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After a short break, it's time to bring you the third Staff interview. This time we learn about one of our "southern" mods, muskrat89. As always, follow-on questions are encouraged.
Cheers
Mike
muskrat89
What brought you to Army.ca?
I carried over from the old "mailing list" days
What kept you here?
The people, the massive and diverse amount of information, the "chemistry"
What made you consider becoming a Staff member here?
I was so flattered about being asked, how could I refuse??
If you were CDS, what's the first thing you'd do?
Hmmm…. Grant a fat, out of shape, old, living-in-Arizona Canadian some kind of magic waiver to join his old Unit, pick up where he left off, and head over to A-stan (or wherever) for a Tour. I'd love to be a TSM again, running a gunline somewhere other than a training area. Barring that, I would continue to revive the equipment, the purpose, and the morale of our members. Make sure the soldiers are looked after, including Reservists. Take a real hard look at the Reserve system - it's strengths and weaknesses - and start fixing "the system".
Update: Would also do what I could do address PTSD
What is your favourite aspect of Army.ca?
Helping new people. Spreading the truth (peacekeeping,etc). I admire what the Ruxted Group is doing. I enjoy the camaraderie here.
What is your least favourite aspect of Army.ca?
Some posters can be truly disruptive. Some come here with other agendas. Sometimes it is hard reigning in younger users who are just eager and excited (but refuse to take advice). I don't like how the press lurks around here. The exception being some members who have come, stated openly who they are, and showed genuine interest.
What do/did you enjoy most about the military lifestyle?
The camaraderie. The focus on results (mission). The challenges. Frankly, it was the only job that I ever felt "good" at. It was cool being a 3rd Generation Senior NCO in my Regiment. I enjoyed the "toughness" that set us (soldiers) apart from everyone else.
What do/did you enjoy least?
Political correctness was creeping in, at the end. I also didn't like the Militia "system" that slanted towards promoting/rewarding/advancing people that weren't necessarily the best ones. I hated seeing the military shunned by the politicians, and being allowed to rust out.
What is your favourite war movie or scene?
No favourites really. I liked Gallipoli. I liked A Bridge Too Far.
What book are you currently reading?
Well, I'm currently reading 3 books on outdoor/nature photography. In addition, there are usually a half-dozen hunting magazines laying around.
Update: textbooks, usually. Finishing my degree at Northern Arizona University, online. Material not terribly challenging but the volume really makes time management difficult. Puttering away, 2 classes per semester. Probably be another year but will end up with a BS-IS, emphasis in Public Agency Management.
What is your favourite quote?
"Even if you win the rat race, you're still just another rat"
Update: "Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
What is your favourite kind of music or favourite band?
By far - I've been a big Blue October fan for several years.
Update: Still rocking to Blue October. I like most music except hip hop and opera.
What is your favorite drink? (E.G. Coffee, Tea, Beer, other...?)
King Cole tea. My parents send it from Canada. I do partake of a beer, now and then.
Update: Still drinking King Cole tea. Like Blue Moon. Like rye and ginger. If I feel like "sipping" I'm partial to Irish whiskey
What do you do on your free time (other than Army.ca, of course)?
I love to hunt, and have pretty much had to "re-learn" everything, when I arrived in Arizona. I hunt big game, dove and quail, and am starting to get into predator hunting. I bowhunt, as well as with firearms. The scenery in Arizona is as diverse as I have ever seen. You can be in Sonoran desert, drive an hour and be in the piñon and juniper; another hour puts you in forest similar to Maine or New Brunswick. The terrain and geology in Arizona are amazing!
Update: I can't say enough about Arizona winters. LOVE winter in Arizona
What do you do in "civilian life"?
I'm a millwright (industrial mechanic) by trade. I spent my first 9 years in Arizona at a metal stamping factory. I started as a mechanic, then I became the Maintenance Supervisor. When I left, I was the Facilities Manager - responsible for equipment and facilities maintenance, the safety program, and the environmental program. In March of this year, I took a slight tangent and joined an electrical testing & engineering firm as a Project Engineer. I do technical writing and project management.
I have been a freelance writer for about 20 years, doing mostly outdoor writing for magazines and newspapers. I recently started a side business - "Desert Rat Outdoor Marketing & Media Services". I've gotten away from columns and magazine articles, and am now doing freelance writing and editing for outdoor companies (camo companies, archery companies, hunting scents, etc). I do press releases, web content, profile articles, etc. for those businesses.
