And so it begins.... Part Deux

Welcome to my latest adventure with the US Army... Please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times for your safety.

As many of you know, I have been in the U.S. Army Reserve medical corps since 2001 and have recently been called up for deployment. In an incredibly ironic twist of fate, I was sent as a radiologist to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo in support of our NATO peacekeeping and stabilization operation. That fact in and of itself is neither twisted nor ironic. What is however, is the fact that almost exactly three years to the date I am returning to the same base, same hospital and same chair that I occupied from October 2004 through January 2005 during my previous deployment. Oh, and I'm staying in the exact same room on base. Oh and I almost forgot, the time period (Holidays inclusive) is identical. Given all the obligations the U.S. military has throughout the world and the sheer size and complexity of its personnel, I'm quite sure this truly happened by chance and not design.

If you so choose, you can join me on this trip. I will attempt to update you at least weekly with stories and images from the Balkans. For operational security reasons, I will often keep details vague which I hope is not a hiderance to your enjoyment of this tale.

I started my journey at Fort Benning sometime in late October and arrived via commercial air at Pristina Airport in early November.

The weather was quite brisk, and the familiar grey overcast was present. As soon as I stepped off the plane I glanced to the left and spotted one of the ubiquitous KFOR choppers.

We got through customs without delay and all of our bags made it to Kosovo (3 physicians, 4 separate aircraft, 3 separate airlines). What are the chances of that?

We arrived at the base later that day and got settled into our room. Army soldiers typically refer to their room as a "hooch". I'm not entirely sure where that started, but according to:

Glossary of Military Terms & Slang from the Vietnam War

hooch a hut or simple dwelling, either military or civilian. Also spelled hootch.

Which (of course) should never be confused with the subsequent term I found:

hoochgirl Vietnamese woman employed by American military as maid or laundress

I can vouch for the fact that the female local nationals (mostly ethnic Albanians) that work at Camp Bondsteel are NOT referred to as hoochgirls.

Wikipedia offers this take:

Hooch (shelter), a small shelter for people, common in Vietnam

Must have been a Vietnam thing. But you just don't know maannn.... you were not THEEERREE!

I digress, back to the story...

The next morning I arrived at the hospital bright and early. The hospital looked exactly the same as the day I left. I even found items I had left behind still sitting around collecting dust. The departing radiologist gleefully handed over his sidearm and wished me good luck.

After squaring things away in my department, I left the hospital that evening for the chow hall and was privy to one of those occasional beautiful Balkan sunsets over my new home.

I thought to myself "this isn't so bad" and drifted off to sleep later that night ready to tackle the next day with Army vigor. Then I woke up and walked outside...

Sweet Jesus, it was cold! Welcome back to the Balkan winter Major Muller. Good thing the Army outfits us with all the latest in cold weather gear. Truth be told, I would prefer snow and ice to sand, heat and RPGs. What can a soldier do but carry on...

Well, that is where I will leave you for now. Much has happened since then which will be chronicled in upcoming posts. Until we meet again, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Muller out.