Hello All!

[USMCgunner11]

I have been using this forum for almost a week now and I really appreciate the community here. My name is Ryan, I have been keeping snakes and lizards for about 8 years now. Unfortunately, I had to significantly reduce my collection to just one BP and one Columbian Boa (aren't divorces great?!).

A little more about myself, I served in the US Marine Corps for 8 years, enjoy playing guitar and weightlifting.

I look forward to furthering my knowledge and appreciation for reptiles with you guys.

[Bradyloach]

welcome here :D

[alessia55]

Welcome to the forum, Ryan. Would love to see photos of your BP and boa :)

[Kingsnakechris]

Welcome. What'd you do in usmc? I was in the army myself, 11 bravo infantry. Glad to have you aboard.

[USMCgunner11]

First is my BP- "Trouser" He is 8 years old and was my first. He's about 4 ft 2 in.
Second is my Columbian Boa- "Eve" She is about 9 months and is a little over 2 ft long and growing fast! She is currently recovering from a minor rectal prolapse but is doing well.
The last pic is of Trouser and our cat staring each other down. Despite how it looks, they get along very well and are quite comfortable with one another. Their interaction is always monitored of course.

[USMCgunner11]

I was Military Police. But when we deployed they always turned us into an infantry unit. I spent most of my time as a 240 G Machine Gunner when that occurred.

[Kingsnakechris]

Gotta love the unexpected change in m.o.s they tried to get me to jump into mike 88 ( truck driver) they actually gave me a choice but a buddy of mine didn't get that luxury.

[BarelyBreathing]

Hahahahaha, you have a Trouser python! I literally spit my drink laughing.

[USMCgunner11]

LOL, yes. My poor grandmother, R.I.P., didn't get the inuendo and made me explain it to her. She never asked me to clarify anything else she didn't understand ever again.

[Kingsnakechris]

Hahaha that's classic!

[BarelyBreathing]

LOL, yes. My poor grandmother, R.I.P., didn't get the inuendo and made me explain it to her. She never asked me to clarify anything else she didn't understand ever again.


Haha, win!

[marvelfreak]

Hello and welcome to our zoo. Cool snakes and thanks for serving our country.

[Hillsberry]

Hello and welcome! Beautiful snakes! I got to visit the Marine Corps Base in Quanitco VA last summer with my Uncle who is now a retired Officer in the Marines. He walked me around the base it was intense but very cool! :)

[CK SandBoas]

Hi there, welcome to the forums!! You have some awesome snakes!

[exwizard]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for serving. :)

[UwabamiReptiles]

Welcome to the forum!

[MoreliAddict]

http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/welcome.gif

[jarich]

Welcome to the forum

[red ink]

G'day and welcome

[Trollbie]

Oorah! And welcome :)

Where were you stationed?

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

cheers shaun

[Norm66]

Welcome and once again, thanks for your service Marine.

Love the trouser snake. I love the grandmother thing. Mine used to say the restaurant 'Fuddrucker's' but transposed the F and the R.... It was always a hoot.

[USMCgunner11]

I did the majority of my time out of MCAS Miramar but had temporary duty assignments in 29 palms, MCAS Yuma, Camp Pendleton and a tour in Iraq. Norm66, that's hilarious

[Trollbie]

Did you like it? I love Camp P. it's the best military base in the country in my opinion. I don't remember the rules anymore, but are you allowed to have snakes on base? Other than the barracks...

[USMCgunner11]

I only lived in the barracks so it was a def no on the reptiles there. Hence my decision to live off base after I got married (the first time). As far as liking it, I loved every second of it. When you're in, you're bitter and frustrated about the little "this's and that's" but after you leave it all you get super sentimental and miss even the worst moments. Unfortunately, my time left me too banged up to return. Nothing too serious, just years of wear and tear on my joints

[Trollbie]

I almost joined after HS. Like I had my paperwork ready to go. But my mom flipped and I got enough fin aid to go to college. I'm still seriously considering it. Especially now that females in combat are now acknowledged. I wanna go as linguist. I managed to score a 93 on my ASVAB though, so I'm still exploring all my options. If MC had a medical field, I'd go straight into that though.

The only thing that I don't like about the MC is that I'd have to do boot in Parris Island...

I lived in Camp P for a summer, and I loved the vibe there.

[USMCgunner11]

Yeah Paris Island sucks IMO. However after the fact you could POSSIBLY get that as a duty location. If you're interested in medical you could go through the navy (Marines use Navy docs) and still get to work with Marines on Marine installations.

Both myself and my youngest brother were Marines so let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to be of assistance.

[RandyRhoads]

Welcome Ryan.

Welcome. What'd you do in usmc? I was in the army myself, 11 bravo infantry. Glad to have you aboard.


I didn't know you were an 11 bang bang as well. Gues I should read more.:wacky:

[Kingsnakechris]

Welcome Ryan.




