First Impressions

So I have been in Iraq for a about a week or so and it reminds me of the movie "Groundhog's Day" with Bill Murray.

I have read stories of many other military personnel with regards to their experiences in Iraq or Afghanistan and it seems they are all grunts, if you pardon the phrase. I am not. A grunt that is. I guess you would call me a "pogue", I like to think of me as a winger.

I work in an environment that is a cross between a very large CAX, part Futenma, and something about "Behind Enemy the Lines." I will explain:

CAX:
A quarterly exercise that happens in a desert. So if you looked at the map of the US it would be the center of the "O" in Mojave Desert. The airwing does the same job day in day out for 12 to 15 hours a day.

Futenma:
An airbase in Japan where there really no real entertainment and you need a vehicle to get to anywhere because of the vast stretches between one place to the other.

"Behind Enemy the Lines":
I picked this movie for the "hero" is wearing a flight suit, carrying a pistol, and is being shot at through the whole thing.

So I think that sums it up quite nicely.
I work 12 to 15 hours a day = long day(in fact I have no concept of what day it really is)
I have no vehicle = walk everywhere
On the base there is a gym = I don't need the gym because I have no vehicle
I wear something like a flight suit = a winger
I carry a pistol = Flak, plates, pistol, ammo, more ammo
Being shot = (I personally have not) Medivacs constantly, which in turn = give blood

Seeing Your Military Passengers

The TSA has put out a security directive pertaining to Military Passengers. According to Security Directive 1544-01-10w Access to Sterile concourse for non-traveling individuals.

"Military Passenger" Family Members may be given a pass
1. To escort the military passenger to the gate
2. To meet a military passenger's inbound arrival at the gate.

After talking to TSA for clarification the family member can go to the airline that the military member is flying on and receive a pass to go to the gate. You will be required to have a pass and a photo ID to get pass the security checkpoint.

This is especially a wonderful change for the military personnel who are on leave from Afghanistan or Iraq. It will be a better Welcome Home for you to get off the airplane and see your family at the gate and being able to stay with the family longer before having to leave.

Always check for a USO at the airport for a comfortable place to wait for your flight.

To Fly or Not to Fly

I volunteered to be "late" party to Iraq. No brainer there, huh? What seemed like a extra week in the states has turned into 2 weeks. Yea! I have come to realize is that there only so much prep one can do before leaving and the rest of the time is spent fucking off. Unfortunately, today I have spent most of it fucking off on the toilet, which plain sucks. The good thing is my bowels will be clean by the time I arrive.

I will try to enjoy my weekend fore I will be leaving via "birds" early next week. I will keep you all posted on my enema next time.

There is such truth in Nature.

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.
Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a
set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go
to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.
As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the
monkeys with cold water.

After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with
the same result - all the monkeys are sprayed with
cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to
climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to
prevent it.

Now, turn off the cold water. Remove one monkey from
the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey
sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his
surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack
him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that
if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and
replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the
stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes
part in the punishment with enthusiasm.

Again, replace a third original monkey with a new one.
The new one takes to the stairs and is attacked as
well. Two of the four monkeys that beat him have no
idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs,
or why they are participating in the beating of the
newest monkey.

After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys,
all the monkeys that have been sprayed with cold water
have been replaced. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again
approaches the stairs. Why not? Because as far as they
know that's the way it's always been around here.

And that's how Marine Corps policy begins...

Mystery Package

I have been dumbfounded the last week or two. I received a mystery package in the mail and do not know where or who it came from.

No, it wasn't a bomb or anything terrible.

It was wrapped in brown paper, with my name and rank, to my Post Office box, and had Merry Christmas written in the reply. Underneath was a gold wrapping paper with a Christmas "To/From" placard with only my first name. The postage was from Jacksonville, but this hasn't helped in looking to see who sent it. The item has come in great use and is unbelievably appreciated, but I would like to thank this person personally if possible.

I figure it must be someone I know, but unfortunately I know a lot of people. I also figure it is a girl, because of the writing. Plus, no man would send a gift like this.

Just want to say 'Thank You' and it is going with me to Iraq.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

I have included our rights since "Americans" continue to abuse these rights and do not appreciate the ones who ensure that we, Americans, continue to have them.
~
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Proper Honors to Colors

For years our method of rendering honors to colors while in civilian attire has not be in accordance with the U.S. Code, Title 36, the U.S. Navy Regulations, or our Marine Corps Flag Manual. These all called for placing the right hand over the heart, vice just standing at attention. Our new Drill and Ceremonies Order P5060.1 is now in compliance. MCRD Parris Island has already modified their lesson plans on this and San Diego is following suit. DI School will also make the appropriate change.


