I'm currently going through training to become an Army Combat Medic. A lot of MOS's out there have certain associations and organizations and such. I did a google search for "combat medic association", and I found one.
I was slightly disappointed in the amateur web design of the association website I found, but I was still interested in the organization... until I discovered all of the BS "qualifiers" to join.
On March 28, 2008, we completed Phase I of the 68W Reclassification Course (Army Combat Medic). This video was recorded almost halfway back from El Paso, Texas to Atlanta, Texas (Just south of Texarkana).
On April 27, 2007, I completed the Basic Police Counter-Sniper course at Texas Tactical in Weatherford, Texas. I was going through my pics and videos, and this is the only video I got from that course.
During the course, probably the most impressive thing I did was making a center hit cold-bore shot from 350yds using hold off because the set screws in the turrets became loose and the turrets just spun freely. Surprisingly, it was a "high quality" scope...
I have the target around here somewhere, and when I find it, I'll scan and post it.
Ok, so this wasn't posted at midnight on New Year's Day, but that's because I was out celebrating with my nearest, dearest, oldest friend. However, if I were to post at midnight on New Year's, this is what it would be... I've finally sat down and wrapped up 2007.
The Best Times:
1. Kyle Wayne, my third son, was born. 2. I came off of active duty after two and a half years... the first six months were training up to go to Iraq, followed by a year in Iraq, followed by a year stateside at Ft. Hood as part of Operation Warrior Trainer where we trained troops to go to Iraq/Afghanistan/Egypt/etc... 3. I got a tattoo 4. I got a job at Texas Tactical where we trained S.W.A.T. teams, tactical medics, snipers, military, and civilians. 5. I got to attend a Navy Chief pinning ceremony, having already witnessed a Marine, Air Force, and of course Army promotion... 6. I got to reconnect with my best friend in a very personal way... a way I never would've imagined. 7. I made a LOT of wonderful new friends
The worst times:
1. I split up with my wife after nine and a half years of marriage and having been together for eleven years... that really sucked. Hell, it STILL sucks. 2. I got laid off from Texas Tactical.
It's been a pretty intense year for me... so many great times, but a couple of really bad times... but I have a very positive outlook going into '08. I got my first kiss of the new year from V, who was voted "Bad Ass of the Year in '07", so I'm definitely off to a great start!
Well, I was reminded that yesterday was my birthday... not only because I got so tore up my head was still spinning when I woke up, but because the little "sticker" my MySpace page now says "31".
I spent the day at home doing computer work and other mundane tasks. I got my phone calls from friends and family, most of which I didn't even take... I just let 'em go to voice mail.
Last NIGHT, however, my best friend took me out. We went to a classy night club where I got absolutely tore up. We met up with some friends and just had a good ole time. We went to a mexican restaurant when the club closed and I stuffed myself silly.
Ok, as this week winds down, I really must say that last week was a total trip! It's one that I'm sure I'll never forget.
I was visiting my longest and dearest friend, Stephanie, in Houston.
Night 1 - I went to a gay bar. It's probably the most "out-of-character" thing I've ever done in my life. I wasn't really nervous or anything and I really had a great time. A few guys even tried to pick me up.
Night 2 - I got my first tattoo... (see previous blog) and then went out to another gay bar... and it was Karaoke night. Ugh!
Night 3 - I went to a Dilana & Magni concert. I had never heard of either of them, and was pretty apprehensive about their show when I paid $35/ticket and they didn't have a full band set. Dilana opened up with "Landslide", and I must say I am no longer in love with Stevie Nicks! After that song, we could've left, because I felt like I got my $35 worth!
Day 4 - I went and visited my friend, Trey... who I met the day after I met Stephanie. I heard some pretty wild fish stories (wink wink). He works for Bill Heard Chevrolet, and they've done so well that the dealership takes them on deep sea fishing trips.
