2/27 Soldier Training

Since I don't have work to do while 1/27 hasn't redeployed and 2/27 just deployed... I don't have much to blog about. My mom did get a link to A Co. Wolfhounds training. You may know some of them.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/29131009@N00/   I don't know them all well, but I do know I love them all. 

If you have photos of other companies in 1 or 2 / 27, you will you send me a link please? Mahalo.

Kolchak
a.k.a. Lucifur

Promotion!

Aloha from CPL (Corporal) Kolchak!  I got promoted today!!!

Here's the whole thing...

Grandpa Royce telling us all why we're here.
Dad's comforting me since my mom is a whole ten feet away.

Grandpa Royce (now as CSM Manis) telling why I'm getting promoted -
I'm a good dog, he loves me, I have a great disposition,
he loves me....

Grandpa says, "Publish the orders."
Then the tall guy (forgot his name) says, "Attention the orders."
All the army guys stand at attention.
Then he reads this from my Uncle Dan (LTC Wilson).

It says:

The United States Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Kolchak XV. In view of these qualities and dedicated service to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (The Wolfhounds) and the US Army, he is, therefore promoted from Private to Corporal. With an effective date of rank of 31 March 2011.

                                                [something scribbley]
                                                DANIEL B. WILSON
                                                LTC, IN
                                                Commanding

The reading of the orders.
I think Grandpa is really proud of me and happy that I'm being promoted.
I'm glad Grandpa is happy and I just want to go play.

Off with the old mosquito wings.

Thank you to Carol for the velcro on my Kolchak Kollar
 so they can change my rank easily.
If not for that, we'd have been here for hours.
Can you believe these same men
are allowed to carry weapons?!  ;-)

See how great my Kolchak Kape looks?
I'm a handsome dude in uniform too.
And I'm behaving really well for all this standing around.
(Army = hurry up and wait)

Seriously? How long can this take?

The ceremony finished and then these guys talked about work stuff.
I don't suppose it was top-secret, but my sister and I listened in anyway.

My grandpa Royce is animated like Uncle Dan.
And how 'bout this new uniform pattern?
Just when a guy gets used to the digital patten, this comes out.

Mom and I rub noses so you can see my new rank.
Double mosquito wings!!!

A close up of my bling, bling!



Madeline helps me show off my bling while comforting me.
This is what older sisters are for.

After the ceremony, Isabella and I got treated to some play time at the baseball field.  Mom finally remembered the camera that takes video.  Most of my guys haven't seen the real speed of a Borzoi.  Now some of the Wolfhounds that read this can see the speed at which I run.  Betcha I could max out the run in a PT test! Check out these two videos:

As soon as I'm done playing, I let my staff know it's time to go home
by sitting next to the gates. Fairly obvious, even for humans.

My human sister and I cool down.

While Dad, Mom, and Madeline went to the mess hall,
Isabella and I hung out in my army home.
My fellow Wolfhounds are sooo busy today preparing
to deploy. There are already some in country.

Isabella and I are ready to go home.
It's been a full day.

I help Mom drive.

O.K. So I am really up here for some loving.
It worked.

I like to watch the view go by once we get out in the country.



It took me about 2 seconds to find my favorite
patch of tile and start doing what I do best. Sleeping.

As I said, the other half of the Wolfhounds are leaving. Now my heart is in Iraq with 1-27 and in Afghanistan with 2-27.  If you're the praying type, as I am, please include all the Wolfhounds in your prayers.

Mahalo nui loa for stopping by...

Korporal Kolchak XV

I meet our Wolfhound Mom!

A while back, I went to work and hung out with Uncle Dan (LTC Wilson).  It was fun doing all that hard work with him!  He took photos and Dad finally remembered to ask for them.  Mahalo, Uncle Dan, for sending these.  I like to remember the day I first met our Wolfhound Mom, Yuko O'Reilly.  She's so sweet.

Upon meeting the esteemed Yuko O'Reilly,
I was so excited that all I could think to say was,
"Your shoes smell nice, Mrs. O'Reilly."

Mmmm, she smells nice too.
(Little shaky, Uncle Dan? Maybe you need to lay off the coffee?)

Local custom: Mrs. O'Reilly and I exchanging ha.

Next?
(Hey, even I can do this job.)

Uncle Dan and I are hard at work. Or is this the naughty mat?

That was a tough day at work.  Meet a pretty lady, take a nap... I don't know how these guys do this five days a week.

It's not all about me

Really, it's not all about me.  It's about Wolfhound hertiage and history that I symbolize.  Here's a sample of Wolfhound pride from 1931.

