Tacoma World Forums - Military http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard discussion en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:58:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Tacoma World Forums - Military http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum Vermont Fallen Heroes Memorial http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61819-vermont-fallen-heroes-memorial.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:48:51 GMT Today I went for a walk at work where the Vermont Fallen Heroes Memorial is. It was the first opportunity to actually see it in person since its... Today I went for a walk at work where the Vermont Fallen Heroes Memorial is. It was the first opportunity to actually see it in person since its dedication.
Here are some pics and its website. It certainly is humbling and makes me think how little my problems are today.
During my visit, the Air Guard's Green Mtn Boys were out & managed to get one of the jets in action.
I also took a couple pics of the static displays from the museum on post.

The website;
http://www.vermontremembers.com/

The pics:










]]> Military http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61819-vermont-fallen-heroes-memorial.html Air Force Award http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61776-air-force-award.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:02:17 GMT So the past few weeks my supervisors have been collecting information from me reguarding what i have done over the past 12 to 18 months. The only... So the past few weeks my supervisors have been collecting information from me reguarding what i have done over the past 12 to 18 months.

The only information about what award I am being put in for is that I was selected by my squadron and my package will go up to the base level and we see what happens from there.

Well I was given the task of making a rough draft of my Bio...

I dont know all the details yet.. all i know is i spent tonight tracking down all the information of almost everything i can find from what i have since i joined the Air Force and made my bio...

All i need now is some people to read it tell me what they think.. (it is a rough draft.. not all the data is complete you will notic XXXX in place of numbers.)


So if anyone could please read this and help me out..


and when I find out exactly what award i am recieving I will let you all know. ]]> Military 09AFTacoma http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61776-air-force-award.html might enlist in Marine Corps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61601-might-enlist-marine-corps.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:05:27 GMT So I'm a soph. in college and this past summer i went to a session of PLC (Platoon Leaders Course) for the Marine Corps. I never really thought about enlisting until then and had always planned to go the officer route. Now that I am back in school I am wondering if i really wanna be in college right now and am thinking that I want to go ahead and just enlist after this/next semester and go out and do something with my life. I know there is a lack of money compared to officer, but I wasnt doing it for the money in the first place so that is not really a big deal to me. Plus after meeting all my SI's i have so much respect for them and i want to be just like them. such bad asses and they all seemed really happy with their choice to enlist. plus if i enlist now i can use the GI bill and go back to college in a few years and finish up then go officer through OCS if i decide that is the route i wanna take. any opinions>? ]]> Military takern http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/61601-might-enlist-marine-corps.html <![CDATA[Overseas' Cell Phones]]> http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60999-overseas-cell-phones.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:28:37 GMT Does anyone know anything about cell phone services overseas. Im PCSin to Germany, and trying to look at Cell phones/Plans... but the only sites... Does anyone know anything about cell phone services overseas.

Im PCSin to Germany, and trying to look at Cell phones/Plans... but the only sites I can find are in German, and its hard to figure out the average cost a month and the ability to call to the States, and the cost to call the states.. ]]> Military 09AFTacoma http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60999-overseas-cell-phones.html Dog Seeing Owner After Returning from Afghanistan http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60552-dog-seeing-owner-after-returning-afghanistan.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:48:19 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKAVyXi0J4

i don't even think the wife was that happy ]]> Military tcBob http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60552-dog-seeing-owner-after-returning-afghanistan.html Soldiers greeted by their Dogs upon returning from deployment overseas http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60393-soldiers-greeted-their-dogs-upon-returning-deployment-overseas.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:02:16 GMT oh man. its amazing how your pets become such a part of your lives. and they miss you too :) http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324 oh man. its amazing how your pets become such a part of your lives.
and they miss you too :)

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324 ]]> Military EAmonkey http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60393-soldiers-greeted-their-dogs-upon-returning-deployment-overseas.html Happy veterans day! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60354-happy-veterans-day.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:51:41 GMT Thank you to all who have served, currently serving, and who have sacrificed for the GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! ... Thank you to all who have served, currently serving, and who have sacrificed for the GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!







]]> Military dktaco http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60354-happy-veterans-day.html Coast Guard Role Call http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60340-coast-guard-role-call.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:15:04 GMT Where have you been so far? Sta Ft Myers Beach Patforswa CGC Baranof (1318) Where have you been so far?

Sta Ft Myers Beach

Patforswa CGC Baranof (1318) ]]> Military FARNORCAL http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60340-coast-guard-role-call.html A Painful Day http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60205-painful-day.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:05:46 GMT This hurts to watch. Fox is on live in front of 3 Corps headquarters at Ft. Hood. I so fucking pissed right now I can scream. This hurts to watch. Fox is on live in front of 3 Corps headquarters at Ft. Hood.

