Conservative Political Forum

General Category => Political Discussion and Debate => Topic started by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 02:59:45 PM

Title: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 02:59:45 PM
I guess by now, my grandson, Matthew, has been sworn into the United States Army at the Depot in Houston. He will leave in the morning along with other recruits for Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training. A couple of his friends brought him by yesterday evening to say goodby. Don't know when I'll see him again.

On June 10, his younger brother Reagan will leave for Camp Pendleton, California for Marine Boot Camp. He graduates high school in May and goes into the Marines a few days later.

I'm not too worried about Matthew- after basic, he'll go to Fort Rucker, Alabama for school to become an air traffic control specialist. Reagan is going in to be an armorer, both light and heavy armament, and he is one I'll worry about.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: BILLY Defiant on January 06, 2013, 03:11:13 PM
God bless them both.

Hopefully this mess in Afghanistan will end before more of the best of our youth are wasted.

Billy
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: kramarat on January 06, 2013, 03:31:28 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 02:59:45 PM
I guess by now, my grandson, Matthew, has been sworn into the United States Army at the Depot in Houston. He will leave in the morning along with other recruits for Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training. A couple of his friends brought him by yesterday evening to say goodby. Don't know when I'll see him again.

On June 10, his younger brother Reagan will leave for Camp Pendleton, California for Marine Boot Camp. He graduates high school in May and goes into the Marines a few days later.

I'm not too worried about Matthew- after basic, he'll go to Fort Rucker, Alabama for school to become an air traffic control specialist. Reagan is going in to be an armorer, both light and heavy armament, and he is one I'll worry about.

As well you should.

Would you worry about him less if he was spouting off about corporate corruption and pursuing a 4 year degree in liberal arts?
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: JustKari on January 06, 2013, 03:31:50 PM
May God watch over both of them and bring them both back to you safe.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: The Stranger on January 06, 2013, 03:33:19 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 02:59:45 PM
I guess by now, my grandson, Matthew, has been sworn into the United States Army at the Depot in Houston. He will leave in the morning along with other recruits for Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training. A couple of his friends brought him by yesterday evening to say goodby. Don't know when I'll see him again.

On June 10, his younger brother Reagan will leave for Camp Pendleton, California for Marine Boot Camp. He graduates high school in May and goes into the Marines a few days later.

I'm not too worried about Matthew- after basic, he'll go to Fort Rucker, Alabama for school to become an air traffic control specialist. Reagan is going in to be an armorer, both light and heavy armament, and he is one I'll worry about.

God Bless and thank your family!!!!
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: supsalemgr on January 06, 2013, 03:46:01 PM
I thank them for their service.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:14:10 PM
Quote from: BILLY Defiant on January 06, 2013, 03:11:13 PM
God bless them both.

Hopefully this mess in Afghanistan will end before more of the best of our youth are wasted.

Billy

Unfortunately, Billy, I am convinced we'll be fighting in the Middle East for a long time.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:20:00 PM
Quote from: kramarat on January 06, 2013, 03:31:28 PM
As well you should.

Would you worry about him less if he was spouting off about corporate corruption and pursuing a 4 year degree in liberal arts?

Hell yeah! I would kick his ass for him, but I don't think that is likely to happen. He is a good kid, tougher than nails, but with a soft side to him as well. His Momma told me she was concerned about his attitude and I told her it will take a DI about two minutes to straighten that out. She laughed and I think she may have felt a little better about it. Their younger brother, at sixteen, will be the one to miss both of them. So will their little sister. 
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: taxed on January 06, 2013, 04:21:40 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:20:00 PM
Hell yeah! I would kick his ass for him, but I don't think that is likely to happen. He is a good kid, tougher than nails, but with a soft side to him as well. His Momma told me she was concerned about his attitude and I told her it will take a DI about two minutes to straighten that out. She laughed and I think she may have felt a little better about it. Their younger brother, at sixteen, will be the one to miss both of them. So will their little sister.

Maybe in the old days.  My brother just got out.  What the government does to our troops is a fuckin shame.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: BILLY Defiant on January 06, 2013, 04:22:06 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:14:10 PM
Unfortunately, Billy, I am convinced we'll be fighting in the Middle East for a long time.

