Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I Don't Know What I Am Doing!
This weekend I saw the true value of schools maintaining a program for wood and metal shop. Unfortunately, the one opportunity I had to take wood and metal shop was the first two years of that Manchester Twp. Middle was open and we had no wood...or metal and we pretty much read text books on the subjects.
So now here I am at the age of 40 and can barely use a tape measure. Who suffers for it. My son Willie as I try to help him make a pine-wood racer.
The rules that go into making these cars are on par with that of Sprint Cup racing.
1) No more than 5oz in weight.
2) car can be no wider than...I don't remember.
3) car must clear 3/8 of an inch from the ground.
The car that me and W made was far too wide and I put the weights on the bottom so the clearance was messed up as well.
I realized we were in trouble when I went to put the wheels on and saw that I had cut the front end too close to where the wheels go into the front of the car. Putting in the wheels essentially split the wood in the front.
From there it was all down hill...
When I told W that I thought we were gonna have to scrap the Pine Wood Derby he was a true Trooper. He told it was all good and he would get to sleep in on Saturday...
However, I will say this. If W sticks with Scouts, next year watch out! Were coming back...and our car will ROCK...and ROll to VICTORY!
Labels: Pinewood derby, rob Kerns, Scouts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Drop off at School
When I was a kid we got up in the morning, got dressed, went downstairs ate breakfast, put on our coats and book-bags and then walked up to the bus stop. When I was living in South Carolina the walk to the bus stop was a quarter mile away. Not to mention when I was in South Carolina living on Canterbury Lane, I had to walk past a house with two big dogs that use to chase me and any other kid when we walked by.
When I moved to New Jersey the bus stop was only two houses away but we went out there in all kinds of weather and we waited for the bus. Sometimes it rained sometimes it was REALLY cold, sometimes the bus was late but you know what...WE WAITED FOR THE BUS.
Today I see kids being taken to school by the car loads. I never saw as many kids being dropped off when I was a kid or being picked up for that matter. If I had asked my dad or mom to drop me off at school just because they would have told me to carry my tail to the bus stop.
What is so different today from when we were kids that makes taking the bus so bad? The buses are newer and the ride to school is not that long. Heck W's school is right outside the neighborhood.
One of my neighbors told me she never lets her son ride the bus.
To be honest here I have dropped off W, from school. However, it was a thing of I am needing to leave early, come on lets go now.
So again I ask, why is it so important to take your kid to school in the car instead of using the bus that is going to run anyway?
Labels: busing, Holly Oaks, Lakehurst, rob Kerns, s.c., School, summerville
Friday, December 09, 2011
Not Forgotten
They say in order to write one must have something to write about. When I was pounding away at the keyboard before I had some things to say. Before here I was blogging over on myspace. I had a pretty good run going...people were reading and commenting.
Then a couple of things happened:
1) My life ugly. It was looking that I might have to leave the Navy before retirement and I was pretty upset about it. This leads into #2.
2) I did something no one should do...I blogged angry. Where to this day I feel what I blogged about was correct it was not a good idea to air these things in such a public place. Truth be told I am not sure where I could have aired them at the time. I was literally trapped on the far side of the world with no idea of when I would ever be coming home. Some higher ups at my command found my blog and gave me a what foring and from what I understand some people back on the island were held accountable for how I was being thrown around.
3) Life just moved me away from this.
Now here we are almost two years since my last post and I am in a much better space. I have retired from the Navy and I engaged to a girl who is the best thing that ever happened to me.
So here I am back at these keys punching away and not sure where to start. There have been alot of things going on that I would love to write about. The world, the President, of course just the things I observe on a daily basis and if you know me at all TV.
So why don't we start again...you and me...the writer and the reader and we will see where this goes.
Things about Rob K. that are different now then before:
I am writing and posting from Garner, N.C.
I am engaged to the love of my life Regan. I looked all around the world to the right girl and there she was, right down the street from where I lived in New Jersey.
I am working on getting my teaching certification to teach middle and high school social studies and government.
I could go on...but I am thinking alot of this will come out in the blog.
So....lets go!
Labels: Diego Garcia, Garner, Navy, North Carolina, rob Kerns
Friday, September 18, 2009
So What's New??
I have not posted since I got back from Hawaii for a couple of reasons. Primarily due to the fact that I have not had alot of opportunity to sit down at a computer and do the old, "hunt and peck."
Now that I am at my uncle's house in Maryland and have tapped into his Wi-Fi I can sit and type to my heart's content.
Since last I returned to Diego Garcia and flew back to the states. Flying through Singapore going into Diego Garcia and leaving it is always such a joy.
The place where the Navy normally puts you up in is called the Gateway Inn. However, if you have stayed there before this last year you probably know it as the Sling Inn. Not a bad place just kind of old with lots of wicker furniture and when you check in you pray that the air conditioner is working.
