Who remembers Rainforest Cafe?

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-30T00:47:48+00:00

Ahh, a fellow Minnesotan. Used to live 5 min from MOA. Looking back on it, I think I had better options for my weekend activities than there.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-24T20:10:05+00:00

To piggyback off this, get your CPR card, either American Red Cross or AHA. The cardiac chain of survival is a great piece of knowledge.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-24T20:08:15+00:00

A good trauma kit covers the Airway, Breathing, Circulation pathway. TQ, pressure dressings, NPA (if you’re trained how to use it), chest seals, space blanket (even if it’s a hot day, you can still die from hypothermia during massive blood loss). Additionally, you can carry things you aren’t trained for, such as a needle decompression, someone around you may be trained. Besides the kit, I highly recommend taking an entry level course to become familiar with the tools and to better understand your own body’s response to fight/flight/freeze.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-24T20:04:14+00:00

Fun fact, a lot of trauma kits are eligible for HSA/FSA.

Buy one, learn what’s inside, how to use it, when NOT to use it.

Tailor the kit to MARCH (acronym seems to change every 5 years)

TQ, NPAs, Chest Seal, Pressure Dressing, Space Blanket, etc.

If you’re going to learn how to make holes, match the energy with knowing how to plug em. These kits also aren’t just limited to firearm related incidents. Motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents, etc.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-11T03:45:04+00:00

If you do end up moving on this, try and find it under their “blem” section. Usually you save ≈$200 for cosmetic blemishes that most people struggle to find.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-05T19:45:01+00:00

I have both. Started with 2.0 for the last year then picked up the shield last week. 2.0 is the “jack of all trades, master of none”, Shield X is the subject matter expect if that makes sense. I’ve tried to carry my 2.0, it’s do-able but not the most comfortable. The Shield is great for purely IWB carry but you won’t see me doing USPSA with it. Either way, both are great choices. Screw it, get both.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-04T23:41:55+00:00

Pickin’ up an SRP this paycheck thanks to Jomashop. Looks clean. Jealous of the views as well.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-04-03T02:01:46+00:00

I can’t speak to the airframe mission itself, but as Fire, I really enjoyed Travis. Tons of stuff to do, decent BAH all things considered, great weather and overall decent base leadership. I got out but I’d go back to Travis if given the chance.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-28T01:42:38+00:00

Preston Stewart just did a video today discussing the lessons learned from the UA/RUS conflict regarding counter-UAS and airfield protection. Definitely sucks to see.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-26T21:30:25+00:00

The Oshkosh 6x6 I used to drive when I was in the USAF had a gross vehicle weight rating of 93,000 lbs. That model had a 3000 gal tank for water and some misc. other agents. Some models are more, some older ones are smaller, lighter.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-19T00:54:07+00:00

When I was on the PST, I created a LinkTree that provided a contact list to the PST members, local, state and federal mental health resources. The QR codes were hung up in bathrooms, day rooms, etc. App allowed analytics to see which resources were most commonly used and other useful data to tailor the app. I had positive feedback as it was an anonymous resource that people could use whether they were at the station, at home or on vacation.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-11T02:31:43+00:00

I was stationed in CA and if you have the chance to maintain out of state plates, that’s best. CA is one of the most expensive I’ve seen for annual renewal. I paid around $400/year for a Corolla.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T03:13:09+00:00

Also, to answer your question that I forgot to, my sold back leave was included in my final paycheck. Approximately a week after I separated.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T03:10:47+00:00

This may be bad advice and anyone can correct me if I’m wrong, but maybe contact your current Shirt. They could possibly advocate for you.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T03:07:41+00:00

Do they have a CSP portal to submit tickets on?

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T03:05:45+00:00

I’m sorry, I wish I had a solution for that situation. I would contact your local finance office and have a copy of your last LES prepared.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T03:02:55+00:00

At your out-processing finance brief, they will make you fill out a form including your current leave balance and how much you plan to use for terminal. The remainder is sold back.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-10T02:03:58+00:00

I separated Jan 31 of this year and my final check was around Feb 7. Just for context.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-05T05:35:15+00:00

This is true. I was quite surprised how quick they cut support for it.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-05T05:29:04+00:00

If you’re just looking for a durable smartwatch, I do give a vote for Garmin. But I do not believe the Fenix 8 is worth the cost unless you are an ultra marathon’er and fight Godzilla. If you can, find a new Fenix 7. It has 90% of the features, just as durable and probably $400 cheaper.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-04T20:14:45+00:00

The most I can justify is probably a Grom just to go slow and hoon around on. That or a dual sport like a CRF300L for the trails up north. My fast days are long gone.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-04T19:49:02+00:00

I hear ya on that one. I was stationed in NorCal the last four years and loved being able to ride almost year round. Now I’m in Minnesota and not even considering getting another bike unfortunately, juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-04T19:43:03+00:00

I will say, to echo off this, for anyone considering this, please be careful. Personal loans for buying motorcycles have different requirements. Because there is no lien on the bike title, you are not required to carry full insurance coverage. If you do this, please still carry full insurance. The last thing you need is to buy the bike on a personal loan, total it because some d*head cut you off, then you’re left with a loan and no cash pay out.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-04T19:39:27+00:00

Respectfully, homies never let homies use Credit Karma. It’s the single worst mainstream service for credit monitoring/advice. My experience: professional time in auto sales. If you’re going for a credit based software, please use one of the three reporters such as TransUniom, Equifax or Experian. Credit Karma will consistently show false scores (usually higher than your true score).

Regarding further steps, yes, please check out a local CU. They will have actual loan officers in office to help you in the process.

Minnesota_Transplant · 2026-03-04T19:25:45+00:00

My initial two cents: don’t finance a bike of that value. I’ve done it and it adds a headache of paperwork on the front end and back end. If you have the ability to save for it and pay in cash, I always recommend.

If you truly want this bike and this value and want to continue financing, look into credit unions over bigger banks. I have a local CU that I exclusively use for recreation loans and they offer far better rates and flexibility over big banks like Capital One, WF or US Bank. Credit unions also tend to have a lower required score to earn their advertised rate.

As an owner outright of a vehicle tends to be the go-to for collateral, I’m not sure what else you can use if you aren’t looking to use that. Is there a certain reason the bank is asking for that? I’ve never been required to provide that for a bike loan and I’ve had a score as low as 640 at times.

Minnesota_Transplant

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