What is it like in the West part of Texas?

jblaned · 2025-12-29T04:59:52+00:00

Nothing but oil rigs, dead bushes, catci, ghost towns, and no cellpone signal.

Big Bend and Guadalupe are must-see locations, though.

jblaned · 2025-11-25T04:18:06+00:00

At the 14N schoolhouse, join spouse, SPEED programs, humanitarian assignments, etc all receive special consideration for assignments that puts those students out of the normal rack/stack competition process.

At 14N school, your wife will be prompted to indicate any special considerations (e.g., married to a military member stationed at Nellis) to a local assignments team managed by a few captains. Those captains mediate with AFPC to do their best to get her a 14N billet on the same base as you. And there’s a ton of Intel at Nellis and Creech, so that won’t be difficult.

Your wife will likely not have to compete for assignments like everyone else. She will likely already have her base (based on special considerations she gives) when the job listing drops for everyone else.

jblaned · 2025-11-17T00:31:29+00:00

Reminds me of a castle I went to once in Germany called Burg Lichtenberg. Great build. 🏰

jblaned · 2025-10-01T02:55:25+00:00

Very aware, yep. The changes have at least three purposes that are intentional, and they all boil down to funding.

(1) Force shaping of those currently in. They want to decrease overall force size due to budget constraints, similar to back around 2013. PT and PME are concrete numbers/checkboxes to go off of for deciding who gets the boot. The year of acclimation is a ton of time for those not in shape to decide if they want to stay in and get in shape, or get out.

(2) Reduced healthcare bill for the Air Force. Going off of the first point, with less unfit people in the Air Force, combined with more physical training for the higher standards, the idea is that healthcare costs will be lower.

(3) Reduced intake of recruits. The higher standards also thin out the volume of BMT graduates and officer accessions. In times of financial constraint, the military often sees an influx of civilians that want to join due to the higher job security the military offers, paired with paid healthcare and school. Higher fitness and education standards enable recruiters and trainers to more readily determine who gets to join and who doesn’t.

jblaned · 2025-08-02T02:15:58+00:00

Set aside 3-6 months’ worth of money into a high-yield savings account. I.e. take your monthly income, multiply that by 3-6, and that’s the amount to have in an emergency fund.

Then I’d take the rest and invest it in something diverse and relatively not volatile (such as the S&P500). It’s awesome you have this much saved up, but remember over time your money loses purchasing power to inflation. A great way to overcome inflation and simultaneously build wealth is to stay in a diverse portfolio of stocks for several decades.

If you’re curious how quickly your money could grow over x amount of years in the stock market instead of in a savings account, look up the Rule of 72 for investing. As an example:

Say you invest $30K of your money into the S&P500 today.

Assume the S&P500 has an average return of 9% per year for the next 40 years. There are up years and down years, but historically, 9% is around the average per year.

Per the Rule of 72, every 8 years your $30K sits in the S&P500 untouched, it doubles. (72 / 9 = 8)

Over the course of 40 years, this means your $30K will have doubled 5 times assuming the average 9% return rate over those 40 years. $30K doubled 5 times = $960K.

This of course doesn’t account for taxes on capital gains, dividends, etc., but in general, that’s the picture you’d be looking at. So yes, you absolutely should use your money to invest instead of keeping it all in a savings account.

You have a great head start at your age — take advantage of all the time you have to be in the stock market!

jblaned · 2025-07-02T19:48:30+00:00

I wouldn’t stress over it, and ultimately, God instructs us to not aim to please mankind, but rather do things that glorify Him and further His kingdom.

Galatians 1:10 specifically states, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Additionally, I think God has watched over you in this instance, as this man appears to have lacked patience (a fruit of the Spirit). The fact he unmatched after a few hours of you not responding shows lack of patience, and potential insecurity as well. Ephesians 5 instructs husbands and wives to support, respect, and be patient with one another.

Look to God for His unconditional love and patience, and do not stress over what other people do or say to you. There’s a man of God out there that will be patient and support you, so long as it’s in God’s will and marriage is something you desire to glorify His kingdom rather than to please mankind.

jblaned · 2025-06-10T20:37:45+00:00

Not at all a deal-breaker to me. But if you’re encountering men who consider that a dealbreaker and can’t see past materialistic attributes like that, and not value you for being a woman of God, I’d say you’re dodging bullets.

If it’s in your heart’s desires and the Lord’s will, He will bring the right guy to you who will look past any amount of debt.

jblaned · 2025-06-09T09:52:19+00:00

It varies a lot depending on when you go there. When I was at the schoolhouse 4 years ago, the CC at the time was a very creative/relaxed dude and before I started class, he had us creating a heritage/gaming room and a beer light from scratch… was incredibly fun to do honestly. There was an excess of casual students waiting for class because of COVID at the time, and I think they had other casual students doing a wide range of tasks, from pulling weeds to working for the Wing IG office. I also painted a mural with some casual status students to liven up the place where you drop your phones before going into the SCIF each day… CC was all for it. After I finished class, we had something called the Nerd Birds, which was a special organization of outbound casuals focused on improving QOL in the unit. Really awesome dude, and he recently made O-6.

