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Site contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com
John S. D. Eisenhower: "Presidential Children Don’t Belong in Battle"
As the only living presidential son to serve in combat while his father was in office, I feel an obligation to express my concern that both of the current vice presidential candidates, Gov. Sarah Palin and Senator Joseph Biden, have sons in Army units on orders for duty in Iraq. In addition, the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, has a son who is in the Marine Corps and subject to a second deployment to Iraq at any time.Was it?Considering how small the force we have in Iraq is in comparison to the nation’s population, this is a startling circumstance. It is not, however, a desirable one. It reflects favorably on the patriotism of those involved, but in itself it can hardly increase the military understanding, the grasp on foreign relations or (least of all) the perspective of the parents.
My unique position in this regard was called to my attention a few days ago in a radio interview. Did I believe that the children of presidents (or vice presidents) should be assigned to combat zones? I was surprised by my own quick reaction:
“No,” I declared automatically. “They have no place there.”
Though my response was impulsive, I have, on thinking about it, concluded that it was the right one.
Personally I think we should put an age limit on military service - say, 18 years old - to ensure that no children are ever sent to battle. As I understand the author, who spent part of his childhood as a major in the Korean war (presumably commanding younger, less experienced children), this exemption should only apply to candidates.
For those who think that's too exclusionary: I suppose I could be convinced that some children could serve in non-combat roles - say, at the Pentagon or staff positions at lower levels - if they're exceptionally bright. But I'd have to hear a strong argument supporting that position.
Maybe you've heard the story about the Ukrainian owned, Belize-flagged Roll On-Roll Off ship with 33 Russian made T-72 tanks and other weapons and ammo that a group of Somali pirates has nabbed and is holding off the coast of Somalia...
Well, the U.S. destroyer USS Howard is keeping a close eye on it.
Details here with more Navy photos.
No, not the Barbary pirates.
Those guys on the other side of the globe.
It was perhaps the first U.S. military intervention in Asia. Andy Jackson was involved.
As explained here.
VA to Raise Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) BenefitsThe Dept. of Veterans Affairs announced last week changes to its schedule for rating disabilities for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the "signature wound" of Iraq and Afghanistan.
A VA press release noted, "Traumatic brain injuries result in immediate effects such as loss or alteration of consciousness, amnesia and sometimes neurological impairments." In some cases "prolonged or even permanent problems with a wide range of impairment in such areas as physical, mental and emotional/behavioral functioning may occur." People with TBI may experience headache, sleep difficulties, decreased memory and attention, slower thinking, irritability, and depression.
Among other things, the FY09 Defense Authorization Act Authorizes military/vets not in uniform to salute flag during national anthem.
A summary (courtesy of MOAA) of some of the other provisions of FY09DAA over at Some Soldier's Mom
Presidential politics is trivial compared to losing a child - no matter how old that child may be. I hope this doesn't turn ugly for a military family.
At least the Army is drafting guidelines. The Air Force's approach is to simply ban blogs all together.
Leadership!
My old 'Rat' roommate from VMI is a staff writer for the Air Force Times. He said -and I'm paraphrasing a bit here- that Air Force public affair types are the most frustrating people in the world to deal with. Simple clarification questions have to be shot up to the civilian head of each department/unit, and they are horribly inept at dealing with any media rep in general.
His example was the Air Force's recent loss of the Joint Cargo Aircraft. Pointing out that the Air Force had a legitimate need to equip a couple of guard units with the new airframe, my buddy said that their complete inability to 'get their story out' resulted in Congress funding the plane for the Army only. Now there's a bunch of pissed of Guardsman who were told that they'd have a flying mission, but now have no planes.
Where's that picture again Greyhawk???
Army drafting new blogging guidelines
The Army is working on a set of guidelines for soldiers’ conduct in online forums such as blogs and message boards, but it might be a while before the message reaches the troops.
