M2

Speaking of which, it appears she grew an extra chin and goatee! And, all joking aside, I wonder if this is some of Obama's extended family? They sat not too far behind him.... Cheers! M2

Those aren't Ninjas, that's The Beatles! Or U-2 ripping-off of The Beatles!

Even the Cheeseheads were "representing," and look how close he was to the President! Cheers! M2

Yeah, I found either Sasquatch or a Ninja! Cheers! M2

Maybe you can spot them here! Cheers! M2

And yet another great reason why to get rid of base decals on vehicles. I wish the other services would wake up to the logic behind that decision, as anytime we try to go to Ft Sam or Camp Bullis here we have to get a temporary pass. As long as the vehicle has a current registration and inspection sticker on the windshield, and the driver has a military ID card, what is the need for the decal? OK, I will admit that when I was a snot-nosed teenager and had a bunch of my snot-nosed buds in the car with me, we would sometimes drive onto the Navy bases near where we lived just to watch the Marine gate guards salute us in my souped-up Pinto hatchback! I knew the Marines would snap our necks like pencils if they could, but we knew they couldn't so that made it even more fun! My wife never liked being saluted, and after we got married she asked what she should do in response. I told her to just thank the guard and wave if she wanted, but since she was not the officer she shouldn't salute back. Luckily, she never tried to wear my rank (not like there was a lot of rank to wear!), but we met plenty of spouses who tried to! But we also met a lot of spouses who made it a point to let us know they did not wear their husband's or wife's rank, but those were people who had more class than the others in the first place. The customs and courtesies of rank belong to the person who earned it, and if you want to extend it to their spouses that is your decision, not theirs. Just my two cents, as usual. Cheers! M2

Sad to see that things haven't changed. When I started AFROTC almost 25 years ago, we freshmen cadets were given a lecture on the "current" inventory by the Air Force major we had as an instructor. He briefed that we were still flying the F-105 (yes, the Thud) despite the fact that it had been retired for over a year. I kindly pointed that out to him, and he seemed dumbstruck that a freshman cadet could know something he didn't (I had just finished my four years of enlisted active duty); but to his credit he did research it and announced at the next class that it was true. Granted, this had been prior to Al Gore inventing the Internet for all of us to view porn or play fantasy football; but still they should've known better... Cheers! M2

Don't think you're immune from UAVs or any other of the "impacts' being laid upon the Air Force just because you are going Guard, that's far from the truth; but for the time being, the sure bet is on the Viper slot. You'd be a fool not to take it! Cheers! M2

Nole, can you straighten your boy out here? He's making it too easy to make fun of FSU, even for a Gator! The first thing you can do is teach him to spell 'airframe!' (not 'aiframe') Lastly, have him read the following and learn...it remains the best advice anyone has ever given on selecting an airframe! Cheers! M2

Got tasked to go to WalMart again and the last two boxes of .45 ACP looked lonely so I grabbed 'em! The lady said it was a smart move, as they got a letter basically saying not to ask about ammo as it will show up when it shows up. No more ordering or even asking when they might be getting any; as it is going to be sporadic at best. However, she added that this particular WalMart has a pretty good track record of getting ammo in and to keep checking back. I've got nearly 2500 rounds, and I am going to cut back on the amount of shooting I do when it's just standing and putting holes in paper. I'm going to save it for IDPA or other events where it is a better training experience. Cheers! M2

Sent out by my company's security manager today, thought I would share as it has lots of good info in it...it is from State, but many of the rules apply within the DoD as well... Cheers! M2

I'll second that, I've bought a few things from these guys and they are always great to deal with... Cheers! M2

Well, had to run to WalMart for something, and found seven 100 round boxes of Winchester White Box on the shelf. Now there are two... Oddly enough, it was about the only thing they had in stock. All the other calibers were either empty, or only had a box or two at most on the shelf. That makes my cache up to two thousand rounds stashed and a couple of hundred rounds to shoot. That's .45 ACP; but I've got about the same amount of 7.62x39 hidden away, just in case. Cheers! M2

Guys, we have a celebrity among us (FUBAR); and you are blabbing about military cops? FUBAR, you need to sell autograph pics! Would be a great squadron fundraiser! Cheers! M2

That's a shame, MARDON used to be great to work with. I hate to hear they've tanked since... Cheers! M2

