California ID card

So, I have FINALLY bit the bullet and gotten my California ID Number (card is on its way) so after signing a lease on my new place after the fire, I had an actual proof of residence, and spent a very reasonable hour and half in line to get my California ID. Please note that in all the states that I have lived in, California is the only one that requires you to have one of their ID's in order to do stuff in that state... like, say, get a business license, for example. I always figured that, though I am a supporter of state's rights, there was still the factor of National Supremacy (as established by the Supreme Court under John Marshall) and that as a Floridian, I am still a citizen of the United States of America, and therefore still guaranteed all the rights and liberties associated therein. This apparently does not apply to California. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand the idea that the state has a need and a right to tax company's and individuals doing business within their state, but considering the application for a DL or a standard ID for California was geared very much toward foreign nationals as well as American citizens, I kinda assumed I would have priority. (there is even a space to sign acknowledging if you have no SSN, and are not a US Citizen... but you CAN be a Californian)

Some may argue, and accurately so, that my primary experience with living in other states came through the military, and that being an employee of the federal government, and in such places as Louisiana and New York, more or less not by choice, I would not have been subject to each individual states citizenship regulations. very true, but also remember that I grew up on the border between Alabama and Florida, and watched people live in one state, doing business in the other as a part of daily life (my father still does, and pays no income tax to Alabama, as he is a Floridian) and being in New York, just north of NYC, it was a similar scenario for denizens of New Jersey and Connecticut who worked in the City and lived in the suburbs to simply go about their daily lives as Americans and nothing less because their ID had a different state's flag on it.

oh well, that is just my personal opinion on the matter, and counts for very little. I have a California address, and a California ID, and pay taxes to Arnold Schwarzenegger (damn, I need to hurry up and get into the National Guard so i can swear allegiance to that guy... how cool would that be? He killed the predator!) But having the new ID opens up new doors for me, like applying for a California CCW (not holding my breath for this one) a California Business License, Issuing California State Handgun certifications (yeah, I can do that), and maybe most importantly, voting Red in a Blue state! with these new responsibilities come new freedoms and opportunities, and I have every intention of taking advantage of them!

Video of Afghanistan Ambush

Video clip that was forwarded to me from Lightfight.net - 101st Airborne in action. Good example of a Light Infantry firefight, and a great reaction from the whole team. Hazy point at 10 seconds in, where the TL nearly flags his own man right after the fight starts, but all in all, this guy is a stud, and that 40mm will swing a close fight any day of the week. Awesome video


101st Airborne Ambush - Afghanistan

Dow at a 2 year high

The Dow hit a two year high on Teusday - thats not saying much as we're still around two thousand points from the highs in late 2007, but it is something. the high didn't last long, when on Wednesday investors took their profits and ran, causing a slight slip, but things came back today. At just a point below 11500, may be looking better for the overall economy, but I would not get my hopes up just yet.

Things have been better this year than they were in 2008 and 2009, of course, and even significantly so, but that does not mean that the nation is on track for its full recovery. The GM IPO that I was following so closely for a while has come and gone, with brilliant results. I really wish I had been able to get in on that at the ground level, but it just wasn't in the cards. The company made exponentially more from the offering than they originally expected, and this will result in much needed jobs for the hard hit detroit area.

This one high point though, doesn't really hold it's luster when compared to the whole. Stocks may be up overall, but a lot of the change is seasonal, and increases, as a general rule, because of retail results over the Christmas shopping season. I am not blind, or unappreciative, to the trickle down effect of the increased spending over this season, and have directly benifited as a result of it, but I am concerned that this preceived prosperity may be premature, or unsubstantial - temporary even. The spendding this season may be overshadowing some technology and green energy companys that are not receiving the atttention or support that they deserve or need, and that may be detrimental to the development of the national job scene, and economy overall. Overall, the funds that I follow are at a wash since the Dow was at 11000. while some of the retail heavy funds have looked goods (and yes, will likely be paying dividends) others that I beleive are the real future for development in this country, have been waivering. 

Happy Holidays America. Keep spending, enjoy your families and friends. Have fun over the holidays, but don't sugar coat the situation, and don't view the world with idealism. Peace on earth and goodwill toward man is what this is all about, but when thats over and done with, we will need to get back to work, because there is still a lot to be done.

Green Beret vs The Internet

Got this video from Roosterteeth.com - a really need site, especially if you're into shooting games. Just goes to show that all the hype out there, nothing beats training and experience. Hope yall enjoy the video as much as I did.

Job Searching for Veterans

I have not posted anything in a while, and for that I apologize. A lot has been going on recently, and I recently got a job, but that is no excuse. This update is about something very important to the veteran community out there, and something that I have a bit of first hand experience with: getting hired.

I have been out of the Army for just over a year now, and other than some temporary work with the Census Bureau, I have not been able to find any legitimate paid employment until now. That is over a year of active job hunting with a big fat goose egg as a result. I do not claim to be an expert. I am better positioned for a job search than many veterans out there, and I acknowledge that not everything I have to say is applicable.  But nor was I an Engineer, or Mechanic, or Signals Analyst, or really anything that would provide for an almost immediate transfer of skills and experiences. In the Infantry, leading soldiers is what we do – but that doesn't always mean personnel management outside of uniform.


