If you had a year to kill...

[Sarge]

As I'm sure a decent number of are you aware, I'm stuck in Iraq right now, and have about 5 months left before I come home.

Anyway, what would you do if you had 12 months, or even 5 left, and nothing to do, and nowhere to do it?

This war is "officially" over as of the beginning of last month. Some would say it's been over since 2007, but I digress, Iraq is not the topic of this thread.

I have about 5 months left, a computer with slow internet, a "job" that gives me access to a slow ass computer with 512Mb of RAM and highly filtered internet, and a much faster computer with slower, but unrestricted internet in my container, and something like 14+ hours a day with absolutely nothing to do for at least the foreseeable future.

How would any of you deal with a similar situation, a job that requires little to no work, plenty of free time, but restricted to a base in the middle of nowhere and almost zero recreation, besides eating and working out.

What to do? What to do? Besides lurk the CSC all day, anyway. 8)

[Mother Goose]

Have people out here w/ fast internets, burn some porn onto DVD for you and send it over. ;) :lol: Seriously though... maybe get some MotoGP and WSBK races on DVD sent to you and watch those in the down time.

[cbrjohnny]

get your hands on a cheap dirt bike from the locals and build a track on base im sure you could con the boys into letting you use the loader and dozers!

[asp_125]

You could post kitteh pics . ... ;)

[Devaclis]

get your hands on a cheap dirt bike from the locals and build a track on base im sure you could con the boys into letting you use the loader and dozers!

That is the only real option right there. Go ride :)

[salsashark]

hmmm... the grass is always greener on the other side eh?! Cause to me, that sounds like a vacation. (kidding... kinda) :lol:

Anyways, I would probably take advantage of that nothing to do but work out thing because God knows I could use it.

Are you a reader? Any authors you like? Maybe roll through a series of books.

How about online education? maybe knock out some college courses...

[PunyJuney]

Get your PHD on line before you come so that you can add it to your resume. The employment market is still bad here. Perhaps something more realistic like a real estate brokers licence, or insurance agent certification, anything that is going to jump start your return to civilization.

[bulldog]

Do you have a TV and access to a video game system? Those are always good time wasters....

If not are you into reading? Alot of books can be found online now, so you could get into some serious reading for fun or learning.

Maybe research a good business idea you could get into when you get released?

[Sarge]

I saw some blue and white Kawi 450 Ninja a few weeks ago, but ridden by a civilian contractor. No way in hell they'd let me buy one on the local market. We aren't even allowed to go to the bathroom at night without holding hands with someone because people keep doing stuped sh*t.

[Sarge]

Get your PHD on line before you come so that you can add it to your resume. The employment market is still bad here. Perhaps something more realistic like a real estate brokers licence, or insurance agent certification, anything that is going to jump start your return to civilization.

80 credits and counting, started at zero last deployment.

[salsashark]

^^ Well I think you just answered your own question...

[Sarge]

Do you have a TV and access to a video game system? Those are always good time wasters....

If not are you into reading? Alot of books can be found online now, so you could get into some serious reading for fun or learning.

Maybe research a good business idea you could get into when you get released?


I had my 360 last deployment, been playing more PC games this deployment, have a 26" 1080p Samsung monitor with HDMI inputs, but you can only beat so many games before you get burnt out, and the internet sucks too bad to play anything online.

I've read a stack of novels big enough to fill an entire 55 gallon plastic container. I was reading 800+ page books in 6-8 hours a day. After a while you just can't read anymore, lol.

Released is right, best quote ever. I've got a brother in law in prison for selling Marijuana in California, and he gets conjucal(sp?) visits, they didn't even let me go home for the birth of my first kid.

All I really want to do is go for a ride, drink and beer, spend some time with the old lady :boobies: and just socialize with people...

Funny how this almost instantly became one of the most popular threads today. 8)

[MetaLord 9]

+1 - Salsa


If you don't wanna pay, then find something niche where you can become an expert, like an emerging technology's best use or something like that. Find an industry that piques your interest, find a lot of reliable blogs & information sources and start emailing folks to ask questions about it. You can even pretend to be a business interested in their services to get them to talk to you. When you get back, being a expert in an in-demand topic will get you hired faster and more money to boot. Plus, you can become an expert without spending much, if any money

[Sarge]

Not a bad idea, I've been studying up for the CCNA and MCSE exams a bit, but I almost feel like I'm turning into another dime a dozen network systems admin/engineer. Within 12 months I should have my BS in Network & Communications Management, but I haven't really figured out where to take it from there. Still have more than 2 years left on the 'ole Government contract though.

And I know this is a self-serving/post whoring thread, but it just goes to show you how mind numbingly bored I am. :loop: I've been an internet junkie most of my teenage/adult life, but this is literally the first forum I've frequented in probably 10 years.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Go ride some camels? :)

[rforsythe]

If you're looking for a study program I hear nurses are in demand. :dunno:

Aren't you massively equipped with tanks, guns, and shit that explodes? :eyebrows: That's fun for weeks right there.

The network admin thing is going to tough to get into, the positions are few right now and there is an overload of people on the job market.

[MetaLord 9]

If you're in a dime-a-dozen field/position, find something that makes you unique and become an expert at it. So then, you're CCNA & MCSE that specializes in a certain aspect of that field. I don't know the engineering side really well, but, for instance, if you can say you specialize in adapting mobile phones to the current infrastructure (:dunno:) or something unique, then you're more employable and more valuable

[Joe]

Dismantle an M249 Para and send me each individual piece in a separate envelope?

[Sarge]

Dismantle an M249 Para and send me each individual piece in a separate envelope?

Any outgoing mail has to be inspected, packed and sealed by postal employees. Trust me, I'd have a few things at home if that wasn't the case...

