tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61598104445202823462011-07-30T22:09:52.066-05:00Blog of the "485th Engineer Company" "485th EN CO" "485th EN BN" 372d Engineer BattalionSPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-52981679832021348282010-08-23T09:15:00.001-05:002010-08-23T09:57:10.444-05:00

Unserviceable. This is the word that is given to pieces of military equipment after they've seen too much service.  It can be applied to helmets, vehicles, weapons, and even soldiers. Right now, though, I am looking at my boots.  They wrap my feet securely, old friends and sometime enemies - they have been with me throughout my military career, through thick and thin, only rarely have I worn

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-49898275112438420362010-08-22T03:28:00.002-05:002010-08-23T09:58:00.591-05:00

It's been awhile since I've been able to update this, and it pains me to realize just how many of my blogs have begun with sentences similar to this one.  The 1st of June was the last entry, and much has happened since then - I've been home to the States and even managed to be back here for awhile now.  Ah, June...it seems you were just a moment ago... In June we found ourselves in Basra still -

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-76441480050493244742010-06-01T15:30:00.000-05:002010-06-01T15:30:14.810-05:00

Where does one begin when it has been so long since the last entry, and so much has happened?  There have been so many reasons - so many excuses - to keep from writing more on this blog.  The largest reason - at least up until a couple of weeks ago was the lack of a computer. I suppose I'll begin there, it's as good a place to start this tale as any other. One evening after another hard day of

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-48518760014798374032010-04-30T06:50:00.000-05:002010-04-30T06:50:01.883-05:00

Is one of my favorite bands to listen to here.  Ska and Reggae served up Chicago-style, I mean, what's not to like?  Many the long day have they gotten me through with tracks like, "City, City" (about Chicago) and " Things are Going to Get Better (about...Iraq?).  Best of all is that not only do they make me happy, but they help make my battle buddies happy.  Case in point: The other day we had

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-37551170409021676932010-04-24T15:14:00.000-05:002010-04-24T15:14:59.549-05:00

You find yourself doing things that you'd never expect to in the Army.  I think that it's even in the commercials.  One thing that I didn't see myself ever doing though was calling the Postmaster General to lodge a complaint against my unit. "Hold on!" you say.  "You did what? What about chain of command?"  Well, gentle readers, I'm stuck many miles away from my unit, and I'm sure you remember

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-49603474371270009872010-04-22T15:17:00.003-05:002010-04-22T17:40:05.626-05:00

My laptop screen is one of their favorite places to congregate – it’s warm electric glow draws them, and here they dance, and move around, and make me think that I’ve misspelled words when in fact it is just a gossamer wing distorting the letters.  The laptop power supply delights them for the warmth it puts out, and the bag of what passes for salt & vinegar potato chips in this country has

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-68363919601507845512010-04-19T07:39:00.001-05:002010-04-19T07:39:12.362-05:00

Today we woke up bright and early to prepare for tonight's concrete pour.  While we were preparing the tools we'd need for another successful pour we received a message saying that some of our company leadership were coming out here...and bringing mail! We were all dismissed for lunch but chose to wait for the convoy to arrive so that we could see if any of received anything.  We didn't have

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-53935158412236701462010-04-16T05:53:00.005-05:002010-04-16T15:15:08.699-05:00

Second Squad, Jackals, have been working on the night shift for nearly two weeks and today is our first day back on the day shift, but I have a few minutes on break to update this, and rant just a little bit. It is really hot working days. REALLY HOT. And this isn't as bad as it's going to get! Drink water!It has certainly been an interesting time away from the rest of the company, as this

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-900713262222501632010-04-13T23:35:00.001-05:002010-04-13T23:36:05.085-05:00

I woke up this afternoon – I work night shift now, so the afternoon is my morning, no slackers here! – and when I walked outside I was immediately struck by the feeling that I wasn’t in Iraq, but rather I was in some strange place in Chicago. It’s humid here today, and overcast, and it feels like a perfect day for a motorcycle ride down Lakeshore Drive, stopping at North Ave. beach, and eating

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-18052556080035347282010-04-08T15:12:00.001-05:002010-04-08T15:52:57.134-05:00

It has been some time since I’ve had the leisure to sit down and put my thoughts on electronic paper; and sadly that seems to be a recurring theme with this blog. I suppose that originally I’d thought that it would be an easy enough thing to do a few times a week, but I was sorely mistaken, never anticipating the length of the days here, or the rapidity with which our schedules fill. So I will

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-83976422007462061242010-03-14T01:19:00.003-06:002010-03-14T03:16:49.853-05:00

I won't say that things haven't been busy here, as they have; but they haven't been busy enough that everyone is at each others' throats looking for a minute away, looking to be just left alone.Iraq. Just saying the name brings so many emotions to mind. The cradle of civilization, a land with a proud people, a proud history, and a bloody present - Iraq. The whole experience of getting here,

