Category Archives: Military

Nothing Changes

Every week – The Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine puts together a nice summary of the important preventive medicine issues of the week. Plus what ever other interesting articles they find. This weeks HIO-Update Partway down the first … Continue reading

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New Boots

Right out of the box, they will never look this pristine again. Unblemished suede, stiff and clean laces, soles free from scuff marks.  The foot is fine, the uppers are stiff, causing me to think about where I am going … Continue reading

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these Boots

Emptying out my suitcase this morning, I found my uniform and beret. No t-shirts, thought I had them on a shelf here in Germany. Not true as it turns out; they all migrated to the UK over the last year. … Continue reading

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Meetings

Today turned out to be a bit more interesting than expected. The meeting – hosted by several agencies and held at the Sanitätsakademie der Bundeswehr looked at preparedness for radiation accidents/incidents. A number of new and cooperative agencies reviewed who … Continue reading

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Solo Update

Work? Combination of hurry up and never mind – we will do that after vacation. Unlike the US Army which keeps all organizations open through the holidays on a reduced staff/half-day work schedule, the British Army just plain closes organizations … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving

It is an ordinary day here in the UK; just another day at work. Since I had bugged out on holding a 4th of July BBQ this year, I elected to sponsor a Thanksgiving Lunch instead. Turkey Dressing Vegetables (mashed … Continue reading

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A great quote

This week at the Pentagon, LTG Ann Dunwoody was promoted to Gen. She is the first Four Star Female General. Amid all the pomp and circumstance and speeches – I think her comment is the best: She later quipped: “There … Continue reading

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Core Doctrine

As you look at a deployed Army in the field you don’t see all the paperwork that stands behind. Most of us would assume that there are SOPs (standard operating procedures) TTPs (Techniques, Tactics and Procedures), regulations or guidance out … Continue reading

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Mess Dinner

No pictures, so for those on email distribution, this one should not get caught up in spam filters or bounced. British Officer’s Messes are rife with tradition. So much so that it is almost difficult to know what to do, … Continue reading

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Leaving Cakes

provide yet another interesting example of the divergence of American and British customs and language. The US Army side has a tendency to do farewell luncheons, providing us the opportunity to take someone out for a midday meal and embarrass … Continue reading

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Pesky Presentations

I had them complete. The two presentations for the FHP in August. I wasn’t thrilled, but they were acceptable. In some ways I haven’t left Harvard Graphics. Simple, clear and bullets. Then I made the mistake of reading Simon Wheatley’s … Continue reading

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Watchless

Thursday morning was the last time that I saw my watch. It is nothing fancy; a $20US Timex on a well worn velcro band. And that probably explains why it has gone astray. I have been meaning to buy a … Continue reading

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An Army Nurse

On 7 July, Stephie had her 45th birthday in San Antonio, managing to spend time with family and friends. She was also saying her good-byes. On the 9th she died after more than a four year battle with ovarian cancer. … Continue reading

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Triple Serpent

Not taking any chances yesterday afternoon, I wandered around looking for a ride today. There is this conference (but we can’t call them conferences because apparently regulations don’t allow funding of conferences. One can fund exercises, so large scale meetings … Continue reading

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Heritage Day

It is amazing how quickly you can get over yourself. All it takes is a deep breath, a thought back to the signs that have been posted for weeks and a realization that no one else thinks you are the … Continue reading

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What to do

Goals and Priorities for the summer. Hummm. The KnitWit brought up the idea of setting some knitting and spinning ones for the summer. It is summer out there, isn’t it? Given that it has been cloudy and a whole 15 … Continue reading

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Can’t eat it

Around the office today was the usual collection of watchers – and Then there was the chance to briefly enter the Medal Room with walls lined with paintings, photos and shadow boxes of medals. Some are originals, donated by families, … Continue reading

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Herrick

Another bush is blooming. After a quiet morning, I spent the afternoon attending briefings about the last rotation in Herrick (Afghanistan) and the lessons identified. It is a subtle but important distinction between the US and the UK. On the … Continue reading

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Memorial Day – 2008

It has been a lovely 17 degrees and sunny in Finland. As we were coming into Frankfurt, it was mid 20s, and not bad at all. And then there is London. London City airport. It is 15 degrees. And raining, … Continue reading

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The passing of an Era

can be marked by such a simple thing. Today I saw this fancy bus pull into the Heidelberg Shopping Center and realized from the sign on the front that it was the Route A bus. In 1995, it was a … Continue reading

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