Entry # 65: August 2, 2006

Camp Slayer, Baghdad, Iraq

Ok, so here’s the deal. I’m living right near three of the most magnificent buildings Saddam built. They are Perfume Palace (where Saddam, Uday, and Qusay kept their harem), the Ba’ath party headquarters, and a glorious, colossal palace that is still only 2/3’s complete. There is a man-made lake full of carp—a delicacy in the Middle East—surrounding all three buildings. Now I can see why Iraq is such a poor country. All the money was spent on its leaders.

I’m headquartered on top of a hill right next to the wire (the edge of the American compound) with a magnificent view of Baghdad and Saddam’s little playground, now called Camp Slayer. It is breathtaking, both because of the observation platform it provides and the sounds which accompany it. Sounds in Baghdad mean explosions. For instance, this morning, while I was drinking my coffee and gazing out on the city as the morning sun was slowly revealing itself, I personally witnessed two IEDs exploding and heard numerous small arms fire. It was such a bizarre feeling to be standing there, idly sipping my warm beverage, while merely a kilometer away, havoc ensued.

Hopefully, I can help prevent such havoc. What I can tell you about my job is that it will involve some of my Soldiers and myself performing foot patrols on the streets of Baghdad. It won’t be an everyday occurrence, but we will be there. We also accompany all the high priority raids and arrests. It’s exciting to be on the cutting edge of my job, utilizing brand new technology. I’ll be developing new tactics to defeat urban insurgencies and to prevent the mindless massacres that misguided and demented men carry out. It is a highly complex and vital job. My Soldiers are incredibly well trained. I eagerly anticipate their success. I’ve never experienced anything else from them. This is the stuff I enjoy. And so the Soldier’s life continues…