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-49204704520645878192010-03-06T13:36:00.002-06:002010-03-06T14:19:37.432-06:00

And it just got more difficult. As some of you already know from speaking over the phone, the internet service here is spotty at best, and terrible the rest of the time. Our BC (Battalion Commander) has informed us all that he will be checking for OPSEC (Operational Security) breaches on our social networking pages and (I'm assuming) blogs. If he finds any, then he confiscates our laptops. I

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-40908159106200268252010-02-27T23:27:00.003-06:002010-02-27T23:39:51.178-06:00

These are the things I think about in the early morning as I walk to chow. The things that I can't have, and that the army thinks I don't need.Belgian WafflesWhipped CreamREAL Orange JuiceCranberry Juice...gods I miss cranberry juice...REAL Maple SyrupGrapes. On the vine.Corned beef hash.Smart Start cereal.2% milkReal scrambled eggs...or even just fried eggs over hard...What they give us, that

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-58973527219656603232010-02-17T20:07:00.002-06:002010-02-17T20:45:44.194-06:00

Everyone else is just trying to get their stuff back. Or so the story goes. I've dealt with thievery in the army before, several times actually. I've always recovered my things, either through firmly stating my point of view, or wildly gesticulating and threatening strange and archaic methods of torture. I suppose I should stop this blog to comment specifically to the Army readers out there.

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-37942253611334981542010-02-16T13:40:00.005-06:002010-02-16T14:57:46.078-06:00

I realize that this is weeks late, but it's definitely time for an update, as we're completing our mobilization shortly, and going home on leave in less than a week. We left off at Range 100, a muddy quagmire of broken hopes and shattered dreams; though the army calls it a gunnery range.Sleep was minimal, and sickness was rampant. We spent most days trying to sleep when we could, which was

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-48620288833995386802010-02-01T19:44:00.002-06:002010-02-01T20:51:38.394-06:00

I think that I may be slightly feverish. I'm keeping an eye on it, but my throat has a tickle that it doesn't normally have, and I've felt like sitting down a lot more than usual today. Perhaps it's the PT that we've been doing - a new muscle strengthening program, and the Chief definitely putting us through our paces running!It's an interesting feeling to be here. Especially nights. The

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-48565241988195845522010-01-29T21:33:00.012-06:002010-01-30T00:03:41.134-06:00

Ah, gentle readers, this will be a long, visually intensive post - I may not even get it finished tonight! As some of you know a group of us went into the field for the better part of a week for gunnery training. What this consists of, for those of you not well versed in military things, is that a select number of us had to report for training to become qualified as gunners (people who fire

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-15594884974558490322010-01-22T09:37:00.005-06:002010-01-22T16:25:49.458-06:00

The last two days have been remarkably quiet. Scarily so in many ways, as in the Army whenever there is calm, there is always a storm. Always.Yesterday went well, we were all awake at a reasonable hour to walk across the way to the DFAC (Dining Facility) to first get chow, and afterward have our TB tests checked. Mine had healed so completely, and tested so negatively that the medic wasn't

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-11448650957243549132010-01-20T10:47:00.001-06:002010-01-20T10:48:24.611-06:00

This is our new home away from home - at least temporarily.

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-86749663014853349742010-01-19T23:13:00.002-06:002010-01-20T00:19:19.267-06:00

The desire to write yesterday after a long day of training was like a man adrift in the desert, searching for water. After the day that we all had though, I needed a gatorade, so instead of writing, I called my girlfriend. Her gain, my gain, my gentle readers' loss. Wouldn't change it for the world!Yesterday began at 0400 (we were all racked out and asleep nearing 1230 so it really wasn't much

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-55192497547949792642010-01-18T00:20:00.002-06:002010-01-18T00:58:09.626-06:00

And not necessarily in that order. A month has passed since the last update, and the unit has been busy busy busy. This blog was started to follow our progress towards deployment, and as we enter the last phase the anxiety and excitement is palpable.The unit had it's official deployment ceremony just a few short days ago, and already the memories of that day are well worn. It was, as is so

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-43054897727032282562009-12-18T17:07:00.002-06:002009-12-18T17:26:24.940-06:00

Things are either 100 miles an hour, or we sit mired in misery, crawling slowly through the days' tasks. The temperature has dropped exponentially and days that not long ago were started with quick consideration over snivel gear now begin with a groan, a shiver, and a whimsical look at where the sun used to be...where warmth used to be. As the vehicles begin to arrive in the gray morning mists,

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-32430014641407440762009-11-13T07:55:00.001-06:002009-11-13T07:57:31.121-06:00

