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Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:01 am
by Johnnie
I thought that was your brother, the retired full bird Colonel?

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 2:04 am
by sancarlos
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:59 am
Johnnie wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:56 am Yea, I'll have some time to think about it before I actually jump in. I was just thinking "do something because it's free" because I'm in the enviable position of never having college debt. Figured I'd do something enjoyable as opposed to potentially lucrative.
My sister has 5 free Masters because of the Air Force. Go get 'em champ.
I'm trying to wrap my head around somebody investing the time required to earn Master's degrees five separate times.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 2:37 am
by brian
They don’t call it Chair Force for nothing.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:33 pm
by Johnnie
Well, if the Air Force is going to post this photo, I guess I can let you guys know what's up. (It was actually taken by a buddy of mine here.)



On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving with less than 2 weeks notice I deployed to Saudi Arabia. I told a few people in the board in case someone went "Johnnie hasn't been posting. Is he dead?" But T Mobile gives me limited 2g, so I can still kinda browse.

I was pissed. Not because of that, but because I was really, really looking forward to going to play board games with friends in Dallas at BGGCon. I'm not going to complain when I'm gifted at least 6 months of tax free living and some special pays. (I'll redeploy in April.) But I will complain that my leave was cancelled and I had to eat half of my AirBnB reservation.

Overall, it isn't that bad. It's an extended camping trip. Despite sleeping on a top bunk and living in a tent with 7 other dudes, I'm doing well. The only real gripe that we all have is that the WiFi is turrrible. #WarIsHell

As for work, I don't even have a work center. No dedicated computer or a desk or anything. My team and I are operating out of the common cyber cafe all day. But we're still making the mission happen, as they say.

Anyhoo, if you want to send me anything -- other than pork, porn, or alcohol, here's my address: (Please don't feel obligated or guilt tripped. Amazon does still get here in a relatively decent time.)
[+] spoiler
John Mondello
378 ELRS/LGRDX
Unit 61367
APO, AE 09877-1367
I'll be back soon enough! And I'll still be able to post, just not as much because 2g is ridiculous.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:44 pm
by Johnny Carwash
Johnnie wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:33 pm I was pissed...because I was really, really looking forward to going to...Dallas..and...sleeping...with 7 other dudes
Good luck, Johnnie (for real).

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:52 pm
by Johnnie
Thank you.

And note: I'm not here with weapons. So I'm not in any real danger. Once I realized they just needed bodies on the ground to be employed by worry meter reduced to zero.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:35 am
by sancarlos
Soooo... no drinks while I'm in New Mexico for Christmas? Good luck out there. Stay safe and don't piss anybody off!

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:08 am
by Johnnie
Yea, no drinks for me until I'm back in America.

And no promises if I piss anyone off. The going rumor is that I alone can generate airlift. Boy is everyone here going to be mad about that!

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:37 am
by Sabo
Serious question: Is there anything you and your crew need or want? I’d like to send you something but would like some guidance on what would be useful. Thanks.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:22 am
by Steve of phpBB
Sabo wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:37 am Serious question: Is there anything you and your crew need or want? I’d like to send you something but would like some guidance on what would be useful. Thanks.
Yeah, send us a list.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:31 am
by A_B
Steve of phpBB wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:22 am
Sabo wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:37 am Serious question: Is there anything you and your crew need or want? I’d like to send you something but would like some guidance on what would be useful. Thanks.
Yeah, send us a list.
1.) Playboys
2.) Bob Hope

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:31 pm
by Steve of phpBB
A_B wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:31 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:22 am
Sabo wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:37 am Serious question: Is there anything you and your crew need or want? I’d like to send you something but would like some guidance on what would be useful. Thanks.
Yeah, send us a list.
1.) Playboys
2.) Bob Hope
We have no Hope.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:30 pm
by Johnnie
Thanks, fellas. I'll do a check with everyone tomorrow.

TWILTS.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 4:10 pm
by DSafetyGuy
Can you try to avoid the stuff legitimate donors send to the military overseas, like toiletries and beef jerky?

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2019 12:35 am
by Johnnie
Yea, the morale tent has plenty of snacks and toiletries. We're ok on that end. Plus they established a BX this week and necessities are available. If we do need things it'll be legit things and not commonly available things.

