Today I went to my unit deployment monitor to see if she had heard about my deployment. There it was, in her three ring binder. I don't know how long she's had it or when she was going to tell me about it. I also asked her who I talk to next about all the stuff I need to get done. Yeah, she had no idea. So, I call the base personel readiness unit and they say that all they do is cut the orders and I have to go to my UDM for the other stuff. I go back and tell her, she starts to look a bit confused. She gets on the computer and finds a checklist, not the one I need. She finds some thing else. I already have it. So she finds some thing else. It might be right but I have to do a couple of things before I get the tickets. Why can't all squadrons be like CE when it comes to deploying? Why can't my UDM know what she's doing? She gets paid just to do that. It's days like this...
Instead of starting my trip home tonight, I have to go in and get these tickets taken care of. The same tickets I could have taken care of before I went to Jersey if things where done right. I sure do hope that I get them before noon tomorrow. I plan to be out of town by that time so it gives them four hours. Then again, it is the Air Force.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Combat Skills Training.. not run by the Army
The training I went to at Fort Dix wasn't too bad. For one, it was all Air Force. Two any place you can play paintball and laser tag, and call it training, can't be that bad. Sure there was a lot of classroom stuff. We learned how to do things like walk outside, clear buildings and towns, and what to do in convoys. I also learned that being point man in the Bravo fire team sucks. I was that guy every time. I didn't survive past the stairs any time we cleared buildings.
I was in charge of a squad when we did a field exercise involving wounded people and an obstacle course. I didn't do too bad with it except for the Alfa fire team was a bit too eager and got a bit ahead. The Cadre decided to kill me off to see what the squad could do. It was cute, the two smallest females grabbed my hands and drug me, in full battle rattle, down a trail until one of our guys came back and lifted me into a fireman's carry to get me to the evac point.
Maybe it was the not being at work doing what it is I normally do. Or maybe it was the not being at work thing, but apparently I wasn't my normal self. The squadron leader for Alfa One, my squad, said that I was a pretty calm and laid back. That could be true I guess.
On the last day of training before we got split into AFSC specific classes I did have a run-in with a certain Light Colonel of Alfa Two. We shall refer to them as Alfa Douche from here out. I cleared my weapon in one room and while I was waiting to take it to the window I was told, by the Cadre, to take it to a different one and turn it in. I went to the other window in the hallway and was about to turn it in when I hear "That weapon needs to be cleared first." I turn around and look up and down the long ass line. Wouldn't you know the Alfa Douche commander was in that line. Here's how the conversation went.
ADC "You need to get that weapon cleared."
I look down the line as he points to where it ends, "I've already cleared it in the other room. I was told to turn it in out here."
"You should have turned it in there then."
"I was going to but I was told to do that here."
"Then you can wait and get it cleared out here."
"Whatever." I turn to put the weapon into the window for the guy waiting.
"That is a negative on the whatever!" (yes, this guy is much hhoooaa)
I turn around to tell him, one more time, that the guys in charge told me to do this when my squadron commander interupts.
MSC "He was told by the Cadre to turn it in there and that's what he's going to do."
I got quite the dirty look from the Douche commander.
I went outside and was asked about what happened. I told the story and then the class commander, a full bird, asked who said that. Well, Alpha Douche commander of course. He got quite the chuckle out of that one and agreed.
Nothing ever came of it, so oh well.
I did make it to see John, Juliette and their baby. That was fun.
Also made it to New York Friday after class, we got out at 11 that morning. That's a nice place. Seen the Statue of Liberty from pretty far away. We also found Ground Zero. That was pretty cool. There is a memorial type building near there that has been open for a month. It had all kinds of quotes and stories and pictures. There where also pieces and things from the wreckage and personal items. It was kinda crazy. Outside by the subway there where more pictures. I have pics but the camera seems to be packed away so I'll put them up this weekend.
