M4... Yah Fuired.

[photo by swearrr]

[the title was my Donald Trump impression... lame, I know...]

The military is looking for an M4 replacement. Many of you probably already know about this though. So, many companies are presenting what they think would be the next great carbine.

I've been seeing many different options and my general opinion on the ones that I saw is that they all feel very "Starship Troopery." They look more like Nerf guns than a legit battle rifle. Now, that's just based on the design and I have never held, fired, or even seen one of them in person. But they do all look bulky.

I wonder what it was like to see the transition to the M16... Did people think it looked too modern?

Something about the M4 makes me really, really like it. It feels solid, but not heavy, it's black, which is beautiful, and it just looks tough, edgy almost.

You can read one mans recommendation on Kit Up here: [Kit Up!]

To read more about the Military M4 replacement: [Military.com]

Generation Kill

The five second, 192 character review (inspired by Justin Blanton)

Generation Kill = Amazing.  Acting was transparent and real.  You will get so involved with this show and will wish there was more.  I felt connected; like one of the guys.  I need the DVD’s.

The Details

Produced by HBO and aired in 1 hourly shows; 7 total.  The miniseries is based on the book by the same name.  A reporter was embedded with the Marines during the initial US invasion into Iraq.

Interesting

Some things I found really interesting was how they found actors that physically resembled the real life Marines.  That seemed to really make a difference for me because it made the acting seem very transparent.  

The acting was amazing and always seemed believable and with me knowing that there was a real person that they were representing made all the difference.  They couldn't use the real guys because I'm sure they aren't the best actors!  Though two Marines that were really there were actors and they did really well.

From the Beginning

This show had my attention from the very beginning.  I can't even remember where I heard of it, I don't remember seeing any ads... I really can't remember!  

It starts off really well introducing the characters.  You start to see who everyone is and it only gets really deep and you get so involved with the characters that you feel as if you are their friends.

I got so involved in the show that I even found myself listening to all the radio chatter during the credits!  "Hitman Two One Alpha this is Hitman Two..."  To get my fix now, I logon to the site and and listening to the exchange of gun fire.  It makes me feel like I'm back there.

A Rollercoaster of Excitement

This show has it all.  I got nervous and anxious with my heart racing during the firefights, excited as they all cheered after blowing up an enemy gun, and downright emotional near the end, like summer camp was ending and all my new friends were leaving.

Conclusion

This serious was simply incredible.  It has drawn me to read the book which can only be more amazing because I get to relive the experience but with more details.  I'm only waiting on ordering the DVD's until I get some spare change but when I do, It's going to be watched over and over till the discs explode!

If you have any interest in the military or have someone in the Marines or serving in Iraq I bet you'll like this series.  It's not the typical "war film" and feels like nothing I've ever seen.  Most likely due to the fact that it's based so closely on the book which was written as Wright (author) saw it.  Not sugar coating here.

[Generation Kill]

Coke is It

coke is it
Originally uploaded by whirlingmcdervish

Just a neat photo I found on Flickr.

Love the monkey.

You gotta love MilSpec Monkey.  He's got some great info on tons of stuff.  My favorites this week?

- Nerf Warfare

- Ladies with guns

- County Com Spy Monocular

Canyon Flight

That's some pretty fancy flyin. I bet Sam would love this, it looks just like pod racing!

Joining the military.

So I'm thinking about joining the military.  Not sure which branch though.  I'm between the Army Reserve or National Guard and the Air Force Reserve or National Guard.  I have a friend that is in the Air Force, getting them to pay for his med school and he is talking me into joining (not forcefully though) and I met a guy at my new church who is in the Air Force and he is trying to talk me into it too.  But I have a coworker that is an ex Army Ranger who is leaning me towards the Army.

I'm really 50/50, well maybe 51 (Army)/49 (Air Force).

Why I want to join:

- Serve my country 

   * Something I think that everyone should do in one way or another and doesn't necessarily have to be the military

- Learn new skills

- Get into shape

- Make some extra money

    * Also get some college loans paid off 

- Make some new friends

    * I'm new to the area

I have a great job right now that pays really well and I talked to them and their stance on it is this.

