Boxhead

Beats me, back in the good ol days of being a LE troop, we wore blues every day unless it was a weekend or holiday. The security guys always wore BDus though. The shift in uniforms came along woth the merger of the career field...it was explained to me once...can't say I care anymore!

You don't have to take one cent from Uncle Sam to finish the program. However, Uncle Sam does not have to commission you just becasue you did it, either. And, if (when) they offer you one, you do not have to accept it...you can take the completed ROTC "check mark" and go to any Reserve or Guard Base all ready to go. That usually does not happen though. IF you really want OSI...my suggestion is to pursue it on the civilian side...the officers usually only work the cool stuff for a few years, then they are riding the desk. (grosse generalizations there) Purely techniqe though.

Finance Guy...any truth to this? > Another great benefit for serving our country. > > ALCON, THIS IS GREAT NEWS you can use and share with others! This is HUGE...but only IF you request it. > > Subject: Social Security for Vets > > Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service prior to January 2002 and planning for retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this: You qualify for a higher social security payment because of your military service, for active duty any time from 1940 through 2001 (the program was done away with in January 2002). > > Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement. > > You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office - and you must ask for this benefit to receive it! Soc Sec website: > > http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm > > This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security down the road. It is NOT just for retirees, BUT anyone who has served on active duty prior to January 2002. > > FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must ask for it!

This would be just too cool, I guess in theory, you can already have your steaks grilling up while you are headed to the picnic! BBQ Scooter

Here is the skinny from the hetero...sorry Hydro....side of the two in question: (I kid, I kid, Rainman fans don't get all upset) So there ya go.

Well, he'll get his 15 mins of fame for being an idiot.

This is total BS, I totally thought this was going to be a thread about hooking up with more than one chick.

Why not? I say give it to em...just add them to the list of folks that should not get that money....like everyone there who deploys to that location and goes no where else.

The nightly karaoke there always brings some ladies that are dying to show off Actually, the most fiscally responsible way to drink here is Fat Tuesdays. Go get the 32oz 190 Octane w/ an extra shot and get the take home plastic jug...then the refill is cheaper, anyway, for about 22 bucks, I guarantee you will be enjoying Vegas the way it was meant to after the second drink.

Line of Sight, pretty much nothing...although I would say it responds like a plane much larger than it is....for you glider guys out there, the guys that have flown both say it is very similar. Satellite control is slower, but not intolerable. I don't think so as long as this answer is satifactory...

Yeah, if you are at the Launch and recovery site, the radio is from the control station on the ground, when you are using the satellite, you use the radio on the plane...it works surprisingly well. the only time you "beat up the pattern" is at the Launch & recovery class...but at the LRE I averaged about 5-6 events a day, and in effect, I was just doing the departure/approach stuff. I have done overheads, straight-ins, what could only be described as a "random" approach, pretty much any old way to get 'er down. (I have not talked them into letting me try a shallow abeam, but I always try) I still think NVG assaults were tougher overall, but the Pred is WAY easier to over-control. That is where more guys screw the pooch. Which always amuses me, as we are not certed for IFR flight, nor able to really do VFR...but we have to kinda do both, it is a complex list of waivers and Letter of Agreements...

Because the 432 "AEW" has their heads up their....I mean the 432 "AEW" has some unique policies and procedures. I can not even begin to describe how confused I am at the decisions that they make. I gave up trying long ago, I try to focus on getting the 3rd finally and totally split away from them. It is a dream I have....

Maybe they will let them stay there to man the new UAV schoolhouse that will be standing up there shortly! (Only joking on the first half of that statement)

Yeah, wisdom..."I did what I thought was right, now I will stay to make sure I didn't kill him" I don't think it was luck, I think it was the push...hence the ensueing legal issues See above Ohhhh....that kinda manly talk may get the pro-gay crowd from the other thread all hot...I'd be carefull. FWIW, I agree with you Joe, if you are going to do what is morally right, but things go a little wrong, just hang out and deal with it, it only strengthens your side of the story, well I think anyway.

Jesus man, what will be left for this forum to talk aobut if everyone can't second guess and monday morning quarterback? My bet is they were making out on final and planning on their next CT sortie to CA to get gay-married. On a more serious note, glad they are OK!

Any other traditions that you choose to disregard and just do it your way instead? It's always good to share!

One of my best buds from college is an IP at Rucker, I have never heard anything bad...ever. Just do me a favor, please don't be that guy who convinces the IPs in primary to trade a T-44 to another base becasue you want a Helo so bad...then get a DUI and just leave the class with an extra helo. Somewhere, there was a dude who really wanted one and did not get it, and in our class was a dude that did not want them and got it. Granted, he ended up loving it, but that is hardly the point! Good luck in getting what you want!

This is my next CCW weapon....I have a Glock 23 that I love, but I fired one of these the other day and holy crap it was awesome. Plus, I dig the old school revolver look. Perfect for CCW becasue it has a small frame and lots 'o power. Plus the option of buckshot out of a pistol for bad guys or regular shot for nastly little snakes etc when I am camping...I just really like it.

Standard AF answer to that: it depends. Some of them love it, some hate it, some are indifferent. And many, like anybody, seem to love it more when there is cool stuff happening and seem to wane a bit if there is some boring times. You know how when you are not doing AR and the autopilot is flying the bird, how the crew just moitors stuff and BS's and life is generaly boring?....well that is exactly how things work here too. Then, something will make it exciting and fun. One main difference I suppose is when you have to poo you can hop out of the GCS and use a real bathroom. That's kinda got me spoiled now.

There is a little letter your ROTC Det gave Big Blue that has a whole bunch of information on there, one of those nuggets of info is your commissioning code. If that is wrong, Big Blue will never know, and no matter how many pieces of paper you show them it will not matter. That initial code needs to be right. I have no idea what those codes are, just passing what I was told when I got my stuff (back in 2000, so may be outdated info)

They control the payload ball, fire the lasers, sparkle targets, run most of the checklists, and at the LRE act basicly like a co-pilot (eg, backing up the guy flying).

Really? I got the Bellville Green ones issued, and granted, I don't wear them to much at work, but they are comfy and I hike with them on all the time. Mine are holding up great. Oh Well. I guess I am lucky!

lol, I know lots of folks that have not got that message. :) seperate note: This last go, I made it all the way to my tent in theater with no one so much as questioning the fact I was in civies. It was great. I went with the George Kastanza "just look busy and no one will bother you" techniqe.

There is, but beware, the nice cluds are often run my Russian mafia...in general they are more than happy to have you there as you will spend more in one night than their usual customers make in a month, but remember not to piss of the "family". There are two (well more than that really) very disticnt cultures over there. There are the Asians, and then there are the Europeans. They all have cool accents though. The Russians are a clean cut at the next guy, it you roll over there all shaggy, you will fit in if you go out into the counry, but in Bishkek, not so much...not totally out of place, but not the nrom either. Just go be a polite American and you will be fine and have a blast!