Eagle Scout

I completed my Eagle Board of Review December 8th, 2006. So far it's been my greatest accomplishment yet. But I always tell myself that this is only the beggining. My service has only started. Sure there's a lot of personal gain that has come/ will come out of it but the most valuable thing to learn from becoming an Eagle is the skills you aquire throughout your scouting "career". Plus you really do help your community out. Later on, I'll post pictures of my project. If anyone reading this is looking for advice for any of the steps for the Trail to Eagle send me an email at screaming_eagles_101@hotmail.com and I'll be more than happy to help you along. Moms/ Dads, encourage your sons/ daughters to join scouting. They'll thank you for it later!

Yours in Scouting,
- Thomas G.

Coasties

Well last week was a major step for getting going in life. Last Wendsday I took a trip to the Hartford recruiting office for the United States Coast Guard. After talking to the recruiter there I am scheduled for May 9th to fill out an application for MEPS. After that it's up to the scheduling of graduation that will determine when I go to MEPS. From what I hear, I may have to wait till October till I head to Basic. Sounds like a good time to get a summer job setup and get some new toys!

The Other Half

No minuteman is complete without his Other Half. Mine is a special girl who has been my freind for quite a while know. Only recently did we decide to take the closer relationship plunge. It's been a rewarding expirience for me; and I hope for her.





"The true strength of a soldier, is the girl that is back home waiting for him."

Red Dots

Airsoft; I know, I know. There not "real" guns but when it comes to testing new concepts when I don't have the right gear for my real firearms it works as a good substitute. In this case it was the concept of Red Dot sites. I picked up a Tasco Pro-Point for $30.00 at a Wally World in Manchester (I think, I was on my way back from Hartford to talk to a Coast Guard recruiter). I picked it up for the "Aww, what the hell" factor, aka I had some money left over from my previous spending. I bought it for my AR15 that has a A3 flatop upper. Well, I mount it on but the site sat too low to be of use. I got to get a rail for the carry handle really. Well I did have my cheap airsoft spring loaded rifle around. So I decided to test it!



Well, I gave it a try. After firing off a number of 6MM BBs to site it in I got to say I like this type of site! It does have parallex so the dot moves as you move your head but to me it's easy to deal with. The benefits are worth it for me. Quick aquiring of the target. It's accurate enough at close ranges. It's definately not a precision tool but for fun and tactical uses; it's worth the money if your into fun or tactical shooting.

SKS Paratrooper

It was September 2005. I had just recently had began making a few changes in my life. I became more laid back, mature, and MUCH more social. I had also began my casual hobby of being a forum junkie over the summer. The first forum was one called "Zombie Squad". Now at the time I was into all the cool Zombie based MODs for the Half-Life video game. I came across the ZS forum doing a search for zombie survival techniques. All of this was in good fun and had no serious merits. The months before I joined I had saved some $$ up.

September comes around and I decide that it's time to make the first firearm purchase that was with my money. Since I was 16 at the time, I had a parent sign off on the purchase. We went over the North Cove Outfitters in Old Saybrook. On the rack they had some nice rifles. Amongst them was a Mini-30 and a SKS Paratrooper. Well at first I was all over the Mini-30. My "co-signer" wisely adviced me to just wait and think about the purchase. $600.00 is a lot to spend on a Mini-30. I posted my findings on ZS (http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6708&highlight=mini30). The thread was a big help!

I settled on the SKS Paratrooper. It was $300.00 before tax.


I took it out for the first time a few weeks after that photo was taken. It was a frigid 35 degree out but I didn't care. I also had the Mosin Nagant M44 I paid for (I was still just 17 at the time). The Mosin Nagant M44 was fun but the SKS was a heart warming expirience. Every shot was pure enjoyment. Every stripper clip was smooth and clean. I had the largest smile a 17 year old can have. The Paratrooper was a clear winner.


The 16" Paratrooper is easy to carry, easy to maintain, and just feels right to me. I have an AR15 (First rifle I bought at 18) which I like. I have a Mosin Nagant M44 that is a real fireworks show. But for something that pleases me the most, it is 100% my SKS Paratrooper! If you ever have the chance to get one, I reccomend one to anyone; SKS enthusiest or not. Best thing about being in Lebanon comapred to when I used to live in Norwich: Two of my neigbors have SKS(s) and one is another Paratrooper! Rural living is just plain better! :)