"R" is for RIP/TOA
One of the happiest times for American soldiers in Iraq is a little thing called “RIP/TOA”. That stands for Relief In Place / Transfer of Authority - which is a fancy way of saying - “here’s the guys who are replacing you, teach them what you know so you can leave.”
Here’s a picture that made the email rounds here in Iraq recently, that really sums up the feelings for both sides of the RIP/TOA equation - those departing and those arriving. The caption that went with it follows.
If I’m not mistaken, the little stick-figure soldier is giving the single-digit salute to his former home-away-from-home.
I bring this all up because, in fact, the unit that is replacing mine is now on the ground and we started the RIP/TOA process today (thank God). The whole thing is 10-days. The first five days, my replacement follows me around and I show him the ropes. The second five days, he’s in the driver seat, and I just hang around to assist. More than likely, he’ll be ready to kick me out of my office sooner rather than later - which is fine by me.
The end of this adventure is drawing near, and I am ready to leave.
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