ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
I am U.S. military stationed in England, originally from a rural area in Michigan.......
I am U.S. military stationed in England, originally from a rural area in Michigan.......
-
We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
-
If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
-
Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.
Moving to the Last Frontier
- Thread starter ryandmitchell
- Start date
unrequited
Regular Member
imported post
Hurry back coming back home, and sorry to hear you're in UK. Welcome to the board!
Hurry back coming back home, and sorry to hear you're in UK. Welcome to the board!
Baradium
Regular Member
imported post
There are definately a lot of open spaces here.
What it comes down to is people who like outdoors stuff love Alaska. People who prefer cities etc don't seem to quite as much.
The Dakotas and Montana also have space. Alaska is cold, but I think the summers are worth it, not everyone agrees with me.
There are definately a lot of open spaces here.
What it comes down to is people who like outdoors stuff love Alaska. People who prefer cities etc don't seem to quite as much.
The Dakotas and Montana also have space. Alaska is cold, but I think the summers are worth it, not everyone agrees with me.
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
The only downside that I am concerned about regarding Alaska is the cost of living; I'm also looking at Idaho and Montana. I have friends in North Dakota but that seems too flat for me. Any insight helps, so thanks!
The only downside that I am concerned about regarding Alaska is the cost of living; I'm also looking at Idaho and Montana. I have friends in North Dakota but that seems too flat for me. Any insight helps, so thanks!
Baradium
Regular Member
imported post
Costs me about the same to live in AK as Georgia or TN.
Food etc costs more, but there's no sales tax which actually makes up the difference (and then some in many cases).
No income tax makes a difference too as does the PFD once you've been here a while (the permanent fund dividend check each year).
What are you thinking in terms of work?
Costs me about the same to live in AK as Georgia or TN.
Food etc costs more, but there's no sales tax which actually makes up the difference (and then some in many cases).
No income tax makes a difference too as does the PFD once you've been here a while (the permanent fund dividend check each year).
What are you thinking in terms of work?
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
I'm not sure exactly, though I have some ideas. I'm into martial arts, train protection/security/drug dogs as a hobby, and am experienced with all sorts of firearms, though being in England, where most firearms are banned, my skill stagnates. I only get home about twice a year to shoot. I have a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics, minoring in security and intelligence.
For a time, I was thinking law enforcement, but I am trending more toward private security work. I enjoy the outdoors and staying active, because I really deflate behind a desk - which is actually, and surprisingly, where I have been for most of my time in the military.
Who knows. Maybe I want to have my cake and eat it to, but I'd like to enjoy my work and the area I live. Why sacrifice when this is the only earthly life we get?
I'm not sure exactly, though I have some ideas. I'm into martial arts, train protection/security/drug dogs as a hobby, and am experienced with all sorts of firearms, though being in England, where most firearms are banned, my skill stagnates. I only get home about twice a year to shoot. I have a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics, minoring in security and intelligence.
For a time, I was thinking law enforcement, but I am trending more toward private security work. I enjoy the outdoors and staying active, because I really deflate behind a desk - which is actually, and surprisingly, where I have been for most of my time in the military.
Who knows. Maybe I want to have my cake and eat it to, but I'd like to enjoy my work and the area I live. Why sacrifice when this is the only earthly life we get?
Baradium
Regular Member
imported post
ryandmitchell wrote:
Look into the Alaska State Troopers, a number of those guys are stationed in villages.... IE live in the bush. Of course that might be a bit too much of the wilderness experience for you.
ryandmitchell wrote:
Look into the Alaska State Troopers, a number of those guys are stationed in villages.... IE live in the bush. Of course that might be a bit too much of the wilderness experience for you.
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
I've checked out their website before and it seems like a pretty good opportunity. I've never spent any time in the bush but would like to think I'd get on okay. One way or another, I'll get out there and test the waters. Got to give it a go.
I've checked out their website before and it seems like a pretty good opportunity. I've never spent any time in the bush but would like to think I'd get on okay. One way or another, I'll get out there and test the waters. Got to give it a go.
Baradium
Regular Member
imported post
ryandmitchell wrote:
Before you decide to live in the bush, spend a few days traveling through it.
Fairbanks or other community on the road system would be nice though...
ryandmitchell wrote:
Before you decide to live in the bush, spend a few days traveling through it.
Fairbanks or other community on the road system would be nice though...
MetalChris
Regular Member
imported post
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
Depends on which "good" colonel you're talking about. How recently were you here?
Things are better now than they had been, but how good can it be being separated from my firearms!?!
