Behind The Military Recruiting Stats
July 15th, 2008
I come across a number of blogs that each month post the U. S. military service’s recruiting attainments and offer some commentary about what the numbers may mean and why the numbers may not be garnering more press than they do. Yes, it is always great news when the recruiting services achieve their assigned missions but what do the monthly press release numbers actually reflect? The simple answer is they are the number of people shipped (accessed) to active duty (both prior and no-prior service accessions) for that month, the people that start drawing an (more…)
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Ground Beef and Pork Meatballs
July 14th, 2008
Meatballs, nope not the movie - the food. I love a good homemade meatball cooked in marinara sauce. In my family I am known for making the best! I asked my mother who made the best between my sister and myself - she wouldn’t answer at first but when I motivated her by holding her glass of wine hostage she quickly answered correctly by saying mine were indeed the best, yup, even better than her own.
With that kind of resounding endorsement I feel it is now time I shared my meatball recipe with the world.
So here we go. (more…)
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British GI-Bill
July 13th, 2008
Good news for our friends in the UK as some members of the military will get a much needed benefit. This has been a long time coming, Bravo! (more…)
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Sailor - Soldier - Marine - Airman
July 12th, 2008
May 19, 1994 the Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton decreed the word Sailor when used in Naval correspondence and referring to Sailors of the U.S. Navy - Sailor will be capitalized. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker in October 2003 and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper in May 2004 decreed the same for the words Soldier and Airman respectively. Marine (when referring to a person in the Marine Corps) is a proper noun and will always be capitalized.
Sailor, Soldier and Airman are also considered proper nouns in this blog (I hope in your blog too). I think when you are referring to them in any article, blog, correspondence, print and print media those words should be capitalized - if you’re afraid some English teacher may come and swat your knuckles or you’re concerned the grammar police may attempt to arrest you, tell them these words are proper “respect” nouns and they need to follow the lead of the respective military service heads and update their grammar manuals. (more…)
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MEPS Drug and Alcohol Testing (DAT) Program
July 9th, 2008
We have heard it all of our lives, stay away from drugs, just say no and hundreds of other comments and phrases meant to make us aware that using drugs and abusing alcohol can have a huge negative impact of your life. Many of the reasons are health related - use and abuse of drugs and alcohol can lead to deep psychiatric problems and damaged organs not to mention the fractured relationships and self esteem issues your bound to encounter.
It is sometimes mentioned, but rarely accentuated, that your use and abuse of drugs and alcohol can have a profound negative effect on your future - lets take a close look at how it might effect the Navy. (more…)
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Air Force or Navy?
July 7th, 2008
Having served in Navy Recruiting for many years the question about which service is the better service to join would often come up. When I worked in Panama City, Fl the question on most minds were concerning the Air Force which really was no surprise because Tyndall Air Force Base was close, much larger hence providing a greater influence than the Coastal Systems Station where the Navy’s Dive School and Experimental Diving Unit was located. Statements I would hear like, “I’m joining the Air Force because they treat their people better.” and “They have it better in the Air Force.” made me wonder why the Department of Defense (DOD) would allow such a thing. I had to find out how this vicious rumor has perpetuated into “common knowledge”.
After hearing about it so many times I just had to see for myself. (more…)
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Independence Day Memories
July 4th, 2008
It was a very hot summer day and the only things making the heat bearable was the smell of freshly grilled steak, a freshly grilled steak smell has many medicinal properties I won’t get into for now, and the fact that is was our first “day off” in quite a while. You see we, the USS Forrestal and battle group, have been deployed from our home ports for going on 30 days and we were in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and I was experiencing my first “Steal Beach Picnic”.
The picnic was an event that would make any outdoor party fanatic proud - there were grills (more…)
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Pondering Stuff
July 2nd, 2008
On every government check I ever got it said in the fine print that it would no longer be “good” after one year from the issue date - did the checks we pay Cuba for Gitmo also expire? I mean Castro just throws them in a desk drawer when he gets them. Is that like money sitting in our national checking account?
Words to live by; “Putting your best foot forward isn’t that impressive if you haven’t washed your feet.”
We have been digging up ancient people’s graves for a couple of hundred years now - (more…)
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USS Cole Mastermind Charged
June 30th, 2008
Apparently the prosecutors now feel they have enough evidence to move forward, as the story reads Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri has been charged with 8 counts, five of which could bring the death penalty for his alleged actions in the terror attack on the USS Cole. Holding true to my belief in justice, if he is in fact guilty they need to marinade with lethal injection juice and then fry his ass until crispy. (more…)
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What to Bring to Navy Boot Camp
June 30th, 2008
Because storage space is extremely limited at Recruit Training Command (RTC), you should limit the amount of personal effects you bring, and keep luggage to a maximum of one small gym or travel bag. If your reporting to RTC during winter months (October through April) wear warm outer clothing - it does get cold near the lake! Keep in mind that during your in-processing you will be required to mail any item not listed below, with your excess civilian clothing and personal effects, to your home at your own expense or donate the stuff to charity. Personal items and clothing won’t be allowed to be stored at RTC.
Here is a list of stuff you can bring to Navy boot camp: (more…)
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