Bear and Rat

23 Feb 2007

     While under the influence of Europop by Eiffel 65

     Today marks 250 days in Afghanistan!

   

The Men of west Berlin

L to R: Mike Toomer, Doug Templeton, Drew Morton, and Me

     I took rawhide bones out to the airport for ISAF yesterday, and his doghouse was missing, and there was no sign of him.  Hopefully he was merely relocated and wasn’t killed.  Hamid said he saw a dead dog outside the gate, but he didn’t believe it was ISAF.  I can’t seem to have a dog over here, no matter what.

     Now that Doug Templeton has joined the AWAC staff, some have pointed out that having two Doug T's is confusing.  Hey, it gets better. We both have a child named “Taylor.”  We are close to the same age, and have been in the Air Force almost the same amount of time.  In the hut, someone yells, “Hey, Doug,” and I have to yell back, “Which one?”  However, we do both have nicknames, though they never caught on here.  Mine is “Bear” which I got playing soccer, and Doug’s is “Rat” (from Templeton the rat in Charlotte’s Web).  This was his callsign when he was on an aircrew (he was a boom operator on a tanker), so it is not  insulting at all.  I like Bear also, and there are guys from high school who never called me anything else. So you can feel free to use those for clarity. We will.

    Thanks to everyone who nominated AWAC for a Milboggie Award.  Nominations are over, and AWAC was the top nominee in both the Air Force and Afghanistan categories.  However, now comes the actual voting.  Go to milblogging.com, and you will see the article “Milbloggie Voting is Now Open.”  AWAC is listed under the Air Force category, and we are currently in second place, trailing Mudville Gazette 19-10.  So if you think Afghanistan Without a Clue deserves to win, please vote.  You do need to register with milblogging.com, so here again are the instructions on how to register, for any new readers.  Voting ends 27 February, so don’t delay.

     To register:

1.  Go to milblogging.com

2.  In the upper right corner is a “Sign In” box.  Click on the link that says “Not a Member? Register Now

3.  Fill out the information. An e-mail will be sent to your e-mail account.  Once you click on the link in the e-mail, your account will be activated

4.  Now go back and sign in

5.  After you are signed in, click on “Manage Favorites.”  It’s just below the sign in box.

6.  Go to “Search Milblogging.com’s Database.”  It’s in the upper left corner.  Type “Traversa”

7.  Click on “Afghanistan Without a Clue.”

8.  Scroll down to the “Actions” section.  Click on “Add to Favorites.”   

9.  Go back to the main page “milbogging.com” and go to “Milbloggie Voting is Now Open.” 

10.  Click on Air Force and vote for AWAC

11.  Rejoice in the knowledge that you have made me very happy! Thanks.

     Blogging this week has been a draining experience, and today is going to be no better.  I’ve spent a great deal of time writing about the conversations I’ve had with Hamid, and thinking about the amazing differences in our culture.  I also ended up discussing my opinions on homosexuality, marriage, friendship, and to some degree, religion.  My article on Wali’s view of gays and apostates also appeared on The Sandbox, and Doug Templeton has joined my blog as a regular contributor.  I started the William Arkin Obscene Amenity of the Day.  Hits to my site have almost doubled this week, due to getting a couple of links posted in The Mudville Gazette (a major military blogging site), the latest post of The Sandbox, and I suspect general word of mouth.  As I told Doug, if we had to stay here another year, we could really grow.  It’s been exciting, and my motivation level has never been higher.  Now that the week has ended, I will spend a little time reflecting on something of vast importance to me. 

     Yesterday I knew I’d be touching a nerve when I discussed with Hamid my views of homosexuality.  It’s not just Afghans who hate gays (and if this only applies to men, sorry, I don’t even know the right terminology; I include lesbians, bisexuals, and trans-sexuals in this term, just for simplicity).  I’ve been in many conversations with military members, and nothing gets most of them stirred up faster than suggesting that gays should be allowed in the military.  They look at me as though I had just suggested we all go out and shoot children, or wear ballerina outfits, or eat staples.  Try it sometime and see what happens.  While most Americans aren’t in favor of executing gays, there is a large number of people who are sure it is either a sin against God or a blight on our country or both.  It is not my intention to have AWAC become a gay rights blog; I’m writing about Afghanistan.  But boy, does it bring a point home to me.

     When you adopt a world-view, a religious conviction, a moral certainty of how things should be, what are the implications for those on the wrong side of your beliefs?  In America, the phrase I heard a lot in churches was, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”  In Afghanistan, it’s more like “Hate the sin, kill the sinner.”  But in either case, you have decided, for whatever reason, that the lifestyles of others are unacceptable.  In the US we debate if gays should be allowed to marry, while in Afghanistan the question is, “Should gays be allowed to live?”  In the states, we have at least gotten past that point, except for the few, Taliban-like pinheads who actually go out and beat-up and/or kill gays.  In both cultures we have real morons.  We should not be too smug in our superiority; thugs walk our streets too.  I’ve even, on two separate occasions, seen ultra-right wing Christians (or so they claim to be) suggest that gays should be executed in America.  They are, of course, loonies, and do not represent the vast majority of Christians, but they are out there.

