Introductions I I- Your first post on this board goes here. (CLOSED)

[Gypsy]

Welcome to all new members, my thanks to those of you who have or are serving!

[desertmedic]

Good evening,

I am a civilian contractor presently working some of the Middle East's premier vacation destinations, have been hiding around this site for a while. Lots of excellent information to be found here. Thanks to all that put it together,

Desertmedic

[CPTAUSRET]

Originally Posted by desertmedic

Good evening,

I am a civilian contractor presently working some of the Middle East's premier vacation destinations, have been hiding around this site for a while. Lots of excellent information to be found here. Thanks to all that put it together,

Desertmedic

Desertmedic:

Welcome aboard!

I did not put the site together, but I have been around awhile.

[Jumpfast]

Hi,

My callsign is Jumpfast.

I spent 20+ years in the US Army (64 - 84), serving almost 16 of thoes years overseas in the Pacific Rim. During that time I spent most of my efforts as a military or "civilian" advisor to various host nations in the areas of conventional guns and ammo research, development and production facilitization amoung other things.

After retiring from the Army as a MSG / E-8, I went to work for a defense contractor as an Ordnance engineer for advanced concepts R&D for gun and ammunition systems for mostly the 120mm tank gun, 155mm ICM ammunition and propellant systems for gun type weapons of virtually all calibers. I also did other "odd" jobs with various Pacific Rim countries and their defense RDT&E activities.

After working for three defense contractors, I have retired again and now do odd jobs and some inventing for SOCOM in support of advanced or emerging technologies for SOF peculiar small arms and ammunition as well as big green army requirements.

I usually go shooting with my friends on weekends and we plink clay pigeons at 600 yards with M-4 carbines (standard mil-spec barrels) and ACOG TA31F 4x32 scopes to show people that just because it (the M-4) is short doesn't mean it's not accurate.

I also continue to do independant research and development in areas that interest me, such as small arms lethality and related topics.

Other than that I meet with friends and talk about current events and potential future requirements, eat seared animal flesh and read science fiction when I get the chance.

Any questions?

[exsfdoc]

Thank all of you for allowing me to become a member.

In brief, the majority of my active service was in the 101st, the 24th ID (AVN BDE) and 1/75th. I was reserve SF in the 11th late 80's and was recalled a few times for short tours under the auspices of higher command.

I was rifed right after Gulf War I (there would never be another big war and they didn't need old men) and not long after my group was disbanded.

Of military interest, I am a Regular Life member of the 75th Ranger RGT Association, the Special Operations Medical Association and the 101st ABN Division Assoc. I have yearly memberships in the SFA, the Assoc. of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and the American Legion.

I don't know how professional I am but I am certainly "quiet". I tend to be calmer when everything is going wrong than when everything is going right.

I really prefer not talking that much about my personal service. I am however willing to give my opinion if asked. I usually give some thought to my replies so sometimes they may not come back as fast as the questioner might like.

My Father was 10th Gp and my son wants to be 3rd or 5th Gp.

Well, there you have it and I am happy to have found QP ...

[NSDQ]

Welcome Gentlemen, & thank you for your service

[strat]

Hello everybody! I'd first like to thank you all for being on this site and allowing me to become a part of it. I am 24 years old and in the middle of December this year I will earn my BS in chemistry. I am enlisting in the army immediately afterwards.

I have wanted to be in the Army Special Forces since I was about 7 years old. I joined the Sea Cadets when I was 11 and stayed in it until I was 16. Every summer I spent time on a different military base in the country learning about different jobs but always I wanted SF. Shortly after I graduated high school I lost site of that goal temporarily. I was arrested with a pipe that had marijuana in it. The judge reduced the charge from possession of marijuana to possession of paraphernalia and I completed 90 days unsupervised probation. I've been clean since and am working hard to achieve my goal.

I'm signing an 11b contract with airborne. I wanted Rangers but a Secret clearance is required and my recruiter told me there was no way it would be granted to me. So I am going to go airborne and soldier my butt off. Do nothing less than the best I can. I hope that the army will look past my mistake and one day grant me a clearance so I can attend Ranger school and eventually live my dream of standing with SF operators. The rest is on me.

I'm sorry for the lengthy introduction, just wanted you all to have some background on me.

Thank you all!

ps. A little bit more about me: I love being outdoors, am PADI rescue diver certified and love to dive, love skydiving although I'm still a novice, am an Eagle scout, and love playing my guitar and reading.

