Friggin Navy.

[Poli]

Woo!!!!

I got told about 2 hours ago I'm not going to Africa! WOOO!!!! Let the drinking begin! Well, let the drinking commence in my case!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Wolfpack]

Great stuff! Just try to avoid ending up in Leavenworth because of your drinking... ;)

[Groundhog]

Thank you for talkin' to me, Africa.

[Poli]

Great stuff! Just try to avoid ending up in Leavenworth because of your drinking... ;)I told my boss they can refer me to drug and alcohol treatment in the morning!

[Eaglesfan27]

Congrats!! :)

[saldana]

can i get a WOOT!!!! excellent news!!!

[chinaski]

awesome ardent, this ones for you! *cheers*

[Franklinnoble]

Wow... look at the threads on these screws:

http://www.gardensheds.greenhouses.arbors.learnabout.info/screw-threads_files/image001.jpg

[Franklinnoble]

Oh, wait...we're talking about 'screwing threads.' That's an entirely different Google image search...

[sabotai]

You were told you weren't going and waited 2 hours to tell us!?!?

Geez guys, I guess we know where we stand.

:D

[SackAttack]

I didn't even know he WAS going.

Speaking of where we stand. :(

[kingfc22]

SWEET!

[stevew]

Hells yeah. The last thing you needed right now was getting shipped off to some place when you were in the middle of reconciliation.

[stevew]

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq-95_xhVko&search=toto%20africa

Musical occompianment for this thread.

[Young Drachma]

Good stuff!

[Ragone]

the bad news.. which they decided to wait 24 hours to tell you.. is instead they are sending you to abu dahbi.. good luck finding odie

[WSUCougar]

WOOT!!!

Hey, wait...I'm not going to Africa either!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!!!

(good news, Rodney)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Outstanding news :)

[FrogMan]

WOOT!!!

Hey, wait...I'm not going to Africa either!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!!!

(good news, Rodney)

and me neither!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

(and seriously, that is some great news Rodney, very happy for you)

FM

[Barkeep49]

So what came through in your favor? This is excellent news!

[Butter]

I'm not even in the military, but apparently they've decided to send me instead.

THANKS A LOT!!!!

[Poli]

So what came through in your favor? This is excellent news!Someone volunteered to go in my place. I don't even know the guy.

[FrogMan]

Someone volunteered to go in my place. I don't even know the guy.

wow, you should offer him your future first newborn or something :D

FM

[JonInMiddleGA]

Someone volunteered to go in my place.

When did they stop screening for mental illness before enlistment?

[Crapshoot]

When did they stop screening for mental illness before enlistment?

Fwiw, I lived in Ethiopia for a few years, and its a really nice place. Now, I doubt some of the people here would fit in too well - but nonetheless, its nice. Africa is a whole is an experience worth having, albeit not in Ardent's circumstances.

[JeeberD]

Wow, great news, AE!

[Barkeep49]

Someone volunteered to go in my place. I don't even know the guy.
What a guy!

[oliegirl]

You were told you weren't going and waited 2 hours to tell us!?!?

Geez guys, I guess we know where we stand.

:D

He was too busy having celebratory sex with Mrs. AE to bother to turn on the computer and tell us! :)

Congrats AE - that is GREAT news!!!!

[sabotai]

He was too busy having celebratory sex with Mrs. AE to bother to turn on the computer and tell us! :)

For 2 full hours!?

NICE!

[Poli]

Update:

I just got a bad news call.

"Thanks for volunteering, but AE is still on the block."

[ice4277]

Update:

I just got a bad news call.

"Thanks for volunteering, but AE is still on the block."

Ugh :(

It would be nice if they would at least stop dicking with you.

[KevinNU7]

WTF!

[FrogMan]

shit, what a fucking roller coaster man. I feel for you. Hang in there!

FM

[Blade6119]

im lost, you are going again?

[chinaski]

Never. Again. Volunteer. Yourself.

hork! sorry man. :(

[Poli]

I'm eligible. At least that's all they're saying now. I'll be leaving for work in about an hour. My wife and I are hoping to get a call before I go.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Urp.

[Poli]

Urp.

I believe my orders have "gone gold."

[JonInMiddleGA]

I believe my orders have "gone gold."

Aw fuck. The manner in which it happened, being teased this morning and now this, is one of suckiest military stories I can recall hearing.

[Draft Dodger]

sorry man

[Raiders Army]

Aw fuck. The manner in which it happened, being teased this morning and now this, is one of suckiest military stories I can recall hearing.
There are far worse out there. I don't know if that's good or bad.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There are far worse out there. I don't know if that's good or bad.

