M2

I was at SHAPE for three years and unfortunately, I found the Belgians violate Beaver's #1 rule of not fruiting the beer too often. But I also did four years in Germany and two in the UK, so maybe I was spoiled... Cheers! M2

Beaver Too late, pulled the trigger early this afternoon... Paid $19K and change out the door, with tax, title and all that bullshit. It's almost the same color as the old USAF staff cars, I wonder if there is some kind of Freudian connection there? Got some rubber floormats and a locking gas cap on the way home. Dropped a few basic necessities in it once I got to the house and now it is sitting out getting rained on. Weather in San Antonio sucks this weekend, upper 30s and rain. But next week will be nice, and I am sure we are in for another long, hot summer. It'll be more fun then... Cheers! M2

Mike I'm with ya! I wish I could find a late model Rubicon Unlimited in an auto is tough. Nothing locally, and I really don't have time to drive one back from Cleveland. Plus they run about $3-4K more. There is one up south of Dallas, but it has almost double the mileage on it (35K vs 21K) and it is still $2K more. Plus it has the hard top, and I am not really interested in that. I am waiting to hear back from that seller, but I have already transferred the money into checking so I could buy the Unlimited I drove yesterday outright. I hate car payments, I'd rather save the money I would pay on interest. Cheers! M2

OK, went out and drove a couple of used Unlimiteds today. They were basically the same, both had between 21-22K on them, almost the same color (blue versus dark blue), and about the same price ~$18K. Here's my impressions... First, call me old whatever but the auto drove a heckuva lot better than the manual. I don't know, but it seemed like I was constantly shifting the 6-speed. We took the auto off road a little and it was a lot easier to drive. Second, the Unlimiteds drive better than I expected them to! The longer wheelbase makes a difference. Thirdly, taking the windows off was pretty easy, as we folding back the top (the "suncatcher" option). We didn't fold the top all the way back but I took all the windows off and lowered the back window, and that took about 5-10 minutes for someone who never did that before. Fourthly, if you want something that gets good gas mileage, don't get a Jeep! I wish these things came in turbo diesels like you can get in Europe, that would help somewhat. Fifthly, yes, they are not cars, but they are still fun. About all I would need is a bikini top for it, and possibly those big lights for the top of the bumper. But I can see this might get expensive, as there is a lot you can do to customize a Jeep! I am about 85% sure I am gonna pull the trigger on one. I probably won't get rid of my other car right away, I won't get much for it and I might as well get my money out of it. Cheers! M2

Depends on when you took the MSF course. Back in "the day," you only had to take it once but I think the rules have changed and now it is required every couple of years. But as it is taught for free on most bases, that isn't a problem. But the USAF uses the MSF courses (either basic or experienced rider, it doesn't matter), so if you already have one and it is current, you have the exact same training as you would have gotten on base. And for anyone who hasn't taken the MSF courses, if you have ridden a motorcycle before than I suggest you go for the experienced rider course. The basic one is way too basic for most people who already know how to ride a bike. Cheers! M2

Bischoff's is best enjoyed sitting outside a gasthaus in the center of Winnweiler, accompanied by a fine schnitzel mit frits. It gets no better than this! Cheers! M2

Tertle Two completely different approaches to motorcycling. The SV is a v-twin, so you'll have great torque and a power delivery that a lot of people prefer over the in-line fours; but you won't have the screaming acceleration of the Kaw. Plus, the Suzuki is a lot less common, especially with full bodywork like the one pictured, and with that Yosh can I bet it sounds nice. So, you can kinda figure I would lean more towards the Suzuki; but if you are going to ride ball's out than maybe the ZX-6R will be more your cup of tea. If you already have riding experience, you shouldn't have any problem with either as long as you respect it and keep a healthy fear of the street. Get the one that allows you to go out and buy a decent helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots as a minimum. Don't skimp on those items, as they might be what you depend on to save your life one day. And remember to ride at your own pace. I ride with some guys that do a lot of track days and have refined skills, and I don't always keep up with them (old guy syndrome). But the key point is I know when I am pushing it too hard, and back off. Nothing kills the fun of riding more than a wreck! Cheers! M2

Stella Artois is the wifebeater's beer of Belgium...trust me, I lived there for three years. For real beer, anyone in the KMC area needs to go out towards Sembach and pick up some Bischoff's. Only then will you know the true majesty of German brewing...just ask "Elvis" This, my friends, is the nectar of the gods... In the US, I gotta admit that Samuel Adams is tasty; and Henry Weinhard's Private Reserve was my favorite beverage when I was at Mt Home... Cheers! M2

'2' Cheers! M2

He shouldn't have any surprises if/when it is time for a callsign... Cheers! M2

Found a nice 2005 Unlimited with only 21K on it at a decent price; but the only hook is that it is an automatic. Actually, I believe that was the standard, as 6-speeds were an option; and I may actually prefer the auto as there is a lot of stop-and-go traffic in San Antonio. Is it just a "purist's attitude" that Jeeps must have a manual transmission, or is there a real reason for it (such as the autos are junk)? Anyone have an auto? Cheers! M2