True, I have a Bachelor of Science (courtesy of the US Army) in International Relations, but that means exactly jack in the civilian world. Moreover, I have been a soldier since I was 17, and have worn a uniform ever since - leaving no time for even the most menial civilian work experience. On top of that, being an Infantryman doesn't easily translate to the suit and tie world. (It translates for us, of course... but it is the interviewer that we have to impress) In short, I am 27 years old, feeling like a kid straight out of high school looking for any work to pay the bills.


The biggest issue is actually getting to the interview. I sometimes think that I aim too high in some of the positions that I apply for, but if there is another way to aim, I never learned it. When every job out there is looking for someone with experience in that particular position, then there are no jobs available to get the necessary experience. Sometimes it works that way, and yeah, it sucks. It's not hard to parlay military experience into civilian terms when you are face to face with an interviewer. You have the opportunity to explain yourself a bit more, and really show your future boss that you can handle the situation. This becomes far more difficult on paper though, as with the bulleted comments on a resume, it is hard to compare civilian and military work experience without a blatant lie.


The best tip that I ever received on tweaking a military resume is to discuss tangible accomplishments in terms of general success and measurement. If you were a team leader, don't just put “team leader, US Army” mention that you were the first line supervisor of 4-5 personnel, directly responsible for their training and performance in high pressure situations. If you were the company armorer, a civilian employer may have no idea what that means. Instead, say that you were personally responsible for millions of dollars (depending on what kind of company you were with) worth of sensitive and restricted equipment. Give the employer values – something tangible and visual for your past experience, and all of a sudden, that guy who was a frat boy chugging beers while you were in the suck isn't going to look quite as appealing for the open position.


Once you get the interview, the battle is halfway over – but by no means is it won. You definitely have to bring your A game to sit down with your would be boss. Dress according to the job, and then take it one note higher. If everyone in the office you want to work in wears jeans and t-shirts, wear slacks and a tie. If they are in Khakis and a button down, you should be in a suit. If the office attire is suit and tie, then you'd better know how to wear one the right way. You never get another chance to make a good first impression.
Know what you are going to say before you get there for the interview. Bring a copy of your resume (at least one) and know how to explain each of your bullet points. This is a guide to your work history, and you aught to know it. The interviewer will expect you to be able to make them believe you are the best person for the job, and if you don't, it will show. Be confident, but don't be cocky. Be professional, but humble. Don't tell war stories. You may think that it helps your case, but you also might be making the interviewer feel inferior or inadequate. Keep everything professional, but be funny as well. This makes you memorable, and when they remember your name, you are more likely to get a call back.


Be prepared for questions like: what is your greatest regret, can you work well under pressure (try not to laugh at this one) where do you see yourself in 5 years, and things like this. Have an answer for them, and give them some thought before hand. You don't want to hesitate at game time.


Overall, yes, the economy sucks, and as a veteran you'll get a lot of handshakes and a “thank you for your service, but you're not what we're looking for” but there is nothing to do for this but drive on and keep trying. Our resume may not stack up to others who chose an easier path these last few years, but the biggest advantage that we have is our resilience. You take whatever crap life throws at you in stride, and keep moving, because that is the only way through. Right after I got out a friend of mine told me to be careful – that I was coming from a society where me, and those around me, would rather die than fail, and entering one where many people would rather fail than be inconvenienced. Ain't it the truth. As a veteran, there is no job out there that is above you if you apply yourself. You just have to make sure that everyone else knows it too.

Korea...

So if we go to war with North Korea, I'm going back into the Army. I am a child of the 1980's, and I spent my entire life waiting to fight communists. Now that I'm out of the military, the Koreans decide to start mixing it up? This is unacceptable! I'm not going to miss my chance to punch a communist in the face!

Bug Out Bag AAR (After Action Review)

Last week there was a fire in my apartment building that burnt out (like Baghdad style burnt out) 1 room and did significant damage to my own (I was directly above where the fire started) This was my first time actually using my BOB in an emergency situation and I typed up a bit of an AAR for some buddies on this site, and my professional associates, both as a learning experience and to seek advice on tweaking it a bit.

As to the contents of the bag, I will not bore the professionals here with a detailed list of things like: 550 cord, 35ft, type OD green, 1 each. etc. I have been tweaking it around since I first started keeping a BOB a few years into the Army. Please assume that I had all the basics, unless mentioned in the Improves section. If you have something a bit unorthadox that has worked for you, and wouldn't be in a basic kit, then by all means let me know! Thats why I'm here. An issue that I did have though, was that my BOB was geared more toward an extended E&E scenario, or basically just getting the hell outta dodge, rather than an Urban Emergency Management or Natural Disaster situation, which is far more likely.

