Do I have a chance???

[FutureRifleman]

Last year around this time I was about to join the national guard.:sick: I was just looking to get out of dodge. Ive always wanted to be a Marine, I just thought I would never be able to do it. well that was a year ago and Ive changed for the better. heres my story...

As I mentioned I was about to ship out for the national guard as an 11b. All I want to do is be the boots on the ground. I took my ASVAB and proceeded to go to MEPS for my physical and enlistment. I had smoked pot a little longer than a month beforehand and it showed up on my drug test. My enlistment was cancelled and I was left doing nothing. Ive always been embarrassed as should about this. I wasted people at MEPS time as well as my recruiter and myself. Were now at a year past this incident and I want to join the Marines. I have a GED, which I know I need 15 college credits in order to even be considered. Im enrolled in a community college earning my credits.

I have some priors as a juvenile but nothing serious. (prank phone calls, and a broken window)
I figure if I volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club as well as a USMC Veterans League down the street from my house the Marine Corps will see that I have turned my life around since.

Do I have a chance to ship out at the end of this summer? Or am I doomed?

[SGT7477]

Being a pothead for one you won't have a chance in our beloved Corps maybe you should join the national guard being a Marine takes alot more than you can ever think.

[avenger08]

yea dude, you have a chance, i know plenty of Marines that changed their lives as civilians just to join the Marine Corps. just dont do anything stupid at all anymore, but also work harder than ever, because since you have a GED and have had incidence in the past you are going to be looked at to prove yourself no matter how much you volunteer for anything. now march yourself down to the Marine Corps Recruiters office and talk to a recruiter.
Semper Fidelis.....

[commdog7]

You are a pothead who was passed up by the National Guard, what makes you think you can be a Marine? The Corps doesn't accept the trash that the National Guard throws out, sorry but we have standards. My advice: join the Army, they will accept almost anyone.

I appears that you want to do volunteer work for all the wrong reasons. "Look at me, I'm volunteering, I'm a good civilian... Look-at-me!" Sorry, but you are a phony. The Corps does not like phonies, volunteer because you want to volunteer, not because you want to be recognized for it.

[TTX]

[quote=FutureRifleman;490812] Ive always wanted to be a Marine, /quote]

And it is bullshizt!

If you were really wanted to be a Marine, and you should had known better that the Marine Corps will not tolerate for illegal drug use. you also did stupid shizt and broke the law.

Sorry buddy, Noop!

[FutureRifleman]

You guys can talk down on me all you want but it doesn't change how I feel about joining. Im volunteering so the Marine Corps will see that Im taking steps to show that Ive changed my ways and Im transitioning into a better and cleaner way of life...

[NoRemorse]

You better be a stellar scion of community service who does his utmost to uplift the whole freakin' county. The Marine Corps can choose to be pickier than ever since we're making mission on a regular basis. You have to turn from sh!tbag civilian from Podunk to exemplary example of how to be an upright American helping your fellow man.

Good show of bearing, now step it up, ramp up your efforts, blast your way through those college credits and really turn your life around. Even if you don't make it past the recruiter's hatch you'll at least show yourself that you can live by JJDIDTIEBUCKLE and make something out of yourself.

[BR34]

[quote=FutureRifleman;490812] Ive always wanted to be a Marine, /quote]

And it is bullshizt!

If you were really wanted to be a Marine, and you should had known better that the Marine Corps will not tolerate for illegal drug use. you also did stupid shizt and broke the law.

Sorry buddy, Noop!

Really? No one in the Marine Corps that has ever broken the law before joining the Corps should be a Marine, in your opinion?

[commdog7]

[quote=TTX;490882]

Really? No one in the Marine Corps that has ever broken the law before joining the Corps should be a Marine, in your opinion?

We like to keep the sh!tbags out. As Marines, we can sniff out the civilians who will do harm the Corps image, and we try to redirect their interests elsewhere. I agree with the SSgt.

This kid never completed high school and is only in college because the military wouldn't accept his GED. He is a pothead who has some dark spots on his criminal record. He was passed up by the National Guard, now he is trying to waste a Marine's time. Oh, and he wants to volunteer so the Corps will notice how *good* he is, but it is just and act. He isn't volunteering because he cares about the community, he is only volunteering so he can get recognition for it- it is pathetic.