The absolute joy of the last two years though was when I got home and was able to spend the week with my oldest daughter. We drove up from Georgia to Maryland and we got to see Washington D.C. and spent some time with my aunt and uncle.
We then drove up to New Jersey saw my family up there. Saw Philadelphia and went down the shore.
Putting her on the plane to go back to Georgia was one of the hardest things I have one in a while.
Funny thing is right before I went overseas my son and I drove up to Norfolk, Va., and had a great trip together.
As my kids get older my time with them gets more and more precious as I know they are into other things and spending time with their parents takes more of a backseat.
So now I am in D.C.
Waiting on my stuff to come back from New Orleans. So I can have a place to sit on that is my own again.
I am starting a new chapter in Washington D.C. I have some people who are supporting me here so I am stoked to have them on my side in what I am sure is going to be a challenging final year and a half in the Navy.
However, I have a great place to live and interesting neighborhood. I got family all around me so I this should be good.
More to follow...
Now that I am at my uncle's house in Maryland and have tapped into his Wi-Fi I can sit and type to my heart's content.
Since last I returned to Diego Garcia and flew back to the states. Flying through Singapore going into Diego Garcia and leaving it is always such a joy.
The place where the Navy normally puts you up in is called the Gateway Inn. However, if you have stayed there before this last year you probably know it as the Sling Inn. Not a bad place just kind of old with lots of wicker furniture and when you check in you pray that the air conditioner is working.
The absolute joy of the last two years though was when I got home and was able to spend the week with my oldest daughter. We drove up from Georgia to Maryland and we got to see Washington D.C. and spent some time with my aunt and uncle.
We then drove up to New Jersey saw my family up there. Saw Philadelphia and went down the shore.
Putting her on the plane to go back to Georgia was one of the hardest things I have one in a while.
Funny thing is right before I went overseas my son and I drove up to Norfolk, Va., and had a great trip together.
As my kids get older my time with them gets more and more precious as I know they are into other things and spending time with their parents takes more of a backseat.
So now I am in D.C.
Waiting on my stuff to come back from New Orleans. So I can have a place to sit on that is my own again.
I am starting a new chapter in Washington D.C. I have some people who are supporting me here so I am stoked to have them on my side in what I am sure is going to be a challenging final year and a half in the Navy.
However, I have a great place to live and interesting neighborhood. I got family all around me so I this should be good.
More to follow...
Labels: Navy, rob Kerns, Washington DC
Friday, February 27, 2009
How to be a Civilian
This last week I spent my time in Transition Assistance Program Class.
This class is to teach me how to reintegrate back into civlian life. It also teaches you that one last thing you were holding onto that your recriter said was a lie.
Now of course within your first year in the Navy that most of what the recruiter told you was B.S. However, the one jem I have always help onto was when I was told, It's easier to get a job with military experience behind you.
Now in this class this week I was told that there is a major belief with employers that military isn't a good hire. We are thought of as lazy and we can be rigid and untrainable.
I am many things but I am not lazy nor do I think I am so old as I can not learn some new tricks at this point.
Also we learned how to make a resume and cover letter.
Let me say right now I hate cover letters. However, this is the way the business world is going.
Also I learned about VA benifets and the Hell I am going to have to go through to get them.
So I end this week wiser and yet a little more disenchanted about life.
So...I continue to look for a J-O-B.
This class is to teach me how to reintegrate back into civlian life. It also teaches you that one last thing you were holding onto that your recriter said was a lie.
Now of course within your first year in the Navy that most of what the recruiter told you was B.S. However, the one jem I have always help onto was when I was told, It's easier to get a job with military experience behind you.
Now in this class this week I was told that there is a major belief with employers that military isn't a good hire. We are thought of as lazy and we can be rigid and untrainable.
I am many things but I am not lazy nor do I think I am so old as I can not learn some new tricks at this point.
Also we learned how to make a resume and cover letter.
Let me say right now I hate cover letters. However, this is the way the business world is going.
Also I learned about VA benifets and the Hell I am going to have to go through to get them.
So I end this week wiser and yet a little more disenchanted about life.
So...I continue to look for a J-O-B.
Labels: Navy, Navy Recruiters, Public Relations, rob Kerns
Sunday, January 18, 2009
If You Have a Freind Going to Iraq
I have been meaning to write this blog for quite sometime but I keep forgetting or something more pressing pops into my mind and I blog on that.
However, there is one thing I think every family member should know who has a loved one heading to Iraq or if you are just wanting to send stuff to the troops.
Now I cannot speak for Afghanistan but I am here to tell you...
That Iraq is set in its fair share of romance novels. Every book shelf over there is stocked with Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and Harlequin Novels. Every time I went to any book shelf it was stocked with romance novels that people are sending over.
