M2

I use the standard media tags--(media)(/media) but with brackets instead of parentheses--but the post still only shows the URL and doesn't embed the video into the post. What gives?!?

That's kind of a personal question now, isn't it?!?

Fucking ridiculous. It's an adaptation of the Pager Pal, which was a huge piece of shit. It won't allow you to draw in many situations, and is remarkably tough to sit down wearing one. Plus, you have to keep your belt so loose for it to work that your pants won't stay up. Then you end up looking like some loser gang-banger wannabe! And the chance that your pistol goes flying through the air while you're trying to draw it is quite good! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ywu6rIXXy4 Save yourself from ass pain and get a real holster, not that gimmicky crap.

Trust me, I am hoping and praying this becomes a reality; but the reality is we could be in for a very long wait until we see any of these...

Short version: Don't get too excited about this. You won't see CMP selling 1911s anytime soon. The plan was to sell 10K a year for ten years; but many speculate it may not even happen. Here's why... Also, unfortunately the word "may" is prevalent in 1911 portion of the Act (starting on pg 288)... https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1356/BILLS-114s1356enr.pdf Still, go to CMP's website and sign up for their newsletter. If anything on this does happen, that is probably where you'll hear about it (officially) first...

Another one of the same chick...

Starts out OK, but like many things in life, it gets weird once the ketchup shows up...

https://dps.texas.gov/RSD/CHL/faqs/ And where it used to be a CHL (concealed handgun license), it recently chance to a LTC (license to carry) as on 1 Jan 16 OC'ing will be allowed for those with those licenses (CHL/LTC).

I am curious as to where you got that number of handgun manufacturers (250), as according to the ATF, there is over 10K 07 FFLs (Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices) in the country. Granted, a vast majority of those probably produce rifles (especially ARs); but I know a few 07 FFLs and they mainly focus on customer weaponry so it's not surprising that they aren't well known outside of Texas. Essentially, there are two types of manufacturers...the high production ones like the companies you mentioned (Glock, Springfield, SIG, etc.) and there's smaller, much lower production custom builders (Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, etc.) and then there's the really low-number builders (<100 firearms a year) that are better known regionally than nationwide. When it comes to custom guns, it all depends on how good the shooter is. I honestly believe most people really couldn't tell the difference between a Springfield, Kimber or STI 1911s in a blind shooting test (and no, I don't mind shooting the blind!). Maybe between a $400 Rock Island model versus a Heirloom Precision that costs several thousand dollars; but I am simply not that great of a shooter to need a Springfield Leatham Legend (but I'd sure like to have one!). So, to sum up, it reality it is not that tough to get a 07 FFL; but to obtain the skills and equipment to make custom-quality handguns could be a very costly endeavor. You can buy 80% 1911 frames without going through an FFL (The Sportsman's Guide has 'em) and you can legally finish the build as long as it's for personal use (you couldn't sell it without the ATF getting irritated). There are plenty of companies out there that specialize in certain guns, Bond Arms only makes derringers; so it's not as uncommon as you think. Cheers! M2

Fucking A! Way to go, Dyess! Lackland, it's time to get your head out your ass and follow suit!

Depending on what your long term goals are, the 14N career field could offer more opportunity than 18X in my opinion...but read this and decide for yourself... https://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/04/21/drone-pilot-compensation/25837209/

Feck!

An update. Having recently been to CLDJ, I can attest that it is hot, dusty and smells. Was suppose to be in a KBR CLU but that got nixed so had to stay in a 3-man CLU with a shitter/shower down the way. Had to buy some cheap flip-flops for the shower; should've brought some (or an old pair of Crocs) but didn't think it was necessary. It is. Still, it's all not bad once I got the Internet hooked up (a somewhat laborious process). Be sure to bring an Ethernet cable with you and a WiFi router if you want to run any other devices off the Internet. I got the 512K connection which wasn't too slow, but during the rare rainstorms the connection has as tendency to go out; but at least I could watch videos. I didn't think the DFAC ("Galley" in Squidology) was that great but you can pick up two bottles of Gatorade when you eat there so that's a plus. There is free WiFi across the camp at the Subway, Green Bean, 11 North, etc. but you have to get an account set up to use it. Again, the process is a bit of a pain in the ass; but if you don't have connectivity in your CLU it's about the next best thing. If you're going to be TDY bring towels and if you're picky about bed linens those as well; they will issue some of each to you but keep in mind they've been well used over the years (if you know what I mean). If you're lucky you'll have a CLU to yourself; but my first night had some dude opening the door at 0130. Luckily, he thought there was an empty one nearby and he never showed up again. There is a Pizza Hut Express in 11 North, and the aforementioned Subway but remember where you are so don't expect it to be like Subways in the States. If you are going to eat at the DFAC then you may have to purchase a meal card, which can be done across the street. Look for the double-stack CLU and go to the door underneath the stairs. The CLUmart (small shoppette) is sparsely stocked and the NEX is pretty well picked over for high demand items, so if you think there is something you'll really need then bring it with you. Oddly enough, while they have Oasis water and energy drinks, none of the NEX stores had Gatorade. There was at least one water buffalo (a place to fill up bottles) in CLUville that I saw, so I just used the water bottle and used the Mio flavor bottles I take everywhere when I travel. The "Tactical Shop" has a small selection of tacticool shit but nothing you can't buy at any Clothing Sales stores in the US. Oh, and the NEX has a small selection of Chinese-made African souvenirs and of course, a fair selection of Djibouti t-shirts. Gotta say my heart goes out to those who spend 6-9 months or more here; I am sure it is easier when you're young but at my age such austere conditions are not as fun as they used to be. Still, they do try to make it bearable, they have lots of entertainment set up and ways to kill the boredom. Feel free to ask any questions... Cheers! M2

To be fair, it has been ten years....

Decade-bump! Was recently in Stuttgart, things haven't changed...

Must be you, I can see it... Chris Christie Makes Emotional Plea To Rethink Drug Addiction Treatment

Has anyone seen 'Rock the Kasbah' yet? I thought the trailers looked good, but I just read this and along with an IMDB rating of 5.1 stars out of 10 I am beginning to think I will wait for a future trans-oceanic flight to see this one...

To discus!

Maybe this will help...

Whoa! Check out that burrito selection!

In local WTF news...

Gotta be careful out there these days, guys; it's not just Thailand where you run across these...