Closing U.S. sites in Germany

The Army has announced that by next summer, ten relatively small sites e.g. (housing areas, depots, missile locations) will close in Germany. One of those, Dexheim Missile Facility and housing area, is close to my heart. Back in the early 1980's I was the Command Engineer for the 32nd Army Air Defense Command, and Dexheim was one of several where we worked to plan for and then station the new (then) Patriot Missile System. After I left, the plan we'd worked out came to fruition and for years afterwards, the 32nd remained as a primary defense capability for NATO forces in West Germany. I've always said that what we (U.S.) did in West Germany especially during the 1980's, was directly responsible for the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union. We were definitely ready for any contingency. Fortunately, we never had to execute.

Hurricanes are coming

With Hurricane Gustav lurking around headed at present in a general direction of the central Gulf Coast of the U.S., memories of Katrina and Rita begin to rise. Center to recovery actions following those two storms (and all others as well) is the Corps of Engineers. If the worst happens and Gustav hits near New Orleans, lets hope that improvements made by the Corps after Katrina do their job. Let's also hope that as we get more into the peak period for tropical storms next month that people in harms way take heed and do the right thing. As Town manager of a coastal North Carolina beach town, I went through four major hurricanes in a very short period. I've experienced first hand their destructive nature, and have seen the results of the often overlooked threat from flooding and storm surge. One year, I remember riding around with the Chief of Police the day prior to landfall of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, seeing how many residents had made an unwise decision to remain on the island after the bridge to the mainland was to be closed. We made them sign a "release" stating that the town was under no obligation to "come get them" in the event they wanted off the island later. Sure enough, one guy who decided to stay called the Police as the storm neared landfall after we'd closed the bridge, pleading for someone to come get him. Didn't happen, so the guy sat buttoned up and rode it out. He made it OK, but when I spoke to him afterwards he sheepishly said what he'd done was a mistake. If you're in harms way of a storm, follow the advice of local officials. EVACUATE!

More thoughts about the blue uniform

In an earlier post I stated I did not like the change from "green" to "blue". No special reason, other that it's a big leap for me, considering I wore the green version for over thirty years (ROTC then active duty). As I said earlier, I really never liked the green version that much…preferring tan or brown. The old "pinks and greens" was my favorite, probably because I wore it for three years in high school ROTC. When I went to college and joined ROTC at that level, I regretted not being able to continue wearing that style of uniform. "Blue" does not convey "Army" to me. That color is just fine for a dress uniform, but not for everyday wear. And, I don't agree with the rationale that "we need only one uniform", for justifying the switch to the blue color. But, just like everything else that's caused me temporary unrest in relation to "change" in the Army since I retired, I'll get past my feelings about "blue" being the new color for the Army.

Great website!

Check out this website. It's by a media company and has some of the most stunning graphics I've seen. Music and sound effects are pretty cool as well. The user interface is also unique. It's built in "Flash" so depending on your computer's speed, it may be a bit slow to load. Anyway, it's very well done.

2008 Worldwide Photo Walk

Last Saturday I participated in an organized "Photo Walk" sponsored by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Over 8000 participated in cities all over the world. My portion was in Old Salem, NC which is the "Salem" part of Winston-Salem, NC. The "Old Salem" area where fifteen of us walked for around three hours taking photographs is very scenic and historically interesting. I welcome you to view some of my best, although I am sure others who participated have better. Whatever, I liked these enough to share them. Here they are.

It's Friday

In fact, Friday's do not have the same significance to me today as they once did. During my younger days while I was in the Army, Fridays were a time for Happy Hour at "the O-club". Then later as I grew older (still in the Army) and as the Army's club system slowly faded away in popularity, I spent time with friends at home, but still having our own happy hours. In Germany, those fun-fests typically lasted way more than an hour. Then after I retired from the Army (and working full time in second careers) Fridays were usually reserved to either go out for pizza and beer, or stay home and have our own. After I started working part time, Fridays lost their prime significance as a "party night" because if I wanted to, I could "party" on any night I wished. However, the definition of "party" today is nowhere near what it once was in my life. We still go out to eat on Fridays but not as often as before and if I have a beer at all, it's only one or two at the most. TV and early bedtime has taken the place of pool, darts, and pitchers of beer. My kids (they are over 40 each) still call Friday night "daddy's party night". But they like me, know it's not the same anymore.

