Tracking Kali through her Army career (Moderately non-Valk)

[f6gal]

too bad you or wife cannot be there AFTER the wisdom teeth are pulled.  The kids say the darndest things when coming awake acting all goofy like.  We recorded our daughter when wisdom teeth out age 16 or so on our cell phones blabbering relentlessly about funny stuff she had no idea what she was talking about.

Um, it's not just kids.

[Jess from VA]

I distinctly remember coming off the gas for this job.  I was not doing any goofy talking, but was doing some goofy buzzing.  They said I could go, so I walked out to my car and decided I was not fit to drive, and I sat there for about 40 minutes before it felt like all my marbles had returned.

Unlike the 187 times I left bars and parties in my youth clearly over the limit (with no accidents or arrests ever).  I have not done any of that foolishness for decades.

During my youth, the designated driver was just the guy without the open beer.

One notable occasion, during a MI winter snow/ice storm at night, about a 1 1/2 miles from home, I pulled off and commenced to walk (due to intoxication, and no visibility).  Within minutes, a cop stopped and told me to get in his car.  He asked if that was my car on the side of the road.  I replied that I should not answer as I might incriminate myself.  He said he figured it was, and was glad I chose wisely (except for walking in a blizzard), and was happy to give me a ride home, and did. 

[scooperhsd]

Mine were done in HS.

Two at a time.  All four sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me.

Two impacted were done at the oral surgeon with gas (lights out).  Chiseled into pieces, then pieces removed.  But I woke up with suspicious tennis shoe tread marks on my forehead. 

Two non-impacted were done at my regular dentist.  With just Novocain, these were the worst of the two visits.

All other teeth I have had pulled were old and screwed up (former root canals and caps).  The perfectly healthy wisdom teeth were a lot harder to yank out of my head.

The PTSD is coming back just thinking about it.   

TBH - when I had mine removed, I was out and had to spend the night in the hospital. It wasn't too bad done that way, but I had one Dry Socket that kept getting worse the closer to "home" I got. By the time I was passing McD - D, I had determined I didn't think I wanted to go in (this was Fri), so I dropped by to the LT who had charge of us and told him I'd be in Monday. As the weekend went on - it got worse and worse, so Monday I made the trip back out to Scott where they put in an anesthetic in the hurting hole. After about a week, I was "back to normal"....

[Serk]

Had a nice video chat with Kali this afternoon...

-Formal Farsi classes start Thursday.
-Informal Farsi classes started today, she's already taken several pages of notes.
-She goes to a civilian oral surgeon. The dentist warned her it will be brutal, her wisdom teeth are completely sideways and under (?) other teeth, they'll have to do a lot of digging to get everything out.
-Her wisdom teeth come out next Friday, 11/12.
-She's asked her "battle buddy" to use her phone and video her in recovery.
(Friend of hers, interesting case, he's decided this isn't for him and wants to be sent home. Refuses to go to class, and has made it abundantly clear he doesn't care how he just wants out. He's been doing this for months, and they're saying it will likely still be months more until he goes home, so until then he gets to be the battle buddy for soldiers who DO care so a real student doesn't have to miss any classes.)

[..]

Had a nice video chat with Kali this afternoon...

-Formal Farsi classes start Thursday.
-Informal Farsi classes started today, she's already taken several pages of notes.
-She goes to a civilian oral surgeon. The dentist warned her it will be brutal, her wisdom teeth are completely sideways and under (?) other teeth, they'll have to do a lot of digging to get everything out.
-Her wisdom teeth come out next Friday, 11/12.
-She's asked her "battle buddy" to use her phone and video her in recovery.
(Friend of hers, interesting case, he's decided this isn't for him and wants to be sent home. Refuses to go to class, and has made it abundantly clear he doesn't care how he just wants out. He's been doing this for months, and they're saying it will likely still be months more until he goes home, so until then he gets to be the battle buddy for soldiers who DO care so a real student doesn't have to miss any classes.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad3qEFJCTew

[scooperhsd]

Had a nice video chat with Kali this afternoon...

-Formal Farsi classes start Thursday.
-Informal Farsi classes started today, she's already taken several pages of notes.
-She goes to a civilian oral surgeon. The dentist warned her it will be brutal, her wisdom teeth are completely sideways and under (?) other teeth, they'll have to do a lot of digging to get everything out.
-Her wisdom teeth come out next Friday, 11/12.
-She's asked her "battle buddy" to use her phone and video her in recovery.
(Friend of hers, interesting case, he's decided this isn't for him and wants to be sent home. Refuses to go to class, and has made it abundantly clear he doesn't care how he just wants out. He's been doing this for months, and they're saying it will likely still be months more until he goes home, so until then he gets to be the battle buddy for soldiers who DO care so a real student doesn't have to miss any classes.)

