'Terps

I think the most delicate persons by far are the interpriters (aka "'Terps"). As their title describes, they are the link between the Soldiers and the local population. Therefore they are frequently called to go out with Soldiers on patrols, stay at austire Joint Security Stations...basically, do anything the Soldiers do that may require them to communicate with the locals. They wear the uniforms of the CF. However, they are NOT Soldiers. They haven't gone through the physical or tactical training that Soldiers have gone through. So, we have to treat them with kid gloves while expecting them to cowboy up at the same time.

One of my 'terps has been btching incessently about the horrid treatment he received while he was staying at the JSS. Apparently, someone took his bed while he wasn't looking. So, he sulked all night, refusing to go get a cot and sleep on that. Note: this JSS isn't exactly Motel 6. Shoot, it isn't even a Motel 1! There aren't enough beds to go around, and if you aren't in it by 10pm, your stuff gets pushed aside so a Soldier (who's probably been patroling in 120 degree heat all day) can collapse and go to sleep. In fact, even my stuff go pushed off a bed! I was up until 3am working, so I can't say that I blame them. Anyway, my terp is saying he won't go again, that he'll quit, etc. So, what do I do? Stay here on the FOB where I am useless? or go to the JSS w/o a terp and burden them by using one of theirs? I wouldn't mind firing the joker if terps weren't so hard to come by. Sheesh. What did my terp expect? Since when did he become a primma donna?

Just another source of frustration...

Well it has taken long enough...

...to set up this blog. I kept going to the Turkish homepage for blogger, which didn't do me any good. However, I finally figured out how to get the english version and can now start recording my experiences here for posterity.