I'm a USAF Comm guy, recently stationed in Spain...

"Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?" (o51r15) 07/21/2015 at 03:05 • Filed to: None

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...to the three or four of you that might be paying attention, AMA!!!

M54B30 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:13

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My dad was combat comm most of his career (80s-00s). He enjoyed being “first in” and setting up comms at truly austere locations (his favorite part: no real supervision when its just a handful of guys) but the jumps and PT wrecked his knees after 15 years of forward/quick deploy units.

Now he does Intel work for the army at a compound in Germany that gets protests every Saturday

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:15

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First off thank you for your service.

What base are you stationed at? How is the culture there? Can you tell what you do without gettin into trouble?

Maxi Cooper ¯\_()_/¯ > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:17

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Is Spain as ridiculously laid-back (in terms of work week hours) as everyone says? My brother and some of his friends studied abroad there and only worked five-hour days at their purportedly full-time internships. I’d imagine it’s different for our military folks over there, but what about for Spanish civilians?

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > M54B30 07/21/2015 at 03:24

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That's crazy. I know a couple combat comm guys that say the same thing about their knees. It has to be painful, but exhilarating at the same time. Me? I'm just you're average, run of the mill, desk worker.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Maxi Cooper ¯\_()_/¯ 07/21/2015 at 03:29

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I’ve only been here a little over two weeks but one thing I have noticed is that the Spanish have what I’ve been told is Spanish Time. They tell you they’ll be back in 20 minutes, they’re back in 35 or 40 minutes. They start work around 0900, take siesta (sp?) from 1400 to 1800 (which means that everything that’s not a major grocery store is closed) and then work a couple more hours after that. They love kids and they don’t care if they’re loud or running around or grabbing at things (I have two that have enough energy to give a Jack Russell a run for it’s money). They truly are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met especially for the fact that I barely speak any Spanish and pull out Google Translate to communicate most of the time. The smile I get when I try to speak Spanish though? Priceless. They love the effort that we put in to try and communicate.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 07/21/2015 at 03:35

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I’m at Morón Air Base in southern Spain.

The culture is amazingly different from America. I can’t say for anywhere else as Spain is the first country I’ve been to excluding the drive to Alaska through the Yukon. People are generally very nice and will almost always greet you with a smile. They love kids. They don’t care if your kids are running around trying to grab things off the shelf, they’ll probably try and help them! One of the things that does bug me is that they have their own “Spanish Time”, meaning that when they tell you they’ll be back in 20 minutes, they’re back in 40. It only bugs me because I haven’t gotten used to it yet.

My actual job title is Client Systems Technician. After five and a half years, I’ve realized that that means I’m used to Googleing computer problems more than other people on base. Right now, I’m working in the call center until all my accounts get set up and I can actually go to work again Googleing computer problems and applying the fix.

Jobjoris > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:43

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...to the three or four

Four, I count four at least!

Are you gonna buy some local vehicle for the time being?

M54B30 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:45

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Nothing wrong with that. My wife is CE (Emergency Management) and the last big thing they responded to (B1 crash), she was pregnant and not allowed to mobilize to the site. She helped run the EOC from home station and i think she’s still trying, 2 years later, to find the words to describe how boring it was

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > M54B30 07/21/2015 at 03:49

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Ha ha yea. I've got a job and that's more than some of the people I know from back home can say. I've been lucky to have never deployed in the 5 and a half years I've been in. My wife has been very happy about that. And even though I may have to gripes to the way some things are done, I have free healthcare for my wife and children, I have a house, I have a car, and I have food. It would be unfair of me to ask for more.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:52

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oh nice! and plans for car related things while your there?

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 03:57

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Oooh, what’s involved in your job? I’ve always been interested in the workings of the military.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Jobjoris 07/21/2015 at 04:00

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OOooooo!!! The question I was waiting for. As soon as I have my internet at home hooked up and working, I’m going to do a write up on the three rental cars I’ve had while here. Reason being, the work computer won’t let me upload pictures and even though I have no pictures of the rental’s themselves, I’d at least like to show some stock photo’s or something.

