Posted on behalf of t4nd4r
Where are you from, and where are you currently stationed?Thanks Martin for filling us in on what it's like being in the military, and what games you like to play. I think I can speak for everyone when I say THANK YOU for doing what you do to keep us protected and safe back in the states. Without you being hard at work every day, we would not be able to feel safe going outside our homes. You really are "Being All You Can Be". I hope we all get a chance to play some games online together when you return from service.
Originally I am from California,but my Uncle Sam has me beating my feet in the desert at the moment (Kuwait).
You are currently in the military, what is your rank and how did you get there?
I am in the US Army and I can't discuss my rank or title =p if you knew I would have to kill you!!
What made you decide to be in the military? Are you glad you joined?
I joined the military because I believed it was my duty to serve. I planned on only doing 3 years, but I love my job and I have been in for 9 years now.
Are you in constant danger of attack? Have you ever been sent to the front lines of battle? What's a day like in the military?
I am currently in minimal danger of attack. My first trip to Iraq I was on the front lines in Fallujah and Mosul. I saw my share of battle and I have horrible memories of it. The military day to day is different all over. In my job I wear civilian clothes daily and do not do the day to day "military stuff" I tip my hat to the boys and girls doing hard battle in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are the true warriors.
What kind of equipment do you use everyday? What type of weapons are you certified to use?
My daily use here in Kuwait sadly is my computer, fork, knife, and spoon. I do carry my weapons when I go on mission. I am certified on the M4, M16, M9 and several foreign weapons. I also have one mean Judo chop!!
Have you ever been a part of a "classified" mission? What was it like?
Funny thing about that question is my whole job is classified, lol so yes I have been...but I can't tell you what they are. They are a huge adrenaline rush and it makes it feel like what you are doing is making a difference.
What is the highest ranking person you have ever came into contact with?
I have briefed a 2 star general on operational items and he was a very cool guy.
Have you ever had to use your weapon in the line of duty? What was your reaction after if you have?
Unfortunately, I have and it was on a couple occasions. Afterwards I felt a little on edge, scared, and sick to my stomach. I knew it was them or me though and I have to keep moving forward.
How much longer do you have in the military before you are done? Is there a set schedule for when you get to come home, and how long is that usually?
I have at least 6 more years in the military, so that is probably a couple more deployments. There is a set schedule for my return home and the length of time I am at home just depends on the unit I go to after I leave Kuwait. We'll see =)
Out of all the military videogames you have played, has there ever been any that hit home? Is it logical to throw a grenade back if it lands near you, do you pick up enemies weapons if you are out of ammo, that kind of stuff?
MW2 on the first level after your training (where you are in the vehicle) the part with the ambush got my heart pounding a little faster and it made me feel tense. It was very realistic. Some people throw their bodies down on grenades and do what they think is right at the given situation. There have been several people pick up live grenades and get rid of them, not the frequency it happens in COD, but some heroes do it in order to protect their own. If you are out of rounds an enemy weapon gets the job done just like your own =)
Do you go through a lot of ready-to-eat-meals while you are over there, or do you get to go out to restaurants? Any McD's or Burger Kings in Kuwait?
Kuwait is VERY much into the western culture. They have everything over here i.e. Krispy Kreme, BK, Chilis, Applebee's, Starbucks, Mc'D etc etc the extremists here hate the fact that all these places are built here, but they still have glaze on their lips every once and awhile =)
What's the weather like in Kuwait?
Currently it is nice and chill out...it is about 95 degrees. That is nice compared to the summer as it was about 130-145 it was brutal =/
Wife/kids/dog/cat/rabbit?
I have a gorgeous wife named Stacy who is everything to me. She is a wonderful woman for putting up with my job and I love her for it. No kids...yet. Love dogs, but neither one of us have time to take care of pets.
How are you able to check your e-mail and browse forums? Why are you not able to be connected to Xbox Live?
