02 December 2007

Secret Video Teleconferencing [CLASSIFIED]


I work in what is considered a “secure container building.” That means that we can handle classified information throughout the building. We even have a secure video teleconference room that is pretty high tech by most standards. Each morning we can tune in the live video feed from the Joint Operations Center of the Battlefield Update Assessment or “BUA” (Hooah BUA) which is the daily briefing for General Patreaus. The room is used countless times each day.

But the biggest draw? The standing room only crowd in the conference room? The one that includes near beer and pretzels? You guessed it – the 108th Annual Army Navy Game. Not deterred by the late night start nor the almost certain fate of the Army team, the room was teeming with members from all the services. With a handful of grads from both schools in the room, the trash talk was persistent but diligently followed by a “ . . . . sir” when required. As usual, I made friends and influenced people by just talking about USC the entire time.

And now for the December installment of Meet a Member of the Coalition!


The Baltic country of ESTONIA contributes a 30 man platoon to the coalition forces. A whopping 27 more troops than neighboring Latvia. Latvia you slacker – the Estonians toast to their country and scoff at yours! Take that neighbor. So let’s hear it for Estonia, whose official tourism motto is “Estonia! Positively Transforming.” I don’t know what that means.

Things I’ll miss about Iraq when I come back home:

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