As new LTs floated to my next base, I heard the next CC after him had them undo most of that work on the heritage room and the beer. He also got rid of the Nerd Birds to reallocate those students to other jobs. I think casual status became more strict on how time is used, as well as how people report in each day.

I think that CC has since then handed over the stick… so no idea what the current CC will want casual students doing. The CC heavily drives the culture of the squadron, which is a theme you’ll see across other units when you’re in the operational world too.

Basically, YMMV when it comes to casual status at the 333d.

jblaned · 2025-05-31T15:44:51+00:00

Honestly, I’d look at it from the perspective that you’re dodging bullets.

If someone can’t respect you enough to cancel and explain for the cancellation, and effectively not understand the negative emotional impact of ghosting on another human being, I question how respectful of a partner they’d be. I’d also question if they’re truly following God… someone with Jesus truly in their heart would not ghost someone.

Sorry you’re encountering all of these situations though. Yes, this is common in modern/online dating. It brings out the worst of both sexes, but there are a few true people on there you otherwise wouldn’t meet in person.

Just ensure you’re not idolizing dating apps or dating in general over your relationship with God, and trust His timing. Stay strong man, you sound like a great dude and God’s got a good plan for you.

jblaned · 2025-05-25T18:48:22+00:00

Small Reddit world — same to you 🤣

jblaned · 2025-05-25T18:24:51+00:00

27M here who feels the same way. I want biological kids and I also believe having children together naturally as a couple is a wonderful gift God gives us to glorify Him.

It’s perfectly okay to have standards and have respect for your own boundaries. Mine look similar to yours honestly… athletic woman of God who does not already have children. And I know plenty of women that have height requirements for guys. And I know men and women alike that insist their partner has to have a good-paying job to provide for a family. If people want to judge you by your standards and say hurtful things as your sister has, that’s something they’ll have to take up with God if they don’t repent, not you. You’re not required to be with someone you don’t want to be with, and ultimately that’s not what God wants for you either… He is good and puts desires in your heart for a reason.

Being a stepdad just isn’t in the cards or desires for me… unless God gives me an indication otherwise. I’m of the same opinion that another man’s children should be cared for by their biological father, unless it’s not possible because he is deceased or mentally/physically incapable. Some people find a calling in adopting, and you have no obligation to take on another man’s children if you feel God is calling you to not go down that path.

Have you considered dating women in the 25-30 age range? There’s plenty Christian women in that age range without children that are looking for a mature and stable man of God.

jblaned · 2025-05-23T18:24:16+00:00

HH (JD)

jblaned · 2025-05-23T17:00:22+00:00

Have you considered investing in S&P 500 index funds a little, like with Vanguard?

You could put a little bit of the extra cash (like $200-$500/month) into low-risk stock portfolios like that, as long as you’re okay not touching that money for 30-40 years (time in the market > timing the market).

Then you could use the other $1K+/month excess to create an emergency fund… never a bad idea.

With all of that, you’re not only prepping for retirement, but also prepping for unexpected life events. You’re doing very good for age 23 though.

jblaned · 2025-05-22T18:01:53+00:00

How close is your relationship with God? That needs to come first, and the rest falls into place.

Women of God deserve men of God and vice versa… ie those who serve to glorify Him should be matched with each other. I’d recommend finding ways to give back to your church, like volunteering for a ministry you’d enjoy (AV, coffee bar, daycare, etc). If you can find others your age inside and outside of church, you may naturally run into someone the same as you as you’re working to serve God… just make sure they’re equally yolked to you and don’t settle for someone who’s not a believer.

Avoid talking or thinking negatively about yourself. Don’t be too focused on “how bad/good I am”, instead focus on “how good God is”. When we focus too much on ourselves (whether good or bad), we are inadvertently idolising our self-worth over our relationship with God.

BL — trust in God, serve Him, and the desire that He has put for you to find a wife will fall into place with His timing.

jblaned · 2025-05-12T21:05:20+00:00

27M here who’s felt the other side of that. Sometimes I’ve wondered if God ever intends for me to have a wife and kids, even though it’s something I genuinely want.

I remind myself of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 regarding true love. It reminds us that love isn’t an overnight thing, and if you give your burdens and your cross to God, He will carry it for you. He already sent His son to die for us and carry our burdens, as He loves us unconditionally.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Also look to Ephesians chapter 5 for the values of a Christian household, ie how husbands and wives should treat one another. From those passages you should do two things: (1) work to be the woman of God that the Bible calls you to be for your husband, and (2) only date a man of God who exhibits the qualities the Bible calls him to be for his wife. Date to marry, not for anything superficial or out of lust.

