This Old Uniform...

I have worn this particular uniform for about two years now, and have worn the uniform of the United States military for more than 20 years now, but I don't have to wear it anymore, because I am no longer a Soldier. In many ways deciding to leave the military was an easy one, but considering how things are on the economic front it wasn't so easy, but it the right choice for me. I have always loved wearing this uniform of the United States military, I always felt really good about myself when I put it on, because there is so much meaning to it. From the rank, to the unit patch, to the flag and the combat patch, for those who have been to combat and a few other things as well that I never was awarded.
It was also great not having to actually have to think about what I'd have to wear, which was the case for the last seven year anyway. I also never had to buy a uniform either!
The first uniform I wore, was the "camo one", the "Battle Dress Uniform" or BDU. When I first went to basic training, the Air Force was transitioning to the BDU and I continued wearing the BDU for the next 15 years or so later, the Army transitioned to the ACU or the "Army Combat Uniform". In between all of this though there was the "DCU" or "Desert Combat Uniform", that was first worn in Desert Storm and was worn again when troops first went over to Iraq in back in 2003. I never got the opportunity to wear that uniform.
I am not quite sure what I'll do with my uniforms now, I have this one and another ACU, as well as the class B and class A uniforms, the more office looking, dressy uniform with all of the fancy and color ribbons and badges on it. I also have a few BDU's too, I never quite knew what to do with them when I first got my ACU's.




As a way to celebrate Mirinda bought me a pen, I like pens, I guess you could say I REALLY like pens, the trouble is that some of the pens I like aren't exactly cheap.
This one is the coolest pen I have even seen.
Another cool thing is that it was made by a 13 year old kid. Check out his other pens as his site, Pens By Daniel.
Thanks again for the pen Mirinda! And thanks for being a part of the last eight years!
She also sent me a a "fruit bouquet" from Fruit Flowers, to work. The one she got me was appropriately named, "Berry Patriotic". As you can imagine it has lots of strawberries, some of which were chocolate covered. (YUMMY!!) The container it came in was red, white an blue and had star shaped pineapple pieces and and grapes and marshmellows too.
LOVE YOU!!