Any students from DLIFLC out there? I know a lot of people here play WoW, but I've yet to run across any DR players.
Anyway, homework calls.
--SA McCabe, USN
P.S. (I'm a Chiling, btw)
HAIJUN
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/15/2006 05:52 PM CST
DLI is the language school in monterey for CTIs, aint it?
MMFA(su) Goodale, USN
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
MMFA(su) Goodale, USN
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
GANGREL
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/16/2006 10:58 AM CST
>>DLI is the language school in monterey for CTIs, aint it?
Yes, the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. My brother was sent there to learn Arabic for 18 months, before he got accepted to West Point.
Killing you softly with his song,
- Stormsinger Shavay
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams"
- Arthur O'Shaughnessy
http://www.mistletoebeltbuckle.com
Yes, the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. My brother was sent there to learn Arabic for 18 months, before he got accepted to West Point.
Killing you softly with his song,
- Stormsinger Shavay
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams"
- Arthur O'Shaughnessy
http://www.mistletoebeltbuckle.com
HAIJUN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/16/2006 12:59 PM CST
Yup, I'm out here getting Chinese drilled into my skull. It's been...interesting, to say the least. Can't say it's what I expected, though I'm still happy as hell to be here.
--SA McCabe, USN
--SA McCabe, USN
DR-MERIEL
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/17/2006 11:34 AM CST
In my limited experience, the military is NEVER what you expected... rather like nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition.
My son wants to join the Marine Corps, because he has some wild notion they're all about extreme camping. I keep telling him that their idea of camping includes sand, scorpions and people shooting at him, but will he listen to Mom? Noooooooooooooooooo... Don't get me wrong, I respect the military and probably too many of my friends are in the service for me to be unbiased about it... but I do so wish kid would pick something like the Air Force or the Navy where the main idea doesn't involve getting shot at.
My son wants to join the Marine Corps, because he has some wild notion they're all about extreme camping. I keep telling him that their idea of camping includes sand, scorpions and people shooting at him, but will he listen to Mom? Noooooooooooooooooo... Don't get me wrong, I respect the military and probably too many of my friends are in the service for me to be unbiased about it... but I do so wish kid would pick something like the Air Force or the Navy where the main idea doesn't involve getting shot at.
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/17/2006 01:38 PM CST
Yikes, kid needs to be reminded that he's going to get killed. Besides, we all know what marine stands for
M y
A ss
R ides
I n
N avy
E quiptment
S ir
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
M y
A ss
R ides
I n
N avy
E quiptment
S ir
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
TUSCANI
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/17/2006 02:03 PM CST
N ever
A gain
V olunteer
Y ourself
~Bre
"Have you ever felt like the world was a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?"
A gain
V olunteer
Y ourself
~Bre
"Have you ever felt like the world was a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?"
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/17/2006 02:36 PM CST
Arent
Real
Marines
Yet
Muscles
are
required,
Intelligence
not
essential
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
Real
Marines
Yet
Muscles
are
required,
Intelligence
not
essential
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
HAIJUN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/18/2006 06:10 AM CST
Ahh, the Marines. To date my interaction with them has consisted mostly of things so ridiculous and funny I kind of feel bad for them. Like the confusion that popped up when a friend of mine used the word "philanthropist" at a table filled with Marines. I swear to God, a Marine sitting next to me said into the silence, "Isn't that someone who likes bugs?" I pray he hasn't gone on to learn Korean.
Or the Marine who, in an apparent attempt to bond with me while we were both doing volunteer duty (I didn't so much volunteer as I was volun-told), told me a story about eating a sandwich and slice of cake from Campagno's Deli, and following it up with an immense bag of chips and a 2 liter of Pepsi. I quote: "It was awesome."
Meriel, yes, I'd encourage him to look into Navy first but obviously I'm biased. AF seems to be still trying to slim down their manpower and I know of several people in the Navy who tried to enlist in the Air Force first and were either turned away, or jaded by what they experienced so they switched to Navy instead. At least as far as DLI is concerned, I think Navy is easily the most pampered service. Though depending on what job you get in the Navy your son could be spending lots of time shipped out. Since I'm a geek (CTI rating), things are kinda different for me. I've been told many times that being a CTI means not being in the "real Navy".