Depends on which "good" colonel you're talking about. How recently were you here?
Things are better now than they had been, but how good can it be being separated from my firearms!?!
MetalChris
Regular Member
imported post
I know what you mean about the pain of being separated from firearms! When I went on leave en route to my new assignment I went to the range at least 4 times. My dad hooked me up w/ his XD-45 Service, so my life is now complete.
Sorry abouthijacking your thread, I'll go away now.
I know what you mean about the pain of being separated from firearms! When I went on leave en route to my new assignment I went to the range at least 4 times. My dad hooked me up w/ his XD-45 Service, so my life is now complete.
Sorry abouthijacking your thread, I'll go away now.
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
And how fortunate you were to leave this land; I have a lot of good local friends here, but it certainly is a country in desperate need of change. Alot of that pressure was fromthe group level to be sure, but things fluctuate up and down, and we seem to be in a bit more of a coast mode. How long were you here? I'm heading for my 4 year mark.
I almost bought an XD .45...almost, but went with a Glock.More of a 1911 guy but wanted a "plastic" gun. What's your opinion of the XD? Too bad we didn't talk before this...I can't find people who share my interest, even in the military.
And how fortunate you were to leave this land; I have a lot of good local friends here, but it certainly is a country in desperate need of change. Alot of that pressure was fromthe group level to be sure, but things fluctuate up and down, and we seem to be in a bit more of a coast mode. How long were you here? I'm heading for my 4 year mark.
I almost bought an XD .45...almost, but went with a Glock.More of a 1911 guy but wanted a "plastic" gun. What's your opinion of the XD? Too bad we didn't talk before this...I can't find people who share my interest, even in the military.
MetalChris
Regular Member
imported post
Yeah, I couldn't wait to get outta there...I arrived there on 29 May 04 and departed on2 May of this year. I took full advantage of being able to leave any time during my DEROS month. I hadn't been to the states for 2 of the 3 years I was in England, so when I came back it was somewhat of a shock (an awesome shock of course!)
The XD is AWESOME! Funny story...I was looking into getting a gun upon my return to the states, and checked out the S&W M&P, the XD, and a couple others. I liked the look of the XD, and the good reviews I read on it, so when I was on my first leg of leave in OK I rented both the .45 and .40 cal service models and put 50 rounds through each of 'em. I was in LOVE! [/gun nut moment]
Anyway, on my second leg of leave up in WA at my folks, I discovered that my dad had bought an XD-45 Service, and he was thinking about getting rid of it (my dad is a Kimber man, through and through.) Anyhoo, we went to the range 3 times, and I think I put about 250 rounds through it and my mind was made up...I was going to get an XD-45 Service when I got to Ohio. To make a long story short (um, too late I guess lol)my dad shipped the XD to me and I picked it up from the dealer on 3 August.
Yeah, I couldn't wait to get outta there...I arrived there on 29 May 04 and departed on2 May of this year. I took full advantage of being able to leave any time during my DEROS month.
I hadn't been to the states for 2 of the 3 years I was in England, so when I came back it was somewhat of a shock (an awesome shock of course!)The XD is AWESOME! Funny story...I was looking into getting a gun upon my return to the states, and checked out the S&W M&P, the XD, and a couple others. I liked the look of the XD, and the good reviews I read on it, so when I was on my first leg of leave in OK I rented both the .45 and .40 cal service models and put 50 rounds through each of 'em. I was in LOVE! [/gun nut moment]
Anyway, on my second leg of leave up in WA at my folks, I discovered that my dad had bought an XD-45 Service, and he was thinking about getting rid of it (my dad is a Kimber man, through and through.) Anyhoo, we went to the range 3 times, and I think I put about 250 rounds through it and my mind was made up...I was going to get an XD-45 Service when I got to Ohio. To make a long story short (um, too late I guess lol)my dad shipped the XD to me and I picked it up from the dealer on 3 August.
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
What an awesome tale. I just ordered a DPMS Panther .308. My dealer friend is great; I get everything set up and ordered for pickup when I am back on leave. I'm horrible. The longer I am here, the more guns I buy. I have to go home about every 6 months now...can't handle it otherwise.
I was set on an XD, but went with a Glock because of the purchase opportunity and price difference. I don't have much experience with polymer/plastic/barbie dolls, so figured my first venture into the arena would be a safe one with a Glock. I will get my hands on an XD at a range at some point.
1911 and .45 through and through. Not much experience with Kimber though.
