#with a range of services and specialties

[electronalytics]

NB-IoT Smart Meter Market

[shadowmaat]

Jedi Service Corps

The Legends-fueled propaganda of "bad students get sent to the Agricorp/Services" has always bothered me. First of all, forcing kids into a career not of their choosing isn't the best way to encourage them to perform well.

The Services in general seem to get a bad rap, and TBH it's kind of bizarre to assume that every kid who winds up being taken in by the Jedi wants to grow up to be a cop. LOL!

There is so much untapped potential being ignored, and even within the four pseudo-canon branches there's a lot to explore.

Agriculture. Farmers Without Borders. LOL! It isn't just about growing plants, it's about analyzing trends, understanding ecosystems, geology, climatology, politics, etc. There's mechanical engineering so you know how to fix the machines that do the hardest labor (often illegally, given corporate software locks and so forth). Probably a lot of fiddly stuff with plant genetics, too, given similar issues with seed corporations.

Being Jedi, I'm sure they're also aware of the need to include "ornamental" plants to help with the emotional welfare of hurting/devastated populations.

Education. This field must be fucking wild. Sure, you have your future creche masters and archivists, but I imagine there are those who do public outreach, too, and go to schools to teach kids about what the Jedi do beyond waving laser swords. There's probably also a need for teachers in isolated/rural areas to help with basic things like reading, writing, and maths. Ditto areas devastated by wars and natural disasters, where kids need a safe distraction from trauma. I bet Educorp and Agricorp team up more often than people might think.

There's also the sheer variety of topics. Even something basic like history will have a wide net. Galactic history, region-specific, planetary, etc. And then there's the arts. Music, singing, dance, physical media, holo media, theatre, and so much more. There will be differences between species, understanding what they need to know, how they learn best, and what their aging process is like. Teachers to cover the full range of mortal maturity, from teaching toddlers to old-timers. And don't get me started on teaching "forbidden" topics in repressive communities.

Medical. LOL. Every. Single. Species. And often subtypes between them. So many specialists needed. And again, you probably have a number that specialize in helping in disaster areas. Hello, Educorp, let's help teach these people how to best care for themselves. Maybe Agricorp can help with showing folks how to purify their air and water. There must be SO many diseases, some of which have inoculations and so that don't. And again, figuring ways to smuggle medicine and supplies to those who need it despite the extortionist rates corporations charge. Repairing faulty equipment, finding work-arounds when the parts aren't there. Triage. Using the Force to help heal is all well and good, but sometimes they still have to get hands-on.

Even with non-emergency stuff, I imagine they're still kept busy. The idea of a Jedi "country doctor" settled in some remote area sounds delightful. Communities that get "lost" in the shuffle or otherwise overlooked. Veterinary medicine as a sub-specialty.

Jedi having a special "knack" for determining what's wrong with someone, finding early warning signs before it's too late, etc. Comforting the dying. Comforting the survivors. ALL the mental health stuff and neurodivergence.

Exploration. Jedi Starfleet. LOL! It isn't all about discovering new worlds, though. Sometimes it's rediscovering planets and cultures that have been forgotten. Charting new hyperlane routes and hoping the end doesn't pop you out in the middle of a star.

I betcha you could fold so many things into this one. Botany. Archaeology. Xenoanthropology. Medicine, of course, since new worlds/people means new poisons, venoms, and diseases. New or ancient languages? It'd help to have someone around who could work on translating. Diplomats to help you talk to people. Geologists. Zoologists. A bit of everything.

Sure, there'd be room for solo missions, but I imagine there'd be bigger ships that they'd launch from. A place to come back to so the brains can pore over everything you brought back and see what they can determine from it. And big ships (or any ships really) means pilots, engineers, general crew, logistics, and all those fun things.

Anyway, I can see plenty of room for additional corps, too, but of the ones that get mentioned in Legends there's still a huge playing field.

[bigtreefest]

Chapter 1: The President’s Son

From: Guardian Angel Series

Pairing: (future) Mafia! Stucky x Bodyguard! Reader

Summary: A longtime client snubs you, causing you to leave the life you know

Word Count: 3,629

Content/Warnings: swears, patriarchy, weaponized incompetence, borderline mansplaining, yelling, fighting, mentions of nose picking, misogyny, secrets, explosions, mentions of weapons, strong female characters, no Steve or Bucky yet

A/N: Okay, here’s the start of something long-anticipated by me. I hope you enjoy! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, can’t wait to hear what you guys think!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Next >

You stood in the back of the banquet hall, eyes surveying the room like they did any other, as you tried to appear as nonchalant waitstaff for the function. That was your specialty: blending in to the background, and you were damn good at it. Tonight’s job was to do so as your were protecting the most important individuals entrusted to you: the First Lady and her son.

You moved with ease throughout the evening, keeping mobile with your head on a swivel, eyes never leaving your two clients for more than a couple seconds. After a cocktail hour, everyone had sat down for dinner and a round of awards and speeches, leaving you here for a relatively easy period.

You didn’t work alone, no. You were here as part of a group. Part of a company, actually, and it belonged to your father. He ran a security conglomerate which focused heavily on government contracting, ranging from secret service duties, to vehicle brigades, to protection and procurement of goods, virtual and physical, and you knew every single part of it. You loved your job, and you loved working with your dad. For as long as you could remember, you would spend all of your free time in his office with him as he went through schedules, and escape plans, and all sorts of strategies to keep his patrons and their assets safe. You were always flitting around, learning new things, earning you the nickname ‘tweety bird’ from him, which correlated to your codename Redwing.

You’d picked it all up so easily, you were a natural, which earned you your first presidential-adjacent gig much younger than anyone else around. Sure, it started as you going to school and posing as another student to protect the president’s son, even thought you were a few years out already, which wasn’t necessarily glamorous, since you were meant to fly under the radar, but it was an independent job. One that was coming to a close, though, as this was your eighth year of doing the same. Soon, the president would be out of office, and the security detail on his family would be greatly reduced, likely no longer requiring your services.

Even as you let your mind wander, blocking out the droning speeches and rich people backstories, you remained on high alert. If anything bad was going to happen, you had a feeling it would be at an event like this one. An event where everyone had their guard down because it was for a universally agreeable good cause. But for some reason, heading into it tonight, something was churning in your gut.

After not being able to ignore the way your stomach twisted and turned, you had gone to speak to your father about tonight, requesting backup in addition to your other two friends, Natasha and Daisy, who often accompanied you to guard shifts associated with larger crowds.

Usually he was on the same page as you, but lately, your requests had been met with more protest, likely due to your little brother’s input buzzing in your father’s ear.

Your brother, Dylan, had just freshly turned eighteen, and with it came more responsibility in the agency. For being so much younger than you, your father was giving him mountains of control, including this event of your two most important clients. With your request of a team came the the caveat that your brother would be leading it.

Dylan was, to put it nicely, an oaf? Incapable of performing a task without crashing and burning, which made your blood boil. Probably from the fires he created and you subsequently had to put out. You had no room to complain, though, as your father dismissed you from his office.

So Dylan ‘led’ your team this evening, packed with his twerp friends who were more capable, but just as reckless as him. They’d listen to some of your orders, but not without the confirmation of your brother, who knew better enough sometimes to listen to your input.

You let him think he was in the lead tonight, executing a plan you had essentially spoon fed to him in your meetings leading up to the event. There were several backup plans and exit strategies that had their own code names, made by you, of course. All Dylan, or ‘The Chief,’ as he liked to go as over coms, had to do was keep an eye out on the cameras for any suspicious activity around the venue, and be prepared to drive away if he called for extraction due to suspicious activity. That was it. You and your two trusty companions would take control of everything inside the banquet, while two of Dylan’s friends surveilled the outside. Should be easy, right?

Dylan had been instructed to give an update through your earpiece every three minutes, on any action seen in the camera footage. Every time he did, though, it was accompanied by music blasting in the car, and the increments kept getting further and further apart. Almost like he was forgetting about his responsibilities and the importance of this event on your shoulders, should something go wrong. You rolled your eyes and kept a watch of the room. If you had such little backup, it was on you now to do this job, without the team you had specifically requested.