Sustains:
Camel Back Assault pack - I had it on my back for about a 12 hour period, moving all around the complex, and getting things taken care of during the aftermath. It may seem obvious to most of us that one would use a backpack style setup for a BOB, but many civilian style emergency kits, or those put together by response teams (and by this I mean, red cross, united way, NGO's etc. not EMTs or LE organizations) are in duffle bags or hand carried kit bags, and in my mind this is a no-go. In this situation, these would prove to be a pain in the ass. I was also glad for all the cargo room in the full assault pack. It allowed me to scoop up valuables (like my laptop) last minute and get out.
White Light Source - again, this is obvious to a lot of us, but I cannot stress this enough to the civilians that go through my Handgun courses and the other CERT and EM personnel that I have worked and train with, especially in an urban environment. once the power goes out inside a building, it is pitch black, and in the aftermath of the fire, my TacLight seemed to be the only white light source anyone had.
Digital Camera - this was something I lucked out on, as it was only in my bag due to my last road trip, but it was there, and I am glad for it. Important for taking pictures for insurance, evidence, etc. and again, this is something much more geared toward the ND/EM scenario than what I had originally put together my BOB for.
Spare Cell Phone charger - it has been over a week and I still have not been allowed back into my apartment (Asbestos from where the FD knocked down some walls) if i did not have a spare charger in my bag, my phone would have died well before I could have bought a new one, and you're on your phone quite a bit in this type of situation.

Improves(and as in any good learning experience, there are a lot of them. more than I can comfortably list here):
Gear not centrally located in BOB. - some things in my standard BOB get regular use (like my leatherman being on my desk, and my pistol being in my range bag) and were not packed up when I needed them. Yeah, my bad, and this basically negates the purpose of even having a BOB, and beleive me, I kicked myself for this at the time, but overall, having a plan, knowing what you need in your bag, and knowing exactly where those items are, worked out for me, and just goes to show that prior planning yes, really does work. (This is geared more toward families rather than Lightfighters themselves - have the "In case of emergency" family meeting, run rehersals, and make sure everyone is on the same page)
esential paperwork not in bag - Also, I need to get a fireproof box, for things like my DD214, medical records, etc. but I had no basic paperwork like my insurance information, hospital phone numbers (my girlfriend is a nurse, and was at work during the incident) etc. on me, or in my BOB. All this information was eventually found, but having the basics on me would have made things easier. This is a tip that I CAN take from the Red Cross or United Way - in all their emergency kits they provide laminated contact cards with all this crap on there. I need to pick one up.
Expanded medical kit - quickclot and an IV kit are all well and good when you're planning on treating GSW's, but a mother didn't appreciate it when I offered medical tape to her son in lieu of a bandaid with neosporin. plan for what you're reacting to. This brings me back to revamping my kit.
There are a slew of other improves I could bring up, but they are far too mundane (as if these were not) to discuss at length.

General Comments: You have time. I woke up at 0400 to the smell of smoke, well before my fire alarm went off. if you don't panic, then you can grab your gear and throw on your boots with plenty of time to spare. I grabbed my kit, the items that weren't in my kit (again, prior planning) and a few essential belongings and was still the first one out and about. everyone around you is going to be a big ball of chaos, and there is very little you can do about it. there is no use trying to calm people down and stop hystaria. These are not soldiers, or people with any type of uselful life experience, and American civilians don't typically respond well to being given orders. worry about you and yours, and keep people from killing themselves, but if there are more than about 15-20 people around, don't try to control the situation, groupthink will supercede common sense or charisma.

afterwards the Fire Captain shook my hand. I was banging on doors and telling people to get the fuck out when the FD arrived, and assisted with breaching two doors (they use heavy ass crow bars, BTW, which just destroy flimsy apartment doors) before they had enough guys on the floor to cover it and told me to get out of there. Getting a pat on the back from a professional like that was a great feeling. Yeah, I know, I should have gotten out ASAP, and let the pros handle the first responder stuff, but it's not in me to sit idly by, and i doubt anyone on here would have done any different in the situation.

I'm still living out of a hotel a week later, but I look on this as a learning experience, and plan on incorporating a lot of the lessons learned into my next few PPiH (Personal Protection in The Home) courses, which, to the NRA's credit, focus quite a bit on preparedness. What are some other practical BOB experiences? What do you have in your bag that I might not have thought of? any questions or info that I might have overlooked?

 

General Motors IPO - Continued

I recently posted about the General Motor's Initial Public Offering (henceforth known as an IPO) and discussing mainly whether or not it was with the $25+ that GM as requesting for their Capital raising stock. Well it has recently come to my attention (through CNBC... not exactly insider information) that GM has over $50 Billion (yes, that is Billion, with a B) in tax credits from previous years where there company reported a net loss. Normally bankruptcy would wipe out any tax credits that a company was able to claim, but because GM received TARP funding, and didn't go under, they are still eligible. What does this mean to the individual investor? Well, it means that your $25 stock in GM now has billions more in working capital that it simply does not have to pay in taxes, and can be spread out over years (not just their first profitable year... unless that year is incredibly profitable) this can lead to dividend payments to stockholders, increased capital gains for the company, a much higher ROI, and profit margin for GM's new products. Basically the $25 stock that is going on sale in the next few weeks just became about $50 Billion more valuable. Still think long and hard about your investment options and goals (as $50 Billion in tax credits won't make a bad company profitable, just a good one that much moreso) but in my book, this new info just puts another mark in the “Win” column for GM.

