decodeddiesel
02-08-2008, 02:17 PM
I figured I should drop a thread here to let everyone know who I am. My name is Wes, although until recently I answered to SSG. Bower. I am a recently separated US Army Vet with 9 years total service. My first "live ammo" experience was post 9/11 airport security. Remember me? I was the guy in woodland camo with the M16A2 and M9 standing behind the security check point at Denver International Airport . No? Oh well...
Most recently I survived 2 tours in Iraq with the 101st ABN as first an Artillery man, then an Infantry team leader (2003-2004). Then my second tour as an Infantry squad leader (2005-2006).
Here's a pic from my first tour:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/l_a8bc67d99253c43cbdfeb10e7ccc0538.jpg
Here's one from my second tour (now my avatar):
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/018.jpg
(excuse the bi-pod, I had it on my weapon to feel the balance while I did some up-drills and hated it)
I left the Army in December 2006 and started the next chapter in my life as a civilian. I now work an an engineering technician for a research company that mainly does government contract work in explosives, ballistics, and electro-optics (lasers).
I recently got back into shooting as a civilian and I am loving every second of it! I purchased a 16" LMT defender in September and have about 1200 rounds through it so far!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/shootingandtank12-30-07010.jpg
My next big purchase is an AAC M4-1000 to salvage what little hearing I have left.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone and learning as much as I can from this great forum!
Most recently I survived 2 tours in Iraq with the 101st ABN as first an Artillery man, then an Infantry team leader (2003-2004). Then my second tour as an Infantry squad leader (2005-2006).
Here's a pic from my first tour:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/l_a8bc67d99253c43cbdfeb10e7ccc0538.jpg
Here's one from my second tour (now my avatar):
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/018.jpg
(excuse the bi-pod, I had it on my weapon to feel the balance while I did some up-drills and hated it)
I left the Army in December 2006 and started the next chapter in my life as a civilian. I now work an an engineering technician for a research company that mainly does government contract work in explosives, ballistics, and electro-optics (lasers).
I recently got back into shooting as a civilian and I am loving every second of it! I purchased a 16" LMT defender in September and have about 1200 rounds through it so far!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/decodeddiesel/shootingandtank12-30-07010.jpg
My next big purchase is an AAC M4-1000 to salvage what little hearing I have left.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone and learning as much as I can from this great forum!