POC-Point of Contact
A troop is divided into platoons. Each platoon has a Point of Contact. The POC is the 1st person you call, when the world starts to fall apart.
That POC, will attempt to locate the correct information or pass your dilema on to the Family Readiness Group Leader (FRG Leader).
We may receive issues as large as the unfortunate suicide threat, or as small as a clogged toilet.
We attend a special "training" session to ensure we handle each call as appropriately as possible. I was shocked to find out we aren't SUPPOSED to respond to such calls with, "you are about as smart as a bag of hammers" or something as polite as "listen here soup sandwich". Apparently those are incorrect responses.
On top of the troublesome phone calls, we also do (atleast)a monthly call out to check on the status, well being of our wives, mothers and family members. I attempt to contact my family members twice a month. I have yet to master this schedule.
It never fails, I get one or two calls down, get side tracked in some sort of drama and forget who I'm talking to or why.
We keep track of each time we speak to a family member always notating the date and time for reference. Apparently my pen doesn't work well, because by my notes I am late by about 3 years. I may need to double check my calendar, but I am positive I spoke to someone in my platoon recently. Or I think they were in mine, they looked familiar. We all share that look of despair.
I may be the worst POC in the history of POCdom, but I figure if I'm going to be good at something it might as well be failure.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Atleast I'm Not Needy?
On my near daily trip to the commissary I had an epiphany. I look around and see nearly every stereotype looking back at me. Now don't get me wrong, in general I hate stereotypes. I know it just takes a handful of a group to make the rest look bad.
In the parking lot, there's the Asian man trying desperately to back his car up without running down a pedestrian. After pulling out and in about half a dozen times, he finally makes it. By the look on his face he had just won an Olympic event.
There's the black female, yelling into her bluetooth while swiviling her head and waving her index finger around.
There are the teenage boys of all races with their pants down around their rear. (Because for some reason they believe, I really need to see their boxers with hearts all over them, like cupid has decorated their asses.)
Then there's me.
Stereotypes are alive and well, and I'm slowly turning into atleast one of them.
Now there are MANY stereotypes regarding Army wives. Most aren't very pleasant.
We have been labeled as bitchy, hateful, needy, desperate, mentally unstable and unable to control our children.
So....which category I fall into, is again dependant of your perception of me.
To see me walking through the commissary with my 3 children in tow, you may believe I fall into all categories.
By the time we get to the checkout line, I have threatened to beat my children within an inch of their lives atleat 3 times. I catch myself in a deep conversation with my coupons, and by the time its my turn at the register my hair is down and the look of desperation covers my face. Buying a gallon of milk has somehow turned into a hostage negotiation as we near the candy display. DROP THE M&M'S!, LEAVE THE SKITTLES ALONE! THOSE ARE NOT SAMPLES, WOULD YOU STOP IT!
Once we reach the register, the last stereotype is that of an apparent Angel. Its the Korean wife bagging groceries. Always soft spoken, seems to have her act together. She simply asks the children, in the nicest, softest voice...hewo dare, you be good for you momma today? You would think her voice had magic as the children stop with awe.
So I will say while most stereotypes are an incorrect representation of a population, some may have a basis of truth. While I may begin to fall into a couple of stereotypical behaviors, atleast I'm not needy? lol
In the parking lot, there's the Asian man trying desperately to back his car up without running down a pedestrian. After pulling out and in about half a dozen times, he finally makes it. By the look on his face he had just won an Olympic event.
There's the black female, yelling into her bluetooth while swiviling her head and waving her index finger around.
There are the teenage boys of all races with their pants down around their rear. (Because for some reason they believe, I really need to see their boxers with hearts all over them, like cupid has decorated their asses.)
Then there's me.
Stereotypes are alive and well, and I'm slowly turning into atleast one of them.
Now there are MANY stereotypes regarding Army wives. Most aren't very pleasant.