Shooting in So-Cal

This week I enjoyed my first shooting experience since coming to southern California. Upon the recommendation of the proprietor of a local sporting goods and gun shop – Grant Boys – I drove out to Huntington Beach (not too far from Newport, where I call home) to the Firing Line. This indoor shooting range is small – which could be expected for both an indoor range, and one in Huntington Beach, but it was not crowded, and had a nice atmosphere to it. Like every range I have been to, you signed a liability waiver before shooting, but this was in no way a hassle as some ranges tend to make it. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable without trying to get into a pissing contest with customers over gun knowledge or tactics – again, as some ranges tend to do.



Firing Line - Huntington Beach, Ca



There is, of course, the standard set of indoor range rules that anyone who has shot before knows about – no presenting from the holster, no “rapid fire” (meaning, as usual, no more than one round fired per second) double taps, etc. But no one seemed to take exception when I shot some defensive drills, Mozambque drills, and did quick reloads... basically getting some training besides basic fundamentals out of my range time.

The price for basic range fees was fairly steep at $18, but guests shoot on the same lane for $9, which isn't bad, and the annual membership deal is pretty good. $150 annual fee gets you unlimited range time, as well we 10% off their already cheap (but reloaded) ammo, and it is a family membership. With their initial range fees, this would more than pay for itself, even if you only shoot once a month.

The pro shop had a good deal of handguns in their rental program ($10 a gun, plus ammo prices, but free for members... another plus for membership) if there is something you have been itching to shoot before you buy, and a good selection of targets – everything from standard bullseyes to military style silhouettes and even zombie targets (ya know, for training purposes)

I shot for about an hour, with my .40 cal and my .45, with ammo and targets purchased on site, and dropped about $55 total. Overall, a bit on the pricey side, but a good experience. If I plan on shooting even semi-regularly, then I'll put out for a membership, and cut those expenses by quite a bit – especially if I will be taking students to this range for one on one instruction and private classes.

Halloween in Hollywood

Last night was my first Halloween on the west coast. At first I was a bit concerned as to whether or not I would actually do anything to celebrate this typically very enjoyable holiday. Jaime was working on Saturday night - she said she didn't want to work on the day of the holiday, and get all the crazies that accompany Halloween in the hospital that night... but as we figured out, almost all of the parties going on for Halloween were scheduled for Saturday, not Sunday the 31^st. This left us with a dilemma... we wanted to do something, but not much seemed to be going on. After asking around on Saturday night someone suggested simply “Try Hollywood” - a cursory Google search confirmed that the Hollywood Halloween Carnival was something that we wanted to do.

I have been all over the country for all kinds of parties – Mardi Gras in New Orleans, New Years in NYC, etc. and Halloween in Hollywood is definitely comparable. The carnival website said that they expected hundreds of thousands of revelers, and after being there, I believe it. The traffic getting off on Santa Monica Blvd (4+ miles down from the site) was terrible... one lane of the highway hardly moving, while the rest is empty. The stop and go traffic off the highway and going towards the revelry was mostly stop and hardly any go... we quickly abandoned our original plan to go to one of the parking lots set aside specifically for the event, as it simply wasn't practical to get there, and ended up paying $20 to park more than a mile away, but after sitting in the car for over an hour and not moving a city block, that price was well worth it. I dressed as a Spartan soldier, while Jaime was a Greek Goddess (she looked the part far more than I) and although the press of the crowd was severe, there was a festive, enjoyable atmosphere, without the any of the shady or sinister feelings that accompany many similar events.

The costumes on display at the carnival were insane! There was everything from the store bought “Snooki” and Lady Gaga outfits to home made works of art that would be worthy of Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Los Angeles has a huge gay and lesbian population, and they were out in force – mostly with stylized military uniforms in protest of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” legislation that is so prominent in the news lately. Another popular choice, which to my mind was a bit too soon, were the hundreds of people dressed as the trapped Chilean miners who were so recently rescued. My personal favorite were several BP oil chefs, serving up fresh gulf coast seafood, covered in home made, and very artistic black tar.

What struck me as noteworthy though, was that unlike many of the other street parties and celebrations that I have been too, especially those involving the sheer number of people present at the Hollywood Halloween Carnival was that there was not the drug and alcohol infused atmosphere that practically drips from New Orleans events. Everyone was having a good time and enjoying themselves, even though I don't remember a single person who was noticeably inebriated (though I am sure that they were there somewhere.) The scandalousness of many costumes (worn by both men and women) and the lateness of the hour were the only things that would keep the carnival from being a full family event – though one that was still thoroughly enjoyed by the twenty something crowd as well.

Reagan said it best

... Life is not so dear and peace not so sweet as to be purchased by the chains of slavery.

