Having recently returned from Iraq, I found out that the new service uniforms are finally available at the Navy Exchange (NEX) Uniform Shop. These new uniforms are designed to replace the office working whites (the “ice cream man” uniform) and the working blues (the “Johnny Cash” uniform). For those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s almost like the Marine Corps office uniform: khaki shirt, black pants, black garrison cap, collar rank insignia, etc.

I like the idea of not having to sew on the rank patches anymore; that could get pretty expensive, especially if you change rates. And having one uniform for the whole year is a nice idea; I never understood why we had to have two different uniforms when you can just wear a coat. > more <

So, this is something that has bothered me for a long time. The military, and by extension the federal government, certainly appears to be run by incompetent imbeciles. Of course, nearly everyone knows this already so I’m probably not saying anything that isn’t already known. But I need to vent. > more <

I forgot to mention this incident after we moved from Hawaii to San Diego. As everyone who has flown in the US knows, you have to send your bags through x-ray machines. After 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency responsible for baggage checks at airports. The TSA screeners are supposed to monitor all passengers and baggage going through the checkpoint, to the point of requiring people to remove their shoes for independent x-raying. > more <

I went to Los Angeles the other day to visit my grandfather before he dies. He and my grandmother both lived to be 100 but my grandmother died a few months ago and I don’t think my grandfather will last much longer. Since I’m deploying to Iraq, I don’t think I’ll be around to see him before he dies. I wasn’t able to attend my grandmother’s funeral since I was in Hawaii and I’m sure the same thing will happen with my grandfather.

Anyways, this isn’t about them. What I wanted to talk about is the dichtomy between San Diego and LA. Prior to moving here, I’d only visited SD a few times but I had good memories about it. LA, on the other hand, always struck me as being a crowded, noisy sprawl. Having gone back to LA for the first time in nearly 5 years, my impression hasn’t changed. > more <

I finally made it to San Diego. We moved in earlier this week and finally got everything unpacked. However, this has been the worst move in regards to damage in the 12 years I’ve been in the Navy. So far, the Hawaiian packers managed to damage 8 items. They were the worst movers we’ve ever had. Even the movers that delivered out boxes said they consistently have problems with how the Hawaiians pack boxes. One of the movers talked about how he almost lost some fingers from a machete that was packed in the top of a wardrobe closet and how another time he got his head cut by a piece of glass that fell off an entertainment console.

But enough bitching about Hawaii. I don’t live there anymore and I hope I never have to go back. It can sink into the ocean for all I care now.

San Diego, on the other hand, is fabulous. Within 10 minutes drive of our house we have: 2 Target stores, Costco, Ikea,  Lowes, 2 shopping malls, and numerous stores, restaraunts, and markets. Just across the road from us is a sandwich shop, a barber, a produce stand, 7-11, drug store, several restaraunts, and the post office. Down the road is the public library and police station. There’s a bus stop right on our corner, which goes to the San Diego trolley station down the hill. Nearly every road has a bike path and there are several biodiesel stations just a few minutes away. Not to mention the Mexican, Greek, Indian, and other ethnic restaraunts around.

Unfortunately I won’t be around to enjoy any of this while I’m deployed but it’s nice to know that my family will be set up.  After this move, we’re thinking of just buying a house. This is our eighth move in 12 years (ten for me if you count my stints at various Navy schools) and we’re burnt out now. With the housing market the way it is now, houses are pretty much dirt cheap, especially if you don’t mind “living in the boonies”. Between the bus and rail systems, it doesn’t really matter terribly much. I don’t know if we’ll stay here forever but it will at least be until I get out of the military.

Below is part of a Navy message that talks about expediting the process for non-US citizens to receive citizenship. Apparently you don’t have to be a citizen to serve in the US military and any non-American citizen serving in the US Armed Forces is eligible to bypass much of the citizenship process. > more <