tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post7101822144185500069..comments2024-03-28T22:08:48.577-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: CollegeOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-39219051909186792702018-08-06T20:26:41.390-07:002018-08-06T20:26:41.390-07:00I wasn't cut out for college, either, and drop...I wasn't cut out for college, either, and dropped out after my junior year.<br /><br />Did really well in math and science, especially Physics since it "explains everything".<br /><br />BUT.....two years of my local Junior College, basically an extension of high-school, ill prepared me for what I faced when I went to University. I <i>could</i> have taken different classes, but never availed myself of the guidance counselors who knew what I'd need for whatever college I chose to attend.<br /><br />Oh, well, H2O under the structure. Got two associate degrees and have had the job position of "Engineer" numerous times and had a fabulous career.<br /><br />And I would have made a far better enlisted guy than officer.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-11825317106188789732018-08-06T19:28:40.997-07:002018-08-06T19:28:40.997-07:00Right.Right.Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-1328545744604055602018-08-06T09:19:12.905-07:002018-08-06T09:19:12.905-07:00And VF-1 has come and gone multiple times. The ori...And VF-1 has come and gone multiple times. The original was established in 1922.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-87086509892176168972018-08-06T09:10:00.377-07:002018-08-06T09:10:00.377-07:00:):)SCOTTtheBADGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859188068159799373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-7064191143453192192018-08-06T05:41:37.003-07:002018-08-06T05:41:37.003-07:00John - That's odd, but your comment has this b...John - That's odd, but your comment has this blurred text in the middle, "the first something or other..."<br /><br />Might be a mental block on my part. (If I need mathematics done, I hire a mathematician. Fortunately we have a couple on staff where I work. Couple, Hell, there are droves of 'em, not many of 'em have the sense God gave a goose.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-67483587864488474002018-08-06T05:32:27.188-07:002018-08-06T05:32:27.188-07:00Re: Too young, too stupid, too unaware.
Had I had...Re: <i>Too young, too stupid, too unaware.</i><br /><br />Had I had a coat of arms back then, that would have been my motto in the late '60s, early '70s.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-68539861961857803722018-08-06T05:28:39.689-07:002018-08-06T05:28:39.689-07:00Larry - We are very much kindred spirits.Larry - We are very much kindred spirits.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-15521313943681347682018-08-06T05:27:58.676-07:002018-08-06T05:27:58.676-07:00Beans - You're reading too much into what I ha...Beans - You're reading too much into what I haven't written yet. No demons were involved, not really.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-9015041732575303582018-08-06T05:07:59.373-07:002018-08-06T05:07:59.373-07:00No, before my time. (You meant A&M right?)No, before my time. (You meant A&M right?)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-56320528451656061732018-08-06T05:07:09.359-07:002018-08-06T05:07:09.359-07:00Check the spelling. They're different.Check the spelling. They're different.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-58583341167489213512018-08-05T22:54:28.784-07:002018-08-05T22:54:28.784-07:00Well, I'm glad Dad didn't take that route ...Well, I'm glad Dad didn't take that route (as was offered twice in the Navy). Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. There've been times I actually wished that was the case, but I never acted upon them. There hasn't been a day gone by in the last 23 years that I haven't been happy that I didn't, even if there were a (very) few days I wondered if it wouldn't have been better for everyone. I actually had an AFROTC scholarship and screwed that pooch like Marmaduke. Too young, too stupid, too unaware. Then again, had anti-depressants been as widely known in the late 70's, maybe I'd have made a better go of it, but I doubt it. I couldn't have gone worse by enlisting straight out of high school to become a CT or something equivalent (any kind of pilot being ruled out by my left eye being 20/200). Ehh, drinking would've become my bane, anyway, so it's all moot. I wouldn't change a thing to get to where I'm at, so all's good. Miracles abound, though I know not how. Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-81549735093110295472018-08-05T22:38:17.117-07:002018-08-05T22:38:17.117-07:00I seriously thought about majoring in physics, the...I seriously thought about majoring in physics, then decided molecular biology would be a better bet. That lasted about as long as any of Slick Willie's swearing off of other women. Computer science it would be, since that seemed easiest. 30+ years later and I'm still working on that damned Associates Degree (not least because I'd become so gun-shy that I'd had to start over). I'm not sure I will ever make it, even though I've been gainfully employed in the field and am a "Sr. Software Engineer". I'm a technician and enlisted, at heart, as was my father. You gotta know your limits. Outside action, my attention span is measured in NY seconds, unless I'm studying history. If only there was a career in that: not writing or teaching, just studying and trying to understand... Yes, I know how useless that is in The Real World.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-63565084561544268742018-08-05T22:31:12.756-07:002018-08-05T22:31:12.756-07:00I thought VF-1 was the Wolfpack? Since VF-1 was es...I thought VF-1 was the Wolfpack? Since VF-1 was established in OCT 1972, I suspect the 8th TFW has right to the name by date. Ahwell, VF-1 was disestablished in 1993, so it doesn't really matter.SCOTTtheBADGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859188068159799373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-45020300964511338962018-08-05T18:14:06.361-07:002018-08-05T18:14:06.361-07:00Beans.
