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Zach is in the Army Now (formerly who is from Georgia)

Sep 3, 2013#1

Dave

And where in Georgia are you? Looks like the wife and I will be invading in March of next year for my son's graduation from Army Basic Training! He was sworn in today and I could hardly be more proud!

He leaves on December 30 and will spend the winter in sunny Fort Benning, GA. The best part? His job!

19K - M1 Armor Crewman! That's right, my son is going to be driving a frickin' TANK!!

Hoo-RAH, mother fuckers![DOUBLEPOST=1378242311,1378242184][/DOUBLEPOST]http://army.com/info/mos/m1-armor-crewman

Sep 3, 2013#2

strawman

I can't recall who was down there last time I made a trip. Seems like it might have been @Denbrought? But I suspect it might have been education related, and it was years ago, he might have moved on since then.

My brother in law worked at a base there up until recently - now he's doing a stint overseas, so my sister and her kids are up here with my parents.

Enjoy your visit!

Sep 3, 2013#3

Gared

O_C lives down there, right?

Sep 3, 2013#4

Dave

Gared said:
O_C lives down there, right?

I believe it to be true!But where? That's why I didn't single @Officer_Charon out![DOUBLEPOST=1378247770,1378247728][/DOUBLEPOST]Savannah, apparently. I could have just looked at his member card...

Sep 3, 2013#5

drawn_inward

Thank your son for his service! Cheers!

Sep 4, 2013#6

Espy

Whoa! Sweet gig!

Congrats to you and him Dave, I'm sure he's gonna do you proud.

Sep 4, 2013#7

sixpackshaker

Dave said:
19K - M1 Armor Crewman! That's right, my son is going to be driving a frickin' TANK!!

The only safer job in the Army is pouring the General his coffee.

Sep 4, 2013#8

Officer_Charon

Congrats to your son, Dave!

Ft. Benning is a good little stroll away for me, though, and by March, hopefully we should have a two month-old... you're more than welcome down here, however... and if you give me enough advance notice, I might be able to swing you a sweet discount on a hotel...

Sep 4, 2013#9

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
Congrats to your son, Dave!

Ft. Benning is a good little stroll away for me, though, and by March, hopefully we should have a two month-old... you're more than welcome down here, however... and if you give me enough advance notice, I might be able to swing you a sweet discount on a hotel...

Thanks, man! I have a buddy in Atlanta that I might hit up instead. But an O_C meetup would rule!

Sep 4, 2013#10

doomdragon6

I live in Alabama, which is, you know... close-ish.

Sep 4, 2013#11

Emrys

doomdragon6 said:
I live in Alabama, which is, you know... close-ish.

I'm from Mobile. Where in AL are you?

Sep 4, 2013#12

strawman

Emrys said:
I'm from Mobile. Where in AL are you?

Ah, you grew up in Alabama. That explains why you fled the US for Canada.

Just so you know, not all of the US is like that. You could probably be happy here again.

Maybe.

Sep 5, 2013#13

doomdragon6

Emrys said:
I'm from Mobile. Where in AL are you?

Montgomery / Tuscaloosa mostly! I've stayed near Mobile though. Yeet, bama bros!

stienman said:
Ah, you grew up in Alabama. That explains why you fled the US for Canada.

Just so you know, not all of the US is like that. You could probably be happy here again.

Maybe.

Aw c'mon. We're #2 of the Southern states.
#1: Georgia - A little backwoods, but there's Atlanta to balance everyone out.
#2: Alabama - Rednecks; a few weirdos, but we keep to ourselves.
#3: Mississippi - Nobody really lives here on purpose. These are the "sit smoking and stare at you funny" southerners.
#4: Louisiana - Nothing but hicks and cajuns. Everyone here is frightening somehow.

Sep 5, 2013#14

drawn_inward

Emrys said:
I'm from Mobile. Where in AL are you?

That explains your love of CFS. I didn't think that was a thing up in Canuckistan.

Sep 5, 2013#15

Dei

doomdragon6 said:
Montgomery / Tuscaloosa mostly! I've stayed near Mobile though. Yeet, bama bros!

Aw c'mon. We're #2 of the Southern states.
#1: Georgia - A little backwoods, but there's Atlanta to balance everyone out.
#2: Alabama - Rednecks; a few weirdos, but we keep to ourselves.
#3: Mississippi - Nobody really lives here on purpose. These are the "sit smoking and stare at you funny" southerners.
#4: Louisiana - Nothing but hicks and cajuns. Everyone here is frightening somehow.

Alabama has a Space Camp. I feel like that bumps you up some.

Sep 5, 2013#16

drawn_inward

Dei said:
Alabama has a Space Camp. I feel like that bumps you up some.

And, Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers

Sep 5, 2013#17

Emrys

drawn_inward said:
And, Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers

And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sep 5, 2013#18

Covar

Dave said:
And where in Georgia are you? Looks like the wife and I will be invading in March of next year for my son's graduation from Army Basic Training! He was sworn in today and I could hardly be more proud!

He leaves on December 30 and will spend the winter in sunny Fort Benning, GA. The best part? His job!

19K - M1 Armor Crewman! That's right, my son is going to be driving a frickin' TANK!!

Hoo-RAH, mother fuckers![DOUBLEPOST=1378242311,1378242184][/DOUBLEPOST]http://army.com/info/mos/m1-armor-crewman

Congrats for you and your son. How long will his AIT be?

To be nitpicky the Army uses hooah as it's slang. Silly Marine.

Sep 6, 2013#19

Officer_Charon

*checks to make sure Doc's not in the thread*

Hooah is just Ooh-rah, with a dick in your mouth.