The guidelines — a compilation of the scattered rules and regulations governing online activity by soldiers — will be included in a rewrite of Army public affairs regulations to be published in the next six months to two years, Department of the Army public affairs specialist Lindy Kyzer said in an e-mail. Soldiers will be told about the guidelines during pre-deployment public affairs training, she said.
But that doesn’t mean soldiers can blog with impunity until the new guidelines are published.
Operational security rules, which prohibit the publication by soldiers of classified or sensitive information, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, already limit what soldiers can do online, Kyzer said.
"What the new public affairs guidance … will provide is further clarification of what is acceptable in online postings or digital communication," she said.
The new guidelines do not cancel existing regulations but instead supplement them, she said.
Ditto ditto ditt-effin'-o. I figured that we were done with this asinine uniform bingo when Schwartz took over. Shows what I know.
But -- in fairness-- the obsessive fetish with legacy-by-uniform-changes seems to have been put on hold, for now.
It could just be that the Air Force is entering an era that, in part, will be defined by what will not be a hot-button issue: uniforms."First things first," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz responded Sept. 17 when asked by Military.com whether uniforms -- new ones or modifications to current dress -- will be relegated to the back burner during his tenure.
Screen legend Paul Newman loses his battle with cancer. He was a class act, I was a big fan, and he will be missed.
Mr. Newman was political but he was not a hack, he put his money where his mouth was.
“This is not about celebrity, this is a political issue,” he said about giving through Newman’s Own. “The concept that a person who has a lot holds his hand out to someone who has less is still a human trait.<...> Newman has given money to various children’s charities and health centres, to a group that helps the homeless become self-reliant, to refugee groups, to humane societies and animal hospitals and to all manner of educational outlets. He co-sponsors the PEN/Newman’s Own First Amendment Award, a $25,000 reward designed to recognize those who protect the U,S. First Amendment as it applies to the written word.
What you may not know about Paul Newman. He was decorated with the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal:
Paul Leonard Newman enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 22 January 1943, after his graduation from Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland, Ohio. The second son of a thriving sporting-goods storekeeper (Arthur, his brother, eventually became a film production manager), Paul (born 1925) had acted in a few school productions but had never considered making a profession of show business. He attended Ohio University in Athens while he waited to hear from the Navy, and during his months there he had time to perform in another school production, The Milky Way, in which he played a boxer.Newman was sent to the Navy V-12 program at Yale, with hopes of being accepted for pilot training. But this plan was foiled when a flight physical revealed him to be color-blind. So he was sent instead to boot camp and then on to further training as a radioman and gunner.
Qualifying as a rear-seat radioman and gunner in torpedo bombers, in 1944 Aviation Radioman Third Class Newman was sent to Barber's Point, Hawaii, and subsequently assigned to Pacific-based replacement torpedo squadrons (VT-98, VT-99, and VT-100). These torpedo squadrons were responsible primarily for training replacement pilots and combat aircrewmen, placing particular importance on carrier landings.
During his two years in the Pacific the Newman luck held, especially on one occasion when his pilot fell ill and their aircraft was grounded. The rest of the squadron was transferred to an aircraft carrier operating off the coast of Japan, where a kamikaze hit the carrier, inflicting heavy casualties on the men and aircraft of Newman's squadron.
While he was with VT-99, training personnel in TBM-1Cs, TBM-3s, and TBF-1cs, the squadron moved to Eniwetok, then to Guam, and in January 1945 on to Saipan. This remained its base of operations until its decommissioning nine months later. A VT-99 contingent including Newman was aboard the aircraft carrier Hollandia (CVE-97), which was operating about five hundred miles off Japan when the Enola Gay dropped its atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Finally, Paul Newman served with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 7, one of many shore-based carrier air-group support units. CASUs operated the facilities, serviced and rearmed, made repairs, and handled routine upkeep and administrative duties. Newman's CASU was based in Seattle, conveniently located for his discharge at Bremerton, Washington State, on 21 January 1946. He was decorated with the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Kinda of funny how this part of his career isn't mention in the media.