MCO P5060.1 Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual

Para 7003.2 - discussing rendering a salute to colors, "Persons not in uniform will stand at attention, face the flag and place the right hand over the heart. Gentlemen, if covered, remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, so that the right hand is over the heart."

MCO P10520.3b Marine Corps Flag Manual

In annex A - TITLE 36. PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

U.S. Navy Regulations 1990


para 1205.1 - discussing salute to the National Ensign, "Persons in civilian clothes shall comply with the roles and customs established for civilians."

para 1207.2 - discussing boarding a Naval vessel, "A member not in uniform shall render appropriate honors to the national ensign by facing the flag and standing at attention with the right hand over the heart. If covered, men shall remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

In the City

Good video, Check it out.

Merry Christmas! (The non PC version.)

As we enter into the holiday season, let us all reflect on the blessings all have given. I think about the single Marines, partially because I am one of them. When I think about past holiday seasons, I remember somberly of the days and nights of a many Christmas' that I have endured in the barracks or on duty. While many have families or did get the opportunity go "home," many will be spending their time in a 14 foot by 18 foot room with a roommate in the same predicament.

There will be some SNCOs and Officers attempting to spread the holiday cheer, but most think of this as an intrusion. The problem is most of those who do show up, only do so from suggestions from their "bosses." Don't get me wrong, the thought is what counts and there are a few that appreciated it.

Some will be invited to someone's home and the individual will feel awkward and out of place. Some will find themselves in whatever bar may be open for the day. Some will only find their holiday meal at the chow hall. Some will only find comfort in whatever gaming system they own or are paying on.

The most important thing to do is at least tell your Marines that you appreciate what they do, without patronizing them. And invite them to some part of your holiday, even an hour of time make the biggest difference in the world.

Merry Christmas Marines, Sailors, airmen, soldiers, and guardsmen!

Ball 2006

I have some ball pictures up on the site. Some is still "under construction" though. Hopefully, in the next week or so, I will have up all the pictures.

I also, changed my guestbook again. I had some gliches that needed fixing and I took care that. And I am working on a newer version of XML for my images throughout the site. This just means that viewing will be easier for the J.Q. User out there.

I am trying to transfer this blog to the site in a way that really would be transparent to you all but will ensure its stability in the world wide web world that is in much chaos.

U.S. Troops Using Silly String to Detect Trip-Wired Bombs in Iraq

This was an article in Fox News yesterday, I thought I would share.

STRATFORD, N.J. — In an age of multimillion-dollar high-tech weapons systems, sometimes it's the simplest ideas that can save lives. Which is why a New Jersey mother is organizing a drive to send cans of Silly String to Iraq.

American troops use the stuff to detect trip wires around bombs, as Marcelle Shriver learned from her son, a soldier in Iraq.

Before entering a building, troops squirt the plastic goo, which can shoot strands about 10 to 12 feet, across the room. If it falls to the ground, no trip wires. If it hangs in the air, they know they have a problem. The wires are otherwise nearly invisible.

Now, 1,000 cans of the neon-colored plastic goop are packed into Shriver's one-car garage in this town outside Philadelphia, ready to be shipped to the Middle East thanks to two churches and a pilot who heard about the drive.

"If I turn on the TV and see a soldier with a can of this on his vest, that would make this all worth it," said Shriver, 57, an office manager.

The maker of the Silly String brand, Just for Kicks Inc. of Watertown, N.Y., has contacted the Shrivers about donating some. Other manufacturers make the stuff, too, and call their products "party string" or "crazy string."

"Everyone in the entire corporation is very pleased that we can be involved in something like this," said Rob Oram, Just for Kicks product marketing manager. He called the troops' use of Silly String innovative.

The military is reluctant to talk about the use of Silly String, saying that discussing specific tactics will tip off insurgents.

But Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said Army soldiers and Marines are not forbidden to come up with new ways to do their jobs, especially in Iraq's ever-evolving battlefield. And he said commanders are given money to buy nonstandard supplies as needed.

In other cases of battlefield improvisation in Iraq, U.S. soldiers have bolted scrap metal to Humvees in what has come to be known as "Hillybilly Armor." Medics use tampons to plug bullet holes in the wounded until they can be patched up.

