M2

What is this, South America week on Wheel of Fortune? First Lima, Peru and now Santiago, Chile... Google it, and you get a ton of suggestions... Cheers! M2

I'm in Texas and even I think that belt buckle is too much! Dear God, this smells so much of "he-whose-name-is-not-to-be-spoken"...the Air Force is whining about not having enough money to fix planes, get new ones, keep people, etc; but it can shell out the cash for yet another change to the service dress uniform. I only had to buy three during my commissioned career, and am glad I retired before this fourth set came along. Looks like something out of Starship Troopers... All I gotta say is sorry guys, looks like you'll be buying yet another new uniform! Cheers! M2

Steve He separated, and may be living in Canada, so the MPF or AFPC wouldn't have any more info on him. As for other buds, that normally would be one of the first places I would have checked but honestly none of them would have any more contact with him than I did. However, I was able to track down a few other old buds while looking for info on the one; so once I find this guy, I am going to try and get a few of us reunited again. Cheers! M2

Thanks guys, I ran the Intelius report and got 313 hits (unfortunately, he has a somewhat common name). I will call the IRS later today to see if they will share where he last filed. The guy that contacted me found out that my old bud's father is buried in Canada. He looked there as I recalled that my friend had mentioned moving there one day. He is trying to track down info from the cemetary but seeing as he was buried over 40 years ago, the info will be dated. However, it also may reveal some other family members we are unaware of. I appreciate everyone's help with this, I will let you know how it works out. Cheers! M2

Good editorial..."It ain't over yet..."

Actually checked that site, no joy. Still, there are 27602 people registered there so it is a good future resource if more people sign up... Cheers! M2

I am looking for an old buddy who I served with a long time ago and who separated from the USAF in the early 90s. I am lucky in that I have an old set of orders that has his SSN on it. I tried Intelius but only got a listing of possible cities. A full report costs $50, and I want to be sure the info is worth getting before shelling out the cash. I did a search on his name and in those cities via WhitePages.com; but the one best lead (same exact name) I got was not the right person. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations. The driving factor behind all of this was my being contacted by a guy who served with my bud's father in Vietnam, and who was with his father when he was killed. He has been trying to contact someone in his family for over 40 years, and hoped I could help. Cheers! M2

I would recommend Randolph, Lackland caters more towards the basic trainees. As for the rest of you bitching about the cost of the mess dress (and I know most of you are seeing this coming), stop being such pussies! First and foremost, you are required by reg to have one, so spend a little less money on hair gel and go out and get one (actually, I need to say 'go out and get a pair!'). And other than doing the Testor’s paint modification to your second lieutenant board when you make first lieutenant, new boards cost out the ass as well, so prepare yourself. And to pre-empt further whining, if you make field grade rank one day, you are going to have to go out and buy a new service cap that you’ll probably never wear either; but it too is required by reg. Sure, you can risk not having one; but if the day comes that you do need it and don’t have it, you will look like an ass. Fucking hell, some of you will go out and drop the same amount of money on a XBOX 360 and ‘World of Warcraft’ without batting an eye; but babble like a baby when your Service tells you to buy a uniform. Lieutenants are overpaid as it is, don’t draw attention to yourself and look like a fool claiming you’re not. Cheers! M2

Matt Haven't had one issue with mine, and I have well over a thousand rounds through it. You mentioned reloads, are you shooting them? I only ask because I know a lot of people who have the SA GI and have never had a problem with it; but a lot of FTEs I have heard about have been from folks who use reloads. As I own an XD, I rarely carry the GI for self-defense; but that doesn't mean I don't trust it. It has proven to be a very reliable and accurate 1911 and an outstanding gun for the price. Now, that doesn't mean that Springfield doesn't produce a turkey every now and then, it happens. However, they have excellent customer service and if you were having problems with it the first thing you should have done is contact them and let them resolve it for you. I have heard nothing but praise for S.A. backing their weapons. Cheers! M2

I paid under $500 for my GI, and it is an excellent platform for upgrades later when you can afford it. I've kept mine stock as I can shoot pretty damn well with the short sights and it is just such a wonderful weapon stock that I really don't feel the need to mod it too much. I would rather buy another Springfield 1911 down the road and keep this one the way it is. I consider it to be one of the essential items every red-blooded American male should own... Cheers! M2

First, go here...XD Talk 1911 Forum. (The XD section is also a great source of info for one of the finest semi-auto handguns out there (guess what I own? )). Anyhow, if you are happy with the XD and are looking for an great entry-level 1911, have you considered the Springfield M1911 GI? Great looking gun (classic military look), excellent performer and reliable as hell. I picked one up and love shooting it. There are a lot of good 1911s out there, but considering Springfield's excellent reputation and quality products, I would highly recommend giving them a look. Cheers! M2

