M2

SPO I'm sorry to hear that you may have to take emergency leave, but if that does happen the sooner you get the ball rolling the better. I hope you've kept your SRO/Flt CC informed of your situation, so they can be prepared to act if necessary. Also, as stated emergency leave is chargeable; but being on emergency leave status gets you priority on both military and some civilian flights, so if you need to get somewhere quickly, I would recommend using it. That is why the military has it. Go back and read the reg blurb I posted earlier in this thread, it will help you be prepared as well. Best of luck to you, and I hope everything works out. Cheers! M2

BF Thanks, I've been to Drury's on numerous occassions but I am not interested in getting a Glock whatsoever. My next purchase, which hopefully will happen at the next SAXET show if everything goes as planned, is one of these... And if the price is right, one of these as well.. After that, I am saving my money for a Saiga 12... Cheers! M2

BF You can also find XDs in that price range (~$500) or better at gun shows (I've seen XD-45ACP Service models for $480), which in my opinion is a better weapon; but kudos to Glock for having a military/LE program (and I think it extends to firemen as well). I've also heard good things about Bud's Gun Shop, but I have never bought from them myself (by the way, I fixed the URL for you, the one you used was hosed up). Cheers! M2

First, the "the Air Force hacked us" claim is BS. Don't drink the Koolaid here, more likely they took their web site down to add to the sensationalism of the story. Secondly, be wary of the "evidence" MCC is presenting. Honestly, who is to say they aren't making it all up? If they can't provide the source of the information, it is no more evidence than some of the speculation that occurred here. That said, I know Metzger is lying out her ass and that for some reason the Air Force is afraid to tell the truth. Why is beyond me, but anyone who thinks that her colonel daddy could put this all together has been watching too much TV! And I seriously doubt this "case" would ever make Nuremberg Trials ever look like small claims court. Don't tell me you're comparing the acts of one spoiled, whiny, psychotic little bitch with the prosecution of Hermann Göring and 23 other important captured leaders of Nazi Germany? Based on the mass media reaction, no one cares about this and that makes Big Blue very happy. They've got more important fish to fry, like trying to determine which uniforms need to be worn from Tuesday to Friday (Monday has beeen taken care of!). The truth is out there somewhere, and I would rather hear real facts than articles that stories on par with alien abductions! Cheers! M2

Well, everyone knows what a big fan of the XD I am; and if I had to recommend any handgun it would be the XD. I recently shot a Para-Ordnance PDA which is a DA .45 and I wasn't impressed. You'll want a shorter trigger pull. And the XD is about as reliable as a handgun can get. The early ones had a little rust problem, but SA sorted that a long time ago. And the XD has two safeties, the second one is on the trigger; and I prefer safeties that are easy to take off. I can grab the XD and shoot, no worries about thumbing something. Most will agree that shot placement is more important than caliber; but others (to include the FBI) say that when you do hit the target, you want to hit it with the biggest round you can to improve the odds of doing damage. I am a .45 man myself, and yes ammo is not cheap but I can get 100 rounds for $30 at WalMart ($23 on sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse) and it is more important to make good use of range time than it is to shoot a lot. I see too many people standing at the range, taking their time to align up their sites and aim before they shoot. No weak hand shooting, no quick acquisition of the target, nothing. Even better is to get in a practical shooting like I mentioned in my earlier post. Make the best of your range time versus shooting a lot. Other than getting used to a new gun, there is little merit to doing a lot of static shooting. And the recoil of a .45 is no worse to handle than any 9mm I have ever shot. Hell, my wife shoots my M1911 without a problem, so don’t worry about recoil. Bottom Line: If I could only own one gun, and my life depended on it, it would be a XD-45ACP. Cheers! M2

