Umm does the word Thread apply here and I'm curious if anyone has an Idea what it might be maybe "Chithead qualifications" or did the idea of a thread just get tossed overboard.
CB, you've walked in to a relatively well entrenched community of folks that to a surprising extent actually do know each other. There's no way in hell the world is going to adjust to you hear. Your best bet is to read awhile. Gain a feel for the rhythms of the place. Then join in in a friendly fashion.
That's advice for what it's worth. Come in feeling your oats and firing off like 81mm and you'll find there's 155 in the woods. And no one wants that.
So, welcome aboard. Learn the group a bit. Feel free to chime in in a friendly fashion and the established community will welcome you. If you're consideing showing your ass for its own sake, however, you can leave that behind you (pardon the pun) now.