Hello from LT Miller September 1 2006

Hello all from Herat Afghanistan. Another month down, another week
completed, another day done, but who is counting. Today is a big day
here. The Italians are now in command. So I am in the U.S Navy, assigned
to the U.S. Army, under the Italian command, trying to train the Afghan
Army. The British are also leading the NATO force and we are still
trying to figure out how we fit into that. Anyone have any ideas for
another layer of command?

Also got a new hut mate this week. He is a Navy LT specializing in
some cool stuff. Ray D. at my civilian job would appreciate this man.
The only problem is he is a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Good news on the searching for water front. One well of the 30
something the Russians destroyed in the mountains south of here has been
cleared and has flowing water. We are supplying materials (paid for by U.S.
service member donations) to the villagers and they are doing the work.
I believe this is the way to go. The Many Afghans do not appreciate
the projects that we contract out. They need to have some skin in the
game. I believe this will have a much better long-term impact than just
bringing in heavy equipment.

Best news of the past week is that we hard pack ice cream for the first
time with cherry sauce. Most of you know that is a big deal for me.
Ice cream is my favorite treat. We are not sure how the cooks pulled it
off but we really appreciated it.

Spent this morning working on about 20 trucks fixing flats and charging
batteries so that we can give them to the Afghan National Police. I
find it funny that the U.S. Army guys coming by were laughing at Navy
guys doing what they call mechanical work. I guess people do not realize
that a ship is a gigantic machine and we have to fix things when they
break. I also find it interesting that it takes a Navy lieutenant and
Chief to figure out how to jump-start a pickup when we have 6 Army
mechanics from E-4 to E-7 working here. All part of the mostly good-natured
teasing going back and forth.

We are entering into the final month of the famous 120-day winds in
Herat. I hope they end very soon because we are no longer allowed to wear
scarf's around our faces unless we are a gunner or in the Special
Forces. This ties into the funny for this time. A U.S. General (which
will remain nameless for now) in Kabul (which by the way does not have as
severe winds and dust storms) decided that he did not like the way
scarf's looked and ordered everyone in country to stop wearing them. He
sent us a nice e-mail telling us this so we would know it was coming
from him. I was tempted to send him a congratulatory e-mail back saying
the war must be about over if he has time to worry about this. I
decided against it since I would like to go home someday. We are allowed to
wear Army issue scarfs, which we were not issued and are not available
in country and those that have them say they are not effective.
Now for a special request for all of the troops. The election in
November is coming up. I encourage all of you to pay attention to the
people running for office. I personally believe it is every Americans
obligation to be informed and to vote. Many people are complaining about
how these two wars are going but nobody is really coming up with a
solution. At least not one the American people are willing to support. So
if you really want to support the troops exercise your right/obligation
to vote and lets hold our politicians accountable for results not
rhetoric.

Now for my favorite topic, Family Update. It was a big week back home.
My daughter Maggie started kindergarten. Hard to believe but my baby
girl not such a baby anymore and my baby Jack well he has always been a
Mommy's boy. Michelle as always is holding down the fort. God Bless
her.

Take care and as always keep in touch.
LT John Miller US NARMY