The net here is wifi and is not strong enough to connect to live. The first month I was here I was like a recovering drug addict...I needed my Live fix and couldn't get it...had to go cold turkey lol. I also have my government computer, but that net is pretty much restricted. So, no live for me until I get leave in December.
Before you left for service, your gamerscore was 126,578. How much larger has that become since being offline?
I wish I could say it has increased dramatically...alas, it is only at 129, 750 at the moment. Sad...but true. Damn terrorists keeping my GS down!!
Your largest weekly achievement and gamerscore gain is massive, 240 and 7,979 respectively. Were you involved in a challenge at the time? Did you end up winning?
I was involved in the first ever mega challenge =) it was amazing and I came in third on that one...CroakerTarekegypt. One day I will win one of those darn things!! Always the brides maid....never the bride so to speak =p
Your highest daily gamerscore gain was in March of 2008 for a total of 3,260. What games did you play? Were you trying to win a challenge?
Oh geez, what did I play?? Ummm, probably some 2k6 titles and Surfs up possibly. It was definitely some easy sports games...for sure. Watch for me to destory that daily gain when I am on leave in December!! Tons of games to catch up on lol.
Do you ever play your Xbox360 with more people in service? Such as co-op in Modern Warfare 2 or rocking the set in Rock Band?
I wish I had others to play games with here, but alas I only rock the single player on all versions of my games =/ unless I play with one controller in each hand...and boy is that difficult sometimes hehe.
How did you come up with your Gamertag?
My gamertag came from my plane ride home from Iraq. In the military you get on military aircrafts to fly home, my flight was named Chrome30. In honor of this wonderful flight getting me back home safely from a hellish year in Iraq I picked it as my gamertag and will forever be known as Chrome30.
What brought you to 360Voice?
I was browing the net one day and put in a google search. I started to read up on the sight and thought it was an amazing idea!! I just had to join. Then I started talking to some of the people and it was pretty much a done deal from there.
What is your favorite part of 360Voice?
I would easily say the people. They are the KEY part of 360V. Without the great people the site would just be stats. The people make it amazing!!
Is there anything you would like to see changed about 360Voice?
I love 360v so much that I tell everyone in Kuwait about it...as for changes...I would probably change some of the point qualifications on badges i.e. HTTK badge...you all know what I am talking about!!
If you had the opportunity, is there anyone you would like to meet from 360Voice?
I couldn't just pick one...there are so many people on the site that I would love the chance to meet. I have had a lot of great support from everyone and I get along with a lot of folks from the site. If you are putting the clamps on me though I would pick Trapper and talk to him about the approach to the site etc.
You recently created a Chrome30 challenge, what gave you the idea for the challenge, and all the crazy bonus scenarios?
I have done quite a few challenges during my time at the site. I love to give back to a great community and enjoy doing the events/challenges. The bonus scenarios were discussed between Futiles and myself and thought it would be a wonderful way to kind of shake things up and give others a fun way to score. It worked for some and caused fits for others lol.
How long have you been gaming?
I have been gaming hardcore since Zelda came out in the gold cartridge. I didn't grow up with a lot of money etc, so when my Dad got us a nintendo we were hooked and it just went on from there. I remember splitting time with my brother and sister...we had 30 minutes each and that just didn't cut it lol I always went over my time limit and got in trouble with pops...ahhh well =p
What was the first game you ever played?
See above, lol Zelda..although I do faintly remember playing Pit fall and all the "old school" games. So, I guess it was pit fall and frogger etc.
What is your reason for playing games?
I play games for the amazing graphics, story and overall depth of what games are nowadays. The technology is just insane!! And I love the progression of gaming. I can't wait to see the next gen systems.
What do you enjoy more, single-player or multi-player?
I am a hardcore RPG fan, but some of the best games now days are multi-player. The human interaction and unexpected actions/reactions make MP games amazing. I just want a great MMORPG for 360 and that will be enough for me =)
What is your current gaming setup, what is your setup like back at home?
