M2

It has, but not at this level... Cheers! M2

Are you serious? Cheers! M2

Yep, from over 26 years ago. Funny thing is the entire time I was enlisted and overseas, I kept getting letters asking for address updates (this before the Internet, kids!). I sent replies with my APO address, explaining that I didn't think I'd get drafted as I was already in. A few weeks later I would get a ncie form letter thanking me for updating my address. I hope the system is run better nowadays... Cheers! M2

Oddly enough, I was on the Selective Service web site getting info for my periodic reinvestigation (security clearance update), when I came across this little nugget of info... Nice to know being "equal" doesn't apply in all situations... Cheers! M2

Interesting article... But if it happens then the law that prohibits women from being drafted will have to be repealed. It does not make sense that females would be excluded from having to serve. I understand not letting them in certain career fields, but those are few and far between and there are plenty of other jobs they can fufill. Hasn't that been proven already? Cheers! M2

She won't get full pay and allowances... More info here. Cheers! M2

Actually, doesn't RB still have a somewhat large shoppette? But it is a long commute from Patch (45 min?), and not one I would bother with during the week. Also, there is a small one on Kelly, at least there still was when I worked Flexible Response there in Oct/Nov 05. And where the BX at Panzer is a great improvement over the old facilities on Patch, I would only consider it an "average" AAFES facility. The two major BX/PXs in the KMC offer a much wider selection of goods, and is only a two-hour drive away. Plus Heidelberg is only an hour or so, and there is/was a mid-sized PX there as well. As for schools, Patch has an elementary school. I don't have any firsthand experience with DoDDS at EUCOM, but if you need more info let me know and I will see if any of my EUCOM buds can provide some gouge. Cheers! M2

Toro I am in Garmisch right now but heading to Innsbruck this morning to fly back to Texas. I go to Stuttgart on a regular basis, not only know but when I was stationed in Europe, and as BaseOps said it is better located for travel to the "better" parts of Europe (Black Forest, the Alps, etc). And with the new AAFES facilities at Panzer Kaserne, you don't have to head to Ramstein to shop. Either would rock, and as you know I did four years at Ramstein; but my bottom line is anywhere in Europe is a lucky break nowadays. Heck, I'd even go back to SHAPE given the opportunity... Cheers! M2

No need for a military clause in the lease, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act already has that covered. It doesn't have to be actuallywritten in the lease for it to apply... Cheers! M2 p.s. Like the new waving flag icon!

And even with a lease you have restrictions of what you can do. My BTDT story concerns a guy who was in the construction trade renting one of our condos outside of Baltimore. One bad winter he couldn't find work, hence he didn't pay rent. My property manager got an eviction order, but it takes a while for the police to serve it. When they finally got around to it, it snowed. Apparantly Maryland law prohibits evictions if it is snowing, so they canx'd on me. The dude got to live there for several more months rent-free before we finally got him out. Tried several avenues to get him to pay back rent, and did get some (about a third) back; but for the most part all I got to do was write it off on my taxes. Friend or not, I wouldn't let anyone live in one of my properties without a formal, legal agreement. If he doesn't like it, tought shit, good luck to him in finding someplace to live that doesn't require a lease... Cheers! M2

Not a lawyer, but I would expect the housing office to have all the answers to your questions. First of all, you would be a moron not to have some legal document drawn up concerning the agreement. They may be buds now, but when they destroy your house and scoot you will have no legal recourse without a lease. And make them give you a deposit. And of course you will have to give them the same options under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act as any other landlord, which includes cutting them loose from a lease if there is a military reason for it. If you are considering renting the property out after you leave, I would strongly recommend getting a property manager. It costs you a little, but the peace of mind is worth it. And the 10-year rule applies as a military homeowner. You have a ten-year extension to the "live in the property for three of the past five years" law when it comes to paying capital gains if/when you sell. So, in other words, if in 12 years you decide to sell, the clock backs up to ten years prior and if you lived in the property for three of the previous years prior to that date, you do not have to pay any capital gains on the profit of the sale. The tax folks will be able to tell you more about it. Just some lessons learned from owning and renting out two properties during the second half of my career... Cheers! M2

Lord Flashheart, the WW I RFC ace from 'Black Adder Goes Forth'...played by Rik Mayall (sp?), also in 'The Young Ones.' Cheers! M2

No hesitation at all in deciding...Veronica Zemanova...Google her, but not at work (unless you have the 'safe' filter on, and even then it is risky...safer to wait until you are home on your own computer). By the way, does the '1.5' apply to the hottie as well? Cheers! M2

My Nuvi 350 arrived on Friday, and I've been having fun with it all weekend. I also got the US topo maps CD, and loaded all of central Texas on it, about anywhere I have any chance of wheeling in the Jeep. Once I got MapSource loaded (the Garmin software), it was a snap. The thing is a blast, but it is a little difficult to hear the command prompts when in the Jeep with the top/doors off and the stereo blasting, but that's almost to be expected . It's just a freaking' cool gadget... Cheers! M2