She has a rough day ahead on 11/12, and probably most of the week after. Wish her luck .

[Jess from VA]

(Friend of hers, interesting case, he's decided this isn't for him and wants to be sent home. Refuses to go to class, and has made it abundantly clear he doesn't care how he just wants out. He's been doing this for months, and they're saying it will likely still be months more until he goes home, so until then he gets to be the battle buddy for soldiers who DO care so a real student doesn't have to miss any classes.

I came across a few of these on active service, and I just could never understand it.  Military service is no mystery and what you will do is known and discoverable by anyone.

It's not like he was drafted.

They say they want out any way possible, but they do not want an undesirable (UOTHC) discharge.

They become intransigent, but try to avoid doing anything that can get them court martialed (and jailed).

It is not in the military's interest to just let these baby whiners off the hook with an honorable or general discharge.  So they keep trying to save them, while giving them time (and rope) to do something stupid enough to get a court martial or undesirable discharge.

The thing is, these jokers are the worst possible influence or example to all other good recruits, and need to be segregated a much as possible. 

I would advise she not befriend him or hang with him; that dirt rubs off.  He could even intentionally or unintentionally drag her into or involve her in something that she want's no part of.  He is being watched, and if she's hanging with him, she's being seen too.

She should not let a good heart cloud good judgment.   

[cookiedough]

never know how wisdom teeth surgery will be afterwards.  Mine some 30+ years ago was HORRIBLE pain after the numbness wore off and tons of bleeding and painful was crying for 1 day straight.

My daughters done some 7 years or so ago was painless and not much bleeding and was perfectly fine much to my surprise.   

Hope it all goes well and tell her to not be afraid to take the pain meds especially the 1st 24 hours afterwards they will be needed.

[RP#62]

I had an impacted wisdom tooth back in the 70's.  The pain hit on a Saturday.  No dentists worked on weekends where I lived.  A bottle of tequila didn't help.  When Monday came around, I was sitting on the steps at the dentist office at daybreak waiting for him to arrive.  It hurt so bad that the novocaine shot itself actually felt good.  I would have stuck it in myself.

-RP

[Oldfishguy]

(Friend of hers, interesting case, he's decided this isn't for him and wants to be sent home. Refuses to go to class, and has made it abundantly clear he doesn't care how he just wants out. He's been doing this for months, and they're saying it will likely still be months more until he goes home, so until then he gets to be the battle buddy for soldiers who DO care so a real student doesn't have to miss any classes.

I would whole heartily agree with Jess on this, stay clear.

I remember standing in formation one morning (1981) at Ft Hood; I was probably an E-4 and the platoon sergeant had a few random things on his list for us that day; the last one was “Does any one want out of the Army in short order?”  I’m sure we all thought about it, but two guys in the back of the formation of 15 men raised their  hands. We were a helicopter attack combat unit of mechanics and pilots.  Most of us mechanics were each assigned a specific aircraft to watch over.  Those two that volunteered to leave were both senior to me but only E-1’s or 2’s because of issues.  No one trusted them near the aircraft.  Within a few days they disappeared, and literally . . . no one noticed their absence.

“Be All You Can Be”, that was the Army recruiting slogan back then . . . it still rings true.

[Serk]

She's definitely acclimating to military life...

Her wisdom tooth removal has been rescheduled to next Thursday, she's not looking forward to it, but wants it over with.

She, um.... Got another hair cut, and sent this brief video...

https://youtu.be/E5rYfd1JJnI

She also said a male kinda snarkily asked her "How tall ARE you?" and her response was "Six feet and your dick."

Oh, she's made friends with and is hanging out with the Marines quite a bit now, it seems...

Edit to add - And she sent a single shot of her new haircut:

[scooperhsd]

She's definitely acclimating to military life...

She also said a male kinda snarkily asked her "How tall ARE you?" and her response was "Six feet and your dick."

DEFINATELY acclimating to military life

[carolinarider09]

That video was cool.  Needed a nice smile today.   

[Jess from VA]

Six feet and your dick.

So.... about 6' 3"   

The shorter hair is, the easier and quicker it is.       (no wasting money on shampoo... for me for 20 years)

Although for girls, some on top looks way better than my pure convict buzz cut. 

[Serk]

So.... about 6' 3"   

Close, 6'2"...

She got a new command, and the new one was giving her grief about her hair being two different colors, even though the only reason it was two different colors is because the nice folks at BCT intake insisted she dye it black since they thought her natural blonde highlights were too non-military...

So she finally just had all the dyed hair cut off entirely, what's left is her natural color and will, maybe, grow back out, eventually...

[Jess from VA]

I was wondering about that two-tone, and remember you telling about the black in basic (which made no sense).

The one-tone is much better (looking and military), though short.

