The countdown to my demobilization is at 28 days and counting.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Come the New Year, I get demobilized, whereupon I become Airman Doors, traditional Guardsman. I knew it was coming, but it’s just not going to be easy for me to deal with. In case you hadn’t noticed, I love the Air Force, and I’d love to stay, but it’s not in the cards. I knew that almost three years ago when I signed up, but I never imagined that I would love it so much. So this is gonna hurt.

Anyway, I need to get a job, because I refuse to let Robin work while she’s in school. Her sole focus is to be her studies, period. So I am going back to the two jobs and overtime grind to pay the bills. I already have a job lined up at the local Applebee’s, now it’s a matter of working out the finances.

I’ve already worked out the daycare situation with Aaron. He’s not going to daycare. One of us will be here for him at all times, except for the rare occasion that we palm him off on his grandmother for the evening. She seems amenable to that, so that’s taken care of.

We may have to ditch the cable TV and the cable modem. We can live without it, so that’s not a big deal if it has to go. We have to fix Robin’s car, and come January we are expecting about $1,000 back in overpayment to Ship U., so that should cover that. Other than that, we have only bills that must be paid, like gas, water, sewer, electric, and the like. With the plan we have set up, we’ll save a fortune in daycare, offsetting some of the other costs.

I think we’ll be OK. I could Guard bum and collect unemployment, but that’s not my style. I am a straight shooter, and having criticized others for not sucking it up and taking a dip in lifestyle in order to get a job, I find myself having to back those words up. And I will. In spades. I’ll still fly every chance I get, and I’ll still be at the base as often as possible, but ultimately I still have to get a job to pay the bills.

I had applied to every local radio and television station in the hopes of getting an engineering job, but they aren’t hiring for that position right now. So be it. I’ll just work elsewhere and bide my time until something opens up for me. And it will, of that I have no doubt.

So, that’s the outlook for the future of the Doors family. I will make it work, I will see my son grow up living well, and I will see my wife graduate, if I have to work myself to the bone doing so. Things will open up for me, I just know it.

And for all of you, thanks for your support the past few years. There were times I sure as hell didn’t deserve it, but I got it anyway. It’s very appreciated. If you could see your way clear to give me that same support now, it would be similarly appreciated. God knows I need it now, more than ever.

Thanks for listening.

-Dave

2

why can’t you re-up?

3

And oh shit, three years have gone by just like that. I remember when Doors wasn’t an airman. Someone got him drunk once and posted pics of him puking down the side of a truck, and lying shirtless in the snow…

Good times.

4

Good luck, Doors, I was about to ask you if you were out yet when you wandered into chat.

5

If there’s any fairness in this world, they sure will, my friend. Good luck!

6

Airman, I noticed that I didn’t wish you good luck in my other posts. So good luck. I’m sure you and yours will do very well.

7

Good luck hon!

If anyone can suck it up and kick ass, it’s you :slight_smile:

I’m around if you feel like talking…I haven’t seen you in forever. IM me.

8

thanks, essvee, RT, and Pam.

You asked if I could reenlist. The answer to that is no. I’m already enlisted. For a myriad of reasons, I am currently unable to go to the active duty, I’d have to retrain, and Robin is in school and she likes it there among them.

Maybe in a few years I can go active, which is something I would love to do, but it can’t happen now. More’s the pity.

9

For God’s sake, Airman! Don’t start talking about how few days there are until your enlistment is up! Haven’t you ever seen any war movies? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Any time anyone starts talking about how soon they’re going home, it’s like they turn into a giant walking target for every sniper, land mine, or random space alien that happens to be in the area! Especially if you’ve got a family! The first thing they ought to teach you in Basic Training is to never, ever say the phrase, “I’ve only got X more days until I can go home to my wife and children.”

Dramatic irony has killed more soldiers than typhus.

10

Best wishes to you, Robin, and Baby Doors, Airman. Thank you for your service to this great country of ours.

Mr. Ruby’s current deployment date is the end of February so we’ll be starting our journey just as you end yours.

If you can swing the finances, there’s nothing greater than being there to raise your son. And for what it’s worth, Aaron will be needing a sibling to pound on pretty soon! :wink:

11

Baby Doors has a damn fine daddy and a wonderful mommy. Y’all will do and be fine.

Hm. Maybe a job at the local cable company? That’d solve two problems.

Good luck, pal.

12

I’ve been here since just about the time you became Airman. I’ve basically watched the last 3 years of your life. It’s been a ride.

Although I don’t post much, and I don’t always agree with what you have to say, I’ve always considered you a good man. I know that this will be a big change in your life, but you will move on. This thread only strengthens what I think about you.

Good Luck.

13

Robin and Aaron are very lucky to have you, and vice versa, Airman! Good luck to you!

14

Who posted those pics, anyway? Was it iampunha?

15

Yes, it was iampunha. Damn that man.

16

Good luck in the future, Airman Doors. Sounds like you’ve got an excellent attitude about the future, a key ingredient in success. Hope it works out for you and your family. Got a feeling it will. :slight_smile:

17

You’re a good man, Dave. You’ll be fine.

Holy crap, three years. Three years. Suddenly I feel very old and introspective.

18

Good luck Doors!! And congrats on the demobing (ok i think i just made that word up). I’ll be mobilized in a week or so and sent to play in the sand. I’ve been active duty for two years now, but not actually mobilized. I’ll be making a lot more money once I actually get mobilized. And all tax-free! Woohoo!

19

“And I was getting short, too. Four more weeks, and out! Now I’m gonna buy it on this rock. It ain’t half fair, man!”

“Hudson, give us a break!”

“Four more weeks…”

Congratulations, Airman. I’ll echo what others have said – the past three years have flashed by, and I respect the hell out of what you’re doing.

20

We haven’t interacted much on these boards, Airman, but I have a great deal of respect for you, and have always enjoyed your posts and perspectives on things. I’m sure it doesn’t feel all comfy and cushy now, but you two seem to be (from all you’ve posted here) doing a great job of building your family and a solid future. Best of luck to you, and rest assured you have a terrific future in front of you.

Thanks also, for you Air Force service, which benefits us ALL.