--SA McCabe, USN
Or the Marine who, in an apparent attempt to bond with me while we were both doing volunteer duty (I didn't so much volunteer as I was volun-told), told me a story about eating a sandwich and slice of cake from Campagno's Deli, and following it up with an immense bag of chips and a 2 liter of Pepsi. I quote: "It was awesome."
Meriel, yes, I'd encourage him to look into Navy first but obviously I'm biased. AF seems to be still trying to slim down their manpower and I know of several people in the Navy who tried to enlist in the Air Force first and were either turned away, or jaded by what they experienced so they switched to Navy instead. At least as far as DLI is concerned, I think Navy is easily the most pampered service. Though depending on what job you get in the Navy your son could be spending lots of time shipped out. Since I'm a geek (CTI rating), things are kinda different for me. I've been told many times that being a CTI means not being in the "real Navy".
--SA McCabe, USN
MORDAKIA1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/19/2006 03:42 PM CST
Good grief.. I find it hilarious that half of the people who post about their branch haven't even experienced a deployment yet. Well, in regards to the avid posters, at least. Meriel, I wouldn't really sweat it if he were to join the Marines. Yes, it's dangerous, and you'll be scared senseless, but it'll turn him into a man most definitely. I'm currently in the Navy, and I'm stuck working in the bottom of the ship. Much like you said, the military is -never- what you expect it to be. If your son has a decent head on his shoulders, I would advise trying to convince him to join the Coast Guard. They still have a boot camp, the pay is the same, the opportunity for advancement is much greater, and you don't spend nearly as much time at sea as one might think. For instance, I'm returning from a 7 month deployment as of tomorrow. Now, it doesn't help that I had a little too much fun in Hong Kong and wound up extending my WESTPAC an additional 20 days after we pull in.. to make it nearly 8 months, but regardless. It's fun, it's exciting, but boy is it tedious. The Coast Guard only goes on 3 month deployments, with many more ports, and their food is absurdly better. If he really wants to be a "camper" tell him to join the National Guard. That'll give him a brief idea of what it's like serving in the military. Either that, or have him join ROTC for a year and see how that goes. As embarassing as it is to be marching around with 13 and 14 year olds, it's not even going to compare to the shame he'll experience at boot. Regardless, like I was saying, the military bearing and disciplinary structure in the marines is excellent. If he has a good head on his shoulders, he might be able to manage himself into the intelligence side of things, instead of being a grunt. A friend of mine advanced quite quickly, he'll be picking up E-6 (Staff Sergeant) after 7 years of service in a couple of months. Now, as a grunt, you're not quite going to be able to pull that off as fast. The main reason I chose the Navy over the marines is because of the advancement. We take tests to advance, much like the Air Force (they just have to wait a lot longer in between tests), however the marines and army go by personal achievement. Now, in a troop of 60 marines, it's going to be a little harder to shine than if you go ahead and put pencil to paper. Now, that's not for everybody, but that's just how I view it. If you want your son to have an unbiased answer and opinion to his questions, have him email me. I'm not a recruiter, I won't fill his head with candy and bubble gum, I'll lay the truth straight out to him. I think I might be able to tell a fairly decent amount about both the Navy and the Marines considering I'm on an Amphibious ship. We're literally the Marine's taxi to and from where ever it is they need to go. And if he doesn't care to drop a line, tell him I said good luck with his choice. Whichever one it is, it'll be the right one. And don't worry, he'll be fine, we always are. ;)
Sincerely,
EM3(SW) C. Sperduto
Son and Sailor, Player of Krahas
Sincerely,
EM3(SW) C. Sperduto
Son and Sailor, Player of Krahas
STEELDREAMER
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/19/2006 04:47 PM CST
>>That'll give him a brief idea of what it's like serving in the military. Either that, or have him join ROTC for a year and see how that goes. As embarassing as it is to be marching around with 13 and 14 year olds, it's not even going to compare to the shame he'll experience at boot.<<
Uh...I think you're a bit confused about ROTC. ROTC is a college program that spits out O-1s at the end. Usually people involved in this program are at least 18, if not older. JROTC is the highschool version, which spits out E-3s at the end and doesn't require any agreement of service unlike the last two years of the college version. That's where there'll be marching around with 14 year olds. I graduated from one and I'm probably going to be doing the other next fall.
