The Smell

Bouhammer | September 3, 2010

Yes that is what it is…the smells here. There are a lot of senses that are familiarized with this place but I am convinced it is the smells that have the most meaning. I wrote about it a little already, but as I have spent several days in Afghanistan it is clear to me now [...]

That Look

Bouhammer | August 31, 2010

That look, the one that soldiers have as they are moving to and from a combat zone. If you have been around this type of environment, then you know what I am talking about. I notice that many of the soldiers and marines walking around in Kuwait seem to have “that look”. It is hard [...]

The military is my DNA

Bouhammer | August 28, 2010

So now the trip has started. A trip that I think really started 11 months ago when I left my career in Information Technology for this new one where I support the warfighter. The warfighter that I can no longer support directly since I have retired from the Army, but one I can support now [...]

Beards or no beards?

Bouhammer | August 19, 2010

The Rumor Doctor over at Stars and Stripes, Jeff Schogol, has done a good piece on the issues that conventional force commanders have with Special Operation Forces (SOF) and their relaxed grooming standards. The article points out how the wearing of a beard by a man is very well-respected. For Afghan men, beards are a [...]

The Majestic Blue Falcon

Bouhammer | August 14, 2010

BLUE FALCON pronunciation: blu ‘fal-ken, blu fol-ken latin: puteulanus flax (adjective) 1: a person who lies, deceives, cheats or steals from friends or colleagues. 2: a lying asshole who needs his ass kicked The statue is a beautiful depiction of the majestic blue falcon. A much more descriptive and colorful definition is available at http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=blue%20falcon

Vermont NG soldiers find the bad guys

Bouhammer | August 10, 2010

Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain)conducted an air assault and captured an important insurgent leader in amountain cave in Parwan Province June 30. “Two platoons of Troop A Soldiers used vehicles to cordon the area where theinsurgent leader was suspected, and another platoon inserted into the area [...]

Videos from RESTREPO Q&A Session

Bouhammer | July 14, 2010

The videos below were produced and edited by the New York State Museum and posted on their page at youtube.com. They are broken up by questions/topics. If you liked the movie, or are interested in it, or views of Afghanistan by past soldiers and an embedded reporter take some time and watch these. Restrepo Q&A [...]

"Blog Description"

The Bouhammer [boo-ham-er] blog was originally created by a 22-year retired First Sergeant of the Army. This blog started out as a way to write about military related issues. It turned into a way for Bouhammer to document his 16 month tour as an ETT leader in Afghanistan for family and friends. It is now one of the leading and award-winning blogs written exclusively on operations in Afghanistan and other military related topics. In addition to Bouhammer, another writer is "The Dude" who is a National Guard Officer who served with Bouhammer in Afghanistan. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy what you see. If you care about what is happening in the land where the attacks of 9/11 were planned and if you care about our military, this is the blog for you. Tell your family, tell your friends, and even tell people you don't like.

Click Here to Contact Bouhammer