Sep 6, 2013#20

Timmus

I'm from georgia but had to leave after a particularly epic fiddle contest.

Sep 6, 2013#21

strawman

Oh no! I hope you at least kept your golden fiddle!

Sep 7, 2013#22

CrimsonSoul

I'm from Houston TX.

Sep 7, 2013#23

CrimsonSoul

Also we all know the Navy is better than the Marines and the army... And the air force

Dec 30, 2013#24

Dave

Well, he's now officially gone. My son now belongs to Uncle Sam. His mom isn't taking it too well, but I still think this will be good for him.

Dec 30, 2013#25

Tinwhistler

Congrats, Dave, on seeing your son take his first big steps to being his own man. I know how proud you must be.

CrimsonSoul said:
Also we all know the Navy is better than the Marines and the army... And the air force

True dat.

Dec 30, 2013#26

bhamv3

sixpackshaker said:
The only safer job in the Army is pouring the General his coffee.

I poured tea for a general when I was in the army. Spilled a drop on the table, and got chewed out and nearly had my leave revoked. I learned that, in the army, they take pouring, tea, and tables seriously.

Dec 31, 2013#27

Dave

We got our obligatory "Hi, this is Zach and I have made it safely to Fort Benning, Georgia. I am in 35th Charlie Company" phone call. Now, for those who don't know this, this is a scripted call, they must say it and get off the phone and can say nothing else. It seems very impersonal, but I'm glad I knew about it ahead of time. Our call came in at 1:45 in the fucking morning. That's 2:45 Georgia time. I really hope he napped on the plane or in the van like I told him to.

Dec 31, 2013#28

CrimsonSoul

Dave said:
We got our obligatory "Hi, this is Zach and I have made it safely to Fort Benning, Georgia. I am in 35th Charlie Company" phone call. Now, for those who don't know this, this is a scripted call, they must say it and get off the phone and can say nothing else. It seems very impersonal, but I'm glad I knew about it ahead of time. Our call came in at 1:45 in the fucking morning. That's 2:45 Georgia time. I really hope he napped on the plane or in the van like I told him to.

I don't remember this in the Navy.. I know they let us have like a 30 second call but it wasn't scripted

Dec 31, 2013#29

Dave

It is scripted in the Marines as well. You Navy boys are just different is all.

Dec 31, 2013#30

Covar

At Fort Jackson we had 4 minutes of free talk. We were told not to waste time trying to give the address. So many people wasted their time trying to give out a military address.

Myself, I got to have a nice 4 minute conversation with my folks. Sent them a letter with a well written return address the next day.

Dec 31, 2013#31

Dave

4 minutes in receiving? Or was that after you started basic?

Dec 31, 2013#32

Covar

Basic, in receptor we had no contact

Dec 31, 2013#33

WasabiPoptart

My husband says he was given one minute. A few guys didn't get to make a call home. No script though.

Anyhow... good for him, Dave! I hope things go well for him during boot camp.

Dec 31, 2013#34

strawman

Life would be easier if all* my phone calls were scripted. The timing of "goodbye" and actually hanging up is awkward...

*As long as it wasn't because I worked in a call center.

Dec 31, 2013#35

Cajungal

doomdragon6 said:
#4: Louisiana - Nothing but hicks and cajuns. Everyone here is frightening somehow.

I'll cook for any forumite who comes to visit me... except you. *fistshake*

Dec 31, 2013#36

Cajungal

And more importantly, congratulations to your son, @Dave!

Jan 1, 2014#37

Denbrought

I think I'm 90ish miles from Fort Benning, I'm still Carrollton-based. I have an empty bedroom and a "couch" made out of 3 twin mattresses, so there's space to crash if you need it

Jan 1, 2014#38

strawman

Cajungal said:
I'll cook any forumite who comes to visit me... especially you. *fistshake*

/insert video clip from Fried Green Tomatoes where the officer is eating the best ribs he's ever had.

Jan 1, 2014#39

Emrys

Cajungal said:
I'll cook for any forumite who comes to visit me... except you. *fistshake*

Somehow, I missed the "for" when I first read that and was hoping you would join my Team Evil.
Well, you still can, as my personal chef.

Jan 1, 2014#40

doomdragon6

Cajungal said:
I'll cook for any forumite who comes to visit me... except you. *fistshake*

Aww, it was just a joke! That I made... *looks* Wait, that was in September?? I barely even remember that post. I thought that was from like a year or two ago.

Damn.

Jan 1, 2014#41

Dave

Denbrought said:
I think I'm 90ish miles from Fort Benning, I'm still Carrollton-based. I have an empty bedroom and a "couch" made out of 3 twin mattresses, so there's space to crash if you need it

I may take you up on this. But you understand it wouldn't be just me, but also my wife and daughter.

Jan 1, 2014#42

Denbrought

Dave said:
I may take you up on this. But you understand it wouldn't be just me, but also my wife and daughter.

My S.O. says that as long as you don't mind the somewhat spartan lodging, and there being a cat, you're welcome to stay

Jan 1, 2014#43

Dave

Denbrought said:
My S.O. says that as long as you don't mind the somewhat spartan lodging, and there being a cat, you're welcome to stay

Well, I talked to my wife...and she's so not for it. She's the paranoid, "everyone wants to kill us in our sleep" kind of person. I'm a small town "trust everyone until they prove otherwise" kind of guy. Somewhere in the middle is the right amount of caution.