I didn't know you were an 11 bang bang as well. Gues I should read more.:wacky:


11 bang bang all the way! "follow me"!

[Kingsnakechris]

I only lived in the barracks so it was a def no on the reptiles there. Hence my decision to live off base after I got married (the first time). As far as liking it, I loved every second of it. When you're in, you're bitter and frustrated about the little "this's and that's" but after you leave it all you get super sentimental and miss even the worst moments. Unfortunately, my time left me too banged up to return. Nothing too serious, just years of wear and tear on my joints

Very true, the stupid $h!t is quite frustrating but the sentimental aspect of it bites you in the @$$ when you get out. I was planning on staying in for a while but got "banged up" pretty good, fractured disks in my spine as well as a crushed disk all nicely compressed together. STILL waiting to get it fixed..
I'm out but I'm still dooin the hurry up and wait game LOL

[Trollbie]

Yeah Paris Island sucks IMO. However after the fact you could POSSIBLY get that as a duty location. If you're interested in medical you could go through the navy (Marines use Navy docs) and still get to work with Marines on Marine installations.

Both myself and my youngest brother were Marines so let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to be of assistance.

Ugh I know. I'd take 29 palms over carolina... West coast or overseas would be my top choices haha. I really wanna go on a MEU too. And do the survival school in the snow.

And as a female Corpsman, I'd probably get stuck in a hospital. I want to be in the field dealing with combat related wounds. It sounds weird, I know haha.

I was engaged to a marine so I lived in Pendleton for a summer and made a lot of friends from all kinds of MOSs. And I was also really lucky with one of my recruiters. He was awesome and didn't lie to me like most do. But I've pretty much had all my questions answered. Thank you though! I'm a little concerned now that there's talk of pulling out of Afghan though. I really wanna go there and experience it. And I'd hate to be stuck stateside not doing much. Know what I mean? I'd also love to go to Afghan and set up little clinics for especially the kids there that get burned and hurt in kitchen accidents and such. Something I'd like to do on my "downtime" while I'm there.

I've also been looking into the Lioness?FET teams

[Trollbie]

Btw a really close friend of mine got out after his 4 years, and then ended up joining the national guard. He pretty much hates his life in the guard and wishes he had just reenlisted lol.

[Kingsnakechris]

Ugh I know. I'd take 29 palms over carolina... West coast or overseas would be my top choices haha. I really wanna go on a MEU too. And do the survival school in the snow.

And as a female Corpsman, I'd probably get stuck in a hospital. I want to be in the field dealing with combat related wounds. It sounds weird, I know haha.

I was engaged to a marine so I lived in Pendleton for a summer and made a lot of friends from all kinds of MOSs. And I was also really lucky with one of my recruiters. He was awesome and didn't lie to me like most do. But I've pretty much had all my questions answered. Thank you though! I'm a little concerned now that there's talk of pulling out of Afghan though. I really wanna go there and experience it. And I'd hate to be stuck stateside not doing much. Know what I mean? I'd also love to go to Afghan and set up little clinics for especially the kids there that get burned and hurt in kitchen accidents and such. Something I'd like to do on my "downtime" while I'm there.

I've also been looking into the Lioness?FET teams

My recruiter was my best buddy till I enlisted, never saw him again. I was one of the guys who stumbled into the mall and talked to him, I actually bummed a smoke from him outside the mall and figured why not go sit and listen to what he had to say... Before I knew it I was at M.E.P.S. then a few months later ( I was a little to heavy to go right in so I had go through the delayed entry program) I was at FT. Benning Georgia.

[Trollbie]

My recruiter was my best buddy till I enlisted, never saw him again. I was one of the guys who stumbled into the mall and talked to him, I actually bummed a smoke from him outside the mall and figured why not go sit and listen to what he had to say... Before I knew it I was at M.E.P.S. then a few months later ( I was a little to heavy to go right in so I had go through the delayed entry program) I was at FT. Benning Georgia.

I wanted to join the Navy and I was always talking smack on the Marines... And then I got the call from the MC recruiter sr year so I was like fine, I'll see what you have to say. Went in pretty much to argue with them (Anything to get out of the house) and walked out smitten with the Corps lolz

Plus Marines have the best uniforms. I was in AFJROTC, and I hated the uniforms. No uniform look better than the Marine Corps Alphas in my opinion :D And their camis are the coolest also :p

I really liked the dark green Army uniforms too... I don't get why they switched...

[Kingsnakechris]

I wanted to join the Navy and I was always talking smack on the Marines... And then I got the call from the MC recruiter sr year so I was like fine, I'll see what you have to say. Went in pretty much to argue with them (Anything to get out of the house) and walked out smitten with the Corps lolz

Plus Marines have the best uniforms. I was in AFJROTC, and I hated the uniforms. No uniform look better than the Marine Corps Alphas in my opinion :D And their camis are the coolest also :p

I really liked the dark green Army uniforms too... I don't get why they switched...