We have been labeled as bitchy, hateful, needy, desperate, mentally unstable and unable to control our children.
So....which category I fall into, is again dependant of your perception of me.
To see me walking through the commissary with my 3 children in tow, you may believe I fall into all categories.
By the time we get to the checkout line, I have threatened to beat my children within an inch of their lives atleat 3 times. I catch myself in a deep conversation with my coupons, and by the time its my turn at the register my hair is down and the look of desperation covers my face. Buying a gallon of milk has somehow turned into a hostage negotiation as we near the candy display. DROP THE M&M'S!, LEAVE THE SKITTLES ALONE! THOSE ARE NOT SAMPLES, WOULD YOU STOP IT!
Once we reach the register, the last stereotype is that of an apparent Angel. Its the Korean wife bagging groceries. Always soft spoken, seems to have her act together. She simply asks the children, in the nicest, softest voice...hewo dare, you be good for you momma today? You would think her voice had magic as the children stop with awe.
So I will say while most stereotypes are an incorrect representation of a population, some may have a basis of truth. While I may begin to fall into a couple of stereotypical behaviors, atleast I'm not needy? lol
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Poop Bug!
There seems to be some sort of stomach issue going around post. It never fails we spend a day at the splash park and within 48 hours atleast one child is sick.
The cause for this is different depending upon whom you ask.
Some will say its just from the amount of children running around like carrier monkeys, some will say its just coincidence and others blame the recycled water. My favorite explanation has to be from my FRG Leader. Her theory is "the Poop Bug". Basically, a child squats over the sprinkler and inadvertently washes poop back onto the outlet. The it sprays back into the air and the other children are then contaminated. After we've caught this bug 3 times now, I'm starting to think she may have a point.
Its been 2 days now, and like clockwork we're sick. The day started off well enough, we had a T-Ball game, then off to celebrate the end of the season. We decided we'd meet back at the splash park. We pull into the parking lot and I hear "mommy I don't feel so good". Assuming just another bout of car sickness, I didn't think much about it. So we get out, get the baby in the stroller and as I bendover to strap her in...I hear BLAAHAHHHHAHAHAHH! Then I feel a splash of vomit over my feet. I turn around its my 7 year old. It appears she has some sort of Demon possession at this point, because the vomitting was enough to make Linda Blair ill.
I hold off looking at my feet, because I know once I do its game over. I reach for the half drank water bottles and start dumping over her legs and my feet trying to get some of the uck cleaned up before it becomes and epidemic. At this point its starting to look like a scene from a comedy.
My daughter has projectile vomitting, I'm gagging, my son is gagging, people walking to their cars are gagging and there's my youngest pointing and laughing.
So needless to say, my son didn't get to attend his T-ball party. Having your children miss out on milestones simply because their father isn't there to help out, can be heartbreaking. One of the other parents were nice enough to bring him his trophy however, so all is right with the world.
The cause for this is different depending upon whom you ask.
Some will say its just from the amount of children running around like carrier monkeys, some will say its just coincidence and others blame the recycled water. My favorite explanation has to be from my FRG Leader. Her theory is "the Poop Bug". Basically, a child squats over the sprinkler and inadvertently washes poop back onto the outlet. The it sprays back into the air and the other children are then contaminated. After we've caught this bug 3 times now, I'm starting to think she may have a point.
Its been 2 days now, and like clockwork we're sick. The day started off well enough, we had a T-Ball game, then off to celebrate the end of the season. We decided we'd meet back at the splash park. We pull into the parking lot and I hear "mommy I don't feel so good". Assuming just another bout of car sickness, I didn't think much about it. So we get out, get the baby in the stroller and as I bendover to strap her in...I hear BLAAHAHHHHAHAHAHH! Then I feel a splash of vomit over my feet. I turn around its my 7 year old. It appears she has some sort of Demon possession at this point, because the vomitting was enough to make Linda Blair ill.