Well, I was thinking in terms of f'ed up deployment/assignment.

[Raiders Army]

Me too.

Edit--On December 20th 1998, I was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Thunder II. We were bombing Iraq and got the deployment orders. Our plane broke down in NYC. While we were there, CNN told us the bombing stopped. We cheered because we could spend Christmas with our families. We went on to Paris, then Egypt. While in Egypt, we asked our Battalion Commander to call to see if we were still needed. We flew on to Kuwait. After we deplaned, a guy came up to us and asked us why we were there. He told us that we weren't supposed to come. As he's saying this, our plane flies away. Because we weren't supposed to be there, we were the last ones to get a ride home...two months later. We missed Christmas and New Year's because someone failed to get a message to us.

That's just one example of sucky things happening (and I'm not saying it's worse than AE's situation). I'm sure there are far worse out there.

[JAG]

WTF!

That was precisely my reaction. :(

[flere-imsaho]

Well, I was thinking in terms of f'ed up deployment/assignment.

In the 6 months before being sent for Iraq-specific training, my brother's company went back-and-forth between "you are going" and "you are not going" at least 8 times. It was murder for the guys who own their own businesses.

[JeeberD]

Ugh, sorry man. That's one of the reason's I never joined up...even being an Army brat I saw all the BS that my dad had to deal with. :(

[kingfc22]

Damn. Let's hope that somehow you are able to stay.

[stevew]

Lets hope your orders have gone gold in the Daivd Wintre form of "going gold." :(

Sucks.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sorry to hear the bad turn of events :(

[oliegirl]

Holy Crap that sucks! Why, if there is someone else willing to go in your place, are they still making you go with all the problems you and your wife have had? Do they know what you have been dealing with? Would telling them make a difference and maybe allow the other guy to go and you to stay?

[duckman]

Holy Crap that sucks! Why, if there is someone else willing to go in your place, are they still making you go with all the problems you and your wife have had? Do they know what you have been dealing with? Would telling them make a difference and maybe allow the other guy to go and you to stay?

In my experience, they don't give a flying fuck whether you and your family are having problems. You know, service before self. :rolleyes:

[Poli]

13. ITINERARY (COMMAND, UIC):
FROM: TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GLAKES [UIC:0580A]
TO: FT JACKSON NWST NAV AUG PRO DT [UIC:3959A]
TO: MOB AND ACCT OPS HOA DJIBOUTI [UIC:3955A]
& RETURN:
FROM: MOB AND ACCT OPS HOA DJIBOUTI [UIC:3955A]
TO: FT JACKSON NWST NAV AUG PRO DT [UIC:3959A]
TO: TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GLAKES [UIC:0580A]

12. EST RETURN DATE: 28-DEC-06

[Poli]

:(

[chinaski]

oh shit, that confirms it?

[flere-imsaho]

:(

[Poli]

oh shit, that confirms it?Yeah. :(

[Franklinnoble]

Crap. So sorry to hear this, Rodney. :(

[SirFozzie]

Goddamnit.

[duckman]

That's bullshit. :mad:

[digamma]

Godspeed, Rodney.

[Passacaglia]

Hey, at least now you'll get to find out whether that guy from Toto kissed the rains, blessed the rains, or pissed the rains, down in Africa.

Best of luck, man!

[vex]

G'luck, Rodney.

[Poli]

I talked to someone who went over there last year. He said I would likely sleep in a 40 man tent ("but it's nice and has air conditioning!").

I'd also have net access, so that's nice.

[DaddyTorgo]

crap. that sucks ae. maybe your wife will be able to take a vacation and come over and visit you?

friggin navy!

[KevinNU7]

think it's ridiculous that they would take a man in your position and age and put him in a situation where he couldn't live with his wife

[sachmo71]

13. ITINERARY (COMMAND, UIC):
FROM: TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GLAKES [UIC:0580A]
TO: FT JACKSON NWST NAV AUG PRO DT [UIC:3959A]
TO: MOB AND ACCT OPS HOA DJIBOUTI [UIC:3955A]
& RETURN:
FROM: MOB AND ACCT OPS HOA DJIBOUTI [UIC:3955A]
TO: FT JACKSON NWST NAV AUG PRO DT [UIC:3959A]
TO: TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GLAKES [UIC:0580A]

12. EST RETURN DATE: 28-DEC-06



too late to pull a klinger?