There are still we few out there who beleive it is better to die on our feet than live on our knees, that war may be an ugly thing, but it is not the ugliest thing. To paraphrase John Stuart Mill, we know that those cold and dispasionate souls who beleive nothing is worth fighting for will only be made and kept free through the efforts of better men than themselves.

And so, I give you, President Ronald Reagan:

Reagan - We Must Fight speech

Always remember than people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

General Motors IPO

Recently in the financial news, the IPO (Initial Public Offering) from General Motors has made quite the headline. Some argue that since GM took TARP money from the Federal Government, that this IPO is the American people buying up the debt that the company still owes to Washington – the debt that was already paid for by the American tax payer. Yes, I certainly see their point in this, but GM is already in the process of paying back the TARP funds, and this IPO is going to serve as capital for expanded growth. I recently spoke to a long time GM manager, and he is, understandably, very excited about the possibilities offered by this IPO. General Motors is one of the leading American green / hybrid car manufacturers, and the capital acquired from the IPO will go towards hiring new employees – everyone from engineers and managers to line workers, and funding new and expanding projects, like the Chevy Volt, a highly anticipated entirely electric car. The company is saving money with their new hires by putting them on contracts as opposed to full employee status – meaning good and competitive pay, for a specified project or period of time, but without the benefits and pensions (or union status) that the automotive industry had become known, and condemned, for over the past few decades. The biggest question in my mind, and that has been asked on CNBC and other financial news shows, is whether or not the $25+ price tag on the IPO shares is really worth it. This is a significant increase over past GM prices – even before the bankruptcy, and there is some question as to the actual value of this new stock offering. This will require a bit more research before I invest any of my own (currently non-existent) capital, but my initial feeling is that GM is a company that has adapted and overcome hardship and changes in both the economy and popular culture for the better part of a century. They are well managed and have a good foothold in the future of the auto industry – hybrid and electric cars – far more so than many of the other American auto manufacturers out there, and this IPO will facilitate a high rate of growth. Combine this with the emerging middle class in China, which is pining for American goods, to include cars, and the emerging potential in India (again with a preference for American imports) I think that though $25 a share is expensive for what it will yield this year or next year, this is the ground level of a growing project, which may have the endurance for a long and profitable run.

Re-Blog from Getsatisfaction.com - Fastest way to lose customers

A buddy of mine sent me this link - getsatisfaction.com - something I had never heard of, but that I certainly found interesting, especially since my life, and my blog, has taken a more business minded turn lately. This particular page describes how the reason most customers move on from a company, or change brands (brand loyalty being one of the most valued and profitable aspects of the customer - company relationship) simply through dissatisfaction with customer support and response times. It's really very interesting, especially the part about social media, like twitter, and I really like the way the page is put together and the information is presented. let me know what yall think.

Fastest Way to Lose Customers

By Andy Wibbels on October 4, 2010

 

http://blog.getsatisfaction.com/2010/10/04/fastest-way-to-lose-customers/?view=socialstudies

The Dow is back at 11K... Is this good news?

These last couple of weeks the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the market in general, have improved quite a bit, as much as 7-8% in some areas, but is all this bullish activity really a good sign of an improving economy? Some pundits out there – even some respected ones – say “no” and who am I to argue? Well, I'm me, and I say... “Maybe”

The main argument against the idea that an improving market is bringing the US economy out of recession has to do with the rapid increase in the deflation of the US Dollar in the past few weeks. Just yesterday CNBC correspondent Erin Burnett said that the S&P 500 and the value of the US Dollar – two data streams that usually have a positive correlation are running against each other. The S&P has been up 8% in the past few weeks, while in the same time frame, the value of the US Dollar has dropped 7%. some argue that the weakened dollar is one of the driving forces in US stocks being traded – that foreign investors can get a good deal hedging their investments due to the exchange rate. This is, of course, true, but I doubt that the one caused (or causes) the other. Yes, savvy investors always look for favorable exchange rates in foreign markets to get the most out of their investments, but when they start to invest foreign capital into the American market, it still benefits our production, and our overall economic situation, until the exchange rate evens back out.

A devalued US Dollar will not last long, and the increase in capital to our market that we are experiencing at the moment, whether caused by the lower value of the dollar or not, will keep showing returns far after the dollar has leveled off and begun to increase in value.

Another safety net in place is the idea that some of our major economical competitors like China and India may be overvalued – like what happened with Japan just a few months ago. The massive deflation of the Yen caused a huge drop in the Japanese market, and then an influx of foreign investment. Japan is, of course, still recovering from this drop, but it is on the road to digging itself out of that hole. Many experts believe that China is soon going to be forced to do a similar devaluation to the Yuan, and the Indian Rupee might be in the same situation.

The current situation with the value of the US dollar may not seem favorable for emerging market investment, and if the future holds a deflation for China and India, then investors would be wise to stay away from there as well. All the same, UBS investments is very favorable to emerging markets, and relies heavily on these investments to make their returns. South Korea and Malaysia have been given as examples of undervalued and producing nations that could see significant economic growth in the future. I personally like Latin American markets for their agriculture and bio-fuel / green energy potential, and Brazil is at the top of my list.

