JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq –
1st Lt. Mark J. Garrette
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center
What's a day in the life like ... while in Iraq? I wake up at 5:45 a.m. for physical training and work starts at 8 a.m. During business hours, I constantly handle emails, phone calls, and visits from customers at Joint Base Balad and all over Iraq. I am on the speed-dial of every RED HORSE site lead engineer. I am notified of every contracting issue that may cause a work slowdown or stoppage. I frequently interact with vendors reviewing the status of contracts and negotiating new ones. I also attend staff meetings with RED HORSE personnel in design, planning, supply, logistics, and finance to ensure everything is moving forward on up-and-coming projects. By the evening, businesses back in the United States are opening and I can begin ordering items. I spend my nights writing purchase orders and catching up on paperwork. I am lucky to leave work by midnight.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? The dust and dust storms. Dust is everywhere and all over everything. It is so dusty here, the air conditioner over my desk sucks in dust and spits out little drops of mud all over my stuff.
What's the most useful item you packed? My pocket knife - to open all the wonderful care packages I received. It was very obvious to everyone this is my first deployment because of all the care packages my family sent. Receiving packages, cards, and letters from people back home is always the highlight of any day.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? My first rocket/mortar attack: We were sitting in an unarmored truck when they started hitting on all sides and I had no idea what to do. Stay in the truck? Take cover on the ground? Run to a nearby hardened shelter?
What has been the highlight of your tour? We hosted a business expo for Iraqis interested in doing business with the U.S. military. We educated them on where they can register with the Iraq Ministry of Trade, how to bid on a contract, and what we expect from a basic business transaction. I have really enjoyed working with local business owners in support of the Iraqi First program.
What's the best part of the deployment? The people I have the privilege of working with every day. Seeing everyone's tireless work, dedication, and the enormous impact we have on the mission. Seeing people make the most of our available resources in a rough environment to overcome huge challenges with a positive attitude. I also enjoyed working in a joint environment alongside Army and Navy contracting officers and seeing everyone bring their strengths to the fight.
The worst part? Leaving my wife Sarah on Valentine's day and not seeing her for nearly eight months. I'm inspired by her selflessness, sacrifice, and independence. It is great seeing her thrive in her career and manage the home front so I can focus on my responsibilities here in Iraq.
What new survival skill have you learned? Several skills: Our three and a half weeks of combat skills training at Ft. Lewis was like a U.S. Army fantasy camp. I got to shoot machine guns, go in a humvee roll-over simulator, and practice sticking someone with an IV.
What do you do during down time? I hardly have any down time. I always look forward to the few hours of relaxation I get on Sunday mornings. I would spend that time sleeping or reading at the pool. One highlight was running in the Joint Base Balad Rock-n-Roll half marathon, associated with the one in Virginia Beach.
What is the first thing you will do and eat when you return? I will be catching up on my sleep. I also look forward to grilling on my back deck.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Every deployed military member has an important role in the success of the mission; a greater impact than they probably realize. After a recent visit to some of the forward operating bases, the RED HORSE chaplain told me a big factor in the morale at the construction sites is my ability to keep materials and equipment in stock to prevent work stoppages. When people are kept busy, there is less frustration and spirits are high.
What do you miss the most? I miss being able to travel freely. I miss weekend road trips. A high security military base can feel claustrophobic after a few months.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? It is a lot more intense and fast-paced than back home. It is a lot more challenging working with Iraqi and other Middle Eastern contractors with the language barriers and cultural differences. Just getting them through all the gate security is a challenge.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes. I ate a lot of baklava. It is a rich, sweet layered pastry filled with chopped nuts and syrup.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
I always enjoy hearing news from home, from current events to weather and sports. It takes my mind off being in a war situation.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? I will let my wife decide. It is the least I can do after leaving her for nearly eight months.
If so, what will you buy? My wife is currently planning a very relaxing vacation.