<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Question for military people"]]>

<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Question for military people"]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/7.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Question for military people
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?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483059.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483059.page GMT Question for military people ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483077.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483077.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483086.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483086.page GMT Question for military people 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.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483112.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483112.page GMT Question for military people
PM incoming with my details]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483126.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483126.page GMT Question for military people
Put most in storage, take some with you, paint them when/if you have free time

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483186.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483186.page GMT Question for military people

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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483248.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483248.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483282.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3483282.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484270.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484270.page GMT Question for military people 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. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484318.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484318.page GMT Question for military people
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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484352.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484352.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484370.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484370.page GMT Question for military people
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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484891.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484891.page GMT Re:Question for military people 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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484953.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3484953.page GMT Question for military people ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485595.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485595.page GMT Question for military people
I came back 4 years later and got them back from my bud who after the group split held onto my models for me.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485640.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485640.page GMT Re:Question for military people
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. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485688.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3485688.page GMT Re:Question for military people

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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486149.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486149.page GMT Question for military people
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?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486208.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486208.page GMT Question for military people

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'.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486448.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3486448.page GMT Re:Question for military people

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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3487623.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3487623.page GMT Re:Question for military people

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.

Just be careful what you list on the customs form. And pack it well. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3487665.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3487665.page GMT Question for military people
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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3491861.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3491861.page GMT Question for military people

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 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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3492872.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3492872.page GMT Question for military people
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.

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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!

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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. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3494972.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3494972.page GMT Re:Question for military people 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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3495050.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3495050.page GMT Question for military people

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.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3499879.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3499879.page GMT Question for military people 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.

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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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3499980.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3499980.page GMT Question for military people
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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3500113.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3500113.page GMT Question for military people 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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3501637.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3501637.page GMT Question for military people

dienekes96 wrote: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.

Same here, class 0602. Good times! I got into wargamming during my time there when a friend of mine on my prototype crew got me to split a BFG box with him. The idea was that we could play it to keep ourselves awake during the transition from Mids to Days. Gotta love rotating shift work!

Anyway, back to the OP: Are you going surface nuke or subs? That is going to make a big difference, as there is going to be less of everything on a sub (space, time, potential opponents, etc). I can honestly say that I've never had time to even consider playing a wargame underway; if I had that much free time, I would be in the rack getting some much-needed sleep! Plus, in a submarine's case, the paints and glues that would go with building minis would probably be frowned upon as atmospheric contaminants (although you could probably get away with it). However, I would recommend that either way you go you keep all of that stuff packed away until you are qualified, to avoid generating ill will with your shipmates.

As for what to do when you go out to sea...my experiences are probably a bit different as a JO, but while I was single I was splitting the cost of a house with a couple of other guys, so I just left my stuff there. It wound up that we were from 2-3 different ships, so it was likely that at least one of us was always home at any particular time. Once I got married, the issue went away entirely

. Understanding wives make excellent minature custodians...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3501701.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3501701.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3505878.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3505878.page GMT Question for military people

Ruckdog wrote:

dienekes96 wrote: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.

. Understanding wives make excellent minature custodians...

Hi,

I'm planning on going on to a surface vessel after seeing pictures of the workspace in ohio class submarines. I could do it if I wanted to, but I don't.

Anyway, these are some interesting comments! Especially from the guy talking about people bringing bicycles and golf clubs!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3508936.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3508936.page GMT Question for military people lol).
Alot of this will epend on what rate (job) you plan on doing and what ship. Since you already indicated surface, that makes things easier on you.
Attack subs are notorius time consumers. Your always running drills, quals, doing training, more quals, mess cooking duty, even more quals, fixing stuff and your either port and starboard watches (6 on 6 off) or 3 section (6 on 12 off). Spare underway time usually involves your bunk (which you will be sharing since your a nub). Inport your running duty every 3 or 4 days. Workdays are a bear and 10-12 hour days are pretty normal.
Boomers (missile subs) are probably a bit better since they have a scedule and you'll know when your actuallly going to be in port...and turning the boat over to the other crew so you get major time off.
Surface ships are more regimented. 4 hour watches, 1 or maybe 2 watches a day. Alot more people so the workload can be split up better. Your own bunk AND extra stowage space. duty days can run anywhere from 5 to 8 days, depending on the size of ship and number of crew. Plus on skimmers (surface ships) you division has an actual work space/office area where you can probably set up a decent paint station.

Anyways, your best bet is to put everything into storage at mom and dads (since that is where your most likely to take your first few leave periods) until you've been on your first ship for 6 months to a year. That gives you time to get your quals finished and get settled into "real" Navy life (which is NOT what you find at boot camp or schools). This also gives you time to find the other gamers on the ship and to scout out the FLGS at your new location. Some ships or Div Officers/Chiefs may also take a dim view of a "painting station" in the work spaces and that can make underway hobbying a pain.
So, best advice: Nothing in Boot camp. Your days are regimented and you will have little spare time. Plus any "personal effects" are usually taken from you anyways. Follow-on "A" and "C" schools can provide time and location (you BEQ room) to paint and even play on weekends. When you get orders to your 1st ship, leave the dudesmen at home until you get settled and qualified your basic watches/PQS and your messcooking time is done (usually a 90 day stint being the cooks b!$^tc). Once your qualified (that is: a useful member of the crew) and have gotten the lay of the land get your army from storage and have a blast.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3516763.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3516763.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3518011.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3518011.page GMT Question for military people http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3527327.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3527327.page GMT Question for military people GW stuff. Invest early in some carry cases, not GW so you have a solid place to store stuff. Same for paints and materials.

If you have a Good FLGS they may let you keep your stuff there locked away in the back in a tough box from HomeDepot. You'll more than likely be on the fringe of the hobby for a while. Most long toothers are in and out bc of life welcome to your first tactical pause.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3531067.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/405953/3531067.page GMT