in the dark. It's a well-coreagraphed orchestra, with many band members. The hereos in this operation are the truck drivers and their gunner escorts. They remain vigilant and sharp over long hauls, constantly communicating and ready for anything. The outstanding equipment provided by our US industrial base doesn't hurt either: uparmored HMMWV's, MRAPs, ASV's, armored tractor-trailers all make a formidable wall of mobile combat power.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=572009-01-04T09:00:05-04:002009-01-04T09:00:05-04:002009-01-04T09:00:05-04:00 This is me with the sharp MRAP crew that drove me to Bucca, then Basra: The soldiers of A-56 BSTB, from Irving, Texas "Mexican (gunner), Cowboy (driver), and Outsider (commander)." I have the unique honor of being the first officer to ride with them!
]]>henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=562008-12-31T12:04:50-04:002008-12-31T12:04:50-04:002008-12-31T12:04:50-04:00The British have publicly said they're leaving this Spring, so big changes are afoot. Enroute here, we stopped over at Camp Bucca, which is where Charles was from July 2005-May2006. It was as nice as Tullil, plus they had a decent stage for USO events. We didn't stay long, though, and pushed on in to Basrah. I'll have to post photos and more details another evening, though. You can imagine we're all pretty tired! Happy New Year, and best wishes for a speedy reunion in 2009.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=492008-12-20T07:08:13-04:002008-12-20T07:08:13-04:002008-12-20T07:08:13-04:00 It started off this morning about 35 degrees as we exited the plane, but we're around 80 right now. Like a summer day in the Virginia Blue Ridge.
There's a lot of sand here. We agree that someone should plant a tree...
911 viagra callhenryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=472008-12-18T14:22:46-04:002008-12-18T14:22:46-04:002008-12-18T14:22:46-04:00Surprisingly for this Virginia mountain boy, the Northwest-most state in the continental US spends most of its winter around the 40 degree mark. The "pineapple express" Pacific ocean currents keep the temperatures warm near the coast. I haven't even seen any salt on the roads-- meaning it isn't worth the cost to have salt/snow removal vehicles for how rare this is. The impact on us is that our B, C and D bags are long gone. Our "A" bags were loaded & sealed on a truck yesterday morning, and we're living out of our carry-on. So the packing list and planning pays off, because members of the other unit that's going with us are running to the PX to buy toothbrushes, underwear, shampoo, etc. So we're hanging out, waiting for the word to go. In the mean time, we've at least got the computer lab two blocks from our off & on barracks. I was able to write a little code to help my blog here: apparantly, some dispicable characters are trying to steal my Google juice by spamming me with comments for pharmaceutical products and fake watches. No more. Comments require approval now. Furthermore, until the 100 posts per night die off (really!), I've disabled commenting. If you'd like me to open any of these blog posts for comments, just email your thoughts to me and I'll post it right away. It's not like I'm turning away legitimate comments, though. With over 45 posts, there are only 6 relevant comments! Seattle Times reports record weather: As temperatures dropped this week, electricity use spiked as residents crank up their heaters and other appliances work harder. Puget Sound Energy said Tuesday that its peak electricity load Monday night broke a record set in 1998, and natural-gas use broke a record set in 2006.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=462008-12-16T20:54:07-04:002008-12-16T20:54:07-04:002008-12-16T20:54:07-04:00The result is an Excel Spreadsheet of my inventory that might be useful to other deploying Individual Ready Reserve soldiers, or just the curious. Special circumstances: note that the bags would be reprioritized if we were deploying in the warm/hot months, versus the current winter months. I needed all my layers with me, so that took extra space in the "A" bag. Also, per our orders, we are allowed 3 checked bags, plus a carry-on. PLUS an additional checked bag if we have received the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) equipment, which I have. For us, though, we're only allowed ONE checked bag on the plane, plus a small carry-on. Why? We're an IBU--Itty Bitty Unit, and we'll be crammed in a plane with two other units. No empty seats. So we have to reduce our checked baggage. Furthermore, we'll step on a scale with everything for the plane, and we must be under 400 pounds. That means the "A" bag and carry-on better have almost everything needed for 2 weeks, while "B", "C", and "D" were palletized and shipped four days ago. I hope to see them again! So you see, this list serves a dual purpose: telling others what to pack, as well as the inventory list when I have to file a lost baggage claim.
We fly out on Wednesday (the 17th) in the afternoon. I'll deactivate my iPhone on Tuesday, and hopefully will be able to leave a "don't call me until November 2009" message.
