ONE cool additional picture!

Had to put this one up too...

My soldiers built this 'HOOAH Wall' for our currently deployed guys...

I am an 'Army Strong Leader'...for better or for worse...

If I say it enough times it will become true, right?

I come to you today as an adjusted LT with a much improved attitude.

I was 'army' last weekend for Thurs-Sun, Thurs/Fri at Mansfield (home of 3rd Plt) and then at Toledo for Sat/Sun for the big FEDSHEAL weekend of shots, exams and... BN...

I had a lot of time to talk with my soldiers, who by the way, still 'Dig' me!

They are my kids and I take care of them! simple.

General Weekend Observations:

The Lt likes his loud live music (Saturday Night)

The Lt likes his frosty brews and cigarettes (!)

The Lt worked very hard on improving his attitude (all weekend)

The Lt is as confident as ever in his abilities!

I needed some pictures from Saturday night, Debbie and I went to a cool live music bar in Maumee, sort of our hang out when we go to 'tit-town' (Toledo), I had my shredded jeans on and an 'anything but Army' tshirt, I drank a shit load of beer, ate a bunch of pizza and left deaf from the velocity of the music...a great evening...

During the days, and between the poking and proding of the medical people, I had a good conversation with the BC, he blew some sunshine up the LT's ass and was overall very complementary! I also conversed with my new CO of the 486th, actually we 'game planned' a bit for the coming year, he is a good guy, and I think that he will utilize me in a big way. He is an Armor Officer from active duty, been over twice with the 10th Mtn...he gets big respect from me.

He is going to unfuck this LT's evaluation process as well! The BC is even in on that deal so HOOAH...I also got a school date (FINALLY) for EBOLC B, farther out than expected, Oct of next year...
Currently I am trying to get my USAR account unlocked, as I blew the chicken shit 6th grade information awareness training off back in August and that coupled with my severe attitude problem from that timeframe means that I now have to jump through several dumb ass hoops to be able to once again use the 'CAC'...

This LT's run time is down to 15:10!!! That is epic for me, the increased running in the past few months is paying off...hell, by the time I hit school I WILL be in the 14's!
Getting slotted for a Unit Movement Officer School here in the short term, should be able to avoid the less than desirable Hunter Ligett for AT later this year with that.
AT's that are only 2 weeks usually are major suck, lots of dumbass shit to torture the soldiers with, I prefer the 4 week variety, like Honduras, where it means something...

With change of Commander, I must prepare to inventory and sign the hand reciept for all of the shit in third plt...that should be a reeeeal process...more on that later.

So, when will the Lt get his 'Army Strong' commercial??? at the current moment I think I could do a great one...who knows next week! I will ride this 'new and improved attitude' as far as I can though...

Until Next Time...

LT K

The Citizen Soldier as a Fucked Up Joe...(HHot Read!!!)

I reflect to much these days...

I was thinking about 'back in the day' this past weekend, yep...looked at some old pictures, and the memories come flooding back...

Worst was looking at those really old pics putting my sister and I at the same proximaty, as kids, back then...my sis passed away in May of 06 after living life long with an incurable disease...some say thats when I lost my fucking mind and went AWOL from life itself, probably partially true anyway.

Anyway, after waxing nostalgic and missing my sis I found those 'OTHER PICTURES' ! no, not those kind of pics D bag...the coooool pics, of me with a dead cat on my head, with '16 A1' in hand looking fucking jacked up yet showing a 'thats right bitch, Im fucking badasssss' look on my face...LOL x 100!

I was (and still am) that querky, goofball, badass Joe...the one that picks his nose (fuck H1N1) and daydreams about the future...At 43 I guess the future is right about now...shit...anyhow...

It all started off OK...I graduated from High School in '84 and wanted to go into the Marines ASAP, my pop said I was fucking crazy and said that I needed to try the whole college thing out first, on his dime if I made C's...so I did...I was a lousy student in HS and it pretty much carried on right into college...I did break my liver in very well for my future in the Army though...
Soooo, in June '85 me and my college 1.6 GPA were sitting in the Army recruiting office 'just checkin things out'...let the 'suck' begin...

I headed to Basic in August '85, hotter than fuck in the good old south, I was about to transform into a 'Joe'.
Hated the rules, hated the drill Sgt, hated the food, hated gettin up at 330 or 4...pretty much hated it all...except...I knew I would be IN at the end...blue cord and attitude to match-check...Once training was done it was off to Ft Carson...the 4th ID...hoofuckinah! I will never forget reporting to my Plt Sgt for the first time, SFC John Hilley, ex marine at that, "Pvt Krzeminski reporting as ordered Sgt..." Hilley looked over to his specialist go-for and said "what the fuck is this shit in front of my desk?" complete with cigarette sticking out of his mouth...!! (yes, you could still smoke in the orderly rooms in those days...AND! they had computers...w/ DOS!!)