A life-sized “KOLCHAK” mounted high,

     Above the Sally port,

Gives warning to the passers by,

     When closely they desport;

He stands in proud defiance, calm,

     Collected, full of cheer,

And ready should his pack face harm, --

     A WOLFHOUND without fear.

--H.

     The Bark January 1931 (23 Jan 1931)

     http://www.kolchak.org/research/Barks/193101_Bark.pdf

My mom and I have been studying my history so I can learn where I fit in the big picture.  Using http://www.kolchak.org/ , we found the Wolfhound's The Bark newsletter from January 1931 issue which has a front page drawing of the lifesize Russian Wolfhound (mascot) which hung over the D-quad sallyport (breeze way) facing Eighth Street.  The above poem was written about this mascot.

Inside the Salllyport circa 1935 with awards, medals, and
other artifacts presented to or won by Wolfhounds.
(photo courtesy of http://www.kolchak.org/ )



A modern take on Kolchak.
Photo taken by Mom January 2010 at a Change of Command ceremony.



http://www.kolchak.org/History/museum.htm
link says, "... a stainless steel of Kolchak that was given
 to the regiment by Mr. Akio Aoyama,
a long time supporter of the Holy Family Home
 and an ardent fan of the Wolfhounds."

I hope all Wolfhounds can be that Wolfhound who is calm, collected, and full of cheer yet ready to defend our pack and our nation.

There's our history lesson for today.  Back to napping. (I'm at "work" today and that's my job.)  Maybe someone will write a poem about a napping Wolfhound?  Please post it in the comments if you do.

Veteran's Day Parade

Before we started, I get loved up!

Blah, blah, blah... We know who is the handsome one here.
No need to discuss it any longer guys.

Dad (a.k.a. 1SG Crump) and I lead our regiment.

Oh, my!  What is THAT thing?
(Mom says I need to get acquainted with stollers and wheel chairs.)

Dad and me with a local family looking on.

Home at last and winding down with Mom and Isabella.

Isabella really missed me!

Yes, I have as good a sense of humor as the next guy, but REALLY?! 
Madeline says it looks like a yarmulke.  All I can say to that is....

Stink eye. (Hawaiian for a dirty look or evil eye)

My "unveiling" and enlistment ceremony on 29 Oct.

Alpha Company formation before going on the field (5:45am)

Dan Wilson: "We'll file out left, then left again, go to the right..."
Michelle:  "Is left this way?" 
Kolchak: "Don't worry Uncle Dan. I'm paying attention.  Just ignore the blond lady."

Mom's talking me through the enlistment ceremony,
warning me about applause, shouting, and the wet stage.

HSM (Honorary Sergeant Major) Jerry McKinny loves to pet me. 
I'm not his first Kolchak, but I'm sure I'm his favorite.

Uncle Dan and Uncle Royce explaining the plans for the morning

Uncle Royce telling about my enlistment

Uncle Royce introducing me with Jerry looking on

Officially getting my "SuperKolchak" cape

How many humans does it take to put this cape on?

Just some of the Wolfhounds watching.

Here's more of my guys.



And the rest of them. 
I wish my deployed Wolfhounds could've been here.
(Come home soon and safe!)



I'm learning the Army way of "Hurry up and wait."

Uncle Dan and I lead the way.  First, we have to walk out of the quad.
I'm not too excited by the sound of over 500 soldiers walking behind me.



Uncle Royce is behind me and to my left. 
I'm glad I'm here to do this!



This and the following shots are my fellow Wolfhounds by company.

Seems awfully early to be exercising!

You think this has to be the last group, but then another group files out.



We're back! 
They went 2.5 miles. I ran 200 meters with them,
then jogged with Mom to a meeting point about 1/4 mile away.
We waited for ten minutes until the guys reappeared.
While I waited I watched many groups run by in Halloween costumes!
I joined my soldiers for the last 200 meters back to the quad. 
The sound of them marching was scarier the second time.



Are we done yet?

Now that it's daylight, you can see my guys better.

I did it!  Mom and Uncle Dan are so proud of me!!

I join the Wolfhounds while they give three men awards. 
I did really well for my first two times thunderous applause.
I spooked a bit, but didn't flail around.





Bravo Comany wanted a photo with me.
Are we the most handsome bunch of soldiers you've ever seen?







Strike a pose. 





More photos of me. 
I think I stopped to pose about 100 times this morning.
It's all part of my job and I'm happy to do it.
I had a great time Friday on post. I slept the rest of the day!

There's been some confusion about my blog.  It's mine.  Not Mom's.  Yes, it's hers in that you have to be 18 to have a blog so she signed up for it, but it's me at the keyboard.  Neither of us are technological geniuses, but we're learning how to blog.  Someone help me find a manly background!  Paw prints... PUHleeeze!!!