When I was in Army BCT, I lived for letters. I loved letters that included things going on at home, news around town and article clippings. We were pretty cut off from the outside world, so it was nice to know what was going on out there. Even if you just send a little note with words of encouragement once a week or every few days, they will make his day. Mail call with out hearing your name called is so glum.
I still have all my letters and cards saved in a box.
I do too. I have a bunch of GT cards and other things, too. I figured they would be fun to go through with my kids or grand kids one day.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Jan 3, 2013 14:06:14 GMT -5
When I was in Army BCT, I lived for letters. I loved letters that included things going on at home, news around town and article clippings. We were pretty cut off from the outside world, so it was nice to know what was going on out there. Even if you just send a little note with words of encouragement once a week or every few days, they will make his day. Mail call with out hearing your name called is so glum.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Dec 26, 2012 9:40:13 GMT -5
Well, I'm sorry I missed this one. I would have had a good bit to say. Guess I'll save it for the next time some one comes on with some ridiculous crap about retired service members.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Dec 19, 2012 19:52:50 GMT -5
I've seen so many people wanting to limit the size of magazines. So what's the difference between someone having 5 ten round magazines and 10 five round magazines? 1.5 second reload time? Seriously. That's how long it takes me to eject a magazine and reload another. I can do it while moving and acquiring another target. It isn't enough of a delay for me to be stopped while doing it. I get the argument. I really do. In some ways, I kind of agree with it. However, it doesn't mean it will stop these things from happening. Besides, .223 rounds aren't just used in assault type riffles. My 14 year old hunts with a .223 riffle. He also attends shooting competitions with that rifle.. How are you going to differentiate between an avid hunter/competitor and the mad man? My point with the bomb is, if you limit one way, they'll find others. A person intent on killing people will kill people. The manner in which he does it doesn't matter to him, 9 times out of 10. You take away one way and there will always be another.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Dec 18, 2012 10:00:42 GMT -5
I'd like to point out that I can easily make a bomb out of items that are in my kitchen and out door shed, have it finished in less than 2 hours and it's all done with items that are perfectly legal for me to have. I'm not talking some little coke bottle/MRE heater bomb, either.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Nov 29, 2012 15:48:04 GMT -5
Savannah would be a great place for your family. There is a beach nearby if you would like beach time. There is a great children's museum as well as many other museums. There are trolley tours that allow you to get on or off all day long. You can explore an area and then hop back on the next trolley to avoid walking around town. There are dolphin cruises. There is a children's theater. There are all sorts of shows. Savannah is a foodie town, so there are amazing restaurants all over town that are generally kid friendly.
Oh, I love to fly. I guess I'm just weird. I don't like being packed in with a ton of people, though. I get a bit claustrophobic.
I enjoy flying too. I always have. But as my anxiety has evolved over the years, it effects me there now too. I really just get anxious anticipating the flight. The time between when I board and when the plane takes off is the worst for me. Once I'm in the air, I'm usually fine. I make no sense. Stupid anxiety!
I understand that. I spend most of that time yelling at people in my head. "Hold up, MFer. If you are moving further to the rear of the plane, why is it you feel you can put your bag in the thing up here?" "Lady! Your bag is huge and you are hitting people in the head with it. Either hold it behind you or in front of you. Not on your shoulder!" "Why in the hell did you have to bring that meat ball sub covered in onions on this damn plane, ass?" "Why are you bitching about that lady's baby when he's not even crying? He's far more quiet than your loud ass!" People cause me far more anxiety than the flight does. If I actually said all the things going on in my head on flights, I'd probably be arrested at the gate.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Nov 29, 2012 15:33:05 GMT -5
Some people are just attention whores. They post crap even when they know they aren't supposed to because they want people to feel sorry for them and comment.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Nov 29, 2012 9:30:24 GMT -5
I agree with sending L to school and letting the teacher know what's going on. Keeping busy and having class to distract her will be a good thing. I would not take the baby to the hospital. There are way too many germs around and he probably won't be allowed in there anyway. I would bring the pump with me. I don't know about that hospital but the three here have private areas where you can go.