I guess so, but I bought a sportbike, a Honda CBR1000RR Resol edition, instead... Cheers! M2

Toro "Used to"??? Anyhow, thanks all. And 100LL, you had better get that flag off the front of your YJ before one of the fun police from MEO see it. You'll be sitting though 100 hours of sensitivity training (ala Clockwork Orange) and you will never be the same afterward. Don't believe me, read this... Cheers! M2

Thanks for the inputs. One of the only reasons I would prefer the hardtop is for the extra security. I have a tendency to go out to the gun range and would prefer that my weapons be a little more protected by something that cannot be cut open with a pen knife. I rarely leave a gun in the car, and of course I can never bring one to work as the "SF" guys hate to be outgunned by long-haired hippies like myself; but even at the range I usually only bring one long-gun in at a time, swapping them out while I am there. But being in San Antonio, I would probably use the bikini top 10 months out of the year. I haven't heard back from the owner yet, and I obviously want to test drive it before I drop any cash on the table; but the comments here echo the ones I have heard from other Wrangler owners. And Wilco, I agree with you on everything (manual shift, 4WD) but not on the short wheelbase. I still like the thought of a little more stability from the longer Unlimited version (plus I can always brag that mine is "longer" and "unlimited!" ). And, as the wife has a 05 Honda Odyssey, there is little chance that the Jeep will see any significant highway miles. That is just not their baliwick! Cheers! M2

Thinking about buying a used one...the current battlewagon (a 96 VW Passat) is showing its age and nickel-and-diming me to death lately. Have always wanted a Jeep and there is a two-year old Unlimited for sale here in town that may not be a bad deal. Any current/previous Jeep Wrangler owners out there who have any advice, good or bad? It has a hard top with a bikini top thrown in, a manual transmission, and the 4.0L in-line six with 35K on it, ABS, A/C and a CD player. I prefer the extended rear bed and wheelbase of the Unlimited. Cheers! M2

'2' on Progressive (a.k.a. EmblemKing), Eric's son Mike is in UPT at the moment. As for other manufacturers, try this list. Cheers! M2

BS. I've known many military-married-to-military folks who have served professionally and without problem. Unless there is a direct chain-of-command issue (and one that you have absolute proof of, not just what you "think" is going on), then the USAF can go suck an egg. WTF, people complain about having to wear a fucking reflective belt but have no problems with the Air Force telling you who you can and cannot marry? Get real, if you have evidence that there is wrongdoings going on, go to the IG. If not, shut your cakehole and quit spreading rumors. We have enough of that shit going on. And I am still waiting for pics of your cadet g/f to make the final determination as to whether she is work tanking your career or not! Cheers! M2

Looks like Rachel Smith, a.k.a. Miss Tennessee, took it... Cheers! M2

Herka! Where's your espirit de corps? Let's just for a second imagine she isn't a stuck-up bitch and actually male-friendly, wouldn't you like to see one uf the USAF's finest win the Miss USA? By the way, there is a nice PA piece on her on this web site (scroll down). Cheers! M2

HD Whereas Olds may have advocated it, and took his to a new art level; he is not the inventor of the combat mustache. I know Godfrey and Gentile of the 4th Fighter Group grew them during WWII, and I believe the tradition goes back as far as the First World War. And ENJJPT IP, glad to hear you've got your entire squadron participating in Mustache March, including the studs. Gotta make for some humorous 'staches; but as you know that's not the point of Mustache March, it’s the camaraderie of everyone growing one regardless of how bad some look. Matter of fact, at the end of the month we used to hold a contest and one of the categories was ‘Cheesiest mustache.’ I am happy to say I never won it… Cheers! M2

Steve Nice one! Actually, during my enlisted days (early 80s), we used IBM keypunch cards to input data into a program called MILAP. As a matter of fact, I even found a picture of the machine we used, an IBM 029: (However, we found ours worked better plugged in!) I used to program the fields on these things, there was a spool in the center section that would hold a card that defined each field as it was typed in. Anyhow, after I got out and went to college, I took a course in computing that said IBM keypunch cards were 1950s technology... Cheers! M2

NATO airlift missions...especially ones with senior GOs aboard... Cheers! M2

Actually, for certain software like Geographic Information Systems this kind of interface can be much more useful for doing analysis than the basic desktop. My office is actually looking to get something like this, but probably not this sophisticated. And as Bendy pointed out, the computing power required to drive this monster is expensive... Still, it is a good look at the future. Figuring it wasn't that long ago that computers looked like this... ...this technology may be around quicker than you'd think! Cheers! M2

You think the USAF regs are anal, go look at the Army FMs or any COCOM that is Army-centric (e.g. EUCOM). When I was in Slovakia on the MLT, we actually had to get a waiver from EUCOM to drink during the duty day... Cheers! M2

I was wondering how long it would take Rain to roll in on this one! I am sure the Reserves or a Guard unit will be more than happy to pick you up...once you have completed your ADSC. Not the best post to start off with! Cheers! M2