Life Optimization through Financial Independence and the Military Reserves

Travel Hacking with the USO
Denver, CO USO
Military / Travel

Travel Hacking with the USO

Why do we have to have 6am flights?  And why do they always have to be the cheapest?  This makes me glad, having become a morning person after half a lifetime in the military.  But my wife…not so much.  The night before I just go to go to bed at 9pm and get up at 3am to catch the flight – a solid 6 hours of sleep.   My wife’s sleep pattern has her getting tired around midnight or later – leaving 1-3 hour of sleep, and a not fun day of travel.  Enter the USO.  For those unaware, the USO (United Service Organization)…

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February 15, 2020
Military Leave benefits
Military

Military Leave benefits

With my upcoming military leave for technical school (6-9 months depending on seasoning training) I’ve begun to investigate my civilian employers military leave policy (beyond the basic requirements by law).  I learned the only real benefit is I will continue to accrue paid time off PTO while I am on military leave. This is nothing to scoff at and a fantastic benefit. I had the same benefit while working for a sheriff’s office when I deployed to Iraq for 2 full years.  I returned with more PTO than what was allowed (280 hours) and had to take one day off a pay period…

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July 3, 2019
How to Make Chief in the Air Force Part 1
Air Force

How to Make Chief in the Air Force Part 1

I’ve developed a secret formula for making rank in the Air Force.  If you are in a different branch, or a civilian you can skip to part 2, the principles there apply to all.  Unfortunately, this segment is only applicable to Air Force, because every branch has its own standards. I’ve been too long gone from the Army to accurately create a list for it.   The secret formula is actually quite simple: Superstar in person + Superstar on paper = Chief material.   I know, a lot easier said than done. First of all, what makes me qualified to coach people to…

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May 5, 2019
How to Make Chief Part 2
Air Force

How to Make Chief Part 2

Today we’ll continue our segment on how to make Chief.  The first installment covered the first part of the equation; becoming a superstar on paper.  This installment will cover the second half of the secret formula; becoming a superstar in person.  These are all suggestions I have used in myself and have found valuable in my own career. I feel that they are pretty common sense for the most part, but sometime we need a little reminder to do the things we should be doing.   My first tidbit of advice is to BE PUNCTUAL.  Actually, you should be early…to everything. Get to…

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May 5, 2019
On Fixies, Bartering, Bike Commuting
Health/Fitness / Life Optimization

On Fixies, Bartering, Bike Commuting

When I first heard about the fixed gear “fixie” bike (that is, a bicycle that doesn’t change gears where the pedals are linked directly to the rear tire so one can never stop pedaling while the bike is moving) I thought “that is the stupidest bike ever, why would anyone want that?”  But I’m not one to knock something without trying it. Fast forward a couple of years to when I have talked to several fixie owners and watched a documentary on it.  Now I’m thinking, ok I see why some people like it. Not long later, while studying a triathlon training book,…

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May 5, 2019
The Productive Workout
Health/Fitness / Life Optimization

The Productive Workout

Be more like Forrest Gump. If you're going somewhere, you should be running! Having spent my whole life in Minnesota (except when deployed), I’ve never been a fan of shoveling snow. The one year I had the luxury of a working snow blower was also the year we barely got any snow. I recently changed my perspective on shoveling snow and most chores in general. Now, instead of getting bundled up as if I’m going out into the cold, I get dressed as if I were going to go for a run in the cold. Instead of shoveling snow as usual, I do…

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April 27, 2019
Wear of the Uniform
Life Optimization

Wear of the Uniform

For work the other day, I had an opportunity to do some time studies (just watching people work and timing each step over and over) in a surgery center with some of my colleagues.  Part of this duty required us to change into scrubs. One of my colleagues (a well dressing female) commented “it would be so nice to wear scrubs every day and not have to think about what to wear!”. Naturally, I took this opportunity to pontificate on how I don’t spend time deciding what to wear and the philosophy of decision points.   I’ll save the deep dive into decision…

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March 23, 2019
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