March Madness comes to Mizan

1st. Lt. Sean Snook rests after a long patrol outside FOB Mizan while waiting for the debrief.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MIZAN, Afghanistan -– March Madness has come to Afghanistan’s Zabul province.

Afghan Capt. Hamza Jawid got a quick lesson on American culture Monday from 1^st Lt. Sean Snook. The LT explained the phenomenon of March Madness to the Afghan captain over lunch after the town’s shura.

Staring at the 24-year-old U.S. officer with a confused look, Jawid had trouble understanding why Americans would subject themselves to madness for fun. Grabbing his head, Snook tried to tell the captain it was a good madness. Spending this season cheering for the streaky shooting Maryland guard Grevis Vasquez, I could understand the captain’s confusion.

Even though the 48 soldiers at FOB Mizan might be stationed amidst a collection of farms and villages, which are stuck in the 19^th century, doesn’t mean they can’t have a March Madness pool.

If you log onto ESPN.com, their group name is Mizan Madness.