I said it once and I will say it again, he should look in to the Army, they will accept him. The Corps has high standards, we don't need nor want his kind.

[Fubar5812]

I know Marines who got 3+ waivers for smoking pot when they enlisted.face it,the Corps needs bodies and recruiters are very,very good at there jobs.hell you can get a waiver for almost anything these days.sad but true.

whoa now,I didn't finish high school either and got my GED and I turned out just fine.but i had some DAMN good reasons to drop out.

[BR34]

I know Marines who got 3+ waivers for smoking pot when they enlisted.face it,the Corps needs bodies and recruiters are very,very good at there jobs.hell you can get a waiver for almost anything these days.sad but true.

whoa now,I didn't finish high school either and got my GED and I turned out just fine.but i had some DAMN good reasons to drop out.

Yep, same here (GED with college). I guess I'm a sh*tbag too. I guess when I won Marine of the Year it was given not earned. I guess my 4.9/4.9s are just a fluke. I also had a waiver for something I did when I was 18. But they're right, civilians who got into trouble before joining the Marine Corps don't deserve to be Marines. My D.I.s should be reprimanded for not "weeding me out".

[commdog7]

It's about showing determination to self-improve. If you are too lazy to complete high school, why should the Corps invest time in effort in you? I care about the standards of the Corps, unlike some people. I take pride in the Corps "high standard", do any of you know what "high standards" mean? Does is mean the Corps should be looking into accepting GED's over diplomas? Does it mean the Corps should be accepting criminal records over clean records? Does it mean the Corps should be looking into druggies over clean citizens? What does "high standards" mean? Sure, all these individuals MIGHT make good Marines, but our "standards" demand that we take the best civilians possible. This kid is a druggie who has a criminal record, never completed high school, a phony in society, and a reject of the National Guard. Sure, lets let him in the Corps, we accept anyone and everyone! I think we need to change our name to the Army, it seems that the National Guard has higher standards than the Corps.

Should I even bother to take pride in these "high standards" that you Marines are convinced do not exist? Take my pride if you must, but please don't take my honor.

[BR34]

What the fu*k? Are you frekkin serious? Is this drunken typing I'm reading?!?! Don't take your honor? Did I take your honor when I enlisted? All these high standards...I know countless Marines who came in with a clean record and ended up in the brig for meth, coke, weed, STEALING T.V.s OUT OF THE BARRACKS..I can go on and on and on...FOR DAYS!!!

Who "took your pride", me, the "lazy criminal", who hasn't seen a lick of trouble in 9 years, but enlisted in what you believe is a squeaky clean Marine Corps, or them, who never saw trouble in their life, and sh*tted on every Marine and article of the UCMJ they ever ran into?

Don't stump on your honor...I'm seriously laughing at you right now...really!

[PaidinBlood]

We like to keep the sh!tbags out. As Marines, we can sniff out the civilians who will do harm the Corps image, and we try to redirect their interests elsewhere. I agree with the SSgt.

This kid never completed high school and is only in college because the military wouldn't accept his GED. He is a pothead who has some dark spots on his criminal record. He was passed up by the National Guard, now he is trying to waste a Marine's time. Oh, and he wants to volunteer so the Corps will notice how *good* he is, but it is just and act. He isn't volunteering because he cares about the community, he is only volunteering so he can get recognition for it- it is pathetic.

I said it once and I will say it again, he should look in to the Army, they will accept him. The Corps has high standards, we don't need nor want his kind.


Before you go apeshi t on this kid, I know plenty of outstanding Marines who were not such outstanding civilians. Reformed gangbangers, potheads, and drunks. Key word is reformed. If you're TRULY done being a shi thead come show us what you've got. If not, mosey along. Good luck..

PS-nobody wants your honor or your virtue, Commdog... :banana:

[AndyBowman]

off subject ..I know.. but where in Worcester do you live? I am also from there..

[commdog7]

BB34:

Hey Cpl, don't make me dress you down in front of a poolee. What the fvck is on my collar? You might want to correct yourself when you address a higher rank. If this is the kind of respect you give your Sgt's, I can't fathom how you received 4.9/4.9 or Marine of the Year. Apparently you did not deserve any of that if this is the type of Marine you are. You need to learn to respect your superiors, I have done much more for the Corps than you have, I think I deserve a little respect. It is fine that you have a different opinion than I do, it's called democracy.