I have posted our unit's mailing address in the top left corner of the blog site. If there's any update (like I get transfered to another unit, or stationed at a different operating base), I'll keep the most accurate mailing address right there.
We're looking at about 32 hours of travel, going the Atlantic route, if you can believe it! Our first hop is to Delaware, then Germany, and finally Kuwait. 10 days or so of training in Kuwait, and we should be in Tallil, Iraq around Christmas. Ho, Ho, Ho!
Where's Tallil? It's not quite halfway between Kuwait and Bahgdad, between the Biblical "Ur" and "An Nasiriyah".
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=432008-12-09T21:10:25-04:002008-12-09T21:10:25-04:002008-12-09T21:10:25-04:00On the way to the farmer, we were hit with an IED. While the first vehicle reacted, we spotted what we thought was a 2nd IED at the convoy tail (not a long convoy, just 4 HMMWVs!). So we couldn’t go forward to help. The lead vehicle’s radio went out, so they didn’t know what happened, the 2nd vehicle had been “hit” by the IED simulator, and the 3rd vehicle really froze because they knew our 4th vehicle had the recovery tow-strap…but we were separated by the 2nd IED. So we got gigged for not taking faster action. Turns out, the 2nd IED was really the 1st IED…just that it looked pristine because the simulated “boom” happened 10 yards away from it! We got our act together, moved up, rescued the hit vehicle, fired up a sniper, and started moving out when the OC’s (Observer-Controllers) called a halt and we did a quick AAR (After Action Review, see my last entry). Mark had us switch out vehicles 1 (bad radio) with 3 (flakey vehicle commander) so that we could have good commo on our most important vehicle. The commander’s vehicle was #2, and I was in #4 for rear security and vehicle recovery. We learned later that vehicle #1, in addition to bad commo, had an inexperienced gunner. She had worked out a few kinks with the machine gun during the live-fire, so we thought, “Surely she has figured it out now.” Nope. Every time she pulled the trigger, she jammed it up. And she didn’t have the strength or experience to clear the jam. Vehicle #1’s commander, Billy, has four years infantry officer experience and he did not tolerate this well, to put it mildly. On top of that, the gunner doubted herself. “Should I fire?... I see the sniper. I just don’t know if I should fire…” Billy’s response, along the lines of “YES G## D##MIT! Waste the Mother F&&#%#!!!” was an attempt to motivate some action. Then he heard once again the “Bang! Click.” Yet another ammunition jam. He absolutely went ape, yanked the gunner down, and put a staff sergeant up in the gunner’s hatch. Then he had to listen to a barrage of “but I’m trained on the SAW [Squad Assault Weapon]. I passed the training course…the weapon kept jamming…” After the gunner substitution, the weapon miraculously never jammed again. That was just the first of five little scenarios yesterday, and made for some hilarious stories last night. Our four vehicles were the last of 4 groups that went through the course, and it turns out that our little FUBAR wasn’t nearly as bad as the first group’s!
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=422008-12-04T06:45:13-04:002008-12-04T06:45:13-04:002008-12-04T06:45:13-04:00camel spiders to suicide bombers. I had never heard of camel spiders, but the wikipedia entry shows them the size of a ping-pong paddle. They can be about lobster size! Search it on YouTube and the most popular videos are from soldiers in Iraq. The Army has a program for senior NCOs to stay active-duty for 1-2 years after their deployment, ensuring they impart us newbees with their recently gained wisdom. They have also brought on Arabic-speaking actors, built a small Iraqi village, and run us through scenario-based training for manning the base ECP- Entry Control Point; manning a QRF– Quick Reaction Force; defeating IEDs – Improvised Explosive Devices; conducting presence patrols (connecting with the locals, no acronym for that one!); convoy operations; and an additional day at the range focused on SRM – Short Range Marksmanship. We’re combining it all together today, with a live-fire from our HMMWV convoy (HMMWV is the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, the Hummer. It’s more accurately called the M1151 because we’re using the new up-armored HMMWV’s). Live-fire means we’re using real bullets for our gunners. Tomorrow, we switch back to blanks and run through the convoy STX – Situational Training Exercises. That’s our culminating exercise where we put it all together, interact once again with both friendly and hostile Arabic-speaking civilians, and wrap this Ft Lewis training up. The Army has a fantastic culture of continuous improvement: after every training event (or real missions), we conduct an AAR– After Action Review. Our emphasis is on “no thin skins” – every voice is equal, and no hurt feelings. It’s about saving lives and improving our mission performance. Organizationally, the Army has a better reputation for this among our sister services in the Navy and Air Force, so hopefully it catches on elsewhere. Certainly in the software-development world, our company has practiced close-out meetings as a required step of each project , or along each milestone for larger projects. No thin-skins, what went well and what ideas for improvement do we have, from the junior to the senior staff, everyone has equal input. Among process development and process improvement quality models, this is always a key component: who else knows better on how to improve than the folks who just did it? Moreover, the best ideas often come from the bottom. What better way to give junior soldiers or staff a real feeling of belonging as they make a positive contribution to the unit?
