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Thursday, December 28, 2006

Mailing Address

All, a mailing address is now available for Matt. If you need it, please let me know. I can not post it on the blog for security reasons. Thanks! mowie

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Woof, wuf ruff wuif roof wuuuf, wuf wo-Oof!

That translates to, "Hi Matt, Take care of the bad guys and come home soon. I miss my exercise coach! - Barklee"

Glad to see your posts!! :) Stay safe...

- jen

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

What to send to Iraq... and how.

For those who are interested in sending packages: http://www.tobiasly.com/index.php?itemid=280

To the desert!

I'm sure everyone is dying to know... well, Matt has finally rolled out of the country and is on his way to Iraq. Just his luck, he will arrive on Christmas eve. Ew!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

"Clothes do make the man!" Black Hawk Down and the Gamers Generation

Day three and we continue our Bosnian/Croatian method acting - PT gear yet again. Needless to say it looks and smells a little ripe around here. I think it's a third platoon issue because first, second and fourth platoons have their uniforms. They look imposing – We look ragtag. They actually begin to form up in tight cohesive units. We, on the other hand, gather more like a herd of cats. I'm starting to think Patton was right on the money in enforcing strict uniform requirements for his troops. (They even wore ties during the desert campaign) We march to the field as a "unit" for weapons training familiarization – our first attempt at formation movement. I use the term formation for descriptive purposes only, yes we are in the Navy and no - this does not come naturally – We are more adept at navigating single file through tight passage ways. Some how we manage … as organized as, well, a herd of cats.

It turns out the field is more of a piece of land attached to a parking lot with trailers. We break off into several groups and spread out to various areas that have been set up with assorted props to learn the fundamentals, and I mean basics, of 9mm and M-16 training aiming and movement -sans ammo - probably one of the best decisions the cadre has made to date. Some of the folks head off to the trailers with their M-16. I hear firing inside and assume it's a fortified indoor shooting range. After finishing the rotation in about 2 hours we standby for a long wait for our turn in the trailer. I am beginning to understand the theory of "Stand by!"

For lunch we get a unique surprise, Capt Jeff Struecker was at FT Jackson and came to speak with us. If the name sounds familiar then you know your military history. Anyone who has seen "Blackhawk Down" (One of my favorites) will know he was a SSgt. and truck leader in Somalia during the highly publicized incident. Meeting him and hearing his experience first hand both energizes me and raises the hair on the back of my neck. Extremely sobering – watch the movie. He has become a Chaplain if that tells you anything.

Many hours of standing by to stand by later I get my chance to experience one of the coolest uses of tax payer monies ever. Hidden inside the façade of a Texas tornado magnet (trailer home) is a highly interactive video game; complete with a shooting line of M-16A2 weapons that mimic the real thing. On the back of the trailer – a solid wall of video. You shoot - the game responds recoil sound and all. It even has per lane instant replay and video analysis to educate you on the shortcomings of your shot. Wow - the Army really understands how to train the gamer's generation. I learned more about my shooting proficiency in that 30 minute session than in 30 some odd years of rifle ownership. I'm hooked and no matter its 17:00 and time for chow, I don't want to leave. Even after hitting 40 of 40, I, and a couple other shipmates… err battle buddies, request another "training" opportunity to make up for "deficiencies" in our shooting skills.

Here Struecker in his own words:
Staff Sgt. Jeff Struecker,
http://inquirer.philly.com/packages/somalia/who.asp#STRUECKER

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Life in the land of Hooah. You’re in the NArmy now Sailder!

The barracks – this is no way to live a “quiet” or private life. On a nightly basis the loggers start their chain saws by the dozen and methodically cut down entire forests. Coupled with a few nightly conversationalists (the kind that talk in their sleep) we have a regular industrial noise hazard zone. It’s so loud in fact my ear plugs hardly provide any comfort. I had better sleep on the 2nd Deck of an aircraft carrier - one deck below the arresting wires.

When we received our clothes yesterday, we turned them back over to someone to sew on the name tags and the insignia. (You know- the ones we all stood in line for 3hrs to buy? See 03 DEC entry). That said we are now in our PT gear and wearing our new body armor and Kevlar helmets. Silly doesn’t event describe the look; something between uncomfortable squids and rebel fighters from the Bosnian conflict. More than once I was called “The Sniper” from the Owen Wilson film “Behind Enemy Lines”

We line up in what can hardly be called a formation and receive our assignments.
Drill Seargent (DS) “3rd Platoon Attention” :
Squids (Us) “Night stalkers”
DS: “NOT LOUD ENOUGH! Maybe you’re not awake yet!?! Maybe you need some encouragement to get the blood boiling!?! Around here we boil our blood by doing 50 push-ups I say again 3rd PLATOON ATTENTION!”
Us: “NIGHTSTALKERS!” We must be around 110 decibels - We may not be able to create a formation worth a damn but we sure as hell aint stupid. I don’t know a squid one who wants to do push-ups in this cold weather wearing this crazy body armor.
DS – “Company… A TEN CHUN” :
US – CHARLIE ROCK! (This is our response to the company commander)
DS – Rock Steady
What an odd form of communication...