>> The main reason I chose the Navy over the marines is because of the advancement. We take tests to advance, much like the Air Force (they just have to wait a lot longer in between tests), however the marines and army go by personal achievement. Now, in a troop of 60 marines, it's going to be a little harder to shine than if you go ahead and put pencil to paper.<<
Actually, initial advancement in the Army is very fast. Unless you screw up, you will go from E-1 to E-4 in 24 months. That can be expedited down to 18 if you show that you know your stuff. From there, the next two ranks have both time in grade, time in service, and promotion point requirements which flex depending on the needs of the Army for Sergeants in that particular field. The points system is...something of a joke, if you're smart and realize how it works. If you're interested I can tell you how it works, but I figured I'd not bore too many people. After that your promotion is technically and Act of Congress, so it slows down considerably...but it can still be pretty quick.
I can't speak for the Marines, but if you have your head on right, stay out of trouble, and work hard it's quite possible to make your E-6 in around 5 years in the Army. I know an E-6 who's about to make E-7 after 9 years in the Army, and one of my drills was an E-7 at the age of 26. Before I joined the Army one of my neighbors retired at just over 20 years as an E-9.
>>Much like you said, the military is -never- what you expect it to be. If your son has a decent head on his shoulders, I would advise trying to convince him to join the Coast Guard. <<
All that said...I'd second that. As near as I can tell, the services ranked by quality of life go something like this:
Air Force
Coast Guard
Navy
Army
Hobo
Marines
Uh...I think you're a bit confused about ROTC. ROTC is a college program that spits out O-1s at the end. Usually people involved in this program are at least 18, if not older. JROTC is the highschool version, which spits out E-3s at the end and doesn't require any agreement of service unlike the last two years of the college version. That's where there'll be marching around with 14 year olds. I graduated from one and I'm probably going to be doing the other next fall.
>> The main reason I chose the Navy over the marines is because of the advancement. We take tests to advance, much like the Air Force (they just have to wait a lot longer in between tests), however the marines and army go by personal achievement. Now, in a troop of 60 marines, it's going to be a little harder to shine than if you go ahead and put pencil to paper.<<
Actually, initial advancement in the Army is very fast. Unless you screw up, you will go from E-1 to E-4 in 24 months. That can be expedited down to 18 if you show that you know your stuff. From there, the next two ranks have both time in grade, time in service, and promotion point requirements which flex depending on the needs of the Army for Sergeants in that particular field. The points system is...something of a joke, if you're smart and realize how it works. If you're interested I can tell you how it works, but I figured I'd not bore too many people. After that your promotion is technically and Act of Congress, so it slows down considerably...but it can still be pretty quick.
I can't speak for the Marines, but if you have your head on right, stay out of trouble, and work hard it's quite possible to make your E-6 in around 5 years in the Army. I know an E-6 who's about to make E-7 after 9 years in the Army, and one of my drills was an E-7 at the age of 26. Before I joined the Army one of my neighbors retired at just over 20 years as an E-9.
>>Much like you said, the military is -never- what you expect it to be. If your son has a decent head on his shoulders, I would advise trying to convince him to join the Coast Guard. <<
All that said...I'd second that. As near as I can tell, the services ranked by quality of life go something like this:
Air Force
Coast Guard
Navy
Army
Hobo
Marines
HAIJUN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/19/2006 11:48 PM CST
<<Good grief.. I find it hilarious that half of the people who post about their branch haven't even experienced a deployment yet. Well, in regards to the avid posters, at least.
...? I'm just an IETer stating what I've noticed so far.