The girl I was with and I took quite the tour of Soho. Yeah, I apparently kept turning when I should have kept going straight. I wonder how people can get mugged in the alleys of New York because I didn't see any alleys to get mugged in, strangest thing. The taxi ride from Soho to Times Square was pretty cool with all the honking and everyone cutting everyone off. I could never drive there. Speaking of taxis, I damn near got hit by one. No shit, there I was, crossing the street when she yells my name. I look up and see that I am in the way of a taxi that, although is still on the other side of the intersection, is not slowing down. I kinda look at it then decide to step back out of its way. Yeah, I'm not too sure but I think he pretty much ran that light.
Yeah, I know where I'm going now and yeah, it's in Iraq. It is also a one man shop. That means I'll be doing it all while I'm there.
I was in charge of a squad when we did a field exercise involving wounded people and an obstacle course. I didn't do too bad with it except for the Alfa fire team was a bit too eager and got a bit ahead. The Cadre decided to kill me off to see what the squad could do. It was cute, the two smallest females grabbed my hands and drug me, in full battle rattle, down a trail until one of our guys came back and lifted me into a fireman's carry to get me to the evac point.
Maybe it was the not being at work doing what it is I normally do. Or maybe it was the not being at work thing, but apparently I wasn't my normal self. The squadron leader for Alfa One, my squad, said that I was a pretty calm and laid back. That could be true I guess.
On the last day of training before we got split into AFSC specific classes I did have a run-in with a certain Light Colonel of Alfa Two. We shall refer to them as Alfa Douche from here out. I cleared my weapon in one room and while I was waiting to take it to the window I was told, by the Cadre, to take it to a different one and turn it in. I went to the other window in the hallway and was about to turn it in when I hear "That weapon needs to be cleared first." I turn around and look up and down the long ass line. Wouldn't you know the Alfa Douche commander was in that line. Here's how the conversation went.
ADC "You need to get that weapon cleared."
I look down the line as he points to where it ends, "I've already cleared it in the other room. I was told to turn it in out here."
"You should have turned it in there then."
"I was going to but I was told to do that here."
"Then you can wait and get it cleared out here."
"Whatever." I turn to put the weapon into the window for the guy waiting.
"That is a negative on the whatever!" (yes, this guy is much hhoooaa)
I turn around to tell him, one more time, that the guys in charge told me to do this when my squadron commander interupts.
MSC "He was told by the Cadre to turn it in there and that's what he's going to do."
I got quite the dirty look from the Douche commander.
I went outside and was asked about what happened. I told the story and then the class commander, a full bird, asked who said that. Well, Alpha Douche commander of course. He got quite the chuckle out of that one and agreed.
Nothing ever came of it, so oh well.
I did make it to see John, Juliette and their baby. That was fun.
Also made it to New York Friday after class, we got out at 11 that morning. That's a nice place. Seen the Statue of Liberty from pretty far away. We also found Ground Zero. That was pretty cool. There is a memorial type building near there that has been open for a month. It had all kinds of quotes and stories and pictures. There where also pieces and things from the wreckage and personal items. It was kinda crazy. Outside by the subway there where more pictures. I have pics but the camera seems to be packed away so I'll put them up this weekend.
The girl I was with and I took quite the tour of Soho. Yeah, I apparently kept turning when I should have kept going straight. I wonder how people can get mugged in the alleys of New York because I didn't see any alleys to get mugged in, strangest thing. The taxi ride from Soho to Times Square was pretty cool with all the honking and everyone cutting everyone off. I could never drive there. Speaking of taxis, I damn near got hit by one. No shit, there I was, crossing the street when she yells my name. I look up and see that I am in the way of a taxi that, although is still on the other side of the intersection, is not slowing down. I kinda look at it then decide to step back out of its way. Yeah, I'm not too sure but I think he pretty much ran that light.
Yeah, I know where I'm going now and yeah, it's in Iraq. It is also a one man shop. That means I'll be doing it all while I'm there.