I suppose I am officially in the Army now. And there is an entirely new set of customs and lexicon for me to take on. Its enough that I need to got to another country and learn their customs and learn Arabic and Farsi but needing a translation guide for the US Army is just crazy. Luckily these knuckle daggers have a limited vocabulary. Just about anything can be summed up with one word; When in doubt just say “HOOAH"(Low guttaral tone is best). - an appropriate response to just about anything.

For your convenience I have created a dictionary for other new terms:

Too Easy, Hooah? – Do you understand?
Good to go – All clear
General Issue - One size (does not) fit all. Usually provided by the lowest bidder.
Johnny Go Fast Gear – anything but the general issue gear "this stuff is cooler than your one size fits all crap." Usually available from the Highest quaility Highest priced provider.
Type – General Issue descriptor used to follow every noun. i.e. One Public Affairs “type” One Navy Officer “type”
Stand by to Stand by – hurry up and wait (any typical Army day)
We impart knowledge: prepare to be impressed – Drill Sergeants are smarter that you.
Skull busters - bullets
"Throw some Skull busters down range hooah"– shooting bullets (by the way this activity is a lot of fun)
High Speed / Low Drag – something far to cool to be good for you or me.
Battle Buddy/Combat Buddy – A shipmate or partner who keeps your 6 safe. (Watches your ass)
Trooper – Um… I spose thats me... I spose I aint your standard issue sailor type anymore. (smirk)
Hump that gear Trooper - Move that heavy bag of unecessary GI issued gear from one place to another.
Field Spouse – Someone to screw around with in the field (See Battle Buddy)
Power Point Ranger – Army’s New High Speed Low Drag special operator – highly trained soldier prone to combat injuries such as paper cuts and carpal tunnel. Purple Hearts authorized in combat areas.
Go to War weapon – Your new significant other. The weapon you are assigned to hump to theater. Note this thing never leaves your side without some sort of security watch i.e. I’m married to my weapon till death or divorce do us part. abandoned weapons = base/camp lock downs! serious stuff.

More to come - this is an ever growing list. ;-P

Monday, December 04, 2006

Is it Christmas already? Army style? - Fort Jackson

You’ve seen the movies… A new recruit goes through first days of boot camp disoriented being screamed at by their drill sergeants and eventually being inundated with what seems like endless bags of supplies uniforms and tools for which there surely is no other use than to weigh me down during some sort of forced march torture… Well that’s not just the movies. It really is disorienting. Coupled with the fact that you’ve just “slept” with 60 other complete strangers in various stages of sleep apnea due to breathing issues (SNORING) which means you didn’t sleep at all and you are herded around like cattle eventually arriving at supply depot where you are handed unrecognizable gear and told to dump said various items into the dark depths of one of 3 large duffel bags assigned at the very beginning of the line. 250 plus people all acquiring basic Army general issue gear. You stuff the items deep down into the bag and just know that you may never see it again. You will however “hump” this bag all over the world; a fate worse than the mission itself. Gear like extreme cold weather parkas. Makes sense to me – never know when you’re gonna get caught out in the dessert and that blizzard will roll up on you. I’m sure I’ll be the envy of every local when the white out begins. Follow this up with a long wait in the field for lunch. On the menu – MRE (Meal Ready to Eat). Delightful. I’m lucky enough to get Beef Ravioli. Not really as tasty as I remembered during my camping/back-packing days. I suppose then it was a novelty - Now it’s my reality. I may end up eating these damn things a lot.

Next comes the Rapid Fielding Initiative - cool war fighters gear for the 20th century. Camel Backs, Oakley sunglasses, Rector knee/elbow pads, Kevlar Helmet, we’re stylish. My active imagination starts working – I can see the movie title now ...

Combat Skateboarders - Thrashing Baghdad!

OH HELL, what's this - IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) with SAPI (Small arms protective inserts) plates? This is the equipment I’ve been dreading… 30+ instant pounds compacted into a stylish camo vest. More waiting… I think in all their efficiency I’ve determined that we will be standing-by to stand-by A LOT. We finally get back to base around 20:00 just in time to be assigned our weapons. In a silly extremely unprofessional rush we are pushed through the armory in line being handed (hmm more like thrown) M-16 rifles and 9MM pistols without much familiarization. UNSAT! I’m fairly comfortable with these weapon systems but the way a couple of folks are handling them – its just a little more than disconcerting. It’s been a long day that started at 04:00 and ended at 21:30. Were given a meal consisting of formed Canned BarBQ sandwich - chili Mac and Pringles then sent to the rack. I can’t wait– the idea of 60 snoring men full of chili Mac!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

