Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi dakka,

So this question is for those who are currently in or who have been in the military, and the question is:
What do you do with your minis while you are away?

I suspect it will be 2-3 years until I get assigned to a ship (navy) since I will be going to A-school and I plan on working my arse off in school so I can pick up everything being taught. After that, I will most likely be assigned on a ship, and I believe they have 6 month deployments, IE away from places to play warhams.

It seems kind of petty that I care about some models this much since there is so much at stake (Example; future), but I guess there is just a lot of sentimental value associated with these little dudes.

Thoughts?

The easiest suggestion would be to put them into storage (parents basement or Attic) until such time as you need them again...failing that, I guess, depending on the size of the force you have gathered, you could take them with you....you never know, maybe there is a gaming group on ship.

When my older brother went he found a nice surprise.He didn't take his minis on his first deployment until he noticed some other people played on his ship. Ever since then he's been playing it at night on the ship.

Never got "deployed" out of the country.
Spent most of my time as a REMF (supply), in a warehouse.

That was down to the blown-out ACL during exercises (the periodical Army v Kamarian skirmishes). I got a sideways 'promotion' to logistics to finish my term, rather than take the medical discharge offered.

Other guys I know just stored them.

Send them to me.

PM incoming with my details

The obvious answer for me was:

Put most in storage, take some with you, paint them when/if you have free time

archont wrote:The obvious answer for me was:

Put most in storage, take some with you, paint them when/if you have free time

I'm just kind of pinging the forum here for more potential ideas. What you said sounds like a solid idea though.

I put mine in storage on actual deployment. I play with 2d paper cutouts. Since you intend to join the Navy your "deployment" experience will be considerably different and longer. Probably see how much space and time you have for the hobby before really making any solid plans. I wouldn't worry too much about concentrating all of your time and energy on your training, it's probably taught at the 10th grade level and even if it takes more than a year, only provides the building blocks for your actual occupation. You'll learn more in 2 months on the job than 10 in school.

One guy I knew on another forum would get a few boxes and some paint with him in Afghanistan, then mail them back home when they were done. He moved around a lot so he only had a few units with him at any given time.

I knew a guy who said he spent most evenings onboard ship with the navy painting IG... My social awkwardness would probably make me hold off on doing so until I've gotten sued to the job and life on a ship, but then again I'm not sure I would have done well in the military.

I think a friend from DP9 moved a lot of Heavy Gear stuff around during his last deployment to the middle east, and is theoretically in the middle of doing so again.

As an Army guy, never had to worry about being on a ship for long periods of time, so not an issue. They stayed at the house when I was not there, moved to the new house when I moved.

I've sent stuff to buddies (and non-buddy troopers too) who were deployed. A paratrooper buddy of mine collected up game sets to send out. A bunch of us chipped in figures, storage boxes, rule sets, what have you and he took care of shipping them to needy troopers.

Odds are that you'll have some people who play on your ship. I wouldn't worry about being too busy, though. 90% of the military life consists of boredom.

I was in the Navy and deployed more times than most. I just left the minis with a friend or in my car's trunk when I deployed. If I was out for more than 90 days, I then left my car in public storage unit with the battery disconnected, but that's car care. When you get to your ship, you can figure out if there is a place where you can store your minis in your workspace. If you really want them with you, you can cut back on how many clothes you bring and just store them in your rack/locker.

When you're at A-school, you'll probably want your minis, especially if you're going to be there for awhile. You can find stores to play at and you probably wont be studying on the weekends so go ahead and have your family ship you your stuff. Or at the very least you can paint and convert them. Your downtime at A-school could be very boring (if you're not a big drinker). I happened to drink a lot and started my giant Ork army during my time in school.

I painted my FOW in Iraq, but I brought my Gothic with me (two fleets ) for play but honestly never had time as I was always on patrol (Infantry) so it was a waste of space. Otherwise honestly, I just packed them up where they sat for one year.

...And thanks to all who serve.

I joined the navy about 6 years ago, been out for 2, I just left my models with some of the guys I trusted in the gaming group.

I came back 4 years later and got them back from my bud who after the group split held onto my models for me.

My friend is preparing for his fourth deployment. His last deployment, which was in Afghanistan, was spent painting an entire ork army that was mailed out to him a bit at a time.

During a previous deployment in Iraq, there was a small group of guys that actually played on a regular basis. They built a couple tables and made terrain from whatever they could scrounge together.

If you plan on painting, either prime your models beforehand, or have whoever sends them out to you prime them, as you can't ship cans of primer/spray paint overseas to military bases.

augustus5 wrote:My friend is preparing for his fourth deployment. His last deployment, which was in Afghanistan, was spent painting an entire ork army that was mailed out to him a bit at a time.

During a previous deployment in Iraq, there was a small group of guys that actually played on a regular basis. They built a couple tables and made terrain from whatever they could scrounge together.

