NTC Day 6

Today we got our vehicles set up with basic issue items (basic repair tools and such). We ran into a little snag because of sloppy issue procedures, but it all worked out (my platoon was not at fault).

From 1830 to 2230 we did something called "key leader engagement," where we learned how to successfully talk to important community figures. If you think that should be easy -- even for officers -- then I recommend checking out the movie "Restapo." Apparently, that's a hard thing for our culture, inculcated as it is with sports metaphors and gung-ho results-oriented processes.

Somebody up higher decided that we needed to do an "Arabic word of the Day," despite the fact not everyone is headed to an Arabic speaking country. Neverhteless, it's "المستشفى" meaning "hospital."

Tomorrow we'll go to FOB Miami and drop off some equipment.