Jan 1, 2014#44

Denbrought

Dave said:
Well, I talked to my wife...and she's so not for it. She's the paranoid, "everyone wants to kill us in our sleep" kind of person. I'm a small town "trust everyone until they prove otherwise" kind of guy. Somewhere in the middle is the right amount of caution.

Can't blame her, I *am* a creepy spaniard. @Baerdog and @moss can probably vouch for my non-serial-murdererness, though, since we've met IRL (Baerdog particularly, since he crashed back home for two-ish weeks).

Jan 1, 2014#45

Cajungal

Isn't Den the one with that adorable dancing gif? Show that to your wife, and she will be sold.

Jan 1, 2014#46

Denbrought

Cajungal said:
Isn't Den the one with that adorable dancing gif? Show that to your wife, and she will be sold.

That gif is the reason I can never go into politics. Last time I trust someone telling me "they're just gonna take a picture"

Jan 1, 2014#47

Cheesy1

And we all know that good-looking dancing people are never dangerous!

Jan 2, 2014#48

Ravenpoe

Dave said:
Well, I talked to my wife...and she's so not for it. She's the paranoid, "everyone wants to kill us in our sleep" kind of person. I'm a small town "trust everyone until they prove otherwise" kind of guy. Somewhere in the middle is the right amount of caution.

@Denbrought would at least have the decency to kill you while you're awake.

Jan 3, 2014#49

sixpackshaker

Cajungal said:
*fistshake*

...SEE, SEE, frightening...

Jan 13, 2014#50

Dave

First set of pictures from the Army Facebook page has a great shot of Zach struggling with his gear.

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/ComancheCompany

Jan 13, 2014#51

PatrThom

Chin forward, men!
The familial resemblance is obvious.

--Patrick

Jan 13, 2014#52

General Specific

Cajungal said:
I'll cook for any forumite who comes to visit me... except you. *fistshake*

This is good info to have, I may be driving to Texas around Christmas next year (I live in SC, so we'd have to go right through LA)

Jan 13, 2014#53

CrimsonSoul

PatrThom said:
Chin forward, men!
The familial resemblance is obvious.

--Patrick

The Struggling to carry the lightest of items part?

i keed i keed!

Jan 13, 2014#54

Officer_Charon

It's not so much struggling to carry them as struggling to move quick enough to satisfy the Drills. *grins*

Jan 13, 2014#55

CrimsonSoul

Officer_Charon said:
It's not so much struggling to carry them as struggling to move quick enough to satisfy the Drills. *grins*

I know I was in the Navy

Jan 13, 2014#56

Ravenpoe

CrimsonSoul said:
I know I was in the Navy

Jan 13, 2014#57

CrimsonSoul

Ravenpoe said:

I see Ravenpoe replied but all I see is a blank post...

Jan 13, 2014#58

Dave

Village People.

But to continue on with Zach information...

Turns out there are two dates when I'll be traveling to Georgia. One is for Family Day and that will be the weekend of March 7 and the other will be the weekend of April 23 for his actual graduation. I get to make the 16 hour drive 4 times. And get a rental car twice. And book hotels twice.

So now the planning begins. There's no problem with my work, but there might be for my wife's and daughter's. Gonna be an interesting couple of months, but at the end we'll be able to bring him home with us until he has to go to his PDS (permanent duty station).

Jan 13, 2014#59

Officer_Charon

If you get me exact dates, I might be able to see what I can do about getting you a discounted hotel room...

Jan 13, 2014#60

Dave

Oh my GOD that would be wonderful! Money is going to be extremely tight for both of these. I may have to have someone jump in and contribute to the April Halforums payment. But that's a bit away. I'll probably be giving plasma by the time this is over. :rofl:

Jan 13, 2014#61

PatrThom

Dave said:
Oh my GOD that would be wonderful! Money is going to be extremely tight for both of these. I may have to have someone jump in and contribute to the April Halforums payment. But that's a bit away. I'll probably be giving plasma by the time this is over.

Just so long as it's intentional...

--Patrick

Jan 13, 2014#62

Officer_Charon

Least that's an option for you... I can't donate plasma OR blood, and there are times the extra $50 a week would be VERY nice...

Jan 13, 2014#63

sixpackshaker

Each time I read this thread it sing.

You're in the Army now
You're no longer behind the plow
You'll never get rich
You son of a bitch
You're in the Army now...

Jan 13, 2014#64

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
If you get me exact dates, I might be able to see what I can do about getting you a discounted hotel room...

What can you tell me about Phenix City? (And yes, that's how they spell it.)[DOUBLEPOST=1389653317,1389653206][/DOUBLEPOST]We're looking at staying on the following dates:

March 6 - 9: Family Day

April 22 - 24: Graduation

Looking to not be in a militarized zone (pun not intended) but still not the Rit$.

Jan 13, 2014#65

Officer_Charon

I work for the International Hotel Group chain in my off-duty gig, so I will see what I can get into for you there - probably be a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, something along those lines. I work there tomorrow night, so I'll have a chat with the night auditor and see what's available.

They change how they do reservations on the employee ticket from time to time, so you might have to make the reservation first, and get discounted later. I'll let you know...

Jan 13, 2014#66

bhamv3

Man, Charon is awesome.

Jan 13, 2014#67

Emrys

Ravenpoe said:

Jan 14, 2014#68

Emrys

I can't hear that song now without envisioning singing, clapping pigs.

@CrimsonSoul -

Jan 15, 2014#69

SpecialKO

Man, the Muppets really liked the Village People.

Jan 15, 2014#70

Dave

The Village People's music was so lighthearted it was almost Muppet-like already. Really it's a natural fit.