If you plan on painting, either prime your models beforehand, or have whoever sends them out to you prime them, as you can't ship cans of primer/spray paint overseas to military bases.

However, your supply guy should have plenty of flat black spraypaint on hand.

Whoa whoa whoa there sparky. 2-3 years to get to a ship? In your dreams.

Most classroom style learning has been replaced with faster, self paced computer based training.

The days of 2 year "A" schools are long.. long gone. When I went through ET "A" it was a 18 months long. They're spitting kids out in 3-4 months now.

What's your rate going to be?

Cottonjaw wrote:Whoa whoa whoa there sparky. 2-3 years to get to a ship? In your dreams.

Most classroom style learning has been replaced with faster, self paced computer based training.

The days of 2 year "A" schools are long.. long gone. When I went through ET "A" it was a 18 months long. They're spitting kids out in 3-4 months now.

What's your rate going to be?

Nuke is different. I signed for a 2 year extension for A school and if I excel at A school, I can get some more education (calculus based nuclear physics namely). At least for me, it seems my program is a bit different than most other peoples'.

augustus5 wrote:My friend is preparing for his fourth deployment. His last deployment, which was in Afghanistan, was spent painting an entire ork army that was mailed out to him a bit at a time.

During a previous deployment in Iraq, there was a small group of guys that actually played on a regular basis. They built a couple tables and made terrain from whatever they could scrounge together.

If you plan on painting, either prime your models beforehand, or have whoever sends them out to you prime them, as you can't ship cans of primer/spray paint overseas to military bases.

When I worked at GW, we had wives and girlfriends call us all the time. We told them we could not ship the primer, but one of our guys was a tanker vet from the first Gulf War and his advice was to go to an aves (?) store and you could get black spray paint there. Let's be honest, you get the same results from a 2 dollar can of Krylon black flat paint as you do from a 10 dollar can of Army Painter primer.

KGatch113 wrote:

augustus5 wrote:My friend is preparing for his fourth deployment. His last deployment, which was in Afghanistan, was spent painting an entire ork army that was mailed out to him a bit at a time.

During a previous deployment in Iraq, there was a small group of guys that actually played on a regular basis. They built a couple tables and made terrain from whatever they could scrounge together.

If you plan on painting, either prime your models beforehand, or have whoever sends them out to you prime them, as you can't ship cans of primer/spray paint overseas to military bases.

When I worked at GW, we had wives and girlfriends call us all the time. We told them we could not ship the primer, but one of our guys was a tanker vet from the first Gulf War and his advice was to go to an aves (?) store and you could get black spray paint there. Let's be honest, you get the same results from a 2 dollar can of Krylon black flat paint as you do from a 10 dollar can of Army Painter primer.

Just be careful what you list on the customs form. And pack it well.

When I was in the service most of my troops stayed at home in storage.

Prep some with primer, then get some standard shipping boxes, packing material and get an estimate on postage/shipping. Make a list of whats inside each box, then tag the box with a letter or number and take the list with you/email it to yourself.

When you're ready for them, send money home and have them shipped out. You won't have to worry about family trying to pack your figures safely and securely as well as you'll get the figures you want and not what they can find.

For storing them, you can do the same thing. I packed mine in an old foot locker after packaging them. This way they were safe in my parents garage while I was away.

The trick is to organize it in an easy way that you can explain to someone how to find it and what to do with it when they do.

ivangterrace wrote:

Cottonjaw wrote:Whoa whoa whoa there sparky. 2-3 years to get to a ship? In your dreams.

Most classroom style learning has been replaced with faster, self paced computer based training.

The days of 2 year "A" schools are long.. long gone. When I went through ET "A" it was a 18 months long. They're spitting kids out in 3-4 months now.

What's your rate going to be?

Nuke is different. I signed for a 2 year extension for A school and if I excel at A school, I can get some more education (calculus based nuclear physics namely). At least for me, it seems my program is a bit different than most other peoples'.

Nuke isn't different. I signed a 2 year extension to go to A school too, skippy

Reference: 6 years on active

You can get additional "C" schools, some while in route to your first ship, but 99 times out of 100, you're going to the ship first.

Just a piece of advice, from someone who knows.

I don't want to sound like I think I know everything. But recruiters get paid to say the things they do, and they are very very good at it (They have to be, or they get fired).

Just don't get roped into anything before you talk to a former nuke.

I am in the Navy. I have them in my dark closet so they do not get damaged or touched.

I also have a Battle Foam 216 pack that I have filled with models that needed to be painted and I painted on my free time on the mess decks on a carrier.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I am with Cottonjaw. He is 100% accurate.

I am an IS (Intel) and I have a 2 year extension with E-4 automatic but it is not as glamorous as it seems.

