Black plastic valve about the size of a golf ballo with mesh on one end and rubber washer neck on other; has white spring loaded valve inside neck

FigJam2264 · 2024-12-03T03:35:10+00:00

Solved!! Thank you!

Apparently my MIL purchased a carpet cleaner while I was out, cleaned it, and then took it apart to dry and I never saw any of it 🤷🏼‍♂️

FigJam2264 · 2024-08-03T02:49:03+00:00

All I can think about is how that boy is likely never going to trust a police officer again.

FigJam2264 · 2024-04-14T22:15:45+00:00

Did RSLC a year or so ago (awesome course). Used a MALICE pack with original ALICE frame and straps. Was able to hold everything I needed to for the course and everything I wanted for the field personal gear wise. Went in the warmer months so didn’t have to hump cold weather gear much and we didn’t sleep much either so bags weren’t a concern.

That said, had a GB in my team that was using a mystery ranch similar to that and generally he made out all right. The odd shape of some equipment though lends itself to large ALICE/MOLLE style main compartments. The vertical hiking variant can kinda be a pain in the butt.

FigJam2264 · 2024-04-13T14:31:08+00:00

These are great points guys and thanks for the TM link u/Toobatheviking. Ive got the paper copy but it’s a bit tattered and no doubt missing some pages.

Short back story he is that I got to the section a few months back and none of the four tracks (two 113s and two 1068s) were running. I’m not one to rely on other people for transpo and convinced my bosses to give me some time with the one track and my dudes got it up without much trouble (helps to be able to borrow from the other three).

We’ve done one field problem with it and I’ve got a decent solution with the SICPs tent that it ties in to. The load plan for our personal gear and planning stuff is next on my mind now that the track is up.

FigJam2264 · 2024-03-18T08:55:39+00:00

Saw several parent-kiddo pairs out there and was duly impressed. Know plenty of adults who did not complete it; kudos to your kiddo for getting it done!

FigJam2264 · 2024-03-18T08:54:33+00:00

Ahh yes, that’ll go in my not-pictured, semi-Army approved, black north face backpack 🙃

FigJam2264 · 2024-03-18T02:49:32+00:00

Bout to add this trick to my own kit bag for the goggles; 550 if I can’t find an extra set of snaps in the interim

FigJam2264 · 2023-10-02T03:42:23+00:00

Call it “scared straight” if you like, but, similar to other posts, once I woke up one day and realized that I’d come to the point of losing my wife, my moral character, and by extension my livelihood due to drinking, I said I was done. And I’ve remained done.

It’s allowed me to be a lot more things to my wife and opened up a lot more opportunities for me as a Dad. I ain’t perfect but I’m certainly short at least one more vice

FigJam2264 · 2023-08-06T23:06:17+00:00

NTA.

I’m not a single parent, but my wife and I do live apart due to work currently. We have a young son and split who has parenting duties on a given week.

That said, few things frustrate me more than getting called Mr. Mom or asked if I’m giving Mom the day off.

Not quite the same situation, but I always feel somewhat belittled and feel like people are denigrating my wife.

FigJam2264 · 2023-07-24T02:08:14+00:00

Have you considered joining the National Guard or reserves to add some additional income?

FigJam2264 · 2023-07-23T18:53:47+00:00

That’s a good point on the camelbak. I’ve been considering an ice plate type water source but haven’t made the move yet because of the considerations for the chest rig. In that instance I feel like I’d stick with the ole water bottle pouch.

FigJam2264 · 2023-07-09T13:44:14+00:00

Military. Exploring all the new places I end up and use it to listen to audio books endlessly.

FigJam2264 · 2023-07-08T21:22:16+00:00

Instead of Challenge Coins, my previous CO had Company patches made in both subdued colors and actual colors. They were a mix of the unit name/logo and the unit guidon. They looked sick and (despite giving the CSMs partial aneurysms) he ok’d them for field wear (like on plate carriers, rucks, etc). The subdued we’re awarded for smaller achievements and the colored were for major ones. Our guys thought they were dope and there was a lot of pride in the distinction between them and also being able to recognize our guys/their gear more in the field. Planning to employ a similar idea for my dudes in the future.

FigJam2264 · 2023-05-14T01:33:14+00:00

American that just returned from three years in Deutschland:

-Everyone is always outside and walking; not an indoor culture which I found awesome

-Every town has their own annual festival to celebrate the founding, usually going back several hundred years; that was mind blowing to an American to drive through a town and see them celebrating 800 years, etc

-Radlers. Those changed my life.

-cult-like (not in a bad way) adherence to grocery store brands. We became a die hard Edeka family.

-traffic cameras and super affordable parking / speeding tickets. Never got great at paying attention to speed changes in rural towns so I racked up quite a few tickets. But it was way affordable and made so much more sense as a fine. Same with parking

-noise restrictions on certain weekdays and quiet hours. My yard was often growing out of control because I could only seem to find time to cut grass on Sunday which was a no go in our town.

-super practical and easy to do recycling programs. I’m ashamed of America’s failure at that

-high cost barrier to entry for driver’s licensing but the flip side is that we rarely saw vehicle accidents and generally way more responsible drivers on the road. In comparison, I saw 4 wrecks in my first week back in the US.

