Rob was able to call me for the first time in a month, and it was so good to hear his voice. He used a satellite phone and said it probably took him twenty minutes to figure out how to dial home. :) He sounded great; enthusiastic and upbeat. His missions have been running at a high tempo, he never stops. He has moved into his own room and he sleeps on a full size mattress instead of a small cot like the rest of the soldiers. His living arrangements are unique because of his job title, which doesn't allow him to have a roommate. This will be the first time in over 6 months that he will be able to enjoy his own space and privacy.
The 4 boxes that I mailed him on July 3rd still have not arrived so it seems it's hit and miss with the mail. The first time I mailed a package to him I think it only took a week. I sent him 1000 baby wipes and plenty of hand sanitizer, along with a few other essential items so hopefully they arive soon! When sending packages, I use the flat rate box, which allows me to make the box as heavy as I want and I only pay a flat rate of around $11 for the largest box. It really helps when you are sending over 4 boxes equalling almost 100 lbs of goodies for him. :)
He has completed some amazing missions since arriving there 15 days ago. He is out networking with village elders and meeting with other various branches of military. Everyone he has come in contact with really loves his ideas and mission plans. There is something about Rob that just makes him an amazing leader! His abilility to take charge and get things done has been tested frequently since arriving in Afghanistan. They have been attacked multiple times at the base he is staying at. He said that at one point, a RPG was shot at them and landed on the helicopter pad and DIDNT GO OFF. They had to call in a special team to difuse and remove it. Other times they have come across IED's either buried, or hidden, and they've had to secure the area while teams either diffuse or blow up the IED's. He has been able to stay safe throughout all of this and is confident his team is physically and mentally prepared for the next 8 months there.
Rob said Afghanistan is like going back in time to the 1300's. Everything is pretty basic, only about 15% of the land is suitable for farming and the basic infrastructures we are used to here in America are simply non-existent. Electricity is sporadic and dependent on generators, water shortages are common and the water that is provided is usually contaminated.
The 4 boxes that I mailed him on July 3rd still have not arrived so it seems it's hit and miss with the mail. The first time I mailed a package to him I think it only took a week. I sent him 1000 baby wipes and plenty of hand sanitizer, along with a few other essential items so hopefully they arive soon! When sending packages, I use the flat rate box, which allows me to make the box as heavy as I want and I only pay a flat rate of around $11 for the largest box. It really helps when you are sending over 4 boxes equalling almost 100 lbs of goodies for him. :) The unit that was residing in Afghanistan the previous 9 months has been released to go home and in the meantime all of Rob's guys have arrived in country and are settling into their rooms. The taliban was attacking the compound as units were leaving to go home, and the new soldiers were coming in-which made for a pretty hectic week for Robert. Now that his guys are all there and the other units have left it has quickly become much more organized and Rob thinks things are really going to pick up! He is confident that his guys will be successful with the missions they have planned out and looks forward to really making a difference over there! I believe he is making the best of things and staying enthused about his job duties and missions. He misses home, but is confident the next 8 months will go by fast, especially with how incredibly busy he is.
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