I do not edit or screen any comments unless they are extremly offensve, like the couple making sexual comments months ago. I welcome and encourage opposition to my views, it is important for the readers not in the military to understand that guys like Morrill are not alone. I will also say that everything I have written has happened just the way it was written, I consider myself a person of integrity and as long as I can help future and current soldiers I will. The strength of my convictions lies in one simple fact, other than my Mother, all my heroes have been Seargeants.
I am still working on my last Morrill entry, it will be long, so I will just tell folks about adjusting to civillian life again. Some of the frustrations I've experienced as far as getting the benefits I've earned have come to be not as bad as originally thought.
I went to one of the websites suggested and was able to get alot of answers regarding tuition assistance for continueing my education, it seems most of the veteran counslers at school just didn't have current answers.
On the medical issues I went to the local navy base and recieved good information on exactly how to use my current doctors ( prior to deployment I had full coverage thru work ).
However, I went to my doctors office and was told I couldn't see anyone until March 29th. I had injured my left foot back in September back in Iraq and am sure I could have recieved treatment there but probably would have missed duty and still believe in " Mission First". I also had surgery during my first 9/11 deployment back in 2002 and feared I may have reinjured it, abdominal hernia. One of the first things I've done is join a gym and started trying to get back in good physical condition, except everytime I try to do any core work I get muscle convulsions and cramps.
I called the Triwest people and found out that I could just walk into an Urgent Care unit and recieve immediate care, I did so and found out I have a spur on my left foot and recieved treatment for that and the muscle issue, it didn't cost a dime.
I have also scheduled a dental exam and ordered some new eye glass's, so everything is well as far as medical goes.
The Army manged to foul up my last few paychecks and still owes me between $1,400.00 and $12,000.00 I can't get an answer and my phone call aren't getting returned. I assume that this is a problem for most of us "Cross Levelers". The men sent from all over America to help out with the manpower shortages in the Island units, we have to rely on their professionalism to get us taking care of. The best thing is we are finally home and it feels great!!
I was never in this Task Force but what I can tell from all the blogs and comments that you guys had serious problems. I thought you guys were crazy but now, you guys are mentally retarded.
I worked at the south gate and I always admired you guys. First, you guys lived outside the wire and travled to places where we so called hardened soldiers can only dream of. Anaconda Fobbit Hooah! Most of you rode in vehicles that in my opinion were substandard but you guys made it look good and work. If only everyone knew what you rode in I think people stateside would agree that mentally, your leadership wasn't there. Who in the right mind would want to ride in a semi armoured M998 (half olive drab half desert color) versus the heavily armoured M114? I know that IED's can blast through some of our best armour but riding in a M114 kinda helps especially if you live outside the wire. Sometimes when you guys rolled in I was waiting for your vehicles to fall apart. Its amazing it didn't. Although I could hear the bolts on the add on armour ready to fall apart. Maybe that was your muffler coming apart? Anyway, you guys didn't complain, you did your missions, and you protrayed the old sitcom "The Rat Patrol". Frickin awesome. I was so proud to be associated with you guys.
I would like to believe you guys did some awesome things. Are you going to highlight those?? I'm sure there were great people in the Task Force who did great things. You only mentioned one? Why?? Was the medic the only person doing his job and saving lives?? What about your armor, or your supply guy, or maybe your mechanics?? By doing there job passively do you think they may have saved yours and everyones else without you knowing?? I'm sure someone had to get their rifles fixed or troubleshoot the vechicle, or ask for more ammo?? Right??? Get with it pal, they are probably the unknown heros of this Task Force who probably had to hear all the BS from everyone else.
I can't believe that you were everywhere to witness every good thing that happened on this Task Force.
Ok, we know about Morrill and how poor he was but leave the guy out already. I gotta give to you though. I would not last for a year with him. I had the hardest time just trying to talk to him at the south gate because he was always talking about how he ran things in Konohiki. I thought the guy was arrogant and a FAKE. Most people with big mouths are. Just a hollow bully. But as I read your entries, you really describe the dude as I knew him. Just a facade trying make himself look good.
Anyway, as far as everyone who are making comments like, "name the officer" and stuff. You guys and gals are fake too. You folks demand the truth from SSG Banales but you don't even put your real names! What the hell is homefries, or Raven or even La Leia?? What is that?? You guys ask for the truth?! Well, you can start putting your real names on! Take the examples of SSG Banales or this lost puppy SPC Brown. You guys may not like what they are writing because you demand the truth but at LEAST they can start by saying, I was there and MY NAME IS SSG Banales or SPC Brown.
I'm Rick James Bi@#CH!!
SGT Goodwin
Anacondian Security Fobbit
First of all SGT Goodwin, most of what you posted was pretty interesting. You seem to have had a decent outlook on this Task Force.
Second, I dont have a problem putting my real name on here, I just normally go by Homefries simply because its been my nickname for the past twelve years, so to me it IS my name. But my given name is Robert Samuel Mercer and I am very good friends with a few of the officers that were with this group. I will not name them of course, thats up to them if they choose to identify
themselves.
As for your comment about my asking the officer's name previously? I simply wanted to make sure the appropriate officer was named so that he would be held responsible for allowing Morrill to do as he pleased with this unit. As mentioned, he was the ACTING commander for a while but there was later an actual commander put into place with them.
Homefries
Were you with the 29th? What unit were you in?
SGT Goodwin
FORMER Anacondian Security Fobbit
Happily REFRADED
I live at 28836 Commonwealth in Seattle. Been up here before?