Monday, October 30, 2006
I got trip 8s, beat that
Well, I went out tonight. And by out I do mean by myself and to a bar. It just happened to be a poker bar. It was pretty fun. I played some cards and lost some money. The table I was on had a chip bully on it. It didn't help that he didn't have much of an idea what he was doing. It also didn't help that he was verry verry lucky. And by luck I mean all in before the flop and catching on the last card. Finally a few at the table where able to gang up and get him out. It wasn't necessarilly a legit way either, but they got him off the table. After that it was a real game. I let him bully me into an all in and again he chased the cards and got what he needed. I did have a decent hand though.
After the second knock out I played some trivia game with the bartenders. I missed the few first questions and was still able to make second on that. So that's cool.
It was a good night and I plan to go back. Maybe not next week since I'll be going on my training TDY Sunday. I get back I'll be there playing though.
After the second knock out I played some trivia game with the bartenders. I missed the few first questions and was still able to make second on that. So that's cool.
It was a good night and I plan to go back. Maybe not next week since I'll be going on my training TDY Sunday. I get back I'll be there playing though.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Another one of those days
There I was at work this mornin. I wasn't there 20 minutes and already irritated, and I was the only one in the office. I'm not real sure it's just the going to work thats causing this. It could be other things not work related. I think it is mostly work. And by work I do mean being in the Air Force. Today was one of days when I just want to call this quits. Right now I don't feel like doing this any more. Do I really think that I can last another 14 years? I'm probably crazy. Maybe one more enlistment just so I can get most of my classes done? I am rocking that 4.0 from the other two. Even just one more enlistment is pushing my tollerance limit. That's at least four more years.
Why can't I just quit? Like when my time is up just get out. It can't be thatt hard to, people do it all the time. Maybe it's giving up? Something I'm not too good at. It's not giving up though. I know I can't deal with ass backwardsness and that all the Air Force is. The higher ups aren't looking ot fix the problem, only make it worse.
Maybe I'll be back into not hating the Air Force, as much, after this TDY. I'm still confused as to why I have to go to Jersey for training they have here.
Well, get past that, and when a certain something else else gets taken care of, and maybe I'll be in a better mood. Remember, I am looking forward to going to the desert. Just so I can do my job and not worry about all the stupid little things here.
I have been on the assignments web site quite a bit the last couple of months looking for a 365 day deployment, but there aren't any yet. My job also isn't one with a 179 day rotation, yet. I will be putting in to extend when I gt there though.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Again with the cops
Today I was driving on base when I went by a cop. I had just gotten up to speed as another car went past me. The cop catches up and follows me down the road. I turned and he turned. Then he turned on his lights.
He talked on his little radio. Then he got out of his car and stood behind the door. He kept looking around like he was expecting others. He got back into his car and sat there for a minute. Then he got back out and stood next to his car. Finally he came up and the conversation went something like this.
"The reason I pulled you over today is because you where on your cell phone when you passed me."
"No sir, I sure wasn't."
"Yes you where."
"No, I wasn't. I was leaning my head on my hand like this. I tilt my head and put it in my left hand."
"I need to see your license and proof of insurance."
I look at a piece of paper to make sure it is the insurance.
"So you weren't on your phone?"
"No I wasn't." The phone rings. "In fact, this is my first call of the day." I turn off the ringer and hand him the insurance paper.
"It's funny, you say you where leaning your head like this" he puts his left hand up to his head, "but you where leaning like this." He puts his right hand up to his ear.
"Ok, either way I wasn't on it."
"Could you hold up your cell phone so I can get a look at it?"
I hold up the phone.
His little radio tells him that my car is legal.
"I'm going to go ahead and let you go this time."
"Ok."
Why keep asking if I was on it? I can prove that I wasn't. They do have time stamp and durration logs on the phones. I leave and get off the base. It's cool that they pretend to do their job, but can't they pretend with people that really are on their phones?
It's official, I'm going to be in Jersey for training in a couple of weeks. Looks like I'll be in a dorm room for most of the time. We'll be outside a couple of nights according to the equipment list. The best part is that I don't need to take my chem gear. It's not on the list, I'm not taking it. Maybe they figure we practice that enough? We practice everything else too.