Even today when I hear the words, "the...Beans.<br />Even today when I hear the words, "the first derivative...." my mind goes blank. <br />I knew I wasn't going to be an engineer. <br />I tried some other courses, but still dropped out of college a bit later. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />John in Phillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16196033252818387245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-70226134980459753142018-08-05T14:49:33.199-07:002018-08-05T14:49:33.199-07:00Did you attend while it was Colorado A&I? They...Did you attend while it was Colorado A&I? They took a look at me senior high school year for a football scholarship. Went with Denver University who suddenly dropped all athletic scholarships except hockey.Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-27321704582036080432018-08-05T14:42:48.470-07:002018-08-05T14:42:48.470-07:00What was bad was I went back to the Calc track in ...What was bad was I went back to the Calc track in order to see if it made sense. Nope, I definitely broke my maf brain on DiffyQ. <br /><br />Having that ring dangled in front of you by cruel and merciless demons is a hard thing. And I know it's difficult to tell. But sometimes exorcizing the demons will help you move to a better place.<br /><br />Heck, you survived, your wife and family survived, and you (probably) are better for it. It was all a test, and being true to yourself is a test that many fail. You succeeded.<br /><br />At least the Air Force paid for your future retirement plans. :)<br />Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-6466776485711625212018-08-05T12:31:30.978-07:002018-08-05T12:31:30.978-07:00Two semesters of calculus was enough for me, diffe...Two semesters of calculus was enough for me, differential equations made me swear off higher mathematics for good.<br /><br />Didn't help that my last math prof was a wack job, totally out there.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-50171457779385578432018-08-05T12:29:46.966-07:002018-08-05T12:29:46.966-07:00:):)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-83958896410788875792018-08-05T12:21:50.191-07:002018-08-05T12:21:50.191-07:00Physics is the language of the universe. I really...Physics is the language of the universe. I really thought about majoring in it... We had 3 semesters of "The Calculus", and brother, that last one was a brain spank. I figured if I kept going, I'd be educated beyond my intelligence and be dangerous (Probably would've wound up a politician!!).STxARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588850178293194825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-10304185618808579432018-08-05T12:19:05.377-07:002018-08-05T12:19:05.377-07:0036 years next month. And she is prettier now than...36 years next month. And she is prettier now than she ever was. We are both obstinate with a flinty streak. We've worn each other pretty smooth over the marriage....<br /><br />Thanks for words of encouragement Sarge!! I always wonder "what if" on my unmet goals. I appreciate you... Much-ly.STxARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588850178293194825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-15529237190039403532018-08-05T12:15:18.427-07:002018-08-05T12:15:18.427-07:00Hindsight is rosy looking but...
One never knows,...Hindsight is rosy looking but...<br /><br />One never knows, did we take the path we were fated to? Or did we somehow misstep? I like to think that everything happens for a reason.<br /><br />But sometimes you have to wonder, would I be somewhere else had I done it differently? Would I be someone else?<br /><br />If you're happy where you're at, count your blessings and figure that you are where you're supposed to be.<br /><br />At least that's how I roll.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-59088082894267490582018-08-05T12:00:59.691-07:002018-08-05T12:00:59.691-07:00Twice I was approached, while in the Navy, about g...Twice I was approached, while in the Navy, about going to college on the Navy's nickel.<br />The first time, while I was in basic training, I was pulled aside and told, as Gold Star Orphan, I could attend Annapolis after attending the Naval Preparatory School.<br />Later, at Fleet Training Group Pearl Harbor, I was recommended for the NESEP (Naval Enlisted Scientific Program).<br />Neither of those offers appealed at the time.<br />Hindsight tells me it would've been interesting times.(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-63754729189204849432018-08-05T11:11:48.750-07:002018-08-05T11:11:48.750-07:00Strange times right after the Gulf War, seems that...Strange times right after the Gulf War, seems that we were trying to offload people left and right, only to have that "peace dividend" bite us in the ass down the road.<br /><br />Sounds like you did well. I'm on the 19th year of career #2. 20 will probably be the limit. But who knows, the work is still interesting.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-68640615175190539022018-08-05T11:08:58.141-07:002018-08-05T11:08:58.141-07:00One more maybe two posts should see the end of thi...One more maybe two posts should see the end of this tale. It ain't easy to write about, get that close to the brass ring and not miss it, mind you, but decline to reach for it.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-79322330168523865782018-08-05T09:39:00.326-07:002018-08-05T09:39:00.326-07:00Great story! My experience was similar, Joined str...Great story! My experience was similar, Joined straight out of High School because I couldn't afford school. Lots of promises of GI bill which dried up shortly after I joined. I stayed in and made it my career. Luckily was stationed at a BRAC effected base and was able to retire early (16 years) right after first Gulf War as a MSgt. I went back to school at age 34 with my wife and a 4 year old son. I somehow managed to graduate with a degree in Computer Engineering. Calc was my nemesis but I made it through some how. I remember the first two semesters and wondering how I had gotten myself into this situation, sure I was going to flunk out. I enjoyed my service immensely, glad I got out when I did. Just about to retire from my second career after 21 years. <br /><br />Looking forward to the rest of your storyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14741656032808866990noreply@blogger.com