Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..: April 22, 2007

H&I* Fires, 28 APR 2007

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

*****************************
I have to laugh. One day we’re berating the US Army for accepting gangbangers and racists, and the next we’re castigating the Army for trying to find and expunge them. Kind of like how people ranted and raved about how slow gov’t was in response to Katrina but now there’s editorials an inch thick on the ground railing against moves to alter Posse Commitatus that would allow for faster response at the federal level.
--
Catching bad guys and pumping them for information to be used in the WOT isn’t enough to please some people.
--
I’m not a fan of Dugout Doug, but this strikes me as proper:

Amid complaints from military chaplains and concerns that disclosure of the brothels would embarrass the Occupation forces back in the United States, on March 25, 1946, MacArthur placed all brothels, comfort stations and other places of prostitution off-limits. The RAA soon collapsed.

--ry
************************
I don't know if anyone has listened to this previously, but I found this very moving: I Am A Ranger...I Do Not Fail. (tissue alert) H/T Thunder Run

Don't forget, Welcome Home for the 24th Marines today

On the wall, Iraq the Model - The Wall and David Kilcullen writes Urban Tourniquet.

Kilcullen and the Fadhil brothers both note that the "protest" was organized by Al Qaeda or other Sunni insurgents and used the press as a weapon. Kilcullen also notes in comments that, while Malike publically halted the wall, a few days later, after discussions with his own military, police and the US forces, after the press went on to something else, Maliki gave the go ahead for the wall to go into place. This is really the Tal Afar campaign on a much larger scale, broken up by small neighborhoods. I imagine, since McMaster's is one of Petraeus's group of "intelligensia" for his current strategy, that the idea came from that success.

Another note from a soldier on the ground: The Great Wall of Indifference

For those of you who are (or are not) Hitchens Fans, he talks about the history of the Barbary Pirates and the US involvement. H/T Thunder Run

And then another from Hot Air, Hitchens on free speech in which he takes them to task for trying to enact a speech code to protect Islam when it is the least free and demanding protection when some of its adherents do things like protest cartoons with signs that say "behead the blasphemers". The discussion on Islam is in the last 6 minutes, but I really recommend the entire lecture.
-kat

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

And, of course, because El Supremo ordered it, there was no more prostitution in Japan from that day forward. Pity he apparently forgot about his powers of omnipitance later or he could have ordered the North Koreans not to be aggressive, and the Chinese not to intervene.

Marine6 Sends

posted by Marine6 on April 28, 2007 8:32 AM

Hey, he let you guys play at Inchon. What's your beef, Sandman?;)

posted by ry on April 28, 2007 10:00 AM

Comrades,

I hope that whoever ordered that search for tats gets their @ss handed to them in a sh*tcan. There's a special place in hell reserved for pointy-eared gits like that, and there should be NO PLACE in the US Military for them. Yet, they seem to gravitate to the military like flies to a cadaver. Maybe their actions are a response to a lack of p*nis size, or maybe they didn't get enough respect in school.

I put them in the same class of people who WANTED to be hall monitors, the type who enjoy pulling the legs off of insects and setting animals on fire.

But that's just me. It's actions like this, however, that bring Kipling's poem "Tommy" to mind.

Respects,

posted by Gwedd on April 28, 2007 10:36 AM

So, AW1 Tim, how many gang signs reside in *your* tat-field?

8^ )

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 28, 2007 12:24 PM

John,

Heh... none that I know of, although there was that time on liberty in Sandy Eggo..... some "lost time" that I'm not sure i want to recall.....

No, I just can't stand the holier-than-thou attitude. The issue of gang tats reminds me very much of the sort of comments made as to why "coloreds" shouldn't be allowed to serve.

Respects,

posted by Gwedd on April 28, 2007 4:23 PM

A couple of points.

1. With the media, we can do no right, unless we are hanging our own people out to dry, and then they whine because we are not doing it fast enough for them to use against us.

2. Once again, our open enemy in our backyard is castigating us for catching bad guys trying to do bad things. Anyone else thinking about Lincoln's shutting down of the press during the civil war may be the right thing to do with those who publish classified information?

posted by Jon The Mechanic on April 28, 2007 5:57 PM

Yea, Mc Arthur really put a damper on prostitution in Japan, just like the current TIP policy has really hurt the customers of the juicy bars in Korea.

posted by Skippy-san on April 28, 2007 9:19 PM

On the tattoo thing:

Back when my Dad was dying, but I thought we could bring him home, if we got the HVAC fixed, the guy who came out to inspect the system turned out to be a very competent, easygoing fella, tolerant of my weirdness, and mine and Dad's horribly bad housekeeping, with a strange device tattooed on his left arm.

It had a skull and crossbones, and what looked like the SS runes, and other nasty qualities. I asked him what it was about. He said it was a USMC Scout-Sniper tattoo.

I said, Kewel! or words to that effect. He said he'd tried being a policeman for a while after getting out of the Corps, but couldn't go along with the cop attitude and preferred to make an honest living. That's what I remember. I think I wrote about it to Sgt. B at the time

posted by Justthisguy on April 29, 2007 12:25 AM

JTM got my meaning apparently. The situation is a total goat-f@#$. We should be hopping mad that gang bangers and racists are getting into the military. Looking for them, unless it's white racists dontchaknow, is offensive because we're targeting a minority group---fascistic tendency if the press ever saw one.

And AW1 Tim, it isn't simply tats. WGaF about tats? It's a specific set of one's that people get(stuff like the Swastika or one identifying one as a memeber of Loc Tre) that's a problem. It isn't simply tats. This is something that should be considered, but done long before this point in time in someone's service.

A new phenomenon is that gangs are sending their junior members into the military. When junior member gets out he comes with a set of skills he teaches to others(like how to shoot without resorting to the stuuuped spray and pray, but telegenic, stance; and how to set up an ambush(if it's another gang I don't care, but ambushing cops, well, that just sucks.).

posted by ry on April 30, 2007 7:37 AM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by Denizens on Apr 28, 2007 | General Commentary

Transformatively Moving Forward, Brit-style.

