Luminous Landscape Forum
Site & Board Matters => About This Site => Topic started by: Jonathan Wienke on November 11, 2005, 03:00:24 pm
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I've enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic, and will be shipping out to boot camp January 4, 2006. My participation in these forums will be limited until I ship out, as I'll be getting ready for my new life and moving from California to Texas, and once I ship out, I'll be offline completely for about 2 months.
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Huh, here we barely get our boards back, and you're leaving.
But it's certainly good that you go as a medic, I really respect that!
My best wishes for you and those you'll encounter during your time as a medic.
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That's great. The Army takes a bad rap; it can actually be intensely interesting. Don't worry too much about basic training (look at the people who make it through.) One tip though -- the enlistment stuff will tell you that you don't need to bring money, or to only bring x dollars. Take about 10x, or more. You'll be amazed at the things you'll find to spend it on.
JC
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I've enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic, and will be shipping out to boot camp January 4, 2006. My participation in these forums will be limited until I ship out, as I'll be getting ready for my new life and moving from California to Texas, and once I ship out, I'll be offline completely for about 2 months.
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Good luck, Jonathan. We will miss you here on the forum during those two months.
I look forward to hearing about it when you get your mile under 8 minutes.
Eric
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I wouldn't say that I completely agree with the politics of the US, or that I approve of the war. Yet I respect ehe people that are willing to do what it takes for what they believe. And moreso do I respect those who go to help others, especially as a medic (I myself want to become a doctor and would greatly like to hear of your experiences when you get back).
Best of luck to you and yours, and we will miss you on the forums.
Stefan
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I've enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic, and will be shipping out to boot camp January 4, 2006. My participation in these forums will be limited until I ship out, as I'll be getting ready for my new life and moving from California to Texas, and once I ship out, I'll be offline completely for about 2 months.
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Good luck and God Speed, my friend. Keep in touch!
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Thank you all for your replies. You can follow my progress and adventures in the Army by clicking the My Army Experience link in my sig.
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Jonathan, best wishes in your new endeavor.
By the way, I'm just curious, and you need not reply, but how old are you? I would have guessed that you were a little old to be just joining the military. In any event, I admire your willingness to enlist as a medic and help our soldiers.
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Good luck with the training and wherever you get sent. I guess we will be looking out for an updated version of MASH to get a good look at where you are working.
Remeber to pack a camera wherever you go...just because you are taking a paid holiday in the army doesn't mean that you can't practice the dark arts.
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Best Wishes on the new adventure!
Time to pack the 1D Mark II into the closet and invest in a Leica M3 with a 35mm lens. I'm sure you could sneak it past the Army minders...
Your posts here will be missed.
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Best of luck to you, Jonathan. You'll be sorely missed here. Come back to LL when you can.
Lisa
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Good luck! Jonathan. Do I take it there are no openings for photographers in the US Army? It'll probably be a welcome change from photographing weddings .
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May God be with you on your journey Jonathan!
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good luck jonathan, quite commendable. looking forward to reading and seeing about your experiences!
amnon
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On reflection, Jonathan, this all seems a little bizarre. I've never done national service or been enlisted in any way, but your outspoken manner would seem to me to be likely to get you into trouble in the US Army. Have you considered this?
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Good luck Jonathan! Keep us posted on your new job and don't forget to visit us on this forum.
Stay safe.
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Good luck and look after yourself. I did my bit in uniform when I was young and foolish, that you're volunteering to do it at your age when you've got sense in your head says a lot about you. Good for you.
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On reflection, Jonathan, this all seems a little bizarre. I've never done national service or been enlisted in any way, but your outspoken manner would seem to me to be likely to get you into trouble in the US Army. Have you considered this?
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I did 4 years in the Air Force, so getting along in the military is not something new to me. You can gripe all you like, as long as you choose the appropriate time and place to do so. You just have to be a bit more creative about it when it involves your superiors...
I'm 35 years old, so I'd be at the high end of the age scale except for the fact that time spent in active duty does not count toward your age for re-enlistment purposes. So as far as the Army is concerned, I'm only 31.
