Two Associates Claim The Trident

[Derekudda]

I have been doing some soul searching regarding joining the service. Age 25, got a "great" job, a wife, and a 1yr old daughter, but I can't stand sitting on the sidelines anymore. I know two guys who claim to be SEALs, both of whom I'm associated with through my current work. I wanted to get some advice/feedback from them IF they are legit, but I have my reservations. As I couldn't agree more with Class29wc's opinion...

"Those who undertake to impersonate US Navy SEALs, for whatever purpose, are a disgraceful insult to every man and woman who ever served honorably in any branch of America’s armed forces, no matter how elite or mundane their military tasking. The honor of all veterans is degraded by such false claims."

...I was hoping to have some light shed on the situation if at all possible.

Their names are Michael Pinney (mid 30's) and Chris Rickaby (late 20's to early 30's).

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[trident86]

Provided the spelling is right, Michael Pinney was NEVER a SEAL. I do have a Chris Rickaby listed who is the right age. Ask both of them what BUD/S class they graduated with. If Rickaby says "222", then he's the real deal.

[Red Barron]

Derrekuda,

Do your wife and your daughter the most heroic act that any man could. Be a provider.

I left in 93 after 10 years in the Corps (6.5yrs in reconaissance). I left because of Clinton's draw down and the fact that I had been to 29 countries around the world, some with reconaissance and some as a Marine Security Guard attached to Embassys.

The other reason that I left, was that I was living out of a kit, in and out of countries 2 to 3 months at a time. No life, no relationship.

Your doing a fine job raising a family (as it sounds). Keep it that way. The teams and any spec war or even line infantry is extremely grueling. 99% chance you will be divorced if you get into the fight. I'm not advising you not to do it, but there are numerous amounts of support that you can provide outside of enlisting or trying to go to OCS.

Keep that baby of yours smiling and if your selling breast implants (do you get to help a client pick those out? LOL) your making some good coin.

Some ideas are how to support the Iraqi civilians. I raised monies last August and shipped 1908 lbs of school supplies to 1/25 in Fallujah to open four brand new schools. Good stuff. I have also proposed to one of the administrators (I'm in banking) on how my bank can assist in financial planning, mortgages, trusts ect to members of the site.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what your best course of action is. My recommendation is to look your wife and daughter in the face while they are sleeping and have the comforting feeling that you are their hero.

Enough said.

Red Barron sends

[Whitebean54]

Heed the words of Red Baron, for they are the truth. I sat and watched the Pres talk about the the increase in troops in IRaq with my future wife. I sit here typing a very alone and single man. She made up some shit about how we were growing apart nad she need space(Her friend later told me that she couldnt be with some one who was going to leave for a year or more at a time and could die). I watched the demo of the best relationship I had ever had happen right before my eyes and it was because I will be deployed in the next few years(Im still in college for Chirst sakes). Being in the military changes the dynamic of EVERY relationship you have. Do I regert joining....HELL NO! Do I wish I could get her back HELL YES!! You must are the one who has to decide and I comend you on even thinking about it.

H2 out

[FroggyRuminations]

I concur with Red Barron.

[leopardprey]

Concur with Redbaron. If you are looking for a job that will give you the adventure you seek and still allow you time with your family, consider becoming a Police Officer or a Firefighter.
Go Spec Ops and you will not see your wife and kid much at all over the next 4 years.

[Corsair]

I concur entirely with these gentleman, the military is extremely tough on families, the optempo is not going to slow down any time soon. I left the Marine Corps after 16 years, because of the strain my back to back deployments was putting on my family. I was fortunate to find a career in law enforcement where I can still contribute to the safe keeping of this great country of our and still have a good marriege.:)

[Carl Spackler]

Yep. It is a burden on families and after 23 years...no regrets.

[BKK]

Red Barron is right in what he has to say, but there are also two sides to the coin. There are no certainties or guarantees in life. I have seen a lot of wives (Military and Non-Military) do some really stupid things to some truely good guys, not to mention their children.

Nothing is to say that this guy will become miserable as he gets older and realizes he never followed his gut desires. That would make him miserable to his family, which would probably also lead to a divorce down the line.

Let's face it. Overall marriage today is SO unstable. If you think any different you are setting yourself up for a severe idealistic let down. At the end you only have what they can't take away from you.....your accomplishments and your pride in your sucesses during life. Be that what they may.

I think it is easy to look back in hindsight after having joined the military, or found other alternatives, because you have already quenched that desire that this guy is yearning.

