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Post by kabulcalling on Mar 18, 2007 12:23:36 GMT
After ten years in the Balkans (Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia) including 25 months during the war, they moved me to Kabul, where I spent just short of three years enjoying the delights of Afghanistan. As that was not challenging enough, last January I started on this project in Baghdad - mumm!
Just when I was starting to wonder if I would ever get a "Garden" spot, they decide to move me to Washington DC for a couple of months to start with, with options to extend, depending on how things work out. I'm due to start there in mid or end of April - still polishing up those details eh?
Before you all start with the "Jammy Git" type comments, here is a sobering statistic:
There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,867 deaths.
That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers.
The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.
Guess I might just hang on to my Body Armour and ballistic helmet for a little bit longer.
RMJ
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Post by Fiasco on Mar 18, 2007 14:08:16 GMT
Crikey RMJ no one could say you lead a boring life !!
Bet you are a real adrenalin junky by now
Stay safe Mate, and don't get too fat in the US !!
Dave ;D
Have an exhalt for you courage !!
(Feel like the Wizard of Oz saying that!)
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Post by 2old2boogie on Mar 18, 2007 15:12:17 GMT
Yes, I'll echo that, look after yourself where ever you are serving. Sobering thought, that you are in more danger in the capital of the most powerful nation in the world, than you are in the worlds most active war zone. And have another exalt from an old soldier.  |
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Post by farmer pf1 on Mar 18, 2007 18:29:11 GMT
yes but if you did get shot at least it would be from friendly fire?  |
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Post by Dame judgejools44 on Mar 19, 2007 10:18:13 GMT
Good luck m8...I would rather be in Iraq than DC!!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2007 10:48:30 GMT
Good luck with the future.
Any chance of hurrying Bushes departure?
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Post by kabulcalling on Mar 19, 2007 10:58:39 GMT
DC is only a holding post, for an indefinite period, while they find something else for me. It might work out long term, but there are just too many variables at the moment. With pretty much four years non-stop away from the family (Kabul and Baghdad), it is just too much. My 15 year old boy is growing up without me, and it is time to let someone else carry the burden of working in carp places. The work is fascinating and literally addictive, but somewhere that my son can join me for half terms and holidays is what I am looking for, for the next three years at least. SHMBO will be able to skip between home and where-ever as son is at boarding school - thanks to Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, I have been scouring the US small add for a second hand bike (cheap and cheerful) for as soon as I can get some accommodation sorted out. Has anyone tried "Craig's List"?
Should I go ALL American and get a HD, or a Goldwing, or just be sensible and get an XJ900 or a thundercat type bike?
Son will turn 16 in June. US driving licenses start from 16. He might be in for a very cool 16th present of driving license and lessons...?
RMJ
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Post by Dame judgejools44 on Mar 19, 2007 11:08:17 GMT
Yeah get him the lessons! I'd have loved that as a kid!
As for your choice of bike....gotta be a HD for the short time you're there....just to say you did it!! ;D
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Post by Dame judgejools44 on Mar 19, 2007 11:08:55 GMT
Oh and have an Exalt on me ;D
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Post by alpaholic on Mar 19, 2007 12:41:04 GMT
here is a sobering statistic: There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,867 deaths. That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers. The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq. Lies, damned lies and statistics! |
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Post by CD on Mar 19, 2007 13:27:21 GMT
I would have the Divvie 900 (but I'm biased). Sadly they were never officially imported to USA only the 600 Seca II went stateside. But if you could get one sent over from Europe it would be unusual and very rare compared to harleys & wings.
True respect on your army history.
D
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Post by kabulcalling on Mar 19, 2007 20:43:48 GMT
Army history?
I left the army in the early 90s.
I'm now a stinking, yellow bellied, bunny hugging, do-gooding aid worker. I'm working with the election commission, helping to develop the voting systems and practices in Iraq.
Does this mean that I will now be smited by all?
RMJ
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Post by General Gman on Mar 19, 2007 22:07:44 GMT
you're not French, you know....
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Post by grafe on Mar 20, 2007 5:07:47 GMT
RMJ
You are on the electoral commission so you must count all the numbers! What about the Iraqi civilian deaths from IEDs and also the internicene wars that are going on?
Good luck with the new job. The food will probably be better as well as a bit quieter at night and doing the grocery shopping will be less heart stopping ;D PS You can now legally get your own "concealed carry" licence for self protection and have fun down at the range. You can live out Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry fantasies for real.....there has to be an upside!
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Post by rollingwreck on Mar 20, 2007 8:45:14 GMT
Should I go ALL American and get a HD, or a Goldwing....... YOU SICK PUPPY !!!  Just kiddin' have an exalt ;D Bah I can't help feeling a lil bit jealous when you say you enjoy doing what you do. I am unfortunately with the masses, and thus hate what I do LOL. Ho hum lottery here I come. Good luck with your move. |
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Post by alpaholic on Mar 20, 2007 10:01:57 GMT
What about the Iraqi civilian deaths Apparently they don't count because they're only 'Rag Heads'. :-( |
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Post by kabulcalling on Mar 24, 2007 15:13:38 GMT
Just to let you know I managed to get out of Baghdad OK. I'm sending this from Amman in Jordan, en-route for the US and a conference. Then Easter week at home, before going back to Washington DC for a few weeks. Ironically, I was offered another job this morning, starting immediately, in... yes you guessed it, Baghdad. I'll give that a miss for now.
I have been trawling the Washington DC "For Sale" sites looking for a short term bike solution. I have found an 1993 (non ABS) St1100 with only 8,000 on the clock, one owner from new, but no service history. $5,000.
The lack of any servicing in 14 years worries me a bit, but I reckon it will be worth a punt. Two and a half grand is not a lot for that much bike. Any thoughts, comments or observations on the ST1100 will be welcomed.
RMJ
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Post by Fiasco on Mar 24, 2007 21:02:33 GMT
The lack of any servicing in 14 years worries me a bit, but I reckon it will be worth a punt. Was it Martins ?? No that's a silly thing to say, even 14 months with a bike would be a long time for Martin !! Glad you got out ok Mate, safe trip Dave ;D |
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Post by suzukikidontheloose53 on Mar 25, 2007 11:11:25 GMT
Perhaps more likely to get shot in Washington but less chance of a bomb detonating underneath your vehicle  |
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Post by grafe on Mar 26, 2007 13:17:05 GMT
The ST1300s are a much better handling/braking bike than the 1100s. They changed the steering geometry on the 1300s. the 1100s are much harder to put into corners. America is a bike mad place like Australia and you can afford to shop around. They love their Hondas as well so there are a lot of them. Don't buy a Harley as you WILL be disappointed. That said, a mate spent some time in Arizona and hired one and had a ball (he hates Harleys)....but there were NO corners! ;D He just got off on the scenery (all those mesas and rock formations) and cruising through the desert.
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Post by CD on Mar 26, 2007 15:41:28 GMT
OK, Army or NGO, who cares you are still working in areas of the wrold almost nobody else would touch.
Respect.
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