Ahhh my current setup, lol I first got my 8X10 room/jail cell and there was a 19 inch big bulky thing on a dresser trying to pass as a TV. We all know TV's are not big and bulky anymore...they are slim and flat with lovely color and depth. Anyway, I got rid of that thing and bought the biggest TV they sell here... So, I have a Sony Bravia 32 inch here and I use Turtle beach X4 headphones for amazing sound quality. Back home the setup is going to change to the new Samsung LED 52inch TV and bose surround sound...I will hookup my new MW2 system as well =) All and all it is good enough for Kuwait.
Do you like to eat a snack or drink while playing games?
Yes, my wife can attest to this. I will sleep in the wee hours of the morning and when she wakes up she will see Full Throttle cans on the TV stand I use and possibly some wrappers from pop tarts that I had previously devoured while Owning young arrogant children in COD/Halo (when that was cool to play hehe)
Do you own any other consoles?
I, of course, have my trusty PS3 blu ray player. The only good game I played on that was Heavenly Sword. I do have to be honest and say I am looking forward to God of War in the coming months.
When did you join Xbox Live, and why did you decide to?
I joined xbox live when I returned from Iraq in 2006. I just bought my 360 and that seemed like something I just had to do. I picked up Splinter Cell and played that online and thought it was absolutely amazing!!
What are your current top 10 favorite games ever, out of any console?
Top 10?? Whew, hard question. 1. Final Fantasy III as the storyline was epic and characters deep. 2. Resident Evil 3. Dead Rising 4. FF 7 5. Zelda Ocarina of time 6. Tecmo Superbowl (classic) 7. Chrono Trigger 8. Bioshock 9. Mass Effect and 10. would be Dragon Age as of right now.
What are 5 achievements that you are most proud of?
Proud of Completing COD: WaW on Vet (damn nades!!) Mile high club...MK vs DC Kombo challenges (finsihed 3) Anyone else? Skate 2 achievement and probably the last achievement for beating MW2 cause it just feels so good at the end of the game when you...=p you know!!
If you could change one thing about Xbox Live, what would it be?
Make it free of course!! I am sure everyone would love me for that, right??
Are there any games you are looking forward to realeasing in the near future?
The latest installment of Final Fantasy, Mass Effect 2, Assassins Creed 2 and God of War for the PS3.
What are some new releases you've been able to grab while overseas?
I have stayed up on the popular games due to Gamefly and my wife being so awesome. I have grabbed prototype, Overlord II, Batman, MW2, Ghostbusters, and Dragon Age: origins to name a few. Now if I can just find some time to play them =(
Would you like to give any shout-outs?
I would love to give shout outs to the following people: Stacy, you are my love and the reason I do all this crazy "stuff" I do, you are my world and everything I cherish. I would also like to give special thanks to Futiles, Spider, DoT, PSonic, Sparky, and everyone who keep in touch with me while I am overseas. Emails and communication goes a long way out here where we don't get a lot of it. Thanks to everyone at 360v for making it the best site around. I appreciate you all and I am honored to be MoTM. Oh, and t4nd4r I thank you as well...thought I forgot ya huh?? =p
Wow man that was pretty insightful was thinking about joining the army here in UK but dunno whether to get a job in computing and join the army later or the other way around!
I love Final Fantasy aswell and the new one looks epic not really a FF7 but meh should make up for FF10!
Posted by: Chris Lee (Chrislee123) | January 14, 2010 at 03:49 PM
Yeah same. would love to have joined the army but i had my daughter two years ago and just cant seem to leave her, don't get to see her that much as it is. But yeah, FF 13 going to be awesome!
Posted by: Mark | February 22, 2010 at 11:37 AM
I was in the Army "25th inf division" so i can relate. With my copy of Battlefield bad company 2 i can relive my good old Army days. The Army was hands down the best thing i ever did, other than Xbox live of course! Video Games and army life go hand in hand, from the lowest private to the squad leader, we all played video games. I'm sure 10 years later it's still the same. To all service members around the world a BIG THANK YOU and get home safe!
Posted by: Phillip | March 11, 2010 at 01:01 AM