“coming up,” “koo-wait!”
Those are two phrases that easily sum up today besides AMAZING! I’ll explain…
The girls and I started our day out at Camp Arifjan with a briefing that included a challenge coin ceremony from the commanding officers of the base. A challenge coin is a coin approximately the size of a half dollar that is decorated with the insignia of an organization within the military. Some are pretty rad! I’ve managed to collect quite a few along the way. They have become friendly reminders to me of my experiences with each organization ranging from Ft. Campbell to Iraq.
Next on our itinerary was a quick bite of “chow” in one of the dinning halls and our very first meet and greet! The meet and greet was held in one of the Moral Wealfare and Recreation’s (MWR) lounge and recreational facilities for the troops. When we walked in a huge line of soldiers waiting to meet us immediately welcomed us. Surprisingly, I saw many familiar faces from my last tour to Iraq since Kuwait is a hub for the import and export of troops within the Middle East. I was pretty honored to hear they remembered me and to hear how much they appreciated our visit. I also encountered hundreds of new individuals from young to middle-aged from California to Maine. It’s pretty incredible. So many difference faces, so many different stories, so many different journeys and so many difficult sacrifices. Upon the conclusion of the first meet and greet, we quickly gathered our entourage and headed to our next stop: Kuwait Naval Base (KNB), a base not too far from Arifjan.
KNB was quite the experience! After another quick briefing and ceremony from the base’s commanding officers, they left us no time to spare. We were quickly recruited to participate in the reenlistment of a young Navy officer, Jesse Lang. We read him his oath, which he recited after us nervously. (I have a feeling three young ladies rarely read the young men their oath’s!) We even signed off on his paycheck! It was pretty special to put aside all of the politics and be a small stepping-stone along the path of this young man’s aspirations. Jesse, I wish you great courage, strength and determination as you complete your next four years in the Navy. You are an honorable young man. I can’t thank you enough for your service.
After Jesse’s ceremony, we were escorted to the harbor that is nestled on the Gulf. Little did I know I would have such a memorable experience on the water! So I get on a River Runner, a U.S. Marine boat used to patrol the Gulf for what I think is going to be a leisure little ride, but pretty sure I got to take that bad boy on a spin!!! I think this experience ranks right up there with skydiving with the Golden Knights, y’all! It was amazing! Oh, and this is where the term “coming up” comes in to play. “Coming up” simply gives the crew on the boat and heads up that we’re picking up speed! Once I caught on to this phrase amongst “port” and “starboard”, I’m certain the crew regretted informing me because I wore them out!!!
After the joy ride, it was off to another meet and greet where we met even more incredible men and women. Deanna got a marriage proposal (her third this year supposedly!), and I walked away with a pretty sweet reflector from PFC Somis, who is part of the Brave Rifles, a cavalry unit that does patrols in pretty dangerous zones.
And I almost forgot about “Koo-wait”! Ha! Although, I relocated to LA this summer, some of my words still have a tendency to come come off with quite the southern twang, especially when I get around other southern belles like Miss Deanna. So rather quickly into this trip Kuwait has become known as, Koo-wait. Hmm, maybe you just had to be there??!
So that’s today in a nutshell. I wish I could just put you in my pocket and take you along for this insanely rewarding opportunity in its entirety! I’ll try to drop you more lines soon. Be well… xRachel
Heading to a meet & greet!
Look who is on the wall in the Arifjan MWR-- Lee Greenwood!!! :)
Catching up with a soldier.
Posing with an M2 on the back of a River Runner. A little scary!!!
And THAT's the M2!!!
Driving the boat AND doing "the wave"!
The best sea crew ever!
It’s my desire that this becomes my “information headquarters” if you will. All things relating and pertaining to me—crazy! I look forward to keeping you updated on what’s going on in my life from the personal stuff to the professional stuff, so stay tuned. There is soooo much more to come! See you soon!