Do you even know what honor is? Yes, I take pride in the Corps and I take pride in my honor. I like good citizens joining my ranks over bad citizens, that's my preference. If you don't like it, by all means, develop your own opinion.

[Fubar5812]

is it beyond the Marine Corps to reform an individual?? i ask you,is Marine Corps recruit training not a LIFE CHANGING experience? IT IS!! not to mention the fleet and living the life of a Marine everyday! to the civilians of America I say,give us your unmotivated your lazy and your fat and we will transform them into citizens you can be proud of.

[PaidinBlood]

BB34:
pride in my honor. I like good citizens joining my ranks over bad citizens, that's my preference.


Personal conflict aside, I believe this is the main idea from your post. That being said, it is fine to have that opinion, but to tell this kid he will not make it because you have judged him is a bit unfair. We all ought to let the recruiters and the DIs decide whether he is up to snuff. SF

[commdog7]

Before you go apeshi t on this kid, I know plenty of outstanding Marines who were not such outstanding civilians. Reformed gangbangers, potheads, and drunks. Key word is reformed. If you're TRULY done being a shi thead come show us what you've got. If not, mosey along. Good luck..

PS-nobody wants your honor or your virtue, Commdog... :banana:

Too late.

[Fubar5812]

Cape codder here.

[BR34]

BB34:

Hey Cpl, don't make me dress you down in front of a poolee. What the fvck is on my collar? You might want to correct yourself when you address a higher rank. If this is the kind of respect you give your Sgt's, I can't fathom how you received 4.9/4.9 or Marine of the Year. Apparently you did not deserve any of that if this is the type of Marine you are. You need to learn to respect your superiors, I have done much more for the Corps than you have, I think I deserve a little respect. It is fine that you have a different opinion than I do, it's called democracy.

Do you even know what honor is? Yes, I take pride in the Corps and I take pride in my honor. I like good citizens joining my ranks over bad citizens, that's my preference. If you don't like it, by all means, develop your own opinion.

Guess what, Sgt, when someone flat out tells me they have no respect for me because of things I've done before becoming a Marine, or tells me that I shouldn't be a Marine at all, they loose whatever respect I ever had for them, and that goes for you all the way to the President.

You want to sit there at your keyboard and continue to tell me how I shouldn't be, and how I don't deserve to be, and then you want me to respect you for it? You just made me laugh again.

[commdog7]

Personal conflict aside, I believe this is the main idea from your post. That being said, it is fine to have that opinion, but to tell this kid he will not make it because you have judged him is a bit unfair. We all ought to let the recruiters and the DIs decide whether he is up to snuff. SF

That's your opinion and I respect it. I just hope that the DI's can undo 18+ years in 13 weeks. These not-so-good citizens will be a challenge for the DI's.

[PaidinBlood]

These not-so-good citizens will be a challenge for the DI's.


They eat challenges for breakfast... :D Semper Fi

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/images/gunnery-sergeant-hartman-pointing.jpg

[commdog7]

Guess what, Sgt, when someone flat out tells me they have no respect for me because of things I've done before becoming a Marine, or tells me that I shouldn't be a Marine at all, they loose whatever respect I ever had for them, and that goes for you all the way to the President.

You want to sit there at your keyboard and continue to tell me how I shouldn't be, and how I don't deserve to be, and then you want me to respect you for it? You just made me laugh again.

Did I disrespect you personally? Did I state anywhere that BB34 is a bad Marine and should have never been allowed in the Corps because of his previous record? If I did, then I sincerely apologize.

But looking back at my posts, I fail to see anywhere I may have stated this. Sorry if you implied my posts were directed at you personally, but they were not. I stated my opinion in general that is it. But not only did you disagree with my opinion, you disrespected me personally. That type of sh!t really p!sses me off. If this is the way you "respect" your superiors, you really need to have your Cpl chevrons striped from you uniform. If you really are the 'good' Marine you claim to be, prove it.

[SGT7477]

Personal conflict aside, I believe this is the main idea from your post. That being said, it is fine to have that opinion, but to tell this kid he will not make it because you have judged him is a bit unfair. We all ought to let the recruiters and the DIs decide whether he is up to snuff. SF
One thing you forget the recruiters will try to take anyone they can and leave the hard work up to the DI's, if the DI's were to pick and choose our ranks would be lower.:flag:

[BR34]

Did I disrespect you personally? Did I state anywhere that BB34 is a bad Marine and should have never been allowed in the Corps because of his previous record? If I did, then I sincerely apologize.