[Sarge]

If you're looking for a study program I hear nurses are in demand. :dunno:

Aren't you massively equipped with tanks, guns, and shit that explodes? :eyebrows: That's fun for weeks right there.

The network admin thing is going to tough to get into, the positions are few right now and there is an overload of people on the job market.

Hah, most of the women in my family are nurses, but I just do the technology thing so much better.

As far as the tanks/guns/explosives, etc, the "war is over" and we don't get to do any of the fun stuff any more. It's all "Security Force Protection" and blah blah no more bombs. :rant: Trust me, I'm in Field Artillery, I know how to make things go boom. :D


As far as getting a job, that's why I just added 2 years to my contract, 'cause I still get paid. I'm just going to do what I can to prepare myself as best as possible, set myself apart, etc. Having a security clearance should help though, when the time comes.

[Matty]

Fuck it.... We're all dying on Dec. 21st 2012 so who cares?!?!?

[Sleev]

online poker, day trading? :dunno:

[CaptGoodvibes]

If I had a year to kill, I'd need a bigger gun.

[StormSurge]

Way to look on the bright side of things Matty LOL:lol:
I know a couple guys who have done a couple tours to Iraq and they would always get volleyball or soccer teams together. Other than that, I think every other activity was limited to internet and video games. :cyber:

[CaptGoodvibes]

Tourist Trophy on PS3

[Airreed]

I have three deployments (2 in Iraq), so iv'e been through what you are feeling.

Gym....Get big or get ripped!!!!

Education...Uncle Sam pays for it, so use it!

Read...don't laugh...when else are you going to have this much down time. I probably read close to 50 books while in IZ...now i'm lucky to read 6 a year now.

[cbrjohnny]

customize a hummer for desert racing

[Valguard]

World of Warcraft. Take your nice computer with you to work and use the network line if you must.

Internet Chess.

Read all the Warhammer 40000 Horus Heresy books.

That would easily kill 5 months if not a life time.

[rforsythe]

As far as getting a job, that's why I just added 2 years to my contract, 'cause I still get paid. I'm just going to do what I can to prepare myself as best as possible, set myself apart, etc. Having a security clearance should help though, when the time comes.

Sec clearance will definitely help. It won't mean shit in the private sector, but coupled with the other things could get you in the door (watch for jobs at the Fed center, for example - they like clearances). Once you get some experience there you should be able to move to more lucrative private sector jobs and play with better toys.

[salsashark]

Sec clearance will definitely help. It won't mean shit in the private sector, but coupled with the other things could get you in the door (watch for jobs at the Fed center, for example - they like clearances). Once you get some experience there you should be able to move to more lucrative private sector jobs and play with better toys.

Don't forget about your friendly neighborhood defense contractors. Lockheed, Northrup, Raytheon, Boeing, Scitor... all of which have jobs that require clearances.

[R1-Laubinero]

eh yeah ..deployment time sucks-- been there done that too many times..since 1992 till now...ugh I know it can get ugly---
.sports help take time-- put together a flagfootball team-- have practices!-- one time I bought tons of crap for my bike that was waiting for me when I got home. Volunteer programs help too... lotsa young guys need a mentor too. dont lock yourself in your container that will make you crazy- get out and get people to go with you--become a pool shark- work on your poker game too! dont just work out- cross train--make a run course up that gets you tuirning and jumping. study outside your tent- go to church! and talk to us here! stay away from desert queens!

[GreenGobblin]

-One time I spent $10,000 on my old GTi.
-Got super ripped going to the gym
-Paid off all bills and then thought of what to buy with the rest
--etc.

[chanke4252]

Take your pants off and go for a walk.

[TinkerinWstuff]

http://bloggingexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/mash-klinger.jpg

[MetaLord 9]

If you've got a year...you could start & sell an internet business before you even got back! It'd be income earned outside the US, so you probably wouldn't even have to pay income tax :dunno:

[SOCAL4LIFE!!]

If you've got a year...you could start & sell an internet business before you even got back! It'd be income earned outside the US, so you probably wouldn't even have to pay income tax :dunno:

Here we go again with evading paying taxes again. Remember kids its all about what the government things you have. So be the money in cash and never tell anyone. :)

[Sean]

I would def try and see what online classes you can do. I would also try and learn a new language. Better yet, try and find a friend that will learn it with you, so you can both practice.

[TorchRedCorvette]

I second the online education suggestions... I'm also going to toss in finding something creative to do. I had a lot of time to kill at one point, and due to the influence of a friend I ended up getting a cracked copy of Photoshop via torrent, taught myself to use it, and started creating artwork, etc. I like it because there's nothing to carry around and it flexes my mental muscles. lol

[BlueRanger]

Poker FTW.. that's what I'm doing right now.

[SOCAL4LIFE!!]

Poker FTW.. that's what I'm doing right now.

I do that a lot when the internet is fast enough. Nothing more frustrating than having the nuts and the internet goes out. :(

[BlueRanger]

I do that a lot when the internet is fast enough. Nothing more frustrating than having the nuts and the internet goes out. :(

True True. I'm grinding at FTP atm, what site you play?

[SOCAL4LIFE!!]

I do Full Tilt as well. Omaha H/L is my choice online. Holde'm live.

[BlueRanger]

I do Full Tilt as well. Omaha H/L is my choice online. Holde'm live.

I just play Hold em. Mainly online, but occasionally in person, just with buddies.

[SOCAL4LIFE!!]

I feel bad about playing with most of my friends. Most of them don't know how to play. I dont' like taking their money. However, a random person in Vegas or Blackhawk is another thing.

[Marauder]

You know all those stunts they say you're not supposed to do in those Jackass shows? Yeah...we filmed those. AHA Bunker races were my favorite.

Concrete bunker + plastic washtub = Great video