Green to Blue

An announcement from the Army yesterday stated that it’s now official: green is out and blue is in. Photo here is Class “B”. Add a blue jacket for Class “A”. It was noted by the Army’s news release that, “The move to eliminate the green uniform is designed to streamline soldiers’ clothing bags while modernizing the way the traditional blue uniform is worn.” Soldiers are encouraged to wear the new uniform now if they have it. It will start being issued to new Soldiers in 2010. Everyone must wear it by 2013. A white shirt goes with the uniform. The Army once considered having a gray color shirt. Also, as shown in the photo, some positions such as airborne and ranger can blouse their trousers with black boots. Other non-special operations positions, not so. There is also an option to wear a service cap versus the beret. Apparently, those now serving were asked in several surveys to express their desires for colors, etc. It’s reported that the results of those surveys favored the blue color. As for me, I don’t like it. But then I did not like the green uniform that much either. I always though a brown or tan color uniform (or combination thereof) best represented the service. I have no problem with having a blue color “dress” uniform, but wearing that color every day in either Class “A” or Class “B” goes against my personal feelings. But then, I have no vote. Time will tell how it all works out. By the way, I’d be careful eating a Big Mac or Whopper with that white shirt on!

Army Knowledge Online

Currently serving Soldiers and retirees have access to Army Knowledge Online (AKO). It's password protected (very much so!) and contains a wealth of information. Given that today's military does a large percentage of its "business" online, either remotely or at a desktop somewhere, having AKO available is logical. Back "in my day", such a capability was not even in my wildest dreams. If I needed information, I usually called someone on the telephone, or went to see them. If the Department of the Army headquarters, or any major command for that matter wanted to "get the word out" it did so using typed paper messages that were essentially spread word of mouth through the chain of command. AKO does this online, in an instant, to all involved simultaneously. Looking at AKO this morning, I noted something I'd overlooked before. The Army now requires all Soldiers returning from combat to attend post deployment "Battlemind II" training. It focuses on identifying health and other issues and to assist Soldiers transition back home. When I returned (both times) from combat in Vietnam, the best I got were hugs and kisses from my wife and kids. In short, no one from the military welcomed me back. I was simply given a set of orders to report to a new duty station. Times have changed that's for sure. Still, "combat" remains "combat", and going to and from has been and always will be a stressful experience. The Army is simply trying to make all that less traumatic today for all involved. Good for them.

Spotlight on Martinsville VA

This coming Wednesday, August 20th, Barack Obama is coming to Martinsville, along with Mark Warner, our past governor, who was extremely popular in Southern Virginia. The spotlight will be on the local economy here which has been severely impacted by major job losses in the textile and furniture industries. Henry County where Martinsville is located used to be an "economic engine" for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, similar to what Northern Virginia is today. But no more. Today the county, along with the city, has a high rate of unemployment, and lots of work is being done to promote new economic development in this region. Obviously Obama is coming for political reasons, but I really don't care what the reason is, the area needs help. Any politician of national prominence like Barack Obama would do well in my opinion to take note of areas like ours, which too often get forgotten when budgets are put together. Maybe John McCain will be next. More excitement!

Passing of a friend

Yesterday my wife and I drove to Sanford, NC to attend a memorial service for an old Army buddy of mine, who died quite suddenly last Friday from a massive heart attack. He and I first met while attending graduate school at Iowa State in 1972, Since then, our paths crossed many times in the Army, and his family and ours stayed very close. When he retired from a second (civilian) career (he first retired as an engineer LTC) we were very happy to have them decide to move just two hours away from us, them living in his dream location…a golf course/fishing community. By far, he was the most gregarious person I knew. Go into any public place and within minutes he had struck immediate friendships with those nearby. As a result, well over 300 people attended his memorial service yesterday…most coming from within the local area where they lived. Considering that he and his wife had lived there just three years, speaks for itself. Afterwards at a reception, I stood and spoke briefly about many of the fun (and funny) things he and I had done together over the years. As we were driving back home I thought that our relationship might not have been as great had we not served together in the Army, given that bonds of service, no matter where or when, created by those in uniform are hard (or impossible) to sever. He will be missed, and today I find it hard to accept that "Jim" isn't here any more. But, whenever I go fishing, or play golf, or drink a beer or a shot of Irish whiskey, he will be in my thoughts.