Dylan’s friends seemed to go quiet, too, which you were hoping wasn’t due to capture or something worse, but when you heard conversation about a fantasy football draft in your ear, you knew they were at least alive, although not helpful at all.

You were sick of running blind, though, so you casually made it look like your were scratching your ear and turned away from the crowd.

“Chief, status report.” Nothing. You waited thirty seconds. Silence.

You turned back to the room, the gnawing feeling in your stomach growing as you looked out at the crowd. Natasha, code name Widow, was making her way around with a tray of champagne flutes. Daisy, codename Blossom, sat in a vent somewhere, watching from above and monitoring everyone’s trackers. The three of you sighed and continued on, hoping this night wouldn’t be every eventful, but that’s never how life goes, is it?

“Blossom, report on coms. Is everything working?”

You waited a second for the response.

“All is good, Redwing. It’s a human, not technology error.”

You rolled your eyes for the thousandth time that night, but were pulled out of your annoyance by a searing sound. In the next moment, just as you were about to ask for any other possible news from Daisy, a crackling took over your ear.

You fought the urge to wince and draw attention to yourself. It was probably Dylan finally getting back to you, but the voice that came through was one you’d never heard before. It was low and urgent.

“Get them out of there.”

You couldn’t help the way your eyes went wide and you whisper yelled, turning into the fake plant you found yourself nearby.

“Who is this? This is a secure line! What’s going on?”

You were surprised by the warning firmness of the speaker, it was menacing, who did this person think they were? Was that a threat?

“This is Bootleg. Your clients are in danger. What’s about to happen isn’t meant for them. Find a way to get them to leave.”

You sighed and nodded, although the disembodied voice named ‘Bootleg’ wasn’t reassuring. You knew to never turn down a tip, though. You weren’t going to risk it with clients like this. So you let out a sigh and made eye contact with Nat across the room.

“Execute plan beta sixteen alpha.”

She gave you a curt nod and increased her pace in a way only someone with your type of training could pick up. She was circling to make her movements seem undetectable, but she was ultimately going towards the First Lady and her son. Nat tripped, spilling the tray of champagne on their laps, causing them to gasp and look down. You could tell they were ready to yell, but they looked to your face and you nodded, signaling them to get up, brushing away anyone with apologies or offers for help, saying they were just going to clean up. The rest of the rich party goers didn’t pay it a second thought besides whispers of clumsy waitstaff. It’s not like they would bother to remember the face of one of them, though, and were too busy watching a fumbling Nat to see your approach to take your clients out of the venue. You did your best to move slowly to the same exit as them, and as soon as your bodies were behind the closed ballroom door, you were rushing them towards the back service door to get in Dylan’s getaway vehicle.

You ducked their heads under your arms as you rushed them out, and shoved them into the back of the town car, only giving a quick, breathless word to your clients and your brother.

“Take them home, Dyl. Fast. Don’t let yourself get tracked. I’ll take the decoy car. Go, now!”

He nodded like a bobble head, shifting the car in gear and peeling out of the lot as you jogged over to the other vehicle where Daisy and Nat were already waiting in the front seat for you. They moved fast.

You hopped in, Daisy expertly backing out until she hit the street. Just as she put it in drive, you flinched at a sudden noise and looked out the back window to where an explosion happened in front of the venue and soldiers dressed in all black rushed in through the cloud of smoke. This would definitely hit the news tomorrow, but you were sure your father would commend you for the safe delivery of two of his most important packages.

Daisy and Nat had been by your side for as long a you could remember. When you were in elementary school, you remembered a brooding girl sitting at the end of the lunch table, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed, with the angriest pout you’d ever seen. You walked over and plopped down with your tray.

“Hi.”

She looked up from her meal and to your smile and simply gave a blink of acknowledgment, face unchanging.

“Are you okay? Something wrong with your lunch?”

She shook her head and took a deep breath, sitting up to eat a tater tot.

“No. Something’s wrong with my shirt.”

You tilted your head to the side. “What about it? I think it’s beautiful. I love Daisies.”

She shrugged and continued to pick through her food. “Yeah, I guess they’re alright. But my mom forced me to wear this. I had a plain black shirt picked out and she gave me this. I don’t wanna wear daisies.”

You giggled and looked down at the plain black shirt on your body. “Trade?”

For the first time, you watched the corner of her lip reach a smile, your new friend who would soon earn the shirt flower as a nickname. That little grin was huge compared to the tight line her lip previously held. That was the start of a bunch of mini smirks and teamwork.

Nat had been around since you were in diapers. Her parents had worked for your father’s organization their entire lives, so when they passed as she was in her teens, your family took her in.

She was always incredibly smart, her wit challenging you and Daisy, but the two of you would hit her right back. The timeline of her moving in with you, too, was a few years before the presidential gig started, but she rose through the ranks with you, through every single job, the two of you bringing Daisy on board who caught on quickly. Your grouping was nearly unrivaled. Nearly.

Daisy and Nat physically stood by your sides as the three of you looked on to your father talking on a podium. Your best suits were pressed and tailored perfectly for the special occasion. It was his retirement party in your family’s backyard garden where he was noting the successes of the company under him, including the recent incident from which the two important clients had been saved.

The three of you lightly nudged each other’s arms in commendation for the quick act despite your lack of backup, a small smile on your face, a smirk on Nat’s, with Daisy looking as composed and stoic as ever. You father continued in his speech, noting the valiant effort that needs to be maintained in a generational business like this, one that should be rewarded and carried on for the generations to come. You stood straight, chin up with pride at your hard work and dedication finally paying off.

“I was a young pup, only in my early twenties when I took this business over from my father. He deemed me most fit for the job, so it is my pleasure to do the same, keeping this line of work led by my family. I’d like to name my replacement, someone who valiantly saved the president’s son and wife. Someone who the son has raved about for returning them home to the White House safely. My wonderful child…”

You were ready for the culmination of years being under his wing. He gestured his arm out to the side and you braced yourself for the good news, except the arm wasn’t outstretched towards you. It was directed towards the other side of the stage and everyone’s eyes followed. “Dylan.”

Dylan was jerkily shoved forward by one of his friends, having been zoned out for the entirety of your father’s speech, but at the sound of cheering and clapping, a smile grew on his face. He waved at the crowd, walking over to the podium to shake your father’s hand and give a word of his own.

Meanwhile, your face fell. It was dragged downward in defeat. You quickly pulled yourself together, though, at a squeeze to your arm. You couldn’t even tell which side it came from. Your body was going numb. Shifting to plant your feet and fighting the burn in your eyes, you looked straight forward, no longer at the podium, although you had no way to shut off your ears.

“Wow, wow. Thank you. This is such an honor. At eighteen years old, I will be the youngest to ever run this organization.”

It seemed like he’s was at least doing well and presenting a strong face. That was rare.

“Haha, I beat ya, gramps! Okay, let’s party!”

You outwardly cringed, but your legs were paralyzed as his friends let out a whooping cheer and the party erupted in confetti. It was getting caught in your hair as Nat and Daisy dragged you away and inside, up the stairs to your childhood bedroom, jostling you like a rag doll. You felt almost catatonic.

As soon as you flopped down on your bed, though, you turned over and screamed into your pillow before sitting up, realizing this act of melodrama was going to wrinkle your suit.

You sat up and sniffled, rubbing your eyes and taking a deep breath to give yourself just a moment to think. You looked between your best friends and started pointing.

“Daise, can you pack up anything you think I might need from here? Whatever I can’t live without.”

You then looked to the redhead who was peeking out the window, watching your father enter the outdoor entrance of his home office.

“Nat, can you gather some home essentials? Food, first aid, some of the hidden and spare weapons. Only the ones they won’t sense are missing, okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. We better do it quick. Your pops just came in.”

You bit your lip and your nostrils flared in anger and thought, rubbing your hands over your face. “Okay. That’s fine, I need to talk to him anyway. That should give you enough time to grab everything. Then we’re heading back to the apartment to get some essentials.”

The three of you were roommates in the city, renting out a place Daisy’s distant uncle owned, which allowed you some freedoms, as well as independence from the possible tracing of your location on government records. Even under a security conglomerate, you could sense things were going downhill, so it was a good choice to move out and detach yourself. At this point, you were barely traceable. Only one thing tethered you here on a paper trail: the company.