[sterlingice]

Suck :(

SI

[Joe]

think it's ridiculous that they would take a man in your position and age and put him in a situation where he couldn't live with his wife

why would they care

[wade moore]

think it's ridiculous that they would take a man in your position and age and put him in a situation where he couldn't live with his wife

So you can joined the Armed Forces, but as soon as you get some age and get married, you no longer need to do what the job entails?

I'm sorry. I feel bad for ardent, it sucks for him, but this is what he signed up for.

[Poli]

but this is what he signed up for.

Actually, I could (and have) argue this point.

[jamesUMD]

So you can joined the Armed Forces, but as soon as you get some age and get married, you no longer need to do what the job entails?

I'm sorry. I feel bad for ardent, it sucks for him, but this is what he signed up for.

I have to say that I agree with Wade on this one. If all the military men with marital problems or other family obligations got a free pass then it woulldn't exactly be fair for the single soldiers either (speaking as a former single soldier).

AE, I have done the 15 man tent sans the air conditioning for 1 1/2 yrs in Bosnia. Make sure you bring earplugs, and some sort of sleeping mask (anything to cover your eyes). This is especially true if the people in your tent work different schedules as it can make getting to sleep when you want to, a challenge.

I hope that everything works out for you. Try to stay positive.

[Airhog]

AE, I have done the 15 man tent sans the air conditioning for 1 1/2 yrs in Bosnia. Make sure you bring earplugs, and some sort of sleeping mask (anything to cover your eyes). This is especially true if the people in your tent work different schedules as it can make getting to sleep when you want to, a challenge.




Im sure Ardent is quite familiar with this. I do remember his dynasty where he talked about bunking with 3 other guys on a ship who had different shifts

[Poli]

There is a kind of funny note to all of this.

Yesterday, I received an email from the command career counselor informing me that I had CONSEP (Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program) class next week. The class, as I've mentioned elsewhere, is a hoorah re-enlist in the Navy because the outside world is a horrible place class.

I sent an email telling him I wasn't going unless he wanted me to argue with the instructor over every subject.

[Eaglesfan27]

So you can joined the Armed Forces, but as soon as you get some age and get married, you no longer need to do what the job entails?

I'm sorry. I feel bad for ardent, it sucks for him, but this is what he signed up for.

I didn't put this here previously because I feel really bad for Ardent and didn't want to turn this into a potentially political thread. However, I agree. The military misleads people they are trying to recruit, however, I can't believe that most potential soldiers don't know that there is a chance of them being asked to go just about anywhere in the world if the need is there as decided by the military branch command that they joined.

Again, I feel bad for AE, but in general I don't think married guys should get specific breaks just because they are married. Anyway, I just wanted to say I agree with Wade Moore on this one.

[Butter]

I agree with Wade up to a point... but in this case, there is someone else who volunteered to go, but yet they're still making him go instead of the other guy. Sux.

[Raiders Army]

I agree with Wade up to a point... but in this case, there is someone else who volunteered to go, but yet they're still making him go instead of the other guy. Sux.
Perhaps there is more to the situation? There are a lot of factors in deciding who goes on an individual (or unit) deployment, not just who volunteers. I won't speculate on the situation since I don't know about it in detail, but I would hope that there is some reasonable explanation as to why AE is going instead of the guy who volunteered.

[Poli]

It's mainly because I was already chosen by two higher commands already from what I understand.

What some of you don't realize is that I've been told by anyone and everyone in my chain of command that I wouldn't be going had more than just my immediate chain of command known about my situation.

[wade moore]

It's mainly because I was already chosen by two higher commands already from what I understand.

What some of you don't realize is that I've been told by anyone and everyone in my chain of command that I wouldn't be going had more than just my immediate chain of command known about my situation.

I may have sounded extra harsh in my early morning stupor. My only point was that after a certain point is that it is what you signed up for (without hashing out the specifics, the general concept is). It sounds to me like you understand that to the point that you will not be throwing some kind of fit or something about going. You are venting on an internet message board that it sucks, and it does, but it's not like you're trying to get out of it.

FWIW, I'm extra sensitive on this right now because of my future sister-in-law. My g/f's brother and his wife are both in the military and have a young baby. The wife was selected to go to Afghanistan. She didn't want to go, so she went to a doctor to get a note about a medical ailment that has "existed" since she joined over 5 years ago. So, she got pulled off of going to Afghanistan.

Then the branch of service she is in realized, "wait, if she has this ailment that keeps us from deploying her, why is she with us?" She had a medical board, and is being medically discharged. This will put a large financial strain on an already tight financial situation.

