Halfway is far enough!

50% down, 50% to go. I cut out a couple hours early tonight (only did 12 hours at work today instead of my usual 14) so I could have time to write this entry and still get 6 hours of sleep tonight. The unit I was assigned to initially over here is no more. The Iraq Assistance Group (or IAG) is dissolved as of today. We had a ceremony to case the unit colors and all the soldiers changed their uniform patches from the "Big Red 1" of the 1st Infantry Division to the Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) patch. I got a new patch too, since I wear the Army uniform outside the wire, but I was wearing my Air Force uniform today, and thus, no patches to change. So a new unit, what does that mean? Nothing really. I still have the same amount of work, or more, to do, it just means I have a new set of bosses to run everything through. That, and I'm not even sure to what organization I am assigned at the moment. Regardless, the actual "work" of advising the IRaqi Security Forces is still being done by the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors in the transition teams out there on the border. IAG may be gone, but the job still needs to be done.
But enough about my lack of a clear assignment, that hasn't changed in 3 months, so why should it be any different now? In looking both back and forward at the same length of time, it feels like I'm halfway down a very long tunnel. I can't see a light on either end yet, but I know I want to get out somehow. That's a pretty depressing thought, so I tried to come up with the "10 best things about being over here" to try to keep my spirits up. Here goes:
10: The food is free (but you get what you pay for)
9: Bonus pay (for getting shot at and not being with your family, not worth it)
8: You never have to decide what to wear each day
7: You never wonder what the weather will be like (hot and dusty, or dusty and hot?)
6: Someone does your laundry for you (but it takes 3 days, and you can only wash 28 items at a time, yes, 28, not kidding)
5: Free access to a 24-hour gym (and the only time it's not crowded is 3 AM)
4: Immersion language training in Arabic (not really, though I occaisionally see one or two Iraqis and get to say "hello" as I pass by).
3: Free beer! (non-alcoholic only)
2: Care packages from family and friends (oh yes, very nice!)
and the number 1 best thing about being in Iraq...
1: The day I go home to see my wonderful wife and daughter gets closer every day!