Also, soldiers put condoms and rubber bands around their rifle muzzles to keep out sand. And troops have welded old bulletproof windshields to the tops of Humvees to give gunners extra protection. They have dubbed it "Pope's glass" — a reference to the barriers that protect the pontiff.

In an October call to his mother, Army Spc. Todd Shriver explained how his unit in the insurgent hotbed of Ramadi learned from Marines to use Silly String on patrol to detect boobytraps.

After sending some cans to her 28-year-old son, Shriver enlisted the help of two priests and posted notices in her church and its newsletter. From there, the effort took off, with money and Silly String flowing in. Parishioners have been dropping cans into donation baskets.
"There's so much that they can't do, and they're frustrated, but this is something they can do," said the Rev. Joseph Capella of St. Luke's Church in Stratford.

The Shrivers said they would not mind seeing the string as standard-issue equipment, but they don't blame the military for not supplying it.

"I don't think that they can think of everything," said Ronald Shriver, 59, a retired salesman. "They're taught to improvise, and this is something that they've thought of."

Marcelle Shriver said that since the string comes in an aerosol can, it is considered a hazardous material, meaning the Postal Service will not ship it by air. But a private pilot who heard about her campaign has agreed to fly the cans to Kuwait — most likely in January — where they will then be taken to Iraq.

Shriver said she will continue her campaign as long as her son is overseas and she has Silly String to send.

"I know that he's going come through this. I hope they all do," she said.

The Website

I have doing some upgrades to the site. To the average Joe Schmoe this will be transparent and not noticed. Most of it is java script and some other security features that prevent stupid people from stealing from me. I like to look at it as looking after my investment. All in all, we should be able to enjoy each others company as if we are in the same home now.

Salty Language

Salty Language

by Col James W. Hammond Jr., USMC (Ret)

In the (not so) old Corps, the first time a "boot" referred to a vertical partition as a "wall" or said that he had spilled something on the "floor," he incurred the unmitigated wrath of the nearest drill instructor. To gain the attention of the miscreant, the DI would smash his swagger stick on the top of the boot's pith helmet accompanied by a very loud bit of enduring advice, "That's 'bulkhead' [or 'deck']. If you draw the pay, you speak the language!

"Marines are "Soldiers of the Sea," and it is right and proper that conversation be sprinkled with nautical expressions. In "The Leatherneck," his introduction to "Fix Bayonets," the late Colonel John W. Thompson Jr., USMC (Ret) described the many men making up the 4th Marine Brigade about to see action at Belleau Wood in June 1918: "And there were also a number of diverse people who ran curiously to type, with drilled shoulders and a bone-deep sunburn, a tolerant scorn of nearly everything on earth. Theirspeech was flavored with Navy words, and words culled from all the folk who live on the seas and ports where our war-ships go." He was describing Marine professionals who, like all professionals, have a language peculiar unto themselves.

A language is a living and evolving thing. As we go to more strange and distant climes, some foreign words creep in. Some are transitory and don't survive. Marines still go to the "head" to "pump bilges," although there was a generation or two who went to the benjo for the same thing. I've always liked the story of the world-traveler Marine sitting in a bar in Athens who politely summoned the waiter and ordered a beer with "Garcon, iddy-wa, una botella de cerveza bitte."

But over the years I have detected not just a lessening of the use of nautical terms among the naval services, but almost a complete lack of them. This is more than 25 years ago when my son came home from the United States Naval Academy his Plebe Christmas. He had been raised on "deck," "bulkhead," "overhead," "ladder," "galley," etc. He called his Boy Scout equipment "782 gear," but he was no longer using those descriptive terms because they weren't in use at the Academy.

After he graduated, I spent a dozen years in Annapolis on the staff of the Alumni Association of my alma mater. I was appalled at the lubberly-ness of the staff, faculty and midshipmen at the Academy. Fortunately, the Marines on duty there kept the tradition of nautical language alive. It must be paying off because every year the allotted "boat spaces" for Marines on graduation are oversubscribed.

But I am not concerned with Navy per se, but rather our Corps of Marines. I equate it to the reply an old gunnery sergeant gave to the lady who upon hearing the legend that the quatrefoil on the cover of Marine Officers' frame caps stems from days of sail when Marines in the "fighting tops" could identify their officers on deck by the chalked cross on their caps and not fire on them, asked, "What about the Navy Officers?" "Who cared?" snapped the gunny."