As I ponder my response to LTC Yingling's piece (I'm generally favorably disposed after finally getting a chance to read it) I'll leave you with this, from Free Market Fairy Tales, on some of the Brit issues with moving ahead transformatively... h/t, CAPT H, of course.

A sample to get you to click that link:

1. This guidance is being issued to remedy a perceived difficulty experienced by Staff at all levels in understanding the rationale behind recent Defence re-structuring. In particular many Staff Officers seem not to understand how reducing the numbers of aircraft, ships, tanks, artillery and soldiers results in a more flexible, robust and effective fighting force.
2. In particular it seems that much of the confusion stems from a systemic misunderstanding of the correct use of military terminology. A list of common terms and actual meanings follows.

3. In addition there follows an explanation of the key assumptions embedded within the Defence Review. All Staff Officers are encouraged to seek clarification through their Chain of Command if they still have any questions.

4. Staff Terminology used in the new Defence Plan;

Flexible- a. Smaller. b. unable to operate unless under US protection

Robust- a. Smaller b. Lacking reserves or regeneration capability

Networked- Smaller, but still unable to talk to each other

Capable- Smaller

Agile- Really, really small

Deployability- Method of making the Forces, primarily the Army, able to send higher percentages of their manpower to a distant location. This is achieved by reducing the overall numbers involved, i.e. “In future the Army will be able to send 50% of it’s manpower to Africa in the back of a Cessna, thus achieving greater deployability”.

Reach- The distance the American’s are willing to fly us

Efficient- Much, much smaller

Streamlined- Just unbelievably small

There is more cynical goodness to be had.

It is itself harvested from a Brit army website, but I figure FMFT went to the trouble, he should get the traffic!

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

I loved this nugget from Yingling: "Civilian policymakers have neither the expertise nor the inclination to think deeply about strategic probabilities in the distant future."

Surely this rings a bell? In the film Dr Strangelove, the crazed Air Force general Jack Ripper, certainly an independent thinker and no mere institutional automaton, says: "Politicians have neither the time, nor the inclination, for strategic thought."

He then proceeds to blow up the planet with his B52 wing.

posted by OD on April 28, 2007 11:47 AM

Also, I notice Yingling quotes Frederick the Great, in his argument that more thoughtful, educated officers should be promoted.

But he omits my favourite Frederick the Great quote: "If my officers ever started to think, not one of them would remain in the Army."

posted by OD on April 28, 2007 11:53 AM

Seriously, though, if Yingling were right, the US would always be preparing to fight the last war. Thus, in 1990, when Saddam invaded Kuwait, the US Army would have been set up to fight a low-intensity counterinsurgency, because that's what its last major war had been in Vietnam.

Instead, the US Army was ideally prepared to destroy Iraqi armour in 1991, because the US is ALWAYS set up to fight high-intensity interstate wars.

Yingling fails to realise that the major reason for this is the arms industry. Policy posts in the Pentagon are entirely held by executives from the arms industry. The arms industry makes paltry profits from guerrilla wars, and prefers heavy stuff for obvious reasons.

Thus the focus on equipment that is designed not to deter threats or defeat enemies, but to maximally enrich the arms tycoons running Pentagon policy.

The generals know that cosy directorships in arms firms await if they don't rock the boat. They mostly have to retire pretty young, so need the money.

The system is hard-wired to enrich arms dealers. That means more taxpayer dollars on equipment, less on paying soldiers' salaries, which is money wasted as far as the arms industry is concerned.

Of course the huge lead times on these heavy weapons make the system even more unwieldy.

Study the curriculae vitae of those in Pentagon policy posts and all becomes clear.

posted by OD on April 28, 2007 12:15 PM

Snerk. Owen, you show up at the oddest times.

Come back tomorrow, when I have my bit up.

Are you going to be *defending* the Generals?

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 28, 2007 12:22 PM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by John on Apr 28, 2007 | Observations on things Military
� CDR Salamander links with: Yingling Babblefest

Saturday Gun Pr0n.

This is kewl.

Hosting provided by FotoTime

This one is kewler.

Update: Dave (check the comments) found the website where this picture came from. The Sports Shooting site for the German firm Dornier.

The pictures, as received by me, had their markings removed, and came with false attribution. I've fixed that by adding the data back in, and linking to the site (which, as Dave notes, has more kewl stuff on it). I'm cool with fair use, but I don't like people sending me things that have been sterilized - the sender of these was victimized, too. Regardless, what was up yesterday, wasn't fair use, and the Armorer regrets the abuse. Always feel free, if we post something here you know belongs to someone else and we don't atttibute it properly, to let me know, in the comments or in email.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Apr 28, 2007 | Gun Pics

H&I* Fires, 27 APR 2007

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

*****************************

I wonder if I'd get the same treatment, if I was a convicted felon found to be in possession of dope and a gun?

Snoop Dogg has avoided a jail sentence after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in a Californian court.
The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr, was given five years probation and 800 hours of community service.

Well, the Judge sure gave Mr. Broadus the smack-down and put his gangsta-a$$ on notice!

Broadus was also told that only half of his community service could be with the youth American football league he runs.
Superior Court Judge Terry Smerling also ruled that the star must not have any gang members in his entourage.

Heh. Just, heh.

The Aussies took a slightly different approach.

Rapper Snoop Dogg has been banned from entering Australia after failing a character test, according to officials.
The star - real name Calvin Broadus - was due to co-host the MTV Australian Video Music Awards on Sunday.

The 35-year-old had his visa cancelled after recently pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in the US.

"He doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country," Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews told Sydney's Macquarie Radio.

There goes the Girls Gone Wyld shoot in Australia! -the Armorer

********************************

Blogfather Jonah went to Oxford to debate (in Opposition) the question "This House Regrets The Founding Of The United States."

You'll be happy to know the vote was 2-to-1 in favor of the Founding. However, some Brits still carry a grudge over the Tea Party, I guess.

