Greetings all!
I'm also a young man getting a start on in life...finally. You see, I did the whole college thing, for five years, never got a degree, and kinda sorta stopped going when I hit 2.0. Yea...but I didn't drop out! Quite. Not exactly. You see, despite the physics, math, engineering, computer science, etc...my problem wasn't tough classes, it was lack of motivation. I needed a kick in the butt. Soooo, when I realized my predicament (4 years in of the 5) I called Uncle Sam, signed my name in blood, waited a year to get in, and the first thing the Navy did was send me back to school.
Well, now its been 7 years, and guess what? I've finally got an AA degree. WOOT! Only the last couple that really mattered...different subject material. Buuuut, at least I'm on track again. Enlisted, yea, but with Uncle Sam's boot behind my butt I've got a hellofa motivation!
Actually, I make fun, its not as bad as I make out...not now anyway. The military has been good to me, and as soon as I am finished with follow on training, and on the job training, and studying for my next advancement exam, I plan to finish up that old bachelor's degree...I'm only a couple years away (maybe more, since I'll have to work and go to school at the same time). Its OK though, I've still got 4+ years left in my enlistment.
I became PO aware about a year ago, doing research for a presentation. I went through various cycles of, well, you know, and have now settled (I hope) with a viewpoint of cautious optomism. I think that has a bit to do with my views on life, and part to do with my abnormal situation. You see, I shoulda been out of college 3 years ago and already earning 50-60k a year...yea, but I'm not. Instead I'm enlisted, and that offers constraints beyond the small amount of money the military pays...as well as some interesting advantages.
I'd love to give you all details on why I plan to do the strange things I am planning to do, but there is that whole too much info thing. People like to target military personel, donno why, we don't get all THAT much money! Anyhow, let me just tell you what I AM planning to do so you know it is, well, uncommon.
I am planning to get into debt buying, of all things, a condo here on Oahu (granted, over a million people on a little island, no sustainability anyway).
If I re-enlist, I am planning to buy a car (granted, like an Opal Astra Hybrid...should be out 5 years from now *crosses fingers*).
I plan to have a family. Yes, children, and hopefully lots of them (granted, I have to find the right woman first!)
Lastly, I don't plan to, but rather AM getting active (No, I don't mean hanging around street corners with environmentalist signs). I love my state and am committed to saving it. I've started by writing my federal representatives in/of Nevada. Next will be (tele)-networking with people and groups still there...and not just PO groups. And after? Well, we'll see where those actions get me first.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Rich7', 'H')ey everyone,
So I have tried to stay up to date about peak oil for the last year or so, but the issue didn't really hit home till just recently. That all changed when our last gas bill for the house I live in was $747!?!?! At that point I new there was a problem coming. I have been reading the posts on this site almost everyday since then and I have learned alot. I never understood how complex and fascinating the situation we find our selves in really is.
Other information about me is that I'm 22 years old and I'm active duty Air Force, currently stationed in Minot, ND. It gets real cold up here but we have been having a pretty mild winter, that's another reason I'm surprised about the gas bill. I do have a question. I'm curious to know if anyone has any theories about life after peak oil for people in the military?
Thanks
Rich, even in the military, everyone's situation is different. I can't reccomend anything without knowing yours, but keep in mind you still have options. The military has a lot of benifits you can take advantage of. Use 'em. And if you want to get into the dregs of it, send me a message and we can compare notes...if you don't mind talking with a sqid that is.