On 10 Aug 2005 05:59:09 -0700, "mad8" <mad8vskillz@gmail.com> wrote:

>well, at least it's not 8 generations of west virginians
>
>>I am a
>>product of at least 8 generations of Floridian

It is like a running joke here in Florida as there are actually very
few native born were the parents and grand parents were born in
Florida also. With almost everyone being someone that moved here for
the warmer climate or came to visit and never left.

There was close to 77 million people that took vacation in Florida
last year. I love it. They surely need to improve the road system
down here but our taxes are already high enough not to mention the pay
scale is lower than most other states. It is funny the gas prices go
up during tourist off season (April-September) and go down (a little)
during tourist season (October-March). The water restrictions during
the two year drought was the same. No Restrictions during tourist
season and then one evening a week restrictions according to your
address during non-tourist season.

I myself prefer the country areas. It is getting very crowded down
here and every time there is an accident on the highway it is
considered a new tourist attraction. It is great, I just have to
laugh at it all.

They pump water from near my house to Pinellas county (60+ miles
away), because the land can not handle their usage. So now that they
have dipped into our aquifer we have to treat our water because they
have screwed up the water levels.

So when I retire I am going to the True Country, Alaska. That is
where I met my wife. We still have a house and property up there. I
have a bunch of guys up there that want to get some paintball
scenarios going. I have access to two different military training
facilities/areas. Now I just have to come up with the money. for the
move and to get a contract to operate there.

Hardtime

http://www.geocities.com/arcticjohn88/arcticjohn88

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 14:24:52 -0000, rick@shadowspar.dyndns.org (Rick
Scott) wrote:

>(Hardtime <hardtime11@hotmail.com> uttered
>> I have been all over the US by means of other jobs and a decade of
>> military.
>
>Just out of curiousity, what did you get up to in the military?
>(MOS, and all that.)
>
>Back in the day, I put in a few years as a Gunner with the reserve
>unit in my hometown (49th (Sault Ste Marie) Field Regiment RCA).
>The nearest artillery range was four hours south in Grayling, MI;
>we were fortunate to be able to train there, because the next nearest
>alternative was a 10+ hour haul to Petawawa, ON. Soldiering at
>Camp Grayling was interesting not only because of the curious soldiers
>who had no idea who all these guys in green berets were, but also
>because the tiny little National Guard outpost often seemed to have
>more weaponry than the entire Canadian military.
>
>Rick

I was in twice and both times I started as a private in basic
training.

First time was "Infantry" 11B20p (20p = E-5 Promotable dependant on
time remaining) late 70's through early 80's. Primarily Ft
Wainwright, AK and Ft Hood, TX.. Ft Hood gave me an attitude and I got
out for a while.

Second time was "MP" Tactical/Garrison) 95B20p during the late 80's
through the early 90's. Primarily Ft Greely,AK and WSMR, NM.. Force
reductions started during my re-enlistment window.

I pulled a lot of TDY duties and special assignments while in both
times. I like to stay busy and away from garrison/brass. More so
during my first hitch. I was able to be involved in a lot of
different things. I had more than enough points both times for
promotion to E-6 but not enough time in service remaining. Typically
you need more than a year or two remaining to be promoted to E-6.

Second time I was screwed by the force reductions that had just
begun during my re-enlistment period and the brass had not learned how
it worked. I even received my orders for my pinpoint assignment to
Berlin a month after I was discharged.

My first time the Drill Sergeants were allowed to be a little rough
and it was called BCT (Basic Combat Training). The second time
through Basic/BT(Basic Training, BCT no longer exists) and I got into
more trouble for laughing at what the Drill Sergeants could not do. I
had a lifer type Drill Sergeant if you know what I mean. The first
time through they were allowed to break you and now they can not even
yell at you or cause you to stress. I am not joking about it either.
In basic training they even give you stress cards that you can hold up
when you are feeling stressed.

I currently have a Colonel trying to draft me into the National Guard
with a promotion. I feel that I am getting a little old for it and
value my personal time to much.

Hardtime

http://www.geocities.com/arcticjohn88/arcticjohn88