When night falls and taps plays loudly over the speakers, the moonlight shatters into a thousand pieces in the fading notes echoing across the frosty fields, through the pine trees, rustling the fallen leaves, and slipping through the bones and the blood of the soldiers who sleep here; both in their beds and in their graves. Taps is the eternal soldiers’ lullaby, a welcome end to a long day, the

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-29280711828845394002009-11-09T16:18:00.010-06:002009-11-09T17:07:03.641-06:00

Its been a few days since the last update, and there have been plenty of goings on for the men and women of the 485th Engineers as we continue our training at this undisclosed location. Most interestingly for me personally was that the CO found this blog - nothing stays a secret in the army for long, and is using the title graphic on our FRG page - I'm actually pretty pleased about that, and

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-72151747635344803792009-11-03T15:38:00.002-06:002009-11-03T16:43:28.971-06:00

Today we went to the M16 zero range; first to zero with iron sights, and then to zero with our new CCOs (Close Combat Optics). Third Platoon (misfits, gamblers, jokers, professional soldiers and SECOND TO NONE) was given an indeterminate SP time as it wasn't known how long it would take the other elements to get through the range and it's well known that we're all crack shots with a rifle, so we

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-17348300857095168672009-11-01T17:27:00.007-06:002009-11-01T17:51:06.093-06:00

Today, though not over, has been alright. Few hiccoughs along the way, but that's par for the course with any organization - especially the government run kind. Drive on!The morning began cold and hazy - we all had an extra hour of sleep supposedly because of the daylight savings time change, but like the soldiers we are, we used the extra hour to instead stay up, watch movies, text message, do

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-73525030318167053622009-10-31T22:47:00.002-05:002009-10-31T22:58:52.662-05:00

We worked on lots of level one stuff today - mostly review; operation of the Claymore mine, identification of different types of grenades, function and utilization of the M203 weapon system, and my favorite, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear warfare).I've got some video of some of the classes - mostly breaks in between - which I'll try to upload and get added to this post in

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-71108287084718189662009-10-30T19:21:00.001-05:002009-10-30T19:22:33.733-05:00

Not much of an update today - lots happened, RFI issue - lots of cool new goodies. Updated the youtube page. More later!

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-33336539318485943382009-10-29T18:54:00.001-05:002009-10-30T18:36:05.741-05:00

Ah the SAW. It puts the Automatic Weapon in "Squad Automatic Weapon" and the suck in, well, suck. It will also be my new (old) responsibility for the squad/platoon. I was in charge of the SAW during training in California for a month (as well as being a CLS and carrying a CLS pack, operating as a vehicle driver most every day, alpha team leader, and sometimes squad leader) it seemed the SAW

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-63753414935016772262009-10-26T23:30:00.001-05:002009-10-26T23:37:17.133-05:00

Because I often forget, there is a youtube page for the blog as well.http://www.youtube.com/user/485thENCOEnjoy.

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-31533683417230914532009-10-20T14:40:00.002-05:002009-10-30T18:42:13.912-05:00

As the days wind down of our days as citizen soldiers, and the sound of martial music, and the beating of drums grows more loudly in our ears, the soldiers of the 485th Engineers are ready to pick up the mantle of our forefathers, and soldier full time.By soldier, I mean:sol⋅dier /ˈsoʊldʒər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sohl-jer] –noun1. a person who serves in an army; a person engaged in

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-9180593616798256552009-10-13T22:12:00.000-05:002009-10-13T23:03:40.834-05:00

It's been a long time since I've written in this blog, and for those of you who have found your way here, I'm sure you're wondering - just what are those gallant men and women of the 485th doing?! Are they still here in the states? Are they training? Are they embracing the suck?! Well ....Yes! We're here in the states, and we're training like mad. How much training? I thought I was going to

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-87204786392440082882008-11-17T20:36:00.000-06:002008-11-17T20:50:56.061-06:00

....is in the works...

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-68026674643131174072008-09-16T02:44:00.000-05:002008-09-21T21:47:46.346-05:00

The Company formed up Friday evening for a healthy dose of hurry up and wait followed by a weapons draw. All of the usual suspects were there, as were some people who hadn't been around for awhile, but as is usual there was a lot of "Hey! What have you been up to for the last month?" going on. I think as I'm with this unit longer I've really begun to notice that even with the questions about

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6159810444520282346.post-14295943906116418452008-09-15T16:28:00.000-05:002008-09-15T16:35:03.363-05:00

I felt that I'd begin this blog as a way to keep track of my personal journey as well as the journey of the members of the 485th Engineer Company as we begin our final year of training before entering ready/deployable status with the United States Army Reserve.I've been with the company for 9 months now, and have participated in every exercise the unit has undergone during that time. I may touch

SPC. Creedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06791108808686568417noreply@blogger.com1