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DEL.ICIO.USGI mud facials
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Delta, Iraq — It all started as a discussion about who is the biggest Red Bull junky of them all. And then it got real dirty from there. • SEE PHOTOS
Spc. Darryl Wilson and several other Georgia National Guard soldiers were escorting their commander to this military base recently when the conversation started to veer.
Wilson’s buddies started teasing him about his daily intake of Red Bull, a high-energy drink loaded with sugar and caffeine. Many soldiers admit they are addicted to it because it keeps them awake on long guard duties, patrols and convoys.
“He’s a lunatic,” Sgt. Joe Picon, 40, of Calhoun, said of Wilson.
Wilson, 37, shot back: “Picon is a Red Bull junky. If I have one, I will share it. Picon will hide one.”
Picon: “It’s a morning pick-me-up.”
Wilson: “Isn’t that some crack-head stuff or what?”
Wilson has learned to respect the power of Red Bull. He said he tried it for the first time one evening and couldn’t fall asleep until the afternoon the following day.
He said he tried everything to wear himself down. He played video games, lifted weights and participated in three volleyball games. Nothing worked.
“That Red Bull is no joke,” said Wilson, 37, of Jonesboro, a member of the Georgia 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment.
Wilson and the others eventually arrived at this base and observed a military ceremony for some Salvadoran soldiers. The Georgians had lunch and then hung out beside their Humvees until it was time to go.
While he was waiting, Wilson spied a big patch of mud in front of his Humvee and pretended as if he was going to jump in. One of his buddies helped him along.
And timberrrrr! Wilson belly-flopped in the slippery mess.
He climbed back on his feet and started chasing the other troops, hugging each one he caught and smearing them with mud. A truck full of Salvadoran soldiers burst into cheers as they watched Wilson.
“Any questions?” Wilson asked rhetorically as he cleaned his pants with bottled water.
All eyes locked on the commander as he strolled back from lunch. Lt. Col. John King, 42, Doraville’s police chief, saw the looks on his soldiers’s faces and knew what was about to happen. He bolted in the opposite direction.
But his men caught up with him, carried him back and threw him in. Wilson helped King to his feet and then saluted him.
“Boy are we going to get smoked when we get back,” Wilson joked.
King got in on the action moments later, distracting Picon long enough for the others to pick him up and throw him in the mud.
“Welcome to the 108th!” Sgt. Timothy Hass, 34, of Kennesaw, told Picon.
As the muddy troops rode back to their base at Convoy Support Center Scania, Wilson sheepishly admitted something: “It was that Red Bull. It was a bad influence.”
Comments
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By Georgia Native
February 20, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this
Funny, I am glad to see you guys having some fun. Also glad you managed to get Chico in the mud :-).
Maria
By "Momma Kat" Orr
February 20, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA1!!!!!! too funny! LOL Don’t s’pose anyone caught that on video, huh?! hahahaha!
“Momma Kat” Orr Loganville, GA
By Marie
February 20, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this
I am sure it did WONDERS for their complexions !!!!! HE HE HE HE !!! Ahhhh the beauty (no pun intended) of safely being a smart aleck at home from my computer.
By Debby& chelsey
February 21, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
I say let the guys have some fun it is well needed. Thank you for the story it was a great one and i hope all the guys loved there mud mask. well done guys u deserve some fun. GOD BLESS ALL OF U
By Jenn
February 21, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this
Glad to see at least some of the 108th, out having some fun and growing together.. All I ever hear and see if how much of the 108th, station at Camp Scania, stay on line and in chatroom’s, most of their time.. Honey—I love you and I was so glad to see this story about you and your men…Too bad, the rest of the 108th can’t do more then chat.
By sgt K
February 21, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
Just to let yall know, this is an old tradition in the 108th, and EVERYBODY ends up in the mud sooner or later… :-)
K
By Sharon all the way from Chi- Town the windy City
February 21, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this
That;s Funny. It’s great to see that our patriots can still find humor. God Bless you all!
By Soldier Mom
February 22, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
What a wonderful story. I’m glad to know that the soldiers have at least a little time to put business aside and have alittle fun. It’s also ashame that there will forever be someone that feels it necessary to post negative comments about the soldiers that are working so hard and risking their lives for us. God Bless all of the soldiers, and may they spend their little bit of free time doing exactly what they want to do reguardless of what others think.
By WILSON'S SISTER FROM CHICAGO
February 25, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
TRUST ME…IT’S NOT THE RED BULL’S INFLUENCE..THE GUY IS TRULY CRAZY… I’M HAPPY HE IS AROUND A GOOD BUNCH OF GUYS…WATCH EACH OTHERS BACKS…AND PLEASE MAKE IT HOME SAFELY…. I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOON!!! I HAVE TONS OF STORIES TO SHARE..
By Rodney Wilcox Sr.
March 9, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
Been there done that. The old mud bath. I’m a formal 108th Soldier and my son is there now with the 108th. Rodney Wilcox Jr. We are proud of you and everyone over there with you. Keep up the good work for a great cause. Keep the mud bath’s going too. Love, Dad,Mom and Holly.