M2

What do you think this is...Iron Eagle??? Cheers! M2

Escuse me while I call you out...just a few posts about the one you just made... You stated... So what was it, you only read the important stuff, or you didn't read any of it and just took the tests? Never mind, I already know the answer; but you've got 2 years to get your shit together. I would start now... Cheers! M2

I'll throw a dime on top of that, Cap-10 nailed it...STFU and take the online training. I know you cadets think you are smarter than the USAF, but even old retired shits like myself who don't even need it are taking the SERE CBT. Why? 'Cause you can never be too smart or too good looking! I know, I've tried both... And you can pat yourselves on the back for figuring ways to get around the training, but what is the real objective here? This isn't the CBT on human trafficking or some other useless subject, as Cap-10 said there is info that you either forgot or never retained in the first place. Take the time to go through this and see if you might make yourself a little smarter (or at least better looking!). Cheers! M2

Listen to Bluto, he's giving some good advice. For more info on the Dragon, go to the Tail of the Dragon web site. It even has a link to the Two Wheels Inn. Have fun; but be careful. The Dragon takes several motorcyclists every year. I see where it took its first on 28 April, a 'Busa rider from Maryland. And if you really want a motorcycle adventure, ride the Alps. Nothing comes close. Cheers! M2

For any and all of your NW carry questions: Concealed Carry.net NM page Cheers! M2

Just a few quick things to always remember... - School first, ROTC second. - The "education" goes far beyond the academics. It is a once-in-the-lifetime experience to go to college. Use the time well. - It all ends if you get bad grades, so unless you want to work at a grocery store for the rest of your life, find a good balance and maintain it. - Chill. Ain't no one shooting at you, so don't stress it. - Don't risk any unprotected sex. Sounds funny, but I've seen several dudes fall because they knocked some chick up. And it usually isn't 'Miss Right,' just 'Miss Right Now.' Paying alimony and child support down the road means you don't get to buy the Jeep you always wanted. Instead you'll end up with a Kia. - Cut your hair and wear decent clothes to the interview. A suit may be too much, even a tie is a little over the top but you can probably get away with it. Just dress nicely (no shorts or jeans, and a collared shirt), shave and have fresh breath. Be friendly and yourself, and don't BS or asskiss. Let them judge you on you, not someone you are not. - Finally, good luck, you can never have enough of it! Cheers! M2

For those who question the use of a shotgun for home defense, get one and go shoot it at 10-15 feet. It is not a blunderbuss, the pattern at that range is very contained, at most 6-8 inches. Plus, shotgun pellets are far less likely to overpenetrate the target like some smaller handgun ammo. Anyone interested in the "truth" behind ammo and penetration needs to visit the Box 'O Truth web site. Great stuff! And here is the section on shotguns...notice that at 12' the spread was only 3.5" with Remington 2 3/4", #4 Buck, 27 pellets. Smaller pellets than 00 Buck, but more of them (27 vs 18 from a 3" 00 Buck shell). And there is more great info on tests with other shotgun shells...and be sure to read the 'Lessons Learned' at the end. I seriously doubt you will engage someone at a distance greater that 10-15 feet, and if you are, then you need to consider an assault rifle like an AK-47 which only sets yourself up for all kinds of legal headaches as if the threat was that far away, why did you really need to engage it in the first place? My Mossberg is 18.5" long, the minimum allowed by law (sawed-off shotguns belong that length are illegal), and with the pistol grip I have the ability to move throughout the house and still keep it pointed in the right direction. Trust me, although I have never had to use it, I have trained and practiced with mine as you should do with any weapon you plan to use for home defense. And you want Buckshot, as Birdshot is not nearly as effective on a human target. And instead of overpenetration, you might want to worry more about underpenetration (no jokes, please) as given the situation you want to be sure that if the bad guy is hiding behind your couch, you can still "reach out and touch him." And before someone suggests one of those "snake guns" revolvers that shoot .410 shot, such as the Taurus Judge; they may be good for snakes and maybe pissing off a human assailant; but unless you are loading it with slugs, it really doesn't make for a good self-defense weapon. Plus, they are huge and not easily concealed. Cheers! M2