Then I get the email that I will be going to the same training here on base teh week before I go to Jersey. I emailed the scheduler back and told her that I was going to be running around getting ready for the other training and I wouldn't make it. The civilian in charge emailed too and asked about it. Our Chief of Staff said that the Jersey training with the Army takes care of the base training here. Why am I going to waste a bunch of money that the Air Force claims not to have for training that I can get here? And people can't understand why so many are getting kicked out. It's not because the Air Force wants to buy weapons and things. It's because the people who run it can't figure out how not to waste money and come up with stupid ideas like this.
The latest issue of the Eye In the Sky is out. I have a couple of stories and a bunch of photos this time. Yay me! Here real soon, when the Airman gets it set up, we will only be doing web based articles. No more waiting for the paper to come out.
He talked on his little radio. Then he got out of his car and stood behind the door. He kept looking around like he was expecting others. He got back into his car and sat there for a minute. Then he got back out and stood next to his car. Finally he came up and the conversation went something like this.
"The reason I pulled you over today is because you where on your cell phone when you passed me."
"No sir, I sure wasn't."
"Yes you where."
"No, I wasn't. I was leaning my head on my hand like this. I tilt my head and put it in my left hand."
"I need to see your license and proof of insurance."
I look at a piece of paper to make sure it is the insurance.
"So you weren't on your phone?"
"No I wasn't." The phone rings. "In fact, this is my first call of the day." I turn off the ringer and hand him the insurance paper.
"It's funny, you say you where leaning your head like this" he puts his left hand up to his head, "but you where leaning like this." He puts his right hand up to his ear.
"Ok, either way I wasn't on it."
"Could you hold up your cell phone so I can get a look at it?"
I hold up the phone.
His little radio tells him that my car is legal.
"I'm going to go ahead and let you go this time."
"Ok."
Why keep asking if I was on it? I can prove that I wasn't. They do have time stamp and durration logs on the phones. I leave and get off the base. It's cool that they pretend to do their job, but can't they pretend with people that really are on their phones?
It's official, I'm going to be in Jersey for training in a couple of weeks. Looks like I'll be in a dorm room for most of the time. We'll be outside a couple of nights according to the equipment list. The best part is that I don't need to take my chem gear. It's not on the list, I'm not taking it. Maybe they figure we practice that enough? We practice everything else too.
Then I get the email that I will be going to the same training here on base teh week before I go to Jersey. I emailed the scheduler back and told her that I was going to be running around getting ready for the other training and I wouldn't make it. The civilian in charge emailed too and asked about it. Our Chief of Staff said that the Jersey training with the Army takes care of the base training here. Why am I going to waste a bunch of money that the Air Force claims not to have for training that I can get here? And people can't understand why so many are getting kicked out. It's not because the Air Force wants to buy weapons and things. It's because the people who run it can't figure out how not to waste money and come up with stupid ideas like this.
The latest issue of the Eye In the Sky is out. I have a couple of stories and a bunch of photos this time. Yay me! Here real soon, when the Airman gets it set up, we will only be doing web based articles. No more waiting for the paper to come out.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Did ya miss me?
Well, I've been back for a week, just haven't posted. So here it goes.
The drive down was pretty good. When I got there though someone wasn't around because she thought that a car full of females could get some place on time. That's just crazy talk. It probably didn't help that I got there an hour ahead of schedule. I went to the coast a couple of days while she was in class and got some pics of things. I got a few with the regular camera and a few with the digital. I didn't get too many, just felt quite a bit like a tourist.
We did quite a bit while we where there. We made it to Pensacola cause she likes the beach. It was neat, her laying in the sun, me sitting there in my jeans and tee shirt. On the way back the next day I wanted some good 'ole sea food so I stopped at a place. Turns out it was a fish market and they didn't cook. Too bad too, because they had some good looking stuff.
We toured Mobile, Ala. a couple of times. It's a neat place too. It's a pretty big town.
