Camp CupCake Afghanistan
April 28th, 2008 Posted in The SandGram v1.0
Dear Gang,
What is it like going into Afghanistan? Well, I remember landing under sniper fire, there was suppose to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base. OK, that’s not really how my trip on the C-17 went, that experience belongs to the imagination of someone else running for national office. My trip into “Camp Cupcake” was more routine and very relaxed.
Afghanistan reminds me of Denver, the snow capped mountains in the background along with the high altitude of over five thousand feet. It gets a bit hot in the afternoon with blowing dust but the evenings are really nice at Bagram around 4pm. There has been a little bit of action the past couple of days and they delayed my trip to my next base, but I don’t mind, I can catch up on some needed sleep and rest up for the deep end that I’m about to jump into.
Well, what is it like here at Camp Cupcake? This base cracks me up, not to make fun of my Army and Air Force brothers but what is it about wearing PT gear 24/7? They show up to chow in it, shop at the PX in it and it is the goofiest thing to see a guy with a pistol strapped to his leg in his little blue workout shorts. It must also drive our Muslim brothers crazy as they see these gals walking around half naked in their eyes.
The base requires that they wear a reflective “Disco belt” at all times, some do, some don’t. I guess to keep from getting hit at night by a car which makes sense, but during the day too? I mean, who ever went out of their way to run someone down with a vehicle? Since that is not part of the Marine Uniform, we don’t comply, hell we only wear PT gear to workout in and our uniforms the rest of the time. They have to wear the belt at the gym to ensure that a Humvee won’t run over the hard chargers on the cross trainer.
We really have gone to war here and garrison has broken out after five years. The other crazy thing here is saluting. Boy it’s tough just walking down street because both branches salute Officer’s whether they are wearing PT gear or a uniform. I’m not so worried about getting blown up here; it’s coming back with a broken chicken wing from all the saluting. I switched over to my brown “Onezy” as the Corporal in this office calls my flight suit, and then I can walk around incognito. See, the Navy and Air Force wear their rank on their shoulders and Marines don’t. The Army has it on their caps and right on their chest, so confusing for these guys. They can’t see my rank on my name patch until they are right on top of me and then they don’t know what to do and some snap a salute while the others are walking away scratching their head “Was that an Officer? Were we supposed to salute him?”
They have everything here at this base, I mean I went for a haircut in the PX square and they have a spa/saloon. You have to make an appointment for a massage, or to get your nails done, about a day out. I was thinking about a pedicure but not sure if the gals can handle my nasty toes. When I finally got into the chair, she asked me if I wanted my hair shampooed. “What?” my head looks like a boot camp rookie with just some hair on the front and she wants to shampoo what? My stubble? You can also eat Burger King, DQ and Green Bean coffee. I know why all the gunfighters come back here for R and R since there is a ton of stuff and the safety of a big base.
Now they still have tons of land mines left over from the old Russians days, so you don’t go wondering off to look at the cool old Russian junk out in the field. This is the second most heavily mined country in the world they tell me, so stay on the road. We did find some old hulks pulled inside the wire. I have to say that this wouldn’t be a bad place to be stationed for a year as long as I don’t have to wear that disco belt day and night. Hope you all are doing well and talk to you soon.
Semper Fi,
Taco
20 Responses to “Camp CupCake Afghanistan”
By chtrbx on Apr 28, 2008
Hey Taco!!! Good to hear from you. Sounds like you’re finding your way around the spa resort. My son’s heading over that way, I’ll tell him to keep an eye out for a Marine wearing a brown onezy with a bad pedicure,a tuft of hair and an injured wing… will you be signing up at anymarine ?…
By "ACE" TroopSupporter on Apr 28, 2008
HEY LTC Bell, Very Good to read that All went well and you have made the Trip A-OK.
Everyone will keep a look out for support signup from you.
Have a Good Week.
Take care.
And Watch out for Spitting Camels
By Tina Stewart on Apr 28, 2008
Hi Cuz, Camp CupCake???? is that for real! I love hearing your stories… keep them coming. With a smile, T
By TexasFred on Apr 28, 2008
Taco, check your Yahoo acct if ya get a chance, we need this blog updating so all us ‘old guys’ here stateside can keep up with you youngsters over there having all the fun…
Semper Fi, stay safe and in touch…
By Leta on Apr 28, 2008
Great to hear from you Taco. I heard about your “welcome to Afghanistan”. Sure glad you weren’t nearby. Be safe over there and update us as you can. Meanwhile we’ll keep the prayers going over here for your safety.
