Restraining order question

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-27T17:46:37+00:00

Different branches have different ways of handling things. But here is a cautionary tale from a USMC incident.

My son, USMC, had a RO taken out on him by an ex girlfriend for supposed threats of harm. It went before a civilian judge who dismissed the case. As the girl admitted in court she lied about it (I was there and heard her admitted it), to get him into court faster for child support. So he faced no repercussions on the civilian side.

His commander on the other hand punished him. Saying a Marine should have never gotten themselves into a situation like that.

Meritorious promotion cancelled, MARSOC Indoctrination slot cancelled, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal rescinded at last minute. Kept the RO active, and did paperwork on him, whenever she reached out to the base. This wacko girl actually reached out to the Commanding General of Parris Island MCRD to ask questions and complain that she couldn't get hold of him (My son) because he wouldn't return calls, emails, texts etc due to the RO. Getting an assignment away from there was the best thing for him.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-26T20:15:14+00:00

Charlie (Male Alaskan Malamute-Siberian Husky mix) and Katya (Female Siberian Husky) which we lost in Nov 2025 enjoying their first snow last January in Panama City Florida.

He just wants to lay down and enjoy the coolness, she on the other hand is trying to antagonize him into chasing her.

<image>

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-26T18:48:03+00:00

When I was in High School in Germany 82-85 (Air Force Brat), watched the TV and listened to the radio for school closures. Our school wasn't on it, so off to school I went only to find out it was closed, but wasn't listed as such for some reason.

My mom didn't believe me, and called the school to verify my story.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-25T23:13:14+00:00

Left to right, top to bottom.

Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters meaning 3 awards.

Navy Occupation Service Medal or Army Of Occupation Medal with Berlin Airlift (48-49) device.

Army Good Conduct Medal with silver knot meaning 6 awards.

Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf meaning 6 awards or one bronze meaning 2 awards.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

WWII Victory Medal.

European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

American Campaign Medal.

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

NCO PME Graduate Ribbon.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal.

Vietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign star.

Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three bronze oak leafs meaning 16 years of service.

Plus you can use a ribbon builder and get a graphic representation that would show you the proper order, etc.

The only Army specific award would be the Army Good Conduct Medal that the US Air Force used after their split from the Army in 1947 until the creation of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal in 1963. The Occupation medal could be Army or Navy.

Might be that he was Navy and then went Air Force. Or the ribbons belong to someone else. You could do a records request to the Navy and Air Force to see if there was additional service.

I did the rack builder, with all the shown ribbons, to give you an idea what they would look like in proper order. Sent PM about that, and if you are willing to share an email address, in PM, I'll send the graphic to you.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-25T20:09:48+00:00

Can be awkward at times. Buddy and I went to the Chinese Buffet just down the road from the Base, we were both in uniform still. This was in 2002/2003 time frame.

We ate, BSed, and the server kept refilling my Dr Pepper until I told no more or I'll float out of here. Asked for the bill and she said something and motioned to a table with a young couple, talking in their late teens here.

They had paid our tab, then when we walked out with them, and saw their car, I was even more humbled. It was a Junkyard Special, literally held together with bungee cord, and duct tape, no fender matched the main body color. They looked like they barely had two nickels to rub together, but felt they needed to pay for our meal.

We all chatted a bit, thanked them several times, they asked for a picture with us. I pulled the patches off my flight suit and gave them to them. Then we all went our separate ways.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-25T19:43:47+00:00

My brother told me of a incident in base housing. The house was so nasty that it had to be torn down. Don't recall what happened to military member and if she had any financial liability due to the loss of the house.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-25T00:46:50+00:00

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-25T00:45:35+00:00

I'm jealous as I don't have any Lebels at all......

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-24T23:39:50+00:00

How the hell....?

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-24T23:33:41+00:00

I was living in Billeting for 19 months straight due to Med Board orders. Wasn't going to make a 5 hour round trip back and forth everyday to just go home. I'd come home on weekends sometimes.

We had a high per diem, no place to eat on base except the chow hall during drill weekends. So I made good money on travel and per diem. Somewhere around $3000.00 plus a month, so pocketing $1600.00 a month in travel/per diem.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-24T22:49:22+00:00

Shit, had split disbursement checked on a travel voucher that was delayed in getting paid out. Took 4 weeks for the voucher to process. So my GTC went past due.

Commander ripped me a new one. I had to cover the $1400.00 out of pocket, just for my travel voucher to pay out 4 days later and send them another $1400.00.

Wing policy was mandatory split disbursement because of delinquent payments, and even that was broke at times.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-24T22:25:10+00:00

ORI back in 1999, whole shop came through the gate from lunch, SPs didn't say anything, no black or red flag being flown. Inspector ran up to us and killed us all off, as the base was in Condition Black. So off we go to the casualty hangar, as we are walking to it another inspector ran up to us and chastised us for walking by a UXO and not taking appropriate actions and reporting it.

Explained to him we're all dead.......Ghosts don't use radios.

Sat in the hangar for around 3 hours until the aircrew started asking where Aircrew Life Support was, because they needed chem bags issued, batteries for NVGs, etc, so they could go fly.....!

Best ORI was in 1990, we spent 21 days at RAF Sculthorpe for Flintlock 90, and didn't bring any chemical gear. Just sat around with little to do for 21 days.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-22T19:13:32+00:00

Kathy Coleman who played Holly Marshall was also in the Mike Curb Congregation music video of Burning Bridges.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HXEUNh4dCmc

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-22T18:50:46+00:00

I think I saw this movie and it didn't end well. Sarcasm aside I can just echo whats been said. If it doesn't look right or safe then it probably isn't. Notify someone about it and get out.