Overall, the dramatic increase in the market these last few weeks is restrained somewhat by the devaluation of the dollar, but not to the point where the two cancel out. If anything I see both activities as facilitators for US Economic growth. I plan to keep investing, hedging my American companies and funds with the emerging markets that I have been a fan of for a while. 11,000 in the Dow is milestone, but in my opinion, by no means a plateau.

Deployment Investments

My old battalion is about to deploy again – this time to Afghanistan, and one of the things that I wanted to touch on today was finances and investments while overseas. I know a lot of the people who read this are military, or at least former military, and not many of those of us in uniform get much training on what to do with our money. Many of the men I served with used their combat pay to buy a new Mustang, which they subsequently wrapped around a tree, or squandered it on extravagances like video game systems or the latest gadget (these days that would likely be an iPad, a few years ago it was an xbox 360) yeah, sure splurging on something every now and then for putting up with everything you do overseas is fine, but I got a lot more satisfaction by being that much richer after deployment.

One of the simplest and best options while overseas, is also one of the most overlooked. The Savings Deposit Program, or SDP is an excellent way to rack up a bit of interest on your already tax free pay. The program yields a guaranteed 10% APR, and although it maxes out at $10,000 it doesn't take very long to get to that point while deployed. You have to be in country for 30 days before you can sign up for it (your time in Kuwait counts, so you can really sign up before you get fully into sector) and one of the best things about this program is that you still receive interest on your money for 90 days after DEROS (date of estimated return from over seas) so on a 12 month deployment you'll receive 14 months of quarterly interest payments.

When I was in Iraq I alloted every cent of my paycheck to go to the SDP, and any incidentals that I needed – which wasn't much - I put on a credit card (USAA will drop your credit card interest rates to 2% for the duration of any deployment, so you're turning a profit by delaying payment) in about 3 months, after the interest payments, I was more or less maxed out at $10K and stopped the allotments (you can make cash or check deposits too, but you have to go to the finance office on whatever FOB you're close to, and sometimes thats more trouble than its worth). I even withdrew the interest when it went over the max so I wasn't losing any opportunity cost. All in all, I made more than $1000 in interest from a 15 month deployment, and the craziest thing was that I was the only soldier in my company that enrolled in the program. This is a great opportunity while you are overseas, and if you don't take advantage of it, you're missing out.

I spoke with an accountant friend of mine about taxes overseas, and taxable income specifically for this blog. It's no secret that your pay while deployed is tax free, but what is taxable are capital gains. Any investments that you make and earn money off of is taxable (the profit from it, not what you invested)

while you are overseas and have Internet access – not a given by any means if you're in an Infantry outfit or another combat role, feel free to play the market – buy low and sell high. USAA and most other banks offer investment programs and investment advice (for a fee, of course). If a stock or mutual fund is doing well, of course you don't want to sell it, but if you see a plateau or you think it has toped out for the moment, sell it and then reinvest low. Any profit you make you'll owe taxes on, but thats the beauty of investing while deployed – if your entire taxable income is just a few thousand dollars, you likely won't pay a dime come tax time. Even if you don't want to start investing on your own or day trading, being deployed is a great time to get involved with an investment program, which are fairly easy to get started and a definite force multiplier for your cash.

One government program that I do have an issue with is the Thrift Savings Plan, of TSP. I contributed to my TSP for about 8 months while I was in the Army before I decided it just wasn't worth it. This package is sold as a 401K type deal for soldiers, but it really isn't. There are no matching investments (which is odd, considering they match investments for DOD civilians, just not service members) and the investment options are just way to conservative for my tastes. I am young, as are most people in the military, and an aggressive investment plan is really the way to go in the long run – you'll make way more money than playing it safe, and anything that doesn't do well because it is aggressive, is canceled out through your diversification (which is why I like mutual funds – instant diversity). Yes, its true, anything invested in the TSP is tax free till you retire, and that has some advantages, but when you are deployed, and everything is tax free, that takes away the only perk. The TSP is all well and good, but I would have made a lot more if I had simply kept investing instead of contributing to my TSP.

Once again guys, stay safe over there. I'm truly sorry I can't go with you this time (to the point that I'm seriously considering commissioning to the National Guard... I have unfinished business). Keep your heads down, and don't blow this chance to walk away with a bit more cash.

Don't Tread on Me!

Siglo Cigar Lounge and Acid Kuba Kuba

Spent the evening last night at Siglo Cigar Lounge here in Newport Beach. So far it is the only true cigar lounge that I have found since coming to California, and that is something that I miss about being in Florida. A friend of mine used to say that a cigar is a 45 minute vacation. You hit the pause button on life and just enjoy. A good smoke is more than just good tobacco. It involves everything that goes on around you. It is the camaraderie and conversation that comes through the smoky veil of a good cigar. It is made up of the entire experience of burning one in good company, and the pleasant memory of every good cigar you've smoked before. Siglo cigar lounge provides just that. They are open late, and turn into something of a hangout in the evenings – as a good lounge should! They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff, and a big screen TV playing sports, movies or whatever the consensus happens to be. This does tend to stem conversation a bit, but there is always a discussion going on in the front of the store. Their selection is limited (they don't carry my Room 101's) but what they do have is excellent, and Gary, the manager, would be happy to give you a reccomendation.