Language is both spoken and written. "The Marines' Hymn" says, "We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines." There are Army officers and soldiers, Navy officers and sailors, Air Force officers and airmen, but we are all Marines. That is why Marine is always written with a capital "M."

We must be careful not to allow our own professional culture to be corrupted by the words of other services. The Army says 1600 (sixteen hundred) hours. We say 1600 (sixteen hundred). It is a small but subtle difference. Many years ago at a large East Coast Marine base, an over zealous "police sergeant" neatly painted on the "deck" in front of a regimental headquarters building: "NO PARKING AFTER 1600 HOURS." The commanding general, or "CG," came by and saw the offending sign. He dashed into headquarters, burst in the office of the commanding officer, or "CO," and began holding "school-of-the-boat" (the most basic instruction one can give to the landlubber) on the colonel.

He said, "In the Army, it's 1600 hours; in the Navy, it's 8 bells; in the Air Force, I think it is 'when Mickey's big hand is on 12 and hislittle hand is on 4,' but in the Corps, it is 1600. Get that abomination corrected immediately!"

Most Marines knew the motto of our Corps before they went to boot camp, or they probably wouldn't have gone. It is "semper fidelis" - always faithful. Shortened to "semper fi," it is a bond of respectful recognition between and among Marines. One Marine greets another with it. When they part company, each says to the other, "Semper fi." Informal memos or e-mails between Marines usually are signed "Semper fi" or just S/F. But there used to be a darker side. Used by Marines to members of the other services orcivilians, "Semper fi, Mac," said with a sneer, had a sinister connotation. It could mean anything from "I got mine; the hell with you!" to "I did fine; how did you do?" An old "China Hand" once told me that on payday night in Shanghai cabarets, it meant, "You buy the fifth; my girl is drunk already!" I much prefer the version denoting mutual respect among a "band of brothers" than the cynical version.

Some words and phrases have found their way into common American usage through the Marine Corps. Some are of foreign origin. "We have fought in every clime and place." Others were Marine-coined.

The best example of a Marine-coined word in widespread use is "gizmo." "Gung-ho" is of Chinese origin, via Col. Evans F. Carlson of the World War II Carlson's Raiders. Going back several campaigns, we find that "boondocks" comes from the Tagalog "bundok" or mountain jungles of the Philippines. "Honcho" came back from Korea and Japan.

Another word that is sacred to our Corps is "Doc" - the corpsman who wear our uniform, joins with and cares for us in combat. Many years ago I had a "Stateside" battalion during the time that doctors were drafted for two years of service. My battalion surgeon (billet title since he wasn't really a "cutter") came to me with a complaint. The young Marines were addressing him as "Doc." Since he was a professional man, he felt he deserved the respect of being addressed as "Doctor." I told him that evidently he was not ready to be addressed as "Doc" inasmuch as that is the highest honor that a Marine can bestow upon a "squid."

The language door swings both ways. We have allowed civilian language to corrupt our pure nautical expression. While a landlubber may refer to a ship as "it," a true "soldier of the sea" knows that a ship is a "she." Likewise, it is a real nautical bust, both orally and in writing, to precede the name of a ship with a definite article. A ship is a distinct personality, and referring to the Lexington is as improper as referring to me as the Hammond. She is Lexington. Many readers will argue that the definite article is used in professional naval publications, and I invite their attention to the fact that those journals have professional editors and writers, not naval professionals. Finally, one serves in not on a ship. If it is the latter, you are in deep trouble. To a precise reader or listener it conjures up the vision of your sitting on the keel of a capsized vessel.

How did this departure from salty language occur? I alluded to the traumatic change to the nautical nature of the Naval Academy, at least in my observation. Emphasis was more on turning out graduates who could go on for advanced degrees. "Techies" and their bastardization of English for computer talk followed. This was compounded by flooding the faculty with academics holding advanced degrees from campuses of the '60s. This sizeable group of civilians avoided being part of the naval culture.

Over the past quartercentury, the leadership of half the naval service has eroded much of the base of salty-language usage. If those at the top don't lead the way, it is a military axiom that those below won't follow.

But how did the decline of the use of salty language creep into our Corps? Drill instructors still drill into recruits the use of "deck,""bulkhead," "ladder," etc., although perhaps with a less emphatic way of getting their attention then in the (not so) old Corps.

For one thing, more Marines are married these days, and many live ashore among the civilian community. These Marines try to blend into the civilian community rather than flaunt their pride of being a Marine. Their use of salty language becomes one of the first casualties.