He was also a supporter of our Military.
Won't I ever get tired of it?
Nope, don't think so...
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz is requiring most airmen to wear their blue uniforms every Monday beginning Sept. 8, according to a Sept. 4 memo he sent to all service members.The nation is at war, the Air Force is at the Mall, shopping for spiffy new uniforms.
<...>
The current practice of airmen wearing ABUs and BDUs almost all the time originated under Gen. John Jumper, the chief of staff at the time of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Then, in summer 2003, Jumper directed that airmen begin to return to blues as the uniform of the day. But Gen. T. Michael Moseley reversed that decision when he became chief of staff in late 2005, arguing that the nation was still at war and that airmen should dress like it.He said at the time that his decision was closely related to his effort to instill a “war-fighting ethos” in Air Force culture, one of his main priorities as chief.
In short: "Senator Obama, withdraw your troop withdrawal".
Interesting - coming on the day of the foreign policy/national security debate.
Not to be a complete wet blanket, but lest anyone get their hopes up I would note that the simple presence of a large number of US forces on the ground doesn't automatically promote political reconciliation or facilitate a functioning government without some willing cooperation (or "buy-in") by key players. Basically, the local elected officials have to want to make progress before progress can be made. Case in point: the United States. I'm not sure the US Government can reach Iraq-level results this weekend, but I am certain beyond any doubt there is no military solution to the problem.
THE WHITE HOUSEGold Star Mother's Day, 2008
by the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation
Throughout our history, the men and women of the Armed Forces have put our Nation's security before their own, doing their duty in the face of grave danger.
On Gold Star Mother's Day, we pay solemn tribute to the mothers of the patriots lost serving this great Nation.
Gold Star Mothers inspire our Nation with their deep devotion to family and country. These extraordinary women serve their communities, dedicate their time to helping members of our Armed Forces and veterans, and bring comfort and hope to families whose loved ones laid down their lives in the defense of our liberty. Nothing can compensate for their sacrifice and loss, yet Gold Star Mothers demonstrate tremendous courage and resolve while working to preserve the memory and legacy of all our fallen heroes.
Asks Sen. Obama (D-IL) to do the same.
Democrat Barack Obama continues to argue that only the systematic withdrawal of U.S. combat units will force Iraqi leaders to compromise. Yet the empirical evidence of the past year suggests the opposite: that only the greater security produced and guaranteed by American troops allows a political environment in which legislative deals and free elections are feasible.I'll would accept their surrender to the pro-victory team; but I would rather they give it to Gen. Petraeus or Gen. Mattis.
Senator; over to you.
There's a very detailed and very creepy description of how returning veterans should be rounded up into gulags to be "re-educated" in the comments section of an AZ Central article on the Natl Guard. The super-secret and anonymous "Code Monkey" sent me the details. People often talk about the poor treatment of Vietnam vets being a big myth...good thing the internet is around today to document all the nonsense out there today.
One of the Marines cleared in the killings of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha plans to sue his congressman today for statements he says defamed him and other members of his squad.More here, including a review (based on Bing West's and Bob Woodward's newly published accounts) of Murtha '06, some classic video, and a look at his opponent ("A man who is himself a decorated Iraq war veteran. A man who was in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. A man who has spent nearly 3 decades serving his country in uniform. Lt. Col. William Russell (USAR ret.)") this November.Former Marine Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 24, of Canonsburg, will file a civil lawsuit against U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, who was widely quoted two years ago saying that eight Marines carried out a cold-blooded killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town on Nov. 19, 2005.
Charges were later dropped against all but one of the Marines, with a military prosecutor calling allegations against Mr. Sharratt "incredible."
Pirate news good: Navy oiler shoots at some.
Pirate news bad: The Danes let some go.
