Major Steven Bogdanoff, D.M.D.

I’m finally home. What a trip. It all started at Baghdad Airport. We were there 11 hours. Then the flight to Kuwait. We got there 2 AM. It was cold, in the 30′s, and we were placed in tents. Our heater wasn’t working well. I slept in my uniform. We spent two days in the dust bowl there. It was an all day affair. We had to go through Customs, which meant unpacking all 4 duffle bags and repacking them. What an ordeal. Moving over 200 lbs. of gear was not easy. We were helping the females with us. It was tough on them.

Then we flew to Germany. It was 22 degrees and snowing. Remember, I’m from South Florida. Next was the flight to Ft. Dix. 2 of the 3 heaters failed on the plane. We were freezing. We landed at Ft. Dix, it was 11 degrees and snowing. Finally to Ft. Benning. My orders had expired, so there was a mad rush and a lot of help from my home unit to get me home. I was there an extra day. Finally I got home last Friday night. My wife and daughter were there. What a great feeling! Saturday night was my brothers’ birthday party and my welcome home party. It was great! It’s great to be home.

Enjoy your family and friends. MAJ B   

The dilemma was, since it was raining and cold, and yes, the mud was every where, do I walk the mile round trip to dinner or skip it. My stomach won out. I stopped at the gym on the way, convenient, to do a short workout. My shoes and clothes are full of mud. Off to the laundry tomorrow. My stomach is full though.

Last night was our last night of PT Poker. I broke even. MAJ V, who’s lost every game so far, was the big winner, I broke even, and CPT V was the “biggest loser”. He owes 1150 push ups and sit ups. Any one up for a game when I get home?

This should be my last week. My replacement is on his way. Take care, MAJ B

I have taken a physical and a hearing test. I’ve been filling out and signing forms. It’s a lot of work getting ready to leave. I don’t have a date yet. They have to send in all the paper work. When you rely on people you develop slose friendships in a short time. I will miss some. There are definitely some charactors here. I am stll very busy. I am booked untill I leave.

Good luck to the Florida Gators. It’s on at 4 AM here. There will be a lot of tired people tomorrow. I am with a Florida unit. Other wise nothing else is new, which is a good thing.       MAJ B

We are reminded daily ther is no such thing as days off, only down time. New Years day we got called to a 2 hour meeting in the afternoon. I covered the dental clinic that morning. Friday night we had a meeting. Yesterday I got called in for an emergency. Today is Sunday, my down day. I went to breakfast at 0800 and brought back food for one of my buddies covering the TMC. You look after each other here and rely on each other. There is a big sense of community. This afternoon there is a lecture on poisonous snakes.

Last night was PT poker night. You can’t win, only lose. We start with $20 worth of chips. If you lose, each cent is worth a point, which you owe in pushups, sit ups, and running. I lost 125, the most you can lose is 2000. One of the COL’s did. That’s a lot of PT to do in a week. I’ll do mine at the gym later.  We do have fun though.

It is really cold here, with a strong north wind. Last night was a ghost town. All were inside keeping warm. The dust is up.  

I’m counting down. Waiting for my orders and date to head home. MAJ B 

Happy New Year to everyone!

Literally, it’s freezing here, 31 degrees. And yes, it is dusty as ever. The moon is orange from the dust. My eyes burn and get dried out. Today really was no different than any other day. I covered the clinic for sick call this morning. This afternoon we had meetings until about 5. It was very uneventful here. Most went to bed early, we had to get up and work normal hours. Here it was nothing special. Everyone was trying to call home. I think the Holidays are the hardest on the troops. I try to spend time talking to the younger soldiers. A lot of them are my sons ages or younger.

I’m in my last month, or final few weeks. I don’t have my final date yet. You really never totally get used to being here. You learn to make the best of it. You learn to rely on others. And always have situational awareness.  It’s getting late here. Fridays are busy and then we have Friday night ABS class. Wishing everyone the best. MAJ B

It’s hard to describe the dust here. But, it is in the forecast regularly. In fact, I spent some of this morning, it’s Sunday, my day off, cleaning everything, the walls, door, floor, furniture, etc.

2o days left. After cleaning the room I cleaned my weapon. I then headed to the gym to do my Sunday 65 minutes on the bike. After I walked to the DFAC for lunch. I ate like a horse. Sunday brunch is a lot of food.

I’m in my room now watching football and writing on the computer.  Enjoy your Sunday. MAJ B

Today is Saturday. I had the morning off since I covered sick call X-mas morning. I forgot and scheduled 2 patients. I did get to sleep a little later. MAJ Vinge, an MD from the TMC next door was also off. We walked to the PX and then to the DFAC for lunch. After that we stopped at the gym, where else, and worked out a bit and hit the bike.  Later today we will walk the lake. It’s 3 1/2 miles. The weather is great today. After that we will head to the DFAC for dinner. At 7 PM we do PT Poker. If you loose you owe sit ups, push ups, and miles running or on the bike. No gambling on base.

21 days left, boots on the ground. Enjoy your weekend. MAJ B 

First, yesterday was our Patch ceremony. We got our combat patches to wear on our right shoulder. This started in the Revolutionary War by General George Washington to designate soldiers who had been in combat. It was a proud moment for our unit.

I covered the Dental Clinic sick call this morning. The unit that runs the clinic is here for 15 months. I felt the least I could do was give them the morning off. It wasn’t to bad. We did a gift exchange and a little party this afternoon.

There isn’t much to do in our free time here. We work out a lot, or go to exercise classes. Tuesday night is muscular endurance, a one hour class. Friday night is a 1/2 hour ABS class.

Something to keep in mind, which we discuss a lot here, is how hard it can be on the families of the deployed. Many are in other countries alone. No support from other family members. Some have financial issues. Some are a “single” parent for the first time. The hardest thing for everyone is being away from family. Keep this in mind if you know any families of deployed on their own.

23 days left boots on the ground. Not sure exactly when I get home. All the flights and returning to out process and turn in gear takes some time. I’ll know more as the time gets closer. I can’t wait to see everyone, eat in a restaurant without standing in line, eating off a tray, and having to dump the tray on the way out. The little things in life. I do get tired of wearing combat boots 15 hours a day 6 or 7 days a week. 

Have a great holiday. Enjoy your family. Regards, MAJ B