M2

Some engineers have TS/SCI clearances. Matter of fact, you will find folks in many AFSCs other than the ones you've listed that need and have TS/SCI clearances. We have PA folks, comms guys, and a myraid of other Air Force personnel working in the joint organization I am in. It all depends on what jobs you have. And I believe the majority of aircrew do not have TS clearances. On the other hand, most intel bubbas do... Cheers! M2

Yes, some and I would guess most engineers require a TS. This is simply based on the thousands of them up at Wright-Pat. As for piss tests and AFROTC, I don't know about the non-contracted cadets but if you are on a contract then you are in the USAFR and yes, Big Daddy can ask for a cup of your finest at any time...and by the way, a simple search would have revealed the answer could be found here. This is the military law you will or may already be subject to, I strongly suggest you take some time to learn it! Cheers! M2

Were you arrested and/or charged and had to appear in a real court, or is this some college thing? Unless it has to do with the real law (not college rules), don't worry about it. I didn't report the parking tickets I didn't pay in college, but anything that might be in a record tied to your SSN you had better note. Trust me, most folks with TS/SCI clearances are no angels, but we are trusted with the government's highest secrets so there are requirements you must meet before that will happen. I am sure most of the folks on this board would pass a background check, although they are exhaustive and expensive, so most people don't need or will ever see one. Cheers! M2

Certain joint/national organizations require polygraphs... Cheers! M2

Jets?? Max nix, glad everyone got back to the bar! Cheers! M2 p.s. I now see they corrected the article. Good on 'em!

The transformation has started... Also got some DT3000 shocks, I am going to do a 2" BB and leave it at that. Cheers! M2

Sorry, "Cock Pit" still sounds like a gay bar when you separate the words like that...but so does "HOTel cORAL esSEX"! But I've got nothing else. Maybe "The Money Pit?" Nope, that sucks too. Personally, I could call it "Caveman's Crib"... Cheers! M2

Next person who "does the 'Died" will have to grab a couple of these adult patches for me. Not much chance of me getting out there anymore, now that I'm a longhaired, overpaid contractor (I know there are probably a lot of them running around there, just not me. And it's a great gig, as I haven't had anyone tell me I needed "reflective gear" in almost two years!). Cheers! M2

I was probably mad at her about something, tends to happen every now and then but is then quickly forgotten. I am also lucky in that I've got a good one who also has put up with my stupidity for years (we've know each other for 17 as of September, and been married for 12 of those). I honestly don't know how I could live without her or the kids. Life is good! Cheers! M2

"my next girlfriend" comments?!?! I hope to hell I didn't say that! If so, I had better go delete that post before the wife sees it! I am happily married and have been for quite some time. Matter of fact, it was my lovely wife's suggestion that I buy both the motorcycle and the Jeep. When you find a woman like that, you do everything to hang onto her! Cheers! M2

The cool trick I saw earlier and have been wanting to try is the video on how to make Mountain Dew glow; but in searching for it I found out that Snopes busted it. So did a bunch of other people who tried it... But thanks for the site you listed, I now know that ketchup will clean a penny (and I just got a 1942 wheatback penny at the cigar club the other day!). The High-Def speaker for under a buck was pretty cool as well...can't wait to have paper plate/aluminum foil speakers set up all over the living room! Cheers! M2

***JET*** Don't worry about your mother; it's your future wife that you should worry about! Seriously, as an old guy, I kinda understand your mother's point-of-view. My kids are still pretty young, and I worry about them all the time. Just watching my older son, who is 10, try some new skateboard trick puts a knot in my stomach. The kid already has already banged himself up pretty back on several occasions, which is exactly the same way I was at his age, so I know that is only gonna get worse as he gets older. But that is the payback that is life. When I think about the things I did as a teenager and later an adult, I never thought about how my parents must've worried. So, despite the claims to "grow a pair," I think your concern is OK. Despite the macho responses, it is OK to be concerned over how you mother will take you career. The difference is how it will effect your decision...if you let it stop you from doing something you want, then it is wrong. What you have to do is talk with her, explain your desires, and reassure her that you will do everything in your power not to get hurt or killed. Not that it can't happen, and the odds do go up in this line of work; but if you convince her you will be smart about it, it may calm her fears a bit. Bottom line, take it from a guy who jumped out of Mi-2 HOPLITES with the Slovak Special Forces, it is OK to be a bit worried. It is whether that fear stops you from jumping that is the difference. Don't let it, address it and move forward with your dreams. Good luck! M2

In a rare moment, I am totally speechless... Cheers! M2

OK, serious answer now. We did a little research on this a while back and what I can share with you is that the technique is called Optical Camouflage Using Retro-reflective Projection Technology and there are some good demonstrations on how it works (the stills of which are in the linked document). It has potential but to make it work requires apparatus that at this time would not be practical in the battlefield. Also, other factors may negate its effectiveness. However, at this point it can be considered a viable concept that has been demosntrated but must be further developed, which is what our Brit buds are looking into... Cheers! M2

What's the old joke? Or something like that. It's been a long day and I can't think straight. I should be drinking (more)... Cheers! M2

These are now out for Loads, so if anyone wants one let me know... Cheers! M2

to a man who stuck to his convictions and did his duty! Godspeed! M2

Bluto Are you talking about the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop in Leakey? We usually stop there after breakfast, but I wasn't out last Sunday. However, there is a guy on an 07 Repsol that also have black Alpinestar leathers who it may have been. I rode the Sunday prior and was out in the Jeep last Sunday. Let me know if you plan on showing, I don't go every Sunday but the same crowd will be out there. Numbers fluctuate, especially after a track day, but someone will show up. Cheers! M2

That's nothing, the USAF is trying to make people disappear left and right! Cheers! M2

Bluto Hook up with us one Sunday morning at the Exxon station in Helotes off of Bandera Road (not the one as you immediatley leave 1604, the one about a mile or so in). Kickstands up at 0730, so get there beforehand to fuel up and meet everybody before the mad dash to the OST... And 335 north of Camp Wood and Barksdale is the best of the best (take 337 all the way west). It runs along the Neuces River and the road hugs the cliffside. It is literally a rollercoaster of a ride... Toasty Same for you, we've got a guy on a 1200 Sportster and everybody rides at their own pace. Run what ya brung! Cheers! M2

Third from the left! Those old photos weren't necessary just for kicks, they can give you some ideas if you use your imagination. Doing what everybody else is doing is weak... Cheers! M2

Sputnik's spot on, we used to catch rides with the Hueys out of Tipton Army Airfield all the time. The crews were always happy to allow us to pin the doors back and they'd drop down low and show us anything "interesting" when they could. Heck, they even offered to land in the middle of nowhere so I could take a leak; but knowing these guys pretty well, I strongly suspected they would have great chuckle as they took off while I was peeing. Luckily, I could tie it in a knot until we landed someplace civilized. The Chinooks were fun as well, but as they were C models they tended to break a lot, minimizing the "detours" we could take. The Blackhawks in Bosnia were like Cadillacs in comparison... Cheers! M2

1-800 I won't re-spew what I already said about motorcycles in this thread, just go back and read my comments about gear and all that. Enjoy that CBR, it is a great bike; have fun but don't do anything stupid on it! Cheers! M2

I thought you were talking old school... Or even older school... Cheers! M2

There are tons fo great roads around Ramstein, and any trip to the Alps is gonna be a lifetime experience that you have to do! Plus you can guess what it is like riding on the autobahns. Also did a ride from Belgium to the Thuringen Wald (former East Germany) for a rally. But yes, the only thing that sucks is that the season is short, but when you can ride it is great! Cheers! M2