You stormed out of your room and down the stairs to the hall that held your father’s office. You were furious. You had no patience left for formality or kindness, this was all rage. You kicked in the strong oak door, splintering the wooden frame, and were met with the view of your father and brother clinking whiskey glasses, an old celebratory reserve poured in them.

You stomped over to the filing cabinets where your file, thick as a novel, was stored. Next to it, you pulled out two more, no less impressive. Your dad, even though he possessed several methods for tech security, still kept employee information on paper in case he accidentally hired a mole. Everything was under lock and key and 24 hour surveillance.

You dug around in the left side drawer of his desk until you found the cigar lighter, hitting the edge of the folders until they caught and throwing them into his metal trash can. It was only then that he and your brother let words come out of their dropped jaws and awestruck faces.

“Tweety Bird, what’s the issue, kiddo? Didn’t wanna celebrate with your old man and little brother?”

You scoffed as you put your hands on your hips.

“Celebrate!? Celebrate what!? Being snubbed? Overlooked for something I’ve dedicated my life towards!?”

Your father’s bushy brows furrowed in confusion, your brother’s face mirroring it in a mini version. “What do you mean? You haven’t been snubbed. Dylan and I agree you’re meant to run teams and operations. You wouldn’t want to be in charge. Plus, it’s tradition that the first son takes over.”

You threw your hands up in exasperation. Smoke was filling the room, but partially getting swept out the cracked windows that pointed toward the back yard. “You didn’t think to ask me, the one keeping your business afloat, to run it!? No one knows it better than me, but it’s so ridiculous. Just because I’m an older sister like Aunt Kay, doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be in charge! She wanted to leave this life, but I don’t!”

You heard a chuckle rise behind you. “What, Dylan?”

He shrugged with a smug smile on his face. “Aunt Kay didn’t want to leave this life. She wanted the company, too. But Gramps gave it to dad. That’s why she fucked off to who knows where and started that bank vault company.”

You gasped in shock and looked to your father but he seemed unaffected. You turned to him now, disgusted with the sight of your little brother. “What!? Do you hear yourself right now!? Just because we aren’t men!? That’s insane!! I’m the one who saved the president’s family. Not Dylan, me! He was too busy sitting on his ass and picking his nose to be of any help. Maybe we would’ve seen the team coming to attack the venue sooner if he would’ve done his job!”

Your chest was heaving and your face was warm from the yelling. Your father still calmly continued. “Dylan returned the family safe and sound. You were nowhere to be seen. He deserves this step of responsibility, but I have no doubt you can guide him like an invisible hand.”

You shook your head, moving back towards the door between the leather couches of the sitting area, pacing on the Persian rug. “No, no. Absolutely not. I refuse to keep performing thankless service. You’ve made a mistake. I no longer want to work for you and I no longer want to be a part of this family. This whole thing is fucked. I’m out.”

Your father sighed, about to speak up. “Bird, we-“

He was cut off by the arm of your brother, though. “No, dad. If she wants to leave, I think she should. I don’t want anyone here questioning my leadership. The president’s son will back me on that. He’s upset the extraction ruined a designer suit and thinks that I’m the best fit, too. I can run this without her.”

Your dad gave a hmph of affirmation, which sent you over the edge. After all those years of service, both your father and the president’s son still didn’t credit your work. You couldn’t stand this anymore, especially not when Dylan was fabricating lies in his own head about the greatness you performed.

“You know what, Dyl? Yeah, let’s have it your way. You guys will never need to see me again. Good luck not running this thing into the ground.”

You turned on your heel and marched out the door. When you turned the corner, you saw both Nat and Daisy waiting for you, double fisting duffel bags. You motioned for both of them to head to Nat’s car, walking quickly, but they were more than capable of keeping up. You heard Daisy speak from over your left shoulder.

“Bird, where are we going?”

As you barged through the glass front door and put on your sunglasses, you took a breath in of the air that marked your new life, outside the stuffy patriarchy of what you thought would be your legacy.

“Somewhere far. And don’t ever call me that again.”

Next >

Bonus A/N: Bruh, could you imagine being betrayed by your own father like that? Also, we’ll be seeing more of Daisy as the reader for Jake’s storyline in the future.

Taglist: @hawkeyes-queen @ronearoundblindly

[grison-in-space]

Hello!

Since my elderly cat just died, I’m starting to bat around the idea of seriously training an at-home service cat. Pesterbot, routine nudges, maybe as much grounding pressure as they can give me (time for a big fluffy boy?), and if they pick up on med-alert cues, great.

I’ve chatted with the local rescue already - I figure I want one cat whose early life and temperament have set them up for secure attachment and assertiveness, and another to be a buddy for them, ok if they’re more skittish of humans. Ideally ~6-8 mo so the adult personality has started to show but I still have some relatively early socialization window.

Any thoughts on rescue vs breeder, breed, how to look for a breeder who *actually* values temperament and health, the odds of known ancestors and a known-good early life making that much of a difference? I’m liking the look of the forest cats (especially NFCs and Siberians) but also, $$$$ (though with a purebred cost is probably just something to plan for)? Or anything I’m missing in thinking through this?

No, I think you've hit just about everything that occurs to me. With a purebred cat(s), you're dealing with a history of selection that might be a little curtailed, which means you'll want to look for genetic disorders known to run in that line of cats and also that you will want to cross-reference opinions from multiple people in the breed if you can. With a rescue cat, you're looking at a whole lot of unknowns that can be really hard to predict, especially with respect to temperament at maturity.

I am not sure that NFCs or Siberians are the best temperamental range for that kind of work, though: you want an opinionated and socially oriented cat, and my understanding of the reputation of the forest cats is that they're like... slightly more active Ragdolls? I'd ping in @pangur-and-grim and @followthebluebell for assessments of breed temperaments. You're also going to want a relatively active cat who is interested in watching what you're doing and responding to your environment: remember, you'd be paying this cat to come interact with you when you're stuck / when an alarm goes off, and you'll have the most success with that if your cat likes thinking and moving with you.

This is also the sort of cat my spouse and I like best--active, bold, interested in interaction, easily bored--and we've been eyeing up some potential purebred options as well as considering rescue after, well, my last rescue kitten developed severe pica at around six months. That's less likely to happen to you with a 6-9mo adolescent kitten--I got Arthur at 10 weeks and he was obviously neurodivergent in some way by then, if only by virtue of his blindness--but it was pretty catastrophic for his ability to have unfettered access to me, for example.

From my perspective, the biggest benefit of purebred cats are that a lot of the cat breeds have selected clearly for specific ranges of temperament over time. It's definitely going to be easier to find someone else going "a bossy, energetic cat who wants to be Interacting With You frequently? boy howdy, I'd love that!" among the ranks of, well, Serious Cat People.... which includes a lot of cat breeders, but not a ton of cat owners. A lot of people seem to pick cats based on color, proximity, and kitten cuteness, which still blows my mind a bit coming from dogs!

I can tell you straight up that the best way to pick a rescue cat by temperament is to (ideally) aim for a foster based rescue, contact an adoption coordinator directly, and explain that you are looking for a cat based on personality rather than based on looks, that you're looking for a fairly high-demand cat, and ask them if any candidates come to mind. (My experience is that not caring about appearance and being open to cats which are not very young kittens motivates those coordinators to think of their favorite individual cats to suggest.)

You could also look for local cat trainers in your area--a specialty that is getting increasingly popular! look near veterinary behaviorists or cat-only vets--and see if they have recommendations, since they probably have a lot of experience with high-demand cats and people who invest a lot into their cats in your area. Basically, find yourself a way to talk to people who have interacted with a lot of the cats locally up for adoption, especially because the ideal temperament for a service cat is not necessarily going to be everyone else's cup of tea for a pet cat.

I can tell you that a big chunk of the people I have found actively breeding for that kind of temperament are involved with the various wildcat cross breeds, particularly Bengals (which is where I'd start rather than Savannahs or Chausies, personally: it's easier to find F5+ individuals, especially if you're looking for people who are really interested in breeding for trainability). My sense with the purebreds based on my reading is that Abyssinians or, if you can find them, Havana Browns might also be worth a look.