I have another side gig too - "Parched Muskrat Adventures". (Anyone picking up on the "rat" theme?) With that company I book hunting and fishing trips for people. In effect, I am working for both the outfitters, and the public. People come to me with their criteria - budget, area, hunt type, species, etc. - and I provide referrals regarding Outfitters that would best meet their needs.
Update: Not booking hunts anymore. I'm still doing freelance outdoor writing; I'm the Senior Outdoor writer at FishCampHuntHike.com
I'm also at a new bill-paying job. Director of Facilities Management for the University of Arizona's Phoenix campus. Biggest culture shift in my life. My annual reviews indicate I am flourishing, but honestly I feel like a fish out of water. I still do part-time stuff for the Electrical Engineering company
Are you married?
Yes, my wife's name is Karole
Do you have any children?
Yes - One daughter, 8 years old.
Update: 15 years old! She's wonderful, and the devil too. Ugh - teenage girls
Do you have any pets?
Well, not me personally, but there are 4 dogs and 2 rats living in my house.
I will lay claim to one of the dogs - a GSP named Trooper. There is Cholla the Australian Shepherd, Kisses the Cocker/Terrier mix, and Tank the Chihuahua. Rats are Sonia and Oreo
Update: Rats are long gone. Now up to 5 dogs, against my will. We have a foster-dog that never left, some little Chihuahua mix thing named Marissa. Two zebra finches as well.
What's the most memorable thing you have done or seen?
Well, moving to Arizona was fairly life-altering I have lot of vivid memories from my days serving the Guns.
Describe one thing you believe Army.ca visitors should know about you.
I am fiercely proud to be Canadian, to the extent that after 15 years in the US, I still haven't gotten my US citizenship because of it. That being said, the opportunities I have encountered in the US far exceed anything that I think I would have experienced in Canada. The stereotyping about the US, and the apparent shift in the attitudes of the Canadian public (not board members) towards being anti-American are very disappointing. The US is far from perfect, but it doesn't deserve the near-constant anti-American sentiment flowing from the north.
Update: This might be the year that I get my US Citizenship. An administrative decision more than anything.
Cheers
Mike
muskrat89
What brought you to Army.ca?
I carried over from the old "mailing list" days
What kept you here?
The people, the massive and diverse amount of information, the "chemistry"
What made you consider becoming a Staff member here?
I was so flattered about being asked, how could I refuse??
If you were CDS, what's the first thing you'd do?
Hmmm…. Grant a fat, out of shape, old, living-in-Arizona Canadian some kind of magic waiver to join his old Unit, pick up where he left off, and head over to A-stan (or wherever) for a Tour. I'd love to be a TSM again, running a gunline somewhere other than a training area. Barring that, I would continue to revive the equipment, the purpose, and the morale of our members. Make sure the soldiers are looked after, including Reservists. Take a real hard look at the Reserve system - it's strengths and weaknesses - and start fixing "the system".
Update: Would also do what I could do address PTSD
What is your favourite aspect of Army.ca?
Helping new people. Spreading the truth (peacekeeping,etc). I admire what the Ruxted Group is doing. I enjoy the camaraderie here.
What is your least favourite aspect of Army.ca?
Some posters can be truly disruptive. Some come here with other agendas. Sometimes it is hard reigning in younger users who are just eager and excited (but refuse to take advice). I don't like how the press lurks around here. The exception being some members who have come, stated openly who they are, and showed genuine interest.
What do/did you enjoy most about the military lifestyle?
The camaraderie. The focus on results (mission). The challenges. Frankly, it was the only job that I ever felt "good" at. It was cool being a 3rd Generation Senior NCO in my Regiment. I enjoyed the "toughness" that set us (soldiers) apart from everyone else.
What do/did you enjoy least?
Political correctness was creeping in, at the end. I also didn't like the Militia "system" that slanted towards promoting/rewarding/advancing people that weren't necessarily the best ones. I hated seeing the military shunned by the politicians, and being allowed to rust out.
What is your favourite war movie or scene?
No favourites really. I liked Gallipoli. I liked A Bridge Too Far.
What book are you currently reading?
Well, I'm currently reading 3 books on outdoor/nature photography. In addition, there are usually a half-dozen hunting magazines laying around.