     So here’s my point, after much rambling. Can you live your life acknowledging that you might be wrong?  Can you allow others the opportunity to live their lives differently from you, without accusing them of being evil, lost, reprobate, or crazy?  For instance, I don’t believe Islam is the true religion.  I can acknowledge that it might be, but I consider it very unlikely.  Yet would I ban Islam from being practiced in the US? No. Would I start telling Muslims that they worship a false God? No. Would I tell them they are all on the way to Hell? No. How about gays? Do I believe they are all sinners in rebellion against God? No. Might they be? Sure. I’m not God; I don’t know.  But using just my reason, limited as it may be, I’m willing to go out on a limb here and say it’s probably not a big deal to God.  Do I know why people are gay? No. Do some choose to be gay? Maybe. Again, I think it’s just the way you are.  But what do I know?

     Maybe I’m the one in trouble because the Muslims have it right.  Do I loose sleep over it?  No.  My conviction, strengthened by eight months here, are that people are people.  Just leave them alone. If they aren’t hurting you or others, if they are law-abiding citizens, why must they be harassed or converted?  I now live in a country where people cannot leave the faith.  If you are a Muslim, you must stay a Muslim.  Otherwise, you will die.  That’s one way to keep your numbers up.  But what a hellish place it is, where if you express your own thoughts and don’t tow the party line, you will be killed.  Are we much better in America?  As an experiment, go out and start telling people that you’ve become a gay or lesbian. See what happens.  Why are people so scared, repulsed, terrified?  I wish, I really wish, we could reach the point, both in American and in the world, where we weren’t killing or condemning people for their religion, politics, sexual preference, or even choice of clothing.  You laugh, but in Saudi Arabia, teenage girls were trying to get out of their burning school, and the firemen were trying to open an emergency door for them to get out.  Guess what? The morality police started beating on the firemen, and the girls were forced to remain in the building and burn to death. Why? They didn’t have their burkas on.  So yes, people do die because of their clothing.

    I don’t want to offend any of my readers.  Each and every one of you mean a great deal to me. I don’t care what you believe, who you love, what you wear, or who you vote for.  One of my readers is a bi-sexual witch.  Do I care?  Not in the least. I’m glad she reads. Welcome. That’s how I feel. Are you a fundamentalist Christian?  An Islamist?  An atheist?  If you are reading this, trying to learn more about human interaction, the reason we fight, and how your soldiers are defending your freedoms, you are most welcome.  I am honored you even bother to read my words. Just find it in your hearts to accept others of diametrically opposite viewpoints.  After all, you might be wrong.  I know I might be.  But what I do know, what I do believe, with absolute conviction, is that you should be free to find your own way in this crazy universe, and you should allow others that same freedom.  I doubt anything will ever shake that conviction.  Thanks for reading, and may we spend many more days together.

- Bear

The William Arkin Obscene Amenity of the Day (named for William Arkin, my favorite blogger filled with a seething hatred of the military)

 

     Today’s insane waste of taxpayer money is the lovely dock we have built outside of our hut.  This pallet was used to transport boxes of bottled water (another obscene amenity), and we grabbed it so we could avoid the lake that forms outside our hut when the snow melts or we get a heavy rain.  Our lake-side location is the envy of all, and we’ve got a yacht on order.  When it comes it, you can rest assured that it too will appear here, another obscene amenity for all to enjoy.

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Five Seconds of Fame:

GIMAIL is dead, so if anyone sent a guess there, it’s is probably lost for eternity.  “Time to Play” comes from Hellraiser II, a horror movie from the mid 80s I think.  You may remember Pinhead from those movies. It was his line.  LATE BREAKING NEWS!  GIMAIL is working, and Chief Jerry Dunham got the quote.  A full 30 seconds of fame for ruining my shutout! Well played, Chief, well played!

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Quote of the Day:

“Who is John Gault?”

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A great day for me? Oh, you shouldn’t have.

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A Word from the Doug Formerly Known as “Rat”

The Life of an Embedded Trainer:

     Many of you may be unaware that Air Force troops are indeed deployed on the frontlines for 1 year tours, not the 4 to 6 month tours that are more normal, and even less aware that some troops from Dyess AFB are included in that group. One of the reasons for the extended length is continuity and the complexity of the mission involved. Many of the positions are actually Army positions that they were unable to fill due to personnel shortages. What this means is that we are administratively assigned to the Air Force, but our tactical direction come from the Army.

     We are in fact embedded in Afghan National Army Units, and we work side by side with them on a daily basis. We train them in different skill sets and more importantly, we act as mentors to provide direction and a professional image for them to see and nurture within their own units. The key to this role is to let them develop their own military in the form that best works for them, all the while helping them to work through difficult issues by bringing a voice of experience to the table. We also provide them with the possible outcomes, so they can come to the correct solution to a problem on their own. Its a fine line and requires a gentle nudge sometimes to get them headed in the right direction, but they are willing to learn and they do respect our input.

     Now let me introduce you to a few folks who are my hutmates, my friends, my family, and my balance when things get hectic; in short, they keep me safe, and I do the same for them. I should also say to the ladies, "Sorry, but we are all spoken for."