I so fucking pissed right now I can scream. ]]> Military OU812 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60205-painful-day.html Happy Birthday Marines!! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60153-happy-birthday-marines.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:42:28 GMT Happy 234th Birthday Marines!! SEMPER FI, DO OR DIE! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Happy 234th Birthday Marines!! SEMPER FI, DO OR DIE!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ]]> Military YayAreaTaco0311 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/60153-happy-birthday-marines.html NFL live from Afghanistan! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59904-nfl-live-afghanistan.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:51:45 GMT I am over at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan working as a trauma medic and I got to meet Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmie Johnson and all the crew... I am over at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan working as a trauma medic and I got to meet Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmie Johnson and all the crew it was really cool. They filmed the show over here and I got to see myself on TV for about 3 seconds when they were in the hospital. No one else will ever notice that guy off to the side but hell I know it! ]]> Military YodaMedic http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59904-nfl-live-afghanistan.html Just finished my last deployment!!! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59630-just-finished-my-last-deployment.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:14:06 GMT Just wanted to share that I did my last tour in the desert. I built some helo pads for the 2-159 Attack Recon BN "Gunslingers" those guys are great and it was good to help them out. Apache Longbows are awsome. So I go on terminal in March 2010. Its been a fantastic ride. For those still serving, keep up the good work and thanks for your time and sacrifice. For those retired already, yeah you know. For those thinking of joining, you'll love it. All said and done it will be 21 years, 6 months and 17 days. Any GI's ever in my area need a rack or a meal, me and the wife have a couple homes and would gladly set you up. Life is good. ]]> Military mpgnc64 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59630-just-finished-my-last-deployment.html Veterans Weekend Airshow http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59400-veterans-weekend-airshow.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:27:41 GMT East Coast of FL folks: Stuart, FL- ABout 4 hours south from Jax, 2 North from Miami...2 hours from Orlando and 3.5 from Tampa. 10 bucks pre-sale... East Coast of FL folks: Stuart, FL- ABout 4 hours south from Jax, 2 North from Miami...2 hours from Orlando and 3.5 from Tampa.

10 bucks pre-sale and 20 bones at the door. I'll be there in my non-Taco ride with some folks from my squadron. Should be a blast.

Check it out:

http://www.vnaairshow.com/ ]]> Military Brunes http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59400-veterans-weekend-airshow.html (Air Show) Aviation Nation 2009 Nov 14-15 @ Nellis AFB, NV http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59399-air-show-aviation-nation-2009-nov-14-15-nellis-afb-nv.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:19:12 GMT I know there is a large group of air show spectators on TW. Here's a link for the one here in Las Vegas. It's free and in Vegas. What more could you want?

http://www.nellis.af.mil/aviationnation2009/ ]]> Military Zac808 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59399-air-show-aviation-nation-2009-nov-14-15-nellis-afb-nv.html Article: Missing You, J. Barnett http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59392-article-missing-you-j-barnett.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:08:43 GMT October 2, 2007, 6:39 pm *Missing You* By Jeffrey D. Barnett (http://homefires.blogs.nytimes.com/author/jeffrey-d-barnett/) Not surprisingly,... October 2, 2007, 6:39 pm Missing You

By Jeffrey D. Barnett Not surprisingly, there are many distinct differences between civilian life and the Marine Corps. Some have been welcome, but others bittersweet. Let’s jump right into what I miss about being an active duty marine.
Clearly defined job responsibilities. As a Marine officer I knew exactly what I was responsible for on a daily basis and the scope of each responsibility. I also knew that certain billets (jobs) in my unit were responsible for certain functions. If I needed to make a logistics request I would submit it through the company gunnery sergeant who would then submit it to the battalion’s logistics chief. The company gunny and the log chief were also the same rank, making this an example of “lateral coordination,” a prime concept of Marine Corps administration. Working laterally ensures that both parties get the best result for the group, as a more senior marine might bulldog a junior marine if any compromises were involved in the request. Furthermore, it ensures that the marine only receives direct orders from his chain of command, not from outsiders who may not see the bigger picture.

The process of lateral coordination starkly contrasts the bizarre scheme of vertical, cross-, and double-helix coordination I’ve witnessed working as a defense contractor. Adding the government into the mix understandably creates friction, because while I work for my company, I have been tasked by my company to perform work for the government, so I really have more than one boss. Furthermore, responsibilities for each person in this web are fluid, changing for each task, seemingly at the whim of Odin and his Valkyries. If you’re doing X then Bob likes for you to keep Bill on the cc: line, and Bill’s feelings may be hurt if you don’t ask him about Y, and you don’t want to emotionally disturb Bill because his wife Blair works in Z department and she controls Q which is important to you. It can be nightmarish.