Chilton's Air Force, so you know he's gonna line up with his Service boss. Memo came out on 10 Sep, making it mandatory starting next Monday (15 Sep)... I'd post it here, but I've only got a .pdf version of it so if anyone knows how to insert that into a post please let me know. Still, everyone here was in blues/Class Bs/etc on Monday, 8 Sep; and pretty pissed off about it! Most guys haven't worn blues in years! Cheers! M2

I've got a 30GB Zune and it also rocks! The only thing I don't like about it is the desktop application is a bit sporatic; but otherwise I get great battery life and love the fact that I can download podcasts of 'Car Talk with Click and Clack' to it. I also have a huge playlist of acid jazz to relax to. Makes those long airline rides more bearable... Cheers! M2

Yeah, I used to get the same thing when I try to add a URL or something...it said 'This website is using a scripted window to ask you for information. If you trust this website, click here to allow scripted windows..." but it only allows me to temporarily allow scripted windows. To fix it, go to ‘Tools’ and ‘Internet Options,’ then under ‘Security’ select ‘Custom Level.’ I had to scroll down to where it said to allow for scripted windows to run. I am sure there is an option there for your problem as well... Cheers! M2

Yes, and be prepared to be as many states will not take the bill of sale for the vehicle but the actual book value to determine the tax rate! Your best bet is to buy the "tax free" (a misnomer, like "FreeCreditReport.com") when you first get overseas, then when you ship it home and register it, it is three years old and has decreased somewhat in value for tax purposes. Sorry to pee in your Wheaties, but that’s the gouge. Cheers! M2

But, as Toro and HD noted, you can get a one-year IDP from AAA for $15; or a three-year IDP from ADAC (German Auto Club) or elsewhere in Europe for €20-30 ($30-45). Why waste time and effort over there trying to get one, when you can get 'er done quicker and cheaper before you go? Cheers! M2

Loads of Army and Marines MF'ing the Air Force this morning at the STRATCOM organization where I work! Yep, everyone is being made to join in on the fun of wearing the same uniform on Mondays! So anyone at a similar Joint organization like STRATCOM can expect to be beat on severely because the CSAF wants to instill a 'warrior ethos' into the troops by wearing blues on Monday. It's been said, but I will say it again. If this is the most urgent decision a new CSAF has to make, then the Air Force must be in pretty good shape... Unfortunately, it is not. Cheers to you, guys! It is great being a retiree! M2

You can also use digital pictures, as long as they comply with State Department guidelines... Cheers! M2

Yep, they aren't necessarily required to have; but they can help you avoid a lot of asspain if the cops want to hassle you. If they can't intrepret your US driver's license, they can detain you until they find someone who can. It is just easier to spend the $15 at AAA and have one just in case. Plus, they make for a cool momento. However, you are also required to have two passport pictures to get one, so get the gouge here and take an hour to knock it out. Chances are you won't need it, but much like a parachute, if you do you'll be glad you have it! Cheers! M2

Luckily, some of us get to wear Dockers and knit shirts to work on Monday. Oh, and I don't have to shave either! Get your 20 in, and you too can laugh all you want at ridiculous policies such as this one! And, despite the anticipation, I think this proves we've got another CSAF whose priorities are FUBAR'd! How wearing blues establishes a "war-fighting ethos" is beyond my caveman mental capacities. If anyone can figure this out, please chare! Cheers! M2

Even better, always stick with Lt Col Doe or Capt Doe... And props to your CC for taking the initiative and taking you over to the OG. You have a long road ahead of you, but at least he is starting you out on the right foot! Cheers! M2

It's for their new suicide shooter gun.... Cheers! M2

They got NJP... Cheers! M2

Cap I believe you are right. I just tried searching on 'CFI' and got the following... And of course it should have picked up your post. However, I don't know what to do to fix this. If BaseOps doesn't come up on this thread, I'll let him know... Cheers! M2