My friend who is a Airframer, is MORE then qualified to be a Nuke BUT she wanted to do something with aircraft maintiance. REGARDLESS of what the recruiter tells you on what you can do. Look into something that you are interested in! Also if you join MAKE SURE to do college while deployed and such. It was my biggest mistake. You can get an Bachelors in one 4 year term in the navy if you apply yourself!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If your wondering what an IS is, I am a 3910 "Imagery Interperter Intelligence Specialist" We are considered one of the creme of the crops in the "outside world" for IS's, our job and training can net us jobs easily that range around 6 figures starting.

I just got out of the navy last month...
Ususally when you sign on for an additional 2 years you are going to be staff pick-up... which from talking to my engineering buddies said it sucks, the big one. I wouldn't recommend bringing your models, you have plenty of studing to do and what not. If later you think that you want them you should have someone ship them to you. I had 5 people that i played 40k with when i was in port, almost every weekend.
Thanks for serving and the best of luck to you, and dont get too stressed out. If you fail out of nuke school go and become a TM (torpedoman) also know as a MM (machinist mate weapons specialist). and try and go subs fast attacks, if at all possible. Im pretty sure you'll pass.

ivangterrace wrote:Hi dakka,

So this question is for those who are currently in or who have been in the military, and the question is:
What do you do with your minis while you are away?

I suspect it will be 2-3 years until I get assigned to a ship (navy) since I will be going to A-school and I plan on working my arse off in school so I can pick up everything being taught. After that, I will most likely be assigned on a ship, and I believe they have 6 month deployments, IE away from places to play warhams.

It seems kind of petty that I care about some models this much since there is so much at stake (Example; future), but I guess there is just a lot of sentimental value associated with these little dudes.

Thoughts?

You get into skermish games, and learn the value of boxed regiments, while at the same time getting your paint on, while being able to slow down and get some gaming in.

IF you just joined up, as in right into boot, or basic, or whatever the squids get into, then you need to just take a break from gaming for a few minutes, and get the training done. AFTER that though? It goes to the old saying of "Hurry Up and Wait..."
In the navy, I don't know how it works for basic, but in the Army, we didn't really get all that much time in basic and AIT for gaming and down time. After you get through the stuff, you get sent over to your first duty station, get your room, and get into the swing of work, and then you get more then your fair share of time, but not all that much room to go into a lot of large scale armies and terraign, and games and all taht stuff, in your room, but you do in places like MWR, the Library, down at the day room, or sometimes even at friends houses.
When I had a room, I had a foot locker with my stuff in it. Books, the army set, and some extra regiment sets. along with your paint. As for the base coats, you get one can, base coat your stuff until its empty, and then you put the sprues back into the boxes. Spray paint is one of those things that people have a genuine hard on against in your rooms. On a ship, I'm not really sure how that will work, but you get to hot cot it with other people and you get a locker the size of a wall locker, If I recall.

Training is and should be your first priority, until you get to your first duty station/ assignment, and then you get that down time to actually paint and play.
Personally, I got into Necromunda, first edition, and ended up painting and playing quite a lot. to the point where I ended up buying the whole range, and painting them up over the two years or so that I was overseas.
Of course if you are into drinking and catting around, THAT will get into the way of your painting and playing time, as well as run you the risk of getting into the way of studies and promotions...


Just my opinion.


Good luck and have fun.

I got into 40k after I finished active duty army, and I was
stationed in fort bliss. But If I were to go into active duty again, I'd bring my space wolves with me, even if they were to station me in the middle of nowhere with nobody to play with, I'd get to catch up on my painting. Overseas is a whole another animal with all the stuff you have to bring. If you're going to a country like germany, you'll most definitely find some 40k players out there. Places like iraq and the 'stan I might just leave the models home unless you know some people who play.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I got into 40k after I finished active duty army, and I was
stationed in fort bliss. But If I were to go into active duty again, I'd bring my space wolves with me, even if they were to station me in the middle of nowhere with nobody to play with, I'd get to catch up on my painting. Overseas is a whole another animal with all the stuff you have to bring. If you're going to a country like germany, you'll most definitely find some 40k players out there. Places like iraq and the 'stan I might just leave the models home unless you know some people who play.

Nuke school sucks. At least you are in Charleston. I hit that in O-town back in the day. Six months at Nuke school, six months at prototype, a few more months of tactical training, and then the fleet.

I didn't do much modeling or painting that year, but I collected the crap out of the books. It was late 2nd edition then. There aren't many stores in Charleston, though.

Best of luck.

Nuke, Orlando ET9502. I know the schools are in Goose Creek area these days, it's been a long time for me so I'll speak from my experience with the obvious caveats.
Even if you are on heavy study hours, you have time to paint if you like. One of my roomies was right there. I learned about washes while painting on a cruiser, deathwing terminators. Damn vents on the backs. The time is there, the space is there if you have the support system to manage small chunks.