Ever been to 29 Palms?

I have to go in December.

"What's your flack jacket size, helmet size and blood type?"

Huh?

Doing a little arms training?

The desert is cool. Blowing up stuff in the desert is even cooler. Wandering around the desert is really addictive.

For training they use a lower powered projectile, called low zones. When firing the high zone stuff, things happen. I have to witness and document the things.

High zone firing is better than standing next to a drag strip when the Gassers are running.

That looks like fun.

That's a bit different that the image in Robert Plant's song:

Robert Plant's 29 Palms

mazdeuce wrote: The desert is cool. Blowing up stuff in the desert is even cooler. Wandering around the desert is really addictive.

The military has a way of taking the fun out of things that ought to be cool: Camping, boating, hiking, shooting, demolition ...

Yeah, they get a little cranky when you call it "camping".

29 stumps...lived there as a kid.

Keep an eye out for scorpions.

Rob_Mopar wrote: That's a bit different that the image in Robert Plant's song: Robert Plant's 29 Palms

I've always really liked that song, but wondered what the connection was between Plant and the place.

I suggest that when you get there, you count them. Oh, and December is a lot better time to go than, say, July.

I have been to 28 , but never made it to the 29th.

914Driver wrote: I have to go in December. "What's your flack jacket size, helmet size and blood type?" Huh?

Never been to 29 Palms, dodge that bullet for training. Can't remember the acronym that was thrown around for the training out there. I was just glad I didn't have to go.

About your question, thats just about right for any live fire training. You will probably have you blood type on a piece of white tape on the back of your helmet in case you need blood.

I always remember my blood now after that... AB positive.

See I would love to do that stuff. Instead, I'm stuck wearing camouflage as a desk jocky. I've only gotten to shoot 3 times and that was to qualify on some weapons. I know the computer side of things is where the money is at on the civilian side but some days I want to see how much damage I could do with a plastic spork.

I know a lot of cheating goes on there.

I have been to a few places where they make or use things that blow up as part of my job. I have always had to get a special form to hand to the TSA because my luggage sets off the bomb-sniffer machines. You get a lot of looks...

Something like this?

In case of emergency, accident or injury, contact Watervliet Arsenal Security at (518)-----.

Traveler has been conducting official government research and development activities in support of the U.S. Army and may have traces of explosives on clothes, shoes and/or equipment. Official point of contact: Mr. XXXXX, Supervisor, (518) -----. In the event explosives have been detected as mentioned, please contact the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Ground Security Manager and the traveler’s supervisor.