Stay Awake

Have you ever had to stay awake for a long time? You know, late night study before an exam, or complete a business project when the sales rep overpromised and you had to deliver understaffed. Been there huh? Well, soldiers securing convoys also have to stay awake for long periods of time. The difference is they not only have to stay awake, they have to stay alert. They have to give 100 percent of their attention to their specific job. This adds to the complexity of trying to stay awake.

Enter Caffeine and Sugar
Soldiers drink various cafeine beverages to stay awake. Coffee with lots of sugar is SFC Palmer's drink of choice. Mine is Red Bull. I became addicted to Red Bull when the chow hall at Camp Striker stocked it. That along with Power Bars. I would grab at least two cans everyday and take back the the BN TOC or on patrol to drink later. Red Bull and beef jerky was a normal meal for me back then. I guess that is why a lost so much weight. Anyway, the side affect of drinking caffeine drinks with lots of sugar is sleeplessness. Soldiers are having trouble going to sleep after their long missions because they are "reaved-up" from the energy drinks. Solution....get rest and only drink the energy drink at the beginning of a mission. Do not drink them towards the end. I have seen soldiers actually get back from a mission and then drink a cup a coffee. Not smart. It is really habit at that point. A habit that needs to be broken.

Strawberry Milkshake Pop-Tarts
Last week, I received a package from Joe Bellafato, a good friend from Birmingham, AL. One of the items in the box was Strawberry Milkshake Pop-Tarts. Remember my narrative about caffeine and sugar, well this is an example of sugar overdose. Man, I bit into one the pop-tarts and thought I was going to bounce off the wall. There must have been an extra dose of sugar, dextrose, and high frutose corn syrup. The worse part is I could not eat just one. I had to eat both of the pop-tarts that can in the silver package inside the box. Before, during, and afterwards, I drank a Coke to wash it down. Wow, I have just set the conditions for a hell of a ride today. I hope I do not turn into Beavis (Beavis and Butthead) and start calling myself "Cornholio". "Hey Boss, I am ready to go on a mission...I want to be the gunner!" ...more later...