This really pissed me off. And my husband when he read it. Never mind that sex with anyone other than your spouse is a UCMJ violation, or that sexual relations in the deployed environment (with anyone other than your also-deployed spouse in special family quarters) is a violation of General Order 1.
This. I've only known one couple to do this but they were in a contractual marriage in the first place. It's hard for me to count them as an actual marriage knowing the situation and all the crap they did. This was also back in 2004, before I joined the Army. I've not known anyone to do it since then.
I am not 18 with no other employment options. I have a full time job that could lead to me being a business owner in 5/10 years. My boss has offered to put me on that path. I am still trying to serve. My boss makes six figures.
I did change my mind that everyone should be hardcore true believers. We do need medical professionals in the service, and there aren't enough crazy 'Merica lovers for that. ETA: True believers in things like servant leadership, just war, et cetera. Not only 'Merica, though that stuff holds hands with my America loving. JIC. Sometimes I forget not everyone knows what I mean and think I'm just loony loving 'Merica.
But it would be nice if I weren't competing with 22 year old college grads who were only joining for the stability, to whom servant leadership means absolutely nothing.
Sorry, for just popping in here but I bounce around from board to board.
Why can't there be a balance? I don't think it is entirely self-serving or indicative of poor leadership capability to want a decent benefits package. Not only are some SMs taking a cut in pay, but their spouses are losing out on career advancement opportunities as well.
I also wonder if changing current recruitment strategies would help decrease our defense budget. I take issue with the fact that in the past decade the Military has been sold as just another way to pay for your education. I realize this has changed a bit in the last five years, but not to the extent that it should.
I would like to see what we pay to train and house these SMs who serve for 3-5 years, and what it costs to provide the GI Bill benefits for them. I have also heard several NCOs mention that the Military has shifted toward serving the Junior Enlisted rather than retaining leadership and that doesn't seem like a great strategy overall. Is it really beneficial to invest more in new recruits, or to retain experienced SMs?
You can totally call me out on this if I'm all wrong, it's just something I've been thinking about lately. This thread just provided a place for my brain to spew
I've asked myself that question several times. Most recently, I asked myself that question when my husband went to see the retention NCO about reenlistment. He will be hitting his 10 year mark soon. This will be his indefinite reenlistment. I could brag on him with the job he has done and actually doing history making things, as far as the Army is concerned. However, the only bonus being offered to him is $2000 and that's only because he's reenlisting while over seas. A brand new Private just joining can get a $20K bonus for his MOS if they sign up right now. It's really rather pathetic. He's still reenlisting. He's not doing it for the money. I just think it's sad that they offer people with no experience all that money to join but they don't give extra incentive for the people they've paid a shit load of money to train to stay in.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Nov 20, 2012 9:06:59 GMT -5
I side eye anyone who reads Army/AF/Navy Times and sees it as an actual source of real information.
Look, times are tough. Everyone has to take a hit somewhere. If it means not collecting a retirement check until age 60, ok. When I joined, I had every intention of retiring. Thanks to health and other issues, it didn't work out that way. However, my husband will, God willing. If he retires at 20 years, he'll be 40. He can retire, get another job and retire from that at 60. That's two retirement checks for him. I just started back to school. I plan to teach when I'm done. I have plenty of time to work and be able to get another retirement check. Sixty isn't exactly old. Three retirement checks plus benefits sets us up fairly well. If you and your husband both retire from the military, have second careers and retire from them, that's four retirement checks you have coming in plus retirement benefits. Start saving or investing here and there and you'll be able to live well for that time. I don't see anything to bitch about.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Nov 14, 2012 8:55:33 GMT -5
Have any of you been to Osan? A new poster on MN asked for info back on the 10th and no one has responded. If you have any information, could you please share with her? Thanks