Pride

When I used to watch military movies, hear about the fighting our troops were doing for our freedoms, listened to songs about those who battle for our country, I felt a little bit of pride.

After just 11 months in the Navy, those things mean so much more to me for one reason: PRIDE. I feel a swell in my chest when the National Anthem is played. I hurt when I hear about the troops we lose over in the Middle East. I burn with anger when I hear people talking about killing Americans.

I have always been a born and bred, red blooded American. I am proud of my Irish and English heritage, and proud to be from the great state of Texas, but to be an American... means a massive amount to me. My father served in the Air Force, and his Father and Uncles before him served in the Army Air Corps. Serving my country runs in my family's blood, and to continue that amazing trend is my absolute honor.

I can't say that I am fighting for our freedom. I am not standing on the front lines defending this country against all enemies. I am not on guard standing tall against evil. What I am, is a man who decided to serve his country in a way that fits his personality and his skills, and with those things, I will make myself and my Navy better. I don't think I am or pretend to be some American hero. I don't believe I am someone who deserves thanks for serving this great country, or to be bought things for what I do for the USA. I think I am just doing my part. I am simply proud to serve and honored to call myself a United States Sailor.

Thank you to my brothers and sisters in arms, thank you for everything you do, whether it is defend our lines or fix our ships, aircraft, and vehicles. Thank you to those who do those things necessary to keep our military running. Thank you to each and every man and woman who serves this great country of ours. Stand tall, be proud, and salute smartly... you serve the greatest military in the greatest country in the world.

For those who have fallen,
For those who still stand tall,
And for those who are yet to come,
BE PROUD!
To the past,
The present,
And the future Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen,
Be proud of who you are,
What you've done,
And who you will become.

Believe in yourself,
Those who stand beside you,
And those you defend.

Be proud of what you stand for,
What you protect,
And what you are fighting for.

HONOR!
COURAGE!
COMMITMENT!

HOO YAH U.S.A.!!!

No one cares, so I'm closing the doors early

It seems that no one reads this blog besides my sister, so due to this fact, I am moving up my Hiatus Day. I was going to be not available after March 1 due to the fact that i am going off to the Navy, so i was going to close the site off then, but I think now is as good of a time as any.

I appreciate all of you who did stop by and read my stuff, and it will still be up and online for anyone's perusing, but there will be nothing new until after Basic Training if not later.

So unless I am struck with the urge to write between now and March 1, you will see nothing new for a good while. As a writer, I crave an audience, and to not have one is disheartening. BUT, I am sure one day people will flock to read my writings, but these are not those days, and I am OK with this. It is a part of life, and as with everything, it must be taken with a grain of salt.

So again, thank you to the people who took the time to read and enjoy my writings, and I hope to be back with a whole new load of stories in the not too distant future.

So I say farewell, and off into the great seas I sail...

~Ian

The Navy and my life as I know it...

You don't realize how attached you get to the stuff you have until you're faced with not having it. When I leave for the Navy, I have to leave behind... well EVERYTHING.

No computer, no ipod, no phone. No tv, no movies, no music. None of the comforts I have grown to "depend" upon. No more junk food, beer, lazy days spent watching football. I will get to enjoy these things again, just not during Basic Training. It's just when you live your whole life with it, you tend to find it hard to change.

I know it's simply the price I have to pay. Every decision requires sacrifice, and my life as I know it will be my sacrifice. I can't say that I am totally disappointed by what I have to give up.

I have to move out of Oklahoma, stop living on the verge or poverty, give up my job that doesn't give me enough hours or pay, move out of an apartment that has a bug/noise/idiot neighbor problem.

What do I get in return for my sacrifices? I get a great job with great pay and benefits. I get to travel the world. I get a month of paid vacation. When I get out of the Navy, I have a great resume.

I am not complaining. I am willingly giving this stuff up (for the time being) so that I can raise my quality of life, and not be stuck in the same rut I have been in for a while. I just don't see any downsides to the adventure on which I am about to embark.

I am lucky to have the friends and family I have, who support me in my decisions, whether they totally agree with them or not. I am privileged to be able to go to them, and have them give me their opinions straight up with no bullshit.

My sister did not agree with my joining the Navy in the beginning, but over time, she is slowing coming to embrace the idea, and not because she totally agrees, but because she loves me, wants to see me happy and successful, and if this path is my chosen one, she will be behind me. My best friends support me as always in everything I do, and that's more than I could ever ask for. My Dad and my Stepmom also support me in the same way as my sister, not totally agreeing, but standing behind me regardless.

For those of you who don't know, on March 3, 2008 I am shipping off to Navy Basic Training in Great Lakes, Ill. There I will spend two months becoming a U.S. Navy Sailor.

After that I will be off to my Training School in Pensacola, Fla. for training in Avionics. I will be there 14-26 weeks to learn all there is to know about planes and helicopters, and possibly becoming part of the Aircrew.

From there I will go on assignment, and when it comes open, try to shift into Mass Communication when a spot opens up. I was not able to get a spot initially due to the program being fully staffed. So I will learn Avionics until then.

Also, after a few assignments, or at the end of my 5 year enlistment, I will be joining Officer Training to learn how to be either a Public Affairs Officer or a Naval Pilot.

Everything after my initial training school is just speculation, but at least I have a plan going in. I want to serve enlisted for a few years on assignment so I can see the world and enjoy my time in the Navy before becoming too "responsible", or as the enlisted say... "I want to work for a living, and earn my pay".

So anyways thats whats going on in my life. 9 days 'til I leave Muskogee, 19 days 'til I get to hang out with my sister, and 26 days until I ship off. I want to thank everyone who has supported me through all the thick and thin, and to all my readers for checking out a view into my world. You have 26 more days to enjoy my insights until I go on hiatus!

Seaman Recruit Townsend, Division 302 signing off.

The Navy recruit is finally here!

On January 31, 2008 I became a Naval recruit.

After about a month of paperwork, and other bullshit, I have finally accomplished what I set out to do. I am in the Navy.

Keep your seaman jokes to yourself.

Unfortunately, I did not gt the Mass Communication job I was aiming for. Apparently the job will not be available until next year. So, I am going into Avionics.

Due to my 95 on the ASVAB test, (4 points shy of a perfect score), I was able to pretty much pick whatever job I wanted. Due to my leave time frame, and my record of traffic violations (yeah it bit me in the ass) That field was limited. But I was still able to to get the best job field in Aviation that the Navy offers, which is fucking awesome.

And I can apply for the Mass Comm job as soon as it comes open, so it's still in range, it's just over that hump.

Anyways, as an Avionics recruit, I get to work on planes and learn all about them, and I also get the chance to fly.

Let me repeat that... I CAN FLY!!!!!

Slightly excited about that. My A school will be in Pensacola Florida for 14-26 weeks, depending on what job I choose in Avionics. From there I go on assignment or I go to flight school.

I leave for Basic Training on March 3rd, and I am working on getting shifted to leave out of Dallas instead of OKC.

So that's all the news I have for now... I'm really excited, and thank you to everyone who has supported me through this whole process.

Here's to my future!

~Ian