Last night I chose an Acid Kuba Kuba, from Drew Estate. I am a big fan of the Drew Estate line of cigars, and though I don't typically care for flavored smokes, Acids, and their Kuba Kuba specifically don't really fall into this category. This was a light, pleasant smoke, with smooth draw and high volume of rich smoke. I could not specifically identify the flavor though (which, along with the high quality tobacco, sets it apart from the awful Swisher Sweets and Dutch Masters and other gas station smokes that are normally associated with flavorings) it fell somewhere as a mix of sweet coffee and rum, and combined well with the full, round mouth feel of the smoke. Another point of praise for the Kuba Kuba – it was good right down to the last draw, instead of turning harsh or bitter as some cigars tend to do after burning for an hour or more.

 

Overall this is a good intro cigar, or a good choice when you want something light and pleasant when you don't want the robustness of a full bodied maduro.

Amputee Graduates Special Forces Sniper Course

Yeah, you read that right...

Amputee Graduates Special Forces Sniper Course

From Army.Mil - The US Army's Homepage

JOHN Wayne has toured Afghanistan and Iraq, hunted grizzly bears in Alaska and earned the Silver Star; and as of July, he is the first one-legged Soldier to graduate the Special Forces Sniper Course.

Staff Sgt. John Wayne Walding of Groesbeck, Texas, that is.

In April 2008, Walding and nine other Special Forces Soldiers from a 3rd Special Forces Group assault team were attacked by the Hezeb Islami al Gulbadin while searching for insurgents in Afghanistan's Shok Valley.

Over the six-and-a-half-hour firefight, more than 150 insurgents were killed. The members of the assault team were each awarded the Silver Star in December 2008 for their courageous actions.

Walding, one of several team members injured, took a bullet through his right leg under his knee.

"I ripped off my boot lace and literally tied my leg to my thigh to keep it from flapping around," he said.

After his injury, Walding knew he wasn't going to give up and leave the Army. He also didn't want to spend the rest of his career behind a desk.

"You don't become a Green Beret because you 'kind of like it,' you become a Green Beret because you love it, and can't imagine being anything else," he said.

While recuperating, Walding worked as an assistant instructor at 3rd SFG's sniper detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he refused to lower his personal standards because of his injury. But in order to become a full-time instructor, he had to complete the Special Forces Sniper Course at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

During the course, many of Walding's classmates didn't even know about his injury and prosthetic leg. Walding said he enjoyed his fellow Soldiers' reactions after they learned about his missing leg.

"At first, (my classmates) were shocked to realize I was missing a leg," Walding said. "Then, they realized 'Wow, he's doing everything I'm doing!'"

The seven-week Special Forces Sniper Course teaches sniper marksmanship, semiautomatic shooting, ballistics theory and tactical movement. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Owens, an SFSC instructor in 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, emphasized the importance of these skills, and said it takes Soldiers like Walding to push themselves to the limits.

"Snipers have become more dynamic over the past 10 years," Owens said. "Considering current operations overseas, snipers have never been more prevalent, because of the need for distance shooting in rugged terrain."

Walding loves everything about training to be a sniper, particularly the mission and the weapons. He even enjoyed training during the hottest June ever recorded in North Carolina.

"The skill of a Special Forces sniper is unparalleled," Walding said. "This is the most prestigious sniper school in the world. That means something."

"There was never a doubt that Walding would do well in this course," Owens said. "He is extremely motivated, and that never dropped during the course. He never asked for special treatment; he did the same training as everyone else, and scored well in all the exercises."

That never-quit, Soldier-first attitude is what started him back on the path to Special Forces following the battle in Shok Valley.

During his initial recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Walding set short-term goals for himself. He was a runner before the incident, averaging 50 miles per week. During recovery, he would get up and run a little more every day, always keeping his focus on that next step.

Walding is using the same process to work his way back to an operational role. As a Soldier, his first step was to finish the sniper course; the next step is acting as an instructor for his fellow Soldiers. He's hoping to work his way back to a place on an operational Special Forces detachment.

"I'm John Wayne, born on the Fourth of July. This is what I was meant to do." Walding said.

Saturday = College Football

For me, Saturday = College Football.   Thats just how it has always been, ever since I was a kid. My father didn't come to my homecoming after Iraq because Florida had a home game that day, and he had season tickets. I understood, and would have made the same decision. Thats how it is in our family, and throughout the SEC. For me, today revolves around Florida vs LSU at 4:30 (Pacific)   Currently I find myself engrossed in a very good Michigan vs MSU game, and cheering for a Big 10 Spartan team that my girlfriend likes almost as much as I like Florida. I'll also be checking in on Army vs. Tulane. My alma mater was terrible while I was at the Academy, but the last few years Army has managed to win a few, and once again I find myself singing On Brave Old Army Team!   Many people have let their foul opinions of the BCS ranking system known throughout the Internet, but I kind of like it. I'm not going to say that it is without its flaws, but I enjoy watching the games, and cheering for or against teams that I have no interest in, but only because a strategic win or loss will move up my beloved Gators, or drop down those damn dirty Seminoles - and I will always cheer for an SEC team no matter who they're playing. Have to make sure our conference stays strong.   Saturday is game day. Always has been, always will be. If you're not watching football right now, then you're wrong...