Yeah, my oldest son and I were up at Cabela's in Buda on Saturday and you couldn't even get near the gun counter! Literally, there were lines three deep of people looking at pistols (the hunting rifle side was almost as bad!). We finally made our way up to the counter, and they did have some decent sale prices still (an XD45 Service for $515); but not enough to warrant the mob. We were at a gun show earlier in the day and it wasn’t as bad; but it was a small show and not that impressive. Still, I bought a .45ACP round key chain and the old gentleman selling them asked me what the date was on the bottom of the bullet. I told him there was no date, just the Federal marking; so he dug out a bag and rummaged through it for a minute and dug out another on that was a WWII-vintage Western Cartridge Company round! He asked me if I preferred that one and I was more than happy to swap for it! I know it is nothing rare or overly special, but given the choice I would rather carry a WWII .45ACP round on my key chain than a modern one. I am on the hunt for another 300 rounds of .45ACP this weekend, I will let you guys know if I am able to track some down! Cheers! M2

Yeah, pistol ammo has been mighty scarce around San Antonio as well. Went shooting with Hoss and Schokie last night and he said he couldn't find any .45 ACP anywhere. I've noticed the shelves have been pretty cleared out at WalMart, where I usually pick up three boxes of the the WWB 100 rounds whenever I get a chance. I've got about 1700 rounds stored atop of my gun safe. I still need more, much more... Cheers! M2

OK, this poor dude is probably more confused than before he asked his question; so I'll be kind and set him straight. Is it against a USAF reg to do so? Probably. Does it matter? No. Should you wear them? If you must. Will anyone notice? Likely, but just because no one has worn pants like that since 1972. Bottom line - If you have no other option to get a decent set of slacks, then go for it. It'll look a bit gay; but if there are no other choices than there really isn't much you can do now, is there? Hope that helps, and whatever you do, make sure no one takes your picture! Cheers! M2

Which only further proves that the Air Force wanted to cover the entire saga up! If she was as much of a "hero" as they claimed she had been, there would have been book deals and the like. I've heard some interesting info from sources which I cannot share (sorry 'bout that), but I have to say that my assessment is still that it was all a big deception campaign... Cheers! M2

Jerry (a.k.a. Cletus "Snowman" Snow) passed away on September 1, 2008. God bless 'em, he's running the line past those pearly gates now... Cheers! M2

If there is anything left to retire! The old Orions are falling apart as fast and as bad as some of the USAF's older inventory... Cheers! M2

Nice, but you gotta version without all those annoying black cubes?? Cheers! M2

Reminds me of... Cheers! M2

OPM = Office of Personnel Managment JPAS = Joint Personnel Adjudication System. "the Department of Defense (DoD) personnel security migration system for: - the virtual consolidation of the DoD Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs) - use by non-SCI security program managers and Special Security Officers - Special Access Program (SAP) program managers - DoD contractor Security officers (expected July 2002) JPAS will use a centralized database with centralized computer processing and application programs for standardized DoD personnel security processes. JPAS automates both core and CAF-unique functionality and provides "real-time" information regarding clearance, access and investigative status to authorized DoD security personnel and other interfacing organizations, such as Defense Security Service, Defense Manpower Data Center, Defense Civilian Personnel Management System, Office of Personnel Management, and Air Force Personnel Center. Telecommunications and automated information systems interface software will serve as the cornerstone for the CAFs virtual consolidation and ensure re-engineering of core personnel security and adjudication processes." PSI = Personnel Security Investigation, "an inquiry into an individual's loyalty, character, trustworthiness and reliability to ensure that he or she is eligible to access classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust." SSBI = Single Scoped Background Investigation, "a type of United States security clearance investigation required for Top Secret, SCI and Q access, and involves agents contacting employers, coworkers and other individuals. Standard elements include background checks involving checks of employment, education, organization affiliations, local agencies, where the subject has lived, worked, or gone to school, and interviews with persons who know the individual. The investigation may include a NACLC on the candidate’s spouse or cohabitant and any immediate family members who are U.S. citizens other than by birth or who are not U.S. citizens." (Wikipedia) Try reading this and/or this for more info. Cheers! M2

Beast is correct, it may require a little more info when you do your paperwork; but for the most part I've know lots of dudes whose wives were from other countries and they had TS/SCIs... You probably already know this, but just to state the obvious one more time...be absolutely, 100% thorough and forthright when completing your SF-86. The one thing I've seen to be a red flag more than anything is the background investigation finding something that wasn't listed on the form. It won't entirely kill your chances to get a clearance; but it will give them cause to greater scrutinize everything as if you failed/forget to mention one thing, it may be an indication that you failed/forgot to mention something else! It will also lengthen the process accordingly. But don't fear, it is not that tough to get and maintain a clearance; and it can be worth extra bucks when you transition to the civilian world! Cheers! M2