As for buying a car while here, definitely. I have a 2010 Ford Explorer somewhere between Galveston, Texas and Rota Naval Station but I’m not expecting that any time soon. I’m kind of torn between what I want to get. I’m on a fixed tour here so I know when I’ll be leaving Spain but I’m not sure what base I’m getting next. If I was sure I was staying in Europe, I’d definitely get into another car payment for a Seat Leon TDi or something like that (spoiler: that was my favorite of the rental cars!). More realistically, I’m torn between buying a Euro spec’d car that I can sell for not much less than what I paid when I leave, or a 25 year old or older Audi or Alfa or something like that that I can have shipped back to the states on the Air Force's dime. So, to answer your question: yes. Yes I plan on buying a car, just not sure which one yet.

desertdog5051 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 04:10

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What do I have in my left shirt pocket?

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 07/21/2015 at 04:12

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I actually just answered this very question. Basically, I’m going back and forth with the idea of buy a relatively cheap Euro car that I can sell for what I paid or a little less or buying a 25 year old or older Euro sports car that I can have shipped back to the states on the Air Force's dime. Basically, yes. I'm going to buy a car. Just not sure which one yet.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/21/2015 at 04:13

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Honestly, my job is not nearly as exciting as it seems. I'm a Client Systems Technician which means that I fix desktops, laptops, Blackberry phones, radio's, and other things. Basically, I'm really good at Googleing things! Ha ha.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > desertdog5051 07/21/2015 at 04:19

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Five thousand and fifty one dogs that are from a desert environment. Final answer.

Jobjoris > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 04:28

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Awesome. The Leon Tdi is great. But why not just buy an old Seat Panda?

Or other license-built Fiats... That’s living the Spanish way! No need for excuses if you’re 20 minutes late ;-)

Good luck on your tour, hope you’ll be able to visit more of Europe. It’s awesome.

Echo51 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 04:29

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How hard do you get from seeing all the sexy Seat Wagons? Semi? Chub? Full on?

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Echo51 07/21/2015 at 04:38

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As soon as I get internet hooked up in my house, I'm going to be doing a write-up on the three rental cars I had since being here. One of them being a Seat Leon TDi. Now I know that's a hatchback and not a wagon, but (spoiler!) that one was by far my favorite. Saying I get a full on rager when I see the sexiness that is Seat's is an understatement.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Jobjoris 07/21/2015 at 04:41

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Ha ha I’ve seen them for sale. I’ve joked about buying one for my wife. I’d just prefer her to be able to get herself and the kids where they need to go. Not hallway where they need to go. I’m am stoked, though, to be able to see as much of Europe as I can. Already have plans to take the wife and kids to Disneyworld Paris!

Jobjoris > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 04:51

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You should totally do Disney and Paris itself. Moròn de la Frontera, that’s near Sevilla, right? That’s one awesome city. Liked Granada a lot as well, if you’re still there in the winter you can even go up skiing nearby Granada (Pico Veleta). Panda’s aren’t that bad btw. Not even the Seat ones.

M54B30 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 04:53

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Exactly how we feel. My wife is currently deployed and i decided to quit working and stay home with my 1.5 year old son full time. Though it took some belt tightening and penny pinching, we have been very fortunate to even consider this as an option. Lots of folks working multiple jobs to barely get by.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > M54B30 07/21/2015 at 04:58

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I definitely know what you mean. My wife was getting ready to start looking for jobs as soon as she got pregnant with our first. We learned very quickly how to budget and save everywhere we could and now we have two kids! We decided it was better to have her stay at home with the kids then to send them to day care everyday.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Jobjoris 07/21/2015 at 04:59

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Ha ha yea. We’re just outside of Sevilla. Now I hadn't heard of the ability to go snowboarding yet so you just made my entire week right there!

Echo51 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 05:13

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If it’s one of the newer models, i full understand the rager. They’re sexy machines!

Svend > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 05:41

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Air Force rules, others drool. Sorry, family bias. Lol.

Enjoy trying out the rentals.

It’s was quite a nuisance in Spain and Italy with stores closing for a few hours here and there but off the beaten track you’ll invariably find an inexpensive shop to get some odds and ends.

If you ever feel a little homesick for the English language, pop down to Gibraltar (aka Britain by the sea).