Fair's fair. I propose a new debate. "The Castle Regrets the Foundering of England." Just a thought. -the Armorer

********************************

Note for Senator Obama. We're *always* "one signature away from ending" a war. At the bottom of a surrender document. Jules has more. -the Armorer

*********************************

Apparently you're never too old to attend college. Congratulations to Ms. Nola Ochs!

Don't know how I missed this intersection between Iraq and VA-Tech, but I wanted to share: "Bloodied but unbowed, the young of Iraq are with us."

For your Friday Cat-Blogging pleasure, Lex points out another way that cats are not like dogs.

Raven brings her nursing expertise to an article on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). With typical dark humor, wounded veterans call it "Can't Remember S***."

Remember the UC Santa Cruz activists who drove recruiters out of a campus job fair? They've succeeded again: UCSC Activists Celebrate Victory Against Military Recruiters. Yes, they celebrated. [h/t Yankee Mom]

And for those wondered how she knocked your socks off from 2,000 miles away: The Art of the Military Love Letter. - FbL

*****************************

I fear Dick Durbin has finally gone off the deep end. Powerline summarizes:

Durbin accuses himself of cowardice, but it's hard to know what he would say about the other Democratic members of the Senate Intelligence Committee: as the Times notes, five of the nine Democrats on the committee voted for the war, and at least two of them, Levin and Rockefeller, specifically said before the war that Saddam was pursuing nuclear weapons. Apparently they didn't get access to the double-secret information Durbin now talks about, four years after the fact.
On balance, I would acquit Durbin of cowardice and convict him of mendacity.

The ability of our elected "leaders" to stand there and tell us baldfaced lies still amazes me. Or are they just suffering from delusions and memory loss? - FbL

*****************************

Information War: the Media as a Weapon

Great Wall of Indifference discusses the wall around Adhamiya, it's purpose and, in light of the article above on the media as a weapon, how the insurgents used the media and its aversion to the "apartheid wall" in Israel to stop the security wall in their neighborhood. Thus, letting the Shia death sqauds, Sunni insurgents and al Qaeda terrorists run free.

Finally, for those in the area, I know it is short notice, but tomorrow, Saturday 28th, the 24th Marine returns home. PGR, Soldiers' Angels and the City of Belton will be welcoming them home in a two stage program. Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) and persons desiring to participate will first welcome the Marines home at the KCI airport and then escort them to Belton.

If you would like to participate in the ride/escort (cars are welcome), meet at the Airport Marriott at 5pm, April 28th. If you would like to participate in the avenue of flags in Belton, please go to KC Soldiers' Angels for details.

As always, thank you for supporting our men and women in uniform.
-Kat

*****************************

So you understand the extent of the war: Saudis arrest 172 alleged terrorists plotting to blow up Saudis #1 oil refinery and others inside and out of the country. Some were sent to other countries to learn to fly airplanes as some part of the attack, though exact details are not released. $32.4mil in funds were captured along with a giant weapons cache buried in the desert and in the target house.

Even had they not succeeded completely, the damage to security inside Saudi Arabia, thus it's stability, would be tremendous and we'd be paying for it at the gas pumps.

-kat

Active Duty Officer criticizes generals in Iraq. The AP insists that this, "suggests that misgivings about the conduct of the Iraq war are widespread in the officer corps at a critical time in the troubled U.S. military mission here" because it is a "rare occurance". The actual article he wrote is here. -kat

Oh. And just in case this is all too boring and long for you to read, check out the guy that says, "I should have had a V-8".

*****************************

I just heard this on the radio news headlines. so I don't have an online link. Apparently the Congress won't give the President the funding bill until Tuesday because... wait for it... they want to "commemorate" the 4th anniversary of his "mission accomplished speech." - FbL

*****************************

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

Comrades,

Ah, England... where every young man can dream of becoming a queen...

Where a cookie is a biscuit, and a biscuit is a bap.

Respects,

posted by Gwedd on April 27, 2007 7:40 AM

Hopefully, the days of America sending its youth to die saving "sophisticated" Europeans from themselves are over.

How 3 previous Democratic "regimes" dragged the US into their centuries-old civil, religious, and ethnic wars is beyond me.

If only we'd had a President Reid or President Obama or President Hillary back then, we'd have saved a lot of American lives by avoiding these futile and senseless wars.

posted by fdcol63 on April 27, 2007 7:57 AM

Frank, you naughty man you!

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 27, 2007 7:59 AM

"The Castle Regrets the Foundering of England."

Ouch.

posted by Damian on April 27, 2007 9:28 AM

Ah, Dick Durbin another Brain Dead Drooling Idiot. People in this country sure pick the losers in the field of candidates.

2008, the Year of the Assclown Candidates, sweet...

posted by Rita on April 27, 2007 9:52 AM

FbL - The ability of our elected "leaders" to stand there and tell us baldfaced lies still amazes me.

Why? You *know* a pol is lying whenever his/her lips are moving...

Oh, and folks who've had dain bramage (in one form or another) prefer to use the acronym: CRS. It's shorter, so it's easier to -- ummmmm -- drat...

posted by BillT on April 27, 2007 10:13 AM

It's Santa Cruz. What more do you expect?

The school refuses to give grades. Though it has some strong depts it is the weirdest campus of all the UCs. Even weirder than Berkely. It isn't easy to get into UCSC either.

I'm sure if they could get away with it they'd make the official plant of the school and city that which produces hemp. It's a weird place, but if you go visit the Mystery Spot.

I'm not surprised in the least. I say leave them there. YOu prolly wouldn't want someone from UCSC(Bannana Slugs) anyway if you're a Service. It's just not what the place is about.

posted by ry on April 27, 2007 10:25 AM

Bill,

*heehee* There's more of that dark humor... Seriously, I forgot to include the acronym (fixed now).

posted by FbL on April 27, 2007 10:32 AM

So, a young LCol has begun preparing the path to his second career ...