We are setting the ground work for many more Iraq's and Afghanistans.

But Ghanny has developed into another Vietnam I'm afraid.

Billy

Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: JustKari on January 06, 2013, 03:31:50 PM
May God watch over both of them and bring them both back to you safe.

Thanks. I don't see them that much any more. The oldest Matthew has been on his own for a good while, Reagan and Evan both live with their Dad, and Cassie with her Mom still. As they have grown up, they have gone their way, as they should. I know I'll see them when they are on leave.

Dummy of all dummies, Matthew is also going airborne, and he is afraid of heights. Go figure that one.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: kramarat on January 06, 2013, 04:33:40 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 04:20:00 PM
Hell yeah! I would kick his ass for him, but I don't think that is likely to happen. He is a good kid, tougher than nails, but with a soft side to him as well. His Momma told me she was concerned about his attitude and I told her it will take a DI about two minutes to straighten that out. She laughed and I think she may have felt a little better about it. Their younger brother, at sixteen, will be the one to miss both of them. So will their little sister.

He'll be okay. He'd have a greater chance of getting killed by taking a midnight stroll through one of our wonderful, (democrat created), big cities. Even at my age, I'd choose a military attachment in Afghanistan, over walking the streets of Chicago or DC at night.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Bronx on January 06, 2013, 04:40:10 PM
I did my basic training at Ft. Jackson, S. C. Echo 2-1. My prayers go out for these man and their family.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Darth Fife on January 06, 2013, 05:10:37 PM
SM I commend you.

However...

Even though I am retired military myself, I could never approve of any relative of mine joining the military in this day and age. If anyone asks me today, I say not just, no, but hell no!

The military is being used by the political class to do things our founders and I sincerely fear that, if things keep going the way the have been, they will be used against us.

Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 05:33:46 PM
Quote from: Darth Fife on January 06, 2013, 05:10:37 PM
SM I commend you.

However...

Even though I am retired military myself, I could never approve of any relative of mine joining the military in this day and age. If anyone asks me today, I say not just, no, but hell no!

The military is being used by the political class to do things our founders and I sincerely fear that, if things keep going the way the have been, they will be used against us.

I am afraid you may be correct. I gave them the idiot year and decided that was more than enough for me. At the time I was in, the Draft was still in effect, plus there were a lot of the old hands that were left over from WWII and Korea that were doing time until retirement. The Army was in a transition state, more or less. I ran across a few good NCOs, one or two good officers, and a plethora of numb nuts. I had been too young for the Korea War and was getting out about when 'Nam began to heat up.

We had been caught with our pants down during Korea ( a wasted fokking war ) and the draft was cranked up and going strong, so I gave them the idiot year, then got the hell out of Dodge.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 05:41:47 PM
I kinda got carried away, there, Darth, but I thank you. The boys,  ( actually Matthew is 23, been married and divorced, and definitely needs some direction in his life ) didn't ask what I thought, or I probably would have told Reagan, especially, to think twice, but he is young, full of piss and vinegar and youngsters don't think the bad stuff can happen to them.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: PeterR on January 06, 2013, 07:24:03 PM

Shooter, may God keep them safe. 

And, I thank them for their service.   
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 09:25:10 PM
Quote from: PeterR on January 06, 2013, 07:24:03 PM
Shooter, may God keep them safe. 

And, I thank them for their service.

Thanks, Pete.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: kramarat on January 07, 2013, 04:28:11 AM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 06, 2013, 05:41:47 PM
I kinda got carried away, there, Darth, but I thank you. The boys,  ( actually Matthew is 23, been married and divorced, and definitely needs some direction in his life ) didn't ask what I thought, or I probably would have told Reagan, especially, to think twice, but he is young, full of piss and vinegar and youngsters don't think the bad stuff can happen to them.

I was the same. An 18 year old know-it-all.

I did 4 years in the Navy, and think it did me a lot of good. I can't speak for today's military, but for kids like Reagan, (and myself), it can be a great experience.

