Yes, wash and dry everything at least once if not twice. It'll get rid of those little "pull" lines you see some people with where the nametapes shrink at a different rate than the uniform itself. I use cold water.
I've got a small bag that zips closed that I use when I toss the nametapes and badges in the wash/dryer. It keeps them all together and from getting caught in the drain and such. I think I found it at a bed bath and beyond type store for like $2. Well worth it!
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
I use cold water for everything.
Also cmon November 1st! Sick of seeing all these douchebags running around in BDUs like old men hanging onto their past.
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Also cmon November 1st! Sick of seeing all these douchebags running around in BDUs like old men hanging onto their past.
Really? I love it! Our Fire Dept has "Throwback Thursdays".
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
I saw a guy wearing BDUs a few weeks back that had his sleeves starched so much, it looked like he had wings. His cuffs were on the biggest button, but were so pressed that they were flat at the ends, and he was walking like he couldn't bed his elbows. It baffles me why people would want to wear a uniform that requires so much maintenance. ABUs you can pull out of the dryer and put on and go to work, with boots you don't have to polish, and still we have people that spend all this time ironing and shining and basically being the "show ponies" that everyone hates to look at.
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Very fair points. However the BDU's *started* as a wash and wear uniform as well. It was our own psychology that made it into the monster it became. If you read the tag inside them, it actually says "DO NOT STARCH".
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see them go, but I also think it's ridiculous what we went to. I just hope the ABU's don't get their own series of ridiculous pieces of required maintenance.
My ROTC detachment just gives us a voucher so the local tailor puts them on. I was going to explain what they need to do but the asian lady working there cut me off. I assume they get a lot of us. Good enough for me.
And thanks for the ABU care advice! Much appreciated.
Hey guys, I trolled around the thread for a bit before I got interested in the Navy Nuclear program. I talked to a recruiter and scored 98 on the AFQT and qualified as a nuke without taking the nfqt. I went to MEPS for the physical and am getting a negligable (yet obvious) physical condition of my waivered, so I'm waiting to go back after the paperwork's done to talk to the classifier.
Unfortunately, they diagnosed me with color deficiency which is an auto-disqualifier for the Nuclear program and a ton of other ranks in the Navy, so I have to look for an alternative. Do any of you have recommendations for me (assuming that the job's available when I talk to the classifier)?
I was looking forward to the Nuke program because I'm more technically inclined and the prospect of the rigorous schooling, highly technical work, and good pay/benefits were all very attractive to me. The Navy is still my branch of choice but I'd love to hear about any more possibilities from other branches.
If you're technically inclined, what about some kind of mechanic work? There are diesel techs, aircraft crew chiefs, etc in every branch. It's not nuclear power, but its not a bad job either.
I was looking forward to the Nuke program because I'm more technically inclined and the prospect of the rigorous schooling, highly technical work, and good pay/benefits were all very attractive to me. The Navy is still my branch of choice but I'd love to hear about any more possibilities from other branches.
CTM is the one that deals almost entirely with equipment, though last I heard their advancement is kind of meh after E-6. CTTs have a relatively technical job and a tough learning curve, but you can expect to deploy a lot and they're... grumpy is probably the nicest word. CTNs work with computer networking and the ones I've talked to love their job, but again the advancement could be better. I'm not sure what the vision requirements are for any of them though.
Quid on
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
I'm in a remote location, there are only 8 Spawar computers here for a platoon of folks, which is great except there is no way to get internet on your personal computer here.
Is it possible to hook my laptop up to the Spawar network somehow? I know it's against their stupid rules, but how else am I going to install Skyrim, dammit?!
Probably not a great idea to be posting about it through that network, regardless of how frustrating it might be...
Gamertag: JHunz. R.I.P. Mygamercard.net
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
3 Months out from the end of my tour at Osan, I find out that my follow-on assignment to Aviano is so overmanned, they asked me to provide more choices on where I want to go. ffffffuuuuuuuuu- I am only in Korea so I can get Aviano. Thanks for the kick in the dick.
