A lot of changes in 20 years...
 

Wow!

It has been 20 years since I last spent time at the Academy in a "training" atmosphere, did two tours as an instructor living off base but no training time on base during the last 20 years. My stars, have things changed. Instead of bunking troops down 2 or 4 to a room, no phones or TV like when I came through now there are individual room (much like a motel suite) with cable TV and in room phones, plus the added benny of being able to connect to the net. Damn glad I'm not having to do a 20 week stint here, trying to learn in the current enviroment. Must be a result of making things so touchy/feely warm-n-fuzzy for all the Gen-Xer's and younger trainees.

The base has changed dramatically too. All kinds of new building and practical exercise areas and fancy-schmancy ID cards that double as room keys.

The only thing that hasn't changed is the grub at the chow hall. By the taste of dinner tonight they still have the same cook they had when I came through way back when. At least now I have a vehicle and financial means to eat off base.

My trip down was basically uneventful, once I landed in Savannah I headed inland and visited with engatwork and his younger son. Met his folks and had some good eats. After sampling tonight's meal at the chow hall I kicked myself for only have a single helping of his Mom's cooking - ham, butter peas and corn. Getting hungry again just writing that. Hmmm...only two hours away ;).

At least I'll be able to keep current on what happening here at the Shop and keep my search for a diesel going.

Twenty years ago . . . my W201 still had its new car smell. ;)

Howdy Mike,
20 years!¡ Gosh Mike you're getting OLD :-)

THe Mess Hall on Camp Darby had far better chow than the club had....at half the price. They had good cooks there....but I agre they aren't all good.

Completely off-topic, but I always wanted to be a cop or some type of law enforcement(military also) and get pissed everytime I see an overweight cop in a car or on a bike.

I don't really get pissed but it used to frustrate me.

You see, I 'm legally blind in one eye and was always told it impossible forme to become one. :mad:

I'm in better shape than most at 40 and can shoot better than some of my cop buddies.

What's the big deal? I can drive fine and have no problems with depth perception(at least I think so). My eyessight is perfect in my other eye and I get pissed to think I can't even become a firefighter, yet it appears that once you're in you can become oout of shape w/no problems.

:confused:

I spent a while today thinking about your frustration. I can understand it, but the thing to remember is, well at least for most agencies I know of, there is a physical requirement of binocular vision (as well as good hearing in both ears). This is two-fold; one is officer safety - because you have to be able to pick up things in the peripheral vision, impossible one one side if blind in that eye (really important in pursuits and shooting situations), the other is the agencies liability in an accident or accidental shooting situation involving someone who has no peripheral vision of one side or the other.

The physical fitness of some officers is definitely a sore spot for many agencies. Some have continued physical fitness standards, many do not. In my own defense I can say that even though I have an affinity for glazed doughnuts, surprise :eek: , I still wear the same gunbelt I wore when I graduated. Not the same size belt, THE same belt, snugged to the same notch. It fits and I keep it polished and serviceable, still wear the same sized uniforms too. Any one from the board who know me can tell you I'm reasonably fit.

I too often wonder how some of the officers can get into the shape they are in, or how they can expect to respond to an extreme physical confrontation.

My chest size settled to my waist and is making a serious assult on my ass.

Bot

:D :D :D :D

Too funny Bot...same thing happened to my Dad at about 60, expect it'll happen about the same time for me but I'll be long retired by then.

So how long are you in Savannah for? I LOVE Saaavaannnnaahh !!! Just that this time of year the women over thare get reel horney!! Watch out!! ;)

It was a pleasure meeting you too Mike and my mom always tries to "fatten" anyone up that comes through:).
We had a ball burning up the dirt roads with the motocross bikes.

On a side note - the folks house is near an intersection where the Ga Bulldog fans have to pass through on their way back from Jacksonville (Ga/Fla game this past weekend). Anyway, we are getting some more fuel for the dirt bikes and the place is loaded with Bulldog fans (a couple gals were absolutely beautiful but they were not smiling). Anyway all these Bulldog fans are standing outside and one of the local yoo hoos rides by, sticks his head out the window and hollars "Go Gators". None of the dog fans said a word:eek:. I thought it was kind of funny.

Around my house a good weekend is when Ga. Tech wins, Georgia loses and nobody dies. It was good weekend!!!

I was present for the "go Gators" yell...if the Dawgs fans hadn't been so ...uhm...down over the loss and/or hung over the yell might have incited a riot.

And yes, the scenery was mighty fine at that fillin' station.