What I can't understand is why? Other than wanting to clean off their shelves would they want to send all those romance novels over? Yes, there are females over there but there is enough of those types of books for each chick in Iraq to be issued one a piece. Looking at those book shelves over there it is like someone sampled my grandmother's book collection and decided at that is what the troops want to read.
So when you decide to send some stuff to your friends and loved ones...don't send your wifes old copies of trashy romance novels.
Quite frankly...they are out of room
However, there is one thing I think every family member should know who has a loved one heading to Iraq or if you are just wanting to send stuff to the troops.
Now I cannot speak for Afghanistan but I am here to tell you...
That Iraq is set in its fair share of romance novels. Every book shelf over there is stocked with Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and Harlequin Novels. Every time I went to any book shelf it was stocked with romance novels that people are sending over.
What I can't understand is why? Other than wanting to clean off their shelves would they want to send all those romance novels over? Yes, there are females over there but there is enough of those types of books for each chick in Iraq to be issued one a piece. Looking at those book shelves over there it is like someone sampled my grandmother's book collection and decided at that is what the troops want to read.
So when you decide to send some stuff to your friends and loved ones...don't send your wifes old copies of trashy romance novels.
Quite frankly...they are out of room
Labels: Baghdad, I/A, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, OIF, rob Kerns, troops
Saturday, January 03, 2009
As I am going to be a civilian soon I have had to make a resume for the first time in my life. When I joined the Navy the only things I really had to put on a resume were, numbers of pizzas made and delivered, number of groceries scanned and number of Whoppers made.
So now I am having to look for a job. I have posted my resume on Monster, hotjobs and careerbuilder. So just for giggles I thought I would post it here as well...
So here is Rob Kerns in a nutshell!!
..TR style="HEIGHT: 0.2in; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-height-rule: exactly"> ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />69 West View Court, Hiram, Ga., 30141·(757) 831-3126·robkerns2000@yahoo.com..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Robert E. Kerns
Objective
To work on a public affairs team helping to share the message of the company. Help to continue to develop a message and make sure the company is always presented in the best light.
Experience
February 1991 to Present
U.S. Navy
New Orleans, La.
Navy Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
§ Leading Journalist at Freedom Radio, Baghdad, Iraq. As program director supervised the daily running of the American voice throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
§ Developed the U.S. Government's first podcast. Pioneering a new way for the U.S. Armed Forces to deliver their message to military and civilian alike.
§ A Leading Journalist in the Navy with a Associated Press mastery. Several stories written have not only been used for U.S. Navy publication(www.news.navy.mil) but have been picked up various news sites throughout the globe.
§ Navy Reserve Force Leading Journalist. Assisting and disseminating the Message of the U.S. Navy Reserve Force. Highlight of this was developing the Navy Base Realignment and Closure(BRAC) for Navy Reserve Base New Orleans.
§ Editor of the Navy Reservist Magazine. Voice of the Navy Reserve Force. Took the magazine from a 15 page newspaper publication to a 36 page tabloid monthly publication. Received the 2004 CHINFO Merit award for outstanding military publication.
§ Senior editor of Navy Reserve website(www.navyreserve.navy.mil).
§ Coordinated 600 media escorts aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) during its historic deployments during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
§ Coordinated over 900 radio interviews with radio stations across the United States.
Education
1997-2000
Chaminade University
Honolulu, Hawaii
History/Political Science
§ Concentration in American History.
References
References are available on request.
..TABLE>
So now I am having to look for a job. I have posted my resume on Monster, hotjobs and careerbuilder. So just for giggles I thought I would post it here as well...
So here is Rob Kerns in a nutshell!!
..TR style="HEIGHT: 0.2in; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-height-rule: exactly"> ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />69 West View Court, Hiram, Ga., 30141·(757) 831-3126·robkerns2000@yahoo.com..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Robert E. Kerns
Objective
To work on a public affairs team helping to share the message of the company. Help to continue to develop a message and make sure the company is always presented in the best light.
Experience
February 1991 to Present
U.S. Navy
New Orleans, La.
Navy Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist
§ Leading Journalist at Freedom Radio, Baghdad, Iraq. As program director supervised the daily running of the American voice throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
§ Developed the U.S. Government's first podcast. Pioneering a new way for the U.S. Armed Forces to deliver their message to military and civilian alike.
§ A Leading Journalist in the Navy with a Associated Press mastery. Several stories written have not only been used for U.S. Navy publication(www.news.navy.mil) but have been picked up various news sites throughout the globe.
§ Navy Reserve Force Leading Journalist. Assisting and disseminating the Message of the U.S. Navy Reserve Force. Highlight of this was developing the Navy Base Realignment and Closure(BRAC) for Navy Reserve Base New Orleans.
