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All of us have dreams. Two years ago I was convicted that I was about to embark upon my dream of joining the Army shortly. With a twist of irony it seems that my resuming the monthly contests will be abruptly ended, as that dream is about to come to fruition. Of course I have no desire to see the contests die simply due to my temporary departure for boot camp, and would love to trust it to another member of the review board to run those contests.

Anyhow, it has been a long road of ups and down to get here. How can I say with confidence now that I am going when two years ago I "left" believing the same thing? Quite simply, progress. Normally I gain fat during the summer and winter, dropping it during my more active spring and autumn months, but maintain stasis around 27-28% body fat. This is between the point of needing a body fat waiver (and thus being stuck on a restricted diet during the beginning of basic training) and being simply disqualified (30% body fat is a disqualifier). Two years ago I was in that area. One year ago I was still in that area. Three months ago I was at 29% -- but today I am at around 26.18% body fat, which is the lowest I've been since I started working towards the Army two and a half years ago.

I have found my way, and now I am going the distance with this. Until I learned how much my latest dietary changes have truly helped, I was in a bit of despair about my situation, and saying I would give up if I didn't make it past the physical (which I'm now planning on for Friday, 25 August). At roughly 0.2% over the cutoff for not needing a waiver, I find my confidence has come back. In 9 days, I can drop 0.1 to 0.2% body fat, and if I keep it up I can be lower when I get taped before I ship out -- and not need to worry about harsher trteatment due to my body fat percentage.

I will keep you all updated on my progress here -- I cannot go until next week because I need two things before I go -- I need my last dental appointment fulfilled, which involves me getting several more fillings (Friday), and a note from the dentist that verifies my mouth is in stable condition, which must then be approved by MEPS. After that -- I'm essentially in. I can make it through the rest of the physical without problem, and I should be fine on the arms test. Following those, I'll get sworn in and get my ship date, and I'll let you all know my last day here, before basic, once I know that.

Well done, Nate. There's a phrase, I'm not sure what it means, but I've heard it said online alot to people about to be soliers, but I think it's a message of well meaning.

"Don't ask, don't tell!"

You hit 'em from the ground, and I'll keep making parts for the air. If this is what you want to do, then I hope you get in. I guess it pays better than pizza delivery, though porno pizza delivery gets pretty good tips.

Just don't tell your commanding officer that you write Digimon lemons. You could blow the whole deal.

I could come up with something better if I weren't making parts for warfare all day.

"Don't ask, don't tell" is concerning sexuality... for some stupid reason we don't want homosexuals or bisexuals ho admit to who they are defending our nation. I guess we're afraid it would turn the rest of the world queer or something, and we think that would be bad, or something like that.

I say we should just do away with the whole thing and as long as your personal affairs don't interfere with serving the country, it's fine. Unless they're criminal, but then it's not serving the country, I guess...

Anyway, for all practical intents and purposes, I'm straight enough. And yes, pedophilia and kiddy porn are serious risks to service, which is why I will be out of commission, at least on publishing, for a while -- until I'm properly settled, preferably somewhere off-base.

To war is human, to seek peace is something we all want, but can't seem to do... maybe it's just too contrary to our nature.

Human nature is weird but that's why it's fun. And I don't know why they don't want that. They let women in the army.
But fight hard and come back safe. Maybe we can end a war in the next 2 or something years.

I think it is rather stupid that they cover up homosexuality/bisexuality in the army, but that's just how this imperfect world works I suppose. Humans aren't perfect or even close to it, plain and simple. Conflict is bound to happen with free thought and different views. Anyways, good job Nate and come back safe.

Good luck with that Nate.....you'll hear the cadences loud and clear soon enough....I wish you the best in life and your dreams as well....We will miss yah....

At present I still have plenty of time to finish the August contest, and the September contest will be like it -- another free-for-all. I'll make a post in the next few days with the details... there may be a few more rules on the next contest to help keep it a challenge -- after all, anybody can anything they want. It's only when rules enter the equation that it becomes a challenge.

Quote:I guess it pays better than pizza delivery, though porno pizza delivery gets pretty good tips.

.................does that actually exist? :shock:

Quote:They let women in the army.

Do I smell some sexism in there? Thinking about it...
If both you and I were to apply for an army, who do you think they'd choose?

And I'm not gonna say anything about Nate's story, I can't believe anyone's dream could be to join an army. Well....then again, that is cuz I am Argentine....we have no good concepts of armies (militar forces took out democratic governmens several times).

No it doesn't and no, I was just saying, whatever problem that won't let gays in can't be worse then before they let women in. I know a couple that's in the army. They're great soliders.