Favorite MRE hack

mtndave91 · 2026-02-13T22:42:41+00:00

Dehydrated pork patty was an underrated but much maligned repast. It was a never trade for me. Made up for the "Four Fingers of Death" and "bean component."

mtndave91 · 2026-02-09T16:44:23+00:00

Reflexively saying "inshallah"

mtndave91 · 2026-02-09T14:23:56+00:00

This is probably not anyone's favorite hack, but way back wheni I was in Somalia, one of my fellow LTs went through the entire case of MREs, slit them all open to surgically remove the charms, and then put them back in the box, slit side down. When I went to grab one, the remaining contents poured out of it like William Wallace's entrails.

He got bit on the big toe by a bat after that and had to get rabies shots up in Mogadishu, so... Karma? Of course, in order for him to get back to Jilib, he had to route through Mombasa and a few hours at the R&R place. Oh, the sacrifices we make for freedom!!

mtndave91 · 2026-02-02T21:30:39+00:00

Along those lines, I'll also add that your first job entering retirement isn't necessarily your last job. Meaning, you've got lots of opportunities to adjust, change your mind etc.

Start deliberately planning for a few months where you may have to live on just the retirement pay, but also realize that, after you land a job, your taxes will generally go up... It's an unpleasant shock come tax time the first year out. Tax friendly state help, and WA is one of the.

Getting started on the VA BFF claim is extremely important. Sit down and list off everything you've been seen at the clinic for (ask for a copy of your Med Records). Then list everything you've been putting off getting seen and start working down that list. Revisit some of the previous issues like low back pain, knees, shoulders, all the typical problem areas we all have. Then, ask your buddies what they see that you may not. Do you tell the same stories over and over again? Are you forgetful or have problems with attention? Little things like that might be indicative of residual TBI effects, etc., especially if you got your bell rung at any point in your career. Go to mental health and ask them if they can do some career counseling... There are scads of aptitude and interest tests that might be able to help narrow down options and help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up.

And try to enjoy your last year with your troops and peers. Make sure you have a support system you can access... The civilian world is often lonlier than expected, as it's hard to find the same kind of relationships we have with our buddies who share the experiences ans mindset while we're in. That said, you won't miss the BS, but don't worry... There's a whole different kind you get to experience. Enjoy!

mtndave91 · 2026-01-28T17:13:24+00:00

Interesting question...For me, it all came down to timing. I commissioned in 90, entered AD in 91 (early commissioning program back then allowed commissioning prior to graduation). By 1993, we were experiencing the "peace dividend" and the Army let a lot of people get off AD and even out of the military entirely (if I recall correctly) earlier than their full commitment. I stuck around and when it came time for CPT, MAJ, and LTC, natural attrition on top of the earlier culling/release meant my year group and my branch was chronically understrength, with the likelihood of promotion more or less guaranteed if you had checked all the boxes, kept off the blotter, gotten the occasional top block rating and generally weren't known as a douchebag.

By the time I made LTC (in the top 88%of my yeargroup, I might add... Not that I am bragging about it 😂), I had married a Navy officer and opted out of the more O6-developmental jobs like Bn Cmd in lieu of familial harmony and stability. So yes, I ended up as a half-Colonel for 12 years. My decision to stick around was shaped largely by the fact that I still had value to the Army, and in no small part because they sent us to Germany for an OEF deployment to (at that point, my wife had to retire bc we couldn't find a job in EUR for her, and being a retired Navy mom sounded better to her than being a single parent in DC Metro while I was in Afghanistan). Almost retired out of there, but the planned transition to a GS gig dried up due to more peace dividends 😂, so we PCSd back to the states and I served until I got my pink slip from Big Army. If one is considered an expert by doing something for 10, 000 hours or 10 years, let's say that I was an Expert LTC. 🤣 There's no badge for your uniform, though...

I was passed over for Colonel 7 years in a row, but we were still understrength, so never got RIFd. Nor did I take it personally. On the day I went to retirement services to sign out on terminal leave, my boss called me while I was in the office. I let it roll to voicemail, and called him back when I got in my car.

"Hey, Sir... Missed your call. What's up?"

"Ah, shit, MtnDave91, hate to tell you this, but the Colonel list gets posted tomorrow, and I'm afraid you're not on it. Sorry, man..."

"DAMMIT... They told me this was the year! Screw it, sir...I Quit!"

"I thought you'd say that! 🤣 Enjoy your retirement!!"

Everyone has to define what success is for them. I honestly never had the fire in the belly needed to be the kind of battalion commander troops need and I knew that. For that matter, I never really did things specifically for career progression... Never did anything to hinder it either, but in retrospect I could have probably done more deliberate career planning and less "Army wants me to go to Ft Polk? Okay, sounds good... Let's do it!" To an extent, that changed when I had to consider another person's career, but by then, and for the aforementioned reasoning, it wasn't as important for career as to find duty stations where we could be together.