§ Editor of the Navy Reservist Magazine. Voice of the Navy Reserve Force. Took the magazine from a 15 page newspaper publication to a 36 page tabloid monthly publication. Received the 2004 CHINFO Merit award for outstanding military publication.
§ Senior editor of Navy Reserve website(www.navyreserve.navy.mil).
§ Coordinated 600 media escorts aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) during its historic deployments during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
§ Coordinated over 900 radio interviews with radio stations across the United States.
Education
1997-2000
Chaminade University
Honolulu, Hawaii
History/Political Science
§ Concentration in American History.
References
References are available on request.
..TABLE>
Labels: atlanta, jobs, Public Relations, rob Kerns
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What a Long Strange Trip it's Been...so far
As I sit here in the Bahrain airport I am finally putting down my thoughts from the last few days. It has taken me a bit to get away from all the emotion of everything so now I am ready to write.
When me and my merry band of Navy Journalisnts left Iraq we found out that we werent given travel arrangements per say as we just had to get to the airport and sort of "catch a ride," down to Kuwait. Apparently, the Navy Indivdual Augmentees are not given seats...we have to catch what's left on the plane.
So we sat up all night and I had to find us a flight...of which I finally did and we made it to Kuwait!
Next...
We make our way to the Navy desk and are told we are only going to be at this base for a few days and then we will be moved to Camp Arifjan...when are we going. Hmmm...dont know. When will you know...just check back in the morning we will let you know then.
Next morning....
Come back tomorrow morning...
Next morning...
OK get your gear your leaving at 1300!
So then we bus for two hours across Kuwait...I didn't think Kuwait was big enough to bus two hours across...but we did.
Welcome to Camp Arifjan!
We were welcomed by fellow Navy who had our tents ready, and a schedule of events for the next few days. At last someone with a clue!
So we settle in and wait for about five days so we can turn in our gear and take some classes on not going home and killing our families...that blog is for another day.
So we hang around Camp Arifjan for five days and then the fun starts. We spend the day cleaning our filthy M-16's and giving them back all the gear we were issued. Much of which was still in the plastic it was given to me in!
Then we take our two hour class...ok I know not to kill my family when I get home.
Everyone is then told they are leaving then following day....everybody but Robbie.
Yup, Apprarently, there are only two planes a month that go to D.G. from this end of the world and the next one wasent for a week and a half....so I have sat at Camp Arifjan all this time. I called and bothered my brothers, cousin Michelle and kids to keep my sanity.
After all this I am put back on a bus and sent back to Ali Base. The bus driver rode the gas and brake...gas and brake. I felt like I was on a two hour ride at Universial. I was feeling so car sick....
I didn't hurl...but it was close.
So I am in another tent...that night all I dreamed of was leaving Kuwait, and how it could go wrong. As I tried to sleep people were coming and going in and out of the tent all night to come from and go to thwir flights...didnt sleep too well.
Next morning back on the bus...
Kuwaitti International Here I Come!
I get to the plane and I am immediatly accosted by the curb attendants...apparently they work in a rortation and this guy was assigned to me as they jumped on all of us as we left the bus.
I told the guy that rolled up on me I was fine and he seemed to go away. I then thre my bags on the metal decetor to get in to the airport. I then made my way through the detector and guess who was waiting for me on the other side with my bags neatly stacked on a little cart...yup my assigned curb attendant. He then rushed me away fromt the counter so fast I almost forgot my glasses that I had to remove for the metal detctor.
I made it to the ticket counter...they releived me of my luggage and curb guy releieved me of five dollars.
When I was handed my boarding pass I noticed it said my flight is boarding in twenty minutes.
"Excuse me, I think you put me on the wrong flight. I am supposed to leave in two hours."
"No. I put you on earlier flight. You leave now."
"Shouldn't you ask me before you change my flight?"
"No. I put you on earlier fight. You leave now."
Fine whatever.
So I am out of Kuwait.
Neat fact...everyone on the flight had computers out and i-pods on from the moment we sat down to the moment we landed and none of the flight attendandts said a word...intresting yes?
So now I have a 15 hour layover in Bahrain...I catch a ride with some other Sailors...and eventually I end up on base and then sent to a hotel out in town as there is no room at then Inn.
I slept...I showered...I ate Chili's.
Now I am waiting on this flight...the I/A experience that began all these months ago is over. I am spent. I want to sleep in my bed on D.G. tonight, in the privacy of my own room.
It is so near!
What's more a cold beer awaits as well.
When me and my merry band of Navy Journalisnts left Iraq we found out that we werent given travel arrangements per say as we just had to get to the airport and sort of "catch a ride," down to Kuwait. Apparently, the Navy Indivdual Augmentees are not given seats...we have to catch what's left on the plane.
So we sat up all night and I had to find us a flight...of which I finally did and we made it to Kuwait!
Next...