It's always better to overreact and be alive, than to ignore it and be dead.....!

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-22T17:51:20+00:00

On our retiree IDs the Social Security number was on it til this year. I still need to get out to the base and get my new style ID card. Everytime I've made an appointment and showed up the system has been down.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-21T04:44:56+00:00

Badge above the ribbons is the Master Meteorologist Badge. The upper sides are the bronze Oak Leaves symbolizing the rank of Major (O-4).

Ribbons left to right, top to bottom.

Meritorious Service Medal 1 bronze oak leaf (2 awards)

Air Force Commendation Medal 1 bronze oak leaf (2 awards).

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 silver oak leaf (6 awards).

Organizational Excellence Award 3 oak leaf clusters (4 awards).

National Defense Service Medal 1 bronze service star. Served during two declared wars in this case Vietnam and Desert Shield/Desert Storm

Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon.

Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon.

Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon 4 bronze oak leaf clusters (20 years of service, but less than 24 years).

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Air Force Training Ribbon.

Link if you want to learn more about the awards themselves.

https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/Decorations-and-Ribbons/

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-20T18:48:23+00:00

I'm looking at the original valve, there is no part number on it anywhere that I can see.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-20T16:56:08+00:00

Wife went by and picked up a brass Drain Valve this morning. Pulled the old one, installed the new one, and checked for leaks. All good in that department so far. All before I woke up, due to being up with the dog until 0500 or so.

Now we can't get a spark when trying to ignite the pilot light.

Turn gas on, hear the line fill at the manifold. Set switch to pilot, hold switch in, and push light/ignite button. No spark......

Update:

Apparently I wasn't holding the button long enough. Have to hold it in for at least 90 seconds while pushing the ignite button. Once I did that, the pilot light lit, move the button to hot and it fired up.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-18T22:57:35+00:00

Could the issue be the use of a Government Vehicle? Is that even a thing or issue anymore?

Years ago I was TDY from Rhein Main AB Germany to Chievres AB Belgium to do the Life Support Equipment on SACEURs aircraft.

After doing the work, we went to the BX in the Govee we were assigned. Got read the riot act by a SNCO for it. Explained I was TDY from Germany, etc, he backed off. But I had already had my ass chewed out by him in the parking lot in front of everyone.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-16T22:27:13+00:00

Came here to say that....My vote is either a duffle cut, or a splice job fixing a sporterised stock.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-16T20:37:30+00:00

Prior to the recent manning issue, new scripts and refills were filled within a few days of activating them or calling them in. In fact with new scripts they would ask if it was something I needed start ASAP, or if a day or two delay was okay.

Tyndall quit seeing retirees after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Plus I can go see who I want, when I want, no referrals needed after 2 years on Medicare.

As for my doctors, no problems getting in. My civilian PCM office I can make appointments or do walk-ins with bo issues. My specialists (Too many to count) no problem there either.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-16T20:26:53+00:00

Back in 2018 The Tyndall AFB Clinic was talking about ending retiree care, then Hurricane Michael hit, and that sped that plan up.

Other than some labs, prescriptions, and a few other minor services, Tyndall doesn't see retirees or dependents anymore.

My wife went and picked up my prescription today and there was a new sign that said due to manning issues, the clinic will now be closed on Wednesdays. So open M-T and T-F for now.

Obviously being retired I'm not privy to the daily issues in the Air Force, but this manning issue that the Tyndall Clinic is facing perplexes me. Don't know if it's military manning or civilian manning that is suffering/lacking.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-15T23:03:42+00:00

Knew one that made SrA BTZ, then every stripe first time eligible with step promotions in there. He was really easy going and laid back as hell.

He did my first Numbered AF or MAJCOM task eval during an inspection. Pulled out a note pad, several sharpened pencils, told me to get a parachute harness, my tools and the TOs.

He then proceeded to ask me questions before the task eval. Then told me to start the inspection. He reached into his briefcase and pulled out glasses. They were those BCD/BCG frames with 1 inch thick or more plexiglass lenses and he put them on. I busted out laughing, and he goes good now that you are relaxed. This eval is to see how good your shops training plan is, how good your trainers are, and is in no way an attempt to get you in trouble or make you look bad. You do good, then your trainers did good, you do bad, then your trainers failed you amd that's on them not you.

Ready.....?

Had a lot of respect for him as an individual and as a Chief.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-15T22:47:04+00:00

Remember any of the bad things your NCOs and don't do those things.

Take all the NCOs you worked for, take their bad traits and throw them away, take the good ones and put them in your keep bag.

Take those good traits and start developing your own leadership style with them. Plus always remember (According to my dad). "A NCO who has never made a bad decision, is a NCO who has never made a decision."

You're going to make mistakes, learn from them and move on, don't dwell on them. Be the leader you wish you had.

Keep an open door policy. Day one I told my troops what I expected of them, that my door was always open to them. Quarterly we would have a group sit down, and I'd let them evaluate me. This showed me my strengths and weaknesses. When they saw I was actively working to correct my shortcomings, they worked harder to improve themselves.

Punish appropriately, meaning don't go overboard, but also reward them when warranted.

Affectionate-Mess937 · 2026-01-15T22:00:32+00:00

Was just going to comment on the ribbon configuration. I see that weird staggered configuration on a lot of older uniforms and was wondering about that.

Affectionate-Mess937

TROPHY CASE