jumpinjarhead
GCM

I thought I would use this format (and a blog) to let those ARRSERS who may have wondered about my absence from these august and ever-entertaining fora know the "back story."
Let me first say I am not intending or wishing to be regarded as being melodramatic or (God forbid a wah), let me just say that I have been beset by a number of "distractions" that have both taken the time I would have otherwise used to post and much of my energy and motivation I would have needed to do so.
Due to a combination of body blows, both physical and emotional, including a diagnosis of prostate cancer and the tragic death by suicide of one of my closest mates (my then LCPL radio operator and unofficial "bodyguard") from my Vietnam days, I am just unable to continue at present with the banter and debate on ARRSE at the high standard I have always striven to meet (I know some of my tormentors will disagree).
It seems the physical and emotional toll my misspent youth as a hard-charging recce Marine (and the passage of too many years) have finally accumulated to the point that I can no longer just "soldier on" in the same manner as I had been. Not that I am quitting mind you as, you should know from my posts, US Marines do not quit.
Accordingly, I must take a hiatus and if I should fail to come back up on the net, please know I have enjoyed my association with all of you and have tried to do my small part to express my appreciation for the kinship and respect all warriors share and my abiding respect for the professionalism and as importantly, the wit of UK forces, many of whom I have had the privilege to have served with over the years. Rest assured, regardless of what happens among our politicians regarding the "Special Relationship" enjoyed between the US and the UK, it will always exist to me.
I will try to monitor my PMs from time to time but do not want to bore all of ARRSE with my issues.
Semper Fidelis and Cheers
Jumpinjarhead
Let me first say I am not intending or wishing to be regarded as being melodramatic or (God forbid a wah), let me just say that I have been beset by a number of "distractions" that have both taken the time I would have otherwise used to post and much of my energy and motivation I would have needed to do so.
Due to a combination of body blows, both physical and emotional, including a diagnosis of prostate cancer and the tragic death by suicide of one of my closest mates (my then LCPL radio operator and unofficial "bodyguard") from my Vietnam days, I am just unable to continue at present with the banter and debate on ARRSE at the high standard I have always striven to meet (I know some of my tormentors will disagree).
It seems the physical and emotional toll my misspent youth as a hard-charging recce Marine (and the passage of too many years) have finally accumulated to the point that I can no longer just "soldier on" in the same manner as I had been. Not that I am quitting mind you as, you should know from my posts, US Marines do not quit.

Accordingly, I must take a hiatus and if I should fail to come back up on the net, please know I have enjoyed my association with all of you and have tried to do my small part to express my appreciation for the kinship and respect all warriors share and my abiding respect for the professionalism and as importantly, the wit of UK forces, many of whom I have had the privilege to have served with over the years. Rest assured, regardless of what happens among our politicians regarding the "Special Relationship" enjoyed between the US and the UK, it will always exist to me.
I will try to monitor my PMs from time to time but do not want to bore all of ARRSE with my issues.
Semper Fidelis and Cheers
Jumpinjarhead