We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:53:22 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification This stuff is right up his alley. Especially since the Navy seems to have some time on it's hands... 060405-N-4097B-023 Fort Jackson, S.C. (April 5, 2006) - Sailors are in the dirt with their M-16A1 by their side during the Navy's Individual Augmentee Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. The fast paced, two-week course is physically demanding, and taught by Army drill sergeants. The course is designed to provide Sailors basic combat skills training prior to being deployed as individual augmentees, mostly to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Jackey Bratt... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html Mon, 08 May 2006 08:58:30 -0600 When I was a young E-2/3, I was assigned the additional duty of participating in NEGDEF. Naval Emergency Ground Defense force was an augment to the Marine Security Company. We also had two week of intense training under the direction of the Captain and Senior Staff NCO. I participated on two different bases. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45094 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45094 Tue, 09 May 2006 19:48:08 -0600 This is new? I bet there are more than a few NIOTC graduates that remember Roberts and SERE and providing there own base defense and convoy security during the late unpleasentness in SE Asia. Of course sometimes the Uniform of the Day was cut-offs, flack jacket, helment and Ho Chi Minh sandles... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45058 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45058 Tue, 09 May 2006 05:01:50 -0600 Hey, I know a couple of guys who essentially got 'downsized' out of the Marines and so shifted to the Army---it happens when your whole job is IT and the Marines decide they don't need that many keyboard commandos. Is that a Fourth Way? SOme guys just want to be lifers and aren't going to get there in the Navy, AF, or USMC? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45056 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45056 Mon, 08 May 2006 23:38:33 -0600 Hey - and they can score some Army fruit salad! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45039 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45039 Mon, 08 May 2006 16:17:54 -0600 Icky. Dirt. Eeeeewwww. Bugs. No flush toilets. Did I mention bugs? (BTW, I have been involved in the sending end of the IA program in the near past. I still think I should check under the car every AM.....but I am a fan of it.....it is war....18-month Navy "Fleet Response Plan" isn't helping to push that much...everyone I know that has done one is proud of their service...if all else fails - A b1tching Sailor is a happy Sailor.) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45038 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45038 Mon, 08 May 2006 16:14:58 -0600 Steve - he probably has a cut on that hand. HL - Congress *has* authorized more troops. The DoD doesn't want them, right? Flip side - if these guys *are* available, and willing, why not use them? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45034 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45034 Mon, 08 May 2006 15:22:59 -0600 one rubber glove.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45023 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45023 Mon, 08 May 2006 12:33:07 -0600 First of all, the nitpick PAO once again...those are M16A2s. Second, last I checked, the Army was meeting or exceeding both recriuting and retention goals, so any Army manpower issues aren't coming from there. If there aren't enough Army and Marines troops, it's because Congress hasn't authorized those services to be big enough, and that's an issue going back over a decade, to the Bush I and Clinton administration's 'peace dividend.' Another issue (which I'd hope the article points out, but the commentators might miss) is that you can be reasonably sure those sailors are all volunteers. You want to take bets that at least some are doing it so they can actually get in on the fight, as opposed to floating around the ocean in a tin can swabbing decks and repainting things for the umpteenth time? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45022 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45022 Mon, 08 May 2006 12:17:52 -0600 this book interesting. The author, a Brit member of 10 Para, waas my deskmate in my NATO job. Wonderful antidote to all the nonsense we endured. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45019 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/05/cdr_salamander_is_pleased_no_doubt.html#comment-45019 Mon, 08 May 2006 10:47:19 -0600