You don't like the army digitals!?? Lol. I do like how the MC do up their BDU's I.E the sleeves being rolled back perfectly, I often thought they made us look lazy haha

[BarelyBreathing]

I went to a Marine Corps boarding school. It was probably the best decision I've ever made. I tried to join the Marines coming out, they even waived my medical problems. Everything was set until I found out I was allergic to bees. Bees. Of all things.

[USMCgunner11]

If it's combat you seek then military police is about as close as you could get as a female. MPs are split between garrison (on base) and field (security ops, route recon, foot and mounted patroling, detainee handling, etc).

As far as pulling out of Afhan, there's still a lot of fighting left in the country. And even if we pull out, Iran and N. Korea are next anyhow!

[BarelyBreathing]

You don't like the army digitals!?? Lol. I do like how the MC do up their BDU's I.E the sleeves being rolled back perfectly, I often thought they made us look lazy haha


All I have to say is: Velcroe.

[RandyRhoads]

11 bang bang all the way! "follow me"!


Lead the way!

[Kingsnakechris]

All I have to say is: Velcroe.

LOL see they DO make us look lazy dam!

[Trollbie]

You don't like the army digitals!?? Lol. I do like how the MC do up their BDU's I.E the sleeves being rolled back perfectly, I often thought they made us look lazy haha

I wonder if I'm still got at it. I used to roll my ex's sleeves all the time. I also got good at fading (haircut). I kind of miss those days... Too bad he decided to become a manipulative loser...

I went to a Marine Corps boarding school. It was probably the best decision I've ever made. I tried to join the Marines coming out, they even waived my medical problems. Everything was set until I found out I was allergic to bees. Bees. Of all things.

One thing I still haven't found out, and won't till I actually go through MEPS, is if they'll let me in with my crazy joints...

[Kingsnakechris]

If it's combat you seek then military police is about as close as you could get as a female. MPs are split between garrison (on base) and field (security ops, route recon, foot and mounted patroling, detainee handling, etc).

As far as pulling out of Afhan, there's still a lot of fighting left in the country. And even if we pull out, Iran and N. Korea are next anyhow!

Don't quote me on this but I heard that ALOT of local PD's frown upon MP training due to the difference in training? I'm not positive on that tho.

[USMCgunner11]

Your joints are lunatics? lol

[Trollbie]

If it's combat you seek then military police is about as close as you could get as a female. MPs are split between garrison (on base) and field (security ops, route recon, foot and mounted patroling, detainee handling, etc).

As far as pulling out of Afhan, there's still a lot of fighting left in the country. And even if we pull out, Iran and N. Korea are next anyhow!

I don't think I want to "fight" anymore (although I probably wouldn't be able to say no to sniper school lol). I want to be near combat, but be the one making it better. As in saving lives or interacting with the locals and helping to make them see the "better" side of the US military. I for sure want to learn Farsi and/or Arabic if I go in.

[Trollbie]

Your joints are lunatics? lol

Let me get a pic to give you an idea...

[RandyRhoads]

As in saving lives or interacting with the locals and helping to make them see the "better" side of the US military.

:laugh::laugh: Interact with them by killing them before they get you killed. They don't want you there and being all lovey dovey won't make them want you there or see "the good side".

[Kingsnakechris]

I wonder if I'm still got at it. I used to roll my ex's sleeves all the time. I also got good at fading (haircut). I kind of miss those days... Too bad he decided to become a manipulative loser...



One thing I still haven't found out, and won't till I actually go through MEPS, is if they'll let me in with my crazy joints...

I miss the high and tight! I've let my hair grow quite a bit since then tho. And as far as your joints go you may want to ask. It's best to find out before you get in, not sure about the MC but in the army the guys who got of basic training (boot camp) for any other reason than graduating, it was hell. I heard horror stories of people waiting months ad months doing nothing but waiting for paperwork to go through...

[FangsAnarchy]

LOL, yes. My poor grandmother, R.I.P., didn't get the inuendo and made me explain it to her. She never asked me to clarify anything else she didn't understand ever again.

XD I actually laughed out loud and now I am getting some strange looks. Thank you for your service (everyone) and welcome

[Kingsnakechris]

:laugh::laugh: Interact with them by killing them before they get you killed. They don't want you there and being all lovey dovey won't make them want you there or see "the good side".

Agreed. As I said before, IMO the ones were helping are just as nasty as the ones were against. They have no interest in seeing the good side of our presence there... At least none of the people we encountered. Some of the kids were pretty cool tho...

[RandyRhoads]

Ahh yes the future terrorists... Some were pretty entertaining. Very rude and bold, but very entertaining ...

Thinking they're allies just because they act like it is what gets people killed.