One night we went to a casino because she "felt lucky." Lucky her didn't do much in the slot machines. I didn't do much with those either. I did get the urge to play that there roulette table. It was good stuff. I walked out with almost four times the amount of money I used to play that night. I've decided that that's what I'm going to do when I get out or retire. Just go and play roulette. It's not that hard. Probably not, but it was nice to use that money for hotel room bills the last few days we were there.
We also took a couple of days to just sit and relax. That was pretty nice after a week of constantly doing things.
There was also a game of Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s. A piece of advice, if you are going to get a trivia game based on decades, make sure you where actually old enough to remember the decade. I won, but it took a bit longer than it should have probably.
Before I left I got the call from someone at some Air Force command. They wanted to know if I was on any profiles and the progress of my five level, which I now have I guess. It's crazy and I don't like the idea but o well. I got another call this week asking for my email and work number so that they could send me information on the training next month. So it looks like I'm for sure going to the sandlot some where. I haven't been hard tasked through the squadron yet though. The worst thing about it is that January is so far away. I would rather have a short notice to go than them telling me four months out. I'm just going to stress out not knowing things and wondering. So far nobody has answers, we hired a unit deployment manager, that's right we hired a civilian to do the job of a GI. Way to save money Air Force, guess the Guard has more money than it needs. Our unit mobility trainer whatever had to leave quick and the new one has to sort out the other's mess. Why is it I seem to get the most jacked up units? Can't wait to get to that "real" Air Force base I keep hearing about.
The drive down was pretty good. When I got there though someone wasn't around because she thought that a car full of females could get some place on time. That's just crazy talk. It probably didn't help that I got there an hour ahead of schedule. I went to the coast a couple of days while she was in class and got some pics of things. I got a few with the regular camera and a few with the digital. I didn't get too many, just felt quite a bit like a tourist.
We did quite a bit while we where there. We made it to Pensacola cause she likes the beach. It was neat, her laying in the sun, me sitting there in my jeans and tee shirt. On the way back the next day I wanted some good 'ole sea food so I stopped at a place. Turns out it was a fish market and they didn't cook. Too bad too, because they had some good looking stuff.
We toured Mobile, Ala. a couple of times. It's a neat place too. It's a pretty big town.
One night we went to a casino because she "felt lucky." Lucky her didn't do much in the slot machines. I didn't do much with those either. I did get the urge to play that there roulette table. It was good stuff. I walked out with almost four times the amount of money I used to play that night. I've decided that that's what I'm going to do when I get out or retire. Just go and play roulette. It's not that hard. Probably not, but it was nice to use that money for hotel room bills the last few days we were there.
We also took a couple of days to just sit and relax. That was pretty nice after a week of constantly doing things.
There was also a game of Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s. A piece of advice, if you are going to get a trivia game based on decades, make sure you where actually old enough to remember the decade. I won, but it took a bit longer than it should have probably.
Before I left I got the call from someone at some Air Force command. They wanted to know if I was on any profiles and the progress of my five level, which I now have I guess. It's crazy and I don't like the idea but o well. I got another call this week asking for my email and work number so that they could send me information on the training next month. So it looks like I'm for sure going to the sandlot some where. I haven't been hard tasked through the squadron yet though. The worst thing about it is that January is so far away. I would rather have a short notice to go than them telling me four months out. I'm just going to stress out not knowing things and wondering. So far nobody has answers, we hired a unit deployment manager, that's right we hired a civilian to do the job of a GI. Way to save money Air Force, guess the Guard has more money than it needs. Our unit mobility trainer whatever had to leave quick and the new one has to sort out the other's mess. Why is it I seem to get the most jacked up units? Can't wait to get to that "real" Air Force base I keep hearing about.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
I'm going now
Here in just under two hours I will be on my way back down to Mississippi. I'll be there for a week and a half. If I end up in a hotel with high speed then I'll post while I'm there. If not, then I'll let y'all know how it went when I get back.
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