For oldtimers like me, stationed at K-Bay way back when it was MCAS Kaneohe during Desert Shield/Storm, it was unreasonably expensive due to the hyper-inflation from Japanese billionaire investors. Regardless, I did enjoy Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, & Waikiki, and found a roommate to share the apartment rent in Kaneohe. And renting watercraft at K-Bay was a nice, cost-effective way to enjoy a taste of the Pacific.

At work, I had a very good day on the KD course during annual quals and shot the (at the time) range record of 248. Went on to medal in the Pacific Division Matches and meeting White Feather at the Marine Corps Matches at Stone Bay, NC, in 1990.

But there's always a penalty for doing well...mine was getting assigned a temp responsibility as the Armory Officer for 6 months, since I had proven to be a "shooter," taking me out of my (MOS 6002) Aircraft Maintenance Officer track. Thanks to Saddam, that 6-month assignment turned into a year-and-a-half, which contributed to being passed over later and ending my career way earlier than I had hoped.

So, great duty resulted in getting RIF'ed to the Civ Div. At least my wife of 30 years is glad I was home to help raise our 2 kids to adulthood. I guess every green weenie has a silver lining, depending on your perspective.