Happy New Years! 01-01-11

Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone rang in 01/01/11 with a bang! I'm sure there are all kinds of crazy stories out there, and feel free to tell me all about them, but my New Years had a serious damper put on it by the city of Long Beach.

First of all, let me establish that generally speaking, I am a fan of security. Chaos and anarchy is not the way to live one's life, nor to be a productive member of society, but just like a society where fear has over ruled common sense, there is a certain point where security infringes on the liberties of others. Some people are okay with this, but I am not.

The girlfriend and I decide to head to Long Beach's relatively famous downtown block party for New Year's eve. From what we had heard, it was a good time. The lineup of bands were pretty cool (a Kansas tribute band, opening for a Neil Diamond cover group... yeah, you read that right, Neil Diamond. They were ironically awesome!) We arrive at around 1030pm to find the line to get in wrapping and stretching down several blocks. Should I remind you that this is a block party? Meaning open air venues, taking up several downtown streets of public property. Yeah, the LBPD was there enforcing stuff, and to their credit, they weren't being dicks to anyone, and they were just doing their jobs, but at the “Gate” there were private bouncers checking ID's, and then you had to be frisked and wanded with a metal detector – again by “event staff” just to get onto the street. I decided to cache the tactical folder that I keep in my pocket rather than risk this gauntlet of absurdity. The line took more than 2 hours to get through, and that is with us staying the course and not leaving, furious about the situation, like so many others (and people leaving were the only reason the line seemed to move at all). We counted down the new year waiting in line, with a crew of delightfully drunk Brazilians, who didn't understand why the powers that be would make such a big deal about getting into a party.

The infuriating situation outside the gate would have been somewhat justified had there been a cover charge, or a real risk to security (this isn't New Years on the Mall in DC after all) or had it even been a free for all inside, but once on the street, every bar there still checked ID's and had their own security in place – rendering the arm bands we got at the gate more than useless. We listened to the bands, and had a nice time, despite everything, but I walked away shaking my head. If I had been a business owner, I would have been furious at whoever had mandated the security situation, be it the city of Long Beach, or the Business Association, or whoever. That sort of situation does not prevent incidents. It practically incites them, and fights are still going to happen. The only result of this cordon was literally hundreds of potential customers being turned away or leaving in anger, and that's something that small business owners these days cannot afford to let happen.

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!