--SA McCabe, USN
...? I'm just an IETer stating what I've noticed so far.
--SA McCabe, USN
MAHMULE2
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/20/2006 08:42 PM CST
Do they still have 6YO progams? I was an E-4 when I got out of A school (about a year after I got in).
HAIJUN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 06:52 AM CST
Yup, the 6YO program is still going at DLI, at least as far is the Navy is concerned. Not sure about the other branches. And yeah, looking forward to E-4 in about 12 months time.
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 12:55 PM CST
Every service advances E-1 through E-4 in 24 (or 18) months. 9 months from 1-2, 9 from 2-3, 6 months (waiverable) from 3-4. And as for ROTC, thats a college thing. JROTC (junior rotc.) is for high schoolers. Same thing, cept younger people.
And dear lord, where is Elec? I feel so alone, surrounded by twidgets and wirebiters. And Surface Pukes!
Best view of a carrier is through the crosshairs of my periscope.
And McCabe, I don't mean to be offensive in any way, but you're garner alot more respect if you earn your crow rather than have it handed to you.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
And dear lord, where is Elec? I feel so alone, surrounded by twidgets and wirebiters. And Surface Pukes!
Best view of a carrier is through the crosshairs of my periscope.
And McCabe, I don't mean to be offensive in any way, but you're garner alot more respect if you earn your crow rather than have it handed to you.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
HAIJUN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 02:59 PM CST
>>And McCabe, I don't mean to be offensive in any way, but you're garner alot more respect if you earn your crow rather than have it handed to you.
While I don't doubt the truth of that I also don't really have an option, being a CTI. It's just how we're moved through the pipeline. I was E-1 until I got to DLI, where I was immediately promoted to E-2. And once I complete my language training I'm promoted to E-4 before leaving DLI. CTIs have advanced promotion rates, not much I can do about it. I think the only exception are Spanish linguists, who may not have enough time as E-3 to get frocked before they leave DLI.
While I don't doubt the truth of that I also don't really have an option, being a CTI. It's just how we're moved through the pipeline. I was E-1 until I got to DLI, where I was immediately promoted to E-2. And once I complete my language training I'm promoted to E-4 before leaving DLI. CTIs have advanced promotion rates, not much I can do about it. I think the only exception are Spanish linguists, who may not have enough time as E-3 to get frocked before they leave DLI.
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 03:12 PM CST
It may not be true in your circles (more power to you.) but the sub community shuns and pretty much ridicules anyone who gets handed a crow. If you didn't take the test, do your time and pay your dues, you back-pay them when you get to the boat. I earned my E-2 the hard way- Time in rate. Same way I'll earn E-3, and I'll get my E-4 from the blood on my hands and the sweat on my brow.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
TUSCANI
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 04:02 PM CST
To me, earning your crow isn't about how you get it. It's how you carry yourself after you get it. I've met many a 1st class that I have almost 0 respect for, and as many airmen (I'm in the aviation cmomunity) that I couldn't wait to see them tack theirs on.
on an unrelated note:
Tacking on crows, is it hazing, or tradition? What's your take on it?
~Bre
"Have you ever felt like the world was a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?"
on an unrelated note:
Tacking on crows, is it hazing, or tradition? What's your take on it?
~Bre
"Have you ever felt like the world was a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?"
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 06:18 PM CST
On the whole, I think it's a time honored tradition. However, there are many a time when the tradition is taken much too far. So, I guess it depends on the activities involved in the ceremony. Call it straddling the fence if you want, but that's my take.
MMFA(su) USN
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
MMFA(su) USN
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/21/2006 06:19 PM CST
And sorry for the double post...but I've never seen a submarine fly, but I've seen airplanes go under water.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
SPYRAUX
Re: Hey all, just curious...
02/22/2006 02:12 PM CST
Haha, too crazy. Reading through a few pages of posts here just cracks me up. I must say, it's always amusing getting a round of soldiers together. There's always that poking at other services, names, and dismissiveness that is always amusing. Yet the loyalty, fearlessness, and pride that they all share that is always respectable. The bond is unbreakable.