Shoot straight, me lads, shoot straight.
Panel: Christian Lowe (DefenseTech), Toby Nunn (Toby Nunn's Briefing Room), Troy Steward (Bouhammer), J.P. Borda (Milblogging.com)
Moderator: J. R. Michael (Mudville Gazette/MilBlogs)
Hosted by: Jack Holt, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Moderators: Ward Carroll (Military.com) and John Donovan (Castle ARGGHHH!)
Appearances (Via Phone) by:
The hon. Pete Geren, Secretary of the U.S. Army and Major General Kevin Bergner, Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army
Pannel: Sarah (Trying to Grok/Spousebuzz), Carla (Mudville Gazette/MilBlogs), Beth (Fuzzilicious Thinking/Castle Argghhh), Karen (Parents Zone/Proud Liberal Army Wife)
Moderator: Melinda (Spousebuzz/Most Certainly Not)
Yes, is my answer.
Panel: Matt Burden (Blackfive), Phil Carter (Intel Dump), J. R. Michael (Mudville Gazette/MilBlogs), C. J. Grisham (A Soldier's Perspective)
Moderator: Ward Carrol (Military.com)
I think some behind-the-scenes footage at the next conference would be very entertaining. Last year, some really funny things happened (I'll try to get to those some day). This year had its share of funny, too.
Just before the first panel began, some of you may have noticed a visitor walk in and quietly take a seat in the front row on the far side of the room. I saw him and didn't recognize him, but someone else did. This person came over to me and, in a very excited, animated manner, said....
No - not the Republican or Democrat Parties - real party pictures...
Just look down there...
Some might claim to have the cheesiest photo from Vegas - but I actually do. It's below the fold.
Many might claim to have the most damming photo from Vegas - but only I really do. It's below the fold.
Even though he was addressing the MilBlogs Conference specifically I think there are implications there that should be noted throughout the new media landscape. Lt Gen Caldwell is positioned to lead the military "charge" to embrace new media - far beyond just milbloggers. If this sort of thinking catches on, the opportunities/access for bloggers will continue to grow in the DoD.
And Lt Gen Caldwell isn't a guy just showing up for the game - his new media "strategy" has been evolving for quite some time, and in many ways is similar to his predecessor at CAC/Ft Leavenworth (then-Lt Gen Petraeus) reworking of larger strategy (or strategic thinking) for counter-insurgency operations.
And like that effort, this one would have been useful a few years earlier, too. But again I see parallels - Roggio's early embeds with Marines in Anbar being an example of the same sort of isolated early success in IO that Col McMaster's Tal Afar campaign or Col MacFarland's embrace of the Awakening movement was in COIN.
Less dramatic? Indeed. Less important? Time will tell.
Below is LTG William Caldwell's address to the 2008 MilBlog Conference:
A conference doesn't just happen. It requires an army of volunteers. A few people deserve some special thanks for lending a hand. First of all, both Greyhawks and Some Soldiers' Mom (and hubby) volunteered their time to help stuff the attendee gift bags, and they were life savers. Mrs. G also designed the graphics for our conference, as she has every year. Homefront Six and AF Sister manned the registration desk. Some Soldiers' Mom was the go-to gal for the Bozik baby shower and David Marron worked our charity piece. Fuzzy and other angels were on hand to man the Military.com booth, which featured Soldiers' Angels. Oh, and most importantly (heh), Boston Maggie graciously ran downstairs to Starbucks to fetch some green tea when I thought I was going to drop dead from green tea withdrawal.....
Thanks to everyone for your help.
They come from the sky!
After almost 70 years they're still out there listening ... and might have been involved with Roswell.
As set out here.
We all know that selection boards are a zero-sum-game. Only so many slots are available to so many people. For one to advance, another must be left behind.