I want to stress that this is all self-imposed. The Army is really not enforcing body-fat except in extreme cases right now: seeing as how they're calling us old Individual Ready Reserve folks out of the woodwork. In fact, I'll go so far as to confess that no one has given us a physical fitness test or tape-test since we re-entered active duty. I do know they looked at this in the medical fitness review, but it wasn't a very close look!
I'm pretty excited about my progress, though, and I look forward to the benefits of dropping this extra weight: faster run times, easier to do push-ups, less stress on my knees, and above all, looking good for my Lisa!
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=372008-11-15T21:46:52-04:002008-11-15T21:46:52-04:002008-11-15T21:46:52-04:00full range at Camp McCrady, we’ve done it again here at Ft. Lewis, only with more pain: a day of M16 preliminary marksmanship training, a day of M16 electronic simulation training (EST), and a very long day at the range. I will say that the EST (not ElectroShock Therapy, but Electronic Simulation Training), was a very cool experience: a large motorpool had been converted into an electronic battlefield with converted M16 weapons (machine guns and anti-tank weapons, too, but not for us). The entire North wall was a computer-projected rifle range, and 18 of us at a time went through the process of zeroing our weapons, then engaging pop-up targets…just like what we’d do the next day on the live range. I’m sure it saves the Army a lot of ammunition, improves safety, and improves the scores of everyone who runs through it. Our day on the range was Saturday. We got our weapons out of the vault at 7am, and were zeroing our weapons by 8am. That involves centering the sights and getting 6 shots in a row within a 2” circle at 25 meters. By 10am, we started moving to the qualification range where we had targets from 50 meters to 300 meters…similar to Camp McCrady, but a better range. We also put on our protective masks (the chemical agent breathing filters), and fired 20 rounds at 50 meter targets. Then we waited 3 hours for nightfall, and fired tracer rounds at 50 meter targets. That part was awesome! I wish I could have video taped it, but YouTube provides a good M16 nightfire reference . The bullets start really whizzing around 1:18 seconds in this 7 minute clip.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=342008-11-12T19:06:56-04:002008-11-12T19:06:56-04:002008-11-12T19:06:56-04:00With an average annual rainfall of 37 inches, this is a far cry from the 4.1 inch average annual rainfall Nasiriya, Iraq. So I’ll be careful what I wish for! Speaking of rain, Eric recently participated in the Christiansburg High School Marching Band recruitment night. Eric has played baritone for 2.5 years now, and said he had a great time at this wet event.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=352008-11-10T19:10:50-04:002008-11-10T19:10:50-04:002008-11-10T19:10:50-04:00A FOB is a forward operating base. That's what we'll see in Iraq, and Fort Lewis has set up its own version of a FOB here. That's me on the left, and Maj Thomas (Mark) Jadrich is helping hold my "We Support You" sign from Cub Pack 145. We're decked out in our new equipment, ready to go to our training. We thought we were headed to a range, but it turned out we took our gear off and sat in a classroom for the afternoon.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=312008-10-31T09:17:57-04:002008-10-31T09:17:57-04:002008-10-31T09:17:57-04:00Now I'm looking for a ride so that I can meet Lisa down the road, and help her drive the family to Aberdeen late tonight. After the boys have done their trick-or-treating, of course, which means it'll be pretty late. Still no news on our confirmed assignment, though. UGH! It'll be Monday, at least, before we learn anything.! But I did get a ride to Union Station, DC. Nice! I had my eye on a train to Staunton, VA, which would intercept Lisa nicely, but I was too late. A close second is a train to Lynchburg, just 30 minutes out of the way. We'll just stay in Lynchburg for the night, or longer! In the mean time, I had some time to kill while waiting for the train. I took a walk to find a CVS photo printing station and got some nice prints to share with Lisa and the boys. I also snapped a quick photo of our capitol building, and of course found a wifi spot to work email, complete another online training course for medical logistics administration, and tweak the blog!
