Away from the board for a bit...

[BrianFromWA]

I tend not to make "look at me" threads, but hopefully you'll indulge this one.

I really enjoy my time on the board. I like the discourse, the fact that there are a ton of really smart people here who love this team, and people willing to invest their opinions and thought processes in an open, relatively anonymous forum. I learn a lot from a lot of you, and even the clowns like *SlyPokerDog" make me laugh sometimes.

I'm probably not going to be on as much for the next year or so. I'm leaving for a year in Afghanistan today, and even if I have 'net access and time to post it'll be the opposite time of day to get a lot of back-and-forth with you guys.

The program I've been selected for is called the "AfPak Hands Program", if you'd like to google a bit about it. My specific job will be to

conduct political engagement with government officials and tribal elders (in Helmand Province)...Member will work closely with US State Department, UK Political Office, USAID, NGOs and local nationals as part of his/her duties

. Regardless of your opinion of the wars, what we're doing or why, I think it'll be interesting to see from a different view than your typical journalist or foot soldier what's going on in a place where there's still some "action" and good to be accomplished.

I plan on bringing a helmet- and rifle-mounted videocamera with me wherever I go (wherever I can?) to document some of the things I'm doing in training and some of my interaction with the Afghan people. If you're interested, I've set up a YouTube page under the Afghan name I was given by my Pashto instructors and posted a couple of tame videos (rifle ranges, rollover training, stuff like that). I don't know if I'll blog (or be allowed to blog without filtering through military red tape), but I'll see what I can do when I get downrange.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUF5GLfgnmueCfswXMMP3Q
brianfromwa2@gmail.com

If you feel so inclined, I'd be happy to take questions or requests.

Best, Brian

 

[Natebishop3]

Fuck you Seahawk fan!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

God bless and stay safe Brian. Keep us posted on your adventures when you can. And watch out for the Afghan police.

 

[ABM]

I plan on bringing a helmet- and rifle-mounted videocamera with me wherever I go.............

Best, Brian

Hey, thanks for send that pic!!

All seriousness aside, I wish you all the best....and safety!! It was great to have met you at the two M&G's! You're a class guy, Brian!

 

[Further]

Stay safe and see if you can get some of the tribal leaders to don Blazer gear.

Thank you.

 

[mgb]

I'd like some feedback on the weed over there.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Go with peace

 

[BrianFromWA]

the locals call it چرس (charse), it's haram (prohibited) per Islam, and I imagine that it's a distant, distant second to opium growth and consumption, at least in Helmand province.

 

[RR7]

Send in a Wear in the World to the broadcast. Sure to get on.
Best of luck.

 

[Haakzilla]

...watch your six!

 

[maxiep]

Godspeed and stay safe, Brian.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

the locals call it چرس (charse), it's haram (prohibited) per Islam, and I imagine that it's a distant, distant second to opium growth and consumption, at least in Helmand province.

I'm sure it's like a lot of things, حرام in theory, but in practice...

 

[PapaG]

Keep your head up and your eyes alert.

Thanks for accepting your assignment, and we'll all be here intensely arguing about things that don't matter at all to our daily life while you are in the thick of it.

See you soon enough ... In hoc...

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Brian, from a fellow vet, fair winds and following seas.

 

[Eastoff]

Good luck, and remember to pass the hookah stem with it folded over, not limp like a dick. That means you like them.

 

[tlongII]

Stay safe over there Brian!

 

[Denny Crane]

Huge respect from me. Stay safe.

 

[HailBlazers]

Salute. and God Bless. Gonna miss you around draft day.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

GOOD LUCK, SON.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Brian, dident anyone ever tell you to never volunteer for special duty? from an old vet /salute

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Commitment to your job takes on a whole new meaning with people in the armed forces.

Major props to you and to the all who put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Will be looking for those youtube posts.

 

[oldguy]

Watch your back Brian. Thank you for your service.

(Maybe you can do some scouting for non-white, non-American 7 footers.)

Go Blazers

 

[MARIS61]

Stay alive, stay sane, and try not to make any more foreigners hate me.

 

[Eastoff]

Stay alive, stay sane, and try not to make any more foreigners hate me.

This may come across as a jest, but I think this is a very valid and important message.

 

[BlazerWookee]

God bless, Brian. Be careful, and come home safe. Let me know if you'd like me to keep Mrs. Brian warm for you... <trying to keep a straight face>

 

[mobes23]

Stay safe and get back stateside soon. Huge bummer if the zombie apocalypse happens and you're too far away to save any of us.

 

[Eastoff]

Stay safe and get back stateside soon. Huge bummer if the zombie apocalypse happens and you're too far away to save any of us.

Don't kid yourself. Oregon will be the first to go.

 

[santeesioux]

Be careful and good luck.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Stay cool and safe man. Enjoy the experience and hopefully the Blazers will have a bench by the time you return.

Your Pashtun name (Baryalai Dilawar) and board name have a lot of the same letters. LOL!

 

[STOMP]

like everyone else I want to thank you and your family for your service and send well wishes regarding your safety. I look forward to following what you relay back

STOMP