Thank you, guys.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:09 am
by Johnnie
Sorry for the lack of responding.

Can you guys send me a work center so we have a place to operate from? Hahahaha. Ugh. I kid, but this shit is getting old!

Anyhoo, the only real thing that anyone definitively wanted was Special K protein bars that are NOT peanut butter flavored. But if I can add Oreos, Corn Nuts, Pringles & Doritos Sweet and Spicy. Otherwise, I don't really think we need that much, honestly.

I'm being told we're getting bags of coffee and a coffee pot (even with no place to put it) and there are huge amounts of toiletries around. We all have plenty of batteries and baby wipes. We have plenty of shaving stuff. And I was sent a buzzer for my hair so I can cut my hair. If I think of something I'll let everyone know.

I can't thank you guys enough.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:44 pm
by The Sybian
Johnnie wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:09 am Sorry for the lack of responding.

Can you guys send me a work center so we have a place to operate from? Hahahaha. Ugh. I kid, but this shit is getting old!

Anyhoo, the only real thing that anyone definitively wanted was Special K protein bars that are NOT peanut butter flavored. But if I can add Oreos, Corn Nuts, Pringles & Doritos Sweet and Spicy. Otherwise, I don't really think we need that much, honestly.

I'm being told we're getting bags of coffee and a coffee pot (even with no place to put it) and there are huge amounts of toiletries around. We all have plenty of batteries and baby wipes. We have plenty of shaving stuff. And I was sent a buzzer for my hair so I can cut my hair. If I think of something I'll let everyone know.

I can't thank you guys enough.
I could use some wipes of you have extras to spare. Thanks.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:57 am
by Giff
The Sybian wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:44 pm ...I could use some wipes of you have extras to spare....Thanks...

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:51 pm
by phxgators
Johnnie wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:52 pm Thank you.

And note: I'm not here with weapons. So I'm not in any real danger. Once I realized they just needed bodies on the ground to be employed by worry meter reduced to zero.
I know you're in Saudi Arabia, but everything still going ok with you?

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:09 pm
by L-Jam3
He’s in Saudi Arabia right now? Shit. I feel like an asshole cracking a joke towards him. Stay safe, man. We need you back here ASAP.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:13 pm
by A_B
May just be asleep.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:20 pm
by Rush2112
sancarlos wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 2:04 am
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:59 am
My sister has 5 free Masters because of the Air Force. Go get 'em champ.
I'm trying to wrap my head around somebody investing the time required to earn Master's degrees five separate times.
Well, two were part of the AF War College you need to attend to attain upper rank(History and some weird Military specific one.) The other 3 were all intertwined, MEE, MCS, and an MA in English, technical writing.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:21 pm
by Rush2112
A_B wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:13 pmMay just be asleep.
Or on high fucking alert.

Be safe John.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:33 pm
by Johnnie
Just woke up 30 minutes ago. What'd I miss?

All's well here. For now. I can't exactly talk movement things, but uh, things are moving.

No idea of the grand scheme going forward, but I have my "days to retirement" clock ticking down and that keeps my morale high. 632.

We just got an office too, btw! I'll check in here if something goes down.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:42 pm
by tennbengal
Thoughts, johnnie

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:46 pm
by mister d
T’s and P’s, Johnnie. Be safe.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:50 pm
by Johnnie
Oh, just read about Iraq. Yea, thankfully I'm not there. And my buddy just left there a week ago. So that's good.

We'll see if Riyadh is on their "to bomb" list.

The worst part about this isn't that I'm here, it's that I hate everything about this administration and have to keep quiet about it.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 6:02 am
by Square Rob
Be safe Johnnie.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:35 am
by rass
What everyone else said, man. Be safe.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 2:01 pm
by Johnnie
Thanks, you guys.

Oddly enough I talked to a friend in mine in ABQ earlier and learned he was robbed at gunpoint around Christmas. He's fine, but holy fuck.

I honestly feel safer here right now. And I don't even have a gun.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:15 am
by Johnnie
The Sybian wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2019 10:29 pm
Rush2112 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2019 11:18 pm Perhaps management?

(as someone with a Poli Sci degree I could argue against it though.)
I also majored in Poli Sci. Worthless. Go with Space Studies, get a leg up when Space Force starts hiring.
LOGISTICS!....IN! SPACE!

