Taliban Attack Embassy Compound

I waited to write this until after the event was over.  This should be another reminder for all of us expaters, that it ain't safe over there!  If you look at the news reports  and the photos that are published, this attack was very close to home for many of us that have worked with the embassy and other agencies related to work with the Department of State.

I was speaking with a colleague who was there during the attack, and you could here the explosions thru the phone.  The attack was very real and they were definitely out to kill Americans.  They don't care whether the American has a uniform or not.

I would like to remind all of us to be vigilant over there.  Also, as I have mentioned in previous posts, please ensure you have a family preparedness plan in place PRIOR to deploying.  Make sure you have an updated will and a solid life insurance that does NOT have warzone exclusions in it.  Many of these are available from organizations like Navy Mutual Aid and other military support organizations.  DBA does pay some portion of life benefit, but it certainly wouldn't be enough to support your family for long should something happen to you.

Make sure you evaluate the risks for yourself.  The highest demobilization times occur after attacks.  Sometimes it's folks that have been there for years and the attack is just the icing on the cake, realizing their number could be up/ luck running out.  The other group of folks are those that took the job for the money, and now realize money isn't everything!!  It certainly is not, and if money is your primary motivator for being there, you will likely not make it past an event like this.

So, thankfully, there were no reports of US/expat casualties in this event.  From reports I received it was well responded to and contained.  Be safe, be vigilant and enjoy reading my other posts about preparations for deployment and other expat rants.

US Engineer/Contractor Killed in Kabul

This should be a reminder to all of us expat/engineers/contractors that work in Afghanistan and other places.  See the story here .  Folks, this is a warzone.  It is dangerous.  Yes I know the mountains outside Kabul and Bagram are beautiful.  I know that back where you come from you like to hike and meet the local folks.  You just cannot do that in Afghanistan.  I do not, have not and will not trust the local population in that country.  It's just the way it is. 

As much as they are kind, helpful and show all kinds of courtesy and gratitude for things that you may do for or with them, the bottom line is when push comes to shove they will sell you out.  It's cold, hard reality folks.  If someone kidnapped your family, your young daughter/wife/sister and told them that if you did not bring that American to them they would kill or torture/rape your wife/daughter/sister then you would do it.  That is the situation on the ground there.  Sorry to break the news, but the culture there is just not for us Americans.  Go there, earn money, come home.  Stay safe, follow the rules, do not tread off the beaten path. 

Another story that broke today in the same link above, that 2 Germans were killed while hiking North of Kabul.  Hiking?  Are you kidding me. Seriously guys, this is a warzone!  You can get kidnapped, tortured and killed.  I don't know why anyone would take it any other way.  I am sorry for their families loss of course.

Guys, please treat this seriously.  Go there, make money and come home.