To all of our Soldiers and their families serving thier country, Happy Holidays and please stay safe.  Merry Christmas to my friends in the 377th TSC in Kuwait, my prayers are with you this Christmas. 

I begin leave next weekend.  It has been almost six months since I've seen my wife and kids, so you can imagine how great it will be to get home again.  I come home on Super Bowl Sunday, and for the first time I can remember, I have no desire to watch the game.  I don't care if the Pats or the Eagles win, all I care about is getting that joyful embrace when I get off the plane in Atlanta.  There ain't nothing like it folks, you can bet on that. 

Well folks, Here it is, Christmas 2004.  I find myself in the frozen tundra of South Korea, alone, no family, just the soldiers left in the barracks and me.  I never thought I could be this lonely, but here I am.  It could be worse, those brave young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan are certainly in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season.  I am thankful for a loving wife back home in Columbus Georgia, and two beautiful daughters who miss having Dad around for Christmas.  I Love You all, and think of you every day.  I posted my Christmas Observations from last year, I just really didn't feel up to writing one for this year.  I guess you can understand.  It just ain't the same.  Well, God Bless and Merry Christmas to all of you!! SSG Bill 

I just thoght I'd mention that I was promoted to Staff Sergeant last month.  Pretty cool huh.  I have chosen to leave the name of my web-site alone however.  I think Staff Sergeant Bill's Army would sound pretty lame, so I may just spell it out ---Sergeant Bill's Army.  Because even if you are a Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, or Master Sergeant, soldiers still address you as Sergeant.  This way, I won't have to change anything for a long time.  Thats a big Hooah. 

Hey folks.  I am in Korea now, a "Warrior" of the 2nd Infantry Division. I'm near a city called Uijongbu.  (Wee-jong-boo)  Can you say Uijongbu?  I knew you could.  Do you know the Warrior song?  I don't either.  I am learning it though.  You see, every morning after Reveille, they play the Warrior song, which ends with a big "Hooah!".  For some reason, I find this humorous.  Most of us lip-synch it, except SSG Gray, who stands right next to me in formation.  He sings it real loud and proud.  I'm glad I stand next to SSG Gray.  Inprocessing was pretty slow, and I've been here darn near a month and haven't really stared working on the job yet, though it is no fault of my own.  I have managed to get a PT Test, a Ruck March, and Rifle qualification in.  it's good to be back in the real Army and away from TRADOC, in some respects.  Korean food is good.  Just thought I'd mention that.  Hooah!  Bill

I gots them Arizona Blues...

I'm back from four months of fan-freakin-tastic Army training at Fort Huachuca Arizona.  Man that place was squared away.  NOT!  Man, I don't know if I'm any smarter, but my alcohol tolerance is at new heights.  I took about a week off to recover from the trip, spend a little time with the family unit, play with the dogs, and well, just to be lazy.  I actually put my uniform on and kind of drove around Fort Rucker today, just saying "hey" to people I hadn't seen in a while.  Now it's time to get ready to head off to Korea, another fan-freakin-tasic career move for SGT Bill.  NOT!  So anyways, Enjoy the new reading material.  Thats why I come here you know, to keep you kids entertained.  It's good to be back in Burbank, Johnny...la da dee da da da da.

Well, the site has been on hiatus for a little while as I am in the middle of the intel analyst course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  I am really trying hard to do well, it's definately the most mentally tough school I've attended in the Army.  Yesterday we were inundated with media, following up on the photos from the Iraqi prisons.  You see, they train the interrogators here, in the building next to me.  Several of my friends in the barracks are atteniding the Interrogator course.  I am busy writing a new essay, and will post it soon.  I hope everyone is doing well.  God Bless --Bill

Call it laziness, maybe a little bit of writer's block, and post-Christmas recovery.  I just basically didn't do much at all in January.  My new story will be published in a few days.  Returning visitors may notice a cosmetic change to the face of the site.  A new logo, and color scheme. Yes, that is me on the camel in 1991.  A Saudi man took that picture, he charged me five bucks for a polaroid.  I also bought a pair of Budweiser boxer shorts from him. 

Happy 2004 everyone!  And Happy Birthday to me, I am a New Year's Eve baby.  Well, I am gearing up for school at Fort Huachuca this March.  Believe it or not, I have already been placed on assigment to Korea in late August 2004 following school.  That means, I will spend more or less the next Year and Four months away from my family, beginning in March.  The timing really sucks, but It is part of being in the military.  The Good News is, assuming I graduate school, I'll be promoted to Staff Sergeant this year, and after Korea it is looking like I will be headed to Fort Benning.  Home Sweet Home for me.  I really am not too worried about me, I am worried about the family.  They have never been separated from me for this long.  I have a lot of thinking, worrying and praying ahead of me. I look at it this way, I'm on the downhill side now.  I have one thing that keeps me focused: Retirement.  Then, I get to do something I love, teaching kids.   And I plan to buy  a Harley for me and the old lady, and an RV and then see America the way it was made to be seen. 

Well, here it is, 4 days before Christmas.  I hope you all have had a wonderful year.  I have had a good one.  This is the first Christmas I have ever shared with my daughter Ariel.   I am so glad that Courtney finally has someone to share her time with.  Being an only child is tough.  Have a great Holidays folks.  Be sure to read my  newest essay, Tacky Snowmen

Looks like the US Army delivered up an early Christmas present for the world!  A tired, haggard looking Saddam Hussein.  He was hiding in a "spider hole" in the ground.  What a surprise. Good Job to the men who carried out Operation Red Dawn.  HOOOOAH!

I just want to thank Bravenet for publishing those great possum and rodent repellant ads in my guestbook.  I would have to add that if the urine-based repellants don't work, a flathead shovel and two angry dogs work wonders. No more possums, guaranteed.    

Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season.  I'm getting geared up for a little time off.  Maybe I'll get some time to work on the site a little bit.  If by some chance, I can get five or ten minutes to sit down and work on it.  Yep, I need to write.  I especially want to send my best wishes to those deployed and serving overseas this holiday season.  Be careful out there, we want you to come home safely, SGT Bill.

Wow, I had a hectic week.  I've lived apart from my daughter Ariel for almost ten years, except for the ocassional summer visitation. This week, I obtained primary custody of my daughter. I drove down to Florida on Friday and picked her up.  We're getting her settled in, It's going to be a big change for all of us!  Wish me luck!!!

First of all, Happy Veterans Day to all our veterans.  I hope everyone got the opportunity to thank a veteran yesterday.  Well folks, my head is hanging kind of low today.  My dog Petey died in his sleep last night.  It sure does hurt.  I'm glad I wrote that story about him last week.  He was a good boy.  We'll miss you Petey.--Bill

Welcome to all visitors.  I'm SGT Bill Collins, US Army, one each.  I recently decided to open up a small web page dedicated to our Soldiers.  I'll try to post helpful, informative links, Army-related issues, personal opinions, and experiences.  Thanks for dropping by!  SGT Bill