Jan 15, 2014#71

General Specific

Dave said:
The Village People's music was so lighthearted it was almost Muppet-like already. Really it's a natural fit.

Jan 15, 2014#72

PatrThom

General Specific said:
Music video goes here

How did I not know this existed before today?

--Patrick

Jan 16, 2014#73

Dave

You don't know how badly I want the muppets to do this now.

Jan 16, 2014#74

WasabiPoptart

My cousin's son just graduated at Ft. Lost-in-the-Woods. He's headed to CO as an MP.

Jan 20, 2014#75

Dave

More pictures, you say? Well okay then!

First, Zach doing a spot of first aid. He looks excited to be there.

Next, going over some maps with his battle buddy.

Last, back to First Aid. Why? Because it's the first time we saw him without his hair. And I immediately noticed he must have had a bump...OUCH!

Jan 20, 2014#76

CrimsonSoul

TELL ME WHEN TO THROW MY GRENADE BATTLE BUDDY!

Language in video

Jan 21, 2014#77

Officer_Charon

That video gets me every time. The look on his face when he realises.... D:

Jan 22, 2014#78

Dave

Just got some more pictures but I'm not posting them. Why? Because in all 27 I can't see Zach at all. Oh, there's a couple I think might be him, but they all look the same!

Jan 22, 2014#79

Ravenpoe

Dave said:
Just got some more pictures but I'm not posting them. Why? Because in all 27 I can't see Zach at all. Oh, there's a couple I think might be him, but they all look the same!

Racist.

Feb 17, 2014#80

Dave

Zach took the Confidence Course this weekend. Now, for those of you who do not know, the Confidence Course is the thing you always see in the movies where recruits climb down ropes and scale these huge wooden platforms. It almost did me in because I'm terrified of heights.

But he did it. Mad props to my kid!

Feb 17, 2014#81

Dave

Some pictures of the obstacles.

First the one called, "The Tough One".

And then the one you guys are probably the most familiar with - the 30' tall Stairway to Heaven. I don't have a good picture of that so I'm including a link so you know what I'm talking about.

Feb 17, 2014#82

Covar

Obstacle courses were the best parts of training. I hope he had fun.

Feb 17, 2014#83

Dave

Covar said:
Obstacle courses were the best parts of training. I hope he had fun.

Obstacle courses, yes. Confidence courses not so much.

Feb 17, 2014#84

Covar

I think it was towards the end of basic my company did a teamwork confidence course. It was amazing, included a 4 story tower that expanded further out each platform.

Feb 17, 2014#85

Dave

Covar said:
I think it was towards the end of basic my company did a teamwork confidence course. It was amazing, included a 4 story tower that expanded further out each platform.

You are a better man than I. I was almost wetting myself with fear. I overcame it, but it was a very close thing.

Feb 17, 2014#86

Sparhawk

Dave said:
Obstacle courses, yes. Confidence courses not so much.

Breezed through the confidence course when we did it back in '89. I don't think I would do nearly as well today.

We didn't get to do the water challenges though, it was 30F when we did it.

Feb 18, 2014#87

bhamv3

What happens if someone falls from the top of the 30 foot stairwell thing? It does happen from time to time, right?

Feb 18, 2014#88

WasabiPoptart

bhamv3 said:
What happens if someone falls from the top of the 30 foot stairwell thing? It does happen from time to time, right?

They get some ibuprofen from medical with orders to drink plenty of fluids.

Feb 18, 2014#89

Sparhawk

...or an all expenses paid vacation in the infirmary.

Feb 18, 2014#90

strawman

WasabiPoptart said:
They get some ibuprofen from medical with orders to drink plenty of fluids.

Wow, they give out ibuprofen for that now?

Spoiled brats.

Feb 18, 2014#91

WasabiPoptart

stienman said:
Wow, they give out ibuprofen for that now?

Spoiled brats.

Sometimes you get told to quit being a baby. At least that's what happens when my husband complains about his back during PT despite having records to show he has 2 herniated disks and an impinged nerve. His legs gave out last week while he was PTing because running jars the nerve and gives him pretty awful shooting pains. His PT Coordinator told him he was faking it and to get up. The guy later told my husband he might want to look into gluten intolerance and Celiac disease being the cause of his problems. Awesome.

Feb 18, 2014#92

sixpackshaker

...or he could have bounced down a ladder. That should be in his file, right?

Feb 18, 2014#93

WasabiPoptart

sixpackshaker said:
...or he could have bounced down a ladder. That should be in his file, right?

It is, but the people in his current command act like they don't bother to look at his file. They tell him to stop acting like he's hurt. It's a joke.

Mar 13, 2014#94

Dave

Okay, back from Georgia and the trip rocked. Not the 16 hour drive that I did straight through, but the rest was cool.

We did stay at a Hampton Inn (no, I didn't get any help from O_C. I had to book it before he could help) and it was the cleanest and friendliest hotel I've stayed at since I was at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, but seeing as that one is 4-5 stars and $300+ a night, I'd hope it was good!

One thing that messed with us is that the hotel is in Phenix City, AL but the base - right across the river - is Columbus, GA. Why did this mess with us? Check out the time zones. Phenix City is central and Columbus is Eastern. Add in the fact that we had to set the clocks ahead on Saturday night and just knowing what time it was proved to be a bit of a hassle. Luckily, everything in Phenix City is shown as Eastern time, probably because all the media - radio, TV, etc. - is located in Columbus.

We got there on Thursday at about 3 PM local time, which was perfectly timed with check-in and went right to our room. I'd have liked to have rested a bit, but considering none of us had eaten in a number of hours, we decided to go find food. Which turned out to be our first "holy shit" moment. Food in Georgia is unusually expensive. Not sure if it was due to the base being nearby or what, but food was pricey, which would factor in later.