Photo Slideshow NEW

Thanks to Google and Blogger, I now have a slideshow in the left sidebar that I'll periodically update. It's an opportunity for me to share some of my work. I don't want to turn this Blog into an exclusive "photo" oriented one, but I think it's OK for me to add "something different" to an otherwise Army Engineer and general military oriented online experience. Comments are welcome.

Back from "the beach"

Not sure why we all say we're going to "the beach" when in fact there are places we visit in that region that are not covered with sand…such as the photo I took here at Beaufort, NC, an historic fishing port near Morehead City, NC. Yes, we (family) did spend time surfing (boogie boards), sunning, digging in the sand, searching for shells, etc, but we did other things as well. Considering that our two granddaughters (20 and 16) were along, those "other things" included looking at and trying on lots of clothes, and jewelry. Weather was fine, albeit hot, with heavy surf some days. Naturally the day we left it all cooled off. So, summer is officially over for the Morgan clan living here in Martinsville VA as school begins next week (2 grandkids in high school, one in 3rd year at VA Tech, and daughter who teaches 8th grade science). But, summer weather is not over, nor is grass cutting and fishing season over for me. So, when I can, I'll still be "out and about".

Brief Vacation

Starting tomorrow and until next Monday, I'm going to be "off-line", while sitting on the beach in North Carolina. No tropical storms in sight there, at least for now, so hopefully the weather will be good. Staying a couple of days at Emerald Isle near Morehead City, and then traveling down the coast to Holden Beach for a couple of days, where we used to live. Going to "revisit" the area to see what changes have been made since we were last there several years ago. While away I plan NOT to watch any portion of the Olympics…never been a fan, never will. But, I will be watching for photographic opportunities, and may post a few here after I return. Cheers!

AEA's Website

As the webmaster for www.armyengineer.com, I am often asked "why does AEA not now have a capability for members or prospective members to perform transactions 'online', instead of having to send email, fill out and fax/mail a form, etc". Short answer is that the site used to have that capability, but as a result of a major transition from an old online data base, to a new one with greater utility, AEA's online capability is in temporary limbo. Soon, that will end. Turns out that the process was more difficult than first expected. Once the conversion is complete, and all works as intended, look for improvements. I also get questions pertaining to whether or not AEA programs other than membership might be converted to online interaction. Answer is, yes over time, but the details are still being developed. I wanted to let all reading this know that it is AEA's intent to make your online visit as service-oriented as possible. And from my standpoint as the person with whom AEA has entered into an independent service contract to "do the work", I'm just as impatient and interested as you are to have this all happen sooner than later.

Filling up your gas tank in Europe

Military personnel and family members assigned to locations in Europe don't just drive to a local economy station to fill up their gas tanks, they first buy gas coupons (only authorized for U.S. personnel stationed there) and use those at designated facilities. Gas coupons today in Italy, for example, reflect a cost of $4.95 per gallon, or $131 for a 100-liter coupon book. In Germany the situation is similar, but a gallon of gas there (using a coupon book) is $4.16. Without a coupon book, you'd pay well over twice per gallon…close to $10. From what I read online about all of this, it appears as if those stationed in Europe are electing to use public transportation, or government provided buses, to travel and do their shopping, etc. The European rail system is hard to beat anywhere in the world. When we were stationed there in the 1980's we used it all the time, and routinely traveled from town to town at reasonable expense. Military there today are doing the same thing we did, but probably more so. Not possible to do this in the United States. Outside of major metro areas, our public transportation is largely non-existent, and our city-to-city rail is pathetic. Don't even get me started on airline travel these days. In sum, for our Soldiers and families in Europe, there are excellent alternatives to deal with excessive monthly expenses associated with driving a car, as compared to what we are experiencing here in the United States.