Is the grass greener on the other side...

Well damn... Hello.

Its been a very long time since I've done one of these and a lot... a lot.. A LOT of things have happen since I last wrote to you. One post wouldn't even begin to cover what has happen since then, but I'm going to keep it short and sweet. While yes the military is a huge part of my life, it is not the whole thing. I want to knock this one out and dig into other subjects that have been surging through my brain. But before I jump straight back into it I want to give out some shout outs...

First and foremost I would like to thank God, I don't know where I would be without keeping the faith because sometimes that's all a person has. Of course all my family and friends who have supported me throughout all my decisions. But I want to give a special shout out to Tom and Jeni Manton... wow its hard to believe that in my last post you guys were not married yet, but of course congrats you guys did it, you really did it. I can't mention those two without mentioning the little one. Their son, my godson, James Andrew Manton born on June 19th 2012. While the Godfather is a honorable position but hardly ever really that serious, but I know that if anything ever happened to either of them and I had to step up I would be there in a drop of a hat to take care of James. I truly do mean that. So without further ado, let's answer the question shall we? Is the grass greener on the other side?

I say hell yea. Hell yea, hell yea. Fucking right. Damn right, alright.

If I had to stop the post right there I think that should indefinitely answer that question. But one question I do get a lot is, what was basic training like? Which is kind of hard to answer because it is not like anything you've ever experienced before. And honestly there isn't a single thing I could have done to prepare for it. It wasn't anything nice or easy and while you're there you think its the worst thing possible but looking back at it I always smile, because that experience made me stronger and made me the person I am today. I'll attempt to break it down further, the whole idea of basic training is to break you down and mold you into something better. So they try and rid you of all your bad habits and instill discipline. Its almost like going to rehab from yourself, but regardless of anything, no one really can stop you from being you. So yes there is certain things you will look at and never really forget but once you graduate from it, you slowly go back just like any fiend would. No one can really change you. So that definitely was something that will always stay with me and then there was tech school...


If basic training is like jail then tech school would be probation after you got out of jail. So things are not as strict and you get a little bit more freedom because they want you to make a smooth transition back into the real world, but also hang on to the core valves from basic training, I personally loved tech school. My tech school was in California and it was an amazing opportunity, the weather out there is beautiful practically everyday. If it wasn't so expensive there I think I would live there when I decided to get out. Compared to the harsh dry heat of Texas being there was a heavenly change of pace. My tech school was short and sweet, I was only out there for six weeks. Basically at tech school you learn how to do your job. My job in a nutshell? I help manage a fleet of vehicles but where am I now...

Operational Air Force is what they call it. You further learn how to do your job on a real day to day basis but now you get all the free time you need. For me my job is like any other 9 to 5, I go to work and I come home, I also have weekends off. For a lot people in the military that is exactly what it is like. The only real difference is that with being a military citizen there are more rules that they hold you accountable for. Operational is night and day compared to basic training, and just for the record no I don't get yelled at any more. People really seem to think that everything about the military lifestyle is about getting yelled at, that is just in basic training.

In one of my earlier posts I went off on how I was getting out of Florida and really making a way for myself in a different environment but where did I get stationed?  Moody Air Force Base, Georgia only 30 minutes away from the border of Florida... The irony right? I remember when I first told Tom, he laughed at me. But when you really want something you have to work at it. I've only been on this base for under a year and now I'm already packing my bags for the final frontier, Alaska! In only two short weeks they are moving this Florida boy to Alaska! Imagine that I've never seen snow before in my life and honestly I don't even know what to expect but I'm really pumped up about it. Honestly my decision to join the Air Force is the best thing to happen to me. I'm getting back into school and taking college classes and my money stays looking right. Imagine that, how many 21 year old kids do you know who already has retirement fund going and is investing money? I have no regrets. Huuuuuaaaaaaaaa!

Take life one adventure at a time, and ALWAYS remember that it is a work in progress.

Peace and Happiness to all :)

Humbly yours,

Airmen 1st Class Brian J