Latest thoughts...

Army: Enlisted or Officer?

I know the merits of both, I just don't know which one I should go for. 

I have a college degree so I can enlist as an E4.  I'm all for paying your dues before reaping the rewards too.

But I worked hard for that degree and I feel that I have the ability inside of me to be a leader if I let the Army teach me.  

Your thoughts?

Preparation

This soldier looks ready to go.  Just one last prayer before really taking off.  I've seen this picture a few places, but don't know where it originally came from.  Does anyone know the story behind it?

AK 47 vs M16

This video clearly shows some interesting things about each weapon. It looks a lot like the AK is more of a machine gun than a rifle, being semi-spray and pray and the M16 is a surgeons rifle, but I have seen some AK's pull some really tight groupings. I guess it depends on how well you keep it clean, your own accuracy, and proper sights. But still a very interesting video.

Confronting Afghanistan's 'Valley of Death'

Some think the war on terror is over but it looks to me that the enemy is still putting up a fight. I pray that the men defending what's right are protected.

Im thinking about being a UAV Operator (15W). 

[predator uav]

Does anyone have any experience doing that?  I hear a few things, some bad some good:

- You can be stationed anywhere

- Some UAV's are fly-by-mouse and some are practically the real thing

- UAV Operators are in high demand

- UAV Operators are being overworked and some getting PTSD

This is really an interest to me and not to trivialize it or anything, but I think this game is fun:  www.dosomethingamazing.com/?v=features/uav/

So, has anyone out there been a 15W in the Army?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

The Army Experience

[Tactical Operations Center at The Army Experience]

The Army Experience Center in the Franklin Mills Mall just opened a week ago I think, and it looks incredible!  There are 3 simulators (two helicopters and humvee), a gaming arena with with 60 computers and 19 XBOX 360's, a "Tactical Ops Center" a lounge, and various events that you can sign up to do.

Some of the events they have are fitness challenges, Madden/America's Army/ COD4 tournaments, future soldier training and more.  Really, they offer a lot so that possible recruits can relax and learn about the Army. 

Personally, the simulators sound awesome.  I live in the Washington DC area but I think it's worth it for me to head up there one weekend and give it a shot.

Check it out and here are some "specs."

- The Army Experience Center in Franklin Mills Mall

* 3 Simulators, Black Hawk, HMMWV, Apache

* Gaming Arena: 60 Alienware AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core, 6400+ 3.2ghz, 4GB RAM, high speed network.  ALSO 19 Xbox 360's

* Tactical Ops Center (UAV's...Presentations...)

* Lounge (snacks and couches)

* Events (Fitness, Army myth busting, Madden/Americas Army/COD4 tourneys, future soldier training...)

New developments!

I'll explain later, but I'm thinking about joining the Army.  Full time.  Your thoughts?

New Army Rifle

Behold, the M18. Yeah, it's overkill. Read more.

A tank or just a giant shotgun?

One word comes to mind when I watch this, devastating. I love at the end you finally get to see what it can do, by hitting all those targets.

Although, as amazing as this is, it does make me think of how our military can use it. Like, we spent all this money on the F-22 and we are fighting cowards that hide in closets and place hidden explosives in random places I hope we can find a way to use this more.