Life changes...

[MyMistress86R]

I have a few to let you all know about. Some of you have been on the inside with me for the majority of my troubles and goals over the last few months, but it's time to get the whole gang involved.

1) I have been working out regularly 3~4 times a week for overall better health for nearly 2 months now. Good in and of itself, but I smoked for 20 years and it was getting in the way...

2) Just a little less than a month ago (April 1st, to be exact) I quit smoking. It's going well and I have complete faith that it is a permanent thing.

3) Those were both done to prepare myself for this one and it finally came about. I have been officially accepted for in-processing to the Air Force National Guard! I previously spent 12 years in the Army Reserve and felt with today's economy and all that this was a win-win situation, so I took the plunge. I will be joining a local Air Guard unit full time and intend to career it out to retirement. I'm quite excited about it and thankful for the opportunity to once again serve my country.

Thanx for reading my ramble...Todd

[ditchmud]

I salute you! I am too fat and too broke down to re inlist or I might join ya. Shoot, I'd have my 20 years in if I would have stayed in.

[MyMistress86R]

I know what you mean Ditch. I'd be on my way to 30 at this point. I can still pull it off though, with a couple handy grandfather clauses. Thanx for your support!

[Vealmonkey]

Best of luck to you and thanks for what you do. I did 6 in the navy and don't know if I could ever go back in.

[MyMistress86R]

Thank you VM. Your service and support fill me with pride!

[outtaline]

Good luck with that I don't have the chance anymore. I joined the Army in 1998 right out of highschool did 2 1/2 years with the last year being in a wheel chair cause of a "training accident" I was plannin on stayin in but they told me the only thing I could do was admin and I was artillery so I said send my home good luck ride lots before you leave your gonna miss it

[Russell 350X]

Congrats man! Best of luck to you. What will you be doing in the Air force NG?

[MyMistress86R]

Thanx so much outtaline and Russel. I appreciate the support.

I have not nailed down my MOS yet as I have to see what active duty slots are open once I'm processed. Most likely, I will be flight support via the on base Red Horse Squadron. Either heavy equipment operator or heavy equipment mechanic. The group I'm joining is C-130 airlift operations and support, so at least I will get the option for some flight-time sight-seeing. I'm pretty excited about it, but nervous too for being 35 and jumping in again. At least I get to retain my pay grade and time in grade from my previous Reserve stint. I'm being enrolled in the Air Force's version of PLDC as soon as I'm in too, so I'll be NCO promotable within a year.

[ATC-Eric]

Congrats on the smoking, and the carrier change!

Sounds very promissing. Good luck to you.

[hinddee29]

Thanx so much outtaline and Russel. I appreciate the support.

I have not nailed down my MOS yet as I have to see what active duty slots are open once I'm processed. Most likely, I will be flight support via the on base Red Horse Squadron. Either heavy equipment operator or heavy equipment mechanic. The group I'm joining is C-130 airlift operations and support, so at least I will get the option for some flight-time sight-seeing. I'm pretty excited about it, but nervous too for being 35 and jumping in again. At least I get to retain my pay grade and time in grade from my previous Reserve stint. I'm being enrolled in the Air Force's version of PLDC as soon as I'm in too, so I'll be NCO promotable within a year.

Damn dude you can't ask for more than that. They are hooking you up.
Shoot man 35 isn't anything. Think the hardest part will be PT if you haven't kept up in shape. Congrat's man! You going to be out of Mansfield?
Have you ever had the chance to fly in C-130? If not you'll see ya why they jump out of them. HA They are fun.

I'd have my time in almost also if I didn't get hurt. If any vet reading this has a 20% or more VA rating you may be able to get into the Voc Rehab program and
get free training or schooling in a job that doesn't effect you disibility or limits it.
Check with you vetrans service commision in you county.

Good luck man, and thanks for your service!

Shane

[Twilight]

Im in the ADF (Australian Defense Force)... see you on the battlefield... lol j/k


Hope all goes well for you =)

[ProCarbine2k1]

HAHA!!! The 179th Im guessing? I spent the last 6.5 years of my life there! Let me know where you are headed, I will be more than happy to help you out or introduce you to some folks. If you are joining the 179th, chat with me first before you pick a career field. There are going to be a LOT of changes there within the next couple of years. Good luck!!!

[MyMistress86R]

Thanx guys...I appreciate all your support. It makes the choice that much easier.

Hindee...Yes, I will be serving with the 179th Airlift Wing (more specifically the 200th Red Horse Squadron) out of Mansfield and no I have never been in a 130 yet, but looking forward to it someday before they are de-comm.

ProCarbine...aren't they gearing up to switch over to the new C27s?

[Vealmonkey]

Man, I've got to fly on c-130's before on "space A" flights. They are a real go anywhere and do anything type of bird. I've seen them land, unload cargo, refuel and check the oil and kick the tires, install the racks with seats on em and fly passengers out in about 45 minutes turnaround. And I'm sure they could do it quicker if they had to. Not quite a first class ride, and those box lunches are a crap shoot, but a ride home is a ride home. And you couldn't beat the price. You should see if you could get on one of those c-130 gun ships. Now that looks like a cool deal. The modern day "Puff the Magic Dragon" version of the old c-47.

[ProCarbine2k1]

I dont mean to take a negative approach toward the 179th getting new planes, but in my opinion I will only believe we are getting new planes when they are sitting on our tarmac. Everyone around here wants it to happen, its just that we get "approved", on hold, not sure about funding, on hold again, and then repeat.
The c27 would be a GREAT choice, it is similar to a 130, just way smaller. It would be a great plane for light transport/ troop support- which is critical to our Red Horse Unit.