Graduation Time

My Class, roughly the 36th to come through this training, graduated the Military Transition Team course today.

As I have mentioned previously, I feel better prepared for what is to come than when I left for Afghanistan in 2004. Sure, some of that comes from experience, but I also had better training this time around.

The cadre of of our training company, led by Captain L___ and his merry band of NCOs; SSG G____, SGT S____ and SGT B____ amongst others, made sure we got the straight info and advice. There also seems to be a sense that people "get it" - what we need to do and how. It is a combination of our cadre having recent experience, the civilian instructors often being retired military (with OIF experience) and the steady percolation through the Army system of the changes in Iraq [many of you may have followed them via Michael Yon, Greyhawk, Michael Totten and others].

I am off on a 4 day pass tomorrw, so it may be only one more update before I fly out to Iraq. From there - we'll see what I can do to keep everyone up with events during this fascinating time in Iraq's history (well, to be sure, ours too).

P.S. I don't care how much the moustache is admired over there, I can't grow one that doesn't make people laugh, so I will remain as you see me - clean shaven. Ha.