I got along good with almost everyone, the hilljacks, the ex? stoners, geeks, jocks, wannabees and didnt wannabees...I bucked the system a lot for the first year, I just didnt give a fuck other than drinking and partying...I was gettin PAID to do this shit...hell yeah!
I soldiered on...and developed a taste for the machine...got Air Assault and EIB by '87/'88 and contemplated stayin in! I hit PLDC (the old WLC) in late '88 and made Sgt, but I was bored again...so when it was time (echo tango suitcase)I said seeya... and went on to more suck for awhile...Scouts the fuck Out!

I loved being a Joe...I wanted to kill people and break their shit...in the worst way! but...it was peacetime...and training was monotonous and bullshit rolled into ultrasuck...I was that stupid Joe that broke shit that LT's had signed for, I was that Joe that was caught regularly shamming at the BX when in garrison...Ide hang my battle out to dry to fuck off somewhere and sneak a drink...only to get a beatdown by him later that night...Ide drink before morning PT, at lunch (just a quick one!), and at night always swearing that I needed to slow it down...

Problem was, from when I got out in '88 til I came back in 2o06 I missed it, the smells, the comradery, the feel of the weapons in my hand, the days on the ranges and the accompanied ruck marches, the good..the bad...the suck, I missed it all...the shitty food on good days and the good food on shitty days, the way it felt to get excited to go on leave ("Im growin a fuckin beard man!") to comin back in from 3or4 weeks in the field...I did NTC like 4 times, Pinon Canyon like a zillion times and have pics and memories to support!

So, this time it would have to be fucking awesome! Im all nostalgic...911...patriotic...wave the flag man! Im ready to fight, to keep those fucking Haj from shamming in OUR shopping malls...to protect us from evil...to show myself that at 43 I could still hang...Hmmmm Yeah...Im a believercrusaderenforcer (nice new word Eh?) its working for me though, I feel like I belong this time around...just a bit more than I did the first time around...only maybe a bit smarter now...(I didnt say a LOT smarter...)

AND, even as an LT I still take billy badass John fucking Wayne pics of myself...only Im now LT Badass...oh, and no cat on my head anymore...cant seem to grow those anymore.

Cheers!

The LT

Will God Be There For Me...

I sat in church last Sunday with my wife and kids...

I am not overly religious, I usually use my 'church time' to ponder my life and any other relevant issues...

So, will God be there for me? well, I think he IS there for me...I have done some really stupid shit in my life, from teenager on to just a few short years ago...the reprocussions from these choices could have been sooo much worse...hell, I practically destroyed my marriage 3 years ago, yet here I am with a beautiful 18 month old little girl, a bond with my wife like I have never had before those 'dark times'...My wife and I were separated when my baby girl was conceived...It was almost like God saying 'you know, you have done enough stupid shit and hurt way too many people, its time to get your shit together and come back to reality'...

And I did...

I sit in church and think a lot about that...and how lucky I really am...
I reconciled with God, avoided selling my soul to the devil and realized at the same time that things just happen the way they happen and maybe we have no control either way...

I found honor again...or maybe for the first time ever...in being a responsible father, husband and man...and I have dedicated the rest of my life upholding this 'honor' and being dedicated to my family and cherishing every minute with them...

because there are those that cherished this same set of ideals who sacrificed all in the name of honor...I think of the parents who have lost a son or daughter 'over there' and as a father at 43 myself, I just cant imagine the pain...and hope that I never will...

Im fine with whatever happens to me at this point in my life, its been full of many good and some bad experiences...but man Ive lived it! My heart aches at the thought of my kids losing me 'over there' if God wills that...Debbie would be OK knowing that it was something I believed in (not necessarily the wars, but taking care of my guys and looking out for them so they can come back learning what its like to appreciate life, and ready to live it to the fullest) and I have no problem with any of that, I knew the score when I came back in the Army.

Part of me sits in church wondering why we actually have to kill each other in this day and age...war is so fucking senseless, growing up I romantisized it, I think everyone did, and still does to a point...I dont any more...I have seen my friends come back 'different' and I always convince myself that nothing will change me...knowing that may very well be a falsety...War is an absolute sensless waste of life..."blood and treasure".

For those of you that have been 'over there', you have my deepest respect and I am very proud that you chose to sacrifice and lived by your own 'honor code' (even if it was 'just for college money' LOL). Carry on in life and do yourself proud!

Yes, I believe in God...a higher power guides a lot of what happens in life...I know this to be true...

How do I know God is there for me? Its every time I look at my beautiful wife and children...thats how I know...

K

"Experiences May Vary"

No truer words have been uttered...

This is my official 'attitude adjustment' blog after a weekend spent with my wife and kids, letting my anger and disappointment with the good old Army just slip away...

I am back to being positive this week and knowing that although HRC are a bunch of fucktards, they cannot tarnish what I have accomplished to date...I do enjoy aspects of the Army, thats why I came back in at 40!

I actually, secretly like cleaning my weapon out in the rainy cold weather between firing orders...I like the smell of the supply room, the smell of diesel fuel and the sound of a blackhawk...I always have liked the military...grew up dreaming of where Im at now...more or less...

I am not blind to the idiocy of the institution though, and I dont buy into anything blindly...Im savy enough to know that by laying low and doing my job...'playing the game' if you will, will in fact get me by...

I can be that 'wrench' though...LOL and I will work on keeping that to a minimum...