Anyway, I think my issues with that situation bled over a bit too much here to my concept that when joining the military, you lose most control over where you live. In fact, this was one of the strongest reasons I did not attempt to get an ROTC scholarship, even though financially it would have been a good idea.

[Raiders Army]

Anyway, I think my issues with that situation bled over a bit too much here to my concept that when joining the military, you lose most control over where you live.
I disagree somewhat. I had different options available to me this Summer:

1. Ft. Bragg, NC
2. Ft. Drum, NY
3. Ft. McPherson, GA
4. Ft. Bliss, TX
5. Arifjan, Kuwait

I chose El Paso, TX.

[wade moore]

I disagree somewhat. I had different options available to me this Summer:

1. Ft. Bragg, NC
2. Ft. Drum, NY
3. Ft. McPherson, GA
4. Ft. Bliss, TX
5. Arifjan, Kuwait

I chose El Paso, TX.

I oversimplified a bit. Point being, you give up much control, and at times all control.

[Raiders Army]

Very true. I deployed three times to Southwest Asia in my first three years in the Army. I was married right after I entered the Army so my wife had to put up with that and take care of things herself during those three deployments. It's definitely rough on the family.

[JeeberD]

I disagree somewhat. I had different options available to me this Summer:

1. Ft. Bragg, NC
2. Ft. Drum, NY
3. Ft. McPherson, GA
4. Ft. Bliss, TX
5. Arifjan, Kuwait

I chose El Paso, TX.

I want to choose El Paso... :(

[Poli]

The last straw may have been drawn today. I was told by my command to go to the personnel office and request my "separation orders" early...since I leave the service in May 07. I could then move my household goods order those orders.

After I got there, I was told I couldn't...since May '07 falls in the next fiscal year's budget...and that the earliest I could apply for my separation orders was in October.

If I could get my household goods moved, and not on my own dime, I am sort of willing to go to Djibouti. However, this appears to have been the last opportunity to have that happen.

So when I got back and told my command, they told me to fill out the following request chits:

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/naval_science/Forms/Special_Request_Chit.pdf

1. Respectfully request cancellation of my TAD orders to Djibouti, Africa.

2. Respectfully request to attend TAP class June 19th - 23rd.

3. Respectfully request hardship discharge.

4. Respectfully request to expedite the handling of attached chits.


Don't know what will happen, but it has to be better than the nothing that is going on right now.

[Eaglesfan27]

I hope that works out well for you, AE.

[Raiders Army]

So, does it look like your chain of command is going to support you? If you get their endorsements, would it be possible to cancel your orders?

[Dutch]

AE,

I am very sorry about your situation. I'm paying attention and I hope everything works out at least with some way to grant you even just an ounce of satisfaction.

[Poli]

So, does it look like your chain of command is going to support you? If you get their endorsements, would it be possible to cancel your orders?Looks that way, at least in the immediate chain. They're the ones that suggested it.

[Poli]

If I could get my household goods moved, and not on my own dime, I am sort of willing to go to Djibouti. However, this appears to have been the last opportunity to have that happen.


Dutch, eag,

The key is this. I don't want to pay for my move back. If they'll cover it, I'll go. I'd hate it, but I'd go.

[Raiders Army]

Looks that way, at least in the immediate chain. They're the ones that suggested it.
Good luck man. I hope they have some pull with their higher as well.

[Joker]

I turned to this page and its blank....
What happens next?

Id just tell everyone: Call me the Joker....
If they wanted to ship you anywhere
They'd have to eat the peanuts out of your........

Id really like to see how this turns out.
Send more info.

[FrogMan]

best of luck Rodney, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

FM

[Flasch186]

good luck

[Poli]

"I'm not telling you you can't run your chits, but if you run these chits there could be consequences and repercussions."

[Eaglesfan27]

"I'm not telling you you can't run your chits, but if you run these chits there could be consequences and repercussions."

Did you run them anyway?

[Poli]

Yup.

[terpkristin]

Why on Earth would they recommend you NOT fill those out? I mean, what's the worst that can happen, they say no?

I so don't understand the military. Rodney, you know I'm here for you, I really hope things work out.

/tk

[flere-imsaho]

FWIW, I'm extra sensitive on this right now because of my future sister-in-law. My g/f's brother and his wife are both in the military and have a young baby. The wife was selected to go to Afghanistan. She didn't want to go, so she went to a doctor to get a note about a medical ailment that has "existed" since she joined over 5 years ago. So, she got pulled off of going to Afghanistan.

