Hmm... this is interesting. When I checked the CRC's website they state they want proof of COMPLETED Small arms training within 6 months of reporting to CRC. I guess I better try and get some range time. That's not all that easy, the Navy doesn't often let us play with guns. Most of our weapons involve solid propellant, 5inch shells, a pilot, or a computer guidance system. The more I think about it the Navy isn't so much a warrior service as it is a service of technicians. Gone are the days when we laid along side and traded broadsides. Wooden ships, iron men and blood running from the scuppers. Hell, the last ship I served on the at least half of the "iron men" were iron chicks! The only blood in the scuppers was when the feminine hygien products backet up the sanitary system. It ain't your daddies Navy.

I finally confirmed my reservation at the Conus Replacement Center (CRC). Apparently this is the first stop on the road to Africa. At the CRC I will recieve all the necessary goodies (oooh, body armor.... how cool is that! Wait a minute... uh oh, why would I need body armor? I wonder if my travel agent was holding out on me;)) to include small arms training, MOPP gear, and other rigamorole.

Well I applied for an officical U.S. Government No Fee Passport today. Provided my expedite letter and maybe I will have it before I leave. If not Plan B.

Sorry folks, Have been in a hurry to publish back notes. I put forth the following disclaimer:
I am totally responsible for any reprehensible typos, grammer, and wordsmithing. If you don't like it...BITE ME:) Have a wonderful day!

Honestly, will try and do better.

Got my birthcertificate today. Now I can prove to my Bride that I was'nt hatched. Off to get a passport.

Tried to get a tourist passport today. Thought it would be safer to carry a tourist passport instead of the government one. It is always best to keep a low profile when traveling overseas. Well, I was informed by the "civil servant" at the passport office that my hospital birth record issued by a military hospital is not sufficient evidence of my birth. I am standing their thinking that I am and officer in the military, I have multiple forms of ID and I am standing right in front of you yet I don't have sufficient evidence of existance to rate a passport. I need and official raised seal embossed certificate from the county of my birth. I dont even know what county I was born in! I guess I had better get one. I filled out the form to get the form to get the certificate.

I still can't believe that I have to find some bureaucrat to give me form to prove to another bureacrat that I was actually born. I guess they think I was hatched. My bride would support that theory.

Had a civil war reenactment this weekend at Appomattox VA. Were reenacting Appomattox though. We were doing the 140th anniversary of Chickamauga. We call it Chickamattox. My heart just wasn't in it. I couldn't escape the present and the future. Ending up going home that evening. Unfortunantly, that is my last reenactment until after deployment. Gonna miss all my pards and messmates.

Remeber Immunization? Well, heard from the guy I am 'sposed to relieve. I do in fact need the Anthax series and the small pox. Back to the clinic.

After arguing with the nurse about the requiement I get the first anthrax shot but I cant get the smallpox because it is a live virus like the yellow fever vacine. The nurse, very snottily I might add, informs me that I should have asked them about it when I got the yellow fever vacine. I could not resist reminding her that I had in fact, had that very conversation with her and that she was addament that I didn't need it. Just got the standard civil servant dead fish stare for my trouble. I so love military healthcare.