i know why the caged moe sings
i indicated below that the major differences in this deployment v. the one to this location 4 years ago are 1) increased amenities, to include safety measures and 2) rules and restrictions. i learned today that our request to have a halloween costume party had been approved, but the location and requested bonfire had not. the email i received had a word attachment that said the following:
HALLOWEEN PARTY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
NO COSTUMES WILL BE WORN OUTSIDE TOWN HALL!
CONSERVATIVE NON OFFENSIVE COSTUMES,
UNIFORM/PT GEAR WILL BE WORN TO AND FROM TOWN HALL
WEAR UNIFORM/PT GEAR UNDER COSTUME
KEEP MASKS AND FACE PAINT TO MINIMUM
how are we supposed to enjoy a dry party with rules like that? very carefully. the “town hall” it references is a large tent where meetings take place, but we’re actually going to have it at the AEOT instead.
my roommate was relocated. i enjoyed his company but not his alarm clock at 0430, so i’m enjoying being coherent in the mornings.
one of our aerovac crews carried bret michaels with their load of patients a couple days ago. apparently, he’s visiting other bases and performing for them, too. they said jess was with him (i learned from other people that she is the girl he chose recently on a reality show on vh-1).
after exercising, i watched “300″ tonight, which i didn’t particularly enjoy, but those around me did. last night, i saw “stranger than fiction,” (i’d already seen it at home but wanted to watch it again) which i obviously enjoyed, but others found “weird.”
below are some more rules that may be interesting to those who have asked for contrasts between deployments. some of my least favorite new rules include:
1) having to wear a uniform at all times. this is not fun for a few reasons.
first, in the middle of the night, i often have tears in my eyes as i’m fumbling to put on my pt uniform and lace my running shoes, just so i can go to the bathroom. i’m dramatically limiting the amount of water i drink during my evening workouts now.
second, when i was hot on my last trip here, i’d wear shorts and flip-flops. it made for less laundry and fewer tan lines.
third, carrying a shower caddy, flip flops, a towel, a bottle of water for brushing teeth (sink water is unsafe), and a clean uniform is burdensome. i purposely savored the short, bare-footed and empty-handed walk from the bed to the master bathroom sink to brush my teeth the night before i left atlanta, as i knew this would be a luxury i would miss.
2) we can only use the restroom in the restrooms. i know this shouldn’t be a rule anyone resents, but it was nice to get up in the middle of the night and write my name in the sand the last time i was here (while wearing flip-flops) instead of walking 50 yards or so in the dark.
3) driving restrictions. i wasn’t aware of a speed limit last time…there may have been one, but it certainly wasn’t enforced. not the case any more. i also drove on and off the flightline with reckless abandon. now, there are entry control points manned by young enlisted troops with M-16s and more patience than i’d like when i’m in a hurry to get to a plane.
4) the changes to general order 1. this would take a long time to explain, but i’ll post it one night, since i’ve told the story as to why the changes were made at least 5 times already during this deployment.
okay, here they are…copied and pasted from our intranet:
332d AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING
COMMUNITY STANDARDS
Current as of 26 March 2007
Standards of Conduct: (Governing Directives: CENTCOM General Order 1B, CENTAF General Order 1A and supplements, MNF-I Policy 05-05 and Air Force Instructions).
- 332 AEW Battle Staff Directives (BSD) take precedence over all published standards
- 332 AEW personnel will read and know standards of conduct in this community standard list
- NCOs/officers must enforce standards for all Airmen regardless of location or assigned unit
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn as directed by Uniform Posture chart
- Customs and courtesies apply to all Airmen/Soldiers, Civilian Employees, DoD Contractors, Civilian Contractors, and Foreign Nationals assigned 332 AEW
- Opposite gender visitations or cohabitation in living quarters are not authorized regardless of location, organization, military service, or affiliation of the parties
- Assignment of quarters is coordinated between unit 1st Sgts and AF lodging personnel
- Airmen are not authorized to relocate sleeping quarters without 1st Sgt approval
- Airmen are not authorized to smoke except in designated smoking areas (not while walking)
- Military uniforms will be worn at all times (DCU/ABU/ACU/DFS/AFPTU only)
Standards of Appearance: (Governing Directives: AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance, CENTAF Supplement 1, MNF-I Policy 05-05, and 332 AEWI 36-2903)
Unless specifically added or upgraded below, all standards in the applicable directives apply.
Air Force Physical Training Uniform (AFPTU)
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- Jackets will be zipped and pants will be zipped at bottom
- Conservative athletic shoes will be worn
- Combat boots are authorized for wear during inclement weather (to and from fitness center when two-shoe policy is in effect)
- Shower shoes/flip flops or open toed shoes not authorized for wear outside of showers
- White socks must be worn
- Headgear is authorized; 8-point or floppy DCU issued hats only
- DCU gortex jacket may be worn over the AFPTU jacket during extreme weather
- Long sleeve black, dark blue, grey or white undershirt may be worn with AFPTU
- Full length black, dark blue, or white athletic pants may be worn with PTU shorts
- T-shirts will be tucked in at all times and AFPTU pants will not rolled down at the top
- Saluting is mandatory in all situations
- Females will place long hair into a single pony tail that hangs loose
- Jewelry and body marking standards apply
- Wet or soiled AFPTU will not be worn into dining facilities (DFAC)
Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) and Desert Flight Suit (DFS)
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- Black, brown, and sand colored undershirts are authorized
- Undershirts must meet logo requirements established by governing directives
- Black fleece undergarment is not authorized for wear as an external garment
- Form fitted undershirts are not authorized as an outer garment
- Reflective belts are mandatory for wear during hours of darkness
- Reflective belt will be worn around the IBA when worn during hours of darkness
- Reflective belt will be worn around the waist and not across the shoulders
- USCENTAF patch will be worn on the right breast pocket by all personnel
Additional Uniform Standards
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- Coveralls are only authorized for wear when specifically approved by group CC
- Coveralls will not have rank, names or other patches
- Aircrew members and all pilots may wear DFS
- Exceptions for wearing DFS require 332 AEW/CC approval
- Contingency contracting personnel will wear civilian attire when off base
- Unit morale patches are not authorized (Base Honor Guard patch worn when authorized)
- DCU blouse will be worn when traveling, riding in vehicles or walking
- DCU blouse will not be removed unless on work details (not routine work)
- Sleeves on DCUs will not be rolled up at any time
- Sleeves on DFSs will not be pushed up at any time
- ID holders may hang in front and exposed outside on all uniforms
- ID holders may be placed on the arm band and worn on the left side, above the elbow on all uniforms
- Sunglasses may be worn with retaining straps and hang loosely around the neck
- Headphones are only authorized for wear indoors while at fitness centers, recreation centers, and inside of living quarters
Wingman Policy: The following wingman (traveling in groups of two or more) policy is effective immediately at all 332 AEW locations.
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- A wingman is required 2100-0500L daily
- A wingman is recommended for travel at all other times
- Wingmen are not required, but recommended, when traveling in the line of duty, traveling within the residential areas (H4 and H6 at Balad), or traveling between the residential areas and the DFAC #2 (Balad)
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