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Have you mentioned it to your Chief? As a must move out of Korea you should get priority over just about everyone for assignment selection.
I just had a similar situation where the NCO at AFPC was trying to do a "buddy" system. My Chief called his and got it squashed, since it was screwing one of our guys.
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
edited October 2011
I got an email from outbound assignments, as well as every other SSgt from here. Aviano is overmanned by 10 E5 slots, and can't take any more.
spookymuffin on
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
I'm in a remote location, there are only 8 Spawar computers here for a platoon of folks, which is great except there is no way to get internet on your personal computer here.
Is it possible to hook my laptop up to the Spawar network somehow? I know it's against their stupid rules, but how else am I going to install Skyrim, dammit?!
Not without some finagling. I'd recommend just ordering Skyrim and waiting for it.
Obligatory update: I looked at the various CT programs recently and signed on as a CTI after passing the DLAB - one of the most interesting tests I've ever taken. The other CT ratings definitely interested me, but the prospect of getting paid to learn a foreign language and culture was too tempting. With college credits and PQS I should get E3 out of boot camp, then head straight for the DLI.
Thinking that I might go FBI/CIA after I get out and finish my education (the FBI atleast uses the farnsworth d-15 color test which I can pass with flying colors luckily). Thanks again and hooyah
Obligatory update: I looked at the various CT programs recently and signed on as a CTI after passing the DLAB - one of the most interesting tests I've ever taken. The other CT ratings definitely interested me, but the prospect of getting paid to learn a foreign language and culture was too tempting. With college credits and PQS I should get E3 out of boot camp, then head straight for the DLI.
Thinking that I might go FBI/CIA after I get out and finish my education (the FBI atleast uses the farnsworth d-15 color test which I can pass with flying colors luckily). Thanks again and hooyah
Nice. You should be able to finish your AA at DLI which will definitely help with that. Good luck with school.
Anyone know of any good books containing psychological, sociological, and/or anthropological analyses on war and/or the military?
I should probably mention that I've already read On Killing
The Psychology of Military Incompetence by Prof. Norman Dixon. A bit old (written in the 60's) and so focuses on British military up to WW2, and a little basic in parts, but provides some interesting psychological analysis of widespread military traits (such as the propensity towards bullshit).
The Human Face of War by Jim Storr. Probably hard to find in the US, more of an academic's book. Has some very good organisational critiques of militaries, particularly the British military. Essentially the sociological aspect you were talking about.
Learning to Eat Soup With a Knife John Nagl...surely everyone in the military must know this one by now? Focuses again on organisational / military culture issues in relation to COIN.
There are an increasing number of new books / articles dealing with this, but certainly on this side of the Atlantic, the stonkingly obvious idea that organisational and cultural issues massively affect how we do business in the military is, sadly, still a relatively recent development.
PS If you can find it, read this book about Otto Skorzeny. He was Hitler's equivalent to the David Stirling (founder of the SAS), and ran German SF during WW2. Not only a good and pretty easy read about a fascinating bloke, but the stuff it goes into about his psychological approach to military operations is groundbreaking. He predicated the plans of some astonishingly impossible ops (such as rescuing Mussolini from a mountain fortress) on an understanding of military behaviour and groupthink - this allowed him to predict the reactions of soldiers and commanders, and overcome huge numerical odds with relatively little fighting. It's a shame he was on the losing side, because this bloke was a grade A+ Einstein-level military genius compared to Stirling or his SOE US counterparts - and they were pretty damn good. It's a crying shame that his methods aren't more widely known.
Oh, also @KillaWhale avoid mentioning anything DLI related on any social network you might use. It'll save your future command's security officer a headache.
God, the Army just wants soldiers to look schlumier and schlumier. Soon the uniform will be a sweatsuit, a neckbeard, and crocs.