Sated, we finally went back to the room and I went to bed. The next day we went to Benning and attended the ceremony where they passed from basic training to his individual job training, which will include such things as firing the .50 cal and spending time in tank simulators and then in tanks themselves. Which all just sounds kick-ass.

He did look happy to see us!

Of course, he really wanted to just rest a bit. So we let him.

Here he got in a picture with Sammi.

Okay, here's where the expensive food thing comes in. This boy used to be like a squirrel. He'd come upstairs, grab a few things and then scurry back to his room. Now, though, the man EATS! And by eats I mean holy shit does he pack it away.

Before:

After:

That, by the way, is a 1.5 pound hamburger with onion rings, pulled pork, cole slaw, and a side. And he absolutely destroyed it. I'm sure he's working it off now, but holy crap. When he comes home in April we're going to have to take out a small loan to buy groceries!

We took him back Sunday at 7 and instead of going back to the hotel we just took off for home. We got back on Monday and we all still had Tuesday off so we weren't dead or dying and all in all the trip was a success.

Now we get to do it all again in about 6 weeks.

Mar 13, 2014#95

Sparhawk

Dave said:
Food in Georgia is unusually expensive. Not sure if it was due to the base being nearby or what, but food was pricey, which would factor in later.

I think this is just from the location in proximity to the base. I know in San Antonio the restaurants will be a little pricier near the bases than they are on the north side of town.

Mar 13, 2014#96

Officer_Charon

The food thing will only last a couple days after he gets back. After I got off the Island, we stopped at a Dennys. I got two Grand Slam meals, extra side of bacon, oatmeal on the side. I finished that, the rest of my girlfriend's plate, the rest of my sisters, and my brother just slid his over, saying "I'm just gonna do this now, before I lose an arm."

Once he stabilises after being on Boot camp rations, he'll even out.

Sorry again about that, Dave... I feel really shitty that I wasn't able to to help, especially after I got your hopes up.

Mar 13, 2014#97

Dave

It wasn't your fault. I had to book it sooner than you could help. It's all good!

Mar 13, 2014#98

Officer_Charon

Still feel shitty about it. Will do better next time!

Mar 13, 2014#99

ThatNickGuy

Officer_Charon said:
Still feel shitty about it. Will do better next time!

There won't be a next time.

You're fired.

Mar 13, 2014#100

Ravenpoe

ThatNickGuy said:
There won't be an next time.

You're fired.

ThatNickGuy said:
There won't be an next time.

ThatNickGuy said:
an next time.

You're fired.

Mar 13, 2014#101

ThatNickGuy

Ravenpoe said:
You're fired.

I don't know what you're talking about. There's no misspelling.

YOU, sir, are fired.

Mar 13, 2014#102

grub

We're a team here. If you can't act as a team you're all fired.

Mar 13, 2014#103

Emrys

Mes enfants, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

Mar 15, 2014#104

PatrThom

Emrys said:
Mes enfants, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

Oh thank goodness.

--Patrick

Mar 20, 2014#105

Chad Sexington

Emrys said:
Mes enfants, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

I put a sign up in the office that says that.

I'm a great boss.

Mar 20, 2014#106

Emrys

When my minion left, I asked her if it was because I wasn't beating her enough.

She confirmed that wasn't the case and that I was beating her just enough.

Mar 22, 2014#107

PatrThom

Emrys said:
When my minion left, I asked her if it was because I wasn't beating her enough.
She confirmed that wasn't the case and that I was beating her just enough.

Hey, work/life balance is very important.

--Patrick

Apr 1, 2014#108

Dave

Been awhile since I've updated this thread. This is what he's doing this week.

Tanks 1

Tanks 2

Tanks 3

Apr 1, 2014#109

Ravenpoe

Tanks a lot.

Apr 1, 2014#110

Emrys

Apr 3, 2014#111

Dave

Well, Zach got his orders today. First duty station? It's not. He's being deployed to Korea. So now I have no idea how long he'll be gone or where he'll go when he comes back. I also don't know if he'll be able to come home or if he has to go right from Benning to Korea.

So answers but no answers.

Apr 3, 2014#112

AshburnerX

Dave said:
Well, Zach got his orders today. First duty station? It's not. He's being deployed to Korea. So now I have no idea how long he'll be gone or where he'll go when he comes back. I also don't know if he'll be able to come home or if he has to go right from Benning to Korea.

So answers but no answers.

That's not a terrible posting. He's getting to see a part of the world that most people don't, he's doing it on someone else's dime, and it's pretty safe. Really, all he needs to do stay out of trouble and he shouldn't have any problems.

Make sure you encourage him to go out and get some culture if he can. This is kind of a once in a lifetime deal.

Apr 3, 2014#113

Sparhawk

Usually leave is allowed before overseas deployment, even if you don't "have" the leave to take.

Apr 3, 2014#114

Dave

AshburnerX said:
That's not a terrible posting. He's getting to see a part of the world that most people don't, he's doing it on someone else's dime, and it's pretty safe. Really, all he needs to do stay out of trouble and he shouldn't have any problems.

Make sure you encourage him to go out and get some culture if he can. This is kind of a once in a lifetime deal.

That's what we told him. He sounds excited. He wanted either there or Germany.

Apr 3, 2014#115

Ravenpoe

Oh man, I would love to visit South Korea. I bet he's pretty stoked!

Apr 3, 2014#116

AshburnerX

Dave said:
That's what we told him. He sounds excited. He wanted either there or Germany.

