CHAD DIARY:BY NOW we've passed the halfway point in the trip. Four long-range patrols and our fair share of camp duties too. The routine firmly established, a week on patrol, followed by a week in camp on security duties.
Having worked hard to achieve high standards, the challenge now switches to maintaining focus for the second half of the trip. Our presence here in the desert seems to have calmed the situation somewhat. However, this brings the hazard of complacency.
Just because the first two months have been incident-free, it doesn't mean the next two will be. We keep reinforcing this message to the soldiers. We can't afford to relax and let any bit of contentment develop. Our situational awareness must remain high.
In fairness to the troops they are performing and earning their keep out here.
This morning as I write in the early hours, I complete my stint as camp orderly officer. It was only a few hours ago we were on the ranges conducting night contact drills in darkness. I was delighted with their performance, especially since the battalion commander and sergeant major were present throughout the exercise.
This morning when they get up it's weapons cleaning, system checks and a debrief on last night's exercise.
An army thrives on routine, and particularly somewhere like Chad we maintain ourselves, our weapons, our kit and our camp at high readiness should we be called at short notice. But I'll make sure to personally pass on my appreciation for their efforts last night. The reward: another patrol next week. I'm sure they'll love me for it!
Trying to maintain their focus is the challenge, especially because it's natural for thoughts to turn to home around the Christmas period.
Morale was high in camp today. The transport convoy arrived back from N'djamena with our welfare parcels from our families.
I saw someone eating a Curly Wurly bar, a sure indicator that selection boxes were in circulation.
Personally I enjoyed the opportunity to read my local paper. To my disgust I learned I've been omitted from the Kilkenny People's most eligible bachelor competition. Out of sight, out of mind, eh? However, I wasn't too upset when I saw Ian Dowling listed as one of the competition's favourites. They obviously haven't set the bar too high in the looks department then . . .
With rugby in mind, I'm delighted to see my own club Blackrock College RFC doing so well, but disappointed about not being a part of it. It's the culmination of all these little factors that can sometimes weigh heavily on the mind. With this in mind efforts are being made to liven up the Christmas period for the troops with activities and celebrations. I hear rumours of concerts and talent shows, sporting competitions and other events to keep us occupied.
Live satellite/video link-ups have been set up with certain barracks at home so people can say hello to loved ones before Christmas. It's a nice gesture and is appreciated by everyone, but particularly the family men and women here.
Personally, I've joined the digital age having just been educated on the phenomenon of Skype. Albeit a few years after some of my colleagues.
My first video call was to my sister Pauline in Holland to congratulate her and her husband Marc-Jan on the birth of their first child. Their daughter Juliana finally arrived, as my sister put it, on Friday, December 5th. So already I'm planning a trip over to see my new niece as soon as I get home.
But for the immediate future our routine here goes on. Our fifth patrol departs in three days. There's plenty of planning and preparation to complete before it. Keeping busy and focused is my way to ensure that my platoon and I are back home safe and sound as soon as possible.
Lt Seán Byrne remains on duty with the Defence Forces in Chad