Consider if and when approaching a breeder or rescue: what are you going to do if one or both potential cats wash out of service work? Would you rehome them and try again? (To whom?) Would you keep them as ESAs and add a third cat? The natural concern that a lot of people will have about being approached for a service animal, especially one like a cat, is "what happens if it doesn't work out?" I think your plan is to go "well then I still have pet cats," but that should be clear to your potential cat sources, too.

But anyway, that's why I tagged Greer and Bluebell: both of them have way more personal experience with cat breeders and purebred cats than I do, and I think they'd be good resources if you want to aim in a more purpose-bred direction.

[usnatarchives]

The WAVES of Change: Women's Valiant Service in World War II 🌊

When the tides of World War II swelled, an unprecedented wave of women stepped forward to serve their country, becoming an integral part of the U.S. Navy through the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program. This initiative not only marked a pivotal moment in military history but also set the stage for the transformation of women's roles in the armed forces and society at large. The WAVES program, initiated in 1942, was a beacon of change, showcasing the strength, skill, and patriotism of American women during a time of global turmoil.

The inception of WAVES was a response to the urgent need for additional military personnel during World War II. With many American men deployed overseas, the United States faced a shortage of skilled workers to support naval operations on the home front. The WAVES program was spearheaded by figures such as Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, the first woman commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Under her leadership, WAVES members were trained in various specialties, including communications, intelligence, supply, medicine, and logistics, proving that women could perform with as much competence and dedication as their male counterparts.

The impact of the WAVES program extended far beyond the war effort. Throughout their service, WAVES members faced and overcame significant societal and institutional challenges. At the time, the idea of women serving in the military was met with skepticism and resistance; however, the exemplary service of the WAVES shattered stereotypes and demonstrated the invaluable contributions women could make in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their work during the war not only contributed significantly to the Allies' victory but also laid the groundwork for the integration of women into the regular armed forces.

The legacy of the WAVES program is a testament to the courage and determination of the women who served. Their contributions went largely unrecognized for many years, but the program's impact on military and gender norms has been profound. The WAVES paved the way for future generations of women in the military, demonstrating that service and sacrifice know no gender. Today, women serve in all branches of the U.S. military, in roles ranging from combat positions to high-ranking officers, thanks in no small part to the trail blazed by the WAVES.

The WAVES program was more than just a wartime necessity; it was a watershed moment in the history of women's rights and military service. The women of WAVES not only supported the United States during a critical period but also propelled forward the conversation about gender equality in the armed forces and beyond. Their legacy is a reminder of the strength and resilience of women who rise to the challenge, breaking barriers and making waves in pursuit of a better world.

Read more: https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2023/11/06/historic-staff-spotlight-eunice-whyte-navy-veteran-of-both-world-wars/

[thislovintime]

Photo 1 courtesy of Disc & Music Echo, January 1968. "When they shot them down at Kent State, that was the end of the flower-power era. That was it. You throw your flowers and rocks at us, man, and we'll just pull the guns on you. Essentially, the revolution, which was sort of tolerated as long as it wasn't a significant material threat, was not tolerated anymore. And everybody went 'Ooops' and scurried for cover and licked their wounds. They became isolated – which was the point of it all. 'Togetherness isn't going to get it' was the moral they tried to lay on us, because the less togetherness there is, the more room there is for exploitation. Kent State was an attempt. Let's try this and see what happens. And what happened was the shooting and vast inflation and a swing to the right — the moral majority. The whole thing was inherent in the situation. A certain amount of loosening up, a certain amount of extra leisure, and people are going to try to improve their lot instead of just barely hanging on. If you had a little extra you're going to try to make everything better. And if you see that your own happiness, or the lack of it, is tied in with the sadness of your neighbor, you're going to start feeling communal. And that's going to expand until the crunch comes. As long as people are educated to believe that isolated self-interest is the only way to go, when the crunch comes they'll withdraw from each other. And only now, in the faintest glimmerings, do I see any sense that people are realizing that togetherness and flower power alone won't get it. It's got to be togetherness, flower power, plus a willingness to do something pretty stern from time to time. If you're not willing to behave sternly, people who won't stop short of stern behavior are going to keep on going. It's taken a while for that message to sink in." - Peter, When The Music Mattered (1984)

“I personally find the idea that we (as a country) never did anything bad to anybody else, and that the only reason anyone would do anything to us is their unbridled inhuman evil, to be very far wide of the truth. The number of times I have been accosted in one way or another where I had nothing to do with it is maybe in the 3-5% range, if that. I’m not excusing anyone from blame. But the more we think we’re all good and certain others are all evil, the worse things get, not the better they get. Only the humility to realize my part in the events of my life allows me to walk in relative peace. The other attitude is called pride, in the seven-deadly-sins sense of the word, and the Bible is dead right when it says it goes before a fall.” - Peter, Ask Peter Tork

Q (from a 15-year-old): “[W]hat do you think young-ish people can do to help the world 'situation’?” Peter: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and there’s no getting over that. The job for the rest of us is simply not to demonize anyone, and to fight as hard as needed for what we are sure is right. As to what the ‘young-ish’ can do, I propose what I propose the old-timers do: do what’s in front of you to do with gusto (you’ll never find out how things are if you do them half-assedly), and remember that everyone’s doing his or her best, no matter how awful that may be. Thanks for asking. Keep up the good fight.” - Ask Peter Tork

“Those of us who were truly interested in liberty, fraternity and equality, however, knew we were onto something good and real. What had been called democracy was, and to some extent still is, a pretext for wrapping the will of the greedy and aggressive in a mantle of public acquiescence. Now, the business of wresting power away from those who make a specialty of wielding it will be a long and protracted struggle, with a lot of setbacks along the way. The outlines of the new style of governance are only dimly perceivable, and won’t become clear for a long time to come. In the meantime, our job is to practice the principles of fairness and service to the extent possible. One thing is clear: there is a much higher joy in service than there is in acquisition of wealth. (Remember that it isn’t money that’s the root of all evil, it’s the love of money.) Hanging together in brother — and sisterhood is so happy-making you want to sing right out loud. Yeah, I feel the same about those ideas as I did then…in case you couldn’t tell. heheheh” - Peter, Ask Peter Tork

“I believe very much in all that I believed in back in the 60’s. I hope I’m more aware of the practicalities than I was then, but I am positive that the values and principles I held then are critical to the well-being of the planet, or at the very least, critical to growth and contentment in the population. As to the practicalities: the chance of no more war in our lifetimes is so close to zero that I don’t imagine it possible, tho’ there well may be progress along these lines. May be. Sometimes I see the world as an eternal horse race between salvation and dissolution, now one, and now the other gaining the lead. But to the extent that we can learn, each and all of us, that the cooperative good is good for the greatest individual good (with safeguards, to be sure), that forgiveness is the route to true inner peace, and that not everything we deem wrong or bad may be so, to that extent hassles of all shapes, sizes and colors will diminish. I am so sure of all this that I would, I hope, be willing to bet my life on these principles.” - Peter Tork, Ask Peter Tork

[sanchoyoscribbles]

commissions are open on vgen now! I'm still new to vgen, but the process looks a lot more streamlined than other services so I'm excited to try it. it has a verification process + a review system! so if you buy something from me and like it you can leave a review so others know I'm good to work with! :D

(like kofi it accepts most major payment types! and kofi comms are still available as well ^_^)

no pressure, just if u like my art and want something custom :) prices range between $5-$100ish, I am trying to keep it affordable.

icons, chibis, reference sheets (detailed and simple), wardrobe/outfit design, and full illustrations available ATM. More details and prices in the link. my specialties are magical girls/bright colorful art but I'm open to doing other stuff! ^_^

https://vgen.co/sanchoyoscribbles

https://ko-fi.com/sanchoyoscribbles/

(tumblr doesn't like to allow post with links to show up in the main tags, so reblogs are super appreciated! 💗)

[somaliapearls]

✧ Riley “RJ” Jameson✧

✧ Eye of the Storm masterlist

🌪️ tyler owens x fem

✧ genre: angst, fluff, friends to lovers, slow burn

╔══《✧》══╗

Name: Riley “RJ” Jameson

Age: 20-22 (same age range as Tyler Owens)

Background: Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, RJ grew up under the vast, storm-ridden skies of the High Plains. Her father was a local meteorologist who used to take her out to watch thunderstorms from a safe distance—until one of those storms turned deadly, taking both of her parents in a freak EF4 twister when she was 13. After that, RJ was raised by her older brother, who’s now a mechanic and storm spotter for the National Weather Service.

