So...what's the story on your avatar?

Capt MJ

Capt MJ

Serviam.
15-Year Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2008
Messages
20,515
I enjoy the choices of avatars and occasionally wonder about "the back story" on some of the less obvious ones. I fully admit, JAMZMOM's dynamic avatar really inspired me here. I suspect there are some good stories out there about your avatars...share?
Back in the day, my nickname was once "Attila the Hunnette," given to me by a curmudgeonly Navy chaplain. Would have been fun to find an animated avatar that fit. In my elder years, however, I have sedately chosen the Ann Hand "Fair Winds and Following Seas" pin given to me by family upon retirement from active duty.
Shopping note for the ladies: If you aren't familiar with Ann Hand, http://www.annhand.com/, she is a well-known jewelry designer in Washington, DC. Known for her patriotic and military designs. There are pins for many of the services, and also a USNA crest pin. Almost a uniform item for civilian power women in DC. Also patriotic cufflinks, etc. for men.
OK, that's my venture into off-topicity today.
 
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"Attila the Hunnette" made me giggle. A friend recently sent me my new avatar as a joke because I do this to my poor little round dog alot. We think its funny but the dog does not. I find humor in some pretty odd places. Besides, I felt I had to give up the Merchant Mariner flag since my kid up & went AF on me. :biggrin:

Interesting thread. I've seen some very unusual avatars here and always have curiosity about them. Thanks for starting it. Hope all will join in!
 
Surface Warfare Officer

Capt MJ said:
... Ann Hand, http://www.annhand.com/, she is a well-known jewelry designer in Washington, DC. Known for her patriotic and military designs. There are pins for many of the services, and also a USNA crest pin.....
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Thanks. Just in time for Mother's Day shopping...(lol)

Mine - (with help from wikipedia) The Surface Warfare Officer Insignia is the first milestone qualification an eligible line officer may receive in surface warfare. This device is commonly called the "SWO Pin." Those receiving the Surface Warfare Officer Pin must sit before an oral board on board ship and must hold certifications as Officer of the Deck (both underway and inport), Small Boat Officer, Combat Information Center Watch Officer, and must be trained in shipboard engineering, damage control and materiel maintenance. The qualification program is designed to be accomplished in 18 months (or so). The Surface Warfare Officer Pin was designed to depict the traditional and typical elements of Naval service: waves breaking before the bow of stylized destroyer, overlaid on crossed swords, rendered in gold. After the insignia was introduced in 1975, the Surface Warfare leadership wanted to award the first "SWO Pin" to someone who best represented the community. It was first awarded to retired Admiral Arleigh ("31 Knot") Burke, two-term Chief of Naval Operations and famed destroyer squadron commodore of World War II.

I still have (and wear) the pin that was awarded me by Captain E. K. ("MO") Hannah on board USS Trenton (LPD 14) my first ship, while deployed to the Med in 1981.
 
What' the story on my avatar? Well, it's the F-35 Lightening II, and I work the issues for this new bird for the AF. Simply stated, it pays my mortgage! :smile:

And, yeah, BTW, it's pretty cool as well. Too bad it's missing a back seat... :thumb:
 
My current avatar is a P-3 Orion. I'm about to take over the duties as a flight surgeon for one of the Navy's P-3 squadrons so thought it would be a good choice.

My prior avatar was a picture of the USNS Comfort and I thought it was a perfect picture to illustrate the Navy Medical Corps.
 
Mine is the logo for jumpstyle. Its a hobby of mine. Jumpstyle is a type of dance you do to techno. You may call me weird, but obviously you havent tried it then because its a blast!
 
My class crest from USAFA!

I'm still amazed that I was able to get in on my second try and that I actually was able to survive and graduate!

Not a day goes by I don't look at my ring and say: "HOW did that happen?" because my classmates are SOOOOO much smarter than I am!
 
mine is the usns mercy

a ship my mom was deployed on twice while we lived in san diego
 
I need an avatar. Haven't even looked for one yet. Now you guys have me thinking about it. Until now, I never gave it any thought.

Thanks Capt MJ, you just ruined my weekend :smile::smile::smile:

Now I gotta get one.