We make our way to the Navy desk and are told we are only going to be at this base for a few days and then we will be moved to Camp Arifjan...when are we going. Hmmm...dont know. When will you know...just check back in the morning we will let you know then.
Next morning....
Come back tomorrow morning...
Next morning...
OK get your gear your leaving at 1300!
So then we bus for two hours across Kuwait...I didn't think Kuwait was big enough to bus two hours across...but we did.
Welcome to Camp Arifjan!
We were welcomed by fellow Navy who had our tents ready, and a schedule of events for the next few days. At last someone with a clue!
So we settle in and wait for about five days so we can turn in our gear and take some classes on not going home and killing our families...that blog is for another day.
So we hang around Camp Arifjan for five days and then the fun starts. We spend the day cleaning our filthy M-16's and giving them back all the gear we were issued. Much of which was still in the plastic it was given to me in!
Then we take our two hour class...ok I know not to kill my family when I get home.
Everyone is then told they are leaving then following day....everybody but Robbie.
Yup, Apprarently, there are only two planes a month that go to D.G. from this end of the world and the next one wasent for a week and a half....so I have sat at Camp Arifjan all this time. I called and bothered my brothers, cousin Michelle and kids to keep my sanity.
After all this I am put back on a bus and sent back to Ali Base. The bus driver rode the gas and brake...gas and brake. I felt like I was on a two hour ride at Universial. I was feeling so car sick....
I didn't hurl...but it was close.
So I am in another tent...that night all I dreamed of was leaving Kuwait, and how it could go wrong. As I tried to sleep people were coming and going in and out of the tent all night to come from and go to thwir flights...didnt sleep too well.
Next morning back on the bus...
Kuwaitti International Here I Come!
I get to the plane and I am immediatly accosted by the curb attendants...apparently they work in a rortation and this guy was assigned to me as they jumped on all of us as we left the bus.
I told the guy that rolled up on me I was fine and he seemed to go away. I then thre my bags on the metal decetor to get in to the airport. I then made my way through the detector and guess who was waiting for me on the other side with my bags neatly stacked on a little cart...yup my assigned curb attendant. He then rushed me away fromt the counter so fast I almost forgot my glasses that I had to remove for the metal detctor.
I made it to the ticket counter...they releived me of my luggage and curb guy releieved me of five dollars.
When I was handed my boarding pass I noticed it said my flight is boarding in twenty minutes.
"Excuse me, I think you put me on the wrong flight. I am supposed to leave in two hours."
"No. I put you on earlier flight. You leave now."
"Shouldn't you ask me before you change my flight?"
"No. I put you on earlier fight. You leave now."
Fine whatever.
So I am out of Kuwait.
Neat fact...everyone on the flight had computers out and i-pods on from the moment we sat down to the moment we landed and none of the flight attendandts said a word...intresting yes?
So now I have a 15 hour layover in Bahrain...I catch a ride with some other Sailors...and eventually I end up on base and then sent to a hotel out in town as there is no room at then Inn.
I slept...I showered...I ate Chili's.
Now I am waiting on this flight...the I/A experience that began all these months ago is over. I am spent. I want to sleep in my bed on D.G. tonight, in the privacy of my own room.
It is so near!
What's more a cold beer awaits as well.
Labels: Diego Garcia, I/A, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, Navy, rob Kerns
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
And Now a Word on E-mails
You know I don't think the people that created e-mail wanted it so people could forward the latest pic of a poodle in a mini-skirt. Nor do I think they were going for people having the ability to send some lame joke that someone sent to them along with 40 other people.
I think the internet is a great thing. We now have more ways then ever to communicate and disseminate all types of information. However, it is truly sad when a person uses most of their time to send out some damn joke.
I have a relative(I know he won't be reading this) who sends at least 10 forwarded jokes to me a day. Never once has this guy ever wrote me a real e-mail but just as sure as the sun will rise in the east this guy will send me several e-mails a day with the tag of FW: on them everyday. I don't even open them anymore...I just delete them.
Recently an old friend from back in N.J. childhood got in touch with me through Classmates.com. I was happy to know she is happily married and doing well. I shared with her my e-mail address and said please keep in touch. Why did I do that?
This morning I opened my e-mail and found 20 forwarded emails! 20!
OK...I wrote her a nice e-mail asking her not to send me anymore "cute" e-mails.
Back when I got my first e-mail my good friend in Hawaii Chris use to send me relentless amounts of junk e-mail...Chris please stop, your killing me. To this she would just laugh and say deal with it. She was one of my closest friends...so from her I dealt with it.
I really enjoy getting and replying to e-mails. It lets me know people I care about are doing well and I can reply in kind. Plus you don't have to got to the Post Office(the Devil) and deal with those jerks.
So I ask...am I alone here...are there people here who actually see the FW: tag on an e-mail and say, "oh goodie Frank sent me yet another joke, I must open it."