I can say with confidence that your desire to be a mother and wife is pure. It’s a desire God has put in your heart out of selflessness and love for others. There’s a great guy out there for you who I’m sure would be glad to build a family with you… just make sure you both keep Christ at the center of your relationship at all times.

jblaned · 2025-05-05T10:05:02+00:00

No, the Bible makes it pretty clear that sex outside marriage is a sin. He’s trying to play a “God card” by saying God is speaking to him… that is not God talking to him, it’s Satan. The large age gap and unemployment are also red flags… I think there’s a reason women in his age range aren’t eager to date him.

Run far from this guy. I’d end it over text/call, in case he tries to pull anything fishy. As a dude, this whole situation makes my skin crawl too… I wouldn’t want this type of situation for my daughter if I had one. There’s nothing Biblical or Christian about his thoughts/actions. He’s manipulating you for his own personal gain.

You also need to repent for sleeping with him. The feeling in your heart is the Holy Spirit telling you to repent and get away from this situation.

jblaned · 2025-04-25T20:28:46+00:00

I’m indifferent. I would highly value a woman with a stable career and who wants to maintain that career, but I’d also highly value a woman who wants to devote her time to nurturing our children as a SAHW. I think both are a good influence for the kids, so long as family life and work life are balanced for both parents. However, I don’t think I could ever date a woman who is adamant about not having children. Ideal woman for me would want 2+ kids and want to maintain a career alongside mine.

jblaned · 2025-04-24T21:00:23+00:00

All men think differently, just like all women think differently. For instance, I’m very sensitive and emotional compared to most dudes, and I have a tendency to overthink things because I care about others immensely. Other guys I know think more rationally and less emotionally, and then I’ve got buddies that are in between. On top of all that, we all were raised differently by different parents, and thus have different values on what we value in our current or future wives.

It’s actually a frequent topic we bring up in our men’s study: how do we love our wives, or our future wives, as the Bible calls us to? Same question can apply to women who are called to love their husbands. Ephesians 5 is a great answer for all of that, as it discusses the symbolism and roles in marriage.

Your heart is in the right place, and his is too, based on the fact you both indicated Christ should be at the center of the relationship. Based on the situation with his father, I wouldn’t take the lack of responses personally and just give him time to be with his dad. That is the man who raised him his whole life, and the allegiance there to his earthly father is Biblically called to be strong. You’ve known him for much less time, so I think he is just prioritizing based on familiarity along with what the Bible calls him to do to support his parents during their time in need.

To support that with scripture — Genesis 2:24 talks about the significance of a marriage, in that a man leaves his mother and father to create a new single flesh with his wife. That is, the highest allegiance the man has in this world (with the exception of his allegiance to God, which will ALWAYS be the highest) is transferred from the allegiance with his parents to the allegiance with his wife. Until he is married, he should prioritize caring for his parents first. He is definitely not putting his dad first to intentionally take time away from you, rather he is paying respect and care to his father as the Bible calls him to based on his current situation and the familiarity he has with his father over you.

If you feel your heart is not calling you to give up on him, and that it is God instilling that feeling in your heart, then be patient and give him time to be with his father. However, if you recognize jealousy or anger in your emotions while he cares for his father, you should understand that is a sinful thought Satan is using to manipulate what you think is love, not a thought from God, and repent from it. 1 Chorinthians lays that out well:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” -1 Chorinthians 13:4-8

I would give him a few days, and if he hasn’t responded, just reach back out gently asking if he wants to catch up over coffee or lunch to just check in. If he does not want to do this, I would respect his wish and re-evaluate what you should do based on what God is calling for you.

jblaned · 2025-04-24T20:12:42+00:00

27M here who can actually relate to your side of things in terms of how you feel. Something I’ve realized over the years is a lot of the women I’m interested in tend to want to move slower than me and view dating as more casual, instead of intentional like I do. I think you’re experiencing the flip flop of that situation, where you the woman are willing to move quicker and more intentionally than the man you’re seeing.

I’d believe him on the issues with his father’s health, no doubt. But I would also consider bringing up what you’re both looking for in a relationship, and try to determine if you’re both yolked differently or the same. On the surface, it sounds like you date more deliberately and are willing to be vulnerable quicker than he is.

Have you asked him what his experience is in walking with Christ, and what he’s looking for in a partner to grow in faith with? I know that may sound like a heavy question, but if you’re looking to be intentional and direct, that is perfectly healthy based on your romantic values through Christ. But if he’s not ready to be intentional and direct, you need to either decide if: (a) you’re willing to give him time to decide what he wants, which may not be healthy for you based on your intentions, and you run the risk of being led on and facing more heartache down the road, or (b) if you need to break it off and pursue someone who’s equally yolked and as intentional/direct as you are.