Personality: Gritty, fiercely independent, and quick with a sarcastic comeback. RJ doesn’t open up easily but is intensely loyal to those she trusts. She has a deep respect for nature’s power and views storm chasing not just as a thrill—but as a way to give meaning to what she lost.

Role in the Team:

• Specialty: Drone tech and atmospheric data collection

• Skills: Custom-rigs and programs weather drones to collect pressure and wind data from inside tornadic storms. Self-taught coder.

• Style: Practical, minimalist, but with a few punk elements—combat boots, patched jacket, black nail polish. Wears a silver storm pendant that belonged to her mom.

Relationship with Tyler:

They start as cautious allies—RJ thinks Tyler’s too reckless, and Tyler thinks RJ is too stuck in the data—but over time, they develop mutual respect, challenge each other, and maybe… something more. Their banter is legendary among the team.

Motivation:

RJ doesn’t chase storms for the adrenaline—she chases to understand them, to predict them better, and to prevent others from experiencing the kind of loss she went through. Her quiet intensity brings balance to the crew’s wilder personalities.

Fun Fact:

RJ once flew a drone directly into the eye of a supercell and got the cleanest wind shear readout the team had ever seen. She named the drone “Walt” after her dad.

 ╚══《✧》══╝

[femmefatalevibe]

Hey, I saw that you're a copywriter. I'm in the process of doing reach outs. Is there any advice you could perhaps give me?

Hi love! I would say to keep the following in mind:

Have all your materials (portfolio, website, clips, LinkedIn, rate card, etc.) neatly packaged and easy to browse through

Define your USP and core specialties/services. Why would a prospective client hire you specifically? What makes your expertise, experiences, offerings, etc. the perfect fit for their needs?

Have an elevator pitch/intro in every reach out to humanize yourself and share your unique value-add

Tailor every pitch and use it as a chance to position yourself as the solution to their business needs/pain points (this can range from having a niche/specialty that aligns with their needs, such as experience writing tech-focused email copy, or offering them a greater business need like brand awareness to a specific market)

Research, research, research –– about the business/client/contact you're reaching out to, their existing marketing materials/press mentions/social feeds, general knowledge of the industry, etc.

Have an onboarding/workflow process for every project. Be prepared to share a general overview of how you work in a discovery call

Ask for a discovery call at the end of our every reach-out message

Know your rates and turnaround times/rush rates ahead of time

For any discovery call, always be prepared to run the show/ask questions that will help you better understand their needs/business/personalities and work style

Hope this helps xx

[pix4japan]

Three Generations of Tradition: Hamadaya Kimono Care Shop

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan Timestamp: 17:41・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter ISO 1250 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2 Classic Negative film simulation

Hamadaya, a kimono tailor and cleaning specialty shop, has a rich history dating back to the 1920s when it began as a dyeing workshop. Today, they specialize in the meticulous care and maintenance of kimono garments. Their services include professional cleaning, stain removal, tailoring to fit your body measurements, and various alterations.

With access to a wide range of silk materials, Hamadaya offers not only traditional kimono but also a variety of Japanese-style clothing items reminiscent of kimonos, along with tenugui towels and unique furoshiki cloths. Additionally, they provide a selection of souvenir silk items highly sought after by overseas tourists.

As a family-run establishment, Hamadaya is currently led by its third-generation owner, ensuring a legacy of craftsmanship and dedication to preserving the art of kimono.

Check out my full write-up, which includes a glossary, references for further reading, and Google Maps link (https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20240409-kimono).

[misszahraashena]

Clarity Eye Health: Where Vision Meets Expertise and Compassion

Clarity Eye Health is a leading modern ophthalmic care center that delivers expert vision care through a dedicated, patient-first approach. At the heart of this renowned practice is Miss Zahra Ashena, a respected Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with specialized expertise in complex cataracts, corneal diseases, advanced refractive surgery, Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL), Pterygium and Corneal Cross-linking. Her dedication to clinical excellence and compassionate care, positions Clarity Eye Health as a trusted name in vision treatment across London and beyond.

Miss Ashena earns her medical degree with honors in 2005 and completes a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Medicine in 2009. This background allows her to offer a comprehensive approach to care that integrates both medical science and holistic principles. After completing her ophthalmology training in the Severn and KSS deaneries, she becomes a certified ophthalmologist in 2018. She then undertakes a two-year fellowship in anterior segment surgery at Sussex Eye Hospital, gaining extensive experience in treating complex corneal diseases and performing intricate cataract surgeries.

In 2021, Miss Ashena assumes her current role as Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. She leads the Cataract Service, performing a high volume of surgeries that restore sight and improve patients’ lives. In addition to her surgical practice, she invests in the future of ophthalmology by training junior doctors and students across North East London. She also serves as an examiner for the Certificate of Laser and Refractive Surgery.

With over 35 published studies in peer-reviewed journals, Miss Ashena’s clinical research focuses on cataract surgery, premium intraocular lenses, corneal transplants and refractive techniques. Her contributions to scientific literature and ongoing research raise the standard of care offered at Clarity Eye Health. Patients here receive not just treatment, but compassionate, evidence-based care driven by a deep passion for restoring vision.

Services We Offer

Clarity Eye Health provides a comprehensive suite of ophthalmic services in Essex tailored to treat a wide range of eye conditions:

Allergic Eye Disease: Accurate diagnosis and treatment that relieves symptoms and prevents complications.

Astigmatism: Customized solutions such as toric lenses and refractive surgery that enhance visual clarity.

Blepharitis: Targeted care to treat eyelid inflammation and improve comfort.

Chalazion: Medical or minor surgical interventions that resolve eyelid cysts effectively.

Corneal Dystrophies: Expert care for inherited corneal conditions, including surgical options when needed.

Corneal Ulcer: Timely treatment of infections to preserve sight and avoid scarring.

Dry Eye Syndrome: Tailored plans to stabilize tear production and enhance comfort.

Episcleritis/Scleritis: Accurate diagnosis and care for scleral and episcleral inflammation.

Flashes and Floaters: Careful evaluation to detect any serious retinal issues.

Glaucoma: Early intervention to manage eye pressure and protect the optic nerve.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Correction via glasses, contacts or surgery for clear near vision.

Keratoconus: Advanced treatment including cross-linking and specialty lenses to stabilize corneal shape.

Myopia (Near-sightedness): Comprehensive care ranging from optical aids to surgical correction.

Presbyopia: Age-related vision issues treated with multifocal lenses and refractive options.

Uveitis: Effective treatment to control inflammation and preserve vision.

YAG Laser Capsulotomy: A non-invasive procedure that restores vision after cataract surgery.

YAG Laser Iridotomy: Preventative laser treatment for angle-closure glaucoma to improve fluid flow.

Every service at Clarity Eye Health is focus on clinical precision and patient-centered care. The goal remains the same-enhancing vision and improving quality of life.

Conclusion

Clarity Eye Health continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in ophthalmic care. With Miss Zahra Ashena at the helm, the clinic combines world-class expertise, compassionate service and a deep-rooted commitment to research and education. From diagnosis to surgery, patients experience personalized care that prioritizes their vision and well-being every step of the way.

[alayanaglobosoft]

ARIES OMAN: LIGHTING UP SPACES WITH INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

Where the area is known for its high-speed architectural development and strong focus on functionality and appearance, finding a business that effectively mixes creativity, reliability, and quality is no easy feat. One of the most reliable names in Oman's design and infrastructure sector is Aries Oman. With its innovative solutions in interior design, fit-out contracting, and cutting-edge building solutions, Aries Oman has made a name for itself as the trendsetter in the industry.

But among its diverse specialties, one of the areas where the company performs best is lighting solutions. From stunning architectural lighting to affordable commercial and industrial systems, Aries Oman is Oman's top lighting supplier, offering unparalleled quality, durability, and design knowledge.

