Well...this is different...

Alright…now Randy, before you read this, I think you’ll need to get your phone and dial 9-1 and then put your finger on the other 1. Any Dogs in the area be ready to respond to a heart attack at Randy’s place!







After a lot of thought, talking, waiting and waiting- I just swore into the Army National Guard as a social work officer in the medical services! Some folks know I’m a long time social worker and a bit beat up by the field. After 20+ years of work, I was struggling to find the sense of service that I had and felt deeply for years and was considering leaving the field entirely. After a lot of thought I knew one of the groups that I feel like I could help and do well with is soldiers. I looked into it last Fall and the paperwork finally came through and led to an interview and swearing in today.

Thanks to JJ and Spider-Pig who pm’ed me on the side to advise me on talking with the recruiters. I appreciate it!

So anyway…back to waiting for the new release!!

Congratulations on your decision, Rich! I hope you finally find the sense of service you've been looking for.

Congratulations!

Well done Rich...congratulations!!!

Thanks all!

Congrats RN! uh did they make you shave your head?


MM

After all I've done for you, treated you like a member of my own family, you go and join the ARMY! I don't know if I will survive the shock long enough to dial 911. I feel so, so violated!

OK now that I KNOW you feel SO sorry for your traitorous act, the only other thing I can say is CONGRATULATIONS! You not only found a way to continue doing what you enjoy, you found a way to show your patriotism and compassion for those who safeguard our very way of life.

Are you full time or part time? I am guessing full time. What is your rank?

P.S.
At least it wasn't the Marines.

Again Rich, Congratulations and I wish you MANY years in your new life.

Randy

And just think, you can enjoy the smell of gun powder every morning!

Congrats Rich.

And be careful with the Marine jokes Skunk.

Congrats!

Congrats, Welcome to the other Brotherhood! Rest assured, anywhere you go, no matter what shade of green they are, light green, dark green, or bumpy green, your fellow Soldiers have your back. Hooah!

Have fun with basic

Awesome

HA! Here ya go, Ode De Pew, just for you

Hmmmmm...that almost rates being banned! ...............................

Oh you should have seen the first picture I was gonna put up, but then I remembered it was a family friendly forum. Let's just say there was NO doubt where the "Spray" was coming from.

lol!

This is part time...classic 1 w/e a month, 2 weeks a year and I need to do a 1 month basic officer leadership course in Texas at some point. I'm going in as a 1st Lt based upon education and work experience.

I think the basic officer training would make a lot of you guys chuckle. My recruiter kept saying "there are 60 year old dentists getting trained- they don't make you into SEALS!" lol...that being said, I've been upping my work outs for some time and will do very well on the PT test (for my age range...lol)

Congrats!

I hope it´s the right choice for you and your family!

Feederle:

I don't know about now, but when I was still in the Air Force the "Guard" will be more or less like a part time job. Basically he will only "Be in" one weekend each month, and a two week "Tour" each year. The rest of the time he will be a "Civilian".

Rich please correct me if I am wrong, I have been out of the loop now for close to 21 and a half years.

I have no hard facts to back this up, but it appears to me that the state National Guard is much more closely meshed with the federal units than they used to be and has current equipment. They seem to be called up for active duty much more frequently also. Why, in my state, the Air Guard actually has uniforms now instead of the cutoffs, sandals and T-shirts they used to wear.

Yes the National Guard is more active than it used to be. Part of that is the size of the military. Guard is still better than Reserves for several reasons. If they want to activate a member of the Guard the whole unit has to be activated, while the Reserve can call up individuals. Guard more involved with state emergencies, serving local community, etc. Moving/promotion is easier in the Guard as well. Again, congrats on your decision.

Wow Ray. We were stuck with those hot ugly uniforms and Boots! NOTHING like todays more comfy uniforms.

Randy, I guess we're just a couple of old dinosaurs.

Congratulations!

Don't know about you Tom, but I sure feel like one!

Well, even old dinosaurs needed lovin'!

Happy birthday to the U.S. Army.

Say what? Oh, happy Birthday.

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll find it frustrating at times, but also very rewarding. Well done for doing a thing!

Super awesome! Don't know how I missed this thread. Glad you found a path that keeps the fire alive, brother! Please keep us updated as you continue down your path.