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=302008-10-28T20:52:12-04:002008-10-28T20:52:12-04:002008-10-28T20:52:12-04:00I have uploaded ALL my October 2008 photos to my Picasa web album account (HenryBassACI). There's some overlap with the McCrady folder because McCrady is a subset of October 2008, created for my fellow soldiers that were with me at McCrady.
Lisa and the boys are definitely visiting this weekend! This marks 4 weeks apart, and it's a great time to get together. Last weekend was a reconnaisance mission for this weekend!
911 viagra callhenryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=292008-10-27T16:21:01-04:002008-10-27T16:21:01-04:002008-10-27T16:21:01-04:00 So we drive on. Thomas and I started the ammunition course this week. Newer officers get this as part of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, so this is refresher for them. It was a separate deal when I went though. No problem- we're already deep into the material on the first day: fire hazard codes, federal supply class, DoDIC, CIIC, etc. It's all manuals, handbooks and regulations. We do that in engineering all the time. Too Easy.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=282008-10-26T15:23:30-04:002008-10-26T15:23:30-04:002008-10-26T15:23:30-04:00navigating by both my iPhone and Thomas . We visited Fort McHenry ("Oh say can you see..."), and several display ships, including a diesel submarine. I'm hoping to show this to my boys next weekend...but only after watching "Up Periscope" to get a real sense for diesel subs! Speaking of Kelsey Grammer movies, we watched "Pentagon Wars" Saturday night. If you've not seen it, it deals with the prolonged development cycle encountered by the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle (shown). This was part of our inspiration to stop and visit the Ordnance museum, right on post. They have a fantastic collection, both indoor and outdoor. Inside is small arms, an Eniac computer (one of the first computers, for computing artillery tables), the WOW (women ordnance workers), and exhibits on the development of shells and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Outside are rows upon rows of tanks, artillery, missles, and vehicles from many countries. We finished the day with a drive to Havre De Grace. It's a very well-to-do town with a nice marina on the bay. We enjoyed a $9 crabcake dinner at an outdoor spot near the boat ramp. I'm very excited about the prospect of Lisa, Eric and Ethan either visiting me next weekend, or me going to them. It has now been 3 weeks since we said goodbye.
We were able to convince some classmates to give us a ride off post for lunch: our first off-post meal all week! We enjoyed way too much stromboli, then got dropped at Enterprise. Their half-off weekend deal is our ticket to seeing the sights around Baltimore and Aberdeen!
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henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=262008-10-22T22:14:12-04:002008-10-22T22:14:12-04:002008-10-22T22:14:12-04:00 We finished our deployment process Wednesday, with a security briefing in the morning. By 10:30am, we were able to get started on our Ordnance training! Finally! We joined a reserve component captains career course (CCC) which replaced the old “advanced course” I attended in 1996. Interestingly, it’s in the same classroom I was in, 12 years ago. Our instructor was able to quickly catch us up on the latest doctrine changes for how the army maintains its fighting force, and it all started coming back to me and Tom pretty quickly. What used to be four levels of maintenance is now two, and of course its all modular to support the deployable packages of brigade-sized elements instead of entire divisions. There are still theater assets, but most of the wrench-turners are in brigade support battalions. We reviewed the “MOKSL” Mission, Organization, Key personnel, Stammis (standard army management information systems), and Location on the battlefield for the different maintenance units via 114 slides. There were also lessons on "Contractors on the Battlefield", and Site Selection for emplacing a maintenance unit. Great stuff! There are 15 or so Captains and 1st Lieutenants in the class, all with vehicles, staying in an off-post motel. Us two Majors are hoofing it, using the LPC (leather personnel carriers, size 12). The dining hall is on the diagonally opposite end of the post, and we’re getting a couple of good walking miles in each day. Today, we followed that up with an hour and a half in the gym, then showered and got back into our ACUs for a hike over to the dining hall for dinner. After talking to Lisa and the boys, Tom and I watched “The Bucket List.” Another great title from the post library.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=232008-10-15T20:17:56-04:002008-10-15T20:17:56-04:002008-10-15T20:17:56-04:00For the M16 qualification, we were on a pop-up target range. Sillhouettes popped up from 25 meters to 300 meters away. In two very quick run-throughs, we shot from the prone and kneeling positions. First time was 22 out of 40 for me, second time was 32. I don't think anyone got higher than 32 out of the 16 of us in the firing order, so I was happy. But in the past, I've gotten 38 out of 40 without difficulty, so I go back to blaming the "loose" weapons mentioned last week and perhaps some range irregularities. Same message, though: lots of lethality coming from Henry if it comes down to it.