My wife's brother was a tanker in the Army and served in Desert Storm. He enjoyed his time in there. The only thing I would have a hard time with, is serving under our current commander in chief. :blink:
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Reality on January 07, 2013, 04:56:35 AM
Five months short of 30 years in the Air Force. Nam and Desert Strom Vet plus other remote tours.  Loved it.  Wish I could do it again.  Did not plan on staying that long but as each assignment came up I wanted to go and much to soon it was over. 
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Solar on January 07, 2013, 07:54:39 AM
Quote from: Reality on January 07, 2013, 04:56:35 AM
Five months short of 30 years in the Air Force. Nam and Desert Strom Vet plus other remote tours.  Loved it.  Wish I could do it again.  Did not plan on staying that long but as each assignment came up I wanted to go and much to soon it was over.
Thanks for your service, I too may have become a lifer had I not been injured.
Though Nixon had left us under Carters command and morale was falling like a rock.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Reality on January 07, 2013, 08:35:12 AM
Survived the Carter era and then the Gipper showed up.  World of difference plus no notice drug testing took care of most of the drug problems that plaqued the post Nam era.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Solar on January 07, 2013, 08:52:23 AM
Quote from: Reality on January 07, 2013, 08:35:12 AM
Survived the Carter era and then the Gipper showed up.  World of difference plus no notice drug testing took care of most of the drug problems that plaqued the post Nam era.
When Carter cut our fuel supplies in a Korean Winter on the DMZ to four hours of heat, theft, fights and black mkt began to develop.
That is not how the Military works, in fact it goes against the cohesive nature of Military service.
Until Husein, Carter was the worst CIC in history.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Cryptic Bert on January 07, 2013, 10:14:12 AM
You've got some good kids there Shooter....
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 10:53:27 AM
Quote from: The Boo Man... on January 07, 2013, 10:14:12 AM
You've got some good kids there Shooter....

Thanks, Bert. ( Boo to those that don't know Bert )

BTW, whatever the hell is a crumpet?
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: walkstall on January 07, 2013, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 10:53:27 AM
Thanks, Bert. ( Boo to those that don't know Bert )

BTW, whatever the hell is a crumpet?

Griddle cake made from flour and yeast.   :lol:
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 01:04:22 PM
Quote from: walkstall on January 07, 2013, 11:04:59 AM
Griddle cake made from flour and yeast.   :lol:

Thanks, Walks. The reason I asked was because one of my daughter's  FIL,  always sends nice mail order gifts from some bakery for Christmas, and ours this year had crumpets, among other things, in the package. Truthfully, I am tickled it is a delicacy enjoyed by The Queen's Subjects, and not by me. Even buttered and swimming in sugar cane syrup, it still was like chewing on cardboard or maybe rubber.
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: walkstall on January 07, 2013, 01:09:59 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 01:04:22 PM
Thanks, Walks. The reason I asked was because one of my daughter's  FIL,  always sends nice mail order gifts from some bakery for Christmas, and ours this year had crumpets, among other things, in the package. Truthfully, I am tickled it is a delicacy enjoyed by The Queen's Subjects, and not by me. Even buttered and swimming in sugar cane syrup, it still was like chewing on cardboard or maybe rubber.


:lol:  Don't tell Boo that.  :lol:
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 02:05:46 PM
Quote from: walkstall on January 07, 2013, 01:09:59 PM

:lol:  Don't tell Boo that.  :lol:

Mum is the word. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: PeterR on January 07, 2013, 03:51:19 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 02:05:46 PM
Mum is the word. :biggrin:

Mum?  You talking 'bout my mama?!
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 04:11:25 PM
Quote from: PeterR on January 07, 2013, 03:51:19 PM


Mum?  You talking 'bout my mama?!

Not unless you have a touch of "Pip, Pip, and a Tally Ho in your blood."
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Cryptic Bert on January 07, 2013, 04:16:38 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 04:11:25 PM
Not unless you have a touch of "Pip, Pip, and a Tally Ho in your blood."

People like that should be shot...
Title: Re: Grandsons
Post by: Cryptic Bert on January 07, 2013, 04:18:14 PM
Quote from: Shooterman on January 07, 2013, 10:53:27 AM
Thanks, Bert. ( Boo to those that don't know Bert )

BTW, whatever the hell is a crumpet?

A sort of thick dense, slightly sour English muffin