 

Entrepreneur Magazine event

So this past Tuesday I attended an Entrepreneur magazine seminar event in Long Beach. Those of you who are the least bit interested in business and are not familiar with Entrepreneur magazine, (http://www.entrepreneur.com/) then you really should check it out. Lots of good stuff in there, and pretty inspiring too, for those of us who want to make it on our own.

Anyway, the event Tuesday was a winning business strategies seminar event, and although I don't have too much experience with these types of seminars, this one certainly set the bar high. First of all, it was free – which due to my cynical nature, I automatically assumed ulterior motives. There were none. No “gotchas” at the door, no “free with subscription” fine print or anything like, straight up free. It was sponsored by Verizon, so of course they had a booth there and their CEO for southern California spoke in between the key note speakers, but the whole event was pretty swanky with nothing out of pocket, and I was impressed.

The event brought out all manner of So-Cal business owners. Naturally, most folks were entrepreneurs or they worked for small startups, and it was a good group for exchanging ideas and networking. Much to my surprise, it was catered, and catered very well. The keynote speakers were during meals that easily would have run $30 a plate at a restaurant. Dr. Ivan Misner spoke during breakfast on professional networking – one of the best concepts that I got out of that was the concept that networking is farming, not hunting.

This was followed by several seminar sessions where the attendees could attend lectures on various topics depending on what they wanted to get out of the event. The two that I chose were a session on developing your personal brand, and a session on social media marketing. Both of these contributed greatly to my ultimate decision to start this blog and really move into the digital world beyond simply having a facebook page. Who knows, maybe Twitter will be next!

The lunchtime keynote speaker was Bruce Kimbrell from the Disney Institute, speaking about people management. This may have been new to some folks in the room, but I have known Disney takes care of their people for a while, and get paid back in kind with outstanding performance. Though it was nice to hear details about how they go about the vetting and training process.

My final seminar session was about raising money for a startup, and although it provided great information, I'm not anywhere near the level to begin raising capital, and much of what was said didn't really apply to me... it's good to know what I can look forward to though.

The event ended with an open bar for their networking mixer, and I was very impressed overall with the way the entire event was handled. Exchanged quite a bit of ideas and information at the mixer, and got a good overall impression of the people there. If I ever hear of another event in the area, I would definitely go again.

A little about me

So, with my first post out of the way – something of a brief and rather vague synopsis of who I am and what I stand for – I figured I should go into a bit more detail of my background, and some reasons why you should care what I have to say (other than just simply being entertaining).

As I have said before, I am 27 years old and have spent more or less my entire adult life in service to our nation. I was an Army paratrooper and served 15 months in central Baghdad during the surge, as well as duty in Central and South America, but that is simply a caveat. A bit of a background to let you know why I have some of the opinions that I do. I have known too many people who's uniformed service has defined everything in their life, and I will not allow it to be the final chapter in mine.

I have completed two semesters of my MBA and should be finishing up within the next year or two. Sounds like I have it together, right? But one of the main reasons for going to graduate school out of the Army is to actually figure out what it is I want to do with myself.

I have made enough mistakes in my life to know that anyone who claims to have no regrets simply hasn't taken enough risks.

I invest what little capital I can scrounge up, and watch the market like a hawk, with my own semi-informed opinions on everything. It's like playing blackjack or craps, though without nearly the instant gratification – only the occasional gambler's remorse.

My current adventure finds me far away from my home, Pensacola, Florida, and in completely foreign surroundings... Newport Beach, California. I have yet to find steady work (though being freelance EVERYTHING has its perks) and have a brief hiatus before classes start back up. I am here with a deep south set of ideals and values trying to figure out which way is up since landing on the “left coast.” Basically I am experiencing an average, every day life in America almost as if I were an outsider looking in.

Intro

My name is Marshall, and this is who I am. I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog for some time now, but I have always ended up second guessing myself. Who would want to read about me? I am not expert enough in pretty much anything to really write about it, and I feel that I don't do anything more extraordinary with my life than anyone else. Those who have encouraged me in this endeavor happen to disagree with me on these points, and I am starting to realize that yes, I do have something to say. I am 27 years old, and a veteran of Iraq. I am now a civilian and a graduate student pursuing my MBA. I am an adventurer, and have traveled the world. I am an investor, a shooter, a drinker, a cigar smoker, and a gambler. I am a reader and a writer. I am an athlete and a fan. I am a connoisseur and a gentleman. I have done and experienced far more out of life than most my age, and I am ready to pursue more. With any luck, I'll be writing about that here, and I hope that you will be along for the ride.