Travel

Here are my next training dates just so everybody knows:
March 3-15 2008 Air Assault at Ft. Benning GA
April 14-20 2008 Weapons Qualification at Ft. McClellan AL
May 17-June 7 National Training Center at Ft. Irwin CA

I've been really busy lately trying to get ready for all this. I like to leave everything set at work so that everything will run smoothly. We'll see if it all actually works out. Somehow an annual check-up turned into a full physical today including a typhoid shot. I told them that I already died from typhoid on Oregon Trail in 5th grade so I was immune. They gave me the shot anyway along with hep b and a flu shot (yes, third one this year).

It's always hard to leave my family and home but especially this time. Vanessa cannot lift more than 5 lbs due to her restrictions with Ellie. I wonder if I will be able to tell when I come home that her belly grew? Hopefully I won't be home prior to March 15; Air Assault is a high attrition course.

Taxes

I have been a supporter of the fair tax since it's creation. If you don't know about the fair tax check it out at www.fairtax.org. The fair tax calculator is especailly interesting. This would be an alternative to the economy stimulation that is sending out checks this year. Instead of a few billion dollars the fair tax would put a few trillion dollars into the hands of the American people. I wonder how much it will cost the government in printers, ink, postage, and man-hours to send out the economy stimulation checks? Why not just let us keep it in the first place.

The fair tax taxes the everyday citizen and criminals the same. This includes drug dealers, illegal aliens, and mobsters. The most common myth is that it places an additional burden on the lower and middle class. If these critics would only read the books!

Two things have to happen. American people need to reject our current system (using votes) and American decision makers (rich people that benefit from the current system) need to consider what is best for America instead of themselves. I will continue to vote for the best candidate who supports the implementation of the fair tax.

Anyone that loses their job with the IRS can meet me at their local recruiting office and we can put you in a truly helpful, secure government position. If not, the INS needs help with illegal immigration.

Speaking of government efficiency, I went to the tag office yesterday and they would not give me a National Guard tag without a letter from my commander stating that I am currently serving. If I was in charge, I think a military ID would be fine.

Weekend thoughts

The four-wheeler is running now but barely. If I can only get it to idle smoothly. I need to do a few more things like change the oil and get it cleaned up. Possibly I can have it going by Monday but we'll see. I would like to ride it on the power lines. Maybe Jason will have some input, he knows a lot about carbs and he can do anything.

We got the paint today for Ellie's room. We decided to go with a pale green. I really like it and think it will look good. Now I just have to paint it. How do you spend $100 at home depot and not really get anything?

We have a guest speaker at Summit church tomorrow. I'm looking forward to actually going. It seems like I haven't been in forever. I'm still looking for a job where you never have to work. Let me know if you find one.

The dogs are loving the weather and so am I. I hope it's like this at Ft. Benning in March for air assault but I know better.

Yesterday was the most awesome Valentines day in a while. We're going to have a baby girl! I'm super excited about the new experiences even if that means registering for baby stuff. Dinner was also nice at the Japanese steak house despite the guy beside us complaining about his food. That is the most annoying thing for me. People here in our own contry don't get to go out and eat and this guy's complaining about his filet. His wife had cancer too by the way. Loser. I hope I never forget what's important. Anyway, it was great for Vanessa and I to get in some us time.

Call of Duty 4 is awesome. It is the most realistic war game ever. The weapons are right on. The following aspects make it realistic:
-target aquisition is just like real life
-direct fire planning would work if you had a chain of command
-you get the "I'm about to die" feeling when you enter an open area
-you can shoot through light walls with heavy weapons
-grenades don't have fire-ball explosions
-you run slower when wounded
-you run out of ammo
-the M14/M1A is a good CQB and long-range weapon


Random thoughts:
-running sprints hurts more and more every year
-old injuries always resurface right before a physically tough school
-sweet potato fries with sugar and cinnamon are awesome
-I'm not shooting in the pistol match tomorrow because of school work, truck tires, and 4 wheeler carb.
-girls night out means guys realize how worthless they are without the other half
-the four-wheeler better run tomorrow or I'll be mad

business travel

The four-wheeler restoration began today. It's a great time trying to figure out how to get it apart. I think I'll keep some detailed notes on how to get it back together. I got the carb. off and it looks to be the problem. Inside was a broken gasket with some mud and gunk.

3rd Platoon's shaping up despite having to go to court this week on two different cases. Good Soldiers aren't always good at life. There's a lot of potential on the E-4 level. I'm looking forward to making them NCOs before the deployment. Hopefully next month I can get them into some leadership positions during patroling.

As it turns out we're not going to the advanced course. It's good to have a little time at home with Vanessa despite the upcoming training planned for this year. It looks like I'll miss Vanessa's birthday again this year. I think the next one I make might be 2011. I guess a huge present will be in order.

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon

Today I ended up becoming very familiar with a M249SAW. This is my least familar weapon issued at the Company level, because I have a heavy CAV background where the M240B/C (7.62) rule. I have fired the SAW from time to time but never disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled until today. I'm secretly glad that they weren't cleaned properly so that I got some time on them. Though I prefer one well-placed shot to 1,000 spray and pray the SAW has it's place on the squad level. The SEALs love it for some reason. I guess they like the wimpy 5.56. The coolest feature is the ability to use m16 magazines but be ready for misfeeds and constant reloads!

An officer should never be too arrogant to clean a weapon they didn't use. It got me some funny looks today but I enjoyed the chance to lead by example. I wonder if the diciples looked at Jesus the same way when he started to wash their feet. The ultimate act of leadership by example.