By the way Petermcd, my wife was on the Mercy about 18 years ago.

JB
 
Okay, there I got one. Now I can enjoy my weekend.

Mine is of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, I was in Lima Company. Of all of my duty stations, this was by far my favorite. For alot of reasons. Not only was it a very highly decorated unit, that came with lots of bragging rights, but it was the most rewarding time of my career.

Plus, I think what I liked most about it was I felt a connection to my family, my ancestors.

My mother is French, maiden named Terradot. My great grandfather immigrated to the US in 1876, and during WWI my grandfather joined the military and went back to France to fight. During his time in France he looked up the family that had not immigrated, and reconnected with them.

One of our family members fought for the French at the Battle of Belleau Wood at Chateau Thierry. When I joined the 5th Marines, I felt connected to them, since the 5th had a very well known history from this battle.

When I traveled back to France to visit family, I found out that I had a number of family members that fought in that battle, and the Fourragère that we wore in the 5th was also worn by them.

I know it's kind of corny, but being in the unit meant so much to me. Not only did I get to travel and deploy "alot" but to be able to connect to my family history was way cool.

The think I really hated most was when I left this unit and had to take the Fourragère off.

JB
 
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flyersboy114 said:
Mine is the logo for jumpstyle. Its a hobby of mine. Jumpstyle is a type of dance you do to techno. You may call me weird, but obviously you havent tried it then because its a blast!
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See, I learned something today. It has a good feeling of energy, not in any way weird. :thumb:
 
jbrown said:
Okay, there I got one. Now I can enjoy my weekend.

Mine is of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, I was in Lima Company. Of all of my duty stations, this was by far my favorite. For alot of reasons. Not only was it a very highly decorated unit, that came with lots of bragging rights, but it was the most rewarding time of my career.

Plus, I think what I liked most about it was I felt a connection to my family, my ancestors.

My mother is French, maiden named Terradot. My great grandfather immigrated to the US in 1876, and during WWI my grandfather joined the military and went back to France to fight. During his time in France he looked up the family that had not immigrated, and reconnected with them.

One of our family members fought for the French at the Battle of Belleau Wood at Chateau Thierry. When I joined the 5th Marines, I felt connected to them, since the 5th had a very well known history from this battle.

When I traveled back to France to visit family, I found out that I had a number of family members that fought in that battle, and the Fourragère that we wore in the 5th was also worn by them.

I know it's kind of corny, but being in the unit meant so much to me. Not only did I get to travel and deploy "alot" but to be able to connect to my family history was way cool.

The think I really hated most was when I left this unit and had to take the Fourragère off.

JB
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Not corny, and I enjoyed the back story here very much. Sorry we had to put you to work, but what a good history lesson.:thumb:
 
I was just teasing you about the ruined weekend.

In fact, I went to the 3/5 website to get the crest for my avatar, and I had noticed it changed back to the old days with the "Dark Horse", so I used it anyhow.

When I was there it didn't say Dark Horse, it said Consummate Professionals.

TPG was kind enough to get me a link to the accurate one for my time frame.

So I'm set, I'm happy, I'll all good.

JB
 
Mine is a top secret device that the Air Force keeps in Cheyenne Mountain and uses to travel to other planets (and the Pegasus galaxy).
 
This portrays the air power of our air force, from different eras. On the top is an F-22, then a P-51D, and an F-15.
 
After some confusion, I changed mine to a Gray Wolf--favorite animal.
 
Roman said:
Mine is a top secret device that the Air Force keeps in Cheyenne Mountain and uses to travel to other planets (and the Pegasus galaxy).
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Roman... Is this the part of Cheyenne Mountain that they don't show on JROTC/CAP tours? Cause I definitely didn't see this outstanding piece of military machinery :cool:

Speaking of avatars... I should look into getting one...
 
SemperExcelsius said:
Roman... Is this the part of Cheyenne Mountain that they don't show on JROTC/CAP tours? Cause I definitely didn't see this outstanding piece of military machinery :cool:

Speaking of avatars... I should look into getting one...
Click to expand...

I saw in some Stargate special that there really is a "Stargate Command." Apparently it's a broom closet in Cheyenne Mt.
 
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