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
edited October 2011
There's no way the military would contract Crocs to make shows for us. They'd throw out the bid to some prisoner sweatshop and supply us with shoes that are 1/4 the cost and 1/32 the comfort.
I always wondered why things like our PT gear aren't made by an actual athletics manufacturer. I'm sure Adidas or Puma would take a cut in cost so they can say that the US military wears their gear. I would absolutely love to have PT gear that is comfortable and breathes well, instead of the prison made crap we have to wear. Even if it would be more expensive, it's not like we don't pay for it ourselves.
spookymuffin on
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
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spookymuffin( ° ʖ ° )Puyallup WA Registered Userregular
edited October 2011
Double!
spookymuffin on
PSN: MegaSpooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138 Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Obligatory update: I looked at the various CT programs recently and signed on as a CTI after passing the DLAB - one of the most interesting tests I've ever taken. The other CT ratings definitely interested me, but the prospect of getting paid to learn a foreign language and culture was too tempting. With college credits and PQS I should get E3 out of boot camp, then head straight for the DLI.
Thinking that I might go FBI/CIA after I get out and finish my education (the FBI atleast uses the farnsworth d-15 color test which I can pass with flying colors luckily). Thanks again and hooyah
Grats. It's the best / worst job (depends on the day you ask me) in the Army, and I believe the same applies to the Navy. It's very versatile, so you can potentially do everything from keeping a desk chair warm to stuff that's too cool to talk about.
That said, you have to take the DLPT, and as I can say from experience, even as of today, it's still the shittiest test I've ever seen in my entire life.
Was the writer in the passage feeling:
a. sad
b. depressed
c. despondent
d. resigned
God, the Army just wants soldiers to look schlumier and schlumier. Soon the uniform will be a sweatsuit, a neckbeard, and crocs.
The Army is incredibly lazy. It annoys me that my branch wears a combat uniform for office work, wear of Class As is avoided at all costs (I love it when we're forced to wear em for a special once a year ceremony and you see everyone scramming around to square away their Class As.), and screw the Velcro. My Velcro is worn out and my unit is monstrous douche bags about replacing ACUs.
Woo! Got my AFSC and when I graduate, I'm going into Cyber Operations! It was actually my number 2 choice. My number 1 was Computer Engineer, just like my degree, but it seems they want as many CPEs to go into Cyber. I have to start my clearance paperwork now in preparation.
I'm hearing different suggestions from different people about what to do with my final semester in the Spring, in which I will only be taking courses Part Time, and I'm looking to take full advantage of this relatively easy semester (Senior Design Part 2 will still be brutal).
The top 15% in Tech School get assigned to Spec Ops and get Flight suits. First, my friend who is already in Cyber recommended Cisco's CCNE certification because it gives you an edge in Tech School. And that's where you pay money, sit in a seminar, study and take a test. Does anyone know about this course? My counselor (and now teacher) says the local Valencia typically has these things.
Second, a family friend and former Navy Captain says I should pursue EIT certification (Engineer in Training). I've never heard of this before. What is this and how do I get it?
Of course I'm gonna take the break from all that schooling for more PT, because I look ten years younger than I am, and the colonel called me out on my fitness recently. I've gotten better every six months, but I'm behind a lot of people on my PT tests.
God, the Army just wants soldiers to look schlumier and schlumier. Soon the uniform will be a sweatsuit, a neckbeard, and crocs.
Yeah
I dread going to school on Thursdays because that's when all the cadets wear their ACUs. Not a single one of them wears their uniform properly and it's more than a little irritating.
That site gives a decent overview/breakdown. In short, an EIT is proof that you're a capable engineer. It's the first step toward getting your Professional Engineer certificate, which is huge in the private sector but less so in the military. We can talk more about it, PM me if you like.
Whoops, they don't call it the EIT anymore. It's the FE. The Foundation Exam. It turns out my counselor has been talking about it and I've been aware of it the whole time. EIT is old school. I'll take the FE in the spring.
