It is official. I no longer do construction work anymore. **** construction. I will miss the pay though. But I won't miss the heat attacks, and being drenched in oil and dirt all day. I was wondering why my skin was so clean the past four days.



Now I am going back to work at Wal-Mart for a whopping 7.45 an hour. I also might apply at Suncoast also, since they are hiring Assistant Managers, and I worked at Wal-Mart for two years. See what happens with that. If I get the job at Suncoast I will be able to afford to keep my FC on the road(talking insurance costs).



My question is this. I don't know **** about pay scales and having to be rehired. When I left wal-mart I was making close to 8 bucks an hour. I think it was 7.96, but I am not getting even close to that pay if I go back. I think this is really ******* me over right now. I was actually offered ten bucks to stay at Wal-Mart before I left. I should've taken it. I am going to push to get 9 bucks an hour, and if they don't give me it, I just won't go back. Them fools need me though, so they just might do it.





Oh yeah, I am joining the military tomorrow! Ha! I will be doing IT as my AIT or be doing Photography( I am really wanting photography, but it is really tough to get). The IT I want is really confusing to explain though. Luckily my father still works on an Air Force Base and still has plenty of hook ups, so I am in luck.



I need to go take the ASVAB again which I hated taking the first time. I was in military school for 6 months three years ago, so Basic Training should be a breeze. I am doing delayed enlistment for 3-6 months. See what they have for me really.



Military is gonna kick ***. Free rent, food, clothes, dental and medical and life insurance. Plus I can use the garages they have on the bases(if they have them). Woot Woot.



Wish me some amount of luck. And give me some pointers from all the military folks' experiences also. Can't hurt.

 

It ain't all fun and games....but you're right the garages are sweet and cheap! My advice is to get sent to Germany. I loved that place.

 

I actually lived right outside of Rammstein AFB for about 2 years. I was too young to experience Germany like I can these days. I am shooting either for England, Germany, or Japan for my first post.



What did you serve in Mark, and how many years?

 

your going into the air force to be a photographer?

 

I am hoping I can grab that job yes. It is about as hard to get as the Top Secret stuff. So very minimal people in that career field.



Why do you ask rob?

 

I was in the Army. I built bridges...the kind that float. Remember seeing on CNN the bridge over the Sava River in Bosnia when all that first went down and all those soldiers lost their gear in a flood a few days later..that was my unit. I was the "captain" of my own boat...blah blah blah. I loved the job and being on the water, but hated the bullshit that surrounds the Army life. I did my 3 year tour and got out. Stayed in Germany as a civilian for three more years though. You'd be smart to go Air Force and to do something that you can apply to the outside world. I didn't know you could be a photographer, but that sounds cool. Just make sure "photographer" doesn't equal "motor pool bitch" or something like that in military speak. If you can, talk to someone who is in that position and find out what they do on a day to day basis. Just becasue you are classified as one job, doesn't mean you can't be farmed out to something that has a shortage - especially if you are just coming in a have little rank. The military is a good deal and you'll learn a TON about yourself there, just know that there will be times when it's extremely hard and people will be frustrating. Expect that and you'll do fine.

 

it just sounds odd thats all, I cant see that much need for a photographer



I shouldnt talk, I was a mortar man, I guess I wanted to be

something more military like

 

There is not really a huge demand for it really. Who do you think takes all the pictures of Generals, the Prez, air planes. I just really like photography and some day I want to work for National Geographic. Either it be 10 years, or 20 years I could care less, as long as I work there. The photography field in the military is such a small bunch, you have to be really good, or have huge connections.



I actually talked to the Chief MSGT on Andrews Air Force Base, and he liked my work alot, but wanted more people pictures. Like candid stuff, so I took all I could and he moves away to Japan. Oh well.



I am going no where right now in my life, military is a great way and I wanna leave this house and experience the world out there. That is all. Oh yes, and serve my country. If it is pushing a broom around or shooting Osama Bin Laden in the temple, it don't matter.

 

thats the spirit, it is what you make it to be



good luck to you

 

Exactly.