I hold off looking at my feet, because I know once I do its game over. I reach for the half drank water bottles and start dumping over her legs and my feet trying to get some of the uck cleaned up before it becomes and epidemic. At this point its starting to look like a scene from a comedy.
My daughter has projectile vomitting, I'm gagging, my son is gagging, people walking to their cars are gagging and there's my youngest pointing and laughing.
So needless to say, my son didn't get to attend his T-ball party. Having your children miss out on milestones simply because their father isn't there to help out, can be heartbreaking. One of the other parents were nice enough to bring him his trophy however, so all is right with the world.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Half-way point!
Today marks 6 months, my husband has been deployed. Six months down, 6 months to go!
You can tell we've made it halfway by the attitude of the wives and children.
Some of the soldiers are coming home for their much needed R&R, some of the wives are waiting anxiously for their turn and the children are really starting to feel the effects of daddy being gone. But for most, this 2 week stint is bittersweet.
We know that 15 days later, we will be returning to the airport soldier in tow, kids crying and a repeat of the deployment day. As we walk through the terminal our man in uniform will usually receive atleast one, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE". Of course, this gratitude is appreciated, but its like a double edged sword.
Everytime we hear this statement, we almost automatically, grip a little tighter to our spouses hand. In an attempt to not be reminded everything we are giving up.
We'll stand there and wait for the final boarding calls, sick to our stomachs, again wondering if this is the last time we'll ever see them. We'll comfort our children the best we can, pretending we aren't worried so they don't pick up on our concern. We'll tell each other, its ok and it will be over soon. We'll take that one last deep breath to push down the fear. That breath is always followed by a sniffle.
We'll have one child in our arms, and usually atleast one against our hip.
Then he'll disappear into the boarding area, just out of our site.
We'll wait a little while, to see the plane take off. We'll hear "is that daddy's plane" atleast 10 times before we can say yes. Once "daddy's plane" is in the air, and the excitement of seeing the plane has passed, the children's tears will flow again.
Strangers will look at you, guage your reaction, some will say I'm sorry, others will stare. All you want to do, is give the entire airport the finger.
You can tell we've made it halfway by the attitude of the wives and children.
Some of the soldiers are coming home for their much needed R&R, some of the wives are waiting anxiously for their turn and the children are really starting to feel the effects of daddy being gone. But for most, this 2 week stint is bittersweet.
We know that 15 days later, we will be returning to the airport soldier in tow, kids crying and a repeat of the deployment day. As we walk through the terminal our man in uniform will usually receive atleast one, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE". Of course, this gratitude is appreciated, but its like a double edged sword.
Everytime we hear this statement, we almost automatically, grip a little tighter to our spouses hand. In an attempt to not be reminded everything we are giving up.
We'll stand there and wait for the final boarding calls, sick to our stomachs, again wondering if this is the last time we'll ever see them. We'll comfort our children the best we can, pretending we aren't worried so they don't pick up on our concern. We'll tell each other, its ok and it will be over soon. We'll take that one last deep breath to push down the fear. That breath is always followed by a sniffle.
We'll have one child in our arms, and usually atleast one against our hip.
Then he'll disappear into the boarding area, just out of our site.
We'll wait a little while, to see the plane take off. We'll hear "is that daddy's plane" atleast 10 times before we can say yes. Once "daddy's plane" is in the air, and the excitement of seeing the plane has passed, the children's tears will flow again.
Strangers will look at you, guage your reaction, some will say I'm sorry, others will stare. All you want to do, is give the entire airport the finger.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
You cannot be serious.
We have pretty major issues facing our country. We are dealing with a seemlessly never ending oil spill, 2 wars, terrorism, drugs, lack of medical care and immigration reform. But what does our government decide is more important?
1.Congress enacts the PACT bill. Supposedly aimed at stopping the trafficking of tobacco products, really just keeps the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from getting access to nicotine. Because somebody in congress decided a pissed off soldier, with an M-16 should quit smoking. That will make the world a safer place.
