Vertigo

What part of "I'm not blaming the victims in this case" did you not understand? The rant was about something DIFFERENT but RELATED. Get it? Or do you need me to draw it out in Crayon?

I would what? Call people out on their stupidity? Pass on words of advice to anyone traveling on a civilian carrier overseas to the middle east?

I traveled through Frankfurt twice in the last two weeks while I was going and returning from E-leave. I was constantly shaking my head at the other military members in the airport as they were SO easy to pick out. Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not blaming the victims in this case, but people need to be aware of how they are dressed and what they are carrying with them. I was able to pick out US military members easily because they were 1- wearing sage green fleece jackets or 2- wearing digital camo backpacks with name tapes and a big black stencil saying "US" on it 3- wearing combat boots and service T-shirts (i.e. Army PT t-shirt and a black t-shirt that read on the back US Army Military Police). Mind you I saw this at Riyadh and Doha as well as all these people were on my flight when we arrived there. I just wanted to go up to them and say "Hey! Thanks for making our flight a target!"

SCOTUS has ruled 8-1 in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church. Funeral Pickets are Protected Speech When I read the oral arguments a few months ago it was clear in my mind the Phelps had a much stronger case and did a much better job argumenting their side than the Plaintiff did. Sometimes my libertarian side disgusts me... If you want to read the oral arguments, which I highly recommend you do as it gives a lot of insight as to what the supremes were looking for, here it is. Somewhat lengthy but a very good read. Snyder vs Phelps oral arguments SCOTUS opinion

Holy cow- the guy must've been REALLY desperate if he used your pics. That or he was into the fat chicks. I'm just sayin'...

Umm... misspelling sergeant would be the first clue.

I'm not in Balad but just north of there. It's taking about 7-10 days for letters and packages for my location, I would speculate and say it's probably close to that for ORBD as well.

Similar situation for me. Left in '08 passed through the deid last month on my way to Kirkuk. Card was expired and the deid finance updated the expiry date for me on the spot and asked me if I remembered my pin, if not they could reset that too.

Is that rule going into effect Aug 10, 2011? Because I deployed last month, hadn't used my old Eagle card since mid '08. When I landed at OTBH I went to finance and they changed my expiration date. Doesn't make sense to have to get a new card (why waste $$ on the plastic and chips) when all you have to do is change the expiry in the system. But that's Big Blue for you, if a process runs great you have to change it so that something is asinine.

Eagle card is mandatory AOR wide now, I think. You can use both though. Eagle card is like an ATM/debit card. You preload it up from your bank account. If you need cash (for example the Haji shop selling pirated DVDs) then take the Eagle card to finance and withdraw cash from it. I haven't had to use cash in my time here in Kirkuk- all Eagle card. Once I get ready to leave and want to get some gifts from the bazaars I'll use the Eagle card to get my cash. Cons of cash- easily stolen or lost. Pogs from the BX. Pros of cash- needed for shopping at non AAFES sponsored stands Cons of card- haven't come across one yet Pros- easy to use, same card is good on multiple deployments (just need to go see finance to renew the expiration date), no worry of debit/credit card lines down, can get cash from it if needed

Ah! So this is the reason the Air Force issued M16s/M4s to its members at ORKK with no magazines or ammo. It's not needed! Yes you heard me- they issued weapons as a force protection measure but no magazines or ammo. Basically they're carrying around an 8 pound paperweight. I guess if the shit hits the fan they can always use their rifles to hit rocks at the enemy.

...for a man dressed as a woman.

Be aware ORKK is drawing down so if you put in for that gig and come this way be prepared for a lack of services and creature comforts you might normally expect. IDF take over cos/base security responsibilities tomorrow... God help us.

Thanks for your sacrifice.

Charter flights to carry thousands of Americans out of Egypt

Ok, now I get it. *facepalm myself* The blocking of the unit threw me off... I thought he was censoring a cuss word. LOL.

Translation?

You have to send the form in that way... but they need either a SIPR number or email to send the login info to. At least that's what they told me two weeks ago after I locked my account and had to reset the password.

Do you know who your UPAM is? They're the ones who can get you started. To fill out the Account Request form get on the portal > go to MAJCOMs > go to AMC > On the right hand side of the screen under Links you'll see "Global Decision Support System - General Information" click that it'll take you to the GDSS COP. Once in the COP go to Account Management. You'll see the request form if you have a UPAM. If you dont have a UPAM go to Account Request Process and it'll explain the process for setting up a UPAM. Once the form has been submitted to AMC and you've submitted a SIPR email they'll email you your username and temp password.

Signs at ORKK were replaced in the last 48 hours to clarify. It now says something to the effect of "All US military, civilians, and contractors will wear a reflective belt between the hours of 1700-0700". Even the Sierra Leone "security" guys are wearing them. I guess even though we're still getting rocketed and sniped at on a daily basis that's no incentive to not be reflective.

Sign on every table in the chow hall at ORKK states "No one (military or civilian) will be allowed into the DFAC without a reflective belt on their person."

Boy, 13, arrested by teacher for having a Sharpie in his possession. https://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/bizarre/boy-13-busted-illegal-marker-possession

First thing that came to my head to.

Reading fail. Unless Hillary Clinton lost 60 pounds and 25 years and had some serious plastic surgery done.

Haha... catching the joke fail!