Cheers

posted by J.M. Heinrichs on April 27, 2007 11:32 AM

Interestingly, if you read his entire paper, a good part of it is about war preparation for the "next" or "last" war and the selection of career officers who are "just like mike". You know, nobody wants to promote the rabble rousing, innovative Lt col...er...general.

Not that some of his criticisms aren't valid, but I do find it interesting that his treatise was written and taken from the stand point that Iraq and Vietnam are the same and both are/were lost.

Maybe it is the lack of casualties, comparatively speaking, but I just can't picture these two wars as the same nor our approach exactly. Though, I think it would be interesting to compare the strategies employed at the beginning three years to those employed in Vietnam to see if we did learn anything.

I really recommend the LT col's original article just to get a view. He quotes Fredrick the great and clausowitz. something that the AP leaves out because it would totally ruin their search for at least one ranking officer that will speak "truth to power" from the ranks of the uniformed.

posted by kat-missouri on April 27, 2007 2:11 PM

Sir Lex had an angle on it I hadn't seen. The guy was calling for people with liberal arts educations and languages to be made Flags. Guys alot like the good Lt. Col apparently.

He's also doing a theme that I often see over and over. Whether it be Lind, Hammes, and van Creveld; Barnett and Robb; or us over here it's always the same: we didn't buy the right Army. I often wonder if it is simple as that. Why didn't we buy that Army(Navy, Air Force, and Corps)? Is it simply that the Pentagon was able to sell people on near peer Big War at the expense of Small War/MOOTW/4GW? I don't buy that as a single cause. I hardly ever buy single cause arguments anymore.

There's other factors possible for me to agree with that just yet.

posted by ry on April 27, 2007 3:34 PM

I know it doesn't apply to items in the H&I fires but I find this encouraging in todays Democrat madness climate.

I received this message earlier today from the Kansas Senate where the evil Democrap Govenor veto'd a piece of legislation referring to concealed carry ... once again voting against the will of the people.

"I am so pleased to report that the Senate just voted 30 Yes and 10 No to override the veto on HB2528. It has been a long, hard and stressful battle and we have prevailed.

These new laws will be published to the Kansas Register. As soon as they go in to effect I will send out a summary of exactly what these new laws do and what the effective date is.

I want to thank everyone who wrote letters and made phone calls. You made a difference!

I find this encouraging in that hard work and sweat can prevail against Barking Moonbats in State or National office.

posted by jim b on April 27, 2007 4:05 PM

On the Snoop thing:

When seeking entrance to Oz as a foreigner, and the man asks if you are a felon, answer

"Sorry, no. Is it still required to be one, to get in?"

posted by Justthisguy on April 27, 2007 4:40 PM

Several notes here.

1. Is it just me, or did anyone else laugh at the irony of the affiliation of the Speakers in Proposition?

2. Of course cats are evil, vicious brutes. In fact, there is a quote somewhere about how you should not be forgetting that if cats were bigger than we were, we would be lunch in a heartbeat.

3. Wasn't there some law passed that if a college that took fed funds wouldn't allow military recruiters on post, they lost their funding??
Methinks that UC Santa Cruz needs a spinning roundhouse to the checkbook from Uncle Sam. Then these misguided little youths can explain to mommy and daddy why they have to fork out another 10 grand next semester.

posted by Jon The Mechanic on April 27, 2007 8:49 PM

One point... look at the speakers for claiming America was a mistake.

* Robert Griffiths (UK Communist Party)
* David Pidcock (UK ISlamic Party)
* Jamal Harwood (Hizb ut-Tahir)

Ummm... yeah. Did I miss something here?

posted by Big D on April 28, 2007 1:52 AM

[I] wonder if I'd get the same treatment, if I was a convicted felon found to be in possession of dope and a gun. –John

If you are white – that’s one year

If you are not a wealth “rapper” – that’s another year.

And, because of your difficult “Whatziss!” photos – that’s another year.

posted by Ledger on April 28, 2007 2:40 AM

Big D - I was wondering who would bring that up.

+10 for actually following a link!

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 28, 2007 7:00 AM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by Denizens on Apr 27, 2007 | General Commentary

A reminder, Milblog-fans...

Today is the last day to register for the Milblogger Conference - which is next week!

Lest you think, surfer, that this is just a buncha non-serious christo-fascist troglodyte myrmidons with no gravitas... I would point out this little coup that Andi (Mistress of the Confab) scored:

We're pleased to announce that Jamie McIntyre, Senior Pentagon Correspondent for CNN, will be our Master of Ceremonies for the 2007 MilBlog Conference.

According to the schedule, I'll be onstage Saturday afternoon moderating the Rapid Fire Roundup panel - you can throw things at me. But I'll be bringing the Cluebat of Argghhh! so don't be surprised if I PLF off the dais and head for you... (Heh, imagine John Candy doing a PLF...)

Unless it's money. Then I'll be too busy clubbing the panelists so I can scoop it all up myself!

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Apr 27, 2007 | Shameless Self-Promotion

The Democrats have had their say.

In what really was a safe vote for them. Knowing that the President is going to veto the bill allows you to vote yes for it but insulates you from any immediate consequences, especially since this is the first year of a new Congress, and things change over time.

This was political posturing. Of course, if they think it didn't just make most deployed military people anxious, well, they truly don't understand the troops. The troops are always pawns - but now they've truly been advanced deep into the other side of the board, while wondering what the support is behind them. Some are going to get cautious, even as the vote emboldens and gives aid and comfort to the enemy. This is an Army of long service professionals, but, it can't help but impact on morale.

Indeed, for some, it will improve. Everybody wants to come home. And some want to come home regardless of what happens to the mission. But most, most I suspect are annoyed, some are angry, and just about all are tired of politics and politicians. But, for most, that's just an adjustment, not a change.

The real test for Congress comes after the veto. Then we'll see their mettle, one way or another. And the people will judge in the next election. And they may well validate this action - or they will repudiate it.