Transforming Spaces with Purposeful Design

Aries Oman was established with a vision of transforming interior spaces with exceptional craftsmanship and creativity. The company has over the years evolved into an integrated design and contracting behemoth. The firm deals in residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors, while among its services include space planning and 3D visualization, amongst others, and full turnkey project execution.

Their design is not just design for looks—it's design to bring solutions that matter. Whether it's improving energy efficiency, functionality maximized, or ambiance improved, each is meticulously thought through and implemented professionally.

Lighting: More Than Just Illumination

Lighting plays a significant part in both the form and functionality. The ideal lighting can convey mood, emphasize architectural elements, and enhance performance. Aries Oman is perfectly aware of the same. Its lighting division focuses on a huge variety of products and services with different applications. 

From high-efficiency LED systems to decorative and architectural illumination, Aries Oman provides end-to-end solutions for lighting through:

Residential villas and homes

Commercial offices and malls

Hotels, resorts, and restaurants

Industrial and warehouse buildings

Outdoor landscapes and pathways

Their team works extremely closely with architects, designers, and facility managers to ensure that every lighting plan enhances the vision and performance criteria of the environment.

Why Aries Oman is the Best Lighting Distributor in Oman

What sets Aries Oman apart from other lighting suppliers is how they integrate innovation, product quality, and technical support. Here's why they are the best:

Comprehensive Product Range: From basic fixtures to luxury designer lighting and smart lighting systems, Aries Oman offers comprehensive cataloging to suit any style and budget.

Custom Lighting Solutions: Something out of the ordinary? The organization is able to customize lighting products to meet the specific needs of a project, each time.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Aries Oman promotes energy-efficient solutions that not only save operation cost but also environmental care. 

Technical Expertise: Their lighting experts provide specialist recommendations on placement, luminance, color temperature, and integration with building management systems.

After-Sales Support: Aries Oman backs up its installations with full maintenance and support, providing peace of mind for clients.

Whether dressing a luxury hotel lobby or lighting a warehouse upgrade, Aries Oman provides intelligent solutions that combine function and design.

Beyond Lighting: A Complete Design and Build Experience

While lighting is the specialty, Aries Oman is also proficient in a broad spectrum of design and construction solutions. As one of Oman's leading interior design companies, their portfolio encompasses luxury residential developments, corporate headquarters, and shopping malls. Their designers, project managers, and craftsmen collaborate to deliver results that amaze and delight their clients.

Also, Aries Oman is also known as the best false ceiling company in Oman, with innovative designs that complement their lighting systems. They are also skilled restaurant fit-out suppliers, so even the toughest projects are handled professionalism and panache.

Trusted by Oman's Top Clients

Aries Oman's reputation isn't built on marketing alone—it's buttressed by a history of successful projects and a record of established client connections. Its clients are corporations of large business, government bodies, hospitality companies, and homeowners who all trust Aries Oman due to its honesty, transparency, and perfection.

Conclusion: Lighting the Path Forward

As the need for smart, sustainable, and stylish infrastructure continues to rise in Oman, Aries Oman remains ahead of the curve. Their dedication to quality, their design-to-delivery philosophy, and their deep technical knowledge enable them to be one-stop destination for all interior and infrastructure needs.

And when it's illumination, nobody else—Aries Oman is Oman's premier lighting distributor. Their ability to blend creativity and innovation ensures that every space which they illuminate turns into a genuine contemporary center of beauty and functionality.

Whether you are building your dream home, renovating your office, or planning a new commercial building, Aries Oman is your go-to partner for creating spaces which inspire, perform, and endure.

[rise-abxve]

Headcanon Meme: Literally all of them!

☾ - sleep headcanon:

Rocket is a very light sleeper, has had sleep issues since he was a kit really. Partially stemming from having been medicated too heavily for his insomnia as a small child. So now he's prone to only sleeping in hour long spurts unless he takes something. Served him well enough in the frontier when on assignment and being the guy to take watches.

★ - sad headcanon:

Rocket cries alot for a galra as is, he's almost detrimentally empathetic to those around him. Devastating loss of life hurts him almost physically and it takes a while to feel semi normal again. For a species that is disinclined towards empathy, he struggles so much but he manages.

☆ - happy headcanon:

Though he presents more towards the desert adapted features from his mother, he gets so absurdly excited about snow. Like he'll be vibrating and then just dive into it and roll around like a little kid. He doesn't see alot but he was stationed in a mountain range during his time time with Palvo and he got to play around when they had downtime.

☠ - angry/violent headcanon:

Rocket had never killed another galra until he was in his Legion certification and still recovering from his last miscarriage. There were five R7s going through certification, including him, and they were doing a joint exercise with an officer's cohort. A couple of dingleberries were picking on the smaller R7 in their group. Rocket doesn't remember what the guy said but the next thing he knew, there was a trachea in his hand. He just saw red.

✿ - Sex headcanon:

Rocket is like the most demanding power bottom and will drain a dude dry. He's legit only been with like two women but he's flexible and willing to be adventurous and he's more than generous. But unless you are asking to be serviced, he's a menace. Blame Palvo.

■ -  Bedroom/house/living quarters headcanon:

He's legit never had a place of his own, he prefers to stay in barracks accommodations even when he could have picked a home port. He's mostly in space between assignments and his belongings can be toted around in like three duffles.

♡ - romantic headcanon:

He didn't think he'd survive to adulthood and in the time he's been an adult, he's discovered a lot about himself. Including that sex and romance aren't mutually inclusive. Also that connections don't have to be temporary. He's come to learn to have agency over himself and to pursue what he wants and to understand that what he wants is to be wholly with someone. Someone that will give him everything as much as they will take everything he offers.

♥ - family headcanon:

Rocket's maternal grandfather is a vintner and actually makes a cold pressed cactus wine called aryva that Auvi had introduced Rocket to during their time together. It's Rocket's favorite now.

☮ - friendship headcanon:

The other four Legionnaires in his certification class still keep in contact and one even got named during their time together. Her name is Bex, she's a smaller subspecies and she made it to Legion class by being a vent goblin, saboteur specialty. The other three were a reptilian type guy named Kite, a very lean and tall girl named Hush, and the third guy still hasn't accepted a name yet.

♦ - quirks/hobbies headcanon:

Rocket is legit the guy who will read textbooks in his free time, big anatomy textbooks and technical manuals too. He actually enjoys learning things even when it's presented very dry and clinically. Though he got into fiction and history very recently.

Besides his reading preferences, his photography is his artistic outlet and if he had the space, he would make a proper dark room. Digital is all well and good but the hunger for tangibility is bred in the bone for him.

☯ - likes/dislikes headcanon:

Rocket isn't a picky person so there's not a lot he outright dislikes, but since being in the empire interior he's discovered overstimulation. He hates neon lights and the fact he can hear them with a burning passion. But damn if string lights don't look lovely on camera.

▼ - childhood headcanon:

He was the little kid constantly needing to run around. He was a little missile that had shitty breaks and would fully just slam into walls, pop back up with a "I'm okay!", and then keep running. He was also a really chubby kid, just a bowling ball with legs.

∇ -. old age/aging headcanon:

Rocket doesn't know if old age is in the cards, had no clue it was an option for people like him. 90% of R7s don't make it to adulthood. But Rocket made it to adulthood and Legion status besides. He's since met old galra that regret that they haven't died in battle, met the ageless kinds like Sendak who can fight forever. He doesn't know if he'll be a failing bag of muscle or an unending war machine.

He doesn't know that a being like him only dies when he's ready to.

♒ - cooking/food headcanon:

In the time since he's been in the interior and around the galra who aren't just lifetimers, the ones that are on mandatory service or are serving to work off sentences or debts. He's learned to cook only very recently from soldiers that are the sorts to have electric griddles in their station berths. He even has one now in among the few belongings in the quarters he keeps on a hub station.

☼ - appearance headcanon:

Rocket's bloodline on both sides can be traced back to two previous Empress', which ultimately means little because the galra were very dynastic prior to Zarkon's rule. His mask marking, particularly the dagger points on his cheekbones, is considered a thing of great beauty since it's connected to the image of the Empress known as the Vicious Roar.