We emphasize and try our best to create a meritocracy where if you work hard, perform best, and excel better than your peers you will be rewarded, recognized, and promoted for it. It is a trust, knowing that all human institutions are imperfect, that your Chain of Command will do their best to be as fair as possible. You, by your performance and career decisions, more or less can drive your success.
There are a few other things that we have as fundamentals. One of which is we will not tolerate individual or institutional racism. Another is a culture of fairness.
What do you do when you reach the point that a Junior Officer puts a couple of emails and messages in front of you and asks, "Sir, could you explain this to me? " "Where will my performance overcome the circumstance of my birth? Can it?" "Where is the meritocracy you talked about why you came here?" "Where is the fairness in this?"
"How is this not racist?"
Date: Monday, September 15, 2008, 6:14 PMThe source message still, seven months later, leaves me without and answer to the JO.
Subject: General Tasker: Coordination Office: Hot List: Cxxx Nxx
CNIC DIVERSITY ACCOUNTABILITY BRIEFCaptains,
Sorry for the late turnaround on this from me to you. Cxxx sent us this hot tasker this morning with a COB Monday (Washington DC) deadline. They are asking for "a list of your Early Promote and Must Promote in Pay Grades 05 and 06." We must assume they want the names.
...
One piece which is clearly part of the original tasker from VADM Harvey (attached) but which is not mentioned at all in the Cxxx tasker is "diversity;" however, as it appears to be the entire point of the data call, please annotate which of your O5/O6 EP/MP officers (from last cycle) are diverse.
- CNO wants to see the enterprise demographic data that has been part of the previous reviews and will also want to review both percentages and raw numbers within each category.Here is the comparative ENS accessions who will make up the 2037 flag pool:- CNO will focus on middle career management -- who are the diverse hot runners in an enterprise (you should know them by name) and what is the plan for their career progression. In particular, be able to answer the following:
(1) Who are the minority O-5/O-6s in your community?
(2) What are YOU doing to ensure these men and women are being properly developed to attain the highest levels of leadership?
(3) What is being done within your Enterprise / Community to ensure that these men and women are assigned to the key billets that lead to promotion?- You will need to know what your enterprise's benchmark for success is in regard to middle career management and the timeframe in which success will be achieved.
- A three year plan addressing your key issues that includes a measurable way ahead must, rpt MUST, be briefed.
- The CNO approved benchmark for officer success is a 2037 Flag Pool that is 10% AA / 13% API / 13% Hispanic. This goal is what you should measure your officer corps against.
77% WhiteYou do the math on what needs to be done to meet that quota ... errr ... goal.
8% African American
6% Hispanic
9% Asian/Pacific islander or Native American
What do I tell the Ensign from rural Louisiana with the French sounding name with brown hair and brown eyes to explain why, if he is lucky enough to be considered for Flag, that the blond hair blue eyed Doctor's son from Florida with the last name Gonzalez will not receive special consideration because he has "Hispanic" ticked off on his record?
Help me out, because I have no idea.
When I took command of Multi-National Force-Iraq in February 2007, I noted that the situation in Iraq was hard but not hopeless. You have proven that assessment to be correct. Indeed, your great work, sacrifice, courage, and skill have helped to reverse a downward spiral toward civil war and to wrest the initiative from the enemies of the new Iraq."Hard is not Hopeless" - words to live by.
John Nagl, in the WaPo:
BAGHDAD When I retired from the Army in June, my comrades in arms laughed at my summer vacation plans: another August in Iraq.Hmmm... we were winning when I left, too. Here's what Nagl thinks now.But I had unfinished business here. When my unit left Iraq in September 2004, one of my battle captains presented us with coffee mugs to celebrate our return home. The sardonic inscription: "Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003-2004: We were winning when I left."
The largest city in Texas was blockaded, attacked, recaptured.
Before it was the site of the largest weather-related loss of life in U.S. history.
As set out here
Beau Biden: spoke at the Democratic National Convention (but downplayed his upcoming deployment to Iraq).
Track Palin: "campaign prop".
