Recruiting Forum Off-Topic Thread II

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#9,579
#9,579
About a week ago, we saw a mama skunk and two babies in our neighbor's yard. Last night one of my dogs found at least one of them in our backyard. He got sprayed, the skunk got away, and now my house reeks! Also, tomato juice doesn't put a dent in skunk smell. We had always heard that and all we had was tomato puree. The only thing that put a dent in it was a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn.

The house still reeks though.

#stupidskunks
 
#9,585
#9,585
Glitch said:
About a week ago, we saw a mama skunk and two babies in our neighbor's yard. Last night one of my dogs found at least one of them in our backyard. He got sprayed, the skunk got away, and now my house reeks! Also, tomato juice doesn't put a dent in skunk smell. We had always heard that and all we had was tomato puree. The only thing that put a dent in it was a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn.

The house still reeks though.

#stupidskunks
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More wildlife tales: I feed the birds out front of my house. I have a hanging feeder. I feed sunflower seed, mixed seed and thistle. I also have a suet feeder that attracts woodpeckers a lot. The types of birds I'm getting is too numerous to list. A few are house finches, goldfinches, Cardinals, Bluejays, Titmouses, Carolina Chickadees, Rufous sided towhees, cowbirds, mocking birds, Nuthatches [the little upside down birds] , several types of sparrows and wrens and downy and redheaded woodpeckers. I know I'm missing some.
The funny part is the squirrels. I get 4 or 5 daily. I have the seed stored in a big plastic tub with a lid on the porch and they have chewed through it to get inside and have chewed through the top of the feeder to get down into it. I'm not fighting that fight of trying to defeat them. It's near impossible they are so cunning.
I also have two regular little chipmunks dining daily. The first time I saw one I was stunned. Hadn't seen one here before. It disappeared for a while and I thought a cat had gotten it. Then it came back with the other one that's a bit smaller. They are the cutest little boogers you ever saw. Think Chip and Dale. Hopefully they are so quick the neighborhood cats won't get them. I have noticed the cats stalking and skulking about a lot lately.
 
#9,586
#9,586
edyeary said:
More wildlife tales: I feed the birds out front of my house. I have a hanging feeder. I feed sunflower seed, mixed seed and thistle. I also have a suet feeder that attracts woodpeckers a lot. The types of birds I'm getting is too numerous to list. A few are house finches, goldfinches, Cardinals, Bluejays, Titmouses, Carolina Chickadees, Rufous sided towhees, cowbirds, mocking birds, Nuthatches [the little upside down birds] , several types of sparrows and wrens and downy and redheaded woodpeckers. I know I'm missing some.
The funny part is the squirrels. I get 4 or 5 daily. I have the seed stored in a big plastic tub with a lid on the porch and they have chewed through it to get inside and have chewed through the top of the feeder to get down into it. I'm not fighting that fight of trying to defeat them. It's near impossible they are so cunning.
I also have two regular little chipmunks dining daily. The first time I saw one I was stunned. Hadn't seen one here before. It disappeared for a while and I thought a cat had gotten it. Then it came back with the other one that's a bit smaller. They are the cutest little boogers you ever saw. Think Chip and Dale. Hopefully they are so quick the neighborhood cats won't get them. I have noticed the cats stalking and skulking about a lot lately.
Click to expand...

My grandparents put dried corn on the cob out for their squirrels.
 
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#9,587
#9,587
InVOLuntary said:
Newt, how long has it been since you were there? Check out the reviews on trip adviser and give me your thoughts. :hi:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...s_Aura_Cozumel-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
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looks like you have some people that love it, some had problems, typical from trip advisor. Havent been there is about 5-6 years but our room and trip were awesome. My last Caribbean trip was to a 5 star resort in Punta Cana and our room was right next to where they were constructing a new resort, its sucked so you never know till you get there. One good thing about Aura is it is small and pretty much all the rooms face the ocean. Greasing palms gets you far in Mexico. Asking for a room upgrade is never bad hope you have a great trip!
 
#9,588
#9,588
bignewt said:
looks like you have some people that love it, some had problems, typical from trip advisor. Havent been there is about 5-6 years but our room and trip were awesome. My last Caribbean trip was to a 5 star resort in Punta Cana and our room was right next to where they were constructing a new resort, its sucked so you never know till you get there. One good thing about Aura is it is small and pretty much all the rooms face the ocean. Greasing palms gets you far in Mexico. Asking for a room upgrade is never bad hope you have a great trip!
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Thanks. We're not real particular folks but a couple of things in the reviews raised a few questions:

Mosquitos. We're they bad when you were There? Did you take repellent?

