ALL ABOUT ME

As you can probably tell from the title of this page, it its all about me.  It's all about what I want.  The things that I like, things that I don't like, my friends, my goals, my life, and my heroes.  I know what some of you are thinking, there's no conceit in my family, because I have it all.  You're right.  Don't worry, I am not completely self centered.  After all, I am considerate enough to let you view this sight and learn about my favorite thing........me!

WHO AM I?

I am a 26 year old, with brown hair and eyes.  I am 6'0" tall, 190lbs.  In case you haven't been able to tell by the pictures, I am a soldier in the United States Army.  I am part of the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment.  I am in A Troop, Maintenance Platoon.  I am a M1A1 Main Battle Tank Maintainer (mechanic).  My unit is currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II).

Following are some pictures of my life, and the people who influence them.  Some of them are friends, some are more, and some are just people that I am forced to tolerate on a daily basis.  I hope you enjoy this site, although it may not be the most spectacular you have ever seen, it is about the most spectacular person you will ever meet.  Below are pictures of my life in Iraq, my friends, and my co-workers here.

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  7.            8.            9.

10.            11.            12.

13.            14.            15.

PICTURE DESCRIPTIONS

1.    M1A1 Abrams Main Battle tank -    This is the vehicle that I spend most of my day working on.  My tanks are my babies, the can kick some serious ass!

2.    Confused Tankers (DATS) -    Confused tankers stare at their tank while waiting for a tank mechanic to come fix it.

3.    Tank Engine and Transmission (Power Pack) -    This is what a tank pack looks like.  It is roughly the size of a Volkswagon Beetle.

4.    The Chow Tent - This is where all of the HHT, A, B, and F Troop maintenance personnel serve and eat chow.

5.    The Living Hanger - This is the bunker where all of the maintenance personnel sleep and live.

6.    Inside the living Hanger - Everyone gets their own little cubical to live in for a year.  As you can see, there isn't much privacy

7.    Laundry Day -    This is what it looks like on my laundry day.  Sure there is a laundry service here, but they tend to lose (steal) all the important stuff.

8.    SFC Torres -    The Boss Man.  Sergeant First Class Torres is the A Maintenance Platoon Sergeant.  He is from Kentucky, and is good at making people laugh

                            when they are having a bad day.

9.    SSG Norcross -    The Shop Foreman. Staff Sergeant Howard J. Norcross is the A Maintenance Shop Foreman. He knows more about the M1A1 tank than    

                            the the people the people who designed it.  He is from New England, but has lived in Germany for the past 12 years where he has been

                            stationed with the same unit.  He is the songwriter of the Troop.

10.    SGT Fears -    The Tank Team's Section Sergeant.  Sergeant Andrew Fears is from California, although you would never be able to tell by just talking to

                            him.  He is the slave driver of the A Troop tank mechanics.

11.    SGT Bare -    My first line supervisor.  Sergeant Michael Bare from West Virginia, and as back woods as they come.

12.    SPC Eller -    Probably the hardest working of all the tank mechanics, Specialist Eric Eller is also from West Virginia.  He is a damn good mechanic.

13.    PFC Sutton (left) and SGT Johnson -    Private First Class Brian Sutton is from California, and it is pretty obvious.  Can you say "Duh, Dude!"  Sergeant

                                                    Johnson is one of the 4th Platoon Tankers.

14.    PFC Shepherd -    Private First Class Michael Shepherd is a Bradley Mechanic.  Yeah, he works on those glorified personnel carriers with a turret.  He is 

                                one of the few people in my platoon that I actually get along with.  Yeah, that's right I don't play well with others....What

                                are you going to do about it?!

15.    PFC Armstrong -    Private First Class Shawn Armstrong is a Heavy Wheel Mechanic in F Troop.  Shawn is my best friend here, and in the Army as a whole.

                                He is just a little kid trapped in a man's body.  He is always making me laugh, no matter how bad my day gets.

A TRIBUTE TO MY HERO

Everyone needs a superhero in their life to look up to.

So here is mine:

Name:    Austin

Super Powers:    The ability to melt even the hardest heart with just a smile.

                        Able to get in a persons head, and make them feel good about themselves.

Characteristics:    Can surf the biggest wave without thinking twice.  Make Kelley Slater look like an amateur.

                            Ready to take on the world, and will large and in charge one day.

My dream is to be just like him when I grow up.  Ok, he is only 1 year older than me, but so much better.  I may never be as perfectly awesome as he is ever.  But as long as I can follow in his footsteps, I will be happy.