You guys will probablly get a laugh out of this if you haven't seen it yet.

s*%^ civilians say to vets- Real title isn't edited.

**** Civilians Say to Veterans - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Esni1RbwU)

[USMCgunner11]

Don't quote me on this but I heard that ALOT of local PD's frown upon MP training due to the difference in training? I'm not positive on that tho.

In my experience, they don't. A lot of my freinds left the USMC and went on to become police officers for various departments. The training is different but no so different that they wouldn't want to acquire one fo us.

I opted to stay with the fed gov as opposed to go an work for a civilian LE agency. My retirement and seniority all transfer over from the military that way. Plus, better job security in this economy.

[Kingsnakechris]

Yes, very bold and some INCREDIBLY rude. They don't seem to have an innocent side. Some were pretty entertaining tho.

[Kingsnakechris]

In my experience, they don't. A lot of my freinds left the USMC and went on to become police officers for various departments. The training is different but no so different that they wouldn't want to acquire one fo us.

I opted to stay with the fed gov as opposed to go an work for a civilian LE agency. My retirement and seniority all transfer over from the military that way. Plus, better job security in this economy.

Yeah unfortunately for me I was a full time grunt, and now I'm a busted up lol.
I was on military leave at my old job but due to injuries sustained I'm still waiting to go back to work. Luckily they were completely understanding and offered to let me have my job back as soon as I'm able to go. And thank you for clearing that up for me ( my question regarding the difference in training) I've often wondered about that.

[USMCgunner11]

The fed gov may be more forgiving than you think. Not just law enforcement but with any job they offer. My partner sitting next to me right now is a former Army Mortarman with arthritic knees and shoulders, and yet here he sits with me. Not sure what your medical issues may be, but it wouldn't hurt to try if you're interested. Browse USAJOBS - The Federal Government’s Official Jobs Site (http://www.usajobs.gov) and see if anything spikes your interest.

[Kingsnakechris]

The fed gov may be more forgiving than you think. Not just law enforcement but with any job they offer. My partner sitting next to me right now is a former Army Mortarman with arthritic knees and shoulders, and yet here he sits with me. Not sure what your medical issues may be, but it wouldn't hurt to try if you're interested. Browse USAJOBS - The Federal Government’s Official Jobs Site (http://www.usajobs.gov) and see if anything spikes your interest.

Thanks, I'll check that out. One way or another i gotta get fixed first tho, as it is there are days I can barely walk. I have a few fractured disks in my back on top of one that's crushed. All compressed together.

[USMCgunner11]

You and I suffer from the same thing, except its only one of my discs. I know your pain. Luckily I've discovered things that help reduce my pain relatively well (Glucosamine, Calcium, Magnessium, Inversion therapy, lots of exercise and proper hydration).

Docs say that I will eventually recover but never go back to 100%. I'd say I've gone from about 40% (when it first happened) to my current 80%. Wish you the best. Keep me posted

[Kingsnakechris]

Will do, and thank you! I'm looking at a few months of physical therapy and then surgery. They want to remove the crushed disk and inject cement like spacers. I'll ask my DR about the above listed remedies. It's habit to keep hydrated lol I still catch my self analyzing the color of my pee!

[Trollbie]

:laugh::laugh: Interact with them by killing them before they get you killed. They don't want you there and being all lovey dovey won't make them want you there or see "the good side".

There's always that risk. But the one deployment I went through with my ex, they were in Helmand and ran supply convoys between Camp Leatherneck and all the surrounding FOBs (he was Motor-T). They would always talk about how excited the locals would get when their convoy came through and interactive they were. Since things were calming down in that area, they ended up breaking one of the FOBs down and the locals were apparently very sad that the troops were leaving their village.

I think you just have to gain as much of their trust as possible in a short amount of time and maintain it. All this before Taliban turns them against you... It's hard and I know you can never be too careful, but if you try to not kill their fellow civies, and don't destroy their land and resources, you're on the right path to gaining their trust. A lot of those people are obviously scared to death of Taliban and don't want them there. So many of them are banking on the troops to protect them.

I swear I'm not trying to sound like I know everything because I don't. But I think that a lot of people (mainly thanks to the media) don't see the few good things that are happening over there. I'm know it's not rainbows and butterflies. But if I go, I'd want to do my best to find the positives and make them better, and if I can't find any, then I'd create them.

As silly as this probably sounds to those of you who've been there, I promise that I'm not making any of this up. A close family friend is an Army (Sgt I think) who's been in over 20 years, and he always made it his goal to do more than he was sent there for. He's had some awesome and inspiring experiences.

I'm sure a lot of it depends on where you are and who your commander's are though.

[Trollbie]

I hope you guys are at least decently take care of. The lack vet support in many cases pisses me off :(

[Kingsnakechris]

Decently yes. In a timely fashion? No. Not in my experience anyway..