People who tell you directly what they need from you and when they need it done. In a previous entry I discussed how civilians often use the term “we” ambiguously to refer to “you.” I experienced another example recently that taught me a clever nuance of this tactic. Someone sent me an e-mail referencing a document that the collective “we” had to write. Unsure if “we” was really “we” or just hippie-feel-good speak for “you,” I continued to discuss the item in terms of “we.” Later, in an actual verbal conversation about the document the other side of “we” quickly uttered the line, “So all you’ll have to do is ______.” Ah ha!
It was so much easier when I’d get an e-mail that said, “I need ____ NLT COB Friday.” (NLT = no later than, COB = close of business). Even more interesting, the senior officer would sometimes add “…with COB being defined by ‘when it’s done.’ ” The person asking me to do my job wasn’t being a jerk; it was expected.

Impromptu grappling matches at work. It used to be a great break in an otherwise mundane day to hear the thud of bodies falling to the floor and then run into the next room to find that Corporal Lawrence had challenged Master Sergeant Daley to a bout of grappling. These usually proceeded until one party tapped out, or something valuable was damaged, and most often occurred between two marines very experienced in either the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) or a civilian martial arts discipline. Everyone in a particular workplace quickly finds out who has advanced training, and friendly rivalries usually build between those marines with the most.

Perhaps it’s a little more danger than civilian employers are willing to accept, but it would be a great source of stress relief, which could conceivably impact the bottom line in a positive way. Is Steve in accounting driving you nuts? Sneak up behind him and try to choke him out. You may be successful, or he may properly “suck and tuck” his chin and roll you over his shoulder onto a copier. The possibilities are endless.
A never-ending supply of helicopters flying on the horizon. It became downright ordinary while I lived on Camp Pendleton, but now residing in suburban Alabama I miss AH-1 Cobras and CH-46s crossing over my neighborhood in between the airfield and training areas. Sometimes I see Army aircraft around here, but it’s not the same. I suppose it’s just the scenery of the helos on the horizon in front of the southern California mountains that I miss.

The culture of fitness. As a marine if you’re out of the office for two hours during lunch because you’re exercising, you’re considered dedicated. A civilian employee that does this is often considered a slacker. Having to move my exercise schedule to off-duty hours isn’t a large inconvenience, but I have realized that it makes quite a difference when everyone around you exercises regularly. Swapping tips for lifts and running routines used to be a staple of the workplace. Now there are few people with whom I can have those conversations.

I hope that doesn’t seem arrogant, because I honestly don’t care how fit everyone else is, but being around others who are interested in fitness to the degree I am made me better. It pushed me to excel even further, and now I have to provide more of that motivation from within. I also have to pay for gym membership, which is a shocker after almost four years of coming and going as I pleased in any gym on any base. Thankfully, a group of my co-workers recently started running regularly and invited me to join them.

Time off. If the battalion has worked hard during a given week, the C.O. may cut everyone loose early on Friday around 1200 or 1300. That’s not really an option for a customer-based civilian business. The number of three- and four-day weekends we enjoy as civilians are also much fewer than in the military. Finally, I always took for granted how much leave I accrued in the military (2.5 days per month). Now my leave is measured in hours, and I have to be much more stingy with it.

Instructors who keep their political opinions to themselves. One thing I never had to deal with in the Marine Corps was attending a training class and having the instructor consume my time with his or her political opinions. Unfortunately, that appears to be the norm as a civilian defense contractor. This is probably because I deal with weapon systems regularly, and discussions on the use of the weapon in the Iraqi theater, which are valuable and relevant, usually turn into political soliloquies by the instructor, which are neither. So far I’ve been to three training courses, and three times I’ve been given golden nuggets of opinion on the war in Iraq. Many I have agreed with, some I haven’t, but all were unprofessional given the context.

An instructor paid to teach a course should keep opinion out of his curriculum, unless it is directly relevant to the subject at hand. To use one’s position as a teacher to promote a political objective squanders the time of the students, and frankly, I think it implies that the instructor feels nobody listens to him and he must hold people captive in order to be heard.

Of course, there are many things I prefer about the civilian world, and I intend to go through those in a future installment. As for right now I have to finish plotting how to get my cubicle neighbor into an arm-bar takedown. He was in the Army, so I’m not expecting much resistance… I kid, I kid. ]]> Military Agent475 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/military/59392-article-missing-you-j-barnett.html