But looking back at my posts, I fail to see anywhere I may have stated this. Sorry if you implied my posts were directed at you personally, but they were not. I stated my opinion in general that is it. But not only did you disagree with my opinion, you disrespected me personally. That type of sh!t really p!sses me off. If this is the way you "respect" your superiors, you really need to have your Cpl chevrons striped from you uniform. If you really are the 'good' Marine you claim to be, prove it.


That's the problem, your posts were GENERAL, so they were directed at everyone in the Marine Corps, or who wants to be in the Marine Corps who has a GED, had a criminal record, etc. That's the problem with generalizations, they're directed at an entire group of people.

[commdog7]

That's the problem, your posts were GENERAL, so they were directed at everyone in the Marine Corps, or who wants to be in the Marine Corps who has a GED, had a criminal record, etc. That's the problem with generalizations, they're directed at an entire group of people.

My posts were directed at civilians who want join the Corps, not at Marines. I have known good Marines who had criminal/drug waivers, I credit the DI's for turning them around. I just feel that the Corps should be selecting the best of society, not the worst. This kid doesn't just have a drug problem, criminal record problem, GED problem, but he has all three! Plus he isn't exactly a model citizen because of his volunteer work, he is only volunteering for credit- that defeats the purpose. He has so many problems even the National Guard has rejected him, so why should we put our "high standards" aside and take him in? Isn't that what the Army is for?

[Phantom Blooper]

FutureRifleman, <br />
<br />
You have a chance....it may be your last...but the chance is there. <br />
<br />
You need to get waivers for your illegal bong choking and you need to have the 15 credits for the GED. <br />
...

[PaidinBlood]

He has so many problems even the National Guard has rejected him, so why should we put our "high standards" aside and take him in? Isn't that what the Army is for?

Because it isn't our call. The kid's original question was ' Do I have a chance to ship out at the end of this summer? Or am I doomed?' I agree he has plenty of marks against him, and I'm not exactly betting on him (sorry kid), but we don't need to be in the business of taking potshots at kids. Like you said, we are entitled to our opinions and I think we all read yours loud and clear.

[JWDevilDog]

Woah woah woah, Marines, I think we need to calm down a bit. I think a few of us on this thread are starting to get pretty heated. Let's just take a step back, let out a long breath, and count to ten.

...

Feel better yet?

Now, I have two very close friends, one a LCpl. and one a PFC, who are outstanding Marines. As a matter of fact, they both came in with GEDs, and drug waivers. The PFC only enlisted because the judge said to him "either enlist or I'm throwing you in jail." His excelency was in the Corps, many moons ago.

So, SNM decided to enlist. He is now an outstanding Marine, and will make an outstanding citizen if he decides not to re-enlist. However, I already know he will more than likely put in 20+ years, if at all possible. That goes for both of SNMs.

Now, do sh*tty civilians come into the Marine Corps and make horrible Marines? Yes. Do they also sometimes make stellar Marines? Yes. Do clean citizens come in and end up being both kinds of Marines? Yes.

In terms of standards, I agree that the Corps should hold it's aspiring members to certain higher standards. I agree absolutely. But does that mean never let someone in who had drug waivers or the like? No. It simply means take it on a case by case basic. Nothing is ever set in stone in the Corps, as we all know. Nothing is ever set in stone in terms of how humans operate, either. There is no clear-cut "yes or no" answer to these questions. It should (and usually is, thankfully) be on a case by case basis.

Just one more example. Cpl. Marco Martinez. Read about him below:

http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/07/cpl-marco-marti.html

He has a book, which descirbes his life prior to the Marine Corps. He was a gang-banger, a hoodlum, and was a menace to society. It also describes how he changed his life and bettered himself by becoming a Marine. Look it up here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Corps-Gangster-Marine-Hero/dp/0307383040

[CAMIRÉ]

If you want to pull rank how about you act like NCOs and take it off the public forum.

[BR34]

Woah woah woah, Marines, I think we need to calm down a bit. I think a few of us on this thread are starting to get pretty heated. Let's just take a step back, let out a long breath, and count to ten.

...

Feel better yet?