2. An Army officer, is replaced because he can't keep his mouth shut. Now, I can see both sides of this argument. I won't deny that. He is a soldier first and foremost. He is supposed to do his job and keep his opinions to himself. However...I do believe the timing of his replacement is a bit suspect. Obama has been long accused of trying to convert our country to socialism at the least. One could look at this situation and believe this is the first step. If you question your government, you are considered a traitor.
Now I am not saying I am Anti-Obama. I'm just stating his timing could have been a bit better. I am not for or against Obama. He is our President and the position itself deserves a certain amount of respect if you agree with him or not.
I've read various statements of McChrystals, and I can't say as I disagree with some of his thoughts either. But he wears the uniform, therefore he should have had more decorum.
3. The Obama Initative- aimed at ending the crisis regarding "HOMELESS GAY YOUTH". Now I'm not saying this isn't a problem. But it seems a little specific. Don't worry about the homeless, don't worry about the youth, or gay rights. But if you are all
3, we can handle that!
These are just a handful of seemingly trivial things our congress is concerned about. Seems to me, we have more important things at hand. Like the newly formed Lake BP, being blown up on our way to the grocery store, and ensuring our soldiers come home safe.
1.Congress enacts the PACT bill. Supposedly aimed at stopping the trafficking of tobacco products, really just keeps the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from getting access to nicotine. Because somebody in congress decided a pissed off soldier, with an M-16 should quit smoking. That will make the world a safer place.
2. An Army officer, is replaced because he can't keep his mouth shut. Now, I can see both sides of this argument. I won't deny that. He is a soldier first and foremost. He is supposed to do his job and keep his opinions to himself. However...I do believe the timing of his replacement is a bit suspect. Obama has been long accused of trying to convert our country to socialism at the least. One could look at this situation and believe this is the first step. If you question your government, you are considered a traitor.
Now I am not saying I am Anti-Obama. I'm just stating his timing could have been a bit better. I am not for or against Obama. He is our President and the position itself deserves a certain amount of respect if you agree with him or not.
I've read various statements of McChrystals, and I can't say as I disagree with some of his thoughts either. But he wears the uniform, therefore he should have had more decorum.
3. The Obama Initative- aimed at ending the crisis regarding "HOMELESS GAY YOUTH". Now I'm not saying this isn't a problem. But it seems a little specific. Don't worry about the homeless, don't worry about the youth, or gay rights. But if you are all
3, we can handle that!
These are just a handful of seemingly trivial things our congress is concerned about. Seems to me, we have more important things at hand. Like the newly formed Lake BP, being blown up on our way to the grocery store, and ensuring our soldiers come home safe.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
No! I No Sew for you!
There is a long running joke about nail salons and the Korean business owners that maintain such a shop. Well around an Army base, its not nail salons but dry cleaners and tailors. With the appearance of the "new" Army Combat Uniform the need for dry cleaning around the post has become virtually obsolete. So we are left with a few remaining shops that specialize in uniform repair and the making of name tags.
Alteration shops are essential when speaking of the new ACU's. The wash and wear uniform has a tendency to rip easily so we spend a lot of time at these locations.
A few days ago, a soldier home on R & R, rings my door bell and hands me 2 pair of ACU pants. I am told, my husband sent them home for me to have repaired. After 6 months on an Afghani camp out they were a little rank to say the least. Once I take them from the washer I am able to fully see the damage. I'm not sure what they are doing there, but it appears they are putting grenades in their pants.
So today I began a mission. I go to the well recommended alteration/repair shop. The always smiling happy Korean man comes to the counter. I show him my dilemma. I tell him I need to have these repaired. He looks at me shocked, and can only say...AHHHH, I NO, NO SEW FOR YOU! So I show him pair number 2, he looks more shocked by this pair than the 1st. NO, NO SEW FOR YOU, TOO BAD WAY TOO BAD!
