Enter Title Here __________

Where do I even start?? Oh I know, how about caffeinated blur; these past two weeks have been fueled by caffeine and set in overdrive! I have absolutely no concept of time at this point. It feels like a month has passed since I last posted to the blog.

My boss from Greenville arrived on 13-Jan-10 and we have since been involved in daily meetings to get Finance off the ground and fully operational. A new employee has joined our field staff, we have one in transit, and HR will hire a few more during the Macedonia recruiting trip in February.

Tent life has progressed as expected. Billeting placed mattresses on the top bunks and posted labels for top and bottom occupants; isn’t life grand. We’ve yet to figure out where exactly these additional people will fit their gear or how they will even get onto the top bunk for that matter, as most are void of ladders. I can foresee kicks to the head as part of daily life. Please stand up on your normal bed tonight and proceed to jump around freely, for me, just because you can. Thank you, I feel better already.

I’m happy to report that it is in fact possible for me to reach an even higher lever of excitement to that of a couple weeks ago. My boss and coworkers have jokingly commented that security should drug test me for questionable substance usage. Oh well, what can I say? On a normal day, I’m already alarmingly happy by most standards; throw R&R into the mix and I’m simply ecstatic!

Our new office, which proposed location has changed twice now, still isn’t ready. We’re told the delay is due to a material shortage. In reality, Finance is just being overlooked and underappreciated, again. Countless other departments have been moved into new offices miraculously. We are never important unless there’s a problem. You can rest assured that when someone has an issue with their paycheck, Finance is immediately in the spotlight and under pressure to deliver.

Those of you with Fluor are familiar with the Graduates Advancing to Professionalism (GAP) group. One of the writers for GAP is here in the field and was recently tasked with getting a story from a GAPer on the assignment. She asked if I would answer some questions for the next GAP newsletter. I obliged and here are the results, which might contain some redundancies to those who have kept up with the blog for a while.

1.What is your current project assignment, where is the project located, and what is your role on the project?

I am a member of Fluor’s Government Group Business Line, working on the U.S. Army’s Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program IV (LOGCAP IV), which provides support to military and contractor personnel throughout Afghanistan. Although assigned to Bagram Air Field, my role in Field Finance has taken me to many other Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). We maintain petty cash accounts, manual timesheet processing, expense report submittals, and employee cash advance distributions, while also providing payroll, human resources, and training assistance. This is a unique role, unlike most other Field Finance assignments.

2.What have been the most difficult transitional issues involved in moving from working in an office to working on site?

Given the extreme nature of this project, many obvious choices come to mind. Perhaps the single most difficult adjustment is not having any time off. Twelve hour shifts are no problem, but working every single day, for three consecutive months at a time, does not come naturally. Multiple time zones – Afghanistan, Greenville, and Richland – present additional challenges to effective communication. Finally, logistics can be an endless endeavor. Business trips and meetings differ greatly from the home office. Intra-theatre travel is complex, involving military or contracted helicopters and planes, opposed to elevators and cars.

3.What important lessons learned or specific situations have you encountered that have changed the way you think about yourself, either professionally or personally?

This assignment has helped me realize that we are unaware of our own potential until such circumstances arise that stretch us beyond all previously known limits. Professionally, I am exposed to invaluable knowledge growth, in nearly every discipline, on a daily basis. Personally, my perspective on life has forevermore been impacted by this experience, all for the better. I would encourage anyone presented with an opportunity to work and live abroad to take full advantage.

4.What's the one thing you miss having the most?

Being 8,000 miles away from home, this one is easy – family and friends. Other reminiscent items include office cubicles, privacy, weekends, restaurants, driving, and the overall freedom of choice and schedule. It quickly becomes evident just how much we take for granted.

5.Tell us the most interesting aspect about your current location.

I am surrounded by exceptional people. If not for them, this assignment would be a painful undertaking. We all rely on one another for support, both professionally and personally. This field environment is especially demanding. Having someone to provide guidance one moment and comic relief the next is essential. Geographically, Afghanistan is filled with beautiful landscapes. Also, the mission itself is of interest – supporting our country and troops. How often does that opportunity present itself?

6.What specific cultural practices have been the most challenging to adapt to?

In addition to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Great Britain, France, Poland, Egypt, New Zealand, and other countries are represented here. The most evident cultural disparities I’ve witnessed pertain to work ethic and personal hygiene. Housing and working arrangements are such that all parties commingle regularly. The adaptation process is slow, but has improved with time. However, given such vast diversity, I’m impressed at how well everyone functions collectively.

Keep in mind that this is distributed throughout the company and must be approved by the GAP committee and management. My responses were formulated accordingly and thus lacked the free reign and color I typically incorporate into my blog postings. However, it’s an accurate, politically correct snapshot of professional life here on assignment.

It’s now 0515 and I’ve been up since 0400. This works out well because I’m about to catch a shuttle bus to the other side where I can use the military computer lab to post this update. I’ll grab some breakfast and then head back for another exciting day.

Knowing myself well, I’ll be up all night on Tuesday in anticipation of my Wednesday morning departure. I’m planning on making phone calls and getting in touch with everyone before I leave. Answer your phone! I’m taking my laptop with me on R&R and will get a sim card in Italy so I can communicate. 1 day and a wake up…cannot believe it. It’s as if I’m nearing the end of an amazing book; everything seems so surreal.