Regardless, we have to find a way to fight this war. Iraq is a campaign, though we allowed it to be cast as a war, somehow different from the rest of it. The war will go on, and the democracies must find a way to fight this kind of war, where the enemy is as happy killing his own, knowing that somehow that saps our will, as he his killing us. And he'd rather kill our civilians, simply because it's easier to kill them, than it is to kill our soldiers. And since for our enemy, this *is* an existentialist war - he's going to keep coming.

A thought, for Representative Boyda, who voted *for* the supplemental - how long did it take to deal with Malaysia? How long is it taking to deal with Northern Ireland? How long has there been a fight in the Philippines? Is it the intent of Congress to just pull out and obtain "Peace with Honor?" (which was anything but) or an intent to forge a new approach? Because I haven't seen any sign of new approach, just withdrawal without putting something more substantive in it's place. Mind you, this doesn't excuse or wave away the mistakes made in the campaign to date - but it does ask - what is the substantive plan to replace the one crafted by General Petraeus? Because you just cut his timeline short, were the President to sign the bill. (A real small part of me wants him to have a temper tantrum and say "Fine, I'll bring 'em all home right now." Fortunately, *I'm* not the President, and herein demonstrate one more time my essential unfitness for the job).

This takes time. And we need a President who can make his Departments step up to the plate and do their jobs, and cooperate. We need a Congress that tends to business at home, vice being a Shadow Presidency in the foreign policy arena (Congress has it's role, certainly, still - there is that whole separation of powers thing). But it's going to be a tough row to hoe if our natural allies in this fight choose to hide behind our skirts *and* snipe at us, or just bury their heads in the sand, hoping it will all go away. The problem is deeper than just the President, Congress, Republican, Democrat. It really is civilizational.

Because while you can argue whether Congress demanded a de facto surrender, we know who *hasn't* surrendered. The enemy. It takes two to tango - it only takes one to have a war.

I'll close this post with a new Motivator.

Achievement

Only in the fullness of time will we know whether at this moment, we stand on the shoulders of giants...

or pygmies.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

I'm sure that some who voted for this bill did so out of a genuine belief that it's time to end the war and give "peace a chance". I also firmly believe that this view is incredibly naive, but I'll take these people at their word.

However, I also believe that many who voted for this bill did so with a more sinister goal:

They don't like America, and they don't like American sovereignty. Instead, they want to subjugate our sovereignty to a supranational, global entity like the UN. They detest the American military, and they fear that a strong, effective American military stands in their way.

Recognizing that it's unfeasible to return to a draft, conscript Army which they can use to foment the same kind of anti-war demonstrations and civil unrest that they successfully generated in the late 1960's, they needed to seek a new method of sapping American will.

They also recognized that they needed a way to demoralize the kind of highly motivated, intelligent, and more educated people who now willingly serve in the US military out of their love of country and homeland.

What better way to do this but to pull the rug out from under these brave men and women in the middle of the job, and tell them and their families that all their sacrifices, blood, sweat,and tears has been for NOTHING? Nada? Zip?

The "Democrats" whose goal this is know very well what the effect(s) of their vote will be, both in terms of demoralizing our volunteer troops, sapping American will, undermining American credibility and strength, and providing aid and comfort to our enemies.

And they're betting that we're too stupid or apathetic to do anything about it.

Are we?

posted by fdcol63 on April 27, 2007 8:41 AM

Ha, with the Democrats in charge, I say we are going to be standing on the shoulders of naked Pygmies...which means the Dems might as well drop to their knees right now. I myself will elevate myself to Giant, that way we can start smashing some pygmies.

posted by Rita on April 27, 2007 10:01 AM

Because I haven't seen any sign of new approach, just withdrawal without putting something more substantive in it's place.

The only thing that will be substantively replaced under the Demautocrats is the personnel makeup of the front line in the GWOT (I ain't PC -- handle it).

Instead of troops, it'll be civilians -- the troops will be redeployed to protect Congress from the terrs prior to the next Homeland Whack and from the American public during and after same.

The Dems will, of course, deny it with considerable expenditure of hot, gusty, greenhouse gases and then return to their primary concern -- how to lie their way out of responsibility for their actions so fundraising for their re-election campaigns doesn't suffer apocalyptic damage, too...

posted by BillT on April 27, 2007 10:39 AM

Umm, just who is that obviously very senior Sergeant of Marines in that pic?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Surely it's not Daly.

posted by Justthisguy on April 27, 2007 11:17 PM

"Iraq is a campaign, though we allowed it to be cast as a war, somehow different from the rest of it."

John, I've long felt that much of the problem is that the Administration has failed in the "info" battle, such as not countering the use of "The Iraq War." The outline of the future history book of this war should be:

The War Against Islamo-fascism

-Southwest Asian Theatre

-Hindu-Kush Front

-The Battle of Afghanistan

-Mesopotamian Front

-The Battle of Iraq

...

Getting that concept across would have made the Administration's job easier, as well as counteracting the naysayers.

Hmmmm. The indents aren't coming out properly in "preview," but I think you will get the idea.

posted by Outpost37 on April 28, 2007 2:16 AM

Indeed, OP37, indeed.

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 28, 2007 9:28 AM

JTG:

He's no one anyone would recognize, just a retired Marine visiting Iwo Jima for the anniversary.

posted by monkeyboy on April 28, 2007 3:02 PM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by John on Apr 27, 2007 | Politics

Canadian Military Awards

The Canadian Army is as involved in the GWOT as ours, given the comparative sizes. And being involved in more sustained combat operations than they have been for a long while prior, they are generating their new generation of heroes, however understated it all may be. The following list is instructive, I think, in terms of what it says about the Canadian Army.

To wit: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced nine Military Valour Decorations to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat, and seven Mention in Dispatches to individuals whose specific achievements have brought hono(u)r to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.

Specifically, the Star of Military Valour (2nd highest award for valor, equivalent to our Distinguished Service Cross)

Corporal Sean Teal, S.M.V.
Private Jess Randall Larochelle, S.M.V.

The Medal for Military Valour, a Silver Star equivalent:

Corporal Chad Gerald Chevrefils, M.M.V.