[Trollbie]

Here's a pic of my lunatic joints. My knees hyper-extend too, although not as crazy as my elbows. I've asked multiple recruiters from all branches and none of them had any idea. Some told me that since it doesn't affect me, to just try and keep the straight during the MEPS physical... Soooo I don't know :(

And lolz... I just realized I'm wearing MC "Pain is weakness leaving the body" poolee shirt.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/Photoon2012-04-18at1249.jpg

[Lankyrob]

HEYY!!!! My joints used to do that as a kid!!! Used to freak the hell out of people!!

As soon as i started weight training tho they all tightened up and they dont do it any more :(

[BarelyBreathing]

That is SOOO CREEPY! It's awesome. Lol.

[USMCgunner11]

LMAO, I doubt anyone would disqualify you for that.

[Kingsnakechris]

That's nuts! If it doesn't affect your abillity to do countless push ups ( which you WILL do ALOT in the first few weeks of boot) and various other upper arm strength activities then go for it but I would make sure it doesn't first..

[USMCgunner11]

That might make you harder to submit in an arm bar. I think you missed your calling as a cage fighter! lol

[Lankyrob]

Do the joints dislocate? If so then i would guess at it being Ehlors Danloss Syndrome but if not then i was told it is purely down to "loose ligaments" and "insubstantial muscle mass". Hence once i worked out everything tightened up for me.

[Trollbie]

Decently yes. In a timely fashion? No. Not in my experience anyway..

:( It's sad. And embarrassing. Even Tricare for active duty is pretty ridiculous.

The 2 times I had to deal with TriCare were so horrendous that I probably had enough anger to fuel a trip to a galaxy far far away lol

[Kingsnakechris]

That might make you harder to submit in an arm bar. I think you missed your calling as a cage fighter! lol

LMAO. my thoughts exactly

[Kingsnakechris]

Do the joints dislocate? If so then i would guess at it being Ehlors Danloss Syndrome but if not then i was told it is purely down to "loose ligaments" and "insubstantial muscle mass". Hence once i worked out everything tightened up for me.

If it's insubstantial muscle mass she will be okay in boot camp. (basic training for the army) there is plenty of working out during those long long days LOL

[Kingsnakechris]

:( It's sad. And embarrassing. Even Tricare for active duty is pretty ridiculous.

The 2 times I had to deal with TriCare were so horrendous that I probably had enough anger to fuel a trip to a galaxy far far away lol

Yeah, it can become quite frustrating.....

[Trollbie]

That's nuts! If it doesn't affect your abillity to do countless push ups ( which you WILL do ALOT in the first few weeks of boot) and various other upper arm strength activities then go for it but I would make sure it doesn't first..

I suck at push ups, but that's because I don't have that much upper body strength. I just like "leg" sports better than working my arms lol

That might make you harder to submit in an arm bar. I think you missed your calling as a cage fighter! lol

Damn... It's still worth a try though, no? LOLZ

Do the joints dislocate? If so then i would guess at it being Ehlors Danloss Syndrome but if not then i was told it is purely down to "loose ligaments" and "insubstantial muscle mass". Hence once i worked out everything tightened up for me.

They don't dislocate. I don't remember what the orthopedic said about it when I'd go see him as a kid, but I think I have shallow joint cup thingys. Nobody ever tells me anything lol. Even doctors get creeped out. I know a few people who's joints slightly hyper extend, but I've never seen anyone as bad me. And I guess my docs haven't either.

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol almost everyone sucks at push ups at first but DI's and DS,s do a darn good job at motivating you to become better at them :-D

[USMCgunner11]

[quote=Trollbie;719734]I suck at push ups, but that's because I don't have that much upper body strength. I just like "leg" sports better than working my arms lol

Repetition, repetition, repetition. It's the only way to get better. Today you may only be able to do one. Start doing them over and over and over and 6 months from now you will be astounded how many you can do.

[Kingsnakechris]

In 8 weeks I went from being able to do barley 20 normal push ups to god only knows how many 1,2,3 one! 1,2,3 two! Lol

[Trollbie]

I was surprised I passed the flex hang with flying colors haha. I can do a few push ups. Pull ups are for sure gonna be one of my worst enemies though. I can run, climb, swim, hold my breath for a good while, heights don't phase me, I can walk for days, heavy load or not, but pull ups and push ups are the 2 things that I'm legitimately scared of in boot camp haha.

[Kingsnakechris]

You won't have time to think about it for a while and by the time you do you'll be well adapted. Lol

[Trollbie]

You won't have time to think about it for a while and by the time you do you'll be well adapted. Lol

I can imagine. My only other fear of boot camp is being around a bunch of females for 3 months... I've always gotten along better with males :hmm:

Aside from that, the shooting and the crucible, (and the fact that I've met some DIs, and spent a lot of time around Edson Range at Camp Pendleton and realized that it's not as horribly intimidating as most people think it is) boot camp sounds somewhat fun. I like challenge.

