20 Years Ago - Army Boot Camp

It was 20 years ago this week that I left my home in Virginia and headed to Ft. Jackson, SC for Army boot camp  I didn't know what to expect because I didn't know anyone in the Army at the time.  I had a good friend in the Marines and another who had gone to the Navy around the same time but this was a new adventure.

I was a very naive 19 year old leaving for boot camp.  I thought I should be in college and that was the only road to success.  I couldn't have been more wrong. The problem with college is that it cost money and I didn't have enough.  In 1993 things were also much different.  I did join after the first World Trade Center bombing but we didn't have war to truly worry about.  I was also involved in Operation Joint Endeavor  but again not the same fear of war that exists for a young person joining today.  I truly admire the post 9/11 military generation.  Joining during two major wars takes a lot of courage.

By the way I'm not saying school is not important I also went to George Mason after I got out but I would not be where I am today without my service.

Looking back 20 years later it was one of the best decisions I ever made.  I met some great people and the entire experience expanded my view of everything.  You will often hear guys in the military talk about fighting/serving with their brothers.  I can attest to that being true.  In my case Daryl Penn, Todd Hurley, and Will "Big Perm" Forbes are my brothers.  Todd ended up going back in and fighting post 9/11.  In addition to those three guys there were countless other people.  The list is way too long for this blog but a heartfelt thank you to those I served with.

Everyone joins for different reasons but the military fraternity and camaraderie  is something that will stay with you forever.  I'm now in IT and a few years ago I got to go back to Ft. Huachuca for work with the Army.  I had gone to MOS (job) training there and all those years later I still carry many of the lessons with me.

Hooah! and thanks to all that are serving or have served!

Laid back off-duty look...I wish I was that thin and in-shape now

Post Gas Chamber...old school BDU 

Thank You Veterans on Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in service for their country.

There are no words that can truly express my feelings. We can't give enough thanks to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I not only give thanks to those that made the ultimate sacrifice but also to the loved ones they left behind.

I also extend my deepest thanks to our fallen allies. We don't go into battle alone and many men and women from other countries have also made the ultimate sacrifice.

I doubt anyone I served with reads an Active Directory blog but thank you to my brothers in the Army and to anyone that has served in any branch of the military. Hooaaahhh!!

How great are Special Forces!!

Taking a detour from Active Directory.

By now everyone has heard how the Navy Seals rescued Captain Phillips from the pirates off the coast of Africa.

For those that don't know the three Navy Seals parachuted in and watched the boat Captain Phillips was in for several days. Then at one point two of the pirates briefly stuck their head out and two seals took simultaneous shots and killed the two pirates. The third seal at the same time shot at the third pirate inside (there must have been a window). That third shot was sucessful too. Three simultaneous shots...three kills. NBC News had a really great animation of all this but I can't find it on the web. If I do find it I'll post it.

Update from my friend Keith (also an Army Vet)

It was night and they used thermal image scopes that way they could see heat through the fiberglass life boat. 3 shots 3 kills. The forth pirate was aboard the navy ship as a negotiator

Great info Keith!! This is even more impressive.

How bad ass is that? Man oh man these guys are good. Just think if one shot would have been off Captain Phillips would have been a dead man.

I was in the Army but never came anywhere close to doing anything this high speed. You just have to take your hat off to all these guys in Special Forces they are a rare breed and we owe them a lot of thanks!!

Navy Seals, Army Rangers/Green Berets/Delta Force, USMC Force Recon, England’s SAS, Israeli Sayeret, and Germany's KSK.

Thanks to all of you, most of us will never know all the missions and things you all do to keep the world safe because of how Top Secret your missions are but we know you are out there and we know you are doing great things so THANK YOU!!!

Hooooaaahhh!!