[scooperhsd]

Hair WILL grow out, and females have a bit more latitude as to what's acceptable.

[Jess from VA]

and females have a bit more latitude as to what's acceptable.

Yeah, we had this one paralegal NCO gal who had a bit of a mustache that was beyond the edge of the lip line.  No one said a damn thing.  

I once did counsel a fellow (rookie) JAG officer that she was not wearing all her required underwear.  Females in fatigues/BDUs must wear a Tshirt, just like men (but in a dress blue shirt, they do not have to wear a Tshirt, like men do, and this was our usual uniform then).  It came up because her nice and large lacy bra was showing (and I was trying to save her some embarrassment).   Though a couple of our Majors gave me a hard time about it since they liked the lacy bra.  

You can never please all the people all the time.  

[scooperhsd]

and females have a bit more latitude as to what's acceptable.

Yeah, we had this one paralegal NCO gal who had a bit of a mustache that was beyond the edge of the lip line.  No one said a damn thing. 

I once did counsel a fellow (rookie) JAG officer that she was not wearing all her required underwear.  Females in fatigues/BDUs must wear a Tshirt, just like men (but in a dress blue shirt, they do not have to wear a Tshirt, like men do, and this was our usual uniform then).  It came up because her nice and large lacy bra was showing (and I was trying to save her some embarrassment).   Though a couple of our Majors gave me a hard time about it since they liked the lacy bra.   

You can never please all the people all the time. 

At least you were trying to prevent a "hostile work environment" from the female perspective....

[Jess from VA]

The interesting thing about that female Jag Scott, was that she had been Navy, and transferred services to USAF.  (and her father had been a career Army O6)

I know it can be done, but I had never seen it done.

She did one tour of sea duty and bailed from the Navy.  This was right around the time of the Navy tail-hook scandal.

She was extremely good looking, and everyone was very careful around her.  We got along fine, and I did not find her to be a big whiner or complainer or an extreme feminist.  But she never talked about her Navy time, and no one asked.   

[da prez]

My reply on my height is 5 feet and 14 inches. (Minus an inch now). It confuses most. I like Kali's reply. We have a granddaughter in the Air Force.  She is an officer  , but still has issues with the dick swingers. She has set many in their place. STAND TOUGH KALI.

                     da prez

[Serk]

My reply on my height is 5 feet and 14 inches.

I've been giving my height as 5'19" for years now, get some really funny looks...

Nothing terribly exciting, but figured I'd give a brief update. The wisdom tooth removal surgery went well, some of  her battle buddies got some hilarious video of "stoned" Kali wandering around a Walgreens picking up her pain killer meds afterwards. The next few days she did her best impression of a chipmunk with her swollen cheeks, but that was expected.



But that's gone down now and she's more or less normal (Well, as normal as anyone of my DNA can ever be.) Said it's not really even sore anymore now...



Kinda sad, but sweet at the same time, "her" dog still spends a lot of her time camped out by what used to be Kali's room, waiting for her to come home...



Her language classes are in full swing now, she seems to be mostly enjoying it.

Anyway, as I said not much new to report on, but figured I'd give a small update on what little there is.

Sadly, looks like she won't be able to come home for Thanksgiving nor Christmas this year. 

[old2soon]

       Git used to Kali missing those holidays.  I spent Christmass's away New Years and 3 or 4 Birthdays in Yokuska Japan. After I got back to CONUS I Swore I'd never miss another Christmas with my Family. When I started driving 18 wheeler TOLD everyone I'd worked for I WILL be HOME for Christmas. Some of them raher snarkily-not if we need you some where else. My reply-200 gallons of disel and I'm bob tail-sans trailer-I can git home from ANYWHERE U S of A to HOME. Long as I was married-both times-Never missed Christmas. And Serk-I already Know Kali Not being at the Home 20 for Holidays sux But She DO Belong to The Army now! Sides when she Finally gits back home She Will have some Good Tales to regale you with!  RIDE SAFE.

[Skinhead]

I'm hoping for her dogs sake she can make it home for Thanksgiving or at least Christmas.  That poor dog has waited a long time for her mistress to come home.  Happy Holidays to the Ecton family and all our VRCC family.

[Serk]

She's been doing this for a while now, she finally managed to get someone to get video of her doing it. That's her 3rd from the right at the beginning of the video:

https://youtu.be/fQ3Tl3Ygzyg

[Jess from VA]

That's a lot harder job when the flag is double king size.

I also think it noteworthy that, to my knowledge, nearly all bugle calls are perfect recordings.  Their aren't any buglers anymore.  (I was bugler for our scout troop) 
 

[old2soon]

She's been doing this for a while now, she finally managed to get someone to get video of her doing it. That's her 3rd from the right at the beginning of the video:

https://youtu.be/fQ3Tl3Ygzyg

           Does She do Reveille? RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

That's a lot harder job when the flag is double king size.