There's no doubt in my mind that I won't think that anymore for at least the first couple of weeks lol

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol it's all a mind game. The people you'll be going through it with will become your brothers (or sisters in your case) as it is incredibly team orientated. Your success depends on how much they help you and you them. There may be a few that don't get along but just try your best to avoid the stupid things like that. You'll be fine I promise. If I could do it ( in the army ) just about anyone can as long as they want to and don't give up. :D

[Trollbie]

Lol it's all a mind game. The people you'll be going through it with will become your brothers (or sisters in your case) as it is incredibly team orientated. Your success depends on how much they help you and you them. There may be a few that don't get along but just try your best to avoid the stupid things like that. You'll be fine I promise. If I could do it ( in the army ) just about anyone can as long as they want to and don't give up. :D

I'm definitely not a quitter :D

[Kingsnakechris]

Then you'll do fine :D

[Trollbie]

My friends are convinced I'd be a major Moturd... lolz

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol! Beats being pvt. Pile!

[Trollbie]

Lol! Beats being pvt. Pile!

I can see myself being a Joker more than anything...

[Kingsnakechris]

Hahaha If I had to choose, I'd say I was one of the random faces that just shut up and blended in! Seemed wise to stay under radar!

[Trollbie]

Hahaha If I had to choose, I'd say I was one of the random faces that just shut up and blended in! Seemed wise to stay under radar!

I can stay under the radar in terms of being stealthy. But in a group of people, no matter how hard I try not to, I always end up standing out somehow.

My last name has already shot down any possibility of staying under the radar lol

[Kingsnakechris]

Haha my last name KILLED me! Just don't correct them when they mess it up LOL

[USMCgunner11]

And the moment they see your elbows you will forever be dubbed "Recruit Gumby." You are very savvy with military knowledge, lingo and culture. You will undoubtedly do well and be very successful. I think the rest of the vets here would agree that we meet a lot of people who tell us that they ALMOST joined the Army, Navy, Marines etc..... but they decided not to for whatever reason. Even if they don't say it, you can tell they regret not trying.

If you're this way now, you'll prob look back the rest of your life. Food for thought.

[Kingsnakechris]

And the moment they see your elbows you will forever be dubbed "Recruit Gumby." You are very savvy with military knowledge, lingo and culture. You will undoubtedly do well and be very successful. I think the rest of the vets here would agree that we meet a lot of people who tell us that they ALMOST joined the Army, Navy, Marines etc..... but they decided not to for whatever reason. Even if they don't say it, you can tell they regret not trying.

If you're this way now, you'll prob look back the rest of your life. Food for thought.

100% agreed.

[Kingsnakechris]

Haha recruit gumby thats funny

[Trollbie]

And the moment they see your elbows you will forever be dubbed "Recruit Gumby." You are very savvy with military knowledge, lingo and culture. You will undoubtedly do well and be very successful. I think the rest of the vets here would agree that we meet a lot of people who tell us that they ALMOST joined the Army, Navy, Marines etc..... but they decided not to for whatever reason. Even if they don't say it, you can tell they regret not trying.

If you're this way now, you'll prob look back the rest of your life. Food for thought.

Thanks :)

The thing with me is that there is too many things that I want to do. As long as I'm not sitting in an office or dealing with stupid bullpoop, I'm happy. I've been in many miserable situations, but 99% of them I didn't even notice I was in a miserable situation. I automatically make the best of any situation. If stress catches up and I get overwhelmed, I may get a little anxiety attack, but the next day I forget all about it. I'm also not one to regret anything or look back too much.

So I don't know what's gonna happen. I want to at least serve 4 years just to have the satisfaction that I did it, but I also really love my field of study and wanna get my Phd asap.

At this point I'm going with the flow. I graduate in June, so something is gonna happen. I tend to make the best decision on an impulse anyway. if I think too much about it, I second guess myself.

All I'm certain of that I'm drawn to things that most people avoid, and that one of my best traits and worst flaws is that if you say I can't, I will die trying to prove to myself (and myself only because I don't really care what others think of me) that not only I can, but that I will.

I'm glad I went to college first though. If I do join, I'll be better off because I'm older and more mature. And smarter. And I'll have more options.

[Kingsnakechris]

Being a colege grad will DEF. Help you with your military career.

[USMCgunner11]

Yep, it's been taking me forever to just get to my associate's degree. If I could do it all again, I would only change the fact that I didn't do college first.

[Trollbie]

I have to retake the ASVAB though... it expired in January.