Thanks Dogs.

I appreciate the support!

You all know I'll be the social worker with the best steel in the Guard!

Congrats RN the N(asty)G(irls) got a good one with you.

"After all I've done for you, treated you like a member of my own family, you go and join the ARMY! sick I don't know if I will survive the shock long enough to dial 911. I feel so, so violated!"

Skunk, No everyone can meet the high standards of the Air Force, that's why they have the other SISTER services.

Congrats RN!

WAY TO GO MASTIFF!

In respect to RN, I will withold my comment. .................................

Good thing he didn't join the Navy. They would probably put in that new ship the "Gabriel Gifford". The FIRST "WARSHIP" without ANY guns, not even sidearms! Talk about stupidity.

They should have named it the "Sitting Duck"!

Congratulations Rich!

Air Force trying to smack talk... best joke of the day. Thanks for the laugh

Is this what I have to look forward to- cross service fighting??!!

Sounds like a special "Don't ask, don't tale, let's just plan to fail" kind of loveboat.

Rich, in answer to your question, YUP!

Wow awesome!!! Sorry I'm behind the times.

Welcome to the armed forces.

Hope you find what you are looking for. I am sure you will find it rewarding no matter what.

Semper fi,
Staff Sgt. Peace

Congratulations Rich!

Hooyah!

Or....whatever it is the Army says...I haven't gotten that far in my training yet...



lol

Thanks again guys!

And thanks again for the advice JJ...all those months ago! Took forever to get the age waiver!

You're welcome and, you'll be fine "old man." Age is all in the head until it isn't. I will be 40 next year and I still have a higher PFT (physical fitness test) score than all but one of my junior Marines. Darn high school track runners.

The Army says hooah (pronounced "who-uh"). Marines ooh-rah (pronounced as spelled). The Navy says hooyah (pronounced "who-yah"). The Air Force says hooah (pronounced "we're tired, send in the Marines").

Of course we say that. We're the smart ones. Why should we get our shoes scuffed or wrinkle our uniforms

We've been using unarmed ships forever. I've ridden on a few. They are usually contracted ships. This is no different. It will just be cheaper than chartering.

I know that JJ, but this is a "built for the U.S. Military WARSHIP! Now on the surface of the announcement it sounds goofy to me. BUT based upon it's actual deployment area(s) it may not be all that out of line with it's mission.

I think that Rich will do well in this position. He has a passion, a REAL concern for those he will be caring for.

Heeeey heeeey, Air Force.
Get out your jets and follow me.
I am Marine Corps, can't you see?

Of course we will follow, you think we want to get shot at first!

Just one more reason they are THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES!!!

Had to figure you'd pipe up.

The strongest Brotherhood out there for over 200 years!

Yeah. Oh, and well deserved as well.

It's in your contract, Section 14.1.0. "All Members of the Armed Forces must take any available opportunity to make fun of the other branches of the Armed Forces. Failure to do so will result in punitive actions such as: UCMJ Punishment, Whipping, and up to and including Death" Or something like that... lol


JK, but it sounds good, right?

Speaking of making fun of the other branches...



HEHEHE

Oh my...

What have I created with this thread!!??



Lol!

Only from 300 yards out though.

JJ, I figured you were gonna say something like "Bullets bounce off Marines".

Give me the Air Force way of life. Air conditioning, cable TV, home by 1800hrs, calling everyone by their first name, and no sweating.

That's why I joined!

Yeah, Walmart offers the same benefits.

I didn't think Walmart gave a months paid vacation a year.

Actually, the University I was attending had AF ROTC (Which I was in). When the Dean thought I should set out a semester I joined the AF and finally got out 20 years, 1 month and 16 days later.

I started out in the Army (5 years) before I decided to give up the tactical life for the Air Force (17 years) and its' air conditioning, etc, etc, etc...

When the going gets tough, the tough get going...USMC

All the others join the OTHER branches of Service!

Remember, there are MARINES, and those that WISH they were!

No Tom you are WRONG! There are Marines and others who wish the Marines were there when it all goes south!

lol JJ, true enough

Randy is beginning to see the light!

Very smart man Mastiff.

Congrats!