Resolve to Win

Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 09:38 PM

by BlogMasters

Just wanted to give everyone an update on how things are going here in Kuwait.

Today marks my third week and my first day off, so far. I am keeping very busy, but really enjoying my many jobs. Each day I am finding it more and more incredible that a job like this exists in today’s bureaucratic military and government. It seems that I have an incredible amount of responsibility but have an equally incredible amount of authority and resources both money and staffing support. Much of the staffing is contractor provided, but that is fine as long as they want to work and do a good job.

I did not realize until I got here and got into the jobs that my responsibilities encompass the entire country of Kuwait.  I am assigned to Area Support Group – Kuwait (ASG-KU) which is the permanent US infrastructure which facilitates all the temporary OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) manpower and materiel movement.

As the DIS (Director of Installation Support) for ASG - KU, I have supervision of all Morale Welfare and recreation activities like libraries, gyms, pools, community centers, Red Cross, Education Centers, and PX (AAFES) on all the installations in Kuwait.

I am also the DPW (Director of Public Works) for all the military installation in Kuwait. All the northern camps are under supervision of the Deputy at Camp Buehring and all the camps in the south are supervised by the Deputy out of Camp Arifjan.  I have signed over $800,000 in contracts for air conditioning equipment, service contracts and various electrical and maintenance equipment, just in the past 2 weeks.

Don't worry, I am trying to spend your money wisely.

If it wasn't so darn hot, I could really get into this. The temperature is in the mid 120's most of the day and hits 130 occasionally. It will stay that way until about mid September.

I am the Fire Marshall also, by virtue of being the DPW. Fortunately there are regular Fire Departments with a Chief at each station who is responsible for Fire Protection. The Fire Prevention folks work in concert with the Fire Chief and DPW. I am just the Green Suiter (Army) guy that gets pinged when there is a problem, like everytime a Dumpster catches on fire.

I am also the Director of Housing, which is a function of DPW as well, but really takes up about 50% of my time because we have many different types of quarters and many different types of orders and durations of assignments here. Generally the longer you will be here the better your housing. But that creates all kind of inquiries and animosity, an consequently a lot of phone calls to me.

We are short handed in all areas, but the people here both Military and civilian all see to want to be here and want very much to do the BEST they can. It is very inspiring to work with such a great group of people.

I feel very fortunate to be in a position to make a difference in the Quality of Life of our young men and women in the Military, who are assigned to or just pass through Kuwait.

It is an incredible challenge, but I believe I am prepared for it.

Hope everyone back home is doing well.
Still “Resolve to Win” and to continue attempting to make a difference.

Very Best Regards,

Dennis McCool

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