How are you taking to the change being in Spain from the U.S.A.? The U.S. forces do a good job of bringing foods over from the U.S. (something to do with 'one force, one food'), but are there staple foods you miss? For many Brits it's usually salad cream, gravy granules, tea bags, coffee, brown sauce, etc...

pip bip - choose Corrour > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 06:05

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how long are you going to be there for?

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Echo51 07/21/2015 at 06:26

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2015. Sexy angry front end. Sexy diesel growl. Sexy torque on the highways. Sexy sexiness all around!

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Svend 07/21/2015 at 06:35

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I found out very quickly the times that the shops closed during the day. Outside of a large supermarket, you’re not really getting anything. I still don’t have a car of my own (or my car that’s being shipped over either) so I haven’t gotten to go outside of the base for the last week and a half but I can’t wait to go explore a little.

As for the homesickness stuff, I haven’t really had that happen yet. We have a NEXMart (Shoppette for us Air Force guys) with a small grocery part that has almost exclusively American foods. It’s not bad but a little expensive compared to the local economy.

It’s funny you mention Gibraltar because I’ve already talked to a few people who all say to go there as soon as you can. I hear it’s beautiful and full of Brittish food. So that’ll be interesting to try out.

As for the change from being stationed in the cold Alaska of the USA to the hot and humid that is Spain, it's not that bad. It was a bit of a culture shock for me since I speak very little Spanish and probably speak it in the wrong way. When I flew in, I flew into Madrid and drove the 5.5 hours down here. It made it kind of hectic when getting food for the family or directions when I didn't listen to the GPS or my wife with the map. After these couple of weeks though, I feel like I'm adjusting well and ready to go explore. The family and I love to road trip it up so we're hoping to hit Barcelona and Circuit de Catalunya before the end of the year. Now I just need a fun little shitbox to throw around on Catalunya!

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/21/2015 at 06:36

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Two years. Two years of exploring Europe courtesy of the Air Force.

Svend > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 07:14

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As long as you try to speak the language, they are more helpful when you can't speak Spanish.

Ye’, Gib is just down the road (very near Rota NS) and Portugal is just across the way.

Interesting fact, interesting-ish I guess. Britain and Portugal have the oldest treaty in the world which is the “perpetual friendships, unions [and] alliances” treaty signed in 1373.

The U.K. and Europe are just a couple of hours flight from Seville airport.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Svend 07/21/2015 at 08:22

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Nice! Yea, I've heard of something called Ryan Air and for something like 140 Euro I can fly my family and me pretty much anywhere in Europe. Makes me happy!

Svend > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 08:27

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Just for you fella.

Seat Leon Diesel Sport Tourer 2.0 TDI manual 184 FR 5dr

Svend > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 08:37

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Ryanair and Easyjet are not known for making people happy. :) But is bearable for the short journey. Lol.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Svend 07/21/2015 at 08:38

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Now, I've never used this phrase before but, you da REAL MVP! Holy hell that's sexy! God, I don't know why American manufacturers can't take this design and implement it in our hatch's and wagons. It's beautiful but looks aggressive at the same time.

Svend > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 08:47

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There’s an allroad version called the Xperience which is not quite to my liking.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Svend 07/21/2015 at 09:53

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It looks...wrong. It's still nice, but at the same time it almost looks too big. Something about it is off to me and I just can't take it seriously.

desertdog5051 > Svend 07/21/2015 at 10:38

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Curious. How is that name pronounced? See-at or ?

Svend > desertdog5051 07/21/2015 at 14:59

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It’s supposed to be Say-at but most in the U.K. say See-at. We tend to pronounce words phonetically in the U.K. with Skoda being Scoda rather than the actual Czech pronunciation Schkoda. So it’s up open to interpretation.

Maxi Cooper ¯\_()_/¯ > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 07/21/2015 at 15:01

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Cool! Thanks for the response and thanks for your service.

desertdog5051 > Svend 07/21/2015 at 15:10

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Thanks. That was helpful.

Svend > desertdog5051 07/21/2015 at 15:26

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No worries. It reminds me of a comedian who was overheard pronouncing Paris and Par-is rather than Par-ee and was brought to task about it. The English comedian replied ‘I’m from London pronounced Lun-don and not the way you say Lon-don, so until you start saying Lun-don, I’ll keep saying Par-is’.