So last night after a long day at the motor pool, I began my journey to the rustamiyah dining facility... On the way I heard possibly the most heart breaking sound of my life... BOOOOOOOOOOOM! Oh are you serious... I muttered to myself as I ducked into a bunker... After subsequent explosions I decided that I was going to be there for awhile, so I did the only logical thing, and smoked a cigarette... Upon completion of lung toxification, I noticed that Alpha Company's 1st Sergeant was in the same bunker as I... "Hey 1st Sergeant," I said with a grin. "Are you tryin to get back to our AO?" He replied that he was, and after a short bunker to bunker run I had made it back to my building... I asked the 1st Sergeant to please radio up to the TOC that I was safe and sound. He replied that he would, and promptly took off to perform his 1st Sergeantly duties... After several hours and a few more cigarettes, I was back with my buddies, safe and sound in our hardened home... It was not until this morning that I found that my continued existence was never reported last night, and that most everyone was wondering, "What in the world happened to McCool?" Well all I am fine, thanks for your concern... I will try to keep you updated as often as I can... and now for your reading pleasure, here are "Murphy's Laws of Combat"...

1. You are not Superman.
2.If its stupid but works, it isnt stupid.
3.Dont look conspicuous, it draws fire.
4.When in doubt empty your magazine.
5.Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you are.
6.Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
7.If your attack is going really well, its an ambush.
8.No plan survives first contact intact.
9.All five second grenade fuses will burn down in three seconds.
10.Try to look unimportant, cause the enemy may be low on ammo.
11.If you are forward of your position the artillery will fall short.
12.The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack.
13.The important things are always simple.
14. The sinple things are always hard.
15.The easy way is always mined.
16.If you are short of everything except the enemy, you are in combat.
17.When you have secured an area, dont forget to tell the enemy.
18.Friendly fire---- isnt.
19.Incoming fire has the right of way.
20.If the enemy is in range, so are you.
21.No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.
22.Beer math is: Two beers times 37 men = 49 cases...
23.Body count math is: Two insurgents, plus one portable, plus two pigs = 37 enemy KIA
24.Two things that must be together to work usually cant be shipped together.
25.Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support desperately.
26.Anything you do can get you shot, including doing nothing.
27.Tracers work both ways.
28.The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire, is incoming friendly fire.
29.If its tough for the enemy to get in, it'll be tough for you to get out.
30.If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will have more than your fair share of objectives for the enemy to take.
31.When both sides are convinced they are about to lose, they are both right.
32.Professional soldiers are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs.
33. Murphy was infantry...

Ok I know its been a few weeks, but I have been very busy over here. Not too much has been going on for me personally, Ive been lucky so far... The situation over here is getting a little bit more dangerous of late, but hey thats what we train for! I recently got assigned to our Battalion Sergeant Major as his gunner, thankfully I have alot of experience in the gunner's seat from my first deployment. I will be gone on a mission for the next three days, so just keep me in your thoughts. Again I thank you all for your support, it means the world to me and really reminds me what I am fighting for... 

I just wanted to give you guys an example of how depraved the enemy were fighting over here is. This is a real tactic the enemy is using against us, and just last week we got our first taste of it... The enemies new tactic is to strap explosive vests or backpacks to mentally handicapped Iraqi civilians, and to send them toward American patrols. To use people who dont know any better, as living weapons is about the sickest thing I can Imagine... Its frustrating especially to us infantry men when the enemy is too cowardly to actually fight us... I hope that for those of you who think that there is no reason for us to be here see this as a wake up call... As long as people as evil as this exist American vigilance must be maintained... 

Your Friend, Spc. Matt McCool 

Ok, First some history on me... I am one  of Tehachapis own, but that is probably evident. I joined the U.S. Army in 2004, as an Infantryman. My initial training was conducted at Ft. Benning, GA. From there I went on to be staioned at Ft. Polk, LA. in the 4th brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion 30th infantry regiment. I began my service in Charlie Company, "Commandoes" as we were called. I was lucky enough to stay in 2nd squad, 1st platoon for the majority of my time there. I have served as a rifleman, grenadier, and an automatic rifleman.

Last year I deployed for the first time to Afghanistan, where I served for six months... After leaving that bitterly cold place, I returned to Fort Polk for seven months. During my time back I was sent to the scout/sniper section of my battalion, which is where I serve today as a senior scout observer.

In November I deployed to Iraq, which I must say hasnt been as bad as I thought it would be. Sadly I have experienced loss while here, two weeks ago, my friend Sergeant Austin Pratt was shot, and fatally wounded... He was one of our squad leaders in the scout section, and had been my friend since shortly after I came to my unit... He was a good man and a good soldier, a great example that we all looked up to... Every day we miss him greatly...
 
On a happier note, everyone back home has been very supportive, it means so much to me personally recieve letters from you all. I have recieved several, and they really do alot to keep my spirits up, so thank you all for your support, and I will hopefully get to meet many of you when I get home! If at all possible, I intend to update this war journal weekly, its the least I can do for a town thats done so much for me... For now however I need to get back to work, please keep up the letters, if anyone has any questions just ask and I will answer them as best I can, as soon as I can. Again thank you for all your support, and prayers.

Sincerely,
Spc. Matt McCool