Anyway thanks for the support. Regarding the Leica, I think an LX-1 and a few memory cards would accomplish the same goal with less weight and bulk, and without the issue of finding film and procesing sevices in remote areas. I don't plan on getting rid of the 1D-MkII anytime soon in any event.
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Jonathan,
I read on your 'my army experience' forum about your physical training. You improvements are really impressive. I wish that I could make such leaps in my physical abilities. As someone who is also in the process of conditioning I know that it is a grueling task. I sympathise and you have my support. Keep up the good work.
Stefan
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All the best, I hope some camera gear makes it into your duffle bag.
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Will it be worth selling the 1Ds and maybe the 1D mkII, putting the money in the bank and rebuying when you go back to work? By the time you finish your stint those cameras will have depreciated alarmingly while getting dusty in the closet.
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Will it be worth selling the 1Ds and maybe the 1D mkII, putting the money in the bank and rebuying when you go back to work? By the time you finish your stint those cameras will have depreciated alarmingly while getting dusty in the closet.
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I always wondered how much damage you could do by loading a 1-series in a canon and firing it at a brick wall.
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Will it be worth selling the 1Ds and maybe the 1D mkII, putting the money in the bank and rebuying when you go back to work? By the time you finish your stint those cameras will have depreciated alarmingly while getting dusty in the closet.
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Probably not, as I'll be able to use my cameras once I complete boot camp. I obviously won't be able to shoot full-time, but I can definitely make use of my gear once I get my training completed. If I was to be deployed and had to limit myself to a single body & lens, it would be the 1D-MkII + 24-70/2.8L.
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Hi Jonathan,
Best of luck to you! I understand what we are fighting for, and I value your service.
Lots of great pictures coming from the servicemen blogs! I hope you can take a pocket cam over and set up your own blog to keep everyone informed of what's really going on there. The US newspapers can't seem to find the stuff that the serviceman bloggers show!
Steve W
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Thank you! I have sort of a blog set up on my site; you can access it by clicking the My Army Experience link in my sig. I don't know where I will be going after my training yet; while it's possible I may go to Iraq, I may not. At any rate, I'll be posting photos there as circumstances allow.
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Out of curiosity, why didn't you go for Combat Photographer?
Jerry
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Probably not, as I'll be able to use my cameras once I complete boot camp. I obviously won't be able to shoot full-time, but I can definitely make use of my gear once I get my training completed. If I was to be deployed and had to limit myself to a single body & lens, it would be the 1D-MkII + 24-70/2.8L.
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Jonathon, I've been in the US Army and I am currently 14+ years in the US Air Force. I think you might find the Army to be vastly different than the USAF. Even when you are in garrison (base) and not deployed, you will spend 50%+ of your time "in the field", especially right before a deployment to prepare. Quality of Life in the US Army is very different than QOL in the USAF--FYI. There are lots of positives to the Army, but personal time is not usually one of them.
And as for the oil comment above--can we respect this guy's decision and keep the darn politics out of this? The point is this: he has volunteered to serve his country in an honorable, potentially dangerous and selfless way. How many other citizens can say the same? Politics is not appropriate in this thread; it's disrespectful. Just my $0.02.
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Even when you are in garrison (base) and not deployed, you will spend 50%+ of your time "in the field", especially right before a deployment to prepare. Quality of Life in the US Army is very different than QOL in the USAF--FYI. There are lots of positives to the Army, but personal time is not usually one of them.
And as for the oil comment above--can we respect this guy's decision and keep the darn politics out of this?
My sister has been in the Army since 1993 and is currently an officer in the Army medical corps, so I've got a fairly good idea of what to expect; I'm under no illusions of being able to operate a photography business while performing active duty service. My primary intent is to get photos of wherever I happen to be deployed, and get whatever shots I can of daily life and suchlike.
I looked into combat photographer and journalist career fields; there simply weren't any openings available. Such is life. I'd rather be a medic than tank driver or Laundry & Bath technician. Or Mortuary Affairs specialist.
And let's not dignify the political comments with any more more of a response than they've already gotten.
