Join the new world

Dateline: Thursday March 10, 2011 (Day 1206)
Location: America, dammit!
Reporter: Major George Armstrong "Old Man" Custer


Tell me something new, dammit!
By now it's old news that the Army and the Cavalry have merged.
What's new news is that the merger is finally complete.
Strong Cavalry players were asked to consider moving up to the Airborne or the Marines if they met the qualifications, and some did transfer to these stronger branches of the US Military. Others went to the new Ultramarines, to the solid and respected Seal Team 6, or to other Militias. For the most part, though, Cavalry soldiers and officers endured a couple weeks of confusion and adjustment, and now we are all Army.

This will be a three-part series of articles.
Today the Army Times presents a few short interviews with enlisted men, both "regular Army" and Cavalry transfers, who share their experience and thoughts about the Army-Cavalry merger.

cptnJester
Staff Sergeant (SSG) cptnJester is the Executive Officer (XO) of the 11th Regiment, 1st Platoon. It's a small platoon, without a Commanding Officer (CO), so it will soon be blended into another fighting platoon where an XO is needed.
"Overall, I'm fine with the Army-Cavalry merger. The Army does a few things differently than we did in the Cavalry, but I meet new Army buddies in IRC every day and have had great direct communications with all my senior officers-- up to and including Army General Bombonato. I look forward to being reassigned as XO of a full Army platoon and learning the ropes of becoming an Army officer."
In RL, cptnJester is a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, majoring in Computer Engineering with an eye toward a future in the RL US Air Force. "The Corps of Cadets is all of the ROTC kids at the school (which started as a military college). There are multiple tracks depending on ROTC, along with a civilian one. Coming out of Virginia Tech, I'll be commissioned as a 2d Lt due to ROTC."

Coyote99

Fighter First Class (FFC) Coyote99 was an officer in the Old Army, took a break from the game, and upon return to eRep rejoined the Army. His RL keeps him pretty busy, so he's quite happy to remain a front line Infantry grunt. "I was already friends with several Cav members, but since the merger, it's been great to work more with the Cavalry, meet some new awesome people, and kick Indo ass of course \o/"
In RL, Coyote99 lives in rural Oklahoma, is a high school senior looking forward to a full scholarship run at Oklahoma University. He works at a co-op feed & grain, and also raises rodeo bulls. This corn fed man-mountain enjoys street racing his 2010 Camaro and restoring his '64 Chevy pickup.

Crucifixpandaninja
SSG Crucifixpandaninja joined the Cavalry after serving as an Officer in the TC, and has earned the position of Platoon Exec of the 3/4 through high activity and excellent communication skills. "I like how we're one with the Army again, we were always great friends of theirs but now we're one group." "CPN" is also a cannibal. "It worked out very well because now there are people like RedbirdUSA and Chesehead, who may be eaten instead of me."
In RL, Crucifixpandaninja lives in California, is a high school freshman, and a member of the Junior Varsity Swim Team.

Qnfauf
Specialist (SPC) Qnfauf is "regular Army," having just joined in January and graduated Reception Battalion (RECBN) with honors, and having been promoted for his high activity level. "The merger seemed pretty smooth. I first heard about it on IRC, then our Army forums. I don't think it affected me that much, if at all. I think it is nice that we now have more people."
In RL, Qnfauf is a science geek high school senior in Chigago, awaiting word from several college applications, looking forward to majoring in engineering.


So, what's coming next?
For the next edition, I'll interview a few officers. I'm sure we'll get some insight as to the process of the merger-- what went easy and what areas presented challenges.
Part three will be short interviews with the biggest, highest ranking officers involved-- former CJCS jankems and new CJCS Bradley Reala, as well as retired Cavalry General Ralph "No Pants" Ericson and Army General Bombonato.

Want to join the Army? Graduate the Training Corps first.
At this time, the Army is accepting applications only from graduates of the Training Corps. If you have, or are about to graduate from the TC's program, visit #usa-army on IRC.



Major George Armstrong Custer
Editor; Army Times and Cavalry Saber
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