Hello to all AFRC Raiders,
I hope the Reunion went great as it always does, Yeah I shouda been there.
Here is the Scoop on what I am doing now, I was mobilized in Dec 2002 and sent to K'Town for 18 months, got to see COL Baz a couple of times, visited B'Gaden (got the blues just Like Jim C.) visited Chiemsee the week before it shut down, skipped GAP and hit O'fest, Bad Durkeim wine fest etc. went home in June of 04.
I was forced to retire from the army reserves in May of 2005 and then I put in a packet for volantary recal from the retired reserves, nothing happened. In 07 I called a Gen. friend that I worked for when he was a COL. (not BAZ) and asked if he could assist me in returning to active duty anywhere, sandbox podunk usa anywhere. He gave me a number to call at the five sided puzzel palace (pentagon) I did that got an email delegating my request to another LTC and nothing happened. The years go by, May 2008 I played my trump card and called a guy that I grew up with back in Iron Mountain Michigan, he is working at the pentagon in a decent position for the Asst. Sec Def Manpower Office, this time it worked. My buddy called me back and asked if I would like to go to the NATO School Oberammergau, my responce was How Much Do I have to Pay You. On Feb 9th I got orders to leave on Feb 15th and after 2 weeks in Fort Jackson SC... Here I AM. For at least two years of more.
So I have a two bedroom apartment here and the family is staying in Minnesotta which leaves plenty of space for any one that wants to crash on the cheap. Send your lodging requests to me via email at Michael.VanLaanen@us.army.mil Loking forward to hearing from any Raider any Time.
Sincerly
Mike V. (B'Gaden 75)