allei - In Iraq...no, really Iraq this time

I just got a call from Omar; he finally made it to Iraq. 
I was starting to think they were part of some conspiracy or something the way all the planes were canceled and such.

No internet -not a surprise, but still a bummer.
He's separated from his team by a forty-five minute walk - won't be needing a gym, ha. If he doesn't receive his mail, there's going to be a problem.
Staying in haggard bunkers with about ten other men - very disappointing considering all of the Florida guys have one man rooms or conexes. He said that him and Parrish decorated it with Xmas lights, I can't wait to see pictures haha.

I do not know what to think, I'm just really sad. He sounded really positive and he didn't complain. He wasn't even upset about Alabama losing, haha! Nevertheless, I felt he was unhappy. It's my job to make him happy and not being able to do that, simply be there for him, has been one of the hardest things about deployment.

It's just one thing I can't get over. There's one thing I tend to linger on the most: I don't understand. I can't understand.
He volunteered! He fucking volunteered for the 146th ESB. Volunteered meaning he didn't have to do this, but no, he did to do his duty overseas and to better himself. He is there to help them! I don't and will not understand how RESPECT is void in commanding positions' eyes. The Army is based on respect yet on the inside where is their respect for each other?!
Maybe he's with some other Alabama guys that aren't such great soldiers, but being guilty by association is wrong. I can't stop saying it: he is there for them! Yet from what it sounds he is constantly shafted. I do grasp the concept there is no more room where the rest of the guys are, but what's their excuse when the existing soldiers are moved out and they just brush over the situation? I'm almost positive it'll be put aside. There's no reason to be looked down upon because he is from another unit.

Maybe some should take a consideration of the things they mindlessly recite and realize what he or she is saying:

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
(A team, working together!)
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
(Army Values, eh? RESPECT of fellow servicemen; SELFLESS SERVICE - consideration of subordinates, working as a team; HONOR - living up to these values; INTEGRITY - doing what is the right thing to do, a "moral compass"; PERSONAL COURAGE - what the men who volunteered chose to do and any soldier not dodging their duty)

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
(It doesn't say one is not a comrade if he or she is from a different state or unit!)

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
(By being disciplined I sure as hell hope some can get over their egos.)
I am an expert and I am a professional.
(Professionals use dignity. There is nothing professional by undermining another's service.)
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

Just felt the need to point some things out. This silly journal is unread by the people who need to see it. Nevertheless, it needed to be said.