|  Biographer's Log  |

   I was tasked to perform at a demonstration at Star Base Atlantic City, NJ. We would be demonstrating the fabulous MCS machine. Of course, CPT. Picard accompanied me to this den of gambling, high prices, and unsavory practices. My system, to prevent myself from accidentally being drawn in to a situation that would be less than wholesome is: to drink alcohol only in my room or in a quiet, calm, environment; to not hang-out with the ever present and dreaded party-animal. Those days are past for the Captain and me.
   The demo was in The Convention Center and it took about 2 hours to get there from my then current Home Base, Star Base Ft. Monmouth. The trip down was on a beautiful Sunday morning on the Garden State Parkway heading south. (Tolls, another plus for NJ.)

   Our first view of Star Base ATC was a bit of a shock. Big beautiful buildings off in the distance, Trump Tower, The Sands, and others I don’t recall. A picturesque skyline. As I drove closer I noted the town itself was not overly huge and crowded. A big plus!

   As we established eye contact with our accommodations The Sands, we began to notice a general trend- The casinos and hotels were fabulous, but the rest of the area around the casinos appeared to need some repair and urban upgrade. It was simply rundown. You’d think the casinos would have improved the general area and living conditions of those, there in. But, the trend for a tourist/gambler/visitor is to ride the tour bus or drive directly to the casino, eat in the hotel restaurant, gamble in the casino, and walk the boardwalk. All in relative safety from the local area and it’s inhabitants.
what a world, what a world!

   A prime place to eat is a pub, on the same block and opposite the front doors of the Sands. I can’t recall the name, but the food was inexpensive and plentiful. I recommend the Cheeseburger Deluxe. Good grub!

   For the demo, I had to be in our field uniforms standing around in a simulated operations center with all the other computer systems hooked-up and running a program that give the look and feel of an actual TOC (Tactical Operations Center). Our primary mission was to brief civilian VIPs, high ranking officers, and many people from the other displays on how our system worked and interfaced with the other systems in our TOC. The coolest thing our system does is show map graphics in vivid detail and the good and bad guys moving around the battlefield. It does many other things, but that is the showiest selling point. Pretty cool actually.

   We talked up our systems as needed, walked around and saw other displays and demos, and collected alot of neat souvenirs. The majority of the display were civilian corporations talking about their latest and greatest device, or software, or all of the above. I acquired many items for my kids through the manner of approaching a display that had items sitting out such as keychains, Frisbees, coffee mugs, or ink pens and we’d listen to them pitch their product and we’d say, “Thank you! Could I have a mug?” The kids do not care if the Frisbee I give them says Boeing Aerospace or ‘eat mud’.
   Our portion of the demo lasted about two ½ days of the 5 days we spent at Star Base ATC. So we had some free time.
We toured the boardwalk, I spent about $40.00 in about 15 minutes on the slot machines (I played slow to drag out the rapidly evaporating fun). In general, CPT Picard and I had a good time. The work was not hard, a little tiring at times, but fun talking to the numerous strangers.

   Behind the scenes at the demo were scads of civilian contractors, technical support, and software smart people scurrying to keep the system operational.

   The Captain and I view these trips as essential. We are showing off our finest equipment and some of the people who see our demo have the power to stop the entire program or further enhance it. There is nothing wrong with displaying your wares since the system is good, with potential to change the way we fight battles (or conduct police/peace keeping missions).

   I should say that every piece of equipment in the Army inventory was made by civilian companies. The people I work directly with are the greatest!
  I know I will be out of the Army someday and I am not above any living thing. We all have the inherent drive to survive the best way you (we) know how. When I get out of the Army I will not be a civilian, I will be Retired Military. There is a difference. (Joking-lighten up!)

|  END LOG  |