Some of you I'm in contact with via AIM and such, so you're already aware, and I've mentioned it briefly in a few threads here and there, but for those of you who don't know:

I have enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I've been in DEP (delayed entry program) waiting to ship out for bootcamp for a couple months now, and I leave August 16th, which is this Tuesday. My basic training lasts 8 weeks, so about 2 months, during which time I will not be able to post at all.

After boot camp it's really hard to say how much I'll be able to post, though I would like to pop in from time to time and, depending on how my career and job responsibilities in the Navy pan out, I'd like to do some writing. However, you should know that my job is dealing with electronics and computers onboard nuclear submarines, and I will have 2 6 month deployments during which time I will have no access to the internet.

I've gone through my share of "goodbye TRF"s and the infamous Hyfe groundings that a few old-timers remember where I lose net access for 6 months or more for bad grades or looking at porn or something. This isn't one of those I'm sick of this place, peace out kind of things, nor is it something completely against my will. This is something I feel will be a smart step for me to take with my life to get out and see the world, do something interesting, make some good money, and get my education. It just so happens that it's going to keep me from posting here, but as I'm sure you can imagine, while I love TRF and the people that post here, this was one of the last things on my mind when making this life choice.

I know I've been pretty inactive as it is lately, and this is largely because I've been out and about enjoying life as I know it as much as I can before shipping out. Because of this most of you probably wouldn't even notice if I disappeared for 2 months without warning. However, I thought with something this serious I should at least offer a goodbye of sorts.

I've been with TRF (and formerly TGC) for a hell of a long time, probably 4 or more years now, and I've seen some amazing writing and shared some good comradery. Thanks for the good times and the good stories, and I hope to see this place alive and kicking when I get a chance to stop by in the future.

I'll be around for another day or two if anyone wants to chat or has questions about what can be done with my character. I'm leaving this mostly up to Kaine and other respected RPers of TNO.

Good luck to all of you with your writing and your lives.

Good bye, Hyfe, have fun and good luck - it sounds like you have a full plate. Hopefully you will get a chance to see TRF again, and hopefully we will still be here writing.

I'd say "keep us safe".. but I don't know. Hyfe and nuclear weapons?

heh.


Take care bud and I guess we'll see you later.

Next time you're in port, put up some pics (and technical specs) of your sub....heh. Perhaps if some Red October shit happens, it'd be cool to post.

lol..

Bon voyage..

I'm gonna miss ya, old man. We may not have RPed together but I did speak with you on AIM quite often. I hope to see you back at some point.

I wish all the best in everything you do. *shakes finger* You better do that journaling while you're in boot-camp...and afterwards; you did say you thought that the things you'd be going through would make a great backdrop for some awesome RPing...so I better see some when you get a chance to come back.

In the mean time...*great big hug*...you take care of yourself, kiddo. I'm proud of you. ;)

10 to 1 he ends up on a Los Angeles class Attack Submarine, still Nuclear powered, but with no nuclear weapons. Just watch out for those fishing boats and underwater mountians and communications cables, etc.

So long Hyfe, a pity we never really talked. Best wishes to your life in the navy though. Hopefully we'll see you back someday.
~raises cup~

Bon voyage mein Kaiser!

Good luck, God speed and enjoy what this new direction you life will bring you!

Good luck in the navy Hyfe!

Hey, Cracker, I can throw names out there too. Look, nobody cares than you know that an LA Class Attack Sub is. Cept maybe Telan...

Anyway, Daemon. All you need is a Sean Connery accent and you're all set for a shot as Captain! Good luck.

Seth: a nuclear submarine is only a nuclear weapon if it melts down... and by the sound of it, that's someone else's responsibility.

*hopes that that person has more than 8 weeks of training*

Kraken actually knows his shit. And you're probably right, unfortunately my first tour will probably be on a Las Angeles class sub, which were commissioned in the early 80s. Don't get me wrong, they are still good boats, better than 99% of the other subs used by other countries, but I'd much rather be on the Seawolf Class or Virginia Class fast attack subs, which really are amazing technological achievements. Hopefully my 2nd tour I'll be an E-5 or so with some experience and might have a shot at being on a boat of my choice.

Demo is right, they are called nuclear submarines because they are nuclear powered. The fast attack subs, which I am hoping to serve on, do not actually carry nuclear warheads. That job is reserved for ballistic missile subs, which are much bigger and slower and quite a bit less cool, imo. And nuclear engineers in the Navy are the best trained in the country. My buddy enlisted at the same time as me and is going to be a nuke.

Thanks for all the support.