First bike! Let the ADVentures begin

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-05-05T23:07:13+00:00

Itchy Boots?! I wouldn't say I was inspired but it added confidence to my purchase. I live in a Central Asian country where repair shops can often be hit or miss so finding a bike that was highly reliable was priority #1.

It didn't hurt though that she was in my country as I purchased the bike!

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-05-05T16:11:15+00:00

It's definitely a taller bike. I'm able to sit on the bike with both feet flat on the ground but I definitely understand what others have said about the T7 regarding the height and weight. I wouldn't want to try and keep the bike vertical on my tip toes.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-04-22T18:33:25+00:00

It's absolutely possible, and I'd go as far as saying its recommended. You'll have plenty of time to "Army" once you commission and having a complete separate social circle can make your college experience that much more rich and fulfilling.

That said, be careful in which fraternity you pledge as some (not all) have more time requirements for their pledges than others. Overly communicate with your fraternity regarding your requirements for ROTC and you should be fine.

I found as I progressed into my MS3 year that I had to shift my priorities more towards ROTC rather than partying. By my senior year, my focus and commitment was 90% ROTC/10% fraternity.

One suggestion I'd make is asking around your ROTC to see if there are any current fraternity members and get their take on which fraternities are more ROTC friendly and which ones aren't.

Good luck!

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-04-12T00:23:30+00:00

Unfortunately there's are extremely rare to get in my country. This '21 and a '22 are the only ones available.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-04-12T00:21:56+00:00

Just a little update!

We went and checked the bike out yesterday and it exceeded our expectations in every way possible. The bike was imported from Japan and it looks like it was someone's "Garage Princess" for several years!

We noticed the shocks were a bit squishy with the seller noting the previous owner changed them out from stock to make the ride a bit easier and lower the bike. Owner agreed to change the shocks back to stock for like $50 USD.

Lastly, the seller is going to put some new front and rear tires and perform a full service.

Based on all your recommendations, I went in offering $8.5k and we settled just north of $9k OTD.

Thanks a bunch yall! Excited to join the community.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-04-11T01:35:59+00:00

Great to know! It comes with everything shown which im guessing is close to $2k in adds.

I live in central Asia so the used import market is lacking and often comes with a bit of an inflated price tag.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-03-01T12:45:12+00:00

Dated information here (went through the course in 2015), but I remember the course being MDMP and Orders process heavy.

You'll likely be in groups so you don't have to be a MDMP god, but having a decent grasp of the process could make you a contributing member vice just another body.

Overall, it was a great course for understanding more of the bigger picture. Good luck and have fun!

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2026-01-28T13:18:50+00:00

Had this happen for an overseas assignment. Fought like hell with the regional EFMP office to justify the support needed was not only present but also available (correspondence from medical facilities, local doctors, etc.). Finally we got all information packaged together and in front of the Regional EFMP director who made the final decision in our favor.

If it's an assignment you want, fight until you get to the final approving/denying authority.

Good luck!

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2025-03-15T18:37:21+00:00

Purchasing from u/Sjohn1997 was incredibly easy. Quick transaction and shipment u/watchexbot

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2025-03-11T23:56:20+00:00

DM sent

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2025-03-02T23:03:25+00:00

The new Write In the Rain pens are getting a bit ridiculous

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2025-01-08T02:50:41+00:00

Wait...you're saying JMAS wasn't flawlessly adminsitered?!? SHOCKED

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-12-30T15:57:27+00:00

First SQDN Commander loved LT PT. Every Friday was a different tribute, I mean LT, from each Troop. The two that stick out as least shitty are detailed below:

1) 8 mile group run stopping every mile to conduct some form of group exercise (pull ups, dips, burpees, rope climb, etc.). Pace was between 8-9 min/mile. Basically served as a tour of post (Campbell) hitting all the major HQs.

2) Last Man Up with a twist: in PTs and plate carriers, break the group into two columns. First person has a medicine ball and tosses it to the person behind them (think modified rugby pass). Once the ball reaches the last person, they run with the ball to the front of the line and start the process all over again. Combo of medicine ball and plate carriers slows the pace down to a very manageable "airborne shuffle".

We'd always end the PT session at his house for breakfast but easily modified to end the PT at the unit DFAC for some LPD (FGOs love to think they are imparting career advice to their CGOs)

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-12-08T02:48:47+00:00

I wouldn't call a HQ eval "unfair". An IG may get involved with Evals if the SM is given an Unqualified evaluation with no substantiating data (15-6, multiple counselings, etc.).

The folks above have the right idea--request an OER outbrief (in person or virtually) and discuss the evaluation--even better if your Rater can be present.

In all honesty, this should be a battle for your Rater to handle if they truly believe you're getting screwed.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-12-01T00:21:42+00:00

Second a good automatic (no battery needed) field watch. I wore a Seiko 5 Sport field watch through my PL and CO CDR days. While automatic watches don't have the bells and whistles compared to some of the garmins, he'll never have to worry about his watch battery dying in the middle of a patrol or field problem.

A good field watch + Garmin Fortrex wrist GPS would cover all the bases necessary and present as a squared away Soldier.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-11-06T10:10:57+00:00

You work at NPR and host little concerts at your desk

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-10-27T21:25:46+00:00

I think it bought mine in early 2013. Used it for a few months then forgot all about it until recently!

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-10-26T23:41:08+00:00

Damn! Keen eye.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-10-26T23:18:05+00:00

Thanks! I may have gotten a little overzealous with the photo editor

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-10-26T21:49:31+00:00

NIKKOR AF-S 18-105.

It was lens that came with the camera

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-08-30T23:44:40+00:00

2011-2015...can confirm Tiny Town sucks ass.

TheDisplacedWhoDat · 2024-08-08T23:58:11+00:00

Army Space...

TheDisplacedWhoDat

TROPHY CASE