troop letter: In FOB Sharana

March 14, 2010

Many soldiers are on a well-deserved leave

Family & Friends,

I wish I had my camera with me, since the first sunset in March began a promising start for the 30 days to follow.  After a light rain, the washed heavens were crystal clear, but the small grey clouds on the horizon were still full of potential showers.  The fiery orb, ducking beneath the mountains, seemed to catch the cumulous logs on fire with a multitude of colors.  Their glow, like burning coals, was a stark contrast to the light-ocean colored sky that kept my thoughts warm on the ride to my barracks.
I’m sending this monthly greeting to all during this fabulous March. With our deployment, we have peaked and we are on a downward slope to the end.  Many soldiers are on a well-deserved leave, in order to recharge their batteries at home.  I continue to emphasize that the biggest danger is complacency, and I often remind the troops to stay focused.  Like moving a mountain, it takes one shovel at a time.  Our focus is to stay sharp and conduct each operation with efficiency, and this laser-like mentality should allow us to complete our mission.
In FOB Sharana, we’ve been blessed with the highest percentile of advancing soldiers, and the following individuals were recognized effective 1
The Best Warrior competition was delayed, and no word was passed on when the new dates will occur.  Good news: the delay will give us ample time to prep for possible tasks.  I’ve set aside some time to train our soldiers in additional hand-to-hand combat, since my instructor was a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu.  We will focus on pressure point submission, since it’s a faster way to end a match while conserving as much energy as possible.  I’ll make sure someone will have a camera, in case the moment arises (note to self-the missed sunset on the 1st). 

Always,

Joseph