Now about that disco belt. Ya know…giving Church Ladies ideas like that could be hazardous to your reputation. LOL!
By Susie M. on Apr 28, 2008
Sounds like a country club to me! Good for you and the rest of our troops stationed there. I hope it stays quiet and safe for you.
Good to hear from you Taco. Keep in touch.
By Liza C on Apr 28, 2008
Nice new site and great new environment in Afghanistan. And as Susie said, I’m also hoping that it will stay peaceful and safe for all of you there. Godspeed!
By Marcus on Apr 29, 2008
Camp Cupcake sounds about right. Should I expect to see you back in the states with about 10 pounds added to the waist line?
Getting promoted Thursday. My folks and the wifey’s will be here. The little Princess gets baptized Sunday, as well. I’ll be sure to email you some pictures of both events.
By supporter4ever on Apr 29, 2008
Hi Taco,
Glad to see you made it there safely!…Reflective belts huh?…”Camp CupCake”…will keep an eye open for the addy so I can send ya some goodies…hope you remembered your “Angel” if not more are coming your way for you to share…smiling.
Take care and God Bless you all.
Linda
By donna, Los Osos, CA on Apr 29, 2008
Greetings Taco. Great to see your post. By the way, that belt seems like a real cool fashion statement. Might catch on here.Where do I get one…
Stay safe. Take care. Love to you!
Donna
By donna, Los Osos, CA on Apr 29, 2008
Greetings Taco. Great to see your post. By the way, that belt seems like a real cool fashion statement. Might catch on here.Where do I get one…Stay safe. Take care. Love to you!Donna
By Just John on May 1, 2008
Sounds like you found the best kept secret in the region there, Taco. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your “next base.”
Stay safe and shoot straight.
By Cindy LeBlanc on May 1, 2008
Bonjour Taco!
Great to hear from you. I hope you post on the AnyMarine.com website when you get to your permanent base. You are in our prayers.
Robert et Cindy LeBlanc
Lafayette, Louisiana
By Mrs. Tutwiler, GyQuilter on May 1, 2008
Taco, dear… please wear that reflective belt! I think it would go quite nicely with your “onezy” outfit and will keep you safe from runaway camels. Are you wearing your helmut when you go outside? The Church Ladies are very concerned for your safety and would prefer that you not go anywhere near those old tanks anymore. They could still be booby trapped with spiders and such.
By kilo alpha on May 1, 2008
Mrs. Tutwiler is right, of course.Don’t go near the Russian tanks without the protection of two helmuts for the sake of posterity and if you could , please use your influence to see that all Marines are issued two helmuts to protect their heads as Dr. Wang has advised as well.Are there kilts in A-stan?
By GySgt Taylor B on May 2, 2008
Hey there Taco! Camp Cupcake!!! Did you tell anyone to ’suck it up cupcake?’
Glad to hear you are there safe and sound. I wouldn’t wear a dumb disco belt either!
Major B has lost a lot of weight where he is at, so don’t you go and gain some where you are at!
Semper Fi,
Gunny B
By Ms. B'havin' on May 2, 2008
Letah-h-h I hope you’re not implying the CLs are gonna wear disco belts while twirling our cupcakes in Taco’s next birthday video. I’m MUCH too modest for all that flash.
Taco - that place sounds way too tame for a Bad Boy like you. Somethin’ tells me the dust won’t settle for long before you cook up some more o’ your side splittin’ pranks for Concerned Grunt ‘n The Boyzzzzzz.
By Mrs. Diva on May 3, 2008
Ms. B’havin’ is still NOT I see
Too modest. *snort*
It’s great to see you looking so good Taco! Keep us posted on things when you get settled. Things are bound to get REALLY interesting if you get bored!
By Mrs. Al Gore on May 3, 2008
Who invented cupcakes?
By Martha Lou on May 4, 2008
Yo Mitchell!! I just got your Moms email to learn you be playing in the Big Sand Box!! I am going to read this tomorrow- too hard up read via iPhone for older eyes especially at the end of the day… Interesting digs,tho. Will share this info w/ Mom.
Hugs and kisses from all the JoeMcC’s
stay safe
luvu
Martha Lou