Airmen surrendering their manhood in the DFAC

"Be courteous to all, and intimate with few, and let those few be well
tried before you give them your confidence." - George Washington

People watching is one of my favorite activities. An excellent place to pursue that activity is the DFAC. Every tenant of this place comes together in the DFAC. It's the one place where you can see just about everyone who works here. There are a lot more than just Soldiers at Speicher. As with any FOB there are other services represented and also contractors. The contractors normally wear civilian clothes so they're easy to pick out. Many of them are retired or former military so they mix in well. On every deployment I've been on so far there is always at least one or two female contractors who are attractive. That's always a focal point for a sad phenomenom that I see happen with clockwork routine - forfeiture of manhood. Inevitably there are always several military guys who all take aim at the attractive contractor. Whether she wants the attention or not, they become her "DFAC posse." These supposedly hard-charging examples of killing machines become stumbling idiots around the object of their desire. What results is several different guys (always the same ones) sitting with the female contractor, carrying her tray, getting up to refill her drink, getting something for her from the dessert bar, or anything else they can do to one-up their competition. It's sad.

I've come to notice a gaggle of Airmen who've latched onto a pretty young blonde KBR contractor. Whenever she appears at the DFAC, they magically appear as well. They immediately surround her. She looks as though she's holding court at her table. Meanwhile, they all sit in uncomfortable ease as they vie for her favor. All of these Airmen were probably best friends when they deployed but they will most likely be mortal enemies by the time they leave. Once they are seated it becomes a Mexican standoff to ensure nobody is left alone with her. They finish their food and then wait for her to leave before they all rise as one and follow her out. The irony is that they don't come to the DFAC with her. They loiter until she arrives for the "coincidence" of meeting up at the DFAC. Then a silent battle of wits ensues to ensure that nobody scores but everyone looks like an idiot. Meanwhile, I just sit back and enjoy the free comedy with my meal.

Marshall Tucker Band was supposed to play a USO concert but cancelled. It's their 40-year anniversary tour. Are you kidding me? They did arrive at Speicher but were unable to play for an undisclosed reason. Age maybe? Instead they held a "meet and greet" for an hour and then called it a night. Some members of my Battalion were greatly disappointed. I was indifferent and avoided the scene altogether. Another day gone, another work day to follow.