Lol when I took it, it was me and another girl, and the rest were all guys. Not only did I apparently get the highest score that day, I got by far the highest electrical/mechanical/auto line scores. (I forgot how they're broken down exactly) Out of all the guys there... And I was mainly just guessing based on common sense since I didn't really know technical terms and tool names in english yet. One of my proudest moments haha

[Trollbie]

Yep, it's been taking me forever to just get to my associate's degree. If I could do it all again, I would only change the fact that I didn't do college first.

Just stay with it! It's NEVER too late to go back to school.

[Kingsnakechris]

Haha that's awesome! I bet the other girl was going AF wasn't she? Every girl I met at meps was going AF two or three navy guys ALOT of MC and army.

[Trollbie]

Haha that's awesome! I bet the other girl was going AF wasn't she? Every girl I met at meps was going AF two or three navy guys ALOT of MC and army.

I think she was trying to go MC, but she only scored like a 15... Poor girl

[Kingsnakechris]

I don't have a college degree but I do have a bunch of certifications in the auto mechanics world. ive been debating going back to school for a while tho.

[Trollbie]

Haha that's awesome! I bet the other girl was going AF wasn't she? Every girl I met at meps was going AF two or three navy guys ALOT of MC and army.

Everybody says I should go AF. I always respond with "I've sat in a chair since first grade. I'm ready for some action" lol

No offense to any AF peeps. I acknowledge the awesome jobs AF has. It's just not for me.

[Kingsnakechris]

I couldn't if I'd wanted to. I had tattoos prior to enlisting. If I'm not mistaken that's a DQ in the MC now?

[Trollbie]

I couldn't if I'd wanted to. I had tattoos prior to enlisting. If I'm not mistaken that's a DQ in the MC now?

Last time I checked there was a limit on how many you can have and they can't be where they'll be visible in uniform. Things change often though, and I don't have any tats so I don't keep up with it.

[Kingsnakechris]

And the AF wants PERFECT. I was far from being such. Lol I respect every one in any branch but those guys catch as much crap as the navy. All the BSing amongst branches is all in good fun, as long as it's coming from someone actually in or previously in another branch, there is a tendency for all of us to help one another when the situation calls for it tho.

[Trollbie]

But it's still fairly easy to get away with it... I've seen recruiters count multiple tattoos as one if they're close enough to each other.

[Kingsnakechris]

Some guy talking crap about the army because his friends in the navy is a quick way to start some crap lol

[BarelyBreathing]

Everybody says I should go AF. I always respond with "I've sat in a chair since first grade. I'm ready for some action" lol

No offense to any AF peeps. I acknowledge the awesome jobs AF has. It's just not for me.


Haha, hubby was AF. He had a horrible experience with it.

[Trollbie]

And the AF wants PERFECT. I was far from being such. Lol I respect every one in any branch but those guys catch as much crap as the navy. All the BSing amongst branches is all in good fun, as long as it's coming from someone actually in or previously in another branch, there is a tendency for all of us to help one another when the situation calls for it tho.

Well I was never in, but jr ROTC was enough to know AF isn't for me. I don't even want to go officer unless I experienced the enlisted side first. I want to earn respect. Not get it because I'm a higher up and those are the rules.

[Trollbie]

Some guy talking crap about the army because his friends in the navy is a quick way to start some crap lol

I tend to talk crap on the AF and Army, based on what I know, and probably because I've spent way too much time around marines. It all comes from a good place though, and if Army ends up being my only option of going medical and getting field action, I'll do it. Too bad the medic school is in Houston :( I don't wanna be in TX

[Kingsnakechris]

Haha, hubby was AF. He had a horrible experience with it.

My cousins husband is in the AF he's been in for almost 9 years, he loves it. I rarely meet someone who was in the AF who hated it. They get the best food! Lol

[Trollbie]

My cousins husband is in the AF he's been in for almost 9 years, he loves it. I rarely meet someone who was in the AF who hated it. They get the best food! Lol

MREs for the WIN!!!!


bahaha jk.

[BarelyBreathing]

It was one person who ruined it for him. I'm not going to talk about it on a public forum. PM me if you'd like, Chris.

[Trollbie]

It was one person who ruined it for him. I'm not going to talk about it on a public forum. PM me if you'd like, Chris.

That is the case far too often...

[Kingsnakechris]

I tend to talk crap on the AF and Army, based on what I know, and probably because I've spent way too much time around marines. It all comes from a good place though, and if Army ends up being my only option of going medical and getting field action, I'll do it. Too bad the medic school is in Houston :( I don't wanna be in TX

There's nothing wrong with going army, unless barely breathing give you crap about Velcro Haha. TX is def. Not my favorite state but there's worse. Theres a difference between just having a laugh and talkin some smack but a genuine disrespect is another story

[Kingsnakechris]

MREs for the WIN!!!!


bahaha jk.


STAY AWAY from the Spanish omelet MRE!! It's disgusting and a little more miserable each bite.