There is an old saying that for home defense, a handgun is only to get you to your shotgun! The best thing would be a combination of both, and decent ones can cost you as little as $850 for everything if you shop around. I keep all my handguns locked up in a location very close to where I sleep. I have a number pad combination safe that I can open within seconds even when half asleep (I've done it several times). It is very secure and I don't worry about leaving all my guns loaded in there. My main "go-to" gun is my Springfield Armory XD45ACP, 13+1 rounds and very reliable. One will probably run you about $500-550, but you'll have to shop around. I have a LaserMax "target illuminator" on it but that is an expensive luxury; but it is also my carry weapon so I want it to be highly functional. In the closet I keep a Mossberg Persuader 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 3" magnum 00 buckshot rounds. Mine is the pistol-gripped model, and I keep it with shells loaded in the tube but none in the chamber, and unlocked, on the top shelf of the closet. The wife and kids know where it is and keep away from it, and only the wife also knows how to operate it (load a shell and take the safety off). I have a 120-lumen SureFire 6P flashlight mounted on it to blind the hell outta whoever I am pointing it at. It is the criminals last warning before they get peppered, and if you haven't ever seen what a 3" magnum 00 Buckshot fires, it is 18 pellets that are almost a quarter-inch wide! Anyhow, the Mossy will cost you about $350-400 and again you might be able to find it cheaper if you try. Just some suggestions, hope they help! Cheers! M2

Just goes to show you that being a golden child is worth the trouble, even if that means being some freak long-distance runner. Had this been your average tac airlifter or someone who spent their career actually flying for the Air Force, and not involved in some stupid recruiting effort such as our “professional athletes” or Tops in Blue, their nuts would have been fried on the BBQ. Wave bye-bye to Jill, she was stupid and got away with it, despite everyone knowing the true story. But karma is a bitch, and I hope at least her hubby was smart enough to kick her ass to the curb. The Air Force sure as hell wasn’t… Cheers! M2

Stuck Yep, it was yours truly that mentioned Piece of Cake. I bought the book when it first came out, and I would highly recommend getting it if you can find a copy as it is probably Derek Robinson's best work. The miniseries was great but it left out a lot from the book. Still, you can't beat the flying scenes! Although not about flying, a similar miniseries titled Danger UXB about a bomb disposal officer in London during WWII and was done as well as the Piece of Cake series. It is on my list of DVD sets to buy... Cheers! M2 I thought the book was much better... Cheers! M2

Nothing wrong with being a bum! As for your question, call your safety office! Cheers! M2 You forgot one important point... 4.6.6. All other retirees, contractors, dependents, and civilians who operate a motorcycle while on an AF installation are encouraged, but not required, to attend an approved motorcycle rider safety course. Outstanding! Cheers! M2

Yeah, you're good. As long as you've taken any MSF course, you don't need to take it again on base. Well, except that I think some commands require you to retake it every two years. I remember when I took my first USAF motorcycle safety course back in June 1982 ("Motor Cycle Challenges Course VII, IAW AFR 50-24" I still have the training certificate, the old blue ones that have the moon, a satellite, a rocket and some kind of futuristic jet on it...anyone remember those?), we were told it was the only course we would have to take during our entire career. Well, that may have been true at the time; but it sure wasn't true years later as I had to take it several more times during my career. I haven't ridden to work for years, but I would suspect that with the base decal program gone, if you have all the proper gear on and show your ID, you most likely won't even be asked for a MSF card. Hell, I don't even know where mine is... Cheers! M2

Great story! I think this is the way it should be. We had a cool NCO at my AFROTC Det that ended up with most of ours, but I still think it should go to whoever gives you your first "operational" salute. Cheers! M2

Call a local motorcycle shop (not a Harley dealership) and ask about MSF courses. I think they run about $75 for the beginner or the experienced rider course. There is nothing the H-D course could teach that would be worth that money. I suspect a lot of the time is spent learning how to "polish your chrome" (STS)... Otherwise, I would keep trying the free on-base course. So you show up and it's full...all you lose is about a half hour of your time. But you'll never know until you try... And see if any other military installation near you has it. Cheers! M2

Again I ask...when did the USAF get helicopters?? Seriously, tell them you want to fly helicopters and they send you to see the nice man in the white coat. They will attach electrodes to your cranium and give you a couple of volts of the lightning and if you still want to fly them, they double the dose. Seriously, this is what helicopter flying is all about....

Yeah, as Mike pointed out, your VA permit is not recognized by MD, so you can't carry. Here is a map of the states that recognize your permit: Maryland isn't the most gun-friendly state, and note that WV, MI and FL don't recognize your non-resident permit either. I have the XD45ACP, as I love the .45 caliber, I consider it the consummate American round and it is nice to be able to use the same ammo with my 1911. Plus, with 13+1 capacity, it's sufficient for most SHTF situations. I don't always carry an extra magazine, as after 14 rounds if the situation hasn't ended I will be working towards my exit ("Gimme three steps, give me three steps towards the door"). It is idiotic to stand your ground and fight, you need to be off the 'x' and on the move! About the only time you do that is when you are defending your home, at which the XD is only to give me something to shoot until I can get to the bigger toys. As the old axiom goes, you can never have enough firepower or ammo! The XD does have the trigger safety, as well as the 1911-style grip safety. As discussed earlier, they are now available with a thumb safety but I think that is a little too much. I don't have the requirements that the military and law enforcement agencies have for a thumb safety, I want a weapon I can grab and fire. But the bottom line is you should get the gun you fire well. Caliber is not nearly as important as shot placement, and a well-placed 9mm will be better than a badly-placed .45 shot. But there was an FBI study titled 'Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness' that concluded: "Given desirable and reliable penetration, the only way to increase bullet effectiveness is to increase the severity of the wound by increasing the size of hole made by the bullet. Any bullet which will not penetrate through vital organs from less than optimal angles is not acceptable. Of those that will penetrate, the edge is always with the bigger bullet." It is a great report, you can easily find the full report by Googling the name. There may not be a huge difference in caliber sizes, as Hacker's chart shows; but even that little deviation between calibers can make the difference in between striking a vital organ and not. Plus, you greatly increase your chances by using JHPs, which I will only use in my carry weapon. Hope that helps! Cheers! M2

