The ADVON Is Here, The ADVON Is Here!

ADVON: The Advanced Party of an Army unit that is moving from one place to another. Responsible for preparing the area, gaining information, and coordinating with the Main Body for their arrival.

In other words...the relief is finally here! Granted there are only two of them - but it is a start.

Today my counterpart and the counterpart for the supply sergeant arrived. They are tired from the trip; North Carolina to Ireland to Qatar to Iraq in the last 48 hours. Neither of these men have been to Iraq before and I am empathic to how they feel. I took pity on them and kept the first day simple; a tour, a nap, dinner, a shower, and bed. Tomorrow starts the process of briefings and handing over information.

Although our unit is still in the game until the end a lot of our focus is now on making a transition for the new unit as seamless as possible. Until the Main Body arrives we will be showing the ADVON what "right looks like" in order to set them up for success.

It's hard not to be a little excited.

25:01:07:22