ൠ - random headcanon:

Rocket being the sort of galra that he is, has this latent ability to pull quintessence from living things around him. It's not a lot, basically skimming off the ambient life fields of plants, animals, people, machines. It's what creates the empathic touch he has, touching a person accessing their life force. if he learned to harness it at a certain level, he could drain a small planet. But it would take a VERY long time for him to get to that level.

[packagingworldinsights]

The 5 Best Mil-Spec Packaging Suppliers

Military products must meet stringent quality and reliability standards, which also apply to their packaging. Consequently, any company in this sector must partner with the best mil-spec packaging suppliers to ensure everything remains compliant.

1. Edco Supply Corporation

Edco Supply Corporation — out of Brooklyn, New York — is the best all-around mil-spec packaging supplier. Edco manufactures a wide range of packaging types to fit various military standards, so you can likely find a solution that works regardless of your product type or size. It’s also been in business for over 60 years, giving it extensive experience serving diverse needs.

In addition to packaging and materials, Edco sells mil-spec tapes and adhesives to keep product containers sealed. The company accepts custom orders, too, further expanding the variety of end uses it can support. An in-depth blog explaining key mil-spec concepts and available customer support team provide additional help for those new to the industry.

2. Quality Support, LLC

Consider Quality Support, LLC, for your mil-spec packaging supplier if you need wooden crates. This provider specializes in custom lumber products, which are ideal for shipping large equipment or particularly heavy or sensitive items. As a bespoke manufacturer, Quality Support also offers design services to help you create the best package possible.

While it has an inventory of ready-made packaging for smaller runs or non-niche needs, Quality Support’s best asset is its custom work. Its personalized solutions span all manners of boxes, bags and insulation. Beyond adhering to military specifications, Quality Support is NIST SP 800-171 compliant, which some Department of Defense contractors need from their suppliers due to new cybersecurity regulations.

3. IMPAK Corporation

Los Angeles-based IMPAK Corporation is another of the best mil-spec packaging suppliers in the U.S. While Quality Support focuses on rigid crates, IMPAK’s specialty is flexible packaging, making it a good fit for smaller products or anti-static insulation. Its bag and pouch selection is among the most varied lineups available, and the company performs custom work, too.

IMPAK’s complementary capabilities are some of its strongest benefits. The company sells an impressive range of desiccants, oxygen absorbers and sealing technologies and will even service this equipment. IMPAK will also test products for strength, sterility, moisture resistance and more to give you confidence in your packaging designs.

4. MAC Packaging

With decades in the industry, MAC Packaging is one of the more experienced suppliers on this list. It has become a national leader in mil-spec packaging, even offering consulting services for companies wanting to learn more about the industry. It’s also unique in that it solely works in custom jobs.

In addition to packaging, MAC manufactures RFID tags to military standards. These solutions make your products easier for clients to track through their warehouses and can streamline your own logistics processes. The brand will also file all related paperwork at no extra cost.

5. ProtoPak Engineering Corporation

Another long-standing firm in this sector is ProtoPak Engineering Corporation, which has provided mil-spec packaging since 1967. ProtoPak’s product range boasts impressive variety and even offers custom shipping platforms to meet your bulk order needs. Perhaps most impressively, the company has a 100% accuracy record.

ProtoPak also offers warehousing and logistics services to streamline supply chain operations in businesses that don’t have enough internal capacity. Its expert team can help you design personalized solutions and ensure your workflows are efficient to deliver the highest quality to your clients.

How to Choose a Mil-Spec Packaging Supplier

The best mil-spec packaging supplier depends on your needs and the clientele you serve. However, there are a few general signs to look for when identifying a reliable provider.

Adherence to mil-spec guidelines is an obvious factor, but related regulatory requirements are also worth consideration. For example, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requires compliance with NIST SP 800-171 for some contractors, necessitating these standards from your supply chain partners. Other standards like the Food Safety Modernization Act or ISO 27001 may introduce unique needs, too.

When choosing between certified partners, consider the kinds of packaging you need. Many of the best suppliers offer multiple packaging types, but not every company manufactures every product type. Consequently, you must determine if bags, cartons, crates or other solutions suit your shipments the best before deciding on a supplier.

A business’s complementary services and support options are also worth consideration. The ability to customize packaging or buy related products like humidity indicators or mil-spec sealers may significantly streamline your operations. Similarly, a partner offering greater support and information will be easier to work with, especially when unexpected challenges arise.

Finally, look for signs of transparency and reliability from packaging suppliers. Over half of all organizations report that procurement fraud is a major issue in their area. Such risks are damaging in any sector but all the weightier in a military context. Given these concerns, you should only work with firms that have thorough documentation on their mil-spec compliance.

The Best Mil-Spec Packaging Suppliers Compared

Any of the five mil-spec packaging companies on this list can be a worthy partner. Here is how these providers compare along a few key categories.SupplierPackaging typesAdditional capabilitiesSupport optionsEdco Supply CorporationCartons, bags, static shielding, desiccants, barrier films, wrapping, cloth paper, tubingCustom orders, humidity indicators, tapes and sealers, labelsDedicated customer support line, email, industry blogQuality Support, LLCCrates, cartons, bags static shieldingCustom orders, die-cut foam insulators, design services, NIST SP 800-171 complianceDedicated customer support line, emailIMPAK CorporationBags, static shielding, desiccantsCustom orders, prototyping, oxygen absorbers, sealers, labels, sealer repairs, product testingDedicated customer support line, emailMAC PackagingCartons, bags, static shielding, barrier films, wrappingCustom orders, prototyping, humidity indicators labels, RFID tags, paperwork servicesConsulting services, dedicated customer support line, email, industry blogProtoPak Engineering CorporationCrates, cartons, bags, static shielding, desiccants, barrier films, wrappingCustom orders, labels, RFID tags, shipping platforms, supply chain solutionsConsulting services, dedicated customer support line, email

Choose the Best Mil-Spec Packaging Supplier for Your Products

When you partner with the best mil-spec packaging suppliers, you can uphold higher quality and compliance standards without sacrificing efficiency or flexibility. Any business selling to military agencies or contractors must abide by these requirements. Start your compliance journey by finding the right mil-spec packaging provider for your needs.

[medicalseo07]

Vitadell Healthcare | Leading Multi-Speciality Day Care Surgical Hospital in Kolkata for Expert Care

Vitadell Healthcare is a state-of-the-art multi-specialty surgical day care hospital offering advanced medical care with minimal downtime. Designed for patient comfort and efficiency, we specialize in same-day, minimally invasive procedures across a wide range of specialties. Our services include diagnostic imaging (USG, ECG, ECHO, digital X-ray), pathology and biopsy, as well as expert care in gastroenterology (including ERCP), cosmetic and maxillofacial surgery, proctology (piles, fissures, fistulas), urology, orthopaedics, ENT, and gynecology.

With experienced surgeons, modern equipment, and a patient-first approach, Vitadell Healthcare ensures faster recovery, fewer hospital stays, and precise diagnosis—all under one roof.

Book your consultation today and experience quality care, close to home.

[mistmessenger]

Dust to Dust | Primo Emeritus x GN!Reader one shot

Magic au I guess

You didn’t go to the castle of the great sorcerer Primo Emeritus - invited or otherwise, not unless you had a death wish.

18+ MDNI

Content warnings: death, ritual sacrifice, necromancy, power imbalance, manipulation

AO3 Link

This hit me like a truck last night and I guess I’m a Peemo fucker now. Idk.

You didn’t go to the castle of the great sorcerer Primo Emeritus - invited or otherwise, not unless you had a death wish.

That didn’t stop enthusiastic apprentices flocking from far and wide in attempts to persuade him to train them.

His system was simple, hopefuls would perform a range of trials increasing in complexity and risk. Those who survived his trials were invited to stay and train under him.

But his methods were unorthodox, and few apprentices survived to pass on the tales of his teachings.

You were more sensible, once.

Although you did not believe the rumours that the man had lived through centuries, you had heeded the whisperings of others, never tempted by the prospect of the taboo.