Finally, justice has prevailed... Now, can we get Fogelman back? Cheers! M2

Big fucking deal, a couple of airmen butt heads and get into a punch-up. Used to happen all the time when I was enlisted and living in the dorms. Logically, the next step is the First Shirt cracking their asses in the opposite direction. That is how things used to work in the USAF. Nowadays a bunch of counselors show up and everyone takes a piss test to see if they have been drinking, and the entire squadron gets some overblown punishment and/or restrictions as the commander wants to make O-6 so he can park closer to the BX when he retires and it is these dirty little smudges on his record that could threaten that! Cheers! M2

WTF? I got this... Priscilla Ceballos 2345 Apollo Rd, Apt 1921 Garland, TX 75044-6322 (972) 496-3815 Same phone number, different address. As I expect this woman to be on par with Brittney Spears, moving apartments and/or trailers every couple of months is no surprise... Oddly enough, the Colombian General Consulate in Chicago has the same name! I don't think it is the same person. As such, I couldn't find any pictures; but I am sure she looks something like this... Cheers! M2

Whereas I would agree that the British are much more reserved than Americans, you make it sound like they are unfriendly, which is not the case. I found the Brits to be very cordial, especially towards Americans. We are two people divided by a common language, or something like that! Cheers! M2

"When you get home and encounter a war protester, walk up to him and shake his hand. Then look at his girl friend and wink at her because she knows she's dating a pussy." - Gen Tommy Franks

From JP 3-54... Yet USAF/PA does it all the time. For a while after 9/11, it was "Major Tom" (rank and first names, but no last names); but lately it seems the USAF has backed off on protecting its members...such as this article on the 355 FS deploying to Afghanistan. However, on this site we (the forum owner and us mods) are more sensitive to operational information. See this thread. And if you have any questions about OPSEC, the AU site has a lot of good sources of information. And I agree that it isn't the smartest idea. And as we have seen lately with the lady that lied about her husband dying in Iraq to win tickets to a Hannah Montana concert or all the posers being called out lying on other forums, it is quite easy to find information on people via the Internet. Some days I am glad I live in a cave! Cheers! M2

Who knows, someone just got picked up with a DWI so anything is possible! However, your track record isn't that great! For one, if the Army recruiter is hesitant about your legal history I don't think you are going to fare too well with an Air Force recruiter! That's a lot of shit there, and the disenrollment and an "average" GPA isn't going to help. But if youi decide you are going to pursue an Air Force flying career, the first thing you'll have to learn is that we have Officer Training School (OTS), not OCS (which is the Army). Also remember that Army standards are lower than the USAF, and most Army fliers are Warrants. Not a bad gig if you like excitement, and maybe once you've been flying for a while you can try and do an inter-service transfer to the USAF. But be wary of recruiters--especially Army recruiters--that try to convince you that the best way to become a Warrant or even a commissioned officer is to enlist. Once you've signed on the dotted line, your ass is theirs and the next thing you know you are rolling through Iraq doing convoy duty! Oh, and I would recommend blowing off that speed camera ticket unless you haven't received any notification whatsoever. You are not required to receive the ticket from an officer, so if you were mailed a notice stating you were busted, you had better pay it or you're going to be even deeper in shit! Good luck! Cheers! M2

Actually, I would think the "old Sammy Sosa" would be more widely recognized and understood by those in uniform... Cheers! M2

The Gratitude Campaign In case you are the recipient of this gesture, it is good to know they are just saying 'thanks.' Here's the story... And the sign... Cheers! M2

Yep, I do miss the EuroStar. The Brussels to London run was a blast! Actually, for short trips I almost like it more than flying commercial! A lot more comfortable, you can easily get up and walk around, the scenery is a helluva lot better. Too bad fast trains have not caught on in the States... This past April, A modified version of the TGV set a new record for rail travel of of 574 KMH (or about 357 MPH)! There is a longer video of it here. Cheers! M2

Reminds me of the story told by the Homeland Defense guy at the JSOU Terrorism Course...he had a letter permitting him to carry his duty weapon aboard the plane, but the TSA inspectors wouldn't let him take a set of fingernail clippers onboard. He noted he was carrying the weapon, to which the TSA person replied, "But you have a permit for it, you don't have a permit to take nail clippers aboard!" As for the pre-flight briefs, have you ever actually seen anyone paying attention to one? I will actually read the safety card and be sure I know where the nearest exits are, but beyond that I have flown enough to what to do if I even get the chance. But you are right, you'd be lucky to survive the impact... Cheers! M2

HD is spot on, shit goes down but the wrong people get punished. Can't go after hadji, might hurt his feelings or insult the local goverment. God forbid we actually blame the guilty! So, since we have to do something, then take it out on our guys. Why not? There's not much they can do about it! Focus the attention on the source of the problem and it will get resolved; but beat the dog that didn't bite you and eventually he will bite you! Keeping some kid from eating because he doesn't have his dog tags on doesn't help anyone. It is amazing that some SNCOs and officers don't get fragged... Cheers! M2

Those aren't even USAF lieutenants... Making fun of lieutenants is like shooting fish in a barrel. No sport. Cheers! M2

I'll second that, I was at the Denver USO earlier this summer and it was quite a place! And I've had great experiences with the USO at Atlanta as well. God bless the great folks of the USO! Cheers! M2