Super Bowl Sunday, Jan 2005! There I was, in Baghdad, Iraq. My team had just flown in that day from some shitty mission.... (I think it was Mosoul/ Telafar). We were worn out and tired. We had been sent to Mosoul to help after the Army mess hall had been blown up by a suicide bomber. Still, after all these years, I think one of the hardest things to investigate is something where the primary suspect has killed himself. In that case, I really wish he had made a mistake with his fuse and blown himself up outside the camp.
Kind of like going on Vacation- in a Black Hawk
But the biggest hinderance in that investigation was not the insurgents, but the idiot Sergeant who had put herself in charge...she had no idea what to do.
Anyway, after we got off the Blackhawk chopper in Baghdad, we were trucked back out our rooms. We dropped our gear and headed for dinner….
We walked over to the mess hall. After clearing our weapons, grabbing a tray of chow, I saw that they had a bunch of ice cold beer. I thought it was a celebration for our safe return.
Nope. It was Super Bowl Sunday 2005. This is the most important holiday in the US Army. The Marines have the Marine Corps Birthday, I'm not sure what the Navy and Air Force have, but the Army has Super Bowl.
Now, I figure a lot of you won't understand how important beer was....because General Order #1 said we could not have anything with alcohol in it...unless a General authorized it. But, even with a General's approval, there could only be a 2 beer limit per person. Now, to be honest with you, I don't normally drink that much any more. But that time of the deployment, a cold beer sounded really good. 2 cold beers sounded even better. They went down quick.....ice cold, yummy.
Then, my #2 guy looked around and found all the Islamic Terps and the Mormon soldiers. We convinced them that they should get their ration of beer and bring them to us.....only 2 at a time.
I lost count of how many beers I had. And wouldn't you know it, walking out of the mess hall (really kind of staggering) there was the battalion commander and the sergeant major. They were assholes, and I just walked by and said: "Gentlemen, dinner is on me."
We made it back to our rooms and passed out. I never did watch that game and I have no idea who was even playing. But the 2 beers were sure gooooood! I admit.. I was a bit ripped.
(For those reading this outside of the United States...the Super Bowl is kind of like the world cup soccer, except better ads on TV.)
6 comments:
It's not like you had do mind the kiddies or drive anywhere! Sometimes ya just gotta cut loose and have "two beers." No harm, no foul, eh?
I really only had 2 beers...maybe 5 times....
If both of you could exchange the body armor, then it will be perfect. Is that a PASGT (Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops) armor or it is an Interceptor body armor?
LOL. Great post...even if you are still 6 years behind. Love it!
Sam, We were wearing CDCUs (Cotton Desert Combat Uniform) When we went out, we had the IBA- who the fu--- makes up these names? It was friggen' body armor.
MF, what's a mear 6 years, that beer was the BEST I ever tasted.
Sounds like your #2 guy was just the guy you want beside you. Great Idea. Those memories never die - ever. P.S. Your play list is similar to the music I have on my shuffle. I still have CD's. Do you get the radio station KPIG where you are? We used to but they went off due to lack of ad sales. They are still on line though.
Post a Comment