- Training comes out of vacation time and if I don't have enough of that, then it's unpaid days off

    * Should be fine because I get paid during training right?

- If I get deployed, my job will be here whenever I get back

So everything looks good there.

I'm in Phase 2 now.

Ok, my journey to the ultimate decision has been broken up into 3 phases.

Phase 1:

- Learn basics about each branches (very basic info) and benefits

- Research online possible MOS's

- Start changing eating and exercise habits

Intermission

- Let everything cool off and take time to really think about it.  Let emotions fade (if they will)

- Let the "world" cool off and see what direction the war is going

Phase 2:

- Meet with recruiters to discuss jobs and specific bonuses

- Take ASVAB

Phase 3:

- Talk to parents

- Talk to work

- Swear in

What I'm doing in the mean time:

- Running

- Push ups

- Talking with friends and getting input

What I really want to find is someone I can trust who will say, "now is (or isn't) the perfect time to join!"  I have a friend that was in the Marines and he says for me to go Air Force because its the most cushy.  I just don't know!

Some things that I think are really in my favor is my job being ok with it and my wife being 100% supportive.  I would have thought that one of those wouldn't have worked out as well as they have but it's been great.

I'm 23 so I'm still fairly young.  I don't want to wait very long to decide though, I'm thinking in a year or less.  I also don't want to drag it out.  Kids are years off, don't worry, we both agree on that.

I try to think of what the root reason is that gives me the desire to serve and until I figure that out then I can't make a decision.  Some of the reasons I think that help build that desire are:

- I've always loved playing "guns" when younger

- I enjoy all war movies from Apocalypse Now to Black Hawk Down

- Paintball is a blast

- I think ACU's are awesome

- I was in JROTC in high school

- Wanting to prove to myself that I can "make it"

- Tell people that I was in the military 

- Make a difference

- Be of service to others

See how many things there are that could be just emotional?  I can't join just because I really like Call of Duty 4 and Battlefield Bad Company!  I need to make sure that this isn't just a fad.

My wife thinks it's a real passion that I need to pursue.  I think she's right, maybe it's not that I like these video games and paintball and that makes we want to serve but it's me deep desire to serve that makes me enjoy these things.  Hmmm interesting....

I don't think that if I don't join I won't still feel accomplished, I just think that by serving you either get that sense of accomplishment in a different way.

I guess that's it for now.  Let me know what you think.  I could use your help.

NLOS Cannon

First, NLOS stands for "Non-Line-of-Sight."  Meaning that this thing can fire fairly accurately without even having to see the target like a traditional tank.  This thing is a fully automated tank of sorts.  It fires a 38 caliber round and can operate in tons of conditions.

Anyway, check out all of the details on their site: [NLOS from FCS]

You can either play the game online here: [jump] or download the app on your iPhone or iPod touch.

[pics from iPod game]

This game is pretty cool.  Lots of fun and not hard at all if you have played any kind of tank games.  How far did you get?

Land Rover vs. Tank

Humvee gots skills

Tactical Assault Group East

Very cool video, something I'm sure Adam would love!

Army Reserves

Great article on how the Army Reserves is an operational reserve instead of a strategic reserve.  Check it out! [source]

And here is a list of Operations, there are some cool names in there!  [wiki]

Great game!

I love this game!

VW Military Toureg?

I'll post more on this later but check this out!

NLOS Canon

Motivational Poster

[source]

Fall in!

I'm new to the military. I'm not actually in the military either. What is the allure the armed forces have over me? I don't know. But I do know this, there seems to be a sense of honor and pride in serving. So I'm thinking about joining. The only branch that makes sense to me for my specific situation is the reserves orbthe national guard.

So right now, I'm on the track to learning more and seeing if it's right for me.

But there a few things I need to check to make sure this isn't just a fad. The military also looks interesting toe for these reasons:

- Call of Duty 4
- Battlefield Bad Company
- Generation Kill
- Paintball

See? Those are your typical recruiting tools. Not to mention the countless movies.

That's why I have to be sure I'm joining for the right reasons.

Well, follow me along as make my decision. I hope to post helpful links, articles, photos, videos, my progress... Just stick around!