I also think it noteworthy that, to my knowledge, nearly all bugle calls are perfect recordings.  Their aren't any buglers anymore.  (I was bugler for our scout troop) 
 

      On P G R Missions There IS a Distinct difference between TAPS being done Live and the electronic blowing of TAPS. While Both move me I Prefer it LIVE. Very few do TAPS live these days. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

I also sat first chair on the coronet (short trumpet) in concert band for some years.

The sound out of a good coronet or trumpet is far superior to a crummy bugle. 

Taps is probably the easiest bugle call of all to blow.

[Skinhead]

As an MP, it was one of our duties to raise and lower the colors at reveille and retreat.  At every base I was at, the bugle calls were all recorded.  The big difference between then and Kali's video, is that we also fired off a howitzer as you started raising or lowering the colors.  California probably forbids that due to the noise or some other stupid reason.  Does anyone know if they still fire off a round at other bases?

[Serk]

Couple updates:


-Yes, the flag detail she's on (And thus her as well) do revellie as well as retreat. Evidently the flag detail group have become good friends and a pretty tight group that gets along well.
-The bugle call is a recording.
-She's always the first to touch the flag, as she's the tallest. She was initially worried it would seem disrespectful the way she grabs hand fulls of fabric but it's understood she's doing that out of respect to keep it from touching the ground.
-I'll confirm next time I talk to her but pretty sure there's no cannon, the base is smack dab in the middle of the medium sized city of Monterey, with residential neighborhoods backed up right on the base. (That and cannon fire would probably give the endangered sea otters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary an upset tummy or something. The sanctuary starts about 1000 feet from where the flagpole is.)

[Jess from VA]

The real trick to not letting the flag hit the ground is the guy on the halyard line, not the gal grabbing the flag.   Once they have it, he lightly makes them take more line as they gather in.  And if they drop it, he heaves in right away.

Immersing yourself in the military culture is the best way to understand and enjoy it.  And excel.


I think they should consider shelling the town with a howitzer (at all reveilles and retreats).  Establish dominance over the lower ground.  Just target marker rounds, or paint or flash bangs still make a nice boom at the cannon... and create good excitement on the other end.  

 

[old2soon]

          I was present when a Civil War Cannon fired a blank salute. Also heard it was a 3/4 charge. There Was a LOT of blue smok involved and the noise was well NOISY!  I've stood behind the Marine tub with the 5"38 when it was fired. VERY Impressive. Lotsa smoke there too. Maybe Not so much the noise as the air pollution the in Monterey. But Thats like a Guess!  RIDE SAFE.

[Oldfishguy]

I spent some time on an Army Color Guard as well; honorable duty, no doubt about it. Some things you never forget how to do.

[Serk]

She paused for a brief picture on her way to Reveille this morning...



Edit to add, and she sent a video... This is their smaller flagpole, the Graveyard Flag, they also do the main flag for the base, that was the earlier video...

https://youtu.be/IQE9XHu4lRk

[Serk]

(Ya'll tell me if I'm oversharing and boring ya'll to tears)

Evidently she found deep meaning in a now heavily.... frowned upon... cadence....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWNqb7Q5yng

"Way up north where the air gets cold

We’re running out of money and we’re running out of gold

So now I earn my living

Killing the baby seals

You can hit `em with a bat you can hit `em with a brick

You can poke `em in th eye with your eye pokin stick

That’s how I earn my living

Killing the baby seals

You can slash `em in the head you can slash `em in the throat

Then throw `em in the back of your fishing boat

That’s how I earn my living

Killing the baby seals."

Although instead of "So now I earn my living" she heard it as "I found a way of living"

.....and thought that was worth 1/4 of her monthly net income to have forever enshrined on her flesh.....

[old2soon]

          I managed to go thru 4 years in Uncle Sugars Canoe Club sans tats. West coast and Pacific cruises. As I seem to rekemember I was either too drunk or too high when it came time fer the needle. Long as She's happy with it and More Importantly did NOT break any Regs. And I AM STILL sans tats. RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

Dad , she's grownup now, she can make her own decisions (and mistakes !).  But I agree with O2S - as long as she is happy with it and not breaking any regs....

[carolinarider09]

I never got a tat in my six year navy stint.  However, I did get one in Baton Rogue on my first long ride on my 2003 Valk (some 30 years later).  I called it the "Blues Cruz". 

I don't regret it.   

[Willow]

She is a grownup and can make her own decisions.  Remind her that she needs to carefully consider limiting skin art to important lifelong values.  There's a limited amount of skin and if used too casually it can run out sooner than expected.

I have no skin art (and no pierced nipples).