Box Ain't no way anyone would want to carry one of those as a CCW. Small frame? Compared to what? I considered one for when I am out hiking in my beloved Texas Hill Country, .410 revolvers make for good snake guns. But the reviews I read where not that impressive, and once I got the chance to hold one in person I knew it was just a novelty gun. Sure, I'd still like to have one, but my list of desired weaponry is long and distinguished. For concealed carry, there is no better option that the XD45ACP...easy to carry, 13+1 of .45ACP, and completely reliable. Cheers! M2

Yeah, it's called a paycheck. You got the education, now you need to pay whatever institutions were kind enough to lend you the money to get it. If you wanted a free education, you should've gotten a scholarship or gone to the Academy. That said, I think some states will forgive some or all of the loans they give if you serve a certain amount of time in a combat zone. You'll have to do some homework on that yourself; but otherwise, man up and pay your debts! Cheers! M2

OK, genius, tell me where I said "obsolete?" Your words, not mine. Plus, you can't seriously believe that there have been no disagreements with the principles on which the founding fathers set this nation in motion? Do some research...start with the Second Amendment, that should be fun! I'll make it easy on you, just watch this; then get back to me on how every American you have ever met has agreed with each and every view the founding fathers had. I'll be waiting... Cheers! M2

Y'know, I get the same feeling when someone puts a 200+ year old quote from one of the founding fathers! The threat we face today would have been unfathomable to them, and too much has changed to apply their philosophy blindly. Heck, if you go on their word, we should've had numerous revolutions since 1776, but that hasn't happened either. No one is advocating a surviellance free-for-all, but we have to be realistic about this. There have been some huge changes in the collection ROE since 9/11, and I was lucky enough to sit in on a brief given by the Director of NSA to the ACC staff at the time on what the new rules were. But I still think we need to come to the stark reality that if we allow these self-imposed restrictions to continue, the only people we are hindering is ourselves. It is an Archille's Heal and one terrorists are well aware of and will exploit. In as much as I hate to say it, the French "get it" and we don't. What will it take for us to clue in, another 9/11??? Cheers! M2

Understand that AFA is a lobby organization for the USAF, so they will naturally side with the Air Staff in a majority of instances. Not knocking AFA--I am a life member--but if Big Blue it touting doom and gloom, so will AFA's mountpiece, Air Force magazine. We've been in this boat numerous times before, and somehow we always survive. We may not end up with all the pointy-nosed jets we wanted, but there has to be a middle ground established between the excessive wants of the Air Force and the stingy givings of Congress. Somehow, the USAF will get by. It always has, and it always will. Worrying about it isn't going to change anything. Cheers! M2

The story, according to AFA... When will this injustice finally be righted? Cheers! M2

They should, there are more fucking Muslims in France then there are French! But as much as I hate to say it, maybe we can learn something from the French...we can start by pulling our heads out our asses when it comes to putting civil liberties blindly ahead of domestic security. It is not that I am against the former, it is just that no one seems to realize that if you are truly innocent, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to domestic surveillance targeting potential terrorists. I would gladly sacrifice a few of my personal liberties for the greater good of this country...I've already done that my entire adult life! Cheers! M2

And I wouldn't attribute it all to the weather claims, USAA made a bad move by trying to expand their market in opening up their services to the enlisted force. Now, before anyone tries to hand me my ass, I was prior enlisted and know firsthand the differences between the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks. Hell, I even had USAA when I was enlisted thanks to my father having been a member. Anyhow, there was a unexpected increase in claims after the customer requirements opened up and USAA wasn't about to absorb the costs themselves; so they did what every other insurance company does and passed it on to its customers. Then, of course, the hurricanes hit and they took an even bigger beating; but I live in San Antonio and USAA's headquarters here are proof that the company is still racking in the bucks. The company does have its benefits, but it is far from flawless... Cheers! M2

OK, since we posting pics of models in uniform, here is one that really gets me going... Cathy Rankin....yum. yum! Cheers! M2