Food/restaurants. Some complained about the food. It appears they have more than a couple of restaurants. I saw where some said there was a sister resort next door that you could use. What was your experience/thoughts on the restaurants? Did you eat off resort? I saw where some mentioned a restaurant or two off resort.

Premier level. We didn't book whatever that is. Not sure what it is/includes that is over and above what we booked.

Beach. Some complained that the beach was rocky and it wasn't really good for swimming. Did you guys swim right off the beach? Did you all snorkel any there. Did you take your own year?

Sorry to bother you with all these questions. I appreciate your responses.
 
#9,589
#9,589
Any of you military guys have an opinion on 1) air vs army national guard and 2) reserves vs guard?

For a civilian never been in the military. Thinking about joining the "weekend warriors," but recruiters don't seem interested in telling the whole story or pros cons of each.
 
#9,590
#9,590
InVOLuntary said:
Thanks. We're not real particular folks but a couple of things in the reviews raised a few questions:

Mosquitos. We're they bad when you were There? Did you take repellent?

Food/restaurants. Some complained about the food. It appears they have more than a couple of restaurants. I saw where some said there was a sister resort next door that you could use. What was your experience/thoughts on the restaurants? Did you eat off resort? I saw where some mentioned a restaurant or two off resort.

Premier level. We didn't book whatever that is. Not sure what it is/includes that is over and above what we booked.

Beach. Some complained that the beach was rocky and it wasn't really good for swimming. Did you guys swim right off the beach? Did you all snorkel any there. Did you take your own year?

Sorry to bother you with all these questions. I appreciate your responses.
Click to expand...

Dont remember there being mosquitos.

They had a few restaurants i thought the food was good. We didnt eat at the sister resort cause it was families and kids...yuck. and yes there are a lot of good places to eat off resort a few in town are great and coconuts has great bar food again i highly recommend that place!

The beach at the resort isnt as smooth white sand as other beaches on the island but again you can drive 15 minutes and have an awesoms beach pretty much all to yourself. You can snorkel off the beach at the resort or go to the chunkanaab park where it is amazing.

So whatever shortcomings the resort may have you can rectify by jumping in a jeep and exploring!
 
#9,591
#9,591
bignewt said:
Dont remember there being mosquitos.

They had a few restaurants i thought the food was good. We didnt eat at the sister resort cause it was families and kids...yuck. and yes there are a lot of good places to eat off resort a few in town are great and coconuts has great bar food again i highly recommend that place!

The beach at the resort isnt as smooth white sand as other beaches on the island but again you can drive 15 minutes and have an awesoms beach pretty much all to yourself. You can snorkel off the beach at the resort or go to the chunkanaab park where it is amazing.

So whatever shortcomings the resort may have you can rectify by jumping in a jeep and exploring!
Click to expand...

Did you keep the jeep several days? Did you rent the jeep at the resort?
 
#9,592
#9,592
jave36 said:
Any of you military guys have an opinion on 1) air vs army national guard and 2) reserves vs guard?

For a civilian never been in the military. Thinking about joining the "weekend warriors," but recruiters don't seem interested in telling the whole story or pros cons of each.
Click to expand...

First point, all the initial training is same as active for Army Reserves and National Guard.

Guard: can get mobilized for state duty and subsequently federal duty. Supposed to be 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. Often turns into 5 day drill weekends and 4 weeks of AT.

Reserves: only has money for 1 (2day weekend a month) and 2-4 weeks a year. Sometimes a month of drill is skipped due to AT so there will be 2 x 3 day drill weekends during the year. Annual training is at least 15 days. Sometimes more will be added if you go to school. Some schools are 3-4 weeks as you progress.

I might have glossed over a bit but feel free to ask more. I was active then went Reserves. I work with the Guard a lot since I am an observer, coach, trainer.
 
#9,593
#9,593
Tim for Jim Johnson to go. One of the worst blown saves I've seen. He leads the MLB in blown saves. Surely Braves have a guy at Gwinnett that can be a better closer. Good grief
 
#9,594
#9,594
jave36 said:
Any of you military guys have an opinion on 1) air vs army national guard and 2) reserves vs guard?

For a civilian never been in the military. Thinking about joining the "weekend warriors," but recruiters don't seem interested in telling the whole story or pros cons of each.
Click to expand...