What an awesome tale. I just ordered a DPMS Panther .308. My dealer friend is great; I get everything set up and ordered for pickup when I am back on leave. I'm horrible. The longer I am here, the more guns I buy. I have to go home about every 6 months now...can't handle it otherwise.
I was set on an XD, but went with a Glock because of the purchase opportunity and price difference. I don't have much experience with polymer/plastic/barbie dolls, so figured my first venture into the arena would be a safe one with a Glock. I will get my hands on an XD at a range at some point.
1911 and .45 through and through. Not much experience with Kimber though.
Fisherman48768
Regular Member
imported post
Hey Mitch you da man. Hey guys, I'm the sob that talked Ryan into joining the AF when he was pumping gas and dodging bullets in Saginaw. Ryan, yo moma and lil brother can out shoot you all day long. Ryan's lil bro is 9 and loves shooting my S&W 25.5 in 45 Colt, his moma likes the Gov't 1911A1 and she is deadly with it. Took her and my wife shooting a couple weeks ago, don't mess with her.
Take care my friend, see ya in a couple of months. BTW: another cardiac cath in 12 days, who knows.
Hey Mitch you da man. Hey guys, I'm the sob that talked Ryan into joining the AF when he was pumping gas and dodging bullets in Saginaw. Ryan, yo moma and lil brother can out shoot you all day long. Ryan's lil bro is 9 and loves shooting my S&W 25.5 in 45 Colt, his moma likes the Gov't 1911A1 and she is deadly with it. Took her and my wife shooting a couple weeks ago, don't mess with her.
Take care my friend, see ya in a couple of months. BTW: another cardiac cath in 12 days, who knows.
ryandmitchell
New member
imported post
Dodging bullets is right...then the company moved me to Flint, even better! I have no doubt they can out shoot me; I've got some catching up to do. Mom tells me she is getting better and better the more times she shoots, so I guess I have to be extra nice to her when I'm home.
Oh, and I have always gotten a kick out of that picture. Ha!
Stay in good health my friend...I need someone to help me reimmerse myself into the free society life, shooting, reloading, etc; it'll be "shell shock" after having been here 5 years!
Dodging bullets is right...then the company moved me to Flint, even better! I have no doubt they can out shoot me; I've got some catching up to do. Mom tells me she is getting better and better the more times she shoots, so I guess I have to be extra nice to her when I'm home.
Oh, and I have always gotten a kick out of that picture. Ha!
Stay in good health my friend...I need someone to help me reimmerse myself into the free society life, shooting, reloading, etc; it'll be "shell shock" after having been here 5 years!
martialcanine.45
New member
imported post
different username now
different username now
Fisherman48768
Regular Member
imported post
Why the name change? You can run but you can't hide.
Like the pic eh? Brian is now working in Rawlings, Wyo. Absolutely no jobs around here anymore. His house and thousands more are on the market, definitely a buyers market for the forseeable future. Sue and I may well move to Alaska with you, we've talked about it for years. Her kids live in Calgary and Medicine Hat, Ab. Ca. Kristy is dating some Frenchie, inspite of that he's a pretty nice guy. Picked up a new 1911 since you were home AMT Hardballer. Don't know if you handled this one or not, it's a Star PD 45ACP. I don't know if you saw the pair we bought either. Mdl 36's chief specials.
Why the name change? You can run but you can't hide.
Like the pic eh? Brian is now working in Rawlings, Wyo. Absolutely no jobs around here anymore. His house and thousands more are on the market, definitely a buyers market for the forseeable future. Sue and I may well move to Alaska with you, we've talked about it for years. Her kids live in Calgary and Medicine Hat, Ab. Ca. Kristy is dating some Frenchie, inspite of that he's a pretty nice guy. Picked up a new 1911 since you were home AMT Hardballer. Don't know if you handled this one or not, it's a Star PD 45ACP. I don't know if you saw the pair we bought either. Mdl 36's chief specials.
Attachments
martialcanine.45
New member
imported post
I can hide but was never much good at hide and go seek. You are about the 1,000th person to tell me that there is no work in Michigan. My mom said she's even open to selling the property and heading out West. I did see the 36s last time I was home but don't remember the Star. Those are nifty belly guns,and as you proved on the range, not bad with a little distance.
I can hide but was never much good at hide and go seek. You are about the 1,000th person to tell me that there is no work in Michigan. My mom said she's even open to selling the property and heading out West. I did see the 36s last time I was home but don't remember the Star. Those are nifty belly guns,and as you proved on the range, not bad with a little distance.