For one, there is a big difference between renting a car and owning it! You only have to have a valid drivers license to rent a car (some agencies have age restrictions as well); and insurance is available if you're not already covered. But if you own a car, each state has different laws. As I stated, in Texas it only matters that your license and plates have to be issued from the same state. So my Florida DL and tags were OK, but I couldn't own a car with Texas tags and drive with my Florida drivers license. Renting one was not a problem. As mentioned in the International Drivers License thread, I go to Germany and rent cars with my Texas drivers license all the time. Trust me, if it were against the law, the Germans would be busting you for it! Cheers! M2

I'm with HD and Boom...until someone produces an official notification of said uniform policy, it is only a rumor. I also saw the revised mission statement, and am equally glad that the BS in the old one is gone. I hope this is the direction that the new CSAF is going, and that this 'blues on Monday' crap is myth. That said, I am not even going to work on Monday as it is a holiday and even us slimy contractors get the day off! Cheers! M2

Just to toss in a few quick thoughts, but having just registered a motorcycle that has been NMCM for the past for years; Texas does charge a $90 "tranfer tax" (or something along those lines). Also, if I am not mistaken, Texas law requires that your vehicle registration and drivers license be from the same state. So you can't get a Texas driver's license and keep your car registered in Florida, for example... And concealed carry licenses can be obtained from some states without even being a resident, so that's not a factor. Cheers! M2

Nope, the only problem he might run into is if he tries to go on a base somewhere. Otherwise, it is no different than someone shipping their car over there and driving around. Your US plates and licenses are good thanks to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968, Article 41. I think the reason most people get one that are stationed there is because the USAREUR license you get is in English and German. That said, it is probably a good idea to spend the money to have one. I don't, and drive in Europe all the time; but if you aren't used to it or speak the local lingo that it would be helpful if you're pulled over for any reason (and sometimes they do it just to check your registration, license and insurance). it may mean being detained until they can verify your credentials, which could take some time; but I was pulled over on a motorcycle just south of Brussels with expired Florida tags on it and gave the Gendarme my still valid Florida license. He actually only pulled me over because he was curious about the tag, but once he saw my Florida DL the topic changed over to motorcycles. You may also want to read this State Department web site on driving overseas. Just to note that I notice the State Department says that "many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses;" but I have not found this to be the case in Europe. However, it goes to state that IDP are "not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license." So, if these countries don't recognize your US license, why would they when it is accompanied by an IDP, which is only a translation of your license? Anyhow, bottom line is to get an IDP. The State Department web site has more info on how to obtain one... Cheers! M2

You really don't need an international driving permit (it's not a license, and there is a difference which I will get to in a second), but it is nice to have if you get pulled over and the police officer doesn't speak/read English. For one, your stateside license allows you to drive anywhere; and as I said, it technically isn't a driver's license but a translation of your drivers license in other languages. You will still need to carry your stateside license with you. The US Department of State authorizes the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) as the only entities in the US to issue IDPs. The AATA offers IDPs through the National Automobile Club (NAC). Other so-called IDPs are fraudulent and should be reported to proper authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Also be sure your insurance covers you in Europe. It probably does, but a quick call to confirm that is a good idea. And study up on the laws in the countries you are going to be driving in. Some are different that what you are used to... Since you are going to be in Europe, it would be a good idea to read the USAREUR Drivers Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany. Also, expect some asspain getting on bases, as your CAC has to be registered to get on base. Sometimes it doesn't cause a problem if it isn't; but sometimes it does. Have fun, but watch out on the autobahns! Check your mirrors twice before changing lanes, as those headlights coming up in the lefthand lane may be a Porsche at 250+ kph! Cheers! M2

He didn't say he was going to Cannon, just that he didn't want to burn and bridges and end up going there! Cheers! M2

Loss I strongly urge you to take up CH's offer...if you are ever looking to get a straight answer from anyone, he's the one to talk to! I strongly suspect you and he are both in the (somewhat) same community as well...so he can relate to your situation and best advise you on how to deal with it. Best of luck to ya! Cheers! M2