Thanks for the kind words. It is amzing to hear someone tell me I'm young, around here I am the 'old man'. I hear it so much I am starting to believe it. Getting the 'short time' mentality, that anything I want to accomplish better have a ten year plan. Wrong thinking I suppose.

I have too many ideas to sort out just now, for what to do after my tour. At this point, I am sure only that I have no desire to finish my 16 years in the army to retire: one of my master plans when I re-upped this time.

On the other hand, I have a little money now, and plans of buisness start - ups are dancing like the proverbial Christmas sugar plums. Ultimately, I want a large two-story shop: metal below, and wood above. I've met a gal who loves wood working, so I could put her to work upstairs while I build 'rods' downstairs.

Unfortunatley, that is pretty much a pipe dream, as I don't have enough money to cover the metal building and pad, let alone the machinery.

Another serious thought, is go full out on my previous hobby of leatherwork. I had been making custom leather for Indian motorcycles, and my customers were highly impressed with my quality of craftsmanship, and attention to detail. My gal is also intrested in learning that. I already have about three K$ in leather tooling and assorted stuff, so another ten for inventory ( retail sales as well as custom fabrication ) and I'd be in buisness with the 12X24 shed I already have on the property.

Got some reality checks there too... who the hell can afford to be self-insured ( medical ) these days? Also, I'm a nice enough guy, but haven't yet met the person who can handle me 24X7 for any length of time. And she's a nice enough gal, and she sees stars and stripes forever, but I'm not so sure.

Also, not entirely ready to say completely no way to another sixteen years in the army... it would be nice to have a retirement check... but no way can I make it that long in the infantry. My original goal was to re-class after this three year tour. I will have to take a look into that, but my back may force me out anyway. It got jacked up pretty good in a log drill ( for something that wasn't my fault at all ) and I am probably looking at getting a medical discharge after this deployment. IF I can make it through, and don't get medivac-ed out for the back or knees. This stuff ain't for sissies.

God, it's terrible, it's like I am 18 again trying to figure out what to do when I grow up, only this time I am more fully aware of the penalty of poor planning!