What the hell is a 'hinge'? I've been in the military since 1989 (enlisted Navy) and have never heard that term. I'm on my twilight tour; 2 years and 33 days left (I think). I'll invite ya'll to my retirement ceremony two years from now! :D I'm also a mustang; did 6+ years in the Navy (w/ a break in service when I went to JUCO then UF). Spent 2 years as a Coast Guard corpsman, then went to OCS in 2003. I'll be up for O5 the summer I retire, but we're ready to move back to Florida (I'll turn 50 two months after I retire). It's been a good ride. Like
@Durfish I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman (San Diego A school, 1990) and Field Medical School C school (Camp Pendelton, 1990).
The wife and I took a walk through Arlington today. It was very busy, and I was happy to see that. A lot of families and kids. It's a humbling place to visit and makes you proud to be an American.