Now, I have two very close friends, one a LCpl. and one a PFC, who are outstanding Marines. As a matter of fact, they both came in with GEDs, and drug waivers. The PFC only enlisted because the judge said to him "either enlist or I'm throwing you in jail." His excelency was in the Corps, many moons ago.

So, SNM decided to enlist. He is now an outstanding Marine, and will make an outstanding citizen if he decides not to re-enlist. However, I already know he will more than likely put in 20+ years, if at all possible. That goes for both of SNMs.

Now, do sh*tty civilians come into the Marine Corps and make horrible Marines? Yes. Do they also sometimes make stellar Marines? Yes. Do clean citizens come in and end up being both kinds of Marines? Yes.

In terms of standards, I agree that the Corps should hold it's aspiring members to certain higher standards. I agree absolutely. But does that mean never let someone in who had drug waivers or the like? No. It simply means take it on a case by case basic. Nothing is ever set in stone in the Corps, as we all know. Nothing is ever set in stone in terms of how humans operate, either. There is no clear-cut "yes or no" answer to these questions. It should (and usually is, thankfully) be on a case by case basis.

Just one more example. Cpl. Marco Martinez. Read about him below:

http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/07/cpl-marco-marti.html

He has a book, which descirbes his life prior to the Marine Corps. He was a gang-banger, a hoodlum, and was a menace to society. It also describes how he changed his life and bettered himself by becoming a Marine. Look it up here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Corps-Gangster-Marine-Hero/dp/0307383040

Well said, JW.

[TTX]

I normally don't get into my different opinions with another Marine on this forum, but the point I tried to make here was when someone claimed "I have always wanted to be a Marine..." and he/she should have evidences such as joining H.S JROtC, studying M.C. history, exercising/training, doing the rigth things/staying of trouble, and preparing his/herself for bootcamp.... And this kid, instead he smoked pot, and went out did stupid shizt sabotaging poeple properties, and got in trouble with the laws. All he had to say is admitting that he is a fuvkedup kid and seeking for life redemption by joining the Corp. To me he is bullshizt and making it sounds like people should feel sympathy for his past deeds. And my opinion is still a noop.

BR34, If you have any revelant suggestion/opionion/feedback for this kid and go ahead. No Marine here have made any commend/judgement/comparison about you with this kid and so don't jump into the hooch and get offend of what we said, and don't bash with another Marine. And I do careless whether you agreed or disagreed with my opinion/feedback of this kid having now chance.

[0231Marine]

BB34:

Hey Cpl, don't make me dress you down in front of a poolee. What the fvck is on my collar? You might want to correct yourself when you address a higher rank. If this is the kind of respect you give your Sgt's, I can't fathom how you received 4.9/4.9 or Marine of the Year. Apparently you did not deserve any of that if this is the type of Marine you are. You need to learn to respect your superiors, I have done much more for the Corps than you have, I think I deserve a little respect. It is fine that you have a different opinion than I do, it's called democracy.

Do you even know what honor is? Yes, I take pride in the Corps and I take pride in my honor. I like good citizens joining my ranks over bad citizens, that's my preference. If you don't like it, by all means, develop your own opinion.

Wow...just, WOW!

Sgt,

In my experience, the NCO's that say things like you just did are about as insecure as they come. Who really says to another Marine, "I have done more for the Corps than you have"??? So you personally know the other Marines on this site and what they have done? If you want to play that game, then fine but looking at your ribbon rack, you haven't done much of anything.

Remember that respect is EARNED, not GIVEN. You can not demand it! There is a big difference between a Sergeant and an E-5. You apparently hold yourself in such high regard so there isn't a point in saying anything else. I just hope you realize how wrong you really are with the things you said and with your biased "opinions".

[Rocky C]

WOW!!!
Marines Bashing Marines on a public forum.
Might I suggest that if you have conflicts with each other other than constructive critisizum that you take it over to private messaging.
Semper Fi,
Rocky

[KawiGunny]

You pretty much summed up several Marines on this site. And that pretty much summed up a lot of really good Marines that are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and proving on a daily basis...

[KawiGunny]

Wow...just, WOW!

Sgt,

In my experience, the NCO's that say things like you just did are about as insecure as they come. Who really says to another Marine, "I have done more for the Corps than you have"??? So you personally know the other Marines on this site and what they have done? If you want to play that game, then fine but looking at your ribbon rack, you haven't done much of anything.

