25 May

Well TGIF - my last Friday at my job. I had an omelet for breakfast and introduced my replacement to the morning meetings. The Iraqi staff is disappointed that I am actually leaving but they are thrilled that a Marine Captain is here to replace me. Nothing against the Army but the track record of the Marines has been very good and, "if it ain't broken - don't fix it." Overall it was a good day but the "lack of fuel" problem showed its ugly head again as we, and the rest of the Iraqi Army, struggle to keep the generators running and the lights turned on. By days end we addressed the fuel problem and devised a rationing plan to help conserve even more fuel as we have seen the consumption rates start to climb because of the 3 digit heat which is causing the A/C's to work harder and put a higher strain on the generators. I am not sure how these guys will make it through the summer; since this is the first year in the new schools and facilities there will be many challenges - I guess the Captain will have his hands full. I will wish him good luck and you a good day.