This past Wednesday we were awarded our right shoulder-sleeve insignia, AKA combat patch. It is one of the ways that the Army distinguishes soldiers who have served in a combat zone and is a matter of great price within the military. COL Smith also gave each of our spouses a US flag that was flown over Al Faw Palace yesterday, Veteran’s Day. Very cool.
Several people have asked me about the food here, so I thought I’d make some notes. All of the DFACs are large aluminum buildings. They sit under an even larger metal cover (think of a carport on steroids) and are surrounded by T-walls (think of an upside down T that’s 10-feet tall and made of concrete). At each entrance are two or more armed guards from Uganda. Their job is to check each person’s ID and prevent uninvited guests. Several years ago a suicide bomber got into a DFAC, causing significant damage. Once inside there are multiple sinks and everyone must wash their hands with this pink soap. Then you waive your ID under a bar-code reader that logs your entry. You pick up a trey, disposable plastic plate (white with three compartments) and a package of plastic utensils. At the IZ there are a few metal utensils. Now it’s time to think about what to eat.
I eat mainly at the “Sports Oasis” dining facility (DFAC), as it is close to the palace. Like all the DFACs I’ve been to, it is essentially a large cafeteria. After you have your plate, you move paste steam tables of food. There is a giro bar; Indian station that has good curry; carving station that usually has pork loin, turkey or corned beef; a salad bar (mostly iceberg lettace—I’m pushing for spinach); a Mexican/Italian station; sandwich bar; burgers and other fried stuff; build-your-own stir fry, and three main lines that serve various entrees and sides. There are also numerous coolers holding bottles of water, canned sodas, boxes of juice or milk, Gatorade, etc. Similarly, there are drink dispensers with tea, punch and juice. There is a soup station. Finally, there is a Baskin Robbins ice cream bar (some make sundaes, others let you build your own), and a pastry station with cookies, pies and cakes. It’s all you can eat which is why people are cautioned that on deployments to Iraq you can get fit or get fat. As regards the quality of the food, it’s somewhat like Luby’s, though without the Luann Platter. It’s OK but a little bland.
While the US government awarded the contract to run the DFACs to an American company—Kellogg, Brown and Root, aka KBR—that company turned around and subcontracted to an Indian company. Thus, all the DFACs are staffed by Indians. I am sad to say that for Halloween, all the DFAC employees were made to wear black witches’ hats. I’m betting they’ll be in Pilgrims’’ hats for Thanksgiving.
As always, thank you for the love and support you show our family.
Several people have asked me about the food here, so I thought I’d make some notes. All of the DFACs are large aluminum buildings. They sit under an even larger metal cover (think of a carport on steroids) and are surrounded by T-walls (think of an upside down T that’s 10-feet tall and made of concrete). At each entrance are two or more armed guards from Uganda. Their job is to check each person’s ID and prevent uninvited guests. Several years ago a suicide bomber got into a DFAC, causing significant damage. Once inside there are multiple sinks and everyone must wash their hands with this pink soap. Then you waive your ID under a bar-code reader that logs your entry. You pick up a trey, disposable plastic plate (white with three compartments) and a package of plastic utensils. At the IZ there are a few metal utensils. Now it’s time to think about what to eat.
I eat mainly at the “Sports Oasis” dining facility (DFAC), as it is close to the palace. Like all the DFACs I’ve been to, it is essentially a large cafeteria. After you have your plate, you move paste steam tables of food. There is a giro bar; Indian station that has good curry; carving station that usually has pork loin, turkey or corned beef; a salad bar (mostly iceberg lettace—I’m pushing for spinach); a Mexican/Italian station; sandwich bar; burgers and other fried stuff; build-your-own stir fry, and three main lines that serve various entrees and sides. There are also numerous coolers holding bottles of water, canned sodas, boxes of juice or milk, Gatorade, etc. Similarly, there are drink dispensers with tea, punch and juice. There is a soup station. Finally, there is a Baskin Robbins ice cream bar (some make sundaes, others let you build your own), and a pastry station with cookies, pies and cakes. It’s all you can eat which is why people are cautioned that on deployments to Iraq you can get fit or get fat. As regards the quality of the food, it’s somewhat like Luby’s, though without the Luann Platter. It’s OK but a little bland.
While the US government awarded the contract to run the DFACs to an American company—Kellogg, Brown and Root, aka KBR—that company turned around and subcontracted to an Indian company. Thus, all the DFACs are staffed by Indians. I am sad to say that for Halloween, all the DFAC employees were made to wear black witches’ hats. I’m betting they’ll be in Pilgrims’’ hats for Thanksgiving.
As always, thank you for the love and support you show our family.
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