But what's this hoo haa about the CCNE seminar? Is it worth it?
Eh, the P.E. is not as big of a deal in the private sector. Some companies couldn't care less.
It varies wildly from field to field. As a professional EE/CmpE, I can tell you that the FE doesn't mean much. For other stuff like civil, it's pretty much a requirement.
Posts
Question, do I wash and dry everything* before I sew on the name tape, or after? What temperature water is used?
*Everything being the blouse and name tape? I'd wash the trousers while I'm at it.
I've got a small bag that zips closed that I use when I toss the nametapes and badges in the wash/dryer. It keeps them all together and from getting caught in the drain and such. I think I found it at a bed bath and beyond type store for like $2. Well worth it!
Also cmon November 1st! Sick of seeing all these douchebags running around in BDUs like old men hanging onto their past.
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Also, don't sew on your own nametape. My roommate was called out in training because he did it wrong. Let base alterations put it on the right way.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Really? I love it! Our Fire Dept has "Throwback Thursdays".
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see them go, but I also think it's ridiculous what we went to. I just hope the ABU's don't get their own series of ridiculous pieces of required maintenance.
And thanks for the ABU care advice! Much appreciated.
Unfortunately, they diagnosed me with color deficiency which is an auto-disqualifier for the Nuclear program and a ton of other ranks in the Navy, so I have to look for an alternative. Do any of you have recommendations for me (assuming that the job's available when I talk to the classifier)?
I was looking forward to the Nuke program because I'm more technically inclined and the prospect of the rigorous schooling, highly technical work, and good pay/benefits were all very attractive to me. The Navy is still my branch of choice but I'd love to hear about any more possibilities from other branches.
Thanks in advance.
I should probably mention that I've already read On Killing
Same author.
The CT ratings have jobs you might want.
CTM is the one that deals almost entirely with equipment, though last I heard their advancement is kind of meh after E-6. CTTs have a relatively technical job and a tough learning curve, but you can expect to deploy a lot and they're... grumpy is probably the nicest word. CTNs work with computer networking and the ones I've talked to love their job, but again the advancement could be better. I'm not sure what the vision requirements are for any of them though.
Until 1 November. They look ridiculous, and stick out like a sore thumb.
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
I'm in a remote location, there are only 8 Spawar computers here for a platoon of folks, which is great except there is no way to get internet on your personal computer here.
Is it possible to hook my laptop up to the Spawar network somehow? I know it's against their stupid rules, but how else am I going to install Skyrim, dammit?!
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
I just had a similar situation where the NCO at AFPC was trying to do a "buddy" system. My Chief called his and got it squashed, since it was screwing one of our guys.
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Not without some finagling. I'd recommend just ordering Skyrim and waiting for it.
Obligatory update: I looked at the various CT programs recently and signed on as a CTI after passing the DLAB - one of the most interesting tests I've ever taken. The other CT ratings definitely interested me, but the prospect of getting paid to learn a foreign language and culture was too tempting. With college credits and PQS I should get E3 out of boot camp, then head straight for the DLI.
Thinking that I might go FBI/CIA after I get out and finish my education (the FBI atleast uses the farnsworth d-15 color test which I can pass with flying colors luckily). Thanks again and hooyah
Nice. You should be able to finish your AA at DLI which will definitely help with that. Good luck with school.
The Psychology of Military Incompetence by Prof. Norman Dixon. A bit old (written in the 60's) and so focuses on British military up to WW2, and a little basic in parts, but provides some interesting psychological analysis of widespread military traits (such as the propensity towards bullshit).
The Human Face of War by Jim Storr. Probably hard to find in the US, more of an academic's book. Has some very good organisational critiques of militaries, particularly the British military. Essentially the sociological aspect you were talking about.