Unlike most, you had been invited. You had been a diligent student at the college of magi for the best part of a decade, and had been privileged enough to gain an invite to a seminar held by Primo.

Such a thing was a rarity. Due to the controversies of his practices, it was extremely uncommon for him to be invited to speak at the college.

You had been enraptured through the whole seminar, his speech accompanied by the quick scratching and tapping of your quill as you took notes.

As you watched him you couldn’t help but wonder if there was a grain of truth to the rumours. He was exceptionally old in appearance, practically creaking with each movement. Yet his mind was sharp as a tack, a font of knowledge and experience.

Primo had lodged at the college for a few days after the seminar, catching up with the few masters who didn’t seem to have a problem with him.

That was where he had noticed you, watching as you practiced spells with a natural ease. He had taken you aside, testing you on the various facets of your chosen specialty, restorative magic. You had high hopes of becoming a travelling healer, providing services to those who didn’t have access to the luxury of studying at the college.

Speaking with your mentor in private, he extended an invitation for you to train with him. It had taken some convincing, and eventually you warmed to the idea. After all, he may not be as old as the rumours suggest, but he still had a significant number of years under his belt. To have avoided succumbing to natural causes in all that time he must surely have some valuable insight into the art of restoration.

A few years into your training at the castle, you had begun to grow an ego - many others had come and gone, either willingly or succumbing to the consequences of incantations gone wrong - but you had persisted.

Your talents never went unnoticed by Primo, always giving you gentle praise when he watched you work.

There was a high that came with being able to impress him, driving you to work tirelessly in honing your craft.

You were sure you would do anything for his favour. To earn yourself more of the late nights spent talking in his private study as he wowed you with tales of his vast experiences with magic.

He also allowed you, and only you to see a weaker side of him. One crippled by the pains of an aging body.

You had been the one to suggest using your magic on him. Many nights you had spent in his quarters, more than eager to be at his beck and call. On those nights you didn’t allow yourself to fall into a deep slumber, always ready in case he needed you to rub your specially prepared balms into his aching limbs, to murmur the incantations to ease his pains.

He would always apologise, for causing you so many sleepless nights, but insisted that you were the best of all his apprentices at such spells.

You didn’t mind, more than happy to be seen as useful to him.

He liked you, spending more time with you than any other apprentice that passed through the castle. Your dry wit always made him chuckle, a deep gravelly sound.

Ironically, having you around made him feel youthful again, the gleam in your eyes as you listened to his teachings infectious.

He particularly liked that you didn’t ask questions, or at least, you didn’t ask the wrong questions.

That was until you caught him.

It was another trial to test the progress of an apprentice. You had tried to warn Primo that he was setting her up for failure - having monitored her yourself you knew she wasn’t ready. But he would hear none of it.

As the girl mixed the ingredients for her task, you noticed something - one of the flowers she added - it was wrong, the two species almost identical to the naked eye, but their properties vastly different.

With a hushed urgency you tried to discuss the matter with Primo, he had checked the ingredients beforehand, surely he should have noticed? Instead of calling off the task, he instead silenced you.

You wanted to yell out, to warn the girl, but you were conflicted. Who were you to question Primo?

So you had sat back, a nervous energy running through you that felt like it compressed your whole chest. You stared ahead at the girl as smoke began to rise from her calcinator. You had been so focused on her as she fell backwards, gasping and choking, that you hardly noticed the way Primo tapped his staff against the ground.

As her lifeless body fell to the floor, you realised in horror - he was casting a spell, so effortlessly and nonchalantly.

There was a glow in his skin that hadn’t been there that morning. The girls body was not one of fresh faced youth as it had been just minutes ago, instead looking haggard, as if she had been suffering with plague for months.

You ran from the room, and he had allowed you to. As you thought about all the other apprentices, your friends that had been lost over the years you wept, realising the truth of their demises.

He was willing to give you space, confident you would not run to the college to turn him in for practicing the forbidden arts.

And he was right. He’d trained you to be loyal to a fault. Unable to bring yourself to do the right and just thing, you had returned to his chambers that night, seeking answers.

He obliged, presenting you with a vast stack of tomes from his most valued private collections. You recognised some of the titles - researches that had been banned by the college, their existence at this point only a rumour.

You found yourself tongue tied, as he argued his case with confidence.

Unable to stop thinking about your peers who had been sacrificed in Primo’s selfish fight against death, you whispered, voice trembling.

“You’re going to kill me too Master Primo, one day?”

The way his mismatched eyes had widened terrified you. You had never seen him so outraged by you before, as he moved quickly to kneel at your feet.

There was a trace of a plea in his low voice as he knelt before you.

“I have never shown this work to anyone. But you, tesorino, I know you can learn to see past the issue of morality.

“To kill you would be a waste of your capabilities. Just think of all the good we could do with this. Restoration and necromancy are so ingrained with one another.” He paused, his wrinkled hands sliding up to grasp yours, his grip surprisingly firm as he laced his fingers with yours.

“You should be doing more than performing parlour tricks for peasants with sprained wrists.

You could do so much more. We could do so much more. Together.”

It had taken you weeks to come out of your shell shocked state. He had looked after you, climbing into your bed to hold you while you wept, letting you beat your fists against his chest while he reiterated that his actions were all carried out with good intent. Telling you all about his sinister research and the ways you could aid him, as if reciting lullabies to a distressed child.

You weren’t sure when or what he said to convince you in the end, but you had stayed, won over by his conviction. For years you stayed, your hopes of travelling the country forgotten, swapped for long days of study into the forbidden arts, and longer nights writhing under his bedsheets - Primo always making sure you were duly rewarded for your loyalty.

As the years soared by, you had begun to see the signs of age working their way through your body, developing aches of your own, your hair beginning to grey. And Primo had noticed too.

None of it concerned you too much, after all, it was natural. But when you found yourself doubting your mind, your memory becoming hazier than it used to be, he decided he had to intervene.

He came to you with a proposition.

For a long time you suspected he would invite you to take part in the same ritual he had been carrying out for centuries now, draining the life essence of a younger body upon their death. But Primo had a different idea.

He could of course perform the same ritual on you, but what was there to gain from walking such a well researched path?

No, he had a plan for you, one that would ensure that all skills and capabilities your mind contained would never be lost.

In your devotion, you did not hesitate. What greater honour than to give your body and soul to his research, not for the purpose of prolonging his life, but for the discovery of new methods?

—————————————————————————————————-

Primo watched you as your clouded eyes stared down his most recent apprentice. To the naked eye, it would appear the young man was merely standing in shock, staring at you with abhorrence.

But the click of your jaw told him a different story, and it was enough to make him chuckle. You’d always had a habit of muttering your incantations to yourself, even now as you recited a paralysis spell on the apprentice, your vocal cords a long forgotten memory.

Drawing his attention back to the task at hand, he finished setting up the required ingredients in the necessary order, pausing to place a small gem between them. He groaned as he bent down to place it on the cold stone floor, his back aching, the swelling of the joints in his fingers making it hard to place the minuscule gem where it needed to be. Slowly, leaning on his staff he walked back, examining the scene to be certain the spell was correctly set up.

He closed his eyes.

Unlike you, he didn’t feel the need to speak aloud. With fierce intent and a brisk tap of his staff against the ground, the deed was done. The young man crumpled to the ground.

He felt instantly rejuvenated, the man’s life essence now coursing through his veins.

He inhaled, a deep breath as the curse of aging was held off once more.

He grinned at you, picking the gem up. He didn’t groan upon standing upright this time, practically waltzing his way towards you.

“A gift, tesorino.” he muttered, opening the locket strung around your neck, nestling the gem inside.

He swore he could still sense the way your muscles used to tense when he was this close.

Another series of clicks from you caused him to tut.

“Don’t be silly. You deserve it, and more.”

He closed the locket carefully, gently letting it fall back against your ribs with a soft click.

He always felt a sense of regret after you aided him in one of these rituals. He had been foolish to assume you would turn out any different to any lich he had conjured before. He was sure his modifications to the spell would have left your body intact. But as much as it pained him to admit, he had been unsuccessful.

How he missed your hair, the flush of your cheeks, the sparkle of your eyes as you laughed. Your humanity.

But it didn’t matter.

He had you. Eternally.