Jordan - Email Update #2

All,

The exercise begins today.  Think of the exercise like a role playing game like Dungeons and Dragons (not that any of you played - but you get the idea).  There is a group of Controllers who have developed a massive computer based simulation with a specific storyline that centers around a conflict between several regional countries; Goodland, Badland, Neutralland, and other bad guys from Terroristland - no real nation states are used.  All of these Controllers are in a 200' x 40' building with multiple computers, screens, and phones.  Five hundred feet away is the Training Audience (the players) who must react to the inputs from the Controllers.  However, they are dozens of miles away in the game, so they cannot walk over to the Controllers building to ask for help or clarification. The TA is in a massive Army tent system with hexagonal Hubs and straight Connectors - from the air it might look like the chemical symbol for H2O. 

The scenario has a base storyline but the Controllers can send inputs that alter how the story unfolds.  If the TA does X instead of Y then the Controllers can either let X unfold or send another input to try to bring out a different reaction. 

The weather is getting hotter.  Nothing horrible because there is no humidity but you can feel it through your clothes.  There is a small dust storm that is turning the horizon a shade of tan haze. Or maybe it's just smog that is hanging over Amman. Another thing about the weather is the strong winds that blow across the landscape. They pick up dust and dirt that add to the overall suckiness of a hot day. The wind also flaps on the tent fabric making a thumping sound when the tent material slaps against the metal frame. Its like living in a drum.

I met up with Ian McKenna. He is the father of Cooper McKenna, who played with TJ on the Grasshoppers Baseball team. He's a fun guy who enjoys running. We have been able to run in the late afternoon.  There is a four mile course and a three mile course with significant hills.  The course is off the main base so you have the feeling of running in the middle of nowhere.  There are two minor hills which are near the halfway mark, so right after you run up them once you turn around and head back to the base

The area where we live, shower, eat, and work out are all temporary structures. After this exercise it will all come down and go away. This also means that there is very little to do and see.  The tents create an orange glow in the daylight; an eerie, Mars-like appearance in a similar landscape. I found a place here where they offer free books to Soldiers. I read every night until my eyelids get heavy and I roll over for some sleep.  Again - two weeks is fine - anything longer than that would be miserable.