Learning to Eat Soup With a Knife John Nagl...surely everyone in the military must know this one by now? Focuses again on organisational / military culture issues in relation to COIN.
There are an increasing number of new books / articles dealing with this, but certainly on this side of the Atlantic, the stonkingly obvious idea that organisational and cultural issues massively affect how we do business in the military is, sadly, still a relatively recent development.
PS If you can find it, read this book about Otto Skorzeny. He was Hitler's equivalent to the David Stirling (founder of the SAS), and ran German SF during WW2. Not only a good and pretty easy read about a fascinating bloke, but the stuff it goes into about his psychological approach to military operations is groundbreaking. He predicated the plans of some astonishingly impossible ops (such as rescuing Mussolini from a mountain fortress) on an understanding of military behaviour and groupthink - this allowed him to predict the reactions of soldiers and commanders, and overcome huge numerical odds with relatively little fighting. It's a shame he was on the losing side, because this bloke was a grade A+ Einstein-level military genius compared to Stirling or his SOE US counterparts - and they were pretty damn good. It's a crying shame that his methods aren't more widely known.
God, the Army just wants soldiers to look schlumier and schlumier. Soon the uniform will be a sweatsuit, a neckbeard, and crocs.
I always wondered why things like our PT gear aren't made by an actual athletics manufacturer. I'm sure Adidas or Puma would take a cut in cost so they can say that the US military wears their gear. I would absolutely love to have PT gear that is comfortable and breathes well, instead of the prison made crap we have to wear. Even if it would be more expensive, it's not like we don't pay for it ourselves.
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Wii U NNID: MegaSpooky
Grats. It's the best / worst job (depends on the day you ask me) in the Army, and I believe the same applies to the Navy. It's very versatile, so you can potentially do everything from keeping a desk chair warm to stuff that's too cool to talk about.
That said, you have to take the DLPT, and as I can say from experience, even as of today, it's still the shittiest test I've ever seen in my entire life.
Was the writer in the passage feeling:
a. sad
b. depressed
c. despondent
d. resigned
Indeed.
The Army is incredibly lazy. It annoys me that my branch wears a combat uniform for office work, wear of Class As is avoided at all costs (I love it when we're forced to wear em for a special once a year ceremony and you see everyone scramming around to square away their Class As.), and screw the Velcro. My Velcro is worn out and my unit is monstrous douche bags about replacing ACUs.
I'm hearing different suggestions from different people about what to do with my final semester in the Spring, in which I will only be taking courses Part Time, and I'm looking to take full advantage of this relatively easy semester (Senior Design Part 2 will still be brutal).
The top 15% in Tech School get assigned to Spec Ops and get Flight suits. First, my friend who is already in Cyber recommended Cisco's CCNE certification because it gives you an edge in Tech School. And that's where you pay money, sit in a seminar, study and take a test. Does anyone know about this course? My counselor (and now teacher) says the local Valencia typically has these things.
Second, a family friend and former Navy Captain says I should pursue EIT certification (Engineer in Training). I've never heard of this before. What is this and how do I get it?
Of course I'm gonna take the break from all that schooling for more PT, because I look ten years younger than I am, and the colonel called me out on my fitness recently. I've gotten better every six months, but I'm behind a lot of people on my PT tests.
Yeah
I dread going to school on Thursdays because that's when all the cadets wear their ACUs. Not a single one of them wears their uniform properly and it's more than a little irritating.
Was your Comp Eng degree more programming or some EE?
http://www.drblank.com/copefef.htm
That site gives a decent overview/breakdown. In short, an EIT is proof that you're a capable engineer. It's the first step toward getting your Professional Engineer certificate, which is huge in the private sector but less so in the military. We can talk more about it, PM me if you like.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
But what's this hoo haa about the CCNE seminar? Is it worth it?
It varies wildly from field to field. As a professional EE/CmpE, I can tell you that the FE doesn't mean much. For other stuff like civil, it's pretty much a requirement.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!