Wanderers

[Brokar Darasuum]

Just out of curiousity, who's not a member of any aliit? I myself am not, even though I frequently visit the websites of many aliite.

[General Kota]

I also am not, to tell you the truth I dont even know what it is. So i really feel left out.

[Brokar Darasuum]

Don't feel too left out. I'm unaffiliated by choice. An aliit is a group of Mandos that feel the same way about certain aspects of Mando culture or that live nearby. Browse through some of the aliite here and search online for others that may not be represented on this page to find one that suits you if you want to join one. You can always create your own, too.

[bradmcrae]

I'm not in an aliite because of the simple fact that for the next couple of years I'll constantly be in and out of the states on deployments, and not real easy finding anyone else in the army or rest of the military that are vod's :bang:

[KallSkirataII]

I considered aliite ruusane, but decided against it because I'm in 8th grade,and the only mando'ade in a family of 5. I'm thinking about getting some custom work done :D on my airsoft BDU just to show that I am Mandalorian.I'm probably tje youngest guy on here that even tries to be a Mandalorian.

[Mereel]

I don't belong to any aliit either. Im British and we don't have the same school grading system that America has. How old are students in the 8th grade? You could well be the youngest Mano'ade KallSkirataII. I left school 12 years ago. Work out my age if you must....

[Ontos]

What age do British finish schooling?
Kall would be like 14 or close to that...

[Mereel]

In Britain we leave school at 16.

[Ontos]

28 then?
10 years older than myself...

That doesn't include "uni" though right?

[Mereel]

In Britain you start 'junior' school at 4 and finish at 11. Then you go to 'senior' school until you are 16. Then if you choose you can go onto further education or simply leave education and get a job (or like me join the Armed Forces) which is college. Most people study 'A' levels, usually two to four of them, for 2 years (though you can do as many 'A' levels as you like for as long as you like). Then at 18 (presuming you did two years worth of 'A' levels) you go to University. A University degree takes around 3 1/2 years to complete. Of course you can do as many degrees, for as long as you like. So most students leave University at around 21. You could then complete a post graduation degree which takes 1-2 years or take a 'Masters' degree which takes 1-2 years or both. After that you could take a PHD. I'm not sure but I think they take 3 years to obtain. So basically in Britain, the maximum education is, age 4 right through to age 28.

[Ontos]

Damn ner vod.

In America we have Kindergarten that you start at age 4-5. After a year of that, you start "Middle School". Thats four years, each one being a "grade". At 5th grade you enter Junior High, which lasts for another 4 years. Those are you usually in the same complex....

Then High School. High School is four years and usually in a different place. After your 12 years of mindless bore, you can go to college which is normally another 4 years for a Bachelor's degree...

[sola'lor]

Most people I know do/did pre-school before kindergarten. I didn't though. In the Philippines they don't have a Junior High. So the finish High school at 16. It was wierd see a bunch of 16 year olds going to college.

[Mereel]

If you think thats weird Solar'lor you should see a bunch of 16 year olds learning how to strip down an SA80 and learning the finer points of how to use a bayonet. I remember when I became a stripy (seargent) and doing a stint training recruits, seeing these kids just out of school and teaching them CQB, showing them the optimum place to stick the pointy end of a commando dagger. *sighs* happy days.

[Ontos]

Felt pretty Mando huh, Mereel?

[Mereel]

Well you do feel sorta like a father to the young recruits Ontos. You train them the best you can and then when you're in the osik with them you fight & die together. When one of them is KIA it hurts like one of your own kids just bought it. I have a lot of happy memories as well as some gut wrenching ones. I remember when one of my lads got too close to an IED. I see it every time I close my eyes.

[sola'lor]

I'm trying to think of some appropriate words to say in response to that.

I guess the best I can come up with is, that must be intense.

[Mereel]

Yeah sorry about that. It was a bit too heavy I think, it why I don't usually share my combat experiences with others. Sorry vode, you didn't need to know that.

[Jor'urmankalar]

We are all family ner vod. We help shoulder everyone's burdens. Makes the load a little easier on the individual.

[sola'lor]

And I think it helps bring the reality of combat to those of us who haven't served in the military.

[Mereel]

Thank you vode it means a lot to me that you're here for me. For me it's the smells and sounds of war I'll never forget. The long boring times followed by short times of terror, how many times you actually have to stab someone before they finally bleed out, the rush you feel in the opening moments of an engagement then wondering if you should feel guilty for that young enemy soldier you slotted and losing far too many friends. Thank you all for being here. At least I am at peace now, with a wife and son who love me. And you too of course vode.

[Ontos]

Yeah, ner vod. We may not be able to fight with you, but we are here for you if you need. And spiritually, if that helps.

[KallSkirataII]

Yeah, I'm accually going into 8th grade, making me 13 and the youngest mando'ade. Just waiting for someone to call me Kall'ika. Kandossi!I'll pray for you Mereel.

[Mereel]

Thank you all vode. It's time for me to put down the gun and be free to live. I'm finally at peace, surrounded by family. I've secured my place in valhalla, now it's time to be a father and husband.
Enjoy your school years Kall'ika, they'll pass you by before you know it.

[Ontos]

Mereel, you are an alor if I ever saw one.

[Mereel]

Thank you Ontos that means a lot to me. Thank you ner vod. I have such wonderful vode.