Screen name says it all...

[1_Scuba_noob]

I have always been interested in Scuba and always wanted to get certified, but life seems to get in the way. I am a Commissioned Officer in the US Army and also a full time college student. I am 33 years young. Oh yeah, and I also have a six month old and the best wife ever. I stay pretty busy, but also like to make time to do nothing.

I am currently in the middle of my ANDI open water cert. I have completed the classroom portion and the pool dive. I have my open water dives scheduled for 10-11 NOV. I am trying to get the dates moved up in order to complete the cert sooner - before it gets cold. I plan to further my cert to OWA and then to nitrox/SafeAir. I pretty much just want to be able to dive wherever with the exception of super deep stuff/tech stuff.

My current instructor is retired Army and has 7200+ dives. I think his log had 18,000 hours. That is insane.

I will be lurking through the forums looking for noob advice on masks and stuff like that.

I look forward to extracting your knowledge and learning from YOUR mistakes first!

 

[minnesnowta]

I'm new to this community too. Welcome and good luck with your open water test dives!

 

[boulderjohn]

Welcome to ScubaBoard.

In 5-6 years when you have a several hundred dives and are an instructor, just ask and we can change your screen name.

 

[iluvtheocean]

welcome to the board both of you. Since you are in the military - just to let you know - it is possible to stay and dive in Key West on a limited budget. On base housing of either mobile home,townhouse, or you can bring an RV and most of the dive operators in key west have special pricing for the military for dives and other attractions thru ITT & https://navyreservations.dodlodging.net/checkAvailability.do
always happy to see new divers! dive while you can since babies will take up most of your time!

 

[1_Scuba_noob]

Thanks. I had them moved up to this weekend. I am excited. There is so much to read here... Just read the "Bent in Belize" thread... Crazy.

 

[Scuba_Noob]

Stole my username!

I know of many divers that started at a much later age than you. It's a lifelong passion. I don't know the ANDI system, but diving is diving. Once you get certified, just get out there and continue diving. Meet new buddies and such.

Scubaboard is a great resource for random facts, though you do have to filter through some chaff. Check out some of the subforums.

 

[1_Scuba_noob]

I will heed your advice, SN. Clearly you are intelligent!

 

[Bratface]

Welcome and love your photo and your description about your wife and family. I am fortunate to live in the caribbean and dive almost every weekend. I lived in Key West before moving to St Thomas and iluvtheocean is right. There are places to stay on base for military and their family. (I used to date a retired Lt Commander and diver.) It's not a bad place to go diving either. I moved to St Thomas right before they sunk the Vandenberg but was able to go back and dive it two or three times. Good luck to you as you start your new adventure and welcome to Scubaboard.