It's certainly no secret that both these men are going to Iraq. But apparently some things are more secret than others.
Army position:
Citing security restrictions, the Army will not say where in Iraq Palin's or Biden's units are being sent. Both units are scheduled to be in Iraq for 12 months.I respect that, as I respect and admire both men for what they are doing. They are doing their part. In my mind additional details aren't needed.
I wish others agreed.
Many of you have probably already seen this video (3,404,685 views as of this posting) and know the "surprise" ending. If you haven't seen it, take a look before clicking read more - there are spoilers therein.
I put this here not as an endorsement of the content, but because I checked the back story and I think reporting that is worthwhile - one thing we've learned in these parts is not to trust everyone who says they're an Iraq veteran.
I like the caveat you put up front at your place. As I read the Woodward WaPo stories I thought "Damn good story - I wonder how much of it is true?" I suspect the answer is somewhere between 90-100 percent. Trouble is in many cases I can't tell you which part is or isn't.
I'll still probably get the book. Many people will. I wish Bing West's Strongest Tribe would sell as well - but I only saw one of those titles when I stopped at the local Kroger for milk on my way home today.
Here's a long story from the New Yorker on the "surge development" topic, too. It's a Petraeus profile, but it offers a LOT of background on the surge, with emphasis on the lower-than-Joint-Chiefs guys who made The Plan.
Note this quote from the New Yorker:
Bush told his National Security Council staff, as one of them recalled it, that he feared that if the U.S. did not change its strategy the war would be lost. On another occasion, according to this former official, Bush declared that there were few things he cared about more than the health of the United States military, but losing in Iraq was one of them....and this one from Woodward:
Mullen told Keane he had become acutely aware of the strains on the Army and the Marine Corps. Military families were shouldering the strain, and the military was losing quality officers.I think a probable truth can be inferred from that, and it is ugly but necessary. Keane was exactly right: wars break armies. That should be part of the decision process for the leaders of a nation preparring for war. Once that decision - that great and terrible decision to go to war - is made, it is (if not inevitable) an entirely predictable consequence of that decision. To argue that we must stop at some later point because "the army" is breaking is absurd and disingenuous - it's a pre-war consideration mis-applied to a post-war world. For politicians to claim otherwise is an insult to the intelligence of all concerned."Mike, all of that's true," Keane said. "But this is true every time we fight a war of any consequence." Wars break armies, and they have to be put back together, he said. That's the price of war. But the price was worth it. "You've not talked one time about winning here, Mike. Not one time have you mentioned 'I want to win in Iraq.' I mean, do you?"
The truth we can infer from the above passages is that Bush understood that.
By the way, as the media narrative shifts to credit the guys who made the plan while the phrases "President Bush's surge" and "listen to the Generals" vanish into yesterday's news, you'll have another signal that we won.
I am a skeptic about all things Woodward, but in the WaPo and WSJ there are two good reads about his new book
Mullen, formerly chief of naval operations, had not favored the surge; Keane had, publicly and vocally. Mullen told Keane he had become acutely aware of the strains on the Army and the Marine Corps. Military families were shouldering the strain, and the military was losing quality officers."Mike, all of that's true," Keane said. "But this is true every time we fight a war of any consequence." Wars break armies, and they have to be put back together, he said. That's the price of war. But the price was worth it. "You've not talked one time about winning here, Mike. Not one time have you mentioned 'I want to win in Iraq.' I mean, do you?"
It was an insulting question to put to a fellow military man.
"Of course I want to win," Mullen said.
"I assume you do," Keane replied, "but to the degree that you're putting pressure on Petraeus to reduce forces, you're taking far too much risk, and that risk is in losing and not winning."
"Well," Mullen said, "we're just going to disagree."
"You really don't want me to help Petraeus?" Keane asked. "Dave Petraeus, no matter who he wants to talk to over there, no matter what size he is, shape he is, what his views are, given Petraeus's responsibility -- he's got the toughest job anybody in uniform has -- why wouldn't you let him have that?"