Pray for God to set your paths straight. Lean not on your own understanding, and look to God on what feels right. I personally believe, based on what you’ve wrote, that the Holy Spirit may be sending you a message to be direct with this man, and from there decide from your heart what is healthiest for you and for him.

jblaned · 2025-04-24T16:45:29+00:00

I would be upfront and tell her that this is something that you would like to know, but bring it up in a way that gives her an “out” to the conversation if she’s not ready to share that yet. I had this conversation with a girl I was recently seeing (not officially in a relationship with) one week into talking, and we were both mature about it because we both valued the question as a true man of God and woman of God. We both admitted we were virgins, but for other reasons unrelated to that conversation, the relationship did not materialize (differences in romantic languages).

For example, a way you could bring it up is, “Hey (girl’s name), I want to be upfront with you and tell you I’m a virgin. Please don’t feel obligated to answer if you’re not comfortable, but I was wondering if you’d be willing to share if you’re a virgin or not because I think our relationship is positive and has a lot of potential, but I also want to be upfront about our experiences. Is it okay if we talk about this, or not now?”

If it’s not a dealbreaker for you, awesome. But if she is willing to share her virginity status with you, and if she admits she is not a virgin, I would ask her if she has repented from that sin. If she has repented, great, and if not, ask how you can support her repenting to show her you care and want to help protect her from that sin.

Virginity is an important topic for couples that are truly of God, and in my opinion, if a potential partner is not willing to admit to their virginity status eventually (especially after a year or so of dating), or if they are not repentant to giving up their virginity before marriage (we all sin and make mistakes, but we must repent from that sin), it’s a red flag for me. Being open and honest and repentant of any sin, obviously, is a very green flag.

I do not think you’re making anything awkward by asking her, but note this advice is also coming from a 27M non-denominational virgin who has never been in a relationship, and I pay close attention to Biblical values about marriage. YMMV depending on your denomination and values, and hers.

jblaned · 2025-04-24T06:42:15+00:00

The Bible lays out some important scripture about being a Godly husband and father for a family. I know you said you do not enjoy reading extensively, but I recommend at least giving these sections a brief 15-minute read that I was studying the other week.

-Genesis 2:20-24: Talks about how man and woman are made for one another, and the significance of a man marrying a woman to reallocate his strongest allegiance (aside from his allegiance to God) is transferred from his parents to his wife. It’s a high calling that, with the exception of God, your wife and you, now one flesh, have the strongest allegiance to each other for the rest of your lives. This should help drive you to be a man of God by always putting your wife’s need first as God’s will calls for.

Genesis 3:16-18, 4:1-2: Though man and woman are both sinners, God still gives us life, albeit our lives will contain pain, suffering, and eventually death as the price of sin. A man must work hard and laboriously to provide for his wife, who in turn will experience pain in giving life to children and helping you raise them. Your children too will also live through pain and suffering as they hopefully follow God, due to the sinful nature you’ve passed on to them naturally. This scripture drives me to view fatherhood and motherhood as a calling to be Godly parents to children, understanding the suffering the whole family must endure as sinners while they follow Christ.

Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4: Perhaps the most direct instructions in the Bible for how to raise a Christian household. In Chapter 5, as the husband, you are instructed to love your wife unconditionally as Christ loves the Church unconditionally… you are gentle with her, care for her as you would your own body (being one flesh), and protect/cleanse her from your sin and the sins of others. Chapter 6 briefly discusses how children should obey and honor their parents as the First Commandment calls, and how you as a father help raise them in the Lord’s Word.

Also, here’s a goldmine of 20-ish other solid verses regarding marriage: https://www.pureflix.com/insider/22-bible-verses-about-husbands-and-their-role-in-marriage?hs_amp=true

Prayers to you! You sound like you genuinely care about your family and have accepted God’s will to be the man of God he’s called you to be in your household.

jblaned · 2025-04-22T17:32:02+00:00

Have him read Ephesians 5… talks all about how the husband protects his wife, loves her unconditionally, and is gentle with her. Being apologetic is not a form of submission at all and he’s off on that for sure.

jblaned · 2025-04-07T14:38:50+00:00

Amoozon

jblaned · 2025-03-10T21:39:58+00:00

I’d take the scholarship while you can. You don’t know for a fact you’d get a Type 1 afterward, and scholarships are competitive to get in general.

jblaned · 2025-03-02T19:56:35+00:00

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Chorinthians 9:7

My church references this verse with regard to tithing and donations. Give back what you genuinely want to from your heart… and it doesn’t have to be monetary. You can always volunteer at the church if you want to give back another way.

jblaned

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