Even today it is a matter of pride to sport a regulation haircut, spit-shined shoes, proper civilian attire and, of course, salty language. Itis gratifying when some stranger at a cocktail party says, "You sound like you're a Marine."

Another reason for the decline of salty language is that many young Marines are "cool." Nautical talk is not cool, computer talk and jive talk are. Unlike the Navy with its many technicians, "every Marine is a rifleman" and has the privilege of displaying pride in the language of his profession. It is a privilege not available to others.

How can we restore this eroding tradition? Like everything else in the Corps, it begins at the top. Senior officers should use salty language at every opportunity and hold school-of-the-boat on their subordinates who don't. Top staff noncommissioned officers should do likewise.

Tradition is not something that can be ordered. It must have solid roots to survive. Marines should want to show that they are a different breed and be willing to demonstrate their uniqueness at every opportunity whether among other Marines or among civilians. That's what it is about personal pride in being a Marine.

More than 50 years ago, during the Cherry Blossom Pageant in Washington, DC, 10 junior officers from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps were detailed as escorts for princesses from 48 states and the territories of Alaska and Hawaii. Most of the Marines were strangers to each other.

At the end of the ceremonies a musical tribute to the gallant escorts of the lovely princesses was announced. The band struck up a medley of "The Caisson Song," "The Air Force Song," "Anchors Aweigh" and "Semper Paratus." At the first note of "The Marines' Hymn," 10 Marine lieutenants scattered among the audience were on their feet as 20 heels clicked as one. An officer from another service paid them a high compliment. In a stage whisper audible to all, he said, "Those s.o.b.s!" That's what it is all about - exhibiting your pride in your Corps every time you can.

About 30 years ago there was the tale of an old Sergeant Major who retired and had a nice job, although he was putting in long hours. He had another problem as well, or at least his boss and co-workers thought so. He still said "deck," "bulkhead," "overhead," etc. The boss made him an appointment with the company psychiatrist. The sergeant major arrived, and the doctor, who was of the Freudian school, directed him to lie on the couch.

Doctor: "Do you lead an active sex life?"
SgtMaj: "Sure!"
Doctor: "Tel me about it."
SgtMaj: " What do you want to know?"
Doctor: "Your last affair, when was it?"
SgtMaj: "About 1950?"
Doctor: "You call that active?"
SgtMaj: looking at his watch: "It's only 2115 now!"

Draw the pay; speak the language.
Semper fi.

Home (Expletive) Home

My home in which I live, is a lean-to (trailer) made for 1 maybe two Homo sapiens.
It has roaches and ants, in which, I can not figure why they are there, I have no food in my lean-to and I clean every Thursday.
I moved in about a month ago and will be moving out in about a month.
I must move out soon for my job will take me away from the "great" State of North Cackle Lackey.
I have a mattress and two folding chairs and recently brought in my microwave that I had bought from a pawn shop, all for a total value of about 300 dollars (the mattress is a "bed in a box" which was new).
My alarm clock was an argued over piece from my last divorce and unfortunately is about to die.
I have papers lining my floor, bills and payments on one side and job related crap on the other.
My military garb fills a corner and I have boxes not yet emptied to be filled again soon scattered throughout the lean-to.
The lean-to is relatively quiet except for when it rains because of the tin roof and my young neighbor wants me to learn his great music taste (I think he wants me to learn by kinetics, because it vibrates the lean-to, well).
There are holes in the walls and a breeze is present when the door is closed.
This is not me ranting and raving, this me just telling it how it is.

2006 Birthday Ball

I probably will not have the photos up on my site for quite some time, but I have link to view the "professional" photographer's website.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=0B6G0056
(Which should be a good link for at least a couple of weeks.)

I had a great time again this year. Next year I will be in utilities so that should be cheaper.

Free stuff (links) I would like to share

Please share this with your units and families. Thank you!