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henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=222008-10-13T18:59:11-04:002008-10-13T18:59:11-04:002008-10-13T18:59:11-04:00 A Lieutenant Colonel and I drove into Charleston on Saturday. Initially, we had understood that there would not be time off, but we're keeping up with everything, and the government doesn't like to work on Columbus Day. So we visited many of the historical sites like Fort Sumter-- Dale manages our materials database website, MatWeb, and challanged me to devise a defensive plan for Ft. Sumter! We also saw the first submarine to sink a ship in combat, the Hunley (did you know she sank twice before her final, successful voyage where she sunk the Housatonic, but sank mysteriously just after that?). The events wrapped up with a thorough walk over the grounds of historic Charles Towne Landing, the first South Carolina settlement dating to 1670. They certainly had defensive issues as well. Fortunately, the local indians befriended them, partly because this local tribe needed the new settlers guns to ward off another tribe that had allied itself with the Spanish. It's all who you know, right? Those original settlers weren't religious pilgrims so much as profiteers: they journeyed 6 weeks from England to Barbados, and stopped there to study the slave-intensive sugar farming process for a couple of months. Then, off to South Carolina...except they had heavy storms enroute, lost a ship, broke a ship, and took something like 3 months to just get from Barbados to South Carolina. But they brought a culture of slave-intensive profiteering and were mighty disappointed to find that sugar didn't grow well here. So this ties together with Fort Sumter because the slave-focused labor practices led SC to be one of the loudest advocates of slavery. Abraham Lincoln's election sealed the deal, SC seceded, other states followed suit, and Colonel Anderson moved his forces from a weak nearby fort to Sumter. Beauregard, a West Point student of Anderson, was sent to negotiate the return of Sumter but was forced to deliver an ultimatum. Which he backed up with 30 hours of artillery until SC forces captured Sumter. The Confederates held Sumter amidst the Union siege and blockades longer than any other siege. And when the Union did finally get it back, they invited Lincoln to come to the official ceremony. But he had tickets to the Ford theater and couldn't make it! Really! So anyway, my conclusion to this tour was that South Carolina, from its roots in 1670, had a culture of greedy exploitation of slave labor, with two very separate classes of society. I also learned that Charleston is a beautiful city, with lots to do and see. And some delicious seafood!
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=192008-10-10T08:13:25-04:002008-10-10T08:13:25-04:002008-10-10T08:13:25-04:00I would have been signing for weapons this morning, but 7 of us needed to head back for our over-40 physicals. Officers get the 9mm pistol, plus the M-16. My understanding from the class ahead of us that the weapons are mighty old and very loose- meaning they're not very accurate. That's OK though: we want the accurate ones to be in theater, not here in training. This isn't a long-term issue: just for the remaining 8 days we're here at at Camp McCrady.
Last night, a buddy and I drove into Columbia for dinner. At a wifi hotspot in the historic downtown, I attempted a video call with Lisa, Eric and Ethan. They could see me, and we could talk well enough, but I couldn't see them. We'll troubleshoot that, but the news was pretty good: both boys are doing great in school. Special praise to Eric for straight A's this first grading period!!! And Ethan's grades will come out in about 3 more weeks. On the other hand, Ethan's recovering from a fever, and Eric is coming down with something. It sounds like their weekend is just packed with activities: Cub Scout spookeree, paintball, and a Boy Scout popcorn sale at Walmart. I miss them already. The video call is going to be a great way for us to stay close once I'm overseas.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=172008-10-07T20:57:59-04:002008-10-07T20:57:59-04:002008-10-07T20:57:59-04:00 I went for a 3-mile run on my own and found the PT track, some of the National Guard training area, and an after-hours club called the "Impact Zone"-- but it's only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They have a better wifi than the barracks, but I'm thankful we get any kind of Internet on post at all. Ft. Dix had zip in 2007, and a flaky setup at best this past summer. My arms are sore from the shots! In the dark!
Saturday's swan song was at the Virginia Tech tailgate: not a celebration tailgate, but our golden opportunity to sell Cub Scout popcorn! We piloted a popcorn sale last year, visiting our well-to-do tailgaters and found them very supportive. It helps that our Cub Scouts are enthusiastic, pull a red wagon full of carmel corn tins, and tell the fans about the great activities we do in our Pack. Plus the cuteness factor. We managed to sell over 28 cases, 12 cans/case. As over-priced as Cub Scout popcorn is, many fans supported our boys with tips and donations.