[Verruckt]

Hello all. My name is Kurt and I have been lurking/researching for a few weeks now. Decided to join so that I could ask some questions when I have some. There is a wealth of information here, thanks for putting up a good community. Not much to tell about me, I am interested in electronics, firearms, history, politics, etc. I am looking into enlisting. I look forward to continued reading. Thanks.

Kurt

[Matta mile]

Welcome to You!
Hope you enjoy the site.
MM

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by strat

Hello everybody! I'd first like to thank you all for being on this site and allowing me to become a part of it. I am 24 years old and in the middle of December this year I will earn my BS in chemistry. I am enlisting in the army immediately afterwards.

I have wanted to be in the Army Special Forces since I was about 7 years old. I joined the Sea Cadets when I was 11 and stayed in it until I was 16. Every summer I spent time on a different military base in the country learning about different jobs but always I wanted SF. Shortly after I graduated high school I lost site of that goal temporarily. I was arrested with a pipe that had marijuana in it. The judge reduced the charge from possession of marijuana to possession of paraphernalia and I completed 90 days unsupervised probation. I've been clean since and am working hard to achieve my goal.

I'm signing an 11b contract with airborne. I wanted Rangers but a Secret clearance is required and my recruiter told me there was no way it would be granted to me. So I am going to go airborne and soldier my butt off. Do nothing less than the best I can. I hope that the army will look past my mistake and one day grant me a clearance so I can attend Ranger school and eventually live my dream of standing with SF operators. .

Very interesting intro, however unless this is part of your 12 step program just a little too much information here. But as long as you brought it up, I am a little perplexed by the statement made to you by your recruiter about your inability to be granted a secret clearance just for the possession of drug paraphenalia and not the possession or use of marijuana. If this is going to follow you forever, then why are you even bothering to enlist? I know at least one graduate of a service academy that got into the academy with a single use conviction on his record so unless the rules have really changed in the past couple of decades something seems amiss here. Then of course there are some folks that have had maximum exposure to some of our highest secrests that not only possessed-oh right, they did not inhale-I forgot. I also find it interesting that after having explored "better living" thru chemistry that you now have decided to get a legitimate degree in the field. Good on you for that. I really think, however, that before you sign on the dotted line you better find out specifically what it is going to take for you to be granted a secret clearance so you know exactly what your long term options are. Just a thought.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by strat

I wanted Rangers but a Secret clearance is required and my recruiter told me there was no way it would be granted to me.

If the pipe was your only offense you will have no problem obtaining a secret or higher clearance. Like the Col posted, Slick Willie admitted to smoking dope (but he didn't inhale) and he had access to the nuclear launch codes

Your recruiter does not know what he or she is talking about or you're not telling us everything.......

Join and work hard for what you want, in the military the sky is not the limit.

Team Sergeant

[strat]

Sorry for putting too much info in my intro, I don't want to cross any lines. I assure you I am telling you all everything, it was a small pipe with marijuana in it. The court document states "possession of marijuana reduced to possession of paraphernalia."

Anyways the recruiter told me that if I have a good record in the army that they may look past the infraction. I'd be greatly disappointed if I never got into RIP or SFAS but it wouldn't stop me from enlisting to serve. I've always felt drawn to do it.

I hope be apart of SF one day, but no matter what happens I am going to be airborne infantry.

[Books]

Strat,

Good on you for wanting to enlist. If you're determined to go Rangers, I know of more than one who wrangled a slot to RIP while at BCT. As for your youthful indiscretion, remember that the recruiter isn't the one who awards you your clearance. He just submits the paperwork. Lord knows I had a few indiscretions myself and with enough waivers, mea culpas and elapsed time, all is possible. Good luck!

Books

[exsfdoc]

Strat,

The worst thing that can happen is that some "individual" might say "no" to what you feel "now" is your ultimate goal. Then you are no worse off than if you had not asked. However, that individual will usually say no only once (they will probably PCS/ETS before your next go-round).

You are already volunteering during a "conflict"... +1
You are volunteering for the Infantry... +2 = +3
You are volunteering for Airborne... +3 = +6 (in my book)

Never quit, never give up, do right by your sergeants and officers (even the stupid ones). Always act honorably and recognize that soldiering is the noblest and most self-sacrificing of all the professions.

Avoid being co-opted by civilian agencies if at all possible (my personal opinion).

Rangers Lead the Way!

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by exsfdoc

officers (even the stupid ones).

Apparently we have some issues here