THE LIFE BEFORE MILITARY

 Today is Chinese new year. Happy Chinese new year for everyone!

 I forgot how many times on sea and missing the most important holidays with family already. I did remember  the last time I celebrate the Chinese new year with family is about 5 years ago before I joined the US Navy.

  As a immigrant, I never forgot the date I immigrated to US. It was 8 years ago to flight to Los Angeles, CA by myself. The last time to celebrate with my family in China, and went to the flight during the next day of Chinese new year. I was here to meet up with my mother, and eventually started the new life.

  Things were not easy for me as the new immigrant. I needed to adopt the new environment, and went to the different schools compare to China. But somehow, the first impression for me was people's face. They were smiling, and I love to talk to them. They were so nice to me and tried their best to help me up. Fortunately, I was able to learn the English quickly during the high school. I started at 10 grade during the high school, and I did celebrate my first birthday in US- 17 years old.

  Some people is probably believe the immigrants are rich people, especially Chinese. I did have a lot of friends in China they were expected to immigrate to US in one day. They might watch too much Hollywood movies and other news. They think their life will be perfect when they were here. For example, one of the questions they would be asking: I heard you just working for one month and you were able to buy a car, and I heard the salary was good out there. It has a lot of opportunities and freedom than other countries! It is true you could be able to buy a car in a month when you had a job, however, depends what kind of car you want to buy, and your life style. I did explain this to my friends but they look like did not understand too much.

  The first year of the new life was gonna to kill me. Since English was my third language, I had to study daily to improve it. Thanks for the teachers and they help me a lot for my English. They were so patient. I almost imagined that I would go back to China soon after school. I was missing the people in China, the family, the food, and everything in China. I think that is normal for my age 17. Sometimes I have arguments with my mother and complaint to back to China's life.

  The life before military was not as good as right now. You can imagine this picture in your mind: I went shopping with my mother. We were shopping once a while. We saw so many beautiful clothes, video games, and shoes. Unfortunately, we could not offer them. We did not have a good paycheck to support our financial situations. I love playing basketball when I was in High School. I only change my basketball shoes once they were worn out. We were always choose the cheapest shoes to wear and save some money.

  " I was very jealous some immigrants. Why they were so rich? Why they got the perfect family? Why they were so smart? Why.............?" That was the famous question I was asking my mum when I got here. Yes, sometimes I was extreme jealous some immigrants. Their family was so rich. They got a nice house, nice shoes, nice cars, and everything. My school has so many immigrants. Most of their families were medium class or above. They changed the shoes and clothes everyday. They got a nice new car when they have license. They were so smart at school, and have a wonderful family. In the bible, and the church, people said the god was fair. Somehow, I never believe that was true. I got nothing when I was in US. My family was broken when I was 5 years old. We did not have a good car, and had to move around since I was immigrated.

  I did not understand all the happen in a sudden. I saw some young people were smiling shopping whatever they wanted. Compare to us, we were like no one else would be noticed. We keep walking, and did not buy anything. I remembered my mind was not happy although just less than half year in US. The famous questions still keep asking myself until nowadays.

  " Does the God fair for everyone? "

TO BE CONTINUED..........

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the navy drugs and other regulations

  I believe so many people, including the active duty members have been known the military drugs regulations already. The military's policy is 0 tolerance. The military has been changed a lot compare about 10 years ago. When I was still on active duty, I heard some sailors were discussing about the old navy. The old navy is lack of regulation. People can be smoking everywhere, and even using the drugs some times. But nowadays, it is totally different. You have to go to the certain area to smoke, and you are not allowed to use drugs at all. At the same time, the military is trying to be caught people DUI on base. The rule on base is different. The DUI is usually 0.08% in CA. But on my last command, if you are higher than 0.05% and you will be DUI and arrested at scene.

  For the New regulations nowadays, I am really love it and at least it can provide a better environment and security on base. However, I did see some people still rely on drugs, and DUI while they were active duty. Here is some conclusions about my opinions.

1. Urinalysis test.  I think everyone should be known this program. We also call it "P" test, or etc. The urinalysis test is randomly. You never know when is your turn to do the test. They will base on the result, and confirm that if you are drug abuser or not.

2. Blood test. I think that is rare happen ( from my experience) if they believe that you are using the drug, or you have some "unusual" signs. I did see one of the shipmate has been forced to use the blood test, and find out that he is using the drug.

3. DUI  on base. I did see some people get caught by DUI on base. They MA, or security use the same way as cops. You will be testing the same way-Catwalk, alcohol test, and etc.  But I did hear the new navy now is trying to use the different policy to control the people DUI on base. Remember, the DUI rate is totally different from civilian world. That is the result so many people get caught by DUI.