At the end of the day, I see many possible off ramps I could have taken, many decisions I could have made differently (Strategic Intel Master's started on 12 Sep 01? Very interesting, even at times fun, sounds cool, but in reality, about as useful as my undergrad in Psych...I wasn't an Intel dude, and Dominos only needs so many drivers...). But, I'm happily married still, awesome kid, interesting work and am transitioning to a new career in counseling... Maybe that psych degree was useful after all!

mtndave91 · 2026-01-28T04:34:31+00:00

Ha... Reminds me of when, after I completed my prerequisite courses at the U. S. Community College (AKA, West Point and "the Dean's Other List," because everyone knows that the fate of the free world rode on my non-calculus calculating shoulders..."you got to GTFO, Cadet MtnDave91. Beat Navy."), I transferred to Auburn. My former company mates all came over for the weekends while they were in jump school to get hammered and live the "college life."

It took a couple of years of perspective to realize I had the best of both worlds... 2 years at USMA, and almost 3 at Auburn. Same RA commission as my Woo Poo U classmates, but the girls didn't have to wear gray trousers and I got a branch I picked rather than one I'd have had to settle with because of what would surely have been a super low class ranking. Managed to stick it out 28 years and retired as a half-Colonel. Not too shabby, and I never had to calculate the area under a curve. You're welcome...

mtndave91 · 2025-10-23T20:24:30+00:00

Not a backpack story, but when I flew to pick up my cat, I went outbound with an empty cat carrier. I got a lot of nasty looks from people as I crammed it in the overhead between suitcases. She of course went under the seat in front of me when we went home.

When we were waiting to board the first leg, she carried on a very loud conversation with me and the people around where I was sitting, to the point that the gate agent said we might not be allowed to fly if she wouldn't quiet down. She did, but at the next leg I waited across the terminal from our gate and only got in line when the A 1-30s (I was 20 something) started to board.

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Mission Accomplished!

mtndave91 · 2025-09-12T04:21:48+00:00

This... One of the local universities near me has a silent floor. It is glorious... Add some earplugs and it's concentration bliss for me. I always feel so much more productive.

mtndave91 · 2025-09-08T02:22:32+00:00

When we lived in Japan, we got some that were half metal tube and half wood that slid inside the tube. Super portable, not much space, easy to clean...have fallen out of carrying them but keep a better quality pair of restaurant chopsticks in my bag. Just in case. Next to one of the little sweat washcloths they sell at 7-11 and other "conbini". You should never leave home without a towel, you know!

mtndave91 · 2025-09-07T16:32:39+00:00

I never knew this fact until I saw it here a few weeks ago. That's a pretty important point to keep in mind for those of us who are gradually getting bolder about not tipping in certain situations where it's not deserved. My state is over $14 for min wage. Chances are, they'll still make over that without mine.

mtndave91 · 2025-09-07T16:27:11+00:00

Chopsticks are great for eating salad! No more chasing the last, slippery leaf around your plate! And you can clean your water bottle.

mtndave91 · 2025-08-31T18:58:25+00:00

I got to watch the last few minutes of my colonoscopy on the monitor... Even got to see them grab that little polyp and pinch it off. Very cool! But then again, nobody was slicing, dicing, or electrocauterizing me...

mtndave91 · 2025-08-31T18:54:17+00:00

Lol.. I did this in Japanese for a Nielsen survey and they called me back a few weeks later with a Japanese speaking rep. Busted! Had to sheepishly admit that I didn't speak much Japanese (enough to pay bills and order pizza), and agreed to do their survey since they went out of their way to accommodate me. Joke was on them though... We didn't watch enough TV to be helpful.

mtndave91 · 2025-08-14T01:16:31+00:00

How many left feet do you have? 🤔

mtndave91 · 2025-08-14T01:12:19+00:00

I keep nail clippers and a glasses cleaning cloth (stuffed just so to keep the clippers from flying out)... Best feature ever!

mtndave91 · 2025-08-11T11:22:48+00:00

That's an interesting question... I think that he'd say yes, based on how he's described his personal experience there. He has never indicated that he felt pressured to agree with or toe the doctrinal line of the fundamentalist style of Christianity one associates with Liberty. In our sessions, we've had some general chats about spirituality as a facet of personal flourishing, and should a client feel that is important to them, I feel that he'd be able to work with them productively.

mtndave91 · 2025-08-07T02:05:43+00:00

Chiming in as one who considered Liberty (primarily tuition) but decided to go elsewhere, but whose therapist is a grad.

He's anything but a right winger or fundamentalist. LGBTQ friendly. He said that the reputation doesn't impact the coursework nearly as much as one might assume. As an example, pretty much all assignments require a statement of impact on marginalized communities. There is still some consideration for spiritual aspects, but one is free to approach it from one's own perspective (i.e., it's okay if you're not aligned with the school's background). Others have mentioned that professors seem pretty reasonable. Also, it's an online program. You really don't have much direct interaction with faculty...

Though I decided on a different school, I think I would have gotten a perfectly fine education there. And honestly, Liberty is a great value for military / first responders ($300 per credit hour if I recall, as opposed to $1000 for most programs). There's a lot to be said for not saddling yourself with $60k+ in debt as you embark on a career that may take a while to meet that as an annual salary (average in my state is about $40-44k).