Corporal Jason Funnell, M.M.V.

Master-Corporal Sean Hubert Niefer, M.M.V.

Private Michael Patrick O’Rourke, M.M.V.

Corporal Clinton John Orr, M.M.V.

Captain Michael John Reekie, M.M.V.

Corporal Joseph Jason Lee Ruffolo, M.M.V.

Mentioned in Dispatches: We don't really have an exact equivalent to map this to. It can be awarded for performance or valor - kind of the like Bronze Star and Bronze Star with V.

Sergeant Brian Vincent Adams, C.D.
Corporal William Jonathan Elliott

Corporal Nigel Jason Gregg

Master-Corporal Richard James Alan Harris, C.D.

Sergeant Dan James Holley

Master-Corporal Dwayne Robert Alvin Orvis

Private Timmy Dean Wilkins

Aside from my habit of honoring our allies, what's my point, in that it says something about the Canadian Forces? In this group of honorees at least, there is only one officer. Suggesting that not only are Canadian forces doing good combat planning, that doesn't require the officer leaders on the ground in the fight to do extraordinary things to retrieve a situation, they also are not just patting each other on the back a lot. Nor is there an indication of there being that kind of officer the soldiers dislike - the Glory Hound.

The honors are going to the group most involved in direct combat at the personal level, where ordinary operations can require extraordinary effort: the part of the junior participants and their direct leaders, the non-commissioned officers.

It's a single datum, and I'm not going to go researching Canadian medal stats - I'm just making an observation on things military.

You can keep track of our lot's heroes at the DoD website Heroes In The War On Terror (which blogger pressure, among other things, caused to be created),

H/t, CAPT H, and The Torch.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

From a private e-mail I received late last year:

"When the storm struck, Private (Pte) Jess Larochelle was in the south most machine gun pit. The enemy attack washed over him like a rogue wave. His position erupted in explosions, as bullets and shrapnel hissed through the air around him. Larochelle thought he was hallucinating as he saw seemingly mini-explosions go off above his outpost. Little did he realize at the time that the enemy was using RPG munitions that emitted mini cluster rounds from its 75mm warhead, which in turn exploded spraying deadly shrapnel much like an air-burst round. Despite the weight of fire he continued to fire at his invisible antagonists who were cloaked by the tree line.

***

To get to 2 Section’s LAV he first had to pass by the southern most OP. [Platoon Commander Lt] Corby did not expect to find anyone alive. As he arrived at the bowl in the centre of the strongpoint position, which was also the casualty collection point, he was able to get eyes on the OP. At first glance it had appeared that the OP had been struck hard. He could not see anyone and the tarp that had been hung above the outpost to provide shade had been torn away by the fire and it hung in tattered rags. Close by he could see the empty casings of four M72 launchers.

Corby called out twice to the OP. He finally got a response. Pte Larochelle poked his head up with his C-6 and confirmed he was “okay” and “by himself.” The platoon commander then directed Larochelle to provide covering fire so he could enter the OP. Larochelle then pointed out where he had been engaging the enemy with his C-9 LMG, the C-6 GPMG and the M72s. The firefight had been so brisk that Larochelle was down to his last half belt of 7.62mm GPMG ammunition. He had weathered the storm and continued to fire at any movement or weapon signature he could see. He also maintained his discipline and continued to observe his arcs of fire to ensure no enemy was approaching from the east, even though he was taking heavy fire from the west.

Corby was humbled by the young soldier’s valiant efforts. However, he had no time to reflect on Larochelle’s courage – there was work to be done. Corby now instructed Larochelle to lay down more fire so he could make his final way to 2 Section’s (C/S 33B) LAV. Corby promised that when he returned he would bring additional ammo."

A new Private, by himself in an OP (don't know how or why that was allowed to happen - although Lt Corby had only taken over the platoon three weeks earlier, due to casualties), under intense attack for more than half an hour and he conducts himself just about perfectly.

You'll also note that none of the valour medal awardees have been in the CF long enough to earn their CD (a decoration given for twelve years of undetected mischief in uniform). That's a testament not only to their character, but to the recruiting and training system.

posted by Damian on April 27, 2007 9:59 AM

Excellent post, John. Thanks very much for making that most significant point. I've linked to this post from my temporary blog and I'll copy that post over once the main blog comes back online.

posted by Nicholas on April 27, 2007 10:49 AM

That's a testament not only to their character, but to the recruiting and training system.

But it attests their character, first, foremost and uppermost. A recruiting and training system can only shape the character that already exists -- it can temper the metal, but it can't manufacture the mettle...

posted by BillT on April 27, 2007 10:51 AM

You know, I've been meaning to write something about the changes I saw at the Centcom and MNF-I sites when I came back to blogging after a long hiatus.

I am always lambasting the military and government for their failures, but they finally did respond, as John notes, to the pressure. That old website for Centcom was a horror.

posted by kat-missouri on April 27, 2007 2:42 PM

Bill, of course you're right. What I was trying to get at was that we're recruiting young men and women of that calibre, and not the dead-end dregs of society as some in the press would have the public believe. And once we get them, we train them to take care of details like disciplined arcs of fire, we train them to be able to respond effectively under fire by themselves at the rank of Private for extended periods of time - you don't manage that feat without training.

But of course, you have to start with the character in the first place.

posted by Damian on April 27, 2007 3:29 PM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by John on Apr 27, 2007 | Observations on things Military
� links with: Canadian Military Awards

H&I* Fires, 26 APR 2007

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

*****************************
I agree with the title of the editorial, the idea behind the title, and that’s it. Many American’s don’t trust the State owning a monopoly in this realm.
--
A couple of things that just seem to belong together in my mind:
1) Hate mail against the Patriarchy with rat poison.
2) A call for smarter and more effective monitoring of bent on violence radicals in the US by a Congress Critter.

