Camp Speicher

Well I have met several people in my first few days here. I got a tour of all the MWR facilities as well as a feel for the size of the base. It's huge. I didn't get to see all of it but we drove around alot. There are three big DFACs, 4 recreation centers, 3 weightrooms, 1 gynasium, 1 auditorium with stadium-style seating, a track, a softball field, and two soccer fields. And those are only the facilitieds that we manage. the military has additional facilities that they keep as well.

There are all kinds of walks of life. People from India, Pakistan, Phillipines, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Mexico, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Monte Negro, Croatia, Ethipoia, Colombia, Tonga, Samoa, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Somolia, Turkey, Hungary, and others I don't remember. On the military side, I've seen Russian, British and Australian. And most people have guns! except of course KBR and the subcontract workers.

There are security forces out here from many different companies in addition to the military. Even engineering and construction firm personnel are armed. I t takes soem getting used to. No one is allowed into many of the facilities with loaded weapons. There are discharging areas before you enter the buildings to make sure weapons are cleared. They are usually, 55 gallon barrels with sand leaning at an angle with a hole in the top. Soldiers are required to carry their guns and ammunition at all times in case of an emergency... even when they are off-duty.

There are all kinds of different vehicles out here too. Of course you see regular pickups and SUVs, but the HUMVEE is everywhere along with big military trucks, tanks, and assorted special vehicles. The distanc efrom my room to the DFAC and MWR ia about a 10 minute walk. But don't be fooled. It's a walk in 100 degree heat, through rocks and sand liek dirt. There are no sidewalks and only the main roads are paved. The straight path form room to work is not a road but a path. There are very few trees so it's kinda like a rocky desert. The sand is not like Saudia Arabia desert sand. It's like a fine dirt. It gets everywhere.