January 23, 2007
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What a great time I’m having here in…. Germany? Yeah, you read that right, I’m in Grafenwoehr, Germany, for the Brigade’s training cycle. Nothing like dropping life and going away for three weeks. The worst part is that, originally, I wasn’t supposed to be here. Then, I was supposed to come up on Sunday. Then, on Friday night, I made the mistake of answering my phone, and getting the message that the unit wanted me to come up here on Saturday. Its not like the day made a difference, because no it’s Tuesday, and I really haven’t done anything. I definitely haven’t had any tasks that I couldn’t have handled from Italy.
On a positive note, there is the wonderful fact that I cannot spend money out here. I barely spent anything from the last paycheck, the next one will go untouched, and as soon as I get back, I’m due for another one. On top of that, because I didn’t come up here with the unit, I’m on TDY (Temporary Duty) which means that they pay me to be here, to the tune of $1,800+ for these three weeks. Oh, and I just did my taxes, and it looks like I’ll be getting around $2,000+ back. I think the tax money can go to flying my mom over to Italy for a little bit.
The negative reprocussions will be handled when I return to Italy.
Whenever you take a bunch of guys and force them in close quarters, like they have in placing somewhere between 20-30 guys in the bay we live in, you get a bunch of interesting conversations, that you would never have elsewhere:
SSG K: There is no “lower receiver” on the .50 Cal
SFC P: Yes, there is.
Chief D: What, are you guys asking each other board questions, now? Who cares?
SSG K: And there’s no safety on it, either.
SFC P: Yes there is. (Which is true, on the newer models, and upgraded ones)
(Argument goes back and forth for a bit.)
Me: This isn’t going to stop until you two end up going and drawing a .50 cal.
Chief D: Yeah, just go and wake up SGT R. “Hey, we need you to open the arms room up.”Later on, there’s a discussion about someone being injured at one of the ranges.
SGT K: I heard there was an accident at one of the ranges.
Chief D: What happened?
SGT K: I think someone got shot. Nothing fatal, though.
LT B: How the hell did that happen?
Me: Did he forget to put the .50 cal on safe?
(All Chuckle)This place is pronounced “Grafen-veer” but it’ll always be “Grafen-whore” to me.
Black 6, out.
Comments (5)
HAHAHA… Graf… what a beautiful place (it is when you aren’t stuck working the whole time actually)
Somehow I managed to spend money while I was there… I think I just made stuff up to spend it on though (random food, magazines, stuff to read while I was on duty at 3 a.m.)… Have fun. Bwahaha! 
Hi, Sounds like you are having fun! Be sure to take some pictures to share. I never had a chance to visit there. I was always in Stuttgart. About the only German I can remember is tea! Ha HA. Flying your mother in for a visit would be wonderful. Do take care, Sharon in GA
So basically your getting paid double to sit on your rear, in the rear, refereeing arguements with NCOs in wonderful Germany for 3 weeks instead of dealing with the usual BS back in Italy? Hummmm Sometimes I hate the Army! My best friend, a numbnuts Marine, head for Sandbox in Feb..
i still need to get the taxes done, but the whole TDY situation is money… literally i guess. The sad thing, i remember overhearing a similar conversation when i was at Fort Jackson with some drill sergeants
Apparently the folks who have so much time of from work for expeditions can somehow afford really expensive stuff. But, as your life literally hangs by those, I’d pay the extra for primo tools!
Not being able to spend money can come in handy!