Free Republic

BTW: What is it? 16 years or 19 years? Something else you seem to be at odds about.

For one who says they've been in for so long, you sure haven't learned much, and for you to say you're owed at least 18 months home duty, especially in a time of war, all I can say to that is you should have read the small print each time you re-enlisted by signing on the dotted line and taking the re-enlistment bonus.

First off, I am not enlisted(was early on)...second, I have been in the Navy since 1987(you do the math). Years at the academy do not count even though we are active duty. You guys are jerks on this forum. I was just trying to put out some info to discuss. Just because we are in the military does not mean we deserve to be on the front lines for infinity....I have done my share and how dare you accuse me of being stupid. You don't even know me and I assure you that I am smart enough to know what I got myself into. My point has been missed by you and several other people. We are not using our men and equipment in the most efficient manner. I will happily go to Iraq in the capacity I am trained.

"I will reserve total judgment until P3 explains to all of you what he is doing on a carrier, since P3s are landbased aircraft and do not fly from carriers at all."

P-3 Officers do a two year disassociated tour on a carrier after their JO shore tour. I was a TAO on a carrier for two years. I have been in the Navy since 1987. Enlisted first, then went to the Naval Academy on a Sec Nav nomination in 1990. Jo tour as a P-3 pilot, shore tour as a jet instructor pilot (T-45s)...yes I am Carrier qualed......Carrier tour and now DH tour. I am scheduled to go back to teaching jets this coming summer if I don't pick up an IA.......Oh everyone who tells me to go to the airlines.....#1 they aren't hiring #2 You start at a very low wage #3 My job is actually a lot of fun

Oh and pukin dog...if you really are an F-14 driver, you should have known about the disassociated thing, so don't accuse me of being a phony....send me mail and I will give you my phone number...I will talk to you anytime about the military.....

"we don't need more troops if their mission remains the same - convoys, checkpoints, patrols. Either use acute US force, or don't add troops."

Also, do you guys realize what you pay an O-4 Navy pilot every year? If you send me to Iraq as a bullet sponge, I still get paid as an O-4 pilot. Makes more sense to give me a 15 year retirement package and hire 4 enlisted infantry guys to take my place who could do a much better job than this old goat.

"Killed in droves driving around Baghdad? Hmm odd the casualty data doesn't back that claim up"

Whatever...I stand corrected....not my point.....I don't mind getting killed for my country...it is what I am pledged to do....but give me a fighting chance doing what I am trained to do.....I will fly anything they want me to over there.......I just wanted to give you guys another perspective besides what Rush puts out.....

Folks, I am a republican. I believe in constitutional principles. I vote for president Bush and republicans every single time. However, I am growing very weary of our role in Iraq. I am a Navy pilot. Millions of dollars have been put into my training. I have been on Sea duty for the past four years. Two years on a carrier and two years in a squadron. I am currently on deployment overseas for six months. I have a wife and four children. We had our youngest (10 months old) because I am owed a shore tour after this assignment and we planned for me finally to be home. I have rarely seen my children for the past four years and I have never been able to be involved in their lives the way you all take for granted(little league, PTA, etc....). Even when I am home I leave for work before my children wake up and come home after dark. As an officer, I work most weekends. My wife raises a 9,5,3 and ten month old by herself. We have no family near-by to help her. My nine year old is suicidal because of the stress of me not being around and my wife raising four children on her own. I come off deployment before XMAS and am I probably going to get sent to Iraq next summer for a year and a half doing convoy duty. A Navy pilot doing convoy duty! This is happening to alot of us. I know, tough sh_t, but professional military men like myself are not robots. We love our country and want to protect it from scum. I made a decision to make the military a career when I went to Annapolis, but I never imagined that I would be abused like I think I am about to be. They have me by the balls because I can't just leave 16 years of service with four children and a wife. I am very depressed about it. Guys are getting killed in droves just driving around town in Baghdad. I am not sure how I should feel about all of this, but I completely believe that we are being way too PC over there. We need to kick the crap out of those bastards or get the hell out and let them kill each other. What do you think?

"One cultural difference that really took some getting use to is that there is no "personal space" in China"

I am in Iceland right now, helping with the Coast Guard. I was at my hotel eating breakfast in a restaurant filled with open tables this morning. This Chinese guy comes and sits right next to me at my table like it is the most natural thing to do....I found it amusing because I have been to Hong Kong and understand their culture, but I still like my space.....For instance, I have an automatic 5 foot radius I employ around me for enlisted girls.......O-4 killers I call them......Can't come inside unless they are escorted by at least 2 Senior NCOs.....

