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Sportsfans, posting at STH has reached suckage of epic proportions.  No, I am not going to quit, but I perceive an obligation to write about why and what's up. 
    I retire this next April after 20 years of active duty in the Navy and Marine Corps.  It's been nothing less than a wild ride and I can honestly say I've done everything I came here to do.  Maybe not where when and how I envisioned it, but it got done just the same, with none of my guys killed and all the aircraft back in the hangar.  Imagine an "Ice Road Trucker" version of Top Gun, without the sex, and in real shitholes like Korea and Pakistan.
    Now it is time to switch gears and concentrate on support of family, college for the youngins, building a garage and most importantly, getting a job that will support all we want to do.  That means finding a flying job, 'cause, aside from blowing things up, that's all I've done my entire adult life.  That is not without it's challenges these days with $100.00/barrel oil and 4 airlines going bankrupt recently, but I don't need to tell you people that. 
     I do need to concentrate on resumes, ATP's, medical certificates, myriad other miscellaneous qualifications and the ridiculous pile of admin. bullshit required to officially end a military career.   At some point I should get hired over the next 8 or 10 months and some of the pressure will be off.  At that point I envision taking full rights as a free American citizen to bash slander and foil the living shit out of liberal politicians, but that will have to wait for now as I am still obliged to pay attention to the UCMJ.  Pesky document.
   Anyway, that is the inalterable state of the union here in Casa Smokin for the foreseeable future.  Thanks for coming around and I hope to see you back when things stabilize.  'Till then, go wish Mike well as he is headed back to the shithole and rates your prayers and well wishes.   They all do, but as a frequent flier with plenty of bonus miles and a new baby, guys like Mike do us all proud.

Semper Fidelis

Smokin Joe Actual 

    

Comments

[Tammi]

Smokin', I wish you ONLY the very best of everything. Good luck in your search, I wish I could help but I have no contacts at all in that field.

And so you know....I'll keep clickin' over here - just in case. Like I keep tellin' you...you can't lose me that easy!!!

[Quality Weenie]

I oh so look forward to next April when you can let loose!

Good Luck with finding a job, especially in an industry cutting people faster then Hillary cutting Obama.

[tim]

So whad’a trying to say, posting will be lighter than…sporadic?

Like Tammi & Weenie said, looking forward to next April and I’ll keep coming back to check.

Good luck, Semper Fi & thank you for your service Sir.

Sincerely,

tim
Sometimes known as Lands’nGrooves

[Smokin]

Thanks guys, even a single click on the meter says a rant is reaching someone. God bless and Semper Fi.

[mostly cajun]

Life goes on, and you do the best with what you've got...

If you leave the thing up, I'll still drop by a couple of times a week to see if you've taken the time to catch us up on your version of life.

do keep us posted. You don't have to be like Shakespeare or something, just a few lines, like "I just got an interview in Podunk, Iowa as the chief expeditor of "widgets on the the run".

And we'll be properly happy and sympathetic, and all that...

But anyway, good luck!

MC

[Mike the Marine]

Greetings from the suck! Well, almost the suck - Qatar. At least here there's still beer. Only 3 a night, but still...

I'll be off to Iraqistan in a few days. I hope that your future endeavors bring you closer to my humble abode (wherever that may be!), as you'll always have a place at Casa de Mike. I can only image the unholy shite-storm that will be unleashed when you hit the private sector. God help us all. Especially your future co-workers, who have not CLUE ONE just what the hell they're in for...

[Smokin]

Mike, Qatar is plenty far into the SUCK. Watch your ass there bro. Your haircut will give you away.
Cajun, Thanks man. I'm still in recovery after my last Ryan's muffallata. If there is a 5000' strip near you with a close by place for good chow and a coffee, please let me know.
I'll put it on my list.

[Bane]

I shall miss you, Sir. Thought about buying yourself a small cargo plane and doing short hops for UPS or somebody?