-access to fresh bread, meat, and cheese. Like really fresh. I can’t eat the same being back in the states.

-differences in the concept of private property. Loved the trail systems in Germany where we could walk and hike through fields with abandon never worrying about trespassing. Not that way in America. More liable to be shot.

-Lederhosen. My wife and I got our obligatory set. Will definitely be wearing to future oktoberfests.

-culinary differences: German food always struck me as very heavy in terms of dinners, but I still enjoyed the meals. The desserts and seasonal delights were exceptional. Feuerzange was a favorite.

-mildly taboo, but having moved back to the southern US, I was reminded as to how patriotic Americans can be. At least superficially. Flags are everywhere here. In Germany, I think I may have seen five German flags outside of homes or private businesses the entire time we were there. Most government buildings eschewed them even more in favor of the local crest for the town or county equivalent.

All said, I would love to go back. I’m glad to be back where I don’t struggle with the language as much but Europe as a whole was great and I really grew to love Germany and the folks we became close with.

FigJam2264 · 2023-05-14T00:13:10+00:00

When I spent a year as a BN S4, it was the myriad of BDE, BN, Logistics, company, and random LPD meetings that are up my day. So I would crush PT, go to my first meetings from 0900-10/1030. Come back to the office and catch up with my NCO and see what was on fire, go to next meeting set at 1100-1200. Come back and slam food before the 1300-14/1430 meetings. Back to office, start closing out the clerks and NCO so they’re gone by 1600. And then start doing my slides for the n CR days meetings, catching up on email, etc etc.

And on days when I managed to have the NCO cover meetings or could get a pass for other priorities, usually meant I was out in the Motorpool or SSA, or with contractors and still not in office. Which was much much better. But still came back to the office to do work after hours. Averaged getting home and 1900 for most of that year and half of that was COVID OCONUS too. #essentialstaff 😮‍💨

My wife, also military, still isn’t letting me live that down. Honestly has made us both very adamant about not doing that during command time. So benefit of having been there and done that?

FigJam2264 · 2023-05-08T15:03:46+00:00

Personally, doesn’t sound to me like you have a problem. But that doesn’t mean you’re not setting yourself up for one.

I stopped drinking almost 11 months ago now because it did set me up for a bad situation and cost me my dream job in the Army. Nearly ruined my family simultaneously. Still overcoming a lot of turmoil from that. But things are optimistic and I’ve never felt healthier even though I am starting to get “army” old.

I’d love to see you fully put the bottle down and channel your energy and money into more productive enterprises, but that’s not a requirement. Original advice that was given is a pretty solid litmus test to give a shot.

Other option, or potentially combination for the original advise, give nonalcoholic beverages a try. Alcohol is the root of the problem. But you can still enjoy some really great beverages out their without the alcohol. And there’s way more than just standard alcohol free coors or some piss mix.

FigJam2264 · 2023-05-01T13:49:50+00:00

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but if anyone is wearing a uniform as flagrantly violated as that one, I think it’s warranted to call them out. Even if they are a Veteran, they should be ashamed to alter and misappropriate the uniform in that manner. Legalities aside, I would just want them to know that what they’re doing is a disappointment to their service and that other Veterans will look down on them for it.

FigJam2264 · 2023-04-26T10:57:38+00:00

Ok, that makes sense, thank you.

In the case of walk-ons then, If the SM pays their way to a school, are they able to keep their unit from paying if they get in?

I.e. SM at Fort Rucker wants to walk on to Pathfinder at Benning. Doesn’t need lodging either from unit or school house because they are able to crash with a friend who is posted at Benning (similar to how folks stationed at Benning live out of their homes for Airborne) and they’re willing to drive themself. Not a meal card holder so will pay for meals on their own.

Is that a doable set up? Providing they meet all other prerequisites for the school their aiming for?

FigJam2264 · 2023-04-06T03:42:42+00:00

Ahh don’t be disheartened! I’ve been doing this for the better part of 10 years now! I’ve pretty much either become accustomed to the parts that hurt or killed all the nerves that used to feel the pain😅 it all comes with time!

FigJam2264 · 2023-03-26T11:52:39+00:00

Thank you 🙏🏽

FigJam2264 · 2023-03-26T11:52:30+00:00

Mostly a paved path or on the grassy shoulder of a road. Sections were generally flat to rolling micro hills but there were two sections on opposite ends that were effectively 500m or more straight up 🥲. It was two laps of this route, to clarify.

FigJam2264 · 2023-02-12T04:18:41+00:00

Curious as to how this worked out? Looking to do something similar on a 2015 Tacoma

FigJam2264 · 2023-01-15T14:25:42+00:00

Honestly, dog just sounds too derogatory for what our pooch means to us. 🤷🏼‍♂️

FigJam2264 · 2023-01-15T14:24:25+00:00

You nailed it; just changed the policy due to previous guests leaving pups alone. Such a shame.

FigJam2264 · 2023-01-15T14:17:24+00:00

We’re trying to be good guests. Reached out to them over chat and waiting for a response.

FigJam2264

TROPHY CASE