On September 19, 2008, the 3rd Annual Milblogging Conference will be held in Las Vegas, during the conference MilBlogging.com will be the awarding the 3rd Annual Milbloggie Awards, which recognizes MilBloggers for their contribution to the milblogging world over the past year.
All nominations must be submitted online through Milblogging.com by 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Some readers may remember from past blog competition that Greyhawk does not want to be nominated in any weblog awards where he's competing with other active duty milblogs.
Although this is in reference to a different award, his reasoning can be found here:
When I first saw the awards I was glad to see there was no military blog category. I know this was done with the best intentions but I can't support this sort of competition between actual military - there's a beauty 'pageant/popularity/high school prom queen element to this that utterly trivializes the fact of what we're doing.There are a handful of actual blogs run by active duty military people on or the near the front lines I cycle through them every day. Every day I'm glad to find the authors have not gone the way of Bob Zangas, who quit blogging forever in the Spring when he and his Iraqi interpreter were gunned down near Hillah by insurgents wearing police uniforms. (Updated w/ milbloggers lost - Army Spc. Francisco G. Martinez, Lt. Thomas M. Martin, Sgt Eddie Jeffers, and Maj. Andrew Olmsted)
On the other hand I note a significant number of blogs about military done by veterans and non-military folks. I can't speak for others here on the front line but I think the category would best be filled by those sorts.
Again, I know the category was added with the best of intentions and am honored to be mentioned, but I respectfully decline to participate.
...some will note I requested not to be included in the Military Blogs category, in fact I swapped a couple of polite emails to that effect with Kevin Aylward, who understood my position in the matter completely.
The top five nominees in each branch category will be announced on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 and those nominees will move into the Voting Phase beginning September 11th, 2008. Details here
Jeebus, will it ever stop?
There is a whole lot of rumor out there, but I have heard this one at a few places, just google Palin and Jail.Because, yeah, as Governor you could keep a thing like that secret.Rumor is he cut the brake line on a school bus and took the army to avoid jail time.
Sounds crazy, but seeing what has panned out as true so far was crazy before it was confirmed.
IF YOU KILLED EVERYONE INVOLVED.
(But that's the only reason these red neck rubes join these days, isn't it? Sounds plausible to some, I suppose.)
Good lord, if everything they claimed was true about this family was actually true they'd be the worst family in the history of the universe. But these people BELIEVE this Shite. I guess that's what "BELIEVE" means on all those Obama posters. It's an effing ORDER.
Scary. Just scary.
Apparently General Patraeus' "Surge Strategy", had nothing to do with the success in Iraq, it's because of Biden
Iraq is getting better because they are doing exactly what he recommended.
HT: Jawa
...in a commenter's name here. (As in "Maj (P) John".)
But maybe I'm the last to know.
When Navy Captain Mustin wasn't fooling around with catapults, he was playing with "sleds."
As explained here.
CTF 150 out in the Gulf of Aden might want be aware that the Somalia pirates may have a new trick up their sleeves, as set out here.
Sort of a reverse Q-ship...
The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.
But I suppose it's more like two degrees, actually. I've learned that GOP hopeful Sarah Palin just so happens to be the friend of a friend.
Great personal insight on the VP candidate, and doesn't even have to resort to busybody gossip mongering. (So you know he doesn't write for US Weekly!)
*Update: My wife, who frequently acted in campaign and industrial commercial spots for Dave in Alaska, recently recalled accompanying him to the picturesque Palin home on the lake in Wasilla back in 2002. Wifey reports that then-Mayor Palin was "extremely gracious and seemed genuinely interested in the particulars of my life." After which the Mayor returned to fishing out back with her kids.
Incidentally, Dave gave me a copy of his book just before I deployed, and it is an excellent read.