[NightLandNav]

Derekudda,

With all respect due a married 25yo father of a baby daughter...

ARE U F'N Crazy!!! : )

The grass ain't that green over here Chief.

I think it'd damn fine to come home, hearing "Daddy", two girls that are glad to see you.

Having a good friend you trust that doesn't have a penis.

Getting to see boobs without a dollar bill at the ready.

Look, You have a family already, that die is cast.

Your position in right there, your "mission" is right there. And if you can love your wife, raise a daughter, you will have done that job better than I ever did.

If you "just can't stand it" ....

Visit a NG unit OR a Naval RS on their next drill. I promise you it will end any notion of the weekend warrior in your mind. They will impress the shit out of you, whoever they are. I'm that confident in every unit, everywhere. But Navy food is better, so head's up above deck.

Off deck.

[Ole crusty bastard]

I'm out of my lane over here in the land of the SEALs, but in jobs like this you can normally only have one mistress. You have to give everything you have to a "special" job. Sometimes you get very lucky and have a wife that will share you with the military, most of the time and you really can't blame her, she will opt for a more normal life. Vietnam and Jody got my first wife, I'd also listen to those who have posted above.

[FnF209]

Well,
Consequences to life choices are real. I have been home 242 days out of the last five nearly six years. Wife, wonderful, smart, successful, and honestly I do not know how she does it. I will tell you we have nearly been divorced recently.
Facts
I exist in their life I am not part of their life. They share events with me; I make no long distant impact - not possible, kidding yourself if you think you will. That privilege, of being part of their lives, I will hopefully earn by gaining orders home.
I can not gain one minute of lost time with my family back, my son has suffered by me being gone. Children need fathers. My wife, it will probably take years for her to forgive my selfishness. She does not say so, I see it in her eyes year after year -- I owe her a rest.

Still no REGRETS, I make a difference few may know all the better. The world will be a better place. Can you face those consequences to your choice? Waking up one day to find out she choose to be married to have a partner there with her enjoy life and therefore choosing another man to step in and raise your daughter. I see it all the time.

Plan your dive, and dive you plan then choose to not look back and regret.

FnF209

[Derekudda]

First of all, I sincerely appreciate the information about the status of these two men (Douchebag vs. Warrior). And I can't thank you all enough for your advice and perspectives. It is truly appreciated.

My wife is a wonderful woman, and the thought of being away from my little girl most of the time is honestly hard to stomach. Part of the "problem" is that in studying history (specifically military history) and continually learning about the nature of our enemy over the last few years, I've come to understand the monumental stakes of this game. I've learned that as Americans we have a unique and noble tradition of facing down Evil and fighting and dying so that others may share in our inspired ideals...to the benefit of us all.

We've faced Nazism, Communism, and now Islamofacism. This is nothing less than the great struggle of our time, and so far I've been sitting it out. For me, it's not about chasing glory or self-worth (OK, maybe a little). It's really about the fact that this Long War is so vitally essential to our way of life, and I know I can play my part in fighting it. Knowing this is like having opened Pandora's box or eating the Apple and not being able to return back to a state of blissful ignorance. And I know that far better men than I have laid down their lives in the defense of this great nation, the world's "shining city on a hill." Still, concerning your posts and my future, I have a lot to think about.

Again, thank you.

-----------------

(Oh, and for the record, I sell titatium screws/rods/plates/cages to spine surgeons...not quite as "stimulating" a gig as slingin the kind of implants referred to above!)

[Looon]

Once upon a time, I chose going to combat over going home to see my newborne son.

It is a decision that haunts me to this day, for numerous reasons. Even still, I wouldn't change a thing. But that's me.

Whatever decision you make, you are the one that has to deal with the +/-. There is no dishonor in either one, from where Im sitting.

[SWCC18]

Being in Specops cost me one bad wife and got me one good one. Was it worth it? Yeah, I got a better one now but there are still some things that I miss about being deployed with the fellas.

If your concern is about facing the enemy (and I agree that these bastards should not be backed away from unless you're getting ready to call for fire), then there are SO many options out there for you, you just have to look for them. It doesn't have to be military to get your fix. Plenty of big city (or small town) cops that are on ESU or some such tactical unit that gets to go when it hits the fan.

Hell, before the war, most cops saw more action than Specops guys. Probably not so much now though...