Free Stuff for Troops

http://www.operationhomelink.org/
- Free computers for spouses or parents of deployed soldier in ranks E1 - E5.

https://store.primediamags.com/soldier2/service_member_pg.html
- Free magazines, up to 3 choices, for deployers.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prweb106818.htm
- Free mail/gifts sent to children of deployed soldiers.

https://www.operationuplink.org/
- Free phone cards.

http://anysoldier.com/ForSoldiersOnly.cfm
- To sign up for sponsoring soldier care packages for theater.

http://wwwappreciateourtroops.org/forourtroops.shtml
- To have commander sign up for mugs for unit troops.

http://www.operationshoebox.com/
- Free shoebox care package.

http://www.treatthetroops.org/
- Free cookies.

http://bluestarmoms.org/airfare.html
- Lowest airfare available.

http://bluestarmoms.org/care.html
- Free care packages.

http://66.241.249.83/
- Free air conditioners/heaters.

http://www.heromiles.org/
- Free air travel for Emergency Leave, and for the family members of injured soldiers to travel to Medical facility.

http://www.bluestarmothers.org/airlinespecials.php
- Airline discounts for R & R.

http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/forum/index.php
- Free books, DVD's, CD's.

http://prayercentral.net/engage/militaryprayer/daily.php
- Daily prayer and scriptures.

http://www.militarymoms.net/sot.html
- Free care packages (your family member signs up to have sent to you).

http://operationmilitarypride.org/smsignup.html
- Free care packages.

http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/submit_a_soldier.php
- Get adopted to receive stuff.

https://www.treatsfortroops.com/registration/index.php
- Free gifts and care packages.

http://www.emilitary.org/forums/index.php?s=c200230df4b511793b37d9fa7072b056&showtopic=354&pid=664&st=0&#entry664
- Free bible, Christian video, and book for spouse/family members of deployed troop.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2004/n11232004_2004112312.html
- Free shipping/packing materials for shipping to troops.

The Fun of Repeating Duty Stations

I still am a fan of the East coast rather than the West, but after you been to one station twice or more, you tend to lose interest in the fun of exploring a "new" world.
Granted there has been many road improvements since I was here last, but the same drama that was here before is still here. Not much has changed.
This includes that everyone always hates their current duty station and the last was always the best.

FY 2006 APPROVED SELECTIONS TO STAFF SERGEANT

R 220729Z SEP 06FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)TO AL MARADMIN(UC)UNCLASSIFIED//MARADMIN 461/06MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/MCBUL 1400. FY 2006 APPROVED SELECTIONS TO STAFF SERGEANT//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/MMPR-2/11MAY2006//AMPN/REF A IS MCO P1400.32D, THE ENLISTED PROMOTION MANUAL.//
POC/J. A. MCLAUGHLIN/MAJ/HD MMPR-2/-/TEL:DSN 278-XXXX
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. APPOINTMENTS FOR MARINES LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 2WILL BE ISSUED TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE SELECTED GRADE IN THE ORDEROF SENIORITY. MONTHLY PROMOTIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY SEPARATEMARADMIN MESSAGES.
2. THE FOLLOWING SELECTEES WERE APPROVED ON 21 SEPTEMBER 2006.
(FOR PROPER ORDER READ LEFT TO RIGHT):

STAFF SERGEANT

NAME_______SSN/IMOS/SRNO/MCC
W_______ TB ___4/6434/ 115/1JH

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Let me tell you about TPS Reports, Part II

The military has a lot of paperwork. In fact, the government bought all these computers so now we can have more paperwork because it is so much easier than handwriting. ( If that last sentence made sense, you need my job.) I have a problem at the moment, I am currently living in a "temporary" room and awaiting for my paperwork to come back so I can move off base. Well, my "temporary" room comes with a roommate. I don't like roommates unless she smells good at least half the day. I rate to have my own space of 270 square feet. The room I am in is 150 square feet. Do you see a problem?

I am getting off track with this.

My paper work has been "lost" 4 times thus far. How does one lose 20 sheets a paper stapled to a bright blue folder and has all my "personal info" in?

There are other stipulations that I fall under, but what is the point of listing them here? The point is, I rate to live off base, give the extra pay I need to secure a home to rent.

(Yes, I am ranting. I just wish I could rant about something else at the moment.)

Jacksonville, North Carolina

The city has changed and not changed at the same time. There is this spaghetti of roadwork outside the bases that make the transition fun. Unfortunately, the only bars I frequented when I was here in the '90s were strip clubs. Well, now I am all strip club out and had to find a new hole in the wall.
I think I may have that bar. It is Rena J's. The crowd constantly changes and the bartenders all have one thing in common. I take that back, one of them is not as endowed as the others.

The base has done some improvement so I look forward to that. The command is like all others, it is a change from the last one. I met the Sgt Maj and he seems nice enough for me.

The big question in everyone's mind when I talk to them is the obvious one, promotion? The list comes out in a few weeks, then we can all talk about it.