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I've enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic, and will be shipping out to boot camp January 4, 2006. My participation in these forums will be limited until I ship out, as I'll be getting ready for my new life and moving from California to Texas, and once I ship out, I'll be offline completely for about 2 months.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=51019\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hi Jonathan,
Congrats! You might look into Special Forces training as a medic which is an intensive training course - used to be 32 weeks when I was with 5th SF back in the mid 60's - but well worth it because when you get out you can pretty well work in any capacity as EMT. Lots of great surgical training and things you don't get a chance to do as a regular medic. Also you will get rank much quicker along with all that entails... It will mean some extra PT training - jump school at Ft. Benning, etc., but lots of fun if you're up to the challenge.
Lin
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Jonathan,
Wishing you the best in your new career path. Ah, the good old Army days. Mine were a long time ago, in the 60's like Lin, but I remember them like yesterday. I remember in radio school, they were looking for two types of volunteers. One was for those to go to jump school and the other was to be a helicopter pilot. I was really tempted to do the helicopter pilot thing but found out I would have to go to jump school for that too. This is when I learned that if I did not volunteer for anything, I ususally didn't get picked for anything. Since my name began with W and they usually never got that far going through the alphabet, I was usually OK.
Speaking of volunteering, you have to be careful here. I remember one day the drill sergeant came around asking if any of us knew how to drive. Two guys raised their hands and they were picked to drive wheelbarrows full of dirt all day in a nasty little project.
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Interesting how many of us have been in the army on this board (I was attached to a police anti terrorist unit but same difference).
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Jonathan,
My best wishes to you for a rewarding and constructive experience in the army, and safe return to the Luminous-Landscape.
Mark
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Jonathan, thank you for what you are doing. You will remain in my prayers.
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Discussing Johnathan's joining the army is appropriate.
Political comments on this forum are not. I have therefore deleted one such comment and a couple of follow-ups.
Thanks for your understanding.
Michael
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Jonathan,
Good luck in your new career. I have a friend in the Air Force who has sent me some pretty amazing photos from Iraq. Lots of subject mater to cover.
Take Care,
Bryan
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Great,,,Everyone say good luck..now lets continuos with what is the side about.
Remember you can send a personal message
BlasR
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Great,,,Everyone say good luck..now lets continuos with what is the side about.
Remember you can send a personal message
BlasR
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Blas, this website is like a community of people, so when a well-known member of the community makes an important personal decision of this kind there is nothing inappropriate about other members of the community wishing him well in the Forum.
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It is always interesting and eye opening to come accross people who have the courage to give new directions to their lifes, whatever these are.
Another comment that comes to my mind is that beyond differences of cultures and political orientation, there are transversal values that run through ourselves and our societies. I believe that the valuation of art is one such powerful trait that does give another dimension to our lifes. I am confident that these values will remain strong in you, and that you will keep influencing people around you by promoting them.
Good luck Jonathan.
Cheers,
Bernard
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Thanks, all. I just finished moving to Texas, and will be staying with my sister (the Army captain who competes in marathons and triathlons for fun) until I ship out. Tomorrow morning I'm going to be doing PT (physical training) with her, and I expect that by the time she's through with me, going off to boot camp will be a relief--I'll get to relax a bit.
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Welcome to TEXAS! and thanks for serving our country.
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ddolde, I'm not sure if your comment was intended to be witty, intelligent, mature, thoughtful or informative, but it certainly is none of those. Your comment says much about you but little about the topic of this thread.
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Good luck, Jonathon, and take good care of yourself. You go with my respect and best wishes that all your hopes and expectations will be fulfilled, and that you will soon be home again.
Leon Vick
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Thank you. My long-term plan at this point is to get through the medic training, start taking as many college courses as possible, (the Army has a wide selection of courses online or via correspondence that are free) and then try out for the Army Physician Assistant program. If accepted, I'd go through a year of additional coursework, a year of residency, and then be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Medical Services Corps. And I'd be able to retire as an officer.
