The daily life on our FOB is a simple life because there isn’t much to do to get into trouble. Due to our elevation, we get a lot of snow that slows everything down. There is no PX and there are very few stores in our local “market place,” so we save a lot of money. What most of the Soldiers here have been doing to pass the time is working out. They all want to look their best for when they go home. There are weight rooms open 24/7, but cardio workouts can be a hassle and be monotonous because all you can do is jump on a treadmill. The terrain is made up of loose rocks (not gravel) so you risk rolling an ankle when you try to run. To combat the monotony, many of the Soldiers have gone to Beachbody for the answer. There are several utilizing their P90X program, but most have gone crazy about the Insanity program.

We have a day-room open for Soldiers to utilize any time. It has a TV and DVD player, so they can watch movies or hook up their game system and pass the time that way. Two to Three times a day; however, the day-room becomes a workout room for small groups of 6-10 and Insanity takes over. There’s going to be a lot of weight lost during this deployment and most of it will be in the form of sweat on the day-room floor. I only wish they were that enthusiastic during our PT sessions back in Ft. Knox. I guess if it’s something you have to do, it’s no fun. When you want to do it, that’s all the motivation you need.

Caught on camera is (from left to right): 1LT Zoppetti (Treatment Platoon Leader), CPT Brooks (PA), MAJ Lehman (BDE Nurse), and CPT Hernandez (Dentist). Not in the picture is CPL Owen of the Evac platoon.

Well, I’ve got to get this posted. I have to go do my P90X.

-1SG Winchel