(Well, Virginia. That GS-14 life is pretty sweet. But I'd rather be a GS-14 in a state with a lower cost of living.)

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:10 am
by wlu_lax6
At my lacrosse ref training our guest speaker was the recent former D.O. and Commander of the Thunderbirds. Guess he is a student of one of our assignor's wife at some leadership program/school. Call sign "Lowen"

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:23 am
by Johnnie
That's pretty awesome. Those pilots are the best of the best.

I took a tour of their squadron back in 2004/5 when I was in Las Vegas for Red Flag. It was so fucking cool.

Fun fact: whenever you see the one F-16 upside down, it's always the number 5. The 5 is painted upside down on the jet to show it right side up in PA photos.

Funner fact: the bathroom in the squadron is done up as the Blue Angels. All the urinals and toilets are blue. The photos on the wall are of the planes. The mural is the Blue Angels logo. Everything in the bathroom is blue and yellow. It's hilarious.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 1:19 pm
by wlu_lax6
Johnnie wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:23 am That's pretty awesome. Those pilots are the best of the best.

I took a tour of their squadron back in 2004/5 when I was in Las Vegas for Red Flag. It was so fucking cool.

Fun fact: whenever you see the one F-16 upside down, it's always the number 5. The 5 is painted upside down on the jet to show it right side up in PA photos.

Funner fact: the bathroom in the squadron is done up as the Blue Angels. All the urinals and toilets are blue. The photos on the wall are of the planes. The mural is the Blue Angels logo. Everything in the bathroom is blue and yellow. It's hilarious.
He talked about losing #4 in 2018 and #8 crashing on landing and how he got the squadron when they fired the C.O.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 8:53 pm
by Johnnie
That has to be a shock. I remember one of them crashed the week before our Air Show in 2016. They cancelled the rest of the season. Can't imagine how the squadron recovers and what the current commander is at fault for. There's usually a huge investigation where "good or and discipline" or "a loss of confidence" manifests resentment or something.

A couple colonels got schwacked by the general here recently. An Airman got sick here and didn't get medevac'd like she should have. After 2 weeks (!) she was finally allowed to go and the rumor is she got near death.

Not sure what was discussed by the medical staff in Germany to the general, but all I know is a week later I went in and the medical Colonel and mission support Colonel had been sent home overnight. Like, GTFOH, you're done. Very weird morning.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:43 am
by wlu_lax6
Johnnie wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2020 8:53 pm That has to be a shock. I remember one of them crashed the week before our Air Show in 2016. They cancelled the rest of the season. Can't imagine how the squadron recovers and what the current commander is at fault for. There's usually a huge investigation where "good or and discipline" or "a loss of confidence" manifests resentment or something.

A couple colonels got schwacked by the general here recently. An Airman got sick here and didn't get medevac'd like she should have. After 2 weeks (!) she was finally allowed to go and the rumor is she got near death.

Not sure what was discussed by the medical staff in Germany to the general, but all I know is a week later I went in and the medical Colonel and mission support Colonel had been sent home overnight. Like, GTFOH, you're done. Very weird morning.
He was D.O., new Commander came in and his statement was discipline, culture, focus, morale went south based under this new C.O.'s leadership. So when they canned him, the speaker got the role but he was supposed to be rolling to his next assignment.

Also interesting presentation on making the decision from going from war fighter to airforce PR.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 8:19 am
by Johnnie
When you hit Colonel you're a politician. That's kind of how it is.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:12 am
by degenerasian
From the other thread ..

Hey Johnnie, what the heck is living in Saudi Arabia like?
A place I know nothing about. Can you go out much? Are you near a city, desert or beach? Have you found real beer?

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:14 am
by A_B
degenerasian wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:12 am From the other thread ..

Hey Johnnie, what the heck is living in Saudi Arabia like?
A place I know nothing about. Can you go out much? Are you near a city, desert or beach? Have you found real beer?
Degen, WTF.

Re: Hey Johnnie

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:17 am
by degenerasian
A_B wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:14 am
degenerasian wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:12 am From the other thread ..

Hey Johnnie, what the heck is living in Saudi Arabia like?
A place I know nothing about. Can you go out much? Are you near a city, desert or beach? Have you found real beer?
Degen, WTF.
I know there are cities and deserts, I just want to know if hes near one or stuck on a base.