Germany, Korea, and Okinawa are generally the cushiest postings you can get, assuming you can control yourself in public. He really lucked out and must have impressed someone, somewhere for that to have happened.

Apr 4, 2014#117

DarkAudit

Sparhawk said:
Usually leave is allowed before overseas deployment, even if you don't "have" the leave to take.

That bit me is the ass once. I had gone on leave in between C-school and my next duty station and gone in the hole on leave. Then my original 4-year hitch expired and the extension kicked in. Since I was in the hole on leave, and my original enlistment was over, the Navy took the overage out of my paycheck... all at once. It took months and the efforts of multiple PO1s and chiefs on my behalf to get it straightened out.

Long story short, they wouldn't let me stay in the hole on leave, so I had to still pay it back, but not all at once. But I was now even on leave instead of way in the hole.

Apr 4, 2014#118

Officer_Charon

Tell him he's got a great chance to explore, have fun, learn a foreign language etc..... IF HE CAN STAY SOBER AND OUT OF TROUBLE.

Biggest thing that hems up young enlisted overseas is stuff like that. Fighting is sort of expected. But don't get tore up and get locked up.

Apr 4, 2014#119

AshburnerX

Officer_Charon said:
Tell him he's got a great chance to explore, have fun, learn a foreign language etc..... IF HE CAN STAY SOBER AND OUT OF TROUBLE.

Biggest thing that hems up young enlisted overseas is stuff like that. Fighting is sort of expected. But don't get tore up and get locked up.

Especially in Korea or Okinawa. Sailors are constantly being accused of killing or raping the locals and it's not always unfounded. Regardless, it's a sure way to kill your career.

Apr 4, 2014#120

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
Tell him he's got a great chance to explore, have fun, learn a foreign language etc..... IF HE CAN STAY SOBER AND OUT OF TROUBLE.

Biggest thing that hems up young enlisted overseas is stuff like that. Fighting is sort of expected. But don't get tore up and get locked up.

Zach doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or even drink caffeine. He's really quite boring that way.

Apr 4, 2014#121

ThatNickGuy

Dave said:
Zach doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or even drink caffeine. He's really quite boring that way.

Really? He'll be a commanding officer in six weeks, then.

Apr 4, 2014#122

Officer_Charon

Dave said:
Zach doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or even drink caffeine. He's really quite boring that way.

He will, and you know it, even if it's just because he's in a foreign country, and "why not?"

So long as he's moderate, he'll be okay... just a bit of friendly advice from another Jarhead.

Apr 4, 2014#123

Dave

You say that but he's not the following type when it comes to that. He's going to be the guy who sits in his room playing video games and watching movies. He's going to HAAAAAAAATE the two-man rooms, I guarantee it.

Apr 4, 2014#124

Shakey

Dave said:
Zach doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or even drink caffeine. He's really quite boring that way.

Neither does my brother in laws brother. He just ended up with two failed marriages to women who wanted a free pass to the US and a couple of kids he hardly sees.

Apr 5, 2014#125

Officer_Charon

Sounds like he'll do okay, then... except for the sharing room thing... better get used to that... I don't think he'd rate a one-man tent until he's an E-5 or better...

Apr 5, 2014#126

Docseverin

I had a blast in S. Korea, if he doesn't get leave enroute then he will get mid tour leave while in Korea. It's typically a 12 month tour unless he extends for money under the AIP.

Apr 5, 2014#127

Dave

Docseverin said:
I had a blast in S. Korea, if he doesn't get leave enroute then he will get mid tour leave while in Korea. It's typically a 12 month tour unless he extends for money under the AIP.

Doc! Good to see you!

And we found out he'll get about a week with us. His leave is two weeks, but he'll only really get one as the other will be traveling to Korea and getting set up.

Apr 5, 2014#128

PatrThom

Dave said:
You say that but he's not the following type when it comes to that. He's going to be the guy who sits in his room playing video games and watching movies. He's going to HAAAAAAAATE the two-man rooms, I guarantee it.

He'll love the Internet there.

--Patrick

Apr 8, 2014#129

CrimsonSoul

I think Zach still needs work on his wall climbing, @Dave

Apr 8, 2014#130

Ravenpoe

Trust the equipment... famous last words.

Apr 8, 2014#131

Tinwhistler

Ravenpoe said:
Trust the equipment... famous last words.

When I was in the navy, we used Red Devil blowers for ventilation when painting and the like. They were certified explosion-proof until they had been serviced/fixed by navy personnel. Once they had been serviced, they were painted a different color. During training, the instructor asked us "So, if it's red, does that mean it's explosion proof?" and a number of sailors said yes.

"FALSE," he says. "Because sailors have touched it. I wouldn't stand near one of those things if you paid me."

Apr 25, 2014#132

Dave

Well, we're back. rolled in this morning about 4:30 am after a 17 hour drive and immediately hit the rack. My body decided that it needed to be up at normal time, so I got out of bed at 7 like usual. I'll probably crash this afternoon.

Graduation rocked and Zach slept nearly all the way home as he hadn't had too much sleep the previous days. He also ate at almost every stop. Dude packs away the food now. He will be here a week or so and then ships out to Korea, where he will be designated as infantry replacement. That means he'll do a lot of field exercises and get used to walking a lot of long distances. Feel for the guy, but we also found out this is not a deployment, but his actual duty station, which is a big difference in designation.

I'll probably type more when I'm more awake. You should see the typos I'm making and then correcting. It's incredible.

Apr 25, 2014#133

Docseverin

Yeah, Korea isn't even considered a hardship tour anymore. He is going to have a good time as long as he gets out and travels when he gets passes!

