Cell Block 9

 “We need to make sure the best of the best go out on this thing to [deleted],” says the CO, “they should feel that they are getting rewarded.  They’ll get liberty, spend some money, and have a good time.  And when they get back --”

“We’ll throw them into lockdown and take away all their privileges,” interrupts the Sergeant Major.

“Exactly.” 

If only this wasn’t a fake conversation.

We’re on lock down.  As of the Friday evening before New Years, all movement off-base is restricted for personnel assigned to my battalion.   Those living off-base may only drive to their homes and their place of business (this part was rescinded after New Years Day).  While Leora and I live on a base, we were not allowed to access the main part of our base, as we live across the street.  As the order read: you can go to work, gym, place of worship.  And that’s about it.

Spouses are free to move about as long as they follow the rules and regulations of the current liberty order.  The problem is that since I am sitting at home being useless, Leora has to do all the shopping that I would normally be able to do (including the Exchange, the Commissary, and the Gas Station). 

Suffice it to say, we did not have the most exciting New Year.

So what happened?  What could possibly cause thing sort of punitive response?  Answer:  We made the News.  In the Marine Corps, getting your picture in the paper is never a good thing, even if it is just the military news.  http://okinawa.stripes.com/news/marine-okinawa-arrested-trespassing

Since New Years Day, a lot of the restrictions have been lifted.  I still can’t go to off-base establishments, but I can go to anything on any base.  This is good, not great – but good.

We will be on lock down for the next 23 days – to include a couple Marine Corps 96 hours weekends.  We’ll watch some movies, maybe go bowling (on base).

I’m personally more worried about the Marines.  They’re stressed and cannot get a release off-base.  They are angry, and there is nothing they can do about it (as the CO has threatened a full-court martial to anybody who touches the cause of this lock-down).  They are tired of being treated like tots; nobody likes being put in time-out. 

So, I guess that’s why they keep me on staff – to worry, to look out, and to care.  I just wish there was more that I could do, aside from loading them up with candy and pancakes (which I did today)…all in a day’s work.