[Trollbie]

There's nothing wrong with going army, unless barely breathing give you crap about Velcro Haha. TX is def. Not my favorite state but there's worse. Theres a difference between just having a laugh and talkin some smack but a genuine disrespect is another story

I was a little bitter when the Army was in charge of a mission my MC friend was sent on, and the Army "mine sweepers" managed to get rid of all the small IEDs but leave the 250lb one (it may have been even bigger actually but at least 250). This happened over 2 years ago, and my friend is still recovering from it. He got ejected from his truck and was lucky to come out with just shattered ankle, and broken knee and femur. But he's having a lot of complications still.

But I do realize that Marines can be just as reckless as anybody from any other branch :p

[Trollbie]

STAY AWAY from the Spanish omelet MRE!! It's disgusting and a little more miserable each bite.

Lol I have some in the garage actually. I don't remember what they are though.

[Kingsnakechris]

I was a little bitter when the Army was in charge of a mission my MC friend was sent on, and the Army "mine sweepers" managed to get rid of all the small IEDs but leave the 250lb one (it may have been even bigger actually but at least 250). This happened over 2 years ago, and my friend is still recovering from it. He got ejected from his truck and was lucky to come out with just shattered ankle, and broken knee and femur. But he's having a lot of complications still.

But I do realize that Marines can be just as reckless as anybody from any other branch :p

That happens from time to time, those guys who set them, devote everything to disguising them and are continuously coming up with new ways to do just that. Anything anywhere can be an IED.....( just about)

[Trollbie]

It's crazy over there... considering the amount of IEDs still leftover from their war with Russia, how do they even keep track?

[USMCgunner11]

That happens from time to time, those guys who set them, devote everything to disguising them and are continuously coming up with new ways to do just that. Anything anywhere can be an IED.....( just about)

As far as the MREs go, don't worry, they will still be "fresh" whenever you find them (no matter when you find them lol)

And yes, these guys are hell bent on killing Americans but are not willing to fight us in the open. They devote everything to accomplishing their mission, and even though they live in mud huts and wipe their a$$es with their left hand instead of TP, they are very smart. We roll around with millions of dollars of technology in our trucks to counteract their IEDs, but they find a way around it with BS you can buy at radio shack.

It would be hard to say for sure if your friend was injured from a result of our own guys being wreckless or the a'holes being creative. Only they would know I guess.

[RandyRhoads]

My cousins husband is in the AF he's been in for almost 9 years, he loves it. I rarely meet someone who was in the AF who hated it. They get the best food! Lol


No kidding. I'll never forget stopping in kyrgyzstan and hearing the AF personel crying and saying no one understands how hard deployments are. "Boo hoo I have to be away for 6 months". Seriously dude you're in the wrong country eating lobster with a 24 hour mess hall. You have hot women. You have a night club where you're allowed to drink 2 beers a day. Times are tough.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d86/randy666rhoads/ds.jpg

[USMCgunner11]

I couldn't if I'd wanted to. I had tattoos prior to enlisting. If I'm not mistaken that's a DQ in the MC now?

If they're in highly visible locations like the forearms, lower leg and neck

[Trollbie]

No kidding. I'll never forget stopping in kyrgyzstan and hearing the AF personel crying and saying no one understands how hard deployments are. "Boo hoo I have to be away for 6 months". Seriously dude you're in the wrong country eating lobster with a 24 hour mess hall. You have hot women. You have a night club where you're allowed to drink 2 beers a day. Times are tough.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d86/randy666rhoads/ds.jpg

Or their Quatar vacations. Lolz

[Trollbie]

As far as the MREs go, don't worry, they will still be "fresh" whenever you find them (no matter when you find them lol)

And yes, these guys are hell bent on killing Americans but are not willing to fight us in the open. They devote everything to accomplishing their mission, and even though they live in mud huts and wipe their a$$es with their left hand instead of TP, they are very smart. We roll around with millions of dollars of technology in our trucks to counteract their IEDs, but they find a way around it with BS you can buy at radio shack.

It would be hard to say for sure if your friend was injured from a result of our own guys being wreckless or the a'holes being creative. Only they would know I guess.

I'm saving them for the worst of times when I can't even afford top ramen haha.

[USMCgunner11]

That poster says it all! Lol that's awesome. We called them FOBBITS because they never left the FOB

[Kingsnakechris]

HAHA that poster is awesome!

[Kingsnakechris]

Yeah a 24 hr mess hall.... Siiigh.... If only if only

[Trollbie]

I almost forgot one of the main reasons why I wanna go to Iraq/Afghan! Lolz

http://roflspiders.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/meanwhile-iraq-basket-full-of-kittens.jpg

[Kingsnakechris]

If they're in highly visible locations like the forearms, lower leg and neck

Ah, yeah I had one on my lower leg and one on my forearm. The only thing the army worried about was racial discrimination and highly offensive tattoos. Neither of which I had.