4. Don't use drug- The new drug I heard before I got discharged was "bad salt". People are using drug in military because of stressful environment. But remember, if you are using the drug, you will lose all the benefit in while you are in service. For example, if you get caught by using drug, you will be going to Captain's mast for sure. You will get demoted for 1 or 2 ranks, get half pay check for 1 or 2 months, restrictions, and force separate from military. At the same time, you won't get the honorable discharged, that means you will get a hard time to find a job, and even use the VA benefits to go to school, and etc. The DUI is the same thing. The military is trying to be punished people hard for DUI cases. If you get caught by DUI, you will face almost the same result but you might still able to stay in military. However, if that is related to car accident, and etc. You will face the military course martial and civilian's world's  course martial.  That is not worthy to do all the stupid thing when you are still on active duty.

  As a result, like the most captain said :" think about your family, think about your future, and never do the stupid things! If you drunk, call 511 or using the cab! Never ever to try the DUI, or any drugs in your whole life!"

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Veteran Blog: Steps To Join The Military

 Recently, I have so many friends join the military. Most of them are joined the US Army, US Navy, and a few to join the US Marine Corps. They join the military for different reasons. Some of them want to get some education assistant for college, and some of them want to support their family and financial situations.

  If you have been made a decision to join the military service, I would say thank you for your service, and you make an excellent choice for yourself. However, since people never think too much when they sign up the contract. Here is some tips:

1.  I did hear so many complaints about the military. 90% people is complaining about Recruiter. I did see some college student to join the military after they graduate. They said the recruiter is laying all the benefit, and they are not true. For example, the recruiter might tell you that you can get a stable paycheck when you stay in military, and you are entitle all these benefits while you are in service. Remember, the recruiter is not all laying to you. First of all, Recruiter's job is recruiting people to join the military service. They carry the mission from the chain of command. They have to finish their job to get a better promotion. If not, they will lose their position, and probably get a really bad look from his boss. For the benefit section, some of the benefit is really up to you chain of command. Here is an example from my military service: When I join the military, it is called the OVERMAN Navy. The barracks are not enough, and sometimes we are hard to get a room to stay. I am lucky to get a room for myself when I am off duty. However, some of the sailors are not even able to get a room, and their chain of command approve these sailors to entitle the BAH to rent a room outside the base; for the advancement, my rate is going down side when I joined the Navy, and even some people cannot advance at all in certain rates in Navy. Therefore, not all the recruiters are laying to you about the benefits and advancement. The military has a lot of new policies every year. It is really depending on your chain of command, and the currently situations.

2. Do some research before you sign up the contract. This is my mistake before I join the Navy. I did not research seriously enough to make sure I understanding all the jobs in military. Some people are regretting when they choose this job. They don't like it, but they have no choice at all. Make sure you are asking your friend, recruiter, or some people who are servicing in military. Do some research by yourself, and make a better choice.

3.  Make a plan for yourself. I can tell you that military is not easy as you think sometimes. For example, people think to join the Navy can see the world. Yes, you can see the world, but most time you will be spending on ship. You will have homesick, and etc. Don't be some sailors join the military without plan. They join the service just want to make some money to have fun. They are spending the money everywhere, and eventually have to face a seriously financial problems. Here is my advise when I am on sea: The TA is free in Navy college. Take one class ( don't take 2 at the same time, it is hard to manage your time) and doing some self study on internet. The Navy college is offer so many programs for sailors who want to attend college. They are all military friendly school unless you decide to choose another school outside the program. They will assist sailors to finish their education as soon as possible. This is one of the great benefits to join the military service. At the same time, bring some books, or hit the gym often to relieve stress.

4. Make a good financial plan. This is one of the important things for service members when they are on active duty. A lot of people spending money around to party, drinking, and shopping. Some people are surviving pay check by pay check. The military offer so many financial and investment program to support sailors. Don't be fool to waste your money and time.

5.  Make sure you understand the contract. The contract is variously sometimes depending on the military situations. Some contract are required you to go to some certain schools. For example, some engineering program are offer the C school after they compete all the training in A school. When I was in boot camp. some recruit are medical crews, and they don't know they required to follow the marine troops. Make sure you ask your recruiter and do research by yourself if you don't know the contract, and also make a copy in case some people lost your service record.

6. Using the benefits while you are in military. The military has so many benefits, like different programs in Navy college, spouse program, and fleet and family support center. People don't know their benefit because they don't ask. Always asking if you are really want to know your entitle benefit.

7. Don't waste your time, and educate yourself. School is boring, and I believe not everyone love going to school. But remember, the military is encouraging service members to go to college to get a better educations. Nowadays, the military is getting focused on service members education. If you do have a degree, it will help you to get promote easier. Although you don't want to stay in military in the future life, the education still can assist you to become successful in the civilian's life.

  if you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will be happy to assist you. Thanks for reading.

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