I don't know much about the reserves or guard as I was active Navy, but the best advice I can give you is to get as much information from friends that have been through it or use whatever resources you have to make sure you are prepared before you go talk to a recruiter. You may get lucky and get a recruiter that will shoot it to you straight but I have heard way too many horror stories from guys that I served with who were fed a lot of wrong info and were lied to. I was lucky and had a great recruiter that I still speak to on occasion today.
 
#9,595
#9,595
SergeantVol said:
First point, all the initial training is same as active for Army Reserves and National Guard.

Guard: can get mobilized for state duty and subsequently federal duty. Supposed to be 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. Often turns into 5 day drill weekends and 4 weeks of AT.

Reserves: only has money for 1 (2day weekend a month) and 2-4 weeks a year. Sometimes a month of drill is skipped due to AT so there will be 2 x 3 day drill weekends during the year. Annual training is at least 15 days. Sometimes more will be added if you go to school. Some schools are 3-4 weeks as you progress.

I might have glossed over a bit but feel free to ask more. I was active then went Reserves. I work with the Guard a lot since I am an observer, coach, trainer.
Click to expand...

Sounds like Reserves are a little more appealing, if I'm understanding you correctly, at least from a consistency of routine standpoint. Are you more likely to be deployed in one? Any drawbacks to the reserves?

Any thoughts on Air Vs Army, if you can put your biases aside :)
 
#9,596
#9,596
jave36 said:
Any of you military guys have an opinion on 1) air vs army national guard and 2) reserves vs guard?

For a civilian never been in the military. Thinking about joining the "weekend warriors," but recruiters don't seem interested in telling the whole story or pros cons of each.
Click to expand...

Sarge answered already but I will add to it. What are you wanting to do in the military and what state do you live in. The NG can be called out for state duty but it is rare unless there is a natural disaster. Each state offers different benefits too. If you are interested in education benefits, you should looks into what your state offers. I have a little insight for TN and IN having served in the NG of both of those states.
 
#9,597
#9,597
jave36 said:
Sounds like Reserves are a little more appealing, if I'm understanding you correctly, at least from a consistency of routine standpoint. Are you more likely to be deployed in one? Any drawbacks to the reserves?

Any thoughts on Air Vs Army, if you can put your biases aside :)
Click to expand...

Again, a lot of it has to do with what you are looking for. Sarge is more knowledgeable about the Reserve. I would say that deployment possibility depends largely on your MOS or Military Occupational Specialty. Some are more in need for deployment than others. The NG is really not that bad and your drill/AT schedule usually is pretty static.
 
#9,598
#9,598
Glitch said:
Sarge answered already but I will add to it. What are you wanting to do in the military and what state do you live in. The NG can be called out for state duty but it is rare unless there is a natural disaster. Each state offers different benefits too. If you are interested in education benefits, you should looks into what your state offers. I have a little insight for TN and IN having served in the NG of both of those states.
Click to expand...

I'm in Arkansas, where we have tons of tornados and flooding, so natural disasters are a possibility. Masters degree will be finished before I join the reserves or guard, so education benefits don't really matter (unless they have student loan repayment).
 
#9,599
#9,599
jave36 said:
Sounds like Reserves are a little more appealing, if I'm understanding you correctly, at least from a consistency of routine standpoint. Are you more likely to be deployed in one? Any drawbacks to the reserves?

Any thoughts on Air Vs Army, if you can put your biases aside :)
Click to expand...


The National Guard consists of combat units. The Reserves is combat support. Deployment ratio leans a little more to the Guard side currently. The only drawback really to either is the people. Coming from active to Reserves was a culture shock. A lot of grabassery on the weekends but when it comes to the mission Reservists and Guardsmen can throw down. Most weekends you will feel that you are doing BS work (the admin monster) and it'll feel like it was a waste. Mentorship can be lacking at times. Most don't want to move units for career progression because they are around their buddies. It can be a plus as well if you are career minded, less competition. I am about to put on Master Sergeant with only 16 years time in service. What are your goals for joining? College? Experience? Something fulfilling?

Can't speak to the Air Guard. I honestly have no idea.
 
#9,600
#9,600
jave36 said:
I'm in Arkansas, where we have tons of tornados and flooding, so natural disasters are a possibility. Masters degree will be finished before I join the reserves or guard, so education benefits don't really matter (unless they have student loan repayment).
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They do have student loan repayment on the enlisted side pending what job you contract into. I would encourage you to get a commission and be an officer. The pay is a million times better. You would glide to at least a Major given that you have a Masters degree. Glitch can probably speak more to the officer side since he never worked for a living while he was in.
 
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