No offense, but :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

While in "training" (read: sit around in Mississippi and do jack shit for 6 months) to go to Iraq, my brother was close to a "mistake" of one of the cavalry, who let a shell explode a bit too close to him.

No outward physical damage, but it did damage his hearing. Basically, he can hardly hear in one of his ears. Bit of an issue for situational awareness, wouldn't you say? The doc that checked him out said that if he had this condition coming into Basic, they wouldn't have been able to take him.

But here's the kicker: because he already passed his physical before heading to Mississippi, he still goes to Iraq anyway! No other medical disqualification, short of a limb falling off, gets him out.

Fucking Army. At least it might keep him from being redeployed, though.

[Raven Hawk]

AE, hope everything works out for you.

[Poli]

The chits were denied this morning when I got here.

I'm now running a leave chit to begin Friday and end the morning of June 2nd. Packing my household goods at my own expense (!!!) Thursday, and driving the truck back home Friday.

What I don't have done in regards to my TAD orders, well, will just have to wait until I get back.

That's one thing I haven't understood about this. I'm being told I'm TAD, and certainly against my will. Yet they want me to do ALL the legwork, as in, YOU have to get an itinerary for South Carolina for YOUR training. YOU have to obtain a government travel credit card to pay for it. YOU have to obtain a government passport. YOU have to notify us when you're done.

Here's your notification: You all suck.

Screw this place.

[SirFozzie]

FUCK.

[Raiders Army]

I know you're upset right now, but with the exception of getting an itinerary, those other requirements (in red) are standard.
That's one thing I haven't understood about this. I'm being told I'm TAD, and certainly against my will. Yet they want me to do ALL the legwork, as in, YOU have to get an itinerary for South Carolina for YOUR training. YOU have to obtain a government travel credit card to pay for it. YOU have to obtain a government passport. YOU have to notify us when you're done.

[Poli]

I figured as much, but when you're sending someone unwilling to go...you might want to take care of some of that on your own.

As it is, I'm not doing any of it.

Screw 'em. Screw them all.

[flere-imsaho]

What a rigamarole. Best of luck, AE.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sorry to hear the chits were denied, AE.

[Barkeep49]

I know you're upset right now, but with the exception of getting an itinerary, those other requirements (in red) are standard.
I find this interesting. Are moving costs reimbursed later or is it all on the soldier/sailor?

[Raiders Army]

I find this interesting. Are moving costs reimbursed later or is it all on the soldier/sailor?
It depends. I won't speak for the Navy, but I would guess they're somewhat similar.

If the Army moves you, then they pay for the moving costs (packing and shipping as well as a Dislocation Allowance and Temporary Lodging Expenses). As the soldier, you can always pay out of your pocket and be reimbursed in these situations, with the exception of packing and shipping (those services are provided through contracts). You can also decide to put your expenses on an issued government credit card. You can use it on Temporary Duty (TDY) expenses or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses. If you use your government credit card, it has to be for legitimate expenses. Using it at a strip club while you're moving is not a legitimate expense. You are also responsible for payment on the credit card as well.

Let's say you're TDY for 60 days and staying in a motel. You're still responsible for settling your credit card bill for the first 30 days, even though you have not gotten paid yet. If you do not, then it affects your personal credit. There are solutions to this situation, though. You may apply for a partial settlement or call the bank and explain the situation. Most cases, they will extend the grace period for payments and interest.

Going down a different path completely, if you decide to move your family due to a deployment you may be reimbursed for it, but you need to apply for it. If you decide to move your family just because you want to, you are responsible for those costs, unless you are moving into government quarters.

There are a bunch of different scenarios, but these are the main ones.

[Poli]

I won't be reimbursed by the Navy for my move back to Missouri. For us, it boils down to if your orders authorize a move or not. If they do, you get a 1 time move your stuff on us card. For example, my orders from nearly 3 years ago are what I moved my wife and stuff up on last month.

However, my orders to Africa do not authorize a move, and since I can't have my separation orders written, I'm stuck paying for this on my own.

If my wife wasn't in the area, the Navy would let me put what stuff I had here in storage. She is, though, and she wouldn't go for that, anyway.

I went down this road in 2003. I was told I would have orders to Great Lakes. I moved my wife to Missouri, believing that I would eventually be reimbursed by the Navy when I reported to Great Lakes. Since I moved her and my stuff before I officially received the orders, my move wasn't authorized. Because of that, I had pay for the move myself.

I thought that worked out to a degree when the Navy moved us up here last month, but I now see they were just setting me up for another screwing.

I'm going to do just enough in Africa to keep me out of gate guard duty and not a single thing more.