Remember that respect is EARNED, not GIVEN. You can not demand it! There is a big difference between a Sergeant and an E-5. You apparently hold yourself in such high regard so there isn't a point in saying anything else. I just hope you realize how wrong you really are with the things you said and with your biased "opinions".


Very true. :beer:

[Rocky C]

Semper Fi, Gunny !!!

[KawiGunny]

Semper Fi, Gunny !!!

Semper Fi my brother. Here's to you.... :beer:

[KawiGunny]

commdog...... I truely hope you were just having a bad day and got a good nights sleep. Some of your comments would definitley change my opinion of you and I would hate for that to happen. Semper Fi

[Rocky C]

Semper Fi my brother. Here's to you.... :beer:

Thank you Gunny!!!
I have read this thread over and over and over.
I admire any young Man or Women that wants to Enlist/Join any Branch of our Armed Forces, esp. during the last 8 years we have been at war and them fully aware that they me be called upon to perhaps give their lives.

I say everyone deserves the chance to turn themselves around and I am not that person to pass judgement.

Give the Kid a BREAK!!! Pot Smoker???

I know a couple of guys that admitted to smoking pot in there past and you know what???

They became President of the United States of America!!!

This is just my Humble Opinion.

Semper Fi,
Rocky

[sscjoe]

If you want to pull rank how about you act like NCOs and take it off the public forum.

Thank you SGT.:usmc:

[KawiGunny]

I know a couple of guys that admitted to smoking pot in there past and you know what???

They became President of the United States of America!!!


Maybe I should run for office next election. :D

[CAMIRÉ]

As long as you don't inhale......

[commdog7]

commdog...... I truely hope you were just having a bad day and got a good nights sleep. Some of your comments would definitley change my opinion of you and I would hate for that to happen. Semper Fi

I definately said some things that had no place on this forum and I sincerely apologize for that. I am not a person to ask for respect, to be honest, I cannot recall a single time I have ever pulled rank on someone (aside from this forum). I felt that I was disrespected personally, and I felt the urge to defend myself. I am one of the most lenient/passive Marines there are and I do fully agree that respect is something that needs to be earned regardless of what is on a Marine's collar. What I posted here yesterday was a mistake, I would delete it all if I could.

And you're right, my actions were influenced on the type of day I was having. I had a bad day, I have been having quite a few of those lately. I have spent the last three Christmas's stationed overseas, haven't be able to take a single day of leave in 2 years (haven't seen any of my family since the beginning of 2007), been stationed in one sh!t-hole after another and that's not even the half of it... it really takes a toll. Prolonged stress is never a good thing, and in my case, sometimes it releases itself in all the wrong places- like this forum. If all of you had the chance to walk in my shoes, then you would understand. Once I have the opportunity to take some much needed leave, my comments on these forums will be bright and shiny like everyone likes them to be.

[KawiGunny]

I definately said some things that had no place on this forum and I sincerely apologize for that. I am not a person to ask for respect, to be honest, I cannot recall a single time I have ever pulled rank on someone (aside from this forum). I felt that I was disrespected personally, and I felt the urge to defend myself. I am one of the most lenient/passive Marines there are and I do fully agree that respect is something that needs to be earned regardless of what is on a Marine's collar. What I posted here yesterday was a mistake, I would delete it all if I could.

And you're right, my actions were influenced on the type of day I was having. I had a bad day, I have been having quite a few of those lately. I have spent the last three Christmas's stationed overseas, haven't be able to take a single day of leave in 2 years (haven't seen any of my family since the beginning of 2007), been stationed in one sh!t-hole after another and that's not even the half of it... it really takes a toll. Prolonged stress is never a good thing, and in my case, sometimes it releases itself in all the wrong places- like this forum. If all of you had the chance to walk in my shoes, then you would understand. Once I have the opportunity to take some much needed leave, my comments on these forums will be bright and shiny like everyone likes them to be.


Understood. I know what you mean about being gone for christmas. My first enlistment, I spent 0 christmas's at home. 2 on mainland Japan, 1 in Panama and 1 on Okinawa. That didn't bother me to much since I was single. I know that the situation is different with you being on the type of duty you are on. Keep your head up and look to the future. You won't be there forever. :beer:

[Wyoming]

Methinks that all is well now and this thread has run it's course!!