Hey, thought I'd update everyone on what's going on in my "other" job.

I'm applying to be a Warrant Officer (if you don't know what that is, just do a google on Army Warrant Officer), and while that is in the works I'm also scheduled to head to Georgia for some training.

I took the Army Physical Fitness Test yesterday (the first one I've taken since 1983). Did Ok on pushups (37, which was 7 more than needed), really well on the run (one minute faster than minimum), failed on the situps. I had to do 32 and could only get 27. Today at the gym I knocked out 50. Go figure.

We recorded this one as a "diagnostic" and I'll retake it on Tuesday. I have to have a passing score to finish my WO packet, so it's kinda critical to get it done ASAP.

Also extended for another year.

Sounds like you are in pretty good shape old man! I have no doubt that you will easily pass the physical tests on all levels next go round.

I figure I could probably get the pushups and situps, but don't know about the running. I have always been a poor runner, and notice that of late I get winded easier than ever.

Anyway, we are all rooting for you in this quest. Please keep us posted.

Well, I passed it this time. Knocked out 40 of both pushups and situps. Did 2 miles in 17:55.

I found an old card from when I was 19. On that particular test I did 60/60/16:35. And I was in pretty damn good shape then (or so I thought). I should be able to surpass those marks in a couple of months (or less).

My heartiest congratulations to you! Those are impressive numbers to be sure. It's interesting to me to see how quickly the body adjusts to increased physical activity. I have no doubt but that you will simply continue to get better numbers as you work at it.

I have been doing particularly hard physical work for the past few weeks in my job. At the end of the day I feel like I've been run over by a bus. But, I noticed how much more I can already do now than I was able to do a few weeks ago. Also, when soaping up in the shower, I can feel the added muscle definition.

I will be 50 in less than 2 weeks. I guess it goes to show that it's never to late to improve the physical condition.

Yep, it is amazing how fast one can adjust to physical activity, even though we are not "young" by any means.

Happy birthday 2 weeks early. I'll be 46 in June, so here's a birthday poem for you:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
No matter how old I get,
I'll always be younger than you.

Have a great weekend!

Well guys, shipping off on April 11. I'll be gone for several months and am not sure of the connectivity at that location.

I'll post my progress and other stuff (as much as OPSEC will allow).

It's just a training environment, so no sandbox for now.

Hey my friend! Give us a posting when you get a chance. Let us know how the old man is holding up there!

I wish you the best!

Things are Ok here. I passed the "tape test" for body fat (I was 8 lbs over weight, so had to be measured). I passed the diagnostic physical fitness test as well and have started classes.

I'm in a hotel near the post for now, but without a car it's a bit inconvenient to say the least.

Still getting the wife all set up with medical coverage and there are a couple minor pay issues (like family separation) to iron out.

But overall it's going well. I'll certainly have a new batch of war stories to tell.

LKS- I just read an article on the MSNBC web site that details the "deplorable" living conditions in the barracks at Fort Campbell, Fort McCoy and Fort Bragg.

Sounds like the facilities there are worse than what my nephew in Iraq is living in.

Just wondered where you are at and if any of these conditions affect you personally.

I would surely hope that in a country like ours, we could do right by the people who are risking their lives to serve their fellow countrymen, and at least provide them reasonable living conditions.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief Engineer:
LKS- I just read an article on the MSNBC web site that details the "deplorable" living conditions in the barracks at Fort Campbell, Fort McCoy and Fort Bragg.

Sounds like the facilities there are worse than what my nephew in Iraq is living in.

Just wondered where you are at and if any of these conditions affect you personally.

I would surely hope that in a country like ours, we could do right by the people who are risking their lives to serve their fellow countrymen, and at least provide them reasonable living conditions.

While I was in the hotel off post, the conditions were quite good :-)

Our barracks has a slight problem with black mold, but other than that it's not too bad. The A/C in them seems to work (so far), and we have a fridge in the room for beer storage (very important you know).

Ft. Gordon has started a $14M reconstruction effort, and the changes look pretty good - they just haven't made it to our barracks yet. By the time they do, I'll be back home, but hopefully they do get around to that building.

The hue and cry about military spending masks the reality that the military has been underfunded in some areas for decades. Weapons systems get the money, basic maintenance doesn't.

But that's really not too different than higher ed, where maintenance is deferred on buildings for years, then a capital campaign is needed to repair them.

The state of maintenance for the military, for education, and our infrastructure makes you wonder how we, as a nation, have been spending our money. The war isn't getting all of it that is for sure and I suspect that pork like bridges to nowhere in Alaska are sucking the life out of us.

So, how did you enjoy your taste of Southern Weather with hailstones the other day. We missed any hail over here, and the high winds didn't damage anything.

Did you get of that golfball sized hail?

Pecos,

I'm from Kansas - that piddily little amount of hail we got the other day weren't nottin'; I once saw a field with over a foot of hail in it.

That said, we didn't get any large stuff - mostly pea sized.

quote:

Originally posted by LKS:
Pecos,

I'm from Kansas - that piddily little amount of hail we got the other day weren't nottin'; I once saw a field with over a foot of hail in it.

That said, we didn't get any large stuff - mostly pea sized.

HaHa! Now, why didn't I know that would be the response from a guy from the land of OZ???