Newbie from Virginia by way of Afghanistan

[chipsmith]

Greetings fellow lovers of the tartan. My name is Chip and I am currently deployed to Afghanistan as a civilian after having retired from the Army last year. My sincere hope is that this will be my last deployment, but with the current job market one can't be but so choosy. I get back to my beloved Virginia in the Spring.

Like most Americans, I'm a mutt, claiming paternal ancestors from Germany and England and maternal ones from France, England, Wales, Ireland and, of course, Scotland. I've always been most interested in my Scottish roots, am working on a Master's degree from the University of St Andrews and even gave my son our Scottish family name, Greig, as his middle name. I went to the Highland Games as a young teen and always intended as an adult to get more involved but a career in the Army, most of it spent at Ft. Bragg, made it difficult. Now that I'm retired I have the opportunity.

I ran into this forum (like most things on the Internet) by accident but I'm really glad I did. I don't have a kilt yet but intend to buy one soon and seem to have stumbled onto exactly the right place. The forums are really informative and I really appreciate the evident camaraderie here. I look forward to interacting with all of you!

Cheers,

Chip

[Mael Coluim]

, Chip frin Exit 126 on I-95!

[davidg]

from West Lothian, Scotland

[New World Czech]

Welcome from a fellow NOVAn, south of Manassas.

[Jackson]

Greetings and welcome from another Mutt! My maternal grandmother was a Cameron from Alabama. I think she was as proud of being a Cameron as she was proud of being a southerner. Any way, thanks for your service and welcome to the forum.

Jackson
US Air Force (1966-1970)

[KenB]

Greetings and Salutations from Presqu'ile.

[tulloch]

Welcome from the chilly highlands of Central Massachusetts, USA.

[Spartan Tartan]

from Oklahoma!

[longhuntr74]

Welcome to the forum, Chip. I'm currently approaching my 15 year anniversary in the Army and have spent a year or three in Afghanistan (closer to three than one!) Stay safe over there. My wife and I call Fort Bragg our military home, but are currently in California...where I'm attending grad school as well. You are among friends here!

[Sir William]

from Northern Virginia.

I spent 6 months in Iraq (and a couple of shorter trips) as a DOD civilian. I found it ironic that after 29 years in the Marines, active and reserve, I came under fire for the first time as a civilian. Watch your six and keep your head down.