I see other events, recent ones at that, which point to a need to re-examine how we deal with wackos of all political stripes and ‘righteous revolution’ ideologies.(h/t to Orbusmax)
--
First they came for my ham sandwich.
--ry

*********************************

A pilot Dusty and Bill could relate to - especially Bill (because he's been there, done that):

Although his own aircraft had been hit by shrapnel, Gibbes went to the aid of his downed fellow pilot. With the rest of his formation providing cover, he landed and taxied his single-seat Kittyhawk across the rocky desert for a mile until stopped by a depression. He jettisoned the external fuel tank to reduce the weight of his aircraft before pacing out a take-off strip as his comrade evaded Italian troops and ran to meet him.
Gibbes ditched his own parachute to allow his friend to sit in the seat before climbing in after him and sitting on his lap. Then, as he took off, his undercarriage hit a small ridge, and he watched in horror as the port wheel fell off.

Read more about Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes, who has died at age 90. He was one of Australia's greatest fighter pilots, an archetype of the breed, and this is classic brit-style obit writing at the Telegraph. H/t, CAPT H.

Professor Hanson on Whither the War on Terror?

The answer seems to be “no” for an increasing number in the West who are weary over Afghanistan and Iraq or complacent from the absence of a major attack on the scale of 9/11.

...This thinking may seem understandable given the ineffectiveness of al Qaeda to kill many Americans after 9/11. Or it may also reflect hopes that if we only leave Iraq, radical Islam will wither away. But it is dead wrong for a number of reasons.
First, Islamic terrorists plotting attacks are arrested periodically in both Europe and the United States. Just last week a leaked British report detailed al Qaeda’s plans for future “large-scale” operations. We shouldn’t be blamed for being alarmist when our alarmism has resulted in our safety at home for the past five years.

Second, have we forgotten that Nazi Germany was never able to kill 3,000 Americans on our homeland? Did Japan ever destroy 16 acres in Manhattan or hit the nerve center of the U.S. military? Even the Soviet Union couldn’t inflict billions of dollars in damage to the U.S. economy in a single day.

Read the rest here at National Review Online. -the Armorer

*********************************

Since my posting is depressing (at least to me) today - we need something to spark a grin. But make sure you're in a safe environment, because there's a full moon in the sky. Who knew Maggie flew in a Douglas A26 Invader? -the Armorer

*********************************
Redstate is reporting from Iraq. I particularly liked the one about foreign journalists embedding with our soldiers and learning to respect them.

“Absolutely amazing,” said David Beriain, the reporter (and the only one who spoke English), of the young Cavalry troops. “In Spain, it’s embarrassing – our soldiers are ashamed to be in the army. These young men – and they seem so young! – are so proud of what they do, and do it so well, even though it is dangerous and they could very easily be killed.”

I wonder if this reporter has had much interaction with his own army, either? Then again, maybe the shame is because they were pulled out of Iraq after the bombing of the train?

Senator McCain has a few words for Senator Reid

I would also like to point you towards the Small Wars Journal where they posted about the DoD discussing making a single toothpick out of a giant redwood using a $2 billion laser.

And on another subject near and dear to the hearts of many here, (where the motto is Wahhabis Delende Est), religion in warfare: a new matrix with different connotations for "small wars" or the same old same old?

-kat

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

It's interesting you mention him (Gibbes) as I just started reading Flyboys by James Bradley lastt night, and in it he mentions not only Gibbes but Billy Mitchell, the ostracized/demoted Army General who endorsed forming the US Air Force and the Department of Defense.

My how things come full circle and it was such a small world back then.

posted by BloodSpite on April 26, 2007 7:42 AM

-- especially Bill (because he's been there, done that)

Only in the sense that I did it in combat:

We didn't wear parachutes, I never had to turn the helicopter into an ATV to get to a downed buddy and the only thing we ever jettisoned to lose weight was ammo (and we jettisoned it the *right* way -- sending it towards the bad guys at 2800 feet per second). Bobby Gibbes' flight suit *had* to have been cut extra-large in the crotch!

BS - Flyboys is a good 'un. My dad dive-bombed Chichi Jima late in the war -- he said the Japanese gunners were *good*, and it didn't help that the American pilots consistently broke left after releasing their ordnance. He broke *right* after his first attack and saw a tracer curtain fill the sky where a left break would have taken him. I won't spoil the book for you any more than that, though.

posted by BillT on April 26, 2007 9:20 AM

A friend of mine got mooned by a crewman in a Russian Bear bomber, back in the bad old days. On Christmas Eve, if you can grok that.

For just a passing moment, the urge to flame the lot of them was tough to resist, he said. In the end he decided to just flip 'em off instead.

posted by lex on April 26, 2007 9:27 AM

Who knew Maggie flew in a Douglas A26 Invader? -the Armorer

Well, as amazing as I am........clearly, that is not me. My a$$ is waaaaayyyyy better looking and that person is not wearing black lace anything.

posted by Maggie on April 26, 2007 9:28 AM

Well said from the 27" Zippered One.

posted by Boquisucio on April 26, 2007 9:51 AM

I read the article and the conflicting conclusion was that while a national ban on weapons reduced gun violence (hold your breaths) CRIMINALS STILL GOT GUNS. Some things never change. The screed deserves to be shot down, but I wonder if Van Gogh had had a gun if he would still be alive today after blasting the hell out of a jihadist who stabbed him to death.

posted by Cricket on April 26, 2007 9:54 AM

good helk. a bad moon on the rise.

posted by Cricket on April 26, 2007 9:57 AM

a bad moon on the rise.

No, they're flying straight-and-level.

Lex -- the moon was probably payback for all the centerfolds the Tu-95 crews saw slapped up against the sides of F-14 (and F-16) cockpits. One of my Air Guard buds from an unnamed Interceptor Group even achieved some notoriety among the Bear Boys for the marvelous variety he brought with him on his intercept-and-escort missions...

posted by BillT on April 26, 2007 10:10 AM

Those were the good ol' days - the Cold War. The Evil Empire may have been evil, but at least they weren't crazy, to boot.

posted by Oldloadr on April 26, 2007 10:14 AM

Indeed. When patrolling the Inner German and Czech borders, some silly things went on now and again, too.