Ok I will admit there is one caveat to this. When I get one that has girls with no tops on...I like those ones! I know a friend of mine from Ga., is always good for a couple of them.
But really and seriously...who really wants these e-mails?
I think the internet is a great thing. We now have more ways then ever to communicate and disseminate all types of information. However, it is truly sad when a person uses most of their time to send out some damn joke.
I have a relative(I know he won't be reading this) who sends at least 10 forwarded jokes to me a day. Never once has this guy ever wrote me a real e-mail but just as sure as the sun will rise in the east this guy will send me several e-mails a day with the tag of FW: on them everyday. I don't even open them anymore...I just delete them.
Recently an old friend from back in N.J. childhood got in touch with me through Classmates.com. I was happy to know she is happily married and doing well. I shared with her my e-mail address and said please keep in touch. Why did I do that?
This morning I opened my e-mail and found 20 forwarded emails! 20!
OK...I wrote her a nice e-mail asking her not to send me anymore "cute" e-mails.
Back when I got my first e-mail my good friend in Hawaii Chris use to send me relentless amounts of junk e-mail...Chris please stop, your killing me. To this she would just laugh and say deal with it. She was one of my closest friends...so from her I dealt with it.
I really enjoy getting and replying to e-mails. It lets me know people I care about are doing well and I can reply in kind. Plus you don't have to got to the Post Office(the Devil) and deal with those jerks.
So I ask...am I alone here...are there people here who actually see the FW: tag on an e-mail and say, "oh goodie Frank sent me yet another joke, I must open it."
Ok I will admit there is one caveat to this. When I get one that has girls with no tops on...I like those ones! I know a friend of mine from Ga., is always good for a couple of them.
But really and seriously...who really wants these e-mails?
Labels: Baghdad, e-mails, Navy, rob Kerns
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Now...Baghdad
So the journey that began on February 7th starts its next chapter.
Tomorrow I fly out of the United States to help fight a war using the written and spoken word. I think bullets work better but hey who am I to judge.
Let's recap the last six weeks shall we:
Arrive at Fort Dix...no one knows where the Navy goes.
We are yelled at by a cranky Army Seargeant so tells us the living on this base will resemble something out of boot camp. It isnt really...we just arent allowed to leave and we cant wear civilian clothes.
We get issued all kinds of gear and enough body armor to make me feel 80 pounds heavier.
Classes begin on everything from land navigation to shooting an M-16.
The class on Land Navigation is especially fun as none of us have ever done this type of thing. The Navy in our class were very helpful and got us through it with minimal damage. Without them I think we would should be wondering through the Pine Barrens of New Jersey looking for our next marker.
Our schedule was very loose with classes changing at the drop of a hat...things being added others taken away. Where everyone that went to Fort Jackson is done and over in the sand box, we are still here.
We are finally allowed off the base and I am able to see my New Jersey family...I miss them.
Now we are done...we are validated...and tomorrow we fly out. The next part of all this is up...the Big Show if you will.
Do me a favor and pray for my small media group. We are heading in!
I will miss my kids the most...I always do.
Stay tuned...I bet the best entries are still to come.
Tomorrow I fly out of the United States to help fight a war using the written and spoken word. I think bullets work better but hey who am I to judge.
Let's recap the last six weeks shall we:
Arrive at Fort Dix...no one knows where the Navy goes.
We are yelled at by a cranky Army Seargeant so tells us the living on this base will resemble something out of boot camp. It isnt really...we just arent allowed to leave and we cant wear civilian clothes.
We get issued all kinds of gear and enough body armor to make me feel 80 pounds heavier.
Classes begin on everything from land navigation to shooting an M-16.
The class on Land Navigation is especially fun as none of us have ever done this type of thing. The Navy in our class were very helpful and got us through it with minimal damage. Without them I think we would should be wondering through the Pine Barrens of New Jersey looking for our next marker.
Our schedule was very loose with classes changing at the drop of a hat...things being added others taken away. Where everyone that went to Fort Jackson is done and over in the sand box, we are still here.
We are finally allowed off the base and I am able to see my New Jersey family...I miss them.
Now we are done...we are validated...and tomorrow we fly out. The next part of all this is up...the Big Show if you will.
Do me a favor and pray for my small media group. We are heading in!
I will miss my kids the most...I always do.
Stay tuned...I bet the best entries are still to come.
Labels: I/A, Iraq, kuwait, Navy, rob Kerns
Monday, March 31, 2008
Don't blog angry
One thing I have learned about blogging is it isn't a good idea to do it angry. So that is why I haven't blogged over the last week or so.
My training here has been extended here another week and a half. Where this last Sunday was supposed to be my last week here at Fort Dix , we have been extended another week to do some training with gas masks.