Update: textbooks, usually. Finishing my degree at Northern Arizona University, online. Material not terribly challenging but the volume really makes time management difficult. Puttering away, 2 classes per semester. Probably be another year but will end up with a BS-IS, emphasis in Public Agency Management.
What is your favourite quote?
"Even if you win the rat race, you're still just another rat"
Update: "Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
What is your favourite kind of music or favourite band?
By far - I've been a big Blue October fan for several years.
Update: Still rocking to Blue October. I like most music except hip hop and opera.
What is your favorite drink? (E.G. Coffee, Tea, Beer, other...?)
King Cole tea. My parents send it from Canada. I do partake of a beer, now and then.
Update: Still drinking King Cole tea. Like Blue Moon. Like rye and ginger. If I feel like "sipping" I'm partial to Irish whiskey
What do you do on your free time (other than Army.ca, of course)?
I love to hunt, and have pretty much had to "re-learn" everything, when I arrived in Arizona. I hunt big game, dove and quail, and am starting to get into predator hunting. I bowhunt, as well as with firearms. The scenery in Arizona is as diverse as I have ever seen. You can be in Sonoran desert, drive an hour and be in the piñon and juniper; another hour puts you in forest similar to Maine or New Brunswick. The terrain and geology in Arizona are amazing!
Update: I can't say enough about Arizona winters. LOVE winter in Arizona
What do you do in "civilian life"?
I'm a millwright (industrial mechanic) by trade. I spent my first 9 years in Arizona at a metal stamping factory. I started as a mechanic, then I became the Maintenance Supervisor. When I left, I was the Facilities Manager - responsible for equipment and facilities maintenance, the safety program, and the environmental program. In March of this year, I took a slight tangent and joined an electrical testing & engineering firm as a Project Engineer. I do technical writing and project management.
I have been a freelance writer for about 20 years, doing mostly outdoor writing for magazines and newspapers. I recently started a side business - "Desert Rat Outdoor Marketing & Media Services". I've gotten away from columns and magazine articles, and am now doing freelance writing and editing for outdoor companies (camo companies, archery companies, hunting scents, etc). I do press releases, web content, profile articles, etc. for those businesses.
I have another side gig too - "Parched Muskrat Adventures". (Anyone picking up on the "rat" theme?) With that company I book hunting and fishing trips for people. In effect, I am working for both the outfitters, and the public. People come to me with their criteria - budget, area, hunt type, species, etc. - and I provide referrals regarding Outfitters that would best meet their needs.
Update: Not booking hunts anymore. I'm still doing freelance outdoor writing; I'm the Senior Outdoor writer at FishCampHuntHike.com
I'm also at a new bill-paying job. Director of Facilities Management for the University of Arizona's Phoenix campus. Biggest culture shift in my life. My annual reviews indicate I am flourishing, but honestly I feel like a fish out of water. I still do part-time stuff for the Electrical Engineering company
Are you married?
Yes, my wife's name is Karole
Do you have any children?
Yes - One daughter, 8 years old.
Update: 15 years old! She's wonderful, and the devil too. Ugh - teenage girls
Do you have any pets?
Well, not me personally, but there are 4 dogs and 2 rats living in my house.
I will lay claim to one of the dogs - a GSP named Trooper. There is Cholla the Australian Shepherd, Kisses the Cocker/Terrier mix, and Tank the Chihuahua. Rats are Sonia and OreoUpdate: Rats are long gone. Now up to 5 dogs, against my will. We have a foster-dog that never left, some little Chihuahua mix thing named Marissa. Two zebra finches as well.
What's the most memorable thing you have done or seen?
Well, moving to Arizona was fairly life-altering
I have lot of vivid memories from my days serving the Guns.Describe one thing you believe Army.ca visitors should know about you.
I am fiercely proud to be Canadian, to the extent that after 15 years in the US, I still haven't gotten my US citizenship because of it. That being said, the opportunities I have encountered in the US far exceed anything that I think I would have experienced in Canada. The stereotyping about the US, and the apparent shift in the attitudes of the Canadian public (not board members) towards being anti-American are very disappointing. The US is far from perfect, but it doesn't deserve the near-constant anti-American sentiment flowing from the north.
Update: This might be the year that I get my US Citizenship. An administrative decision more than anything.
