Oklahoma Airman Moves On Base From 'Suburbs' To 'The City'

Heather Bennett, News 9 Contributor
Oklahoma Airman Serving In Afghanistan

ENTRY #8

A lot has happened, but a lot hasn't happened in the last two weeks. I got word that a new QRF (Quick Response Force) was standing up and that I would be joining it, which meant I would have to move again. That's three times in less than three months. I had to move to the other side of base, which we dub "The City."

Where I was staying was like the suburbs. It was away from the main store, but still close enough to catch the bus and be back in two hours. It was kind of like driving in from the country once a week to do all your shopping. Now I live in the city, and at first I hated it. It wasn't what I was used to at all. I wanted my small town life back, but it's grown on me now.

One good thing is that the gyms over here are ten times better. They're bigger, and have more equipment, just all out nicer facilities. The next best thing is the chow hall-- there are four or five of them over here, all pretty good.

Things are looking up this week. I'm feeling much better and finally getting back into a routine of things with work and sleep. I still haven't had a day off lately. I had some time off, but not really a day off, so I'm looking forward to that.

My roommates are pretty OK. There are three cops in here. I feel bad for the supply chick. Security Forces usually has at least four bags of gear, and just plain crap that we have to bring with us, so I feel for all the non cops because they have to deal with our crap.

OK, back to this whole busy city metaphor. There are regular cars driving around, pick-up trucks mostly, but some cars and a few vans, a couple shuttle buses, and some school buses like any normal city. With that, add some Humvees, up-armored and soft shell, some MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle), MATVs (MRAP All Terrain Vehicle), and all the vehicles in that family. Let's not forget the construction equipment-- all the cement trucks, cranes, semi trucks. Long story short, a lot of people on the roads, I forgot to mention which are just big enough for two lanes. Anyway, I want to know why it is, over here, people will walk out in front of a 4 ton vehicle moving 25 KPH without even looking, then yell at me because it's 3:00 a.m. and they are wearing all black. Somewhere growing up, their parents failed them. Stop! Look left, then right, then left again. It's not that hard.

That's all I have for this week. Maybe something cool will happen this week. I'll let you know for sure if it does. Thank you to everyone for all the support! It really does help boost morale!

Heather