     First is Capt Andrew Morton, the baby of the group, also from Dyess AFB and my fellow squadron mate back there in the big country. He is 28 years old and a six-year veteran logistics officer with a penchant for video gaming and working out in the gym. He hails from Pottstown, PA, and my wife calls him my second set of body armor, because if I stand behind him, nothing can get to me. He just got back from his mid-tour leave after getting engaged, and we have spent a great deal of our energy giving him a hard time about it. That's what brothers do, right?

     Next up is Capt Doug Traversa from Arnold AFB, Tennessee. He is an 18-year veteran logistics officer. He spends most of his time posting his blog entitled, "Afghanistan Without a Clue," on the internet and writing his book about his time here and its effect on him. If you want to read more about our experiences here in Afghanistan, his web address is www.traversa.typepad.com. You can even read these letters as he is posting them on there as well. He also spends his time playing soccer with the Romanians, watching anime, reading science fiction, and emailing his lovely wife Jancy, and his children Taylor, Elise and Ryan.

     Last but not least is Michael Toomer, the only National Guard member in the group from Bangor AFB, Maine. He is a 19-year veteran, the last 6 years as services officer, whom we have hijacked into logistics. I should also mention in his civilian life he plays the part of a lawyer (insert colorful jokes now). His hobbies include Madden Football, reading, and answering everyone’s legal questions, free of charge of course, when they arise. When he's not doing those things, he is emailing and chatting with his lovely wife Mia and five-year old daughter Hope on the computer.

     I guess I should also tell you a little about myself. I am a 19-year veteran, with the last 6 as a logistics officer. I spend most of my time working on my Masters Degree and recently developing my skills as a writer by posting on blogs and now sharing my experiences with you. I am married to the love of my life Tonya and my other love is the miracle we produced, our daughter Taylor. They have put up with me being away from home over half of my 19 years, and their love and support is what keeps me going. I know my wife is listening, so to her say, “I love you and miss you. I can't wait to get back home.”

     I also want everyone to know that these loved ones we leave behind have it much tougher than we do. They have to be mothers and fathers, they have to take care of everything, and they never get the credit they deserve. So if you see someone on the street with kids in tow, looking a little ragged around the edges and melancholy, it’s probably the spouse of a deployed member...so stop and say you appreciate their strength and sacrifice. They are the real unsung heroes, and I thank God every day I have my hero to come home to.

- Rat

Capt Doug Templeton, USAF
Afghan National Army
Embedded Trainer, Afghanistan

dtempleton14@yahoo.com

Comments

[Zoe Brain]

Re "As an experiment, go out and start telling people that you’ve become a gay or lesbian. See what happens."

Ah yes, well, due to a rare Intersex condition, that's pretty similar to what I ended up doing.

Boys with the rare Intersex condition 5ARD look like baby girls when born, and only at a usually late puberty do these girls start becoming men.

Girls with the so freaking rare its not even in PubMed Intersex condition IPSR look like men, some are even fertile enough to father children, until age 40-50 when their bodies change. Not completely, but enough so they're masculinised women not feminised men.

You have to gave a sense of humour. The feeling of relief, to finally have a body that sorta kinda matches your brain's body image at last, that's wonderful.

But an involuntary and unplanned sex change, no matter how welcome, causes immense inconvenience. The effect on one's marriage is less than great too, especially when both parties remain in love through the process - just not gay.

Oh yes. I blogged it. With pictures of the natural changes as they happened. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence after all.
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Thanks for sharing. It must have been incredibly difficult. Welcome to the AWAC family!

Bear

[cervera]

Well. Thank you for your blog. It is very interesting and generous. I am civil, french, female and mother of three "monsters"....that is far from you... but not so much.
I wonder if you don't have a too angelic sight of the occidental managment of what is all but not angelic that is : human sexuality !!!! And sometimes I am sad that all what we promote from our civilization is sometimes an other caricatural extremism. I am not sure that sexuality is a value, I think, it is a fact.
Respect of the others what ever they are is a value and so are true feelings. (and when sexuality do with these it is all right anywhere)
What is your opinion ?

[Flag Gazer]

Ayn Rand - from Atlas Shrugged

And, I wish he would come deal with Congress!!!

[Ryan]

I arrived from the Milboggie (y?) Award page you mentioned above. Thank you for your service, and for this wonderful and informative record of your life (and now, lives).

One question, if you don't mind: I notice that your experience ranges from 6 to 19 years, but you are all the same rank. Is that unusual? Have you been passed over for advancement to Major?
- Ryan

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I was indeed passed over, but allowed to remain in until 20 years
Rat had many years of enlisted service, but then became an officer
- Bear

[Matthew]

Bear, It never ceases to amaze me that we have come to such similar conclusions about people and life and yet have taken such different paths. If everyone on this small speck of dust we call home could open their minds and think clearly without preconceived notions you wouldn’t have to be over there right now. You guys be safe. Matthew

[Caitlin]

"You should be free to find your own way in this crazy universe, and you should allow others that same freedom."

Well, it's a little long for a battlecry, but I'd like to think it's what the US stands for, in the end. Bravo!