While I'm not exactely military myself, my father was Army Special Forces. So I spent alot of time running around and hanging around soldiers. Watching them come and go. And will always have the utmost respect for those of the military. I read through these posts and it's strange, but soldiers just have this, very common, demanor around them, no matter where they're stationed, or what service they're part of. It's very fun.
Thanks again for all your efforts, and good luck to you all.
~Van
"Attitudes are contagious. Mine might kill you."
While I'm not exactely military myself, my father was Army Special Forces. So I spent alot of time running around and hanging around soldiers. Watching them come and go. And will always have the utmost respect for those of the military. I read through these posts and it's strange, but soldiers just have this, very common, demanor around them, no matter where they're stationed, or what service they're part of. It's very fun.
Thanks again for all your efforts, and good luck to you all.
~Van
"Attitudes are contagious. Mine might kill you."
KOUGEN
Re: Hey all, just curious...
03/25/2006 04:59 PM CST
How oddly appropriate to check in for the first time in months and see the last 25 posts, being myself
a DLI Arabic course graduate, stationed in Germany and currently deployed. (Army Specialist, E-4)
Don't let the weather in Germany get you down, just get off post as much as possible. It's pretty nice in the warmer months, and I hear it's great if you're a raging alcoholic like everyone else I know. (I don't drink) See a few other countries, too. Learn some German if you don't already know it to break the ice with the locals. They're pretty cool about Americans generally speaking, but that really helps.
I'm no longer at DLI, but I did meet one other guy who knew what DR was while I was there. Yes, one.
He didn't play any more at the time, though. Military Nerd central, but still lacking love for DR. I learned that there are many many different types of nerds while I was there. Love Monterey, hate Arabic homework. Spent the whole time trying to decide if it was worth it. Hah.
The Wayward,
Celestian Kougen Aensworth
a DLI Arabic course graduate, stationed in Germany and currently deployed. (Army Specialist, E-4)
Don't let the weather in Germany get you down, just get off post as much as possible. It's pretty nice in the warmer months, and I hear it's great if you're a raging alcoholic like everyone else I know. (I don't drink) See a few other countries, too. Learn some German if you don't already know it to break the ice with the locals. They're pretty cool about Americans generally speaking, but that really helps.
I'm no longer at DLI, but I did meet one other guy who knew what DR was while I was there. Yes, one.
He didn't play any more at the time, though. Military Nerd central, but still lacking love for DR. I learned that there are many many different types of nerds while I was there. Love Monterey, hate Arabic homework. Spent the whole time trying to decide if it was worth it. Hah.
The Wayward,
Celestian Kougen Aensworth
GOODALEM1
Re: Hey all, just curious...
04/10/2006 08:26 PM CDT
Figured I'd pass this on, though you skimmer pukes'll be mighty confused.
10 most dangerus things on a sub
10. An A-ganger who can actually read.
9. A mechanic with anything electrical.
8. The 3" launcher and anything that goes in it.
7. The COB ('nuff said).
6. Any time a LT says, "I was just thinking..."
5. An Ensign who says, "Based on my experience....."
4. Any of the unenlightened group known as non-quals.
3. A Sonar Supe who says, "Trust me, it's biologics."
2. A skinny MS
1. Anybody saying, "Hey, watch this s* !"
Oh, and the frightening thing is...I'm an A-ganger.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
10 most dangerus things on a sub
10. An A-ganger who can actually read.
9. A mechanic with anything electrical.
8. The 3" launcher and anything that goes in it.
7. The COB ('nuff said).
6. Any time a LT says, "I was just thinking..."
5. An Ensign who says, "Based on my experience....."
4. Any of the unenlightened group known as non-quals.
3. A Sonar Supe who says, "Trust me, it's biologics."
2. A skinny MS
1. Anybody saying, "Hey, watch this s* !"
Oh, and the frightening thing is...I'm an A-ganger.
You are wearing a leather cuff embroidered with the words "No Ranger stands alone."
