M2

Holy shit, his sleeves are rolled up and he has his sunglasses hanging around his neck! The shoeclerks would shit themselves if they saw this pic! Doesn't he know what a warrior is suppose to look like?!?! I have a pic with the SecDef and Gen Eric Shinseki (COMSFOR at the time) with a handlebar mustache from ten years ago...one of the best pics I have in uniform! Cheers! M2

SMSgt Kost needs to apply a little professionalism to himself, he hasn't updated his entry in the global as it shows him still at Osan! Plus, his office symbol in Korea was DPM, which means he's a personnel specialist. I think the guy that complained about the door gunner that was pictured in Airman a few years back who was not clean-shaven was also a personnel specialist. I guess they don't know what a 15+ hour duty day is like, or being deployed... Cheers! M2

FUBAR = Ops normal in a lot of places! As for the morale patch, they aren't authorized because morale isn't authorized! Doesn't stop our former CSAF from wearing his! And as to why she can wear one, she's a Reservist. They've got their own rules! Cheers! M2

In the May/June issue of Airman magazine (pg 13), Capt Malinda Hammond, a Reservist with the 136 AW currently assigned to the 455 AEW, is pictured in a sanitized flightsuit with only a US flag and small 'FUBAR' morale patch on! (this is the scanned pic from the magazine) Now the question is, did she know she had it on or was she the victim of some shenanigans? By the way, in the online version of that pic, the morale patch was Photoshopped out! Also, it really shows the professionalism of the USAF/PA in that the "current" issue of Airman on their official web site is from March/April, and it is mid-July! And before anyone screams about my publishing her name, the Airman article not only did that, but added her unit, hometown, deployed unit and location, as well as pretty much her whole life story! All of it was on their web version of the article as well... Cheers! M2

I haven't shot one, but the PT1911 seems popular. Try M1911.org or XD Talk M1911 Forum for some good info. I am surprised that you find a 1911 "gigantic" but the M9 comfortable, for most it is the opposite. For a 9mm, the Beretta is huge. I love the ergos of the 1911, but still prefer the XD due to its lighter weight and increased capacity. I could never stand the M9... Cheers! M2

That beats the local shops that wanted over a grand for a new one that already has a few small fine scratches in it; but are you sure they are the Target version with the adjustable sights? There is a Combat model (PX9154LP) that has fixed sights that is a little cheaper... And what kind of shape is the used one in? Any idea of how many rounds have been through it? Any wear marks on it? These usually are not carry guns, mostly range or display guns, so there shouldn't be any holster marks on them... Cheers! M2

By the way, if anyone comes across one of these at a decent price, let me know... It's a Springfield Armory Loaded Target in black stainless (model PX9152L), and I can't find one for under a grand at local shops... There is a gun show this coming weekend in San Antonio, but I went to one two weeks ago and didn't find one. Maybe my luck will be better during this show... Cheers! M2

I went to the range with a couple of buds yesterday and got a chance to shoot a HK USP45 and a Glock 21 (I’ve shoot the Glock before but it’s been a while). I liked the HK but for the price I would rather have a nice 1911. The Glock was also nice but compared to my XD45 the grip was much larger. The cant differences in the grip wasn’t as noticeable as I thought (the XD is more 1911-like); buy the diameter difference was very noticeable! My buds shot both my XD and SA GI 1911 and were very impressed. I tout the XD every chance I get as I think it is the best handgun to carry. I love 1911s but the single-stack limits the capacity (but greatly improves the grip, nice and narrow and easy to control) and I prefer polymer weapons for carrying. But as shooters they are excellent guns, and I hope to own several during my lifetime. But you can’t beat the ergonomics, capacity and performance of the XD45! Springfield (well, the Croatians actually) got this one right! Cheers! M2

From AFA...

That's a bet you are gonna lose... Cheers! M2

L Unit Outstanding! Thanks! Cheers! M2

Need a little help. A bud of mine was just commissioned in the Navy Reserve. There was a Simpsons episode where Homer joined the Navy Reserve that had a great commercial that went "Daybreak, Jakarta. The proud men and women of the Navy are protecting America's interests overseas, but you're in Lubbock, Texas hosing down a statue, because your in the Naval Reserve. Once you complete basic training, you only work one weekend a month, and most of that time your drunk of your ass. The Naval Reserve: America's 17th line of defense, between the Mississippi National Guard, and the American League of Women Voters." I am trying to find a video clip of the commercial from that episode to send to him, does anyone have it? Cheers! M2

I am partial to Springfields, I have a parkerized GI... Which pretty much is their entry-level 1911, but I am looking to find a Loaded Target in black stainless... A good source of info is the XD Talk M1911 forum. There are many quality 1911s out there, a bud of mine just picked up a 4" Rock Island which, for being made in the Philippines, is quite nice. But a word of caution, 1911s are very addicting! Cheers! M2