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You getting puckered up yet? You must be about ready to go...I knew a guy who retired as a major, he was a nurse-anethesist in the Air Force. Had a pretty interesting life. Do you have to go through basic training, or is it just right into the medical stuff? Look into the anethesia thing, too -- nurse anethesists are in big demand everywhere, both in and out of the military, and up to a point (major, I think) the promotions are pretty fast and automatic, because they want to keep you.
A woman I met in Wisconsin went through some kind of military medical training -- not nurses training, but some kind of technician thing -- and wound up as an EMT working out of the local hospital. That was a pretty nice situation, too, if a little high-stress.
And finally, my wife, after raising the kids, went back to dental school when she was 40, which is quite a bit older than you are, after getting a BA years ago in art. Took her five years, since she had to do some prerequisites, but after she got her dental degree she went into research, and onto a PhD in immunology. From where you're going now, it seems like there are a lot of pretty good options.
Good luck with it, and take your cameras where you can.
JC
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Well, I'm 35, so 40 isn't that much older...
But yes, the anticipation and dread and excitement and everything else is starting to build; I have less than 48 hours left as a civilian. I've written a rather lengthy essay detailing why I'm doing what I'm doing and what I hope to accomplish in the Army, which I've posted here (http://www.visual-vacations.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=227#227). Some of the subject matter in the essay is political, so if everyone could confine the discussion of the political aspects of the essay to the forums on my site, I'm sure Michael and I would both appreciate it. I even have a section devoted exclusively to discussing religion and politics, as long as it can be kept reasonably civil.
But anyway, I appreciate the felicitations and would appreciate your prayers as I once again subject myself to the tender mercies of the drill sergeants...
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I read your essay, G-d bless and protect you.
I remember when I joined up, it was more excitement than apprehension beforehand though I was 19 at the time! I was far fitter and thinner and my feet haven't been the same since I left.
from a photographic point of view: carrying around those two 1 series bodies will seem a doddle after this....
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Well, I get up at 0400 tomorrow morning to leave for Fort Knox and my big adventure, so this will be my last post on LL for a few months. Thanks for all the support, and know that I'll miss you while I'm gone...
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The forums will certainly not be the same with you gone.
Godspeed.
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I've also read your justification for joining the army, Jonathan. I won't get into any discussion about the rights and wrongs of America's (and Australia's) involvement in Iraq except to paraphrase the words of a great English philosopher who said something to the effect, "The troubles in the world are not caused by people doing the wrong thing (wrong in hindsight, that is), but by people failing to do what they believe is the right thing."
Goodonya! and best of luck.
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I've finished boot camp, and I have some free time on weekends now. I've got a lot of catching up to do, but I'm back!
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Let me be the first to say that it's good to hear from you. Welcome back.
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Welcome back!
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How about a brief report on the experience? If I remember, you're a little older than the typical boot. How'd that go? Were you everybody's daddy? I'm tempted to annoy you, to get you back in a nice snappy mood, but I'll let it go for a few days ...anyway, welcome back.
JC
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Glad you're back and ready to do some photography. We've missed you.
By the way, what did you get your best mile time down to?
Eric
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Jonathan,
Now you're back (temporarily or not) it seems I might have to be even more careful that my posts make complete sense .
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How did it go?
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Johnathan: As so many others have said, I'll add my $0.02...
Good luck and be safe! Setting aside my own feelings about the worlds' military in general, I do admire your decision to follow your heart and become a medic.
Mike.
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My schedule is still pretty busy, but I've updated my journal so it's current. You can see the latest entries here (http://www.visual-vacations.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=256#256). So far, I have a 94% test average, but I have to spend a lot of time studying--we go through several chapters a week in the textbook; usually over 100 pages. My best mile time so far is 7:50, and my best 2-mile time so far is 16:30. I won't know where I'll be heading for another month or two yet.
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I guessed you were pretty busy. Sounds like great test scores and good running times. I certainly miss you at the LL forum, but I applaud you for what you are doing.
Eric
P.S. From your journal, I'm sure glad it's you doing it and not me! That sounds like hard and rigrous work. Good luck!
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Thank you.