Sgt. Hill, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, has been in Afghanistan only a few months as part of the new troop surge into the country. The troops are mainly focused on training
and promoting the Afghanistan army and police force. The training is the
United States' attempt to "teach a man to fish," in the security
department of the ever turbulent country, a country which is still
undecided if it wants to break free from Taliban influence. With these
larger issues at hand the need for proper amounts of food and water have
fallen by the wayside.


Initially it was expected that resources for surging troops would be
low, as many bases were unprepared for the push ordered by the Obama
administration. The surge, it is argued, was far too swift and did not
give the military time to lay the proper infrastructure and provide
housing and other amenities for the troops. The reality of the lack of
preparation has been felt by Sgt. Hill and other troops currently in
Afghanistan.


Over weeks of correspondence Sgt. Hill has informed Digital Journal of
the conditions the logistics of just being able to eat. General
McChrystal announced that fast food places like Burger King and
Pizza Hut were going to be shut down and moved to make more room for
essentials the troops will need for war.


As reported on Digital Journal:

"Supplying non-essential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where
troops fighting every day need to be resupplied with ammunition, food
and water."

By closing up the outlets, the FRAGO’s design is intended to free up
storage space, provide secure areas for equipment, and reduce flight and
convoy traffic across the country.

This action may have made matters worse for soldiers who are on missions
during designated chow hall times.


At Camp Mike Spann some soldiers have been forced to skip up to three
meals a day, and are forbidden to eat Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) unless
they are on an evening mission to save on the lack of available rations.
The Chow Hall at Camp Mike Spann is not open 24 hours and civilian and
military workers are not happy if anyone attempts to even serve
themselves prepackaged bowls of cereal when the cafeteria is not open.


The infrastructure has not been freed up a significant amount to allow
for the proper shipping of food and beverages, Sgt. Hill says. At Camp
Mike Spann, in particular, there have been times when they have run out
of drinks and other food items. There is no potable water available so
troops rely on bottled water for hydration.


The Camp chow hall is now closed for lunch and only serving breakfast
and dinner to be able to stretch out the available food since another
troop wave hit. Today Sgt. Hill casually mentioned the situation behind
being able to get food. To be able to speak with me, he has to wait up
to a half an hour in a line for 10 minutes on the computer.

Sgt Hill: The chow hall just now opened. While I'm here and the line is
already (an hour and a half long). Guess I am not eating again..


Digital Journal: Wow. Somebody should do something about that. Maybe
call congress?


Sgt. Hill: Nah. Conservatives think we should just suck it up because we
are in a war zone, and Liberals want us all to die anyway. Nobody gives
a F***.

Camp Mike Spann is not the only place dealing with a shortage of food
and water. An article in Stars
and Stripes brought to attention the hardships of one Marine
Encampment. At Marine Combat Outpost Contu ,"there are no beds, no
showers, no toilets and no electricity. Chickens and ducks roam the bare
dirt yard amid scraps of trash and rotting animal dung. Fleas, flies
and filth are the grunts’ constant companions." They doubt they will see
permanent living crates or even cots. They sleep with flees and
chiggers and have very little food available to them. They say living
like pioneers in the 1800s has given them a new appreciation for things
like a bath or a shower and clean clothes.

Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/290054