And once again, God Bless Texas! Cheers! M2

12-13 July at the Alzafar Shrine Temple (901 N Loop 1604 West) Sat 9am - 6pm and Sun 9am - 5pm Let me know if you are going, I will probably go early on Saturday morning... You might also want to check Gun Deals.com for some good buys on ammo... Cheers! M2

So far the XDM has only been made in a .40; I've handled one and honestly there isn't enough there to make me give up my XD-45 Service for one, even if it came out in a .45 ACP. Go out and get yourself an XD-9 if you want one, it is a great gun! Cheers! M2

Attaboy! Trust me, you made the right choice. Nothing against the .22; but why practice with a round that isn't going to be what you want if you ever need it for self defense? The .45 is as American as John Wayne, and was the caliber that won the Second World War... And the good thing is that you can now buy a 1911 and justify it as you will already have .45 ACP ammo! Cheers! M2

Get the XD. I saw them at the SAXET show this morning at the Freeman Coliseum for $460. Damn good price, and a better choice than a .22 pistol if you ask me. If you want to try shooting one, let me know. I normally shoot at the Bullethole, just outside of 1604 on 90 west. If you are up at Randolph it is a bit of a drive, but the offer is there... Cheers! M2

Flare I wouldn't be working towards one of their degrees if I didn't have absolute confidence that it is recognized and worth the trouble. As I stated, I already have a masters and only started a second with AMU as the program interested me and is applicable to the job I now do as a contractor. Several of the people I work with (also contractors) have undergrad degrees from AMU and/or are working on a grad degree from them. And they must be recognized as I received an invitation to join an international honor society based on my "academic excellence." Don't misconstrue the fact that it is an on-line program with it being easy, it is not. There is a lot of reading to do and the workload is considerable. Sure, it is not the same as going fulltime and in-residence, but no distance education is going to match that; but for an online program it is widely recognized within the DoD as it is geared towards military personnel. As a matter of fact, it was started by a former Marine instructor out of Quantico in 1991. AMU is also academically unusual in that it is both regionally and nationally accredited. Regional accreditation is granted by Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association; amnd their national accreditation is through Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Plus, if you have ever priced classes at the University of Pheonix, AMU becomes even more attractive! So, to sum it all up, obviously I have no qualms about pursing a degree from AMU! Hope that helps! Cheers! M2

Just announced on 17 June, see link at the end of the article for more info: As for the five -53s, miracles do happen! I guess the pic was taken from a -53, though; as I only count four... A five-ship formation of MH-53 Pave Low helicopters flies June 12 over the Gulf of Mexico. The aircraft are assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Emily Moore) Still a sweet pic! Cheers! M2

Daniel Have you tried the AFROTC web site? There is a detachment locator on there, or you can email them directly at: AFROTC1@maxwell.af.mil You could also try this guy: Regional Director of Admissions Capt Keith Linenberger University of North Texas Phone #: 9405652075 Fax #: 9405654269 Email address: klinenberger@unt.edu I did a brief scan of the General Requirements for Admission and did not see anything that specifically prohibited your applying; but I did find this... So the bottom line is that although it isn't looking good, I couldn't find where it is explicitly prohibited. But don't let that stop you from asking, as you could be the first! And let us know what you find out, and be sure if whoever you talk to tells you 'no' that they provide you with the regulation (a.k.a. Air Force Instruction) to include paragraph number, that says that. I'm curious as to what you'll find out. Lastly, don't be dejected if you find out you can't go the AFROTC route. As stated, you can always apply for OTS once you have your degree! Best of luck to ya! Cheers! M2

More...

Back on track... Cheers! M2

Seriously, if it is going to be this complicated, then maybe you should examine other alternatives. You wouldn't be the first Jew to serve in the USAF and probably not the last; but it appears you have conflicts and to be honest, I see a rocky road ahead of you. Even if you go intel or into Cyber Command, there will always be a possibility that you could be alone with a female in an "intimate" location. For example, you are on a mid-shift watch, and that happens, what are you going to do? Leave? Fuck that! And yes, you will be subject to foul language like the kind I just used. Are you going to complain because other people swear? And where does that end? Are you going to complain because other people drink? Trust me, you will be a lonely person if you do. It is OK not to swear or drink yourselves, but when you try to impose your beliefs on others, you will only ostracize yourself. The only rules and regulations you are expect to enforce are those of the USAF. Inasmuch as I applaud anyone's desire to serve their country, that doesn't overshadow the fact that it means fitting into an environment that may not suit your personal needs. When that ass clown Clinton invoked the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on DoD, most weren't happy. But he had to appease the gays and let them serve. Not don’t misconstrue that to mean I am homophobic, I am not and actually have a very good friend who is gay. But he is not in the military, and even he understands why that policy is wrong. My bottom line is that when you join the military, you are joining an institution whose needs come before yours. We all make sacrifices, and we all accept that. If you are not absolutely, 100% sure you will be able to do that, then maybe you are on the wrong career path. Now would be a very good time to make sure… Cheers! M2