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

Korrect Kollar, Katnaps, & Kristmas

Aloha!  I hope you mainlanders and those across the northern hemisphere are keeping yourselves warm these days.  I think only my Aussie mates are as warm as I am right now.

Time to show you how the collar looks when it's on properly.  Mom put it on reverse to take good photos.  I was kind of skittish the day it arrived since my staff were putting a giant fake tree where Isabella and my cushion belongs.  Weird.  Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better about this green plastic monstrousity so it's photo time again.

Even though I feel better about this tree,
Madeline still helps me stay put.
No worries.  I look mighty handsome in my Kolchak Kollar.
(Mahalo nui loa again, Carol.)



Moms on the floor. hee hee

 

Yes, Madeline?
(She sure conned me into thinking she wanted
to chat, but she just wanted Mom to get a better angle.
I paid her back by breathing my bad breath on her.)

Mom just ooos over this one.  Strange lady.
Although I must say I am awfully cute in this shot.

"mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi..."

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
fa la la la la la la la la..."

Lest you think I take myself too seriously with my trés chic collar, here's some photos of me napping.  It's kind of a hobby of mine.  I nap in the most strange looking ways that my family takes photos while they are snickering.  They think I can't hear them, but I do.

Matthew sees this as he walks down the hall.
He knows there is a big furry lump once he turns the corner.

My family thinks I run in my sleep and stop mid-stride.

I'm also comforted by the smell (rank odor) of
my dad's dirty PTs (Physical Training uniform for you non-army types).



What creature lurks behind this paw?



My favorite place to nap is on the cool tile.
During school I sleep bordering the school room so I'm near my family, but cool.
Folks say its winter, but it's still in the 80s I hear.

A photo of my more photogenic end.
My family cannot figure out why,
when there is so much space available
 for my leggy self to stretch out,
would I put my legs up the wall.

Finally, I'm getting into the Christmas spirit.  Last year I was just a teenie weenie baby so this Christmas thing just passed me by.  Apparently, I look like one of the Christmas icons called a reindeer.  Haven't seen one out here so I'll just take the family's word on it.  You tell me what you think.  Can I pass for one of these sleigh-pulling beasts?

Mom says I'm the cutest reindeer
and my nose beats Rudolph's for cuteness any day.
I'm just thinking this is less than dignified. 

Dad's on his way home so Mom is going to cook.  That means it's time to counter cruise.  I wonder what she's offering tonight.  She's trying so hard to teach me the command "go" but I'm being a stinker about it.  Why do I want to "go" when there is food right at nose level?  Or when they are eating a meal and snacks randomly drop on the floor?  Sometimes, I "go" out one side of the kitchen and come "in" the other.  hee hee  I'm no fool.  I'm obedient and clever.  That's a Borzoi boy for you!

Kolchak Kollar

Mahalo nui loa to my Auntie Carol for the most handsome Borzoi collar a military man could wear. 

Is that for me?
My first mail!!!

What do I do now?  I don't have thumbs, you know.

My sister smelling my new collar to make sure it's OK.

Isn't this beautiful?!?
This will match my Kolchak Kape to a tee.

Side view. 
It's sort of embarrassing that I'm just a PV2 (Private Second Class).
I hope I get promoted soon so I can trade in my mosquito wings.

Mom just can't stop taking photos.  My kollar just looks so good.

My Kolchak Kollar without me in it.
Did I mention it is fuzzy lined? And it comes with the leash attached.
Carol made the lining velcro open on one side so we can change my rank.
(hint, hint Uncles Dan and Royce)

Mahalo nui loa and lots of aloha, Auntie Carol!