Nearly 125 Shot Dead In Chicago Over Summer
Total Is About Double The Death Toll In Iraq
Story:CHICAGO (CBS) ― An estimated 123 people were shot and killed over the summer. That's nearly double the number of soldiers killed in Iraq over the same time period.But almost exactly the same as the number killed in Afghanistan over the same period.In May, cbs2chicago.com began tracking city shootings and posting them on Google maps. Information compiled from our reporters, wire service reports and the Chicago Police Major Incidents log indicated that 123 people were shot and killed throughout the city between the start of Memorial Day weekend on May 26, and the end of Labor Day on Sept. 1.
(Via Insta.)
Read this
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. — A California teen was arrested and charged with criminal impersonation in eastern Tennessee for allegedly fooling businesses into thinking he was a soldier to get discounts and other perks.The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department arrested 19-year-old Damian Paul Castillo of Anderson, Calif., last week on 25 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, six counts of violation of the bad check law and one count of criminal impersonation.
Sheriff's Investigator Ben Waller says Castillo is accused of passing himself off as a member of the U.S. Air Force by wearing a military uniform. He's also accused of bilking nine businesses out of more than $14,102. Investigators say the Air Force confirmed he had never enlisted.
Some of the alleged scams included getting plane tickets upgraded, shopping tax-free or getting a military discount. Investigators say he's also accused of using a credit card that was not valid and writing bad checks from another fraudulent account.
Wonder if he had a fake I.D.? So, is this one of those opportunities for the Court to say, "Marine Corps or Juvie Hall? You choose." Of course, the Corps might have no use for him... but I'm thinking (if he meets the other requirements), he could be straightened out... quick. If he declines to join the brothers he seems to so "admire", I say "Throw the book at him!" But that's a mom thing...
Wounded soldier forced to sleep in car after hotel refuses him a room
A wounded soldier home from Afghanistan on sick leave was forced to spend the night in his car after a hotel refused him a room.Corporal Tomos Stringer was told by staff at Metro Hotel, in Woking, that it was company policy not to accept members of the armed forces as guests. The 24-year-old had travelled to the Surrey town to help with funeral preparations for a friend killed in action.
It was so late that Cpl Stringer, who had broken his wrist jumping off an Army truck as it was attacked, had no choice but to bed down in his tiny, two-door car, arm covered in plaster.
Cpl Stringer, of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, has now returned to Afghanistan, but his mother, Gaynor Stringer, from Criccieth, north Wales, told The Times that she is still furious about the incident.
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A wounded soldier home from Afghanistan on sick leave was forced to spend the night in his car after a hotel refused him a room.
Corporal Tomos Stringer was told by staff at Metro Hotel, in Woking, that it was company policy not to accept members of the armed forces as guests. The 24-year-old had travelled to the Surrey town to help with funeral preparations for a friend killed in action.
It was so late that Cpl Stringer, who had broken his wrist jumping off an Army truck as it was attacked, had no choice but to bed down in his tiny, two-door car, arm covered in plaster.
Cpl Stringer, of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, has now returned to Afghanistan, but his mother, Gaynor Stringer, from Criccieth, north Wales, told The Times that she is still furious about the incident.
Obama might pursue criminal charges against Bush· Biden says criminal violations will be pursued
· Democrats have issued subpoenas to Bush aides
· 3 staffers have been held in contempt of Congress
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden said yesterday that he and running mate Barack Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November.Biden's comments, first reported by ABC news, attracted little notice on a day dominated by the drama surrounding his Republican counterpart, Alaska governor Sarah Palin.
But his statements represent the Democrats' strongest vow so far this year to investigate alleged misdeeds committed during the Bush years.
"If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued," Biden said during a campaign event in Deerfield Beach, Florida, according to ABC.
"[N]ot out of vengeance, not out of retribution," he added, "out of the need to preserve the notion that no one, no attorney general, no president -- no one is abo
