Full Battle Rattle

I will be leaving my family on the 31st to go to California for a month for desert training. I'm excited/not excited to go. It's going to be interesting to see what the Army has in store as far as simulating the middle east terrain in the mojave desert. I never look forward to leaving my family behind though.

I've been packing my gear too make sure that I have everything that is necessary for the small mission that we're on. They call this training NTC. National Training Center. We'll be doing things like convoy training, mock buildings that we'll be doing over there, and simulating the overall atmosphere of deployment.

I'll be home the last week of August and then it's nothing but preperation for the next three months in order to go to Iraq. I'll keep posting as much as I can about my experiences.

My Job

As I've said I'm in the Army. Currently attached to the 643rd Engineering company. A fine little unit. It's full of construction type soldiers: plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. I love being in the Army. Although the lifestyle is arduous and frustrating sometimes, I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I know it's incredibly popular to speak out against our countries efforts "over there". I'm not afraid to say that although the original justifications we had at first are now proven false I know that everything that has occurred since then have only improved the outlook for the future in that region for a better life for those there.


As surprising as it may be I am a NPR listener. Hawai'i's full of liberals hence NPR's success. One of the stories though was surprisingly optimistic about the U.S.'s efforts in Iraq. We're teaching the pour souls who were once tricked into believing the extremist ideal how to READ! That's right the sunni shi'ite militants that were once our biggest problem in Iraq are now the largest benefitters: AN EDUCATION! NPR said that 65% of Iraq population are illiterate, most of them male. These men between the age of 20 and 35 are actually gaining life necessities that they would not have possibly been given under the prior dictatorship...and now because these men will have their own capability of understanding and questioning/challenging the radical clerics who pray on the ignorant and illitirate, the future will be less frightful for the next generation. Specifically theirs. Just another proof to me as to why the work going on there is NOT in vain. I will emphasisyze that I know the reasons we went in were wrong BUT to leave hastily WILL be detrimental to all that our soldiers, the Iraqis, and the U.S. has sacrificed in the name of doing what is right.

I love the military and I love that it's provided every citizen the chance to critize whomever, whenever. But in that same breath the media doesn't use that right responsibly anymore. I know from personal accounts from those who actually go over there and see with their own eyes, instead of listening to the money grubbing media machine, that more good things than bad are happening there. God bless America and God bless every person who risks their lives "over there". I'm sure we all hope it ends as soon as possible.

I'm giving this a go!

My beautiful wife, Bethany, has been playing on this stuff for a while now and the work she does only compels me to feel that need to participate....It looks like fun anyway!

My name is Corey Jesse Abbott. My first name is my father's middle name, my middle name belongs to my grandfather: Arthur Jesse Abbott.

This is my family crest. The latin tanslates to "A friend of God and my fellow man." I think. If anyone knows what the deal is with the pears, that would be awesome.

Born in Ogden, UT lived in Layton for the rest of it until Oct. 2005. Served a mission in the philippines. Kaya meron akong salita ng tagalog sa blogg ko. Joined the military some time ago and it has brought me to some very illustrious places like Biloxi Mississippi (sarcasm) just after hurricane Katrina destroyed EVERYTHING. Great chance to help clean up though. Altus "po-dunk" Oklahoma (again sarcasm). Middle of nowehere but the nicest americans, make that people, down there. Any Sooner can come up to you and pick up conversation with you as if you're long lost freinds. Better even sometimes. Took a lot of getting used to. I miss it though because the Army has brought me to hawaii! (not sarcasm, it really is awesome here.) I can't give it justice just yet though since my family and I just got here and are still settling in.

I'm 26 now.....hm.... I have a beautiful wife who is the foundation of everything that I am...everything! And continues to stay with me no matter how much she learns about me. Makes me feel like the luckiest guy. I also have one gorgeous daughter and one incredible son. My cup runneth over.

I'm goin to make this a blogg mostly about my upcoming deployment to Iraq. My dedication to this country and it's military. My gratitude to God for everything I have been given and every oppurtunity I experience.