SubscribeOn Saturday after I got back from Achin I was sitting in my office and my buddy Cal came in and said, “You have to come to the ECP (entry control point), they have a MONKEY!” So I grabbed my camera and we walked out there. When I got there I saw this little guy sitting on the Hescos:
The Monkey!
It looks like he’s on a really short chain but it’s like 10 feet long, he has lots of room to run around. The guy manning the ECP said he was friendly, so I walked over to him and he climbed right up on to my arm and sat down. He started playing with the zipper on my jacket and seemed content with that until Cal showed him that my name tapes were velcro. He promptly removed every velcro patch from my jacket. I stuck them back on backwards which I didn’t notice until I got back to the shop and looked at the pictures. Thanks Cal. He played with my jacket for a while, then he laid down on my arms.
Sleepy Monkey
He laid there for a while while we BS’d with the ECP guard, then I set him back down on the Hesco and gave him a raisin. He ate the raisin, then jumped on to my arm and run up behind my head. I grabbed him to put him back down and he started biting my hands, but it was just like a puppy biting, he was just being playful. I played with him for a while, I’d set him on the Hesco and he’d jump down and run up my leg to fight some more. Whenever I tried to put him down he would grab on to my arm with his arms and legs and tail and try to bite my hands. It was like a puppy on steroids.
Vicious Killer
It was a lot of fun playing with the monkey, that was the first time I’d ever been that close to one. One thing I was surprised to see, although I guess if I’d have thought about it I’d have realized it, was that he had hand and finger prints just like a person. Never thought about a monkey’s hands before, but it was cool to see.
March 12th, 2009 - 9:36 am
That is pretty cool. When I was a little kid, every wish or prayer was for a monkey or maybe a sister. I got the sister eventually – it was probably similar to having a monkey.
I really enjoyed these pics.
March 12th, 2009 - 12:45 pm
How cool. I just today began reading the blogs posted on Slate. What great insight on the war.
By the way, THANK YOU, SIR for your service to me and my country. Every time I salute a flag (or see one waiving in the wind) my heart fills with pride.
I intend to read more about your experiences.
Again, Thank you.
:~)
March 12th, 2009 - 9:13 pm
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date with what’s going on with you. I always enjoy reading your page. I’ve learned a lot from your writing and photos! You’re in my thoughts and prayers!
March 13th, 2009 - 12:56 am
Awww…so cute and entertaining. Who did the monkey belong to?
March 16th, 2009 - 5:17 pm
That is cute. A monkey is a good sign..UPS him my way-I’ll take care of him for ya till you get back to the states. Too cute. Thanks for sharin.. I just KNOW my son is loving it. I have a huge collection of monkeys and chimps from when my children were small.
March 21st, 2009 - 3:09 pm
I want you as the author of this web blog to know that I was referred to your blog while attending one of the militaries Senior Non-Commissioned Officer School’s. The enitre class was referred to your blog as an example of what not to do and how web sites like yours violate OPSEC. This website reveals sensitive information and is an OPSEC violation. As a SSG you should know better and should be a better example to the soldiers and airmen under you and with whom you work. I suggest that you take down your blog. If the NCO Academies are using your website as an example of OPSEC violations then you can be sure your chain of command will find out and you will be punished accordingly.
March 22nd, 2009 - 9:55 am
Dear READ THIS,
Of course as an SNCO (suuure) you should have emailed me directly instead of airing dirty laundry in public, and you’d also know that I am a SSgt (Air Force rank), not a SSG (Army rank). If you would have emailed me instead of posting a comment I wouldn’t have to embarrass you in public like this.
Before they go live, every post on this blog is reviewed by the Nangarhar PRT Information Operations officer. The PRT commander is aware of the blog and has seen it himself.
To my knowledge and the knowledge of the IO officer, there are no OPSEC violations on this blog. If there is a specific piece of information you have an issue with, feel free to email me (mbrameld at gmail dot com) and I’ll discuss it with the leadership here.
March 25th, 2009 - 11:19 pm
Oh Mikey… You were soooo tooo nice to this guy… What an a$$! But you showed him, huh?!?
Love ya!
March 30th, 2009 - 7:24 pm
Well, Dawn told me about this idiot and I came to read it myself. Just who the h… does he think he is? Like Angie said you were too nice to such an a$$! BUt I do believe you have put him in his place. By the way, did he ever e-mail you?
March 30th, 2009 - 10:17 pm
Nope, he never did email me. I don’t blame him though, if I made myself look like a complete moron on somebody’s blog I wouldn’t want to get in touch with them either.
April 1st, 2009 - 6:25 pm
As the author of an “example” blog you sure have had a lot of hits and comments. And as I can see a lot of thanks for serving our country…. my thanks included. Since he didn’t e-mail you I am sure you are right about him being a complete moron. Stay as safe as you can.
April 4th, 2009 - 4:50 pm
Hi,
I have been following your site for some time now, and I was looking for a lil more info on FOB Finley and the living conditions and the FOB in general. Our unit will be arriving there shortly.
Thanks,
Amy.
April 5th, 2009 - 6:09 pm
Just checkin to see how you are doing Mike. Still prayin for that hedge of protection to be around each and everyone of you (especially my son
)Every single minute of every day. Please let us know if you need anything. Tell my son, his momma misses him so very much! Hugz from this mom.
April 14th, 2009 - 12:57 am
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