Afghanistan Notebook

Some signs that it may be time to retire

As they're edging closer to that last plane ride home, some of the seasoned veterans of the 218th Brigade Combat Team are contemplating the day when they'll hang up their uniform. They have served their country and state honorably, but -- as they say -- even a good thing has to end.

Lt. Col. Mike "Nuke" O'Neill, a Summerville resident and Camp Phoenix's poet laureate, offered his thoughts about how a soldier knows it's time to retire. We'd like to share his thoughts:

1. Your 20-year letter is starting to yellow.

2. You have a new nickname for your friends –- “Sir”.

3. Everything that happens reminds you of a story.

4. You realize that the young lady is smiling at you so sweetly because you remind her of her father.

5. Your kids are older than many of your soldiers.

6. They accidentally seat you in the retired section at a function and you were so busy talking to your friends that you really didn’t notice.

7. People think you are in deep, profound thought when what you are really doing is trying to remember where you put your keys.

8. You keep referring to the “middle weekend” and the “Old Guard”.

9. During PT, the instructor tells everyone to work harder “except for you, sir”.

10. You are no longer surprised when soldiers tell you that they were not born yet when you joined the Guard.  Consider yourself really ready to retire when these soldiers are captains and sergeants first class.

Raindrops keep falling on my hooch

Friday was a rainy day at Camp Phoenix as troops make their way
across Patriot Square.

This has been an unusual day at Camp Phoenix.

That’s because it has rained all day.

In fact, we’ve had a steady drizzle the last 24 hours.

I mention the weather because the area seldom gets so much rain in one dose. Kabul’s annual rainfall total is about 11 inches. In the past 24 hours, we’ve been ”deluged” with .7 of an inch.

Things are bound to get worse as a mix of sleet and snow is predicted for tonight. But by Saturday Kabul will be back to it’s good, ol’ sunny self.

The rain has been so steady today that for the first time since they arrived back in May some S.C. troops put on their rain gear.

They’re even more grateful that they didn’t ship the gear back home with their spare uniforms, boots, and coats.

Although the weather tends to keep one inside, I don’t mind.

I’ve read a little, worked a bit, and even watched a movie.

There’s something comforting to hearing the splattering of raindrops on the steel roof of my hooch.

It reminds of sitting on the back porch at home when a rainstorm passes through greater Dentsville.

In a few weeks, I’ll be back to enjoy those summer storms. And I certainly won’t complain about the rain.