Posted on Dec 26, 2014
Sgt James Grignon
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My wife and I went to mass on Christmas Eve, as we sat there I leaned over and whispered in her ear. What are you thinking about right now? She replied "how much I love being in the company of so many happy people celebrating the same thing, what are you thinking about?" My response was somewhere along the line of, what I would do and where we would go if an emergency such a crazed shooter were to occur here tonight. The result of a lingering military mentality? Probably... Do you do this in large gatherings as well?

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SGT Team Leader
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I'm pretty paranoid.
In a restaurant, I must be near a window. I am always watching people and their body language. I've gotten pretty good at judging how close I must be to effectively render someone unconscious, should the need arise.
I'm not sure if this is because the military has taught me, through prolonged PowerPoint marathons, that the average civilian is secretly plotting my demise, or if I'm hopelessly insane.
One of my "children", who, I secretly refer to as "Agent K", has entered the room. I suspect that she asdkfjaoief jawn;oekfn wakoef
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
SP5 Michael Rathbun
11 y
I'm breathlessly waiting to hear more of the adventures and exploits of Agent 'K'.
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SGT Team Leader
SGT (Join to see)
11 y
SP5 Michael Rathbun, when she came in singing "All About That Bass", in a "High School Music" onesie, I knew she was treble.
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
SP5 Michael Rathbun
11 y
SGT (Join to see): Let's hope her agent is truly up to the task of representing her.
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PO2 Disabled Veteran Outreach Program
PO2 (Join to see)
11 y
SGT (Join to see) I see what you did there.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
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You mean that isn't normal?
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
MSgt (Join to see)
11 y
That is a outstanding answer TSgt Joshua Copeland!
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
Normal is no longer in my vocabulary
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PO2 Gerry Roberson
PO2 Gerry Roberson
11 y
Routine, I get. Normal, never was such a thing.
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CPT All Source Intelligence
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100% of the time. Unfortunately, my kids notice too. Tonight at dinner in a restaurant, my son blocked my mother from the seat she intended to take and said, "I'd feel better if my mom sat there." It was the seat with the clearest line of sight to all entrance points into the room. I hate that my paranoia affects them, but that the same time, I would hate it more if I was not in the best position to protect them.
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SSG Tim Everett
SSG Tim Everett
11 y
Downvoted for continued uncalled-for disrespect of RP members. So that you can't edit out your comment and hide your disrespect from other members and admins, I took the liberty of copying and pasting it.

"SGT Justin Newport. This was not your fight. I respectfully request you remove your vote down of my comments. I know it does me no good to ask. After all the officers in all your units had to have tail lights and turn signals attached to themselves so you would not break your neck if they stopped suddenly. On board ship we had a term for you SGT. "
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
11 y
C3feacf8 1125123927 1398174240
Good call capturing some of the responses. It would have been interesting to see the others before they were deleted by the author. Feel free to tag an admin before it gets that bad.
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SPC David Hannaman
SPC David Hannaman
11 y
As a CHL licensed gun owner I have to agree that the number of unskilled, untrained, and unsafe gun owners concerns me too.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
11 y
God bless you SFC James Sczymanski
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When in a crowd, do you find yourself planning for what you would do in an emergency such as if a crazed shooter were to occur?
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CMSgt James Nolan
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Always remember: Luck favors the prepared.
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PV2 Abbott Shaull
PV2 Abbott Shaull
11 y
Depends on how many more idiots are packing too.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
11 y
Is that what he said @PO2 William Allen Crowder? I read his response and that is not what he said.
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PO2 Gerry Roberson
PO2 Gerry Roberson
11 y
It seems to have come down to: one man's good guy with a gun is another man's idiot with a gun.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
11 y
PO2 Gerry Roberson And of course think about this. Bad situation breaks out, the "good guy" pulls to resolve the situation. Another "good guy #2" not seeing what "good guy #1" is seeing, sees "good guy #1" as the problem and takes action, whereupon "good guy #3" sees..........

When things erupt, you are going to have to act quickly, decisively, and remember that escape is always a priority.

It has become increasingly evident that people have no issues visiting violence on others.
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CW5 Desk Officer
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I sometimes think these sorts of thoughts. Not always, but sometimes. Same thing in traffic.
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PV2 Abbott Shaull
PV2 Abbott Shaull
11 y
Same here sometimes. Depending on the event... and on traffic. Largely where are exits are, how I get myself and family out, and what not...
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Capt Richard I P.
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Sgt James Grignon, all the time. I don't want it to go away either.
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SPC(P) Jay Heenan
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Edited 11 y ago
I plan escape routes and contingency plans every time I go anywhere. Not obsessively, but I am aware of my surroundings and I make sure I have my back to a wall so I can look out and see everyone. I think that this is just what we do after being a military at war for so long...
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SGT 94 E Radio Comsec Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
11 y
SP5 Jeffrey Hurd, you'll never touch another bottled water? Why is that? Downrange it seems like that's the safest thing to drink.
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SFC Mark Merino
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Once I poop myself, I have the monkey option of defense. I'll be a flinger.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
SFC Vernon McNabb
11 y
Bad monkey! No fling poo!
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SFC Mark Merino
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
Whatever works for you. I think that's hysterical. I don't like poop or monkeys. This creativity may save your life one day. I would run the helllll away from you!
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
Somewhere I posted a video who is a fault here the gun, the monkey or the man. I already lost my own link but you might like that one.
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SGT Justin Singleton
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"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet"—Gen James Mattis
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Capt 57 Wps Chief, Stan/Eval
Capt (Join to see)
11 y
Fantastic quote!
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SSG Tim Everett
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Yes. When I get out of my car, I've noticed that I look around. I look for trouble. I look at rooftops, particularly at intersections. I look along the sidewalk. I think "where would I position myself if..." I think of where I'd employ my squad, particularly the stuff like the pig and the SAW.

When I go into a building, I try to look at every person in the building. I profile, damn right -- who looks like trouble, who's a likely ally, who's a likely threat. If someone makes eye contact, I smile, nod my head, and say hello -- people are less likely to screw with you once they realise that you've made them (retail management tip, by the way).

If I'm seated in a restaurant, I ask for, in this order: a booth in the back corner, a booth, a to-go menu. I will not sit at a table and I will not sit with my back exposed to strangers. I will not go on dates to places where I know this might be an issue because I don't want the date to be put off by my "quirks". Before I sit down, I look for exits and I look for things like a fire extinguisher -- having been hit in the face with one, I can tell you that it makes an excellent improvised weapon. When I am seated, I like to watch the door. I pay attention to my surroundings whilst engaged in banter with people at my table.

I think I have a problem. And the only prescription is more cowbell.

Squirrel.
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
Unknown
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
I have to go for now.
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SPC Leisel Luman
SPC Leisel Luman
11 y
It would be fun and hysterical
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SSG Tim Everett
SSG Tim Everett
11 y
BRB driving to your house to audition you.
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