At this point I'm not sure if its our language barrier or if I have offended him by bringing such disgrace to his shop. He recommends I try several different shops, then follows with "but, they no fix this for you. You try they still no fix".
So it looks like my husband will be receiving a new uniform, or be invading insurgent hideouts in is briefs. Brings a whole new meaning to "shock and awe".
But I'm really hoping, the Army will eventually re-think the whole ACU idea.
Alteration shops are essential when speaking of the new ACU's. The wash and wear uniform has a tendency to rip easily so we spend a lot of time at these locations.
A few days ago, a soldier home on R & R, rings my door bell and hands me 2 pair of ACU pants. I am told, my husband sent them home for me to have repaired. After 6 months on an Afghani camp out they were a little rank to say the least. Once I take them from the washer I am able to fully see the damage. I'm not sure what they are doing there, but it appears they are putting grenades in their pants.
So today I began a mission. I go to the well recommended alteration/repair shop. The always smiling happy Korean man comes to the counter. I show him my dilemma. I tell him I need to have these repaired. He looks at me shocked, and can only say...AHHHH, I NO, NO SEW FOR YOU! So I show him pair number 2, he looks more shocked by this pair than the 1st. NO, NO SEW FOR YOU, TOO BAD WAY TOO BAD!
At this point I'm not sure if its our language barrier or if I have offended him by bringing such disgrace to his shop. He recommends I try several different shops, then follows with "but, they no fix this for you. You try they still no fix".
So it looks like my husband will be receiving a new uniform, or be invading insurgent hideouts in is briefs. Brings a whole new meaning to "shock and awe".
But I'm really hoping, the Army will eventually re-think the whole ACU idea.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Deployment Gnome
It seems like an old wives tale, or a childs story at best, but the Deployment Gnome is alive and well. Anyone familiar with deployments has most likely heard of this obnoxious little coneheaded man. Women have told stories of this gnome for years. Facebook pages have been dedicated to the location of the Deployment Gnome like he is a wanted man.
The Deployment Gnome travels from post to post wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting wives of deployed soldiers. His M.O. is always different, yet you know its always him.
For some, he may tamper with electricity, others hide your car keys. I have long suspected this Gnome of letting various wildlife into my garage and lately hiding my Wii Remote.
You hear stories of the evil being and believe it is the stories of mad women who have just been without their husbands for too long. But I am here to tell you, he is REAL. He's waiting, lurking outside your homes waiting for your husband to deploy so he can strike.
The Deployment Gnome is fond of children. He loves to ensure they are able to easily locate everything from candy to your most precious fragile knick knacks. He stands invisible and whispers, "its ok, she won't mind" in their ears. He speaks to them in their sleep, ensuring they know the phrases: "Daddy said I could, I hate you, and I don't know".
Anyone suspecting they are a victim of the Deployment Gnome should contact their local Behavioral Health Specialist, I can tell you he won't let up until you fill him with valium.
The Deployment Gnome travels from post to post wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting wives of deployed soldiers. His M.O. is always different, yet you know its always him.
For some, he may tamper with electricity, others hide your car keys. I have long suspected this Gnome of letting various wildlife into my garage and lately hiding my Wii Remote.
You hear stories of the evil being and believe it is the stories of mad women who have just been without their husbands for too long. But I am here to tell you, he is REAL. He's waiting, lurking outside your homes waiting for your husband to deploy so he can strike.
The Deployment Gnome is fond of children. He loves to ensure they are able to easily locate everything from candy to your most precious fragile knick knacks. He stands invisible and whispers, "its ok, she won't mind" in their ears. He speaks to them in their sleep, ensuring they know the phrases: "Daddy said I could, I hate you, and I don't know".
Anyone suspecting they are a victim of the Deployment Gnome should contact their local Behavioral Health Specialist, I can tell you he won't let up until you fill him with valium.
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