Also we finally had the PAO training that brought us to Fort Dix specifically, this training took all of one day and was a waste of time!
I have been told I cannot go back to Ga. after the training is over. I really wanted to do this to see my family and install some parts I got for my VW.
Thank God I got Jacquie and Joe just down the road from here or I might really go crazy. So tomorrow I got some building clearing training then Wednesday I got our final gasmask training. Hopefully after that I am done. If not I might hurt someone.
In the week I did not update, we did compass training, that was neat after we figured out what we were doing.
We then spent three days having stuff blow up around us to teach us how to handle IED's in Iraq.
Good Times!
My training here has been extended here another week and a half. Where this last Sunday was supposed to be my last week here at Fort Dix , we have been extended another week to do some training with gas masks.
Also we finally had the PAO training that brought us to Fort Dix specifically, this training took all of one day and was a waste of time!
I have been told I cannot go back to Ga. after the training is over. I really wanted to do this to see my family and install some parts I got for my VW.
Thank God I got Jacquie and Joe just down the road from here or I might really go crazy. So tomorrow I got some building clearing training then Wednesday I got our final gasmask training. Hopefully after that I am done. If not I might hurt someone.
In the week I did not update, we did compass training, that was neat after we figured out what we were doing.
We then spent three days having stuff blow up around us to teach us how to handle IED's in Iraq.
Good Times!
Labels: Fort Dix, I/A, IED, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, Navy, rob Kerns
Monday, March 17, 2008
Halfway Through Fort Dix
Well to say this last week has been full is an understatement. Not that I could not handle it...I have and I will continue to knock out what is put in front of me.
The week started out with me having to attend a four day class on combat lifesaving(My God even though it was only a week ago it seems like a month).
Since we were only four people in the class we got through all the material in two days and did our test and practical on Wednesday. I got a 86 on the test and successfully started an IV in one of our fellow classmates so I passed the class.
I had Thursday off so I went and hit the gym(kinda crappy here) and rested.
Friday was back in the mix hard.
We had a class on the M-16. Mainly how to break it down and the proper stance for firing it. Then we practiced on this Laser Tag type thing.
Saturday we were up with the chickens and had to "zero in" or calibrate our weapons. This took the whole day and we were up this morning at o500 to finish up.
Now one thing I am noticing is that the Army up here loves to change its schedule and isn't very keen on letting other people know. There have been three times that I can think of off the top of my head where we were at when we were told to be there and there was not another person there. When we asked about it we got the standard line from Office Space, "Did you get the memo?"
So today was spent qualifying in a number of different ways on the M-16. We had pop-up target shooting...we didn't all do too well in that one...and a number of us have to go back and shoot again at 1 pm on it.
Another qual we did was the "night fire."
Despite its name it is alot easier than the pop-up targets. This is one target you shoot at while it is at dusk. The same target over and over. You get 30 chances to shoot the thing...and you only need to hit it seven times.
I got 20 out of 30.
For the pop up targets you need to get 23 out of 40. I didn't get that...no I'm not saying my score.
Now it would be alot easier to shoot these damn targets if we weren't in full "battle rattle."
This is:
Helmet
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Knee and elbow pads
and about 60 pounds of body armor.
All in all it's alot of crap to heave around along with your M-16. However, you are alot safer with it than without.
So next week thrusts us through week three....Were half done this training!
Two weeks to go!
The week started out with me having to attend a four day class on combat lifesaving(My God even though it was only a week ago it seems like a month).
Since we were only four people in the class we got through all the material in two days and did our test and practical on Wednesday. I got a 86 on the test and successfully started an IV in one of our fellow classmates so I passed the class.
I had Thursday off so I went and hit the gym(kinda crappy here) and rested.
Friday was back in the mix hard.
We had a class on the M-16. Mainly how to break it down and the proper stance for firing it. Then we practiced on this Laser Tag type thing.
Saturday we were up with the chickens and had to "zero in" or calibrate our weapons. This took the whole day and we were up this morning at o500 to finish up.
Now one thing I am noticing is that the Army up here loves to change its schedule and isn't very keen on letting other people know. There have been three times that I can think of off the top of my head where we were at when we were told to be there and there was not another person there. When we asked about it we got the standard line from Office Space, "Did you get the memo?"
So today was spent qualifying in a number of different ways on the M-16. We had pop-up target shooting...we didn't all do too well in that one...and a number of us have to go back and shoot again at 1 pm on it.
Another qual we did was the "night fire."
Despite its name it is alot easier than the pop-up targets. This is one target you shoot at while it is at dusk. The same target over and over. You get 30 chances to shoot the thing...and you only need to hit it seven times.
I got 20 out of 30.
For the pop up targets you need to get 23 out of 40. I didn't get that...no I'm not saying my score.
Now it would be alot easier to shoot these damn targets if we weren't in full "battle rattle."