For all you soldiers out there that want a stand up leader, they ARE out there...believe in that.

For all you soldiers that dont give a wombat's ass, its cool, I feel that way sometimes too...

I will continue to take care of my soldiers until the Army tells me otherwise...

EBOLC B has been scheduled for me (actually RE scheduled) for Oct 2010...yes, a long ass wait...Im not very happy right now about that, but thats the way the man wants me flogged...I was prepared to go with a 290 PT score easily achievable, I have never been in this good of shape since my mid twenties...So I wait...and get better and stronger...or god forbid, I get broke. Nothing is worse than a broke LT...except maybe a broke SGT...

Email from LT G today...he rocks, and he is 'driving on' over in the box despite stupid joes trying to fuck him...you know, the joes that dont give an F about anything...even their battle's...that break shit that you sign for...that have 'etard moments' LOL...
Saying you wish all of your troops were good troops is like wishing that you had all great co-workers...wont happen...
2 of my guys in 3Plt pissed hot, results now verified, one is a good troop! the other, a douchbag...I just know that those good troops have my ass, and the others dont really care about me...or anyone else...
I have all of their backs because they are mine, and it is my responsibility to take care of them best I can! and maybe educate and make a difference to the few wayward ones...

I know your world is better today now that I've touched it with that logic...LOL...

Now show some F'n motivation scumbags and get back to work! ASAP! before COB! and definitely before your CoC stomps a big ass boot print in YO ASS!

K

THE Chicago Weekend !

Hell Yeah!

Did the 'Chicago weekend' live up to its hype and billing?

YES

What an excellent get-a-way...and excellent quality time with Debbie...

My Experience and Observations...

Chicago was a bit chilly!

'Northface' is the official outfitter of Chicago.

Deepdish pizza is 'Da BOMB'

I walked the = of a 10 mile ruck march (shopping bags)...

I saw a Masseratti Limo...

Hmmm, all kidding aside it provided some real quality time for Debbie and I, Saturday night we saw 'Rhymes with Evil', really excellent grass roots theater...I think the place only seated 50 or so and the talent was incredible.

The food was really good as well, I didnt limit my food intake as I have done for the past 4 months or so...

A great weekend to 'breath out'....

I Love You Debbie... :)


PS: Yes... I missed my kiddos while I was enjoying Chicago.... LOL

The Army and I ... or Why I Hate the Green Machine...

Today is definitely a FTA day.

I was cancelled for BOLC 2 yesterday.

I dont know when I will ever go...and...I will be an LT for-fucking-ever.

The idiocy of the machine is unparalleled, they have moron civilians running the admin shit for most schools and they are people who could give a shit less about YOU

Why did I get myself back in this shit at 43 years old? I swear I was sober...

Why the fuck do I want to go 'over there'? Why does a stupid fucking patch stick in my head constantly?...

I fucking hate being torn by 'real life' and an institution that gives not one fuck about me and who I am...my goals and aspirations...which may only be to give the troops a voice, letting them know that someone higher gives a fuck...

I sit at my desk this morning...pissed at myself for being in this shitty mood...I have it pretty damn good...I slept in a warm bed last night, ate good, hugged my kids and told my wife that I loved her...

I also thought about my 'G', LT Galvan, who is 'over there' doing the man's bidding and getting some 'patch'... I hope he's doing okay...

I also thought about 13stoploss doing his dishes...lol, you know..."when I was your age" ha ha I got out after my 3+ years in the Infantry in '88, within two weeks I was working at a transmission recycling place loading fluid filled 40 lb torque converters into semi trucks...coming home soaked in tranny fluid...I'de ask myself 'so this is it?????' I was an E-5 two or three weeks ago and now I'm somebody's bitch...Hmmmm.


The american dream was just that back then...a dream...

But now? hell yes...big money-good job-family...(I'm smiling) oh shit...and the Army...my perverbial monkey on my back...I fucking hate you Army...so how can I serve you better Army?...what can I do...I will jump higher than you tell me...I promise!!! The Army turns you bi-polar...

My Battalion...blood pressure rising...you know, to meet 'Battalion Standard' in my battalion you only need a pulse...you need no uniform, fuck shaving and military bearing...just a pulse...any kind of pulse that says that you fill a slot, a number, a semi qualified body that can 'show up'...you need equipment? WTF! do you think you are in the 'real army'?

I hate the mediocrity of my battalion...the fucking brain dead dumbfucks that span all ranks...the ate up douchbags that signed up for this shit yet never 'show up'...The NCO prima-donna's that think they are Sgt fucking Rock...The officers that consider themselves 'above all of that'...the good people that get fucked continuosly and fucks that 'get good' continuosly...

I miss Maj Dziubek...he fucking always told it like it was...he gave not one fuck who he pissed off either...people listened when he spoke...he changed units because he rubbed the old BC the wrong way...but so did I! NO one likes a 43 yr old Lt...The Army likes their Lt's 'young and stupid'
I actually had one 23 yr old Lt ask me 'so how is it that you communicate so well with the enlisted?' my answer...'because I am one of them...'

I must now finish with this epiphany...back to work!

I wish all of you a good day...

No matter where you are...

Lt K