Heading to Guam for Reservist AT, any tips?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:00:45 -0500

Heading over to Guam in the near future. Will be AT-ing there for the foreseeable future. Just want to know more about that place.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 9:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:31:54 -0500

Don't know much about Guam, except I would love to go with you. If you need an E-7 National Guardsman on this AT let me know!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:49:20 -0500

Lucky bastard.
Not sure if you'll have any time off, but the SCUBA opportunities in the area are spectacular. Lots of fish and a number of WWII wrecks in fairly shallow water to check out.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 24 at 2016 1:36 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:36:46 -0500

Made it there a number of times and as a jump point for Tinian. Warm, humid, lot's of AC units. There's a native Chamorro saying "hafa adai" which means "hello". A number of SMs pervert it to how long the work day is; "half a day". What they're running into a a very different culture which is slower paced. We're taught to run at 110%, but that means we typically don't see the beauty around us nor reflect when we should. It's a different way of living. There are also oddities that don't make sense like needing a passport or orders/ID to fly to part of the US. All politics are local so you'll see things that are not important to you are very important to the local population. And like Hawaii, you'll see even more creative uses for Spam. In my memory Guam had the last Taco Bell to have beefy tostadas on the menu; sigh.

Over time, there's been a subelement that wants the military out of there vs. it being the major economic driver. Typhoons can be nasty. Since a lot of the soil liquefies during storms, major power line poles are set into gondolas which float on the surface.

Bottom line, there is a lot you can enjoy and become a part of your life, only if you get out there and do it. SMs how hate Guam tend to not get out, are bored, and then whine about it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 24 at 2016 1:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:47:21 -0500

Its like a country and a state at the same time. It is a neat place.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 2:50 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:50:40 -0500

Have fun and enjoy the experience. I have Air Defense buddies over there right now and they love it.

Response by MSgt Holly Hultman made Apr 30 at 2018 10:39 PM

MSgt Holly Hultman — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 22:39:21 -0400

You don't have to fill a tank and dive- just simply grab snorkle gear! most amazing snorkling probably on Earth!