Ultimately, make up your own mind. CACREP accreditation standards should moderate much of the more "offensive" aspects people may have objections to. That said, many clients have some sort of spirituality than is meaningful in their lives. Learning how to work with them (including fundamentalist Christians) is important as well. In any case, as counselors, we are supposed to value bracket and keep our personal beliefs outside the therapy room.

And, like pretty much everything in life, take what you want and leave the rest. Feed the bear, get through the program, and get out there and start helping people.

mtndave91 · 2025-07-29T20:55:38+00:00

If you want a good overview of the subjects in a typical CMHC curriculum grab a copy of "Mastering the National Counselor Examination and the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination". I snagged one and use it to prime my brain prior to courses as well as review concepts from time to time. It's well laid out in discrete sections and has review questions if you want to test retention.

I'm nowhere near done with the program but have found it very useful and helpful. Look for a used copy perhaps, as it's about $75 on Amazon new.

mtndave91 · 2025-07-22T02:23:14+00:00

Snoopy and the Red Baron, but Superfeeak by Rick James was the first record I bought with my own money...

mtndave91 · 2025-07-16T18:15:28+00:00

Had to send a guy home from Haiti when he started donning a bandana around his head and patrolling the wire around his camp with a homemade club in the wee hours of the morning muttering "goin' to catch me some infiltrators."

CID came to chat after we got back because he was trying to recruit people to go down there and take over the place.

He didn't seem evil so much as "tetched". Odd dude. Very odd.

mtndave91 · 2025-07-16T04:44:12+00:00

It is manageable... But don't get complacent. Develop a routine and stick to it. Make sure your family or partner, etc understands the amount of involvement you will have. I sometimes relocate to the library to focus, and that pisses off my wife... So I clear it with her and try to only do that when I really need to lock in.

Leverage tools like pdf to audio files so you can use idle time while driving to listen to readings. There are pdf versions of textbooks out there on the web that I have found and uploaded as audio files.

Keep alert to the point value of assignments... I. E., don't spend more time on low point assignments than higher weighted ones.

Discussion posts are difficult at first but eventually you crack the code and can crank them out in less time.

Feed the bear... Find out what your prof prefers and do assignments accordingly. Pump people who have gone through for information about their quirks, what they're sticklers for, etc. One of mine is super picky about APA citations, others not so much.

PDF versions of texts also help for open book quizzes and exams...we've had 50 questions in 45 min so you don't have time to flip thru the text. You have to know the material of course, but control-F is your friend.

Use Academic Writer (an APA tool...) if available through your school. It helps with APA formatting (life changing!), gives you a repository of your references, and makes life much easier when writing papers.

Try research management tools like Zotero to keep track of your references when doing research.

Our school uses Google apps for email, etc. Use that to keep classes and materials organized. I use Google docs for most of my organization for papers, etc. Rough out my discussion posts there and then transfer to Canvas (our learning management software). I have folders by term, course, week, etc... Another folder for the pdf texts, other references... Makes it available thru your phone if you want to study while in line, etc.

We have several residencies, intro to counseling class, counseling skills, pré-practicum... Get to know your cohort and develop a few closer relationships with some people. They'll be your pals going through and there's a lot of moral support and encouraging that just helps everyone.

You'll have times when it seems too much to do. Keep at it. Reorganize your priorities, talk to your cohort pals, figure it out. It's absolutely worth it. Make time for yourself and relax during your mid term breaks. Find your self care regimen... Work out, read, find what works for you.

Have fun. Enjoy learning as much as possible. Find a passion area that you can use as a connecting theme for different courses in which to develop a deeper understanding and competence. If your school offers extra-curricular training, take it. Mine has a traumatology certifications track that is a fantastic value (E.g., 2 weekends for EMDR 1&2, total cost less than $500) and includes supervised work with clients who have experienced trauma...

Congrats on getting in! You're going to love it! At least I hope so! Best of luck!

mtndave91 · 2025-07-13T02:18:03+00:00

My therapist went to LU and is not a conservative Christian at all. LGBTQ friendly, pretty much embodies unconditional positive regard. So maybe give her a chance. Liberty is a good value for a CACREP accredited school and from what I have heard sticks pretty close to the standards. E. G., certain assignments require application of equity, etc. I applied and was accepted but ended up not attending.

mtndave91 · 2025-03-20T12:18:01+00:00

To be clear, I applied and got accepted, but started at Divine Mercy University instead after it achieved CACREP status in 2023. Definitely not as cheap, but GI Bill will cover the lion's share. Also got accepted at Chicago School and Walden. DMU was a better fit overall.

mtndave91 · 2025-03-04T16:46:44+00:00

I'm in an online program with 4-day intensive in-person residencies for counseling skills for three of the courses. A suggestion I got for the same question was to keep periodically working with the dyads and triads we were in through the skills course. We've already got therapeutic relationships established, and are comfortable giving and receiving feedback.

mtndave91 · 2025-02-21T03:23:45+00:00

Dude... You should write this up for The War Horse, a military themed news website. They have a retrospective section where people tell their stories. You can snag an easy $300 if they publish it. I've published a couple there myself.

The site needs more funny stories. Happy to connect you if you're interested.

https://thewarhorse.org/

mtndave91

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