This is:
Helmet
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Knee and elbow pads
and about 60 pounds of body armor.
All in all it's alot of crap to heave around along with your M-16. However, you are alot safer with it than without.
So next week thrusts us through week three....Were half done this training!
Two weeks to go!
Labels: Fort Dix, I/A, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, Navy, rob Kerns
Friday, February 29, 2008
Don't Put a Bag Over Your Head
I remember when I was a kid, one of the many lessons my mom taught me was never, ever put a plastic bag over your head.
This lesson I have taken to heart and have put a bag anywhere above my neck.
Until today...
As part of our processing you have to be issued a gas mask that you will carry with you throughout your time in theater.
The main way they test this mask is first you are fitted for it, then they issue you a mask and put it on you. They then add the canister and put a bag over your head. The bag resembles something like a small tent. The bag is being fed air and you sit there and breath deep turn your head in different directions and chew(like you are chewing gum).
After 10 minutes they take the bag over your head...much to my relief I might add.
That was my whole day...Well I did go to the internet cafe and played WoW for a few hours.
Tomorrow is my last full day in Norfolk before I fly up to N.J.
Getting nervous
This lesson I have taken to heart and have put a bag anywhere above my neck.
Until today...
As part of our processing you have to be issued a gas mask that you will carry with you throughout your time in theater.
The main way they test this mask is first you are fitted for it, then they issue you a mask and put it on you. They then add the canister and put a bag over your head. The bag resembles something like a small tent. The bag is being fed air and you sit there and breath deep turn your head in different directions and chew(like you are chewing gum).
After 10 minutes they take the bag over your head...much to my relief I might add.
That was my whole day...Well I did go to the internet cafe and played WoW for a few hours.
Tomorrow is my last full day in Norfolk before I fly up to N.J.
Getting nervous
Labels: Fort Dix, Gas Mask, Iraq, Iraqi Freedom, Navy, NMPS, NMPS Norfolk, OIF, rob Kerns
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Going Through NMPS(Norfolk)
As I have been preparing to do this I/A I have been looking around the web for info on the process of what I am going to be doing at this training. All I basically know I have to show up and be screened medically and I had to alot of online learning.
So here I am at NMPS Norfolk. I have completed the first two days of my week here so I will break down what has happened so far.
Day one: Show up in uniform. They don't seem too picky on which uniform. Though the orders did point out it should be blues or whites...depending on the season.
Drop off records in front of class room.
Brief from the Officer in Charge.
Brief from the Chaplain.
Brief from the Uniform Fitter.
Lunch
Fit for Uniforms
Records redistributed with everything written down that you need to do.(The more of the stuff you have done before you get there the better off you are.)
Go Home.
Now the home part is interesting as we are currently staying in hotels(no I am not saying which one).
Day two started off with P/T in the morning. Not bad...I'm a bit sore now...but not too sore. The rest of the day was spent going from line to line making sure all the stuff you needed, medically, was done. I was lucky and only had to get one shot.
However, I did have to have an audiogram done and get a fresh set of X-Rays.
The breakdown in the ranks of all the Sailors in my group is amazing. We have over 200 Sailors in the class ranks going from captain to third class and every rank in between is represented! Everyone is getting along and talking...no clicks here.
So tomorrow is P/T at 0630 and then a class at 1 p.m. on the family service center....real snorer there.
So until later...
By the way I am going to try to write on my vacation to Atlanta a bit later.
So here I am at NMPS Norfolk. I have completed the first two days of my week here so I will break down what has happened so far.
Day one: Show up in uniform. They don't seem too picky on which uniform. Though the orders did point out it should be blues or whites...depending on the season.
Drop off records in front of class room.
Brief from the Officer in Charge.
Brief from the Chaplain.
Brief from the Uniform Fitter.
Lunch
Fit for Uniforms
Records redistributed with everything written down that you need to do.(The more of the stuff you have done before you get there the better off you are.)
Go Home.
Now the home part is interesting as we are currently staying in hotels(no I am not saying which one).
Day two started off with P/T in the morning. Not bad...I'm a bit sore now...but not too sore. The rest of the day was spent going from line to line making sure all the stuff you needed, medically, was done. I was lucky and only had to get one shot.
However, I did have to have an audiogram done and get a fresh set of X-Rays.
The breakdown in the ranks of all the Sailors in my group is amazing. We have over 200 Sailors in the class ranks going from captain to third class and every rank in between is represented! Everyone is getting along and talking...no clicks here.
So tomorrow is P/T at 0630 and then a class at 1 p.m. on the family service center....real snorer there.
So until later...
By the way I am going to try to write on my vacation to Atlanta a bit later.
Labels: Baghdad, I/A, Iraq, Navy, NMPS, NMPS Norfolk, rob Kerns
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