Family is more important. Work with your wife to figure out what is the best course for the both of you. www.usajobs.com can help with those other options. So can https://www.avuecentral.com/ Or try CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA, DOD, ICE, or any other number of 3 letter organizations out there. Just don't go with FEMA... Federal Employees Moving Around..or F*&king Emergency My A$$... You will be bored to tears.

And don't feel like you are not doing your part either. Raise your family, volunteer at your local fire department, get EMT certified, join the police reserve. Just don't get down on your self for thinking that you are standing on the sidelines. At least you give enough of a shit to WANT to do something.

[120mm]

Not SpecOps, but have been deployed a lot and I work with deploying soldiers every day.

You must be married to the right woman for this to work. This would have to be her decision more than your decision.

There are real and material ways you can contribute. I work as a civilian contractor at a major training area, supporting our troops AND raising a family. Nothing says you couldn't do the same.

[Whitebean54]

Find
Every
Mexican
Avalible :)

[FroggyRuminations]

Stay the fuck away from federal law enforcement. If you knew just how backwards and jacked up they are you would be scared for this country. You don't want to know what I do about ICE in particular. It really doesn't matter though, they are all deeply flawed and those flaws are institutionalized and set in stone.

Here's what I would do. Here in LA County, CA you can become a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. Here at least, you can either do patrol, posse (horses), or Search and Rescue. Any one of those positions would place you in a key position if your community was under threat/attack to help and contribute meaningfully. I often contemplate doing this, but I'm still in the Navy Reserve so I don't have time. This way you can keep a good job that you have and still be available to serve.

My .02 cents

Froggy

[ECHO6GOLF]

You must be married to the right woman for this to work.

Thats solid right there. Ive been in 13 years. Numerous deployments. It doesnt matter though, my wife is awesome. She is squared away and ensures that my mind stays on my gig overseas. It is true that you will miss out on many aspects of your child's life (Ive missed more baseball seasons and basketball seasons than I would like to admit). The truth is that I like what I do and although the money isnt the greatest I wouldnt change shit. My family life is solid, because I married a solid lady. You will do what you believe is right for you and your family. Best of luck in what you choose.

[120mm]

There are two things you can do to raise your children. Be there for them and be an example for them. My lovely wife of 19 years assures me that while I am away on deployment that I am doing the latter, in spades.

Not all lessons can be taught at home. Some lessons can only be taught through sacrifice.

Duty is the sublimest word in the English language - Robert E. Lee

[Derekudda]

I sincerely cannot thank you all enough. I've clearly got a lot to contemplate. I simply need to know that I'm choosing to embark on this life for the right reasons...especially if I'm going to commit to BUDS. I must have my mind squared away, so when the depths of misery engulf me I don't have that little voice of defeat whispering, "You're family would be better off anyway...just ring the bell." That is not an option. Unless I know that I would rather die than quit, I won't waste the Navy's (or my own) time and money. Again, thank you.

[Remington Raider]

Marraige is a crapshot, no matter what you position in life is, Ya' gotta ask yourself one question, do you you feel lucky, well do ya, PUNK?

[RAT]

Find
Every
Mexican
Avalible :)


WB54,

These comments are not welcomed here. It is not the fault of the people who come here to work. It is the Tax codes of this nation that make it allowable for people to fly under the radar and get the full use of the USA.

Hate the game not the player.


RAT OUT!!!

[Sharky]

WB54,

These comments are not welcomed here.



Yep. Enough Said?

[Whitebean54]

Lame attempt at humor,smoking myself...won't happen again Sir.

[zebra305]

1. Stay away from Federal Law Enforcement if at all possible. Less Enforcement, more Law.

2. Hook up with a local, or even the State Police. You can be an honest to god "hometown hero" and do good locally, while at the same time if the 'wolf comes to the door', you'll be there to take action.

3. I sometimes regret leaving the Corps after 10 years...but with a daughter that needed brain surgery, or the choice of going on another deployment...I chose my daughter. She's now a healthy senior in high school, ready to graduate this year. (No teenager is EVER happy, so it's pointless to go there).

Just my 2 cents.

[Terminator2]

2. Hook up with a local, or even the State Police. You can be an honest to god "hometown hero" and do good locally, while at the same time if the 'wolf comes to the door', you'll be there to take action.

That's what I'm doing. I just put in my application for Hartford PD last week and I'm planning on taking the POST and CHIP tests some time this spring.

My girlfriend is little worried about it, but she's ok with it. I told her that the first year would be a little tough, but over all, it shouldn't be a problem whenever we get married.