Posted By The Nude Nerd on June 11, 2009

I’ve been in the US Army now for 13 years. I’ve seen and done things that I’m sure a lot of people will never get to experience. I got to cross the border as we invaded Iraq. I’ve worked with a multitude of various people and personalities, some memorable and some forgettable. I spent time in Germany, Hawaii, Georgia, Arizona, Iraq, Kosovo/Albania…  places I would never have seen or experienced if I hadn’t of joined the Army. It also made me grow up fairly quickly, becoming responsible for myself and my actions. At 18, I barely knew how to wash clothes or clean a room properly. It quickly taught me that my actions have consequences…  whether on or off the battlefield. I say all this because I want to say that I do appreciate what the Army has done for me over the years. Thirteen years ago, I never saw myself being a Staff Sergeant that would be leading and mentoring others.

The Army today is not the same Army I joined back then. I see things happen today that would have never (or very rarely) happened when I was a private. I also believe the Army’s current promotion system is broken. I have seen people that are promoted to NCO’s at 2 years – most times, others have to pick up their slack due to their lack of experience, or worse…  lack of care. I get evaluated yearly… and because I have struggled with my weight after having major hip surgery, my evaluations are never rated “excellent”. My last evaluation was written by a rather inept senior NCO. These evaluations mean I won’t see promotion for some time – nevermind the fact that my performance is rated above average.

My hip surgery has now lead to a medical board finding me “Unfit for Duty”, two years later. I have to admit I am pleased by this. The Army has just lost it’s appeal that it once held for me. Yesterday was when I found out the results, which left me ecstatic that finally I would be moving on to a new life, outside of the Army.

Earlier this week I also went to North Carolina, where I interviewed for a job doing the same thing I do in the Army. This job is almost perfect for me – same job field (which I love), at home, great pay. The only downside is possibility of deployments. Deploying as a civilian though – that I can look forward to. No pulling guard duty. No carrying a weapon (unless I want to). No going to the range. No mandatory Physical Training (though I hope to, but at my own pace).

They called me back today…     and I got the job! Things just really seem to finally be falling in place for me.

As for gaming, I have pretty much decided to give up on Eve Online. While I do enjoy the game and the “sandbox” play does appeal to me – it doesn’t appeal to my wife. Since our first year of marriage, we’ve been playing games pretty much together – Ultima Online, Final Fantasy XI, World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Conan (we’ve played quite a few). It was always great playing with her, sharing my addictions with her, being able to discuss the game with her. Eve was just not for her, so as I got more and more into it, the more we seemed to be doing less together.

I got to discussing Ultima Online with a co-worker last week and it made me feel nostalgic for all the great times we had together in it. We were part of a large roleplaying community there. Memories of those times still linger after a 4-year break. Many of the other MMO’s never seem to manage this. Sure, we had good times in them…  but I can’t remember those times as well as our times in UO. So, last weekend we reactivated our accounts. We found quite a bit of our stuff is gone…  but it did not take long before old friends had helped us out on that front. I’m already addicted to it again, and playing side by side with my soulmate makes it that much better. To those in Eve or those reading this blog because of Eve, I apologize for leaving…  but I must follow my heart. I hope you will continue reading, as I tend to talk about many different things. If you do have any interest in Ultima Online, feel free to look me up on Atlantic shard.

Categories: Gaming, Rambling, Ultima Online
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