Sunday we made waffles at home, a delicious family tradition, and I zipped through a quick IASO course (information assurance/computer security), some reading I had been doing over the last 2 weeks. The boys and I enjoyed some horseplay, helped me put on my uniform and we headed out. While traveling in uniform wasn't required, Lisa suggested it would help the boys understand that this is no ordinary business trip. Message received! We stopped at the new R/C flying field on the way to the airport: the Radio Controlled airplane club was hosting a fun-fly and cook out. The weather was great. We enjoyed a few flights for me, Eric and Ethan, then had a burger before continuing to the airport.
Good-bye was certainly tough. Eric was stoic, Ethan was emotional, and Lisa was wonderful, supporting both boys and me.
Ilse has her good and bad days, and she was sharp today- she knew from the early morning that there were plans in the works, and she wanted to know what was up. So we sat with her and told her about the Army call-up, and how we'd like to stay in touch. The staff at Kroontji said we should tell Ilse about a week out, because we didn't want her to worry too long or be confused about when I was leaving.
The photo is me and Lisa visiting her on her birthday, last May, while she was recovering from a hip injury. Kroontjie is nicer than the room shown...but it helped that Lisa filled the room up with colorful balloons to celebrate the day!
We had some units in an Ohio store and Pennsylvania store, but not since April. Prompted by my immenant deployment, and motivated by our advisory board, we arranged a meeting with Greg Wade, the manager of a popular, independent group of 3 supermarkets in our own New River Valley. We learned that all 3 of his stores had electronic controls. 2 will make excellent demonstration candidates immediately, and the third will be refit soon.
Zero3 will perform an "eCommissioning" where Mr. Wade's stores are tuned for optimum energy performance, without sacrificing food quality. Supermarket electricity bills are the single largest expense on any store's balance sheet, after payroll. Even a 15% decrease in energy can save $2000 per MONTH in a store's expenses, plus the reduction in carbon emissions and improvement of our energy grid. One popular quote I've heard, but not been able to verify, is that supermarkets consume 10% of all generated power in the United States. So reducing every store's energy usage makes a huge improvement in our nation's energy posture.
We look forward to serving the Wade's Foods chain well, and to the subsequent stores that have been waiting for a real demonstration of this technology.
Matt Gentry of the Roanoke Times joined us mid-afternoon and shot plenty of photos, which will likely wind up in the business section around the time I deploy.
henryhenry.bass@aciwebs.comhttp://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=112008-09-16T21:03:27-04:002008-09-16T21:03:27-04:002008-09-16T21:03:27-04:00Elaine Dumler's "flat daddy" photo. The idea is that a life-size cutout of your soldier can be photographed with your family and shared with others, creating a virtual presence, and generally make life apart a little more bearable. Well, what a good idea! So I shot several photos and fired off emails to several local graphics companies. Tech Express refered me to Radford's Sign Systems and a DC firm. The DC firm responded the next day with a decent quote, and agreed to go a little extra: we made a flat Henry with a big smile on one side, but precisely fit the back with an angry flat Henry! This one is for use at work: the flat Henry sits in my office, smiling his normal self, until some month in the future, I get a note that profits are down. I'd email Angela, our CFO, and say, "Turn the Henry around!" and out comes flat angry Henry. Angela was good enough to even practice: she held it in front of her and went office-to-office and in her best angry voice (well, there was quite a bit of laughter mixed in) said, "Get to work! Earn more money!" Well, a few days later, the fine folks at Sign Systems in Radford generously provided my family with all three flat-henry versions: the "happy henry", "concerned henry", and "angry henry." They printed each and mounted them very professionally (of course), and got it done quickly.
http://www.henrybass.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=102008-09-15T20:27:44-04:002008-09-15T20:27:44-04:002008-09-15T20:27:44-04:00 Center for Army Lessons Learned" CALL. These unclassified publications have the Best Practices carefully compiled from the experiences of soldiers who have gone to Iraq before me. The first 100 days are when you're too stupid to know what's really going on, so these manuals, aimed at different levels, educate you. A little. I've read about the commander and staff, battle NCO, Supply Logistics, and basic soldier skills: each in it's own book, while I run on the eliptical trainer or exercise bike. I'll get this again: in class and in field exercises, at Ft Jackson, then more in Logistics school, some more with my unit, and a little more as we arrive in Iraq. Finally, we'll get a 10 day transition with our predecessor unit, 5 with me observing, 5 with me "driving". That's Army training.