"The meat is very delicious, in some way like beef, but richer."

I was on det in Norway a month ago and tried whale meat....By far the most disgusting piece of meat I have ever tasted....liver tastes like "pumpkin pie" compared to this meat....horrid stuff for the average American who has never eaten a blood soaked sponge......

I have four children under the age of 10. They have not figured out how to turn off lights yet. I come home from work in the evening and the entire house is lit up like a XMAS tree. I have replaced almost all of my lights with these bulbs. Seems to be working fine.

I am in Sicily right now....you want to talk about Morons.....all of these people drive like 16 year olds.....I'll take American drivers any day over this.

"However, like my parents, I chose my path. It would be dishonorable to complain."

You are right, I should not complain. There are a lot of guys in far worse situations than me. Had a bad night last night and I am kind of shocked with the realization of what a lot of military guys and gals are going through and about to go through. Disregard my last comments.

Folks, let me tell you something. I am a Navy Pilot. I have been active duty in the Navy for 19 years(some enlisted time). Millions of dollars have been spent on me. I have been a jet (Gosshawk) and P-3 instructor pilot. I came off a two year carrier tour in 2004 which I was out to sea for most of. I am currently deployed overseas for this tour. I have basically been away from my wife for the past four years. I have 4 children 9,4,2 and 8 months. We had the last child because I am owed a three year shore tour after this sea tour. I have barely seen my 8 month old. I do what I do because I love the U.S. and want to protect my family from bad guys, but it is about to get ridiculous. They are going to cancel my shore tour after this, send me to Fort Benning GA and put me through some kind of Infantry school then send me to Iraq to do convoy duty. A Navy pilot! They are doing this to a lot of us! I have been away from my family for almost four years with all of the work I have to do. There are not enough men in the military and they are abusing those of us who are here because the stars don't want to increase the quotas. You can't even retire safely because once you put retirement papers in they send you to Iraq for a year. I will do my part, but we are not robots, we have families and children that need to see their dads for more than a couple of months at a time. I have a nine year old son who is actually suicidal because he is teased so much for never having a father at any of his little kid events(sports, etc....). The whole situation just sucks.

Many pilots are military officers. I am a pilot fully trained on how to kill you. If it takes airline pilots to be functional in the use of firearms to protect their passengers, what is the problem? Many of the airline pilots are ex-military pilots.

"Another bold step towards neoprohibitionism. Paved with BS, just like all of the rest."

From Wisconsin, started drinking beer at age 15. Went to Annapolis, Navy pilot, etc...etc....This is pure BS......

You know what, this is not the white man's fault. Go to any mall and look at a group of young black teenage men and see how they act. They are disrespectful and feral because there is a 75% chance that they do not have a father in their household. I don't think the welfare money stolen from my taxes will help this situation.

Do you see the crap we have to put up with? For 19 years I have worked my ass off with no regard for race or creed and now a white admiral who has reached the top of his profession is going to stick it to the guys who's backs he has stepped on to the top. What kind of redress do I have? I am ashamed.

New Yorkers-Please don't come down to Florida! Please stay up there! You guys have paradise!

I am in Sicily on deployment with the Navy. The great majority of vehicles here are diesel. There are all kinds of little ford cars with turbo-diesels here.

There is rank inflation in the Navy. I honestly do not know if the rank E1 even exists anymore. Most sailors go to the fleet after boot camp and training from E3 to E5.

It is very difficult to make rank in the Navy as an enlisted. I have never heard of this E3 to E5 program you seem to be quoting. Extremely difficult to make chief.

I am a military pilot, and cell phones do not interfere with zip. Pure bullshit.

"I don't know why they (the troops) should be stuck in the middle of a family squabble within the Republican Party," said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

As I have said it before, this guy's days are numbered. When I joined the Navy 19 years ago, Obey was my congressman. I had to join because there were no jobs up in Northern Wisconsin. He is a laugh. After working my way up the enlisted ranks, receiving an appointment by the Secretary of the Navy to Annapolis(and graduating), vet of both Gulf Wars and having spent the last 10 years as a Navy Instructor Pilot(jets and P-3s), I am getting ready to retire and take this guy on in a run for congress in a couple of years. I have met with Bar Association of Northern Wisconsin members and NEA members and they are ready for a change. Remember the name Scott Gunderson(born and raised true Wisconsin native). I will be a freeper always and I will remain incorruptible as a public servant. After I kick Obey's butt, next will come Russ.