Cheers! M2

Now the question is to spend the money for a traffic reciever and service subscription as to allow the Garmin to auto-reroute when there is congestion...anyone have one of these? Cheers! M2

The 60csx kick's ass, probably my next GPS purchase. It's very popular with the Jeep crowd. But my primary need is for road routing, hence the Nuvi...at least for now! Cheers! M2

I just ordered a Garmin Nuvi 350 after my bro-in-law visited for a week with his. Damn thing is really useful, even in a town where you think you know how to get around. It got us home from the Alamo on a route I have never taken, but which probably saved us 5-10 minutes over my usual route. Plus it not only tells you directions, but gives you the street names as well. That's a cool function. The GPS I had was an old Magellan Pioneer that I bought while in Bosnia nine years ago. It needed replacin'... I paid $377 for the NUvi from Amazon. I also ordered Garmin's Topo 2008 DVD for about $80, it works on the Nuvi but there are some functions that work on the City Navigator street maps that won't work on the topos, but the maps are pretty detailed and about all I need for my off-road adventures in the Jeep. My bro-in-law researches every electronic he buys to death, and GPS Magazine rated the Nuvi 350 as their #3 top GPS system (the Nuvi 680 was #1 and Nuvi 660 #2). There is also a lot of good info on buying GPS on that site, as well as some pretty extensive reviews. Be sure to read the 'What to look for in a new GPS' article. I was just wondering what GPS folks use in their cars, hiking, etc... Cheers! M2

Are you anywhere near a base? If so, you might be able to fangle you way into a slot. Call the safety office... Otherwise, you are out of luck. The USAF doesn't pay MSF instructors to teach the course, it trains them (military guys) for free and they provide the courses for everyone else. Not sure if the Navy orArmy do the same, if by chance you are closer to one of their bases... Cheers! M2

Just a few words of wisdom from BG Olds... "Anybody who doesn't have fear is an idiot. It's just that you must make the fear work for you. Hell when somebody shot at me, it made me madder than hell, and all I wanted to do was shoot back." "A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing." "Fighting spirit one must have. Even if a man lacks some of the other qualifications, he can often make up for it in fighting spirit." "There are pilots and there are pilots; with the good ones, it is inborn. You can't teach it. If you are a fighter pilot, you have to be willing to take risks." "When I took over my wing [in Vietnam], the big talk wasn't about the MIG's, but about the SAM's ... I'd seen enemy planes before, but those damn SAM's were something else. When I saw my first one, there were a few seconds of sheer panic, because that's a most impressive sight to see that thing coming at you. You feel like a fish about to be harpooned. There's something terribly personal about the SAM; it means to kill you and I'll tell you right now, it rearranges your priorities ... We had been told to keep our eyes on them and not to take any evasive move too soon, because they were heat-seeking and they, too would correct, so I waited until it was almost on me and then I rolled to the right and it went on by. It was awe inspiring ... The truth is you never do get used to the SAM's; I had about two hundred fifty shot at me and the last one was as inspiring as the first. Sure I got cagey, and I was able to wait longer and longer, but I never got overconfident. I mean, if you're one or two seconds too slow, you've had the schnitzel." "It got more exciting with each war. I mean the planes were going faster than hell when I was flying a Mustang, but by the time I got to Nam, it scared the piss out of a lot of guys just to fly the damn jets at full speed. Let alone do it in combat." Cheers, Sir! M2

'2' I hate how the Army clowns salute in PT gear. It is not a military uniform, no matter what they think. It doesn't have rank or insignia on it, it is simply gym gear. It is almost as bad as their tendency to salute higher-ranking officers even when they (the sr officers) are wearing civilian clothes...I have been told by Army bubbas it is because the officer is still an officer even in civvies. Give me a break...are their egos that fragile?!? And if you really don't want lieutenants to salute each other, than Brasso your bars so no one can tell what color they are. Cheers! M2

I am just glad I had a chance to meet and talk with him at least once in my life... Godspeed, sir. Cheers! M2

I agree, unless the rifle is one of those they have in the special display room at Bass Pro Shop, you won't have any problems shipping it in your HHG. Heck, I shipped motorcycles in my HHG all the time with little problems (minor damage). Just be sure all the paperwork is in order, and worst case something happens, you get a new rifle. But to be honest, I don't think movers will want to deal with the hassle of losing a firearm in a move. A toaster is a different story... Cheers! M2

Honestly, you'd think the USAF would be smarter than this, especially considering the recent Congressional investigation into the Pat Tilghman cover-up and Jessica Lynch story spin. But, we need some collaboration on this, verification that it is true. Can't let this die, it is too insulting to the thousands of men and especially women who have served this country honorably, and who have earned a true disability. Worse case scenario, someone drives to Moody and runs the dumb bitch over in their car while she is jogging on base one day. It would be a tragic accident, but a necessary one to save a little face for the USAF... Cheers! M2