For what we are about to receive... Columbia SC – Fort Jackson/Camp

After a nice 4 hour wait sitting on the floor of baggage in the Columbia Airport, I and about 70 other Sailors were shuttled to Fort McCrady where we then rolled into Admin office for quick ID check then into a class room for check-in and billeting and a quick indoctrination to the Army. Apparently there is only one real word we need to know… “Hooah”. We were then divided out and assigned to our platoons and barracks. I am now in 4th Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company C. I receive my sheets and a general issue green wool blanket and told to head to barracks 3938 to choose a bunk. I have no less than 61 to choose from. Doh! Open bay barracks with community showers. Sort of like summer camp for kids that don’t grow up. Efficient, this is not. Next comes a trip to the chow hall followed by a stop over at the shoppette for mandated uniform insignia (not provided by the army) One check out line 260 people in a store the size of a 20 by 15 room. You do the math. And afterwaking up at 04:00 and not getting to sleep in my “rack” until nearly 23:30 I’m more than a little frustrated and tired.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Yay, now that Breedlove is gone, I can take over!!!! Just kidding. I was actually wondering if anybody has any photos from the BBQ, the WBOL party or any others for that matter. If so, can you please email them to me? Thanks!! Click here to shoot me an email.

Thank you!!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

The Great American Surprise



If you couldn't be here for the "surprise" - No Worries! Here's a front row seat to the main event! :)

Thank YOU!!



Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to get Matt lots of goodies to enhance his Video Ipod experience... including speakers, a microphone to record his own messages, a super protective case that is even waterproof, and much more.

UPDATE - SECRET IS OUT!

We presented Matt with his IPOD and a short video will soon be available on this site. And now that MATT is aware of this site... WELCOME MATT!!! :)

Monday, July 24, 2006

Hurry And Get Your Submissions IN!

Get your videos and pictures in ASAP... or else it might not make it in!!



We'll be encoding and prepping the files we have and the IPOD will probably be presented to Matt here at WB on AUG 1! (WBOL HR is throwing him a party that day...)

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Breedlove's Baghdad Big Bash!

Couldn't make it to the BBQ? Watch the video here! (Courtesy of Yeeje Productions :) )

Monday, July 17, 2006

Secret secret secret!

Alert: I wanted to let you know that Breedlove will be setting up a Blogger account (possibly take over this one) in the near future to keep everyone updated on his missions. If you already have an account created with Blogger, please make sure that THIS particular blog is not visible from your profile. We want to keep this blog a secret for now!

Log into your account > Edit Profile > Show my blogs > Select blogs to display

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Donations Wanted!!

Please send donations for Project Breedlove to Sonya Lee via PayPal.
<-------- Just click on the goofy image of Breedlove to the left :)

Monday, July 10, 2006

Project: VIS! (Video Ipod SURPRISE)

Okay people!

We may not be able to keep Matt from going to the Desert, but he can't stop us from going with him... AS VIDEOS on his FUTURE VIDEO IPOD that is!!

(LET'S TRY TO SURPRISE HIM!!)

The SECRET PROJECT is this:

STEP ONE - If everyone pools a few bucks, we should have enough to buy him a nice 30GB ($300) Video Ipod (I nominate SONYA to collect funds!)

STEP TWO - Get your Digital Cameras, Get Your Camcorders, Cell Phone Videos, Webcams ... and CREATE a digital snapshot of what you want Matt to see/hear when he's in the dusty dunes of Baghdad. It will just be a little reminder of the fun he'll have when he GETS BACK!

STEP THREE - Figure out a way to give/send your Videos to JEN who will gather the media into one source location. (Talk to me first about what type of media you have and we'll figure out the best way to get it on my computer. -usctrojen@gmail.com)

STEP FOUR - In what time and capacity he can, ALBERT will fine tune the plethora of footage, folders of images, audio recordings, whatever we get... and try to prepare it for optimal viewing on the IPOD. Can we make a crazy MTV like sequence of 'mini-shows'? We'll see...

STEP FIVE - Morgan does his magic to encode it into the IPOD which will be delivered to a suprised Matt before he goes and saves the world.


We gotta do this as a TEAM people! Bring your cameras to events, capture silly day-to-day moments, or start your very own 1 minute soap opera series. Whatever it is, make sure it's fun, and not something you'll regret if it somehow lands on YouTube.

We don't have much time!!!

I'm tentatively setting the deadline for Videos by JULY 26, BUT DON'T WAIT UNTIL THEN...JUST SEND IT WHEN ITS READY... to give enough time for encoding and stuff.

It might be best to keep your videos as short 4 min or less segments - for easier transfer.

AND BE CREATIVE! In fact, I hope some of you throw out some ideas on this BLOG to add inspiration to those still thinking of what to do and ultimately create some REALLY Fun Footage that Matt will really appreciate!

WHOSE IN??? :)

AND WHO HAS CONNECTIONS TO BUY AN IPOD FROM A STORE FOR A DISCOUNT?? (I didn't see Video Ipods on Sharper Image or Sears... the two places we get discount gift cards from for Time Warner...)




UPDATE!!!
** THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS BIG SURPRISE A SUCCESS! WATCH MATT'S REACTION TO HIS GIFT HERE!**