...
Well, it's been quite some time since I've written anything here. Not sure that anyone even reads this mess, but that's fine by me, I suppose. It's a nice way to get my life organized for myself sometimes...
I'm engaged... Jen and I decided to get married a couple of weekends ago. I get to go see her next week at her BCT graduation, before she ships off to Ft. Sam Houston for Medic Training. I bought her a ring this last week. I'll make it all official, down on one knee and such, next Thursday. That's her graduation day, and we'll both be in our Class A uniforms. I'm in awe of all that is going on in my life, this aspect most of all. I love Jen more than I honestly expected to. Considering my last two relationships, being long-term and turning out badly, I wasn't sure I wanted to even HAVE a serious relationship anytime soon. Jen has certainly changed my views on that. :-) I couldn't ask for a better woman in my life. While I may sound sorta blue on this entry, it's mostly due to missing her and having a long weekend at drill, NOT because I'm not ecstatic about marrying Jen! Honest! :-D
Drill this weekend was interesting. Observation number 1, we're being told to have the reverse flag sewn onto all of our servicable BDUs. That particular patch is only work by combat units deployed overseas. The official word is that, since so many units are deploying back and forth, it's easier just to make it a uniform change Army-wide. We'll see... Observation number 2, the new rotation list comes out the end of March for Michigan Guard. Even our officers expect us to be on the list. Eighteen months anyone? *shrug*
Drill this weekend was good. Our new SGM actually expects something out of our unit. Until recently, I didn't understand what my mission or purpose there was. Nobody really did. Now we not only know it, but need to be able to do it properly every time. We need to look right, act right... it's a good change for our unit.
On a side note, why the hell do so many people have misconceptions of national guard and reserve units? To dispel any myths, please observe the following:
1) Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve privates all go through the EXACT SAME training... together... side by side. There is no easy, short, cheesy BCT or AIT for guardsmen. Brian and Angie fell victim to this one back in the day. Apparently the freak that Angie's friend was with at the time (who was in the Guard) told them this... He should be shot. What a fucknut!
2) The National Guard is a combat-ready organization. When we get deployed (aside from national emergency stuff, like 9/11), we fight the same fight, along side of the Regular Army. Most NG are infantry, armor, arty and engineers. We mostly have only enough "support" troops to support us independent of an active unit. The Army Reserve is almost entirely "support" based, and generally backfills base/post positions when large Regualr Army units are deployed overseas. All three are equally important!
3) The National Guard is OLDER than the Regular Army. The original 13 colonies had a semi-organized National Guard BEFORE the constitution was signed. The Revolutionary War was fought primarily by state militia. We may be "weekend warriors", but we sure as shit do a lot more than most of the lazy fucks who like to talk shit about us.
Okay, I think I'm less disgruntled now. It just amazes me how ignorant Americans can be about stuff like this. Then they have the audacity to talk down to people about things they really have no clue about.
*sigh*
Well, I get to see Jen next week. I know I mentioned it, but it makes me happy!!! And I retake my CCNA on Friday, so that's all good as well. Enough for now though... it's nearly lunch time.
I'm engaged... Jen and I decided to get married a couple of weekends ago. I get to go see her next week at her BCT graduation, before she ships off to Ft. Sam Houston for Medic Training. I bought her a ring this last week. I'll make it all official, down on one knee and such, next Thursday. That's her graduation day, and we'll both be in our Class A uniforms. I'm in awe of all that is going on in my life, this aspect most of all. I love Jen more than I honestly expected to. Considering my last two relationships, being long-term and turning out badly, I wasn't sure I wanted to even HAVE a serious relationship anytime soon. Jen has certainly changed my views on that. :-) I couldn't ask for a better woman in my life. While I may sound sorta blue on this entry, it's mostly due to missing her and having a long weekend at drill, NOT because I'm not ecstatic about marrying Jen! Honest! :-D
Drill this weekend was interesting. Observation number 1, we're being told to have the reverse flag sewn onto all of our servicable BDUs. That particular patch is only work by combat units deployed overseas. The official word is that, since so many units are deploying back and forth, it's easier just to make it a uniform change Army-wide. We'll see... Observation number 2, the new rotation list comes out the end of March for Michigan Guard. Even our officers expect us to be on the list. Eighteen months anyone? *shrug*
Drill this weekend was good. Our new SGM actually expects something out of our unit. Until recently, I didn't understand what my mission or purpose there was. Nobody really did. Now we not only know it, but need to be able to do it properly every time. We need to look right, act right... it's a good change for our unit.
On a side note, why the hell do so many people have misconceptions of national guard and reserve units? To dispel any myths, please observe the following:
1) Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve privates all go through the EXACT SAME training... together... side by side. There is no easy, short, cheesy BCT or AIT for guardsmen. Brian and Angie fell victim to this one back in the day. Apparently the freak that Angie's friend was with at the time (who was in the Guard) told them this... He should be shot. What a fucknut!
2) The National Guard is a combat-ready organization. When we get deployed (aside from national emergency stuff, like 9/11), we fight the same fight, along side of the Regular Army. Most NG are infantry, armor, arty and engineers. We mostly have only enough "support" troops to support us independent of an active unit. The Army Reserve is almost entirely "support" based, and generally backfills base/post positions when large Regualr Army units are deployed overseas. All three are equally important!
3) The National Guard is OLDER than the Regular Army. The original 13 colonies had a semi-organized National Guard BEFORE the constitution was signed. The Revolutionary War was fought primarily by state militia. We may be "weekend warriors", but we sure as shit do a lot more than most of the lazy fucks who like to talk shit about us.
Okay, I think I'm less disgruntled now. It just amazes me how ignorant Americans can be about stuff like this. Then they have the audacity to talk down to people about things they really have no clue about.
*sigh*
Well, I get to see Jen next week. I know I mentioned it, but it makes me happy!!! And I retake my CCNA on Friday, so that's all good as well. Enough for now though... it's nearly lunch time.