Kyle decided before he left for Iraq in December of 2006, that he would keep a journal of everything that was going on. That didn’t happen, as he was OBA (Overcome By Activity). However, he did manage to keep it up all throughout, here and there, whether he wrote something every other day or once a month. His journal was for his time there, events, work, emotions, everything; in order to share it for future generations to come, and now for you, our loyal listeners:

Entry #12 of 17:

2 Apr 07
8:45PM
H/C: 25

Seems like time is slowing down rapidly (oxymoron?). Things at the JOC are slow but hectic at the same time. I guess that means I'm getting good at my job. Last week I discovered a guy of importance on Tuesday, and by Wednesday night, he was dead... how's that for responsiveness? I don't have much to say except that I can't wait to get home. Tonight I'm helping one of my coworkers pack up his things to fly out tonight. That must be a nice feeling. I've been having weirder and weirder dreams lately... hope that's just a passing thing, and not a product of my environment. It's funny to say that my main concern is not the sniper across the river that's trying to take my head off, the guy who wants to blow me up, or even the scorpions nesting under my tent. Instead, my main source of worry is for my little brother. From what I hear, he's in a rapid downward spiral, and there's nothing I can do about it. He, and he alone is my main motivation to come out of this situation not only alive, and in one piece, but a better person for it. I want to be able to show him that life is not fair, and if you want to go anywhere or do anything, you have to sacrifice, and drop the petty, lazy, unmotivated, procrastination bullsh**. Anyhow... enough about that. Here I am in a war zone, getting shot at, missing meals, sleeping in a tent, working 14 hours a day MINIMUM, and I'm worrying about my little brother's safety... how bout that? Well... I'm off to clean my pistol, load up, and throw it back under my pillow, as usual. Until next time...

Kyle Mills - Ramadi, Iraq bunk space
Kyle Mills - Ramadi, Iraq bunk space
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From Kyle, today:

I know it may seem morbid that I mentioned about the HIT (High Importance Target) that was killed, but it wasn't meant as "Found him, now go kill him!"  It simply worked out that way - you fight back - you might just get killed. As previously stated, I'd rather they captured everyone, so that we can gather the intelligence that we need. However, sometimes things go south. The good news; my brother is in a much better place in his life. He has since joined the military and is now done with his time, living in Rochester with his wife, a couple of pets, and a good job. After I got back to the states from this deployment, I had him move down to San Antonio to live with me, and get it together. We're all proud of him. "

This is the 12th of a 17-part series, that will cover my entire journal, from my deployment to Iraq from December 2006 – July 2007. Check in next week for the next installment, when I end up pretty broken down from this new group, and at my wit's end. This really is a rollercoaster of a deployment.

CLICK HERE to see last week’s installment of this 17-part series.

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