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 26, 2007 10:19 AM

Yeah, John, and during the 80's, every day at lunch time Migs would fly at the border to time our Zulu response. I was convinced there was one Russian spy whose main job was to make sure I never got lunch (LOL).

posted by Oldloadr on April 26, 2007 1:02 PM

The NRO articles is interesting as a certain sort of piece. Not all the arguments are as strong as the next and it fails to take in the core paradox. This is indeed a strange war and successes in avoiding attack certainly have convinced some that danger has passed or is in check. Yet the killing of jihadists - and non-jihadists and civilians - does incites more terrorism and loyalty to those who should have been crushed years ago. The failure to solve the centuries old decentralization of Afghanistan is being used by the Taliban to reassert itself while the west stays in restricted regions where they can make a difference. No amount of ho-rah will change that. It is a funny old war.

posted by Alan on April 26, 2007 2:30 PM

It is, indeed. And we've got to find a way to fight it.

One that includes all the tools, too. Not just the hammer.

There has been too much hammer and not enough other, thus far, especially in Iraq.

And while the Administration gets the blame and credit, there are others, as in nations and regions, who have not stood up when they could have been useful players.

They have preferred instead to sit and watch, or bury their heads in the sand.

A pox on *all* their houses.

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 26, 2007 3:03 PM

Well said.

posted by Alan on April 26, 2007 3:56 PM

"I cannot recall a national leader making such a statement while young Americans are putting their lives on the line and sacrificing as we speak." – Sen. McCain

Good for McCain. If he keeps making sense like this I just might vote for him.

On a similar note Gen. Petraeus presented an upbeat but somber assesment of the war. I will note Gen. Petraeus metioned Iran as being “unhelpful” a number of times.

The kicker comes at the last few questions:

[Petraeus news conference]

Q But there is a connection between that group and the Iranians?

GEN. PETRAEUS: Oh, there's no question that the Qazali network is directly connected to the Iranian Qods Force, received money, training, arms, ammunition, and at some points in time even advice and assistance and direction. So --

Q And they're the ones who carried out the Karbala attack?

GEN. PETRAEUS: Yes. That network's members did carry out that.

[See: 95% down transcript]

http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=3951

posted by Ledger on April 27, 2007 4:50 AM

Denizens: Yes, those Spaniards had embedded with their own (Spanish) troops in Afghanistan, and pointed to the huge difference in pride and effectiveness, saying that in Western Europe, it is not en vogue to be martial or forceful (including even being in the military) in any way.

And these reporters had several words about the Iraq pullout which followed the Madrid bombing, saying that that simply shows the enemy that they can win. They said the same thing about us in Iraq.

Good point.

Jeff Emanuel
RedState

posted by Jeff Emanuel on April 27, 2007 6:26 AM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by Denizens on Apr 26, 2007 | General Commentary
� The Yankee Sailor links with: Remembering the “Lost Veterans” of the Merchant Marine

Coming a cropper...

I've asked MNF-I for more info (via the good offices of CENTCOM PAO) on this issue, the detention of LTC ~~Michael~~ William Steele, then commanding the Camp Cropper detention facility in Iraq.

An Army statement listed these charges against Steele: "One specification of a violation of Article 104, aiding the enemy; one specification of a violation of Article 134, retaining classified material; two specifications of violations of Article 133, conduct unbecoming an officer, for relationships involving an interpreter and another Iraqi female; five specifications of a violation of Article 92, failure to obey lawful orders for wrongfully storing classified materials, improperly marking classified materials, failing to obey an order from a superior officer, possession of pornography and dereliction of duty as an approving official for the expenditure of government funds."

Army Knowledge Online identifies LTC William H. Steele as a Reserve Officer assigned to the 310th Military Police Battalion. If MNF-I chooses to answer a blogger request, I'll pass that along. From the charges alone, three scenarios come to mind.

1. The colonel is a horn-dog thinking with his small brain, and was doing so in a way that allowed the Iraqis access to classified material that the colonel was storing sloppily, the other charges stemming from discoveries incidental to the initial complaint. That's the charitable scenario.

2. The colonel is a horn-dog thinking with his small brain and was played by the Iraqis involved to get access to the data that he improperly handled, making it possible to get access. This one has potential damage beyond that to the colonel's reputation and career.

3. The colonel is a horn-dog thinking with his small brain *and* he's dirty, to boot.

The first one, if sustained, will likely get him slapped around, fined, and dismissed from the service, with prejudice. 2 and 3 will easily bring him to come live in the back meadow of Fort Leavenworth, where the Disciplinary Barracks is located. How long he remains a guest here will be a function of whether it's 2, or 3, and how much damage was done.

Update: In retrospect, especially considering the comments, I should have done something here that I was thinking about when I wrote the post, I left some things unsaid that I really shouldn't have.

I chose the numbers for the three possibilities not only because they increase in severity - but because they also *decrease* in likelihood. The list of charges looks padded (the "ham sandwiches" mentioned in the comments) and are stuffed with things probably discovered ex post facto during the investigation, and were added to ratchet up the pressure for an easy cop on whatever the real meat they're after is, i.e., to increase the chances for a plea bargain. This is why prosecutors pretty much would like virtually every human activity to be chargeably illegal in some context, so they do something like this to you to get you on something, even if their main case is weak, or they know they've got you but would rather you plead out than go to trial.

I've handled enough FOUO documention to know that you can get tripped up with *that* simply by forgetting to put it in your desk drawer and step out of the office.

In other words, if I were a betting man, I'd bet on the horn-dog angle, and the rest is there to pressure LTC Steele into rolling over.

Regardless, it isn't over until the Judge says it is, one way or another.

So I'll say it upfront - given they've gone to this level of effort, I'm guessing LTC Steele has had some "interpersonal relationship" judgement lapse, and that it's unlikely he sold out the troops.

The small brain can do that to you.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Apr 26, 2007 | Pugnacious Stupidity

News of caring for the wounded.

Which I find vaguely depressