I Had an Article Published in the Marine Corps Gazette

[Semper Fidelis]

In case any of you are curious about what I do for a living, I had an article published in the July 2007 Marine Corps Gazette. You may or may not find it interesting but I thought I'd share with you folks what it is that keeps me busy other than theology:

http://www.websitemaven.com/GazetteArticle-AnEnterpriseNetwork.pdf

 

[AV1611]

What is your degree in?

 

[Kevin]

Cool.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

What is your degree in?

B.S. Nuclear Engineering
M.S. Electrical Engineering
Master of Military Studies

 

[Herald]

Rich - cool! Your article is proof that we have the best trained officers leading the best trained troops!

 

[JonathanHunt]

Rich - cool! Your article is proof that we have the best trained officers leading the best trained troops!

NO, you don't. We do.

 

[panta dokimazete]

Hey, Rich, I assume you are career? When you do "get out" - if you want a civilian career in defense work, give me a yell.

Good work!

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Thanks J.D. I'll have to determine what it is I want to do. Believe it or not, I enjoy this stuff but I spend more time studying theology than integrating C2 Systems.

I've got a few prospects already as I can retire in 3 years. My goal is to work from home and potentially go to Seminary concurrently. It'd be nice to not have to be a starving Seminary student with a wife and four kids.

 

[panta dokimazete]

Thanks J.D. I'll have to determine what it is I want to do. Believe it or not, I enjoy this stuff but I spend more time studying theology than integrating C2 Systems.

I've got a few prospects already as I can retire in 3 years. My goal is to work from home and potentially go to Seminary concurrently. It'd be nice to not have to be a starving Seminary student with a wife and four kids.

ACTUALLY - NG has a program to allow virtual work - I work from home 2-3 days a week and I am in Sr. Management.

 

[jbergsing]

Actually Rich, it was interesting. And I'm glad the USMC has you in your position as it is plainly obvious they need you there. Although the Army seems to get more attention (and funding) than the Corps, I wish it were the other way around.

A little offtrack but I thought I'd throw this out: I certainly hope the Corps gets those F-35s built before they are forced into purchasing Super Hornets. I was reading up on the F-35 and it would certainly meet the needs of the Marines much better than the F-18E/F. I'm not sure how much longer they are going to keep the AV-8B in service, but they aren't getting any younger. Also, do you know if the transition from the M60 to the Abrams is complete yet? I was wondering if there were any more M60s running around out there in service.

OK. I have a ton of questions, but I'll stop.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Actually Rich, it was interesting. And I'm glad the USMC has you in your position as it is plainly obvious they need you there. Although the Army seems to get more attention (and funding) than the Corps, I wish it were the other way around.

A little offtrack but I thought I'd throw this out: I certainly hope the Corps gets those F-35s built before they are forced into purchasing Super Hornets. I was reading up on the F-35 and it would certainly meet the needs of the Marines much better than the F-18E/F. I'm not sure how much longer they are going to keep the AV-8B in service, but they aren't getting any younger. Also, do you know if the transition from the M60 to the Abrams is complete yet? I was wondering if there were any more M60s running around out there in service.

OK. I have a ton of questions, but I'll stop.

John,

Aviation isn't really my thing. I'm not sure about the status of the Joint Strike Fighter variant for the Marine Corps but I know they're coming soon. As far as the M-60, the only remaining that I was aware of were in reserve units. Tanks aren't really a Marine Corps thing. We only have a few battalions because we like to remain Expeditionary.

 

[Puritanhead]

I thought they already had the JSF online. It's just a modified F-18 anyway, isn't it? Aren't they getting to the next generation past the F-22 yet?

 

[Semper Fidelis]

There are quite a few JSF variants including a VSTOL variant to replace the AV-8B.

No it isn't just a modified F-18. The F-22 is but one of the types.

Kadena AFB has a squadron of F-22's incidentally. They're pretty cool looking.

They might be working on the replacement to the JSF but that will be decades away. The JSF is not even fully delivered yet and these aircraft cost $billions across the services so they're not replaced very often.

 

[jbergsing]

I thought they already had the JSF online. It's just a modified F-18 anyway, isn't it? Aren't they getting to the next generation past the F-22 yet?

The JSF is a completely different machine than the Hornet. And I would not wager on us ever seeing a F-22 (built to replace the USAF F-15 fleet) with USMC markings on it. Besides, from what I've read, the new VSTOL JSF being built specifically for the USMC will be the first supersonic VSTOL aircraft. The only supersonic aircraft in the USMC inventory now are the early versions of the F/A-18 (A-D). So that need will still be met as the old Hornets start reaching the end of their careers.

Rich is right .. that F-22 is something to see. I regularly drive through the Atlanta area. The F-22 final assembly plant is just north of town, in Marietta, and their flight pattern brings them right over the freeway. So I've had quite a few sightings of them over the last year or so.