Thanks for the kind words and advice, Doug. I actually spent my last two years attached to an Army unit out of Ft. Jackson. Awesome experience and I really enjoyed my time as a squid out of water.  

I'll save my ranting and raving about the direction this country is going, as I don't want to hijack the discussion further than I have, but I agree about the need to stick together and hold the (ever shrinking) line.

I've only been a member here (I'm also on Elenas) for a little over a week or so but both sites seem to be well run. It is nice having a forum to participate in though.

I actually do have quite a few questions and would welcome advice but I don't have a Facebook account. I'm hoping to visit either Russia or Ukraine this summer or fall but I've never been to Europe so I'm not sure what I'd be getting myself into, especially with all the recent..... "excitement" between the two countries (and the USA). I'll probably make a thread here and see what people suggest.

Thanks again for the warm welcome.