All of this happened after my road trip to watch Stephanie's brother get pinned as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. I had been to Air Force, Marine, and Army promotion ceremonies, but I believe watching a Chief promotion was the most awesome. I have a new appreciation of what it takes to become a Navy Chief, and I'm honored to now know one.
So as I sit here and obsess over Dilana and reflect on next week, I'll look forward to my next trip to Houston. It was so good to get home to Ladonna and the kids and get settle back into my everyday normal life... there's a LOT to be said about that...
The greatest thing is, for the first time since 2000, I weigh under 200lbs! At 30, I feel just like I did at 21! Back in February, I weighed 248lbs!
Ok, so a "Superman" symbol might sound a little cheesy, but I did something last night that is quite "out of character" for me...
I got a Tattoo!
Depending on your monitor, it's about the size of my profile pic, so it's not very big at all. It's on my left chest so that when I'm wearing my fire department uniform, the badge is right over it... or when I'm wearing my Army uniform, my Combat Action Badge (that should've been a Combat INFANTRY Badge) sits right over it.
And for those who thought that I'd never make it to 30... I really AM Superman! ;)
Despite the outrageous "sin" tax on tobacco, I'm still a smoker. Because of the high prices of cigarettes, I switched to a "cigarette" version of cigars... cigars that can be smoked as cigarettes, but are classified differently and are less than half of their popular counter-parts.
Anyhow, I was a designated driver last night and I stopped in a "stop-and-rob" right before getting to my final destination for the evening so I could purchase the objects of my sinful vice.
They didn't have my preferred "flavor", but they did have my brand, so that's what I picked out. The kicker is, they wouldn't sell it to me. Why? Not because I didn't have my ID, or not because I didn't have enough money...
...they wouldn't sell them to me because it wasn't in their system. Inventory control systems are catered to STUPID PEOPLE, so instead of MANUALLY ringing them up, they simply told me they weren't going to sell them to me.
I walked right out of the store with NOTHING! They chose to NOT TAKE MONEY.
HA! I can't believe I still have this! The following is an email EVERYBODY in western Iraq received. The IT gurus went in and deleted it from everyone's email, but not before I saved it down to my hard drive :)
Enjoy...
This should be in The Globe or The Daily News here!! So 2FSSG H&S BN's Cpl Lauren Caron is a big hit and a favorite at Camp TQ, Iraq! She arrived there shortly after an affair with someone besides her husband, and then had an affair with G-3 IMO SSgt David Wieland! What's sad is she had a miscarriage from one of her flings shortly arriving in Iraq. Even more interesting, ever since she arrived over there in late FEB 05, she already had flings with SSgt Wieland (was it better here or there?!), Cpl Pierce (just for meaningless fun, poor Cpl Thompson!), HM1 Joshua Warren (aw she really loved him though! But loved to rock the back of the ambulance at nights more!), and 1sLt Michael Kane (ooh moved on with an officer and late night's in his own office! Too bad it ended before he became a Capt!). But here's the kicker!! All this time with these guys, she was sneaking off and staying some nights at an Army all-male living area away from the Marine living area!!! Oooh, who was or were the lucky soldier or soldiers?! Is there a video?! But of course there has to be the sad story… during all this time she was having her fun there, she accepted and was wearing a Tiffany's necklace and a ring as she kept a promise to be with Sgt Jeremy Ericson while keeping him happy there of course to string him along the entire time!!! Poor guy!! Check yourself for diseases Sgt!! You can find better!! WOW it must be fun being stationed and deployed in Iraq with 2FSSG H&S BN's very own Cpl Lauren Caron!!!! It is cool enough to hear all the stories from all of the Marines who came here to talk about it!!! What happens when you tell other females your stories who tell others who don't care for Marines who act this way! If I was her, I would have volunteered to stay till FEB 06 for more fun too! A big Hoorah for her in having so much fun in Iraq and to all the Marines, Soldiers, and the one Sailor who got to enjoy their deployment having someone to use!!!!