Apr 25, 2014#134

Officer_Charon

Doc, do they still do heavy restrictions on the junior enlisted over there, do you know?

Apr 25, 2014#135

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
Doc, do they still do heavy restrictions on the junior enlisted over there, do you know?

Usually they have to have a battle buddy - especially if one of them is going to drink. Also, if you miss curfew, you will be fucked royally.

Apr 25, 2014#136

WasabiPoptart

Hopefully whomever he is paired up with won't be an asshole. My husband has been stuck with some terrible liberty buddies. He wants to go explore a new place and they just want to sit in the first bar they find.

Apr 25, 2014#137

CrimsonSoul

Dave said:
Usually they have to have a battle buddy - especially if one of them is going to drink. Also, if you miss curfew, you will be fucked royally.

TELL ME WHEN TO DRINK MY BEER BATTLE BUDDY!

Apr 25, 2014#138

Dave

I'M NOT YOUR BUDDY, PAL!

Apr 25, 2014#139

Zappit

South Korea? As long as he likes Starcraft, he'll be juuuuuuust fine.

Apr 25, 2014#140

Docseverin

They enforce the curfew pretty heavily it's an Article 15/NJP for missing it. Also up in area one they have to have passess to leave their base from what I can remember. I was in Seoul so I partied like an animal!

Apr 26, 2014#141

AshburnerX

Zappit said:
South Korea? As long as he likes Starcraft, he'll be juuuuuuust fine.

Not even SK likes Starcraft anymore. It's all League of Legends now.

Apr 26, 2014#142

ThatNickGuy

Docseverin said:
They enforce the curfew pretty heavily it's an Article 15/NJP for missing it. Also up in area one they have to have passess to leave their base from what I can remember. I was in Seoul so I partied like an animal!

Does that make you a...Seoul Man?

Apr 26, 2014#143

Emrys

Thank you, @ThatNickGuy. Now that song is stuck in my head.

Apr 28, 2014#144

sixpackshaker

Emrys said:
Thank you, @ThatNickGuy. Now that song is stuck in my head.

...and in my head it is being sung by a tone deaf Asian.

Apr 29, 2014#145

Dave

Adding a picture to show something cool from the graduation. They have awards for outstanding performance. High tank crew is the crew (out of about 30) who scored the most hits - 21 of 21 - in the fastest time.

Apr 29, 2014#146

CrimsonSoul

Huh.. I really don't think he should be high while he's operating a tank..

Apr 29, 2014#147

sixpackshaker

CrimsonSoul said:
Huh.. I really don't think he should be high while he's operating a tank..

At least he's safe...

Apr 29, 2014#148

Dave

Dude....it like...went boom & stuff. -heh- Boom.

Apr 29, 2014#149

PatrThom

Did...did they misspell his name? Or did you opt for the nonconventional spelling in the first place?

--Patrick

Apr 30, 2014#150

Dave

PatrThom said:
Did...did they misspell his name? Or did you opt for the nonconventional spelling in the first place?

--Patrick

Interesting story there. When he was born it was "Zachary". I met his mom when Zach was about 1 and I adopted him. During the adoption procedure, they did a typo on his name to "Zachery". We didn't catch it so it became his legal name. We could have changed it back, but it would have cost us a bunch of money that we didn't have. So Zachery it stayed.

Unless you were talking about "Nihsen", in which case it's perfectly correct.

May 6, 2014#151

Dave

Well, he's in North Carolina right now, waiting to get on his flight to Atlanta. Tomorrow he flies to Korea. He won't get there until Thursday (Seoul time).

Kerri isn't holding up well, but we had a good week with him and I think he was ready to go. Gonna be a long year, man.

May 6, 2014#152

Covar

Is he at Pope or RDU?

May 6, 2014#153

Dave

Charlotte/Douglas.

May 7, 2014#154

Dave

Well, we are now officially empty-nesters. It is weird and cool at the same time. The house is really quiet.

But I'm never wearing pants again.

May 7, 2014#155

ThatNickGuy

I originally tagged that as a hug until I read you weren't wearing pants.

May 7, 2014#156

Dave

Zach flies to Korea today (into tomorrow). The flight path is interesting. He starts in Georgia, goes North through Canada and then through Alaska, Russia, and China. I guess it makes sense, but it still surprised me.

May 7, 2014#157

Bones

Dave said:
Zach flies to Korea today (into tomorrow). The flight path is interesting. He starts in Georgia, goes North through Canada and then through Alaska, Russia, and China. I guess it makes sense, but it still surprised me.

the earth is a spheroid, shortest route is an arc.

May 7, 2014#158

AshburnerX

Dave said:
Zach flies to Korea today (into tomorrow). The flight path is interesting. He starts in Georgia, goes North through Canada and then through Alaska, Russia, and China. I guess it makes sense, but it still surprised me.

Part of that is because they have to avoid North Korea. That explains the stopover in China and not Japan. Part of that is also that everyone is currently scared to death of flying over huge stretches of water at the moment.

May 7, 2014#159

Dave

Bones said:
the earth is a spheroid, shortest route is an arc.

I know. And I did know this. But seeing it on a map just looks odd.

May 7, 2014#160

Bones

Dave said:
I know. And I did know this. But seeing it on a map just looks odd.

Sorry it wasnt meant to be so curt. I meant it only as a matter of fact statement. I have seen it blow many minds.

May 7, 2014#161

WasabiPoptart

Yeah it always throws me off when my husband has to fly back from some place unpleasant. Last time it was backwards from what I expected, going through Europe and the eastern US rather than continuing on from Asia.

May 7, 2014#162

Dave

Now that he's in the air and I don't have to worry about OPSEC...

http://www.flightradar24.com/KAL36/347d9c1

May 16, 2014#163

Dave

Zach just got to his new unit - 2nd Infantry Division. My wife asked me what they do in the infantry and I said, "When they are not fighting, they are training to be fighting."

May 16, 2014#164

PatrThom

Dave said:
I know. And I did know this. But seeing it on a map just looks odd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great-circle_navigation

--Patrick

May 16, 2014#165

Dave

You miss the part where I said I already know this?

May 16, 2014#166

PatrThom

Dave said:
You miss the part where I said I already know this?

--Patrick

May 24, 2014#167

redthirtyone

Dave said:
Now that he's in the air and I don't have to worry about OPSEC...

http://www.flightradar24.com/KAL36/347d9c1

Might I just add that this is one of my favorite sites. I'm an ATC enthusiast, & kinda would've liked to become a controller. But up until recently, controllers were all from the military, no private sector openings. Now they're having to dip into the private sector because all the controllers are hitting retirement, but I'm considered too old now to start. :oops:

Also of note - if you're up around 0430 ET, you can watch the flurry of UPS & FedEx planes depart from Louisville & Memphis respectively.

May 24, 2014#168

CrimsonSoul

redthirtyone said:
Might I just add that this is one of my favorite sites. I'm an ATC enthusiast, & kinda would've liked to become a controller. But up until recently, controllers were all from the military, no private sector openings. Now they're having to dip into the private sector because all the controllers are hitting retirement, but I'm considered too old now to start.

Also of note - if you're up around 0430 ET, you can watch the flurry of UPS & FedEx planes depart from Louisville & Memphis respectively.

I have an irl buddy that's an atc in Hawaii he's been doing that for like 5 years or so

Nov 5, 2014#169

Dave

Kind of a bump. Tonight at their time (Thursday, which it is there already), Zach gets to go on what's called the "Manchu Mile". This ruck march commemorates a forced march the Army took back in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. It's a 25 mile march in full gear with packs and weapon through hilly terrain. He'll get the next several days off to recuperate, but holy shit. I don't think I ever did anything close to that in the Marines.

Nov 6, 2014#170

fade

Dave said:
You miss the part where I said I already know this?

Patrthom links a lot of things I would consider common knowledge. I just consider it his officially licensed Halforums personality quirk.

Nov 6, 2014#171

Dave

Just got word on Facebook that he made it. Actually what his post was said:

"My feet frackin hurt."

And that was all he wrote.

Nov 6, 2014#172

Emrys

Hugs to Zach!

But I ain't huggin' his feet.

Nov 8, 2014#173

PatrThom

fade said:
Patrthom links a lot of things I would consider common knowledge. I just consider it his officially licensed Halforums personality quirk.

I will often link to things that people might know but not know it's already known, y'know?
Like the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, for instance.

I've been burnt many times by the "Everybody knows about that" when really everybody didn't, so I'm doing something about it. It goes with the "Guerrilla Tutor" moniker.

--Patrick

Dec 6, 2014#174

Dave

Sammi's birthday is tomorrow. 21!!

Zach sent her a picture from Korea. Selfie in a tank!!

Dec 6, 2014#175

Bones

Dave said:
Sammi's birthday is tomorrow. 21!!

Zach sent her a picture from Korea. Selfie in a tank!!

View attachment 16844

the resemblance is uncanny!

Dec 10, 2014#176

Dave

The reason he was able to take the selfie in the tank is because they were in the field for training, including live fire exercises and combat situations. Zach's tank scored 927 out of a possible 1000, winning 9 out of 10 engagements. This gave them the highest score in the 2nd AD, 1st Armored Brigade and the designation "distinguished". Boy can't drive a Toyota, but he's the best tank driver in his brigade.

If you remember, he also got the best driver award in basic, so it's not a fluke. I think he finally found what he's good at. I just hope he likes it enough to stay in.

Mar 22, 2015#177

Dave

Zach just came back out of the field again and while they didn't get top tank this time, Zach won an award for being the #1 driver in the battalion. And since there are only 4 tank battalions in South Korea, that means he's one of the top four in the country.

Mar 22, 2015#178

Officer_Charon

By the time he pins on his Sham Shield, dude's gonna have more chest cabbage than Audie Murphy.

Mar 22, 2015#179

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
By the time he pins on his Sham Shield, dude's gonna have more chest cabbage than Audie Murphy.

If he stays in. He talked about staying in ten years and getting out. I told him that he'd already have been through half then and retirement rocks. We'll see.

Mar 22, 2015#180

Officer_Charon

Dave said:
If he stays in. He talked about staying in ten years and getting out. I told him that he'd already have been through half then and retirement rocks. We'll see.

Tell him from someone who got out that I regret it EVERY DAMNED DAY. Stay in, make that retirement check. Be like this one guy on my watch - both he and his wife had 20+ in the Army, both are now working FOR FUN. The running joke is that he has a new car every month, which is not stretching it too much.

Mar 22, 2015#181

HCGLNS

Worked with a guy, retired at 39 after 20 yrs service. Full pension, then immediately hired back as a consultant to the position he just left at double pay.

Mar 22, 2015#182

WasabiPoptart

@AussieT is retiring in July.

Apr 2, 2015#183

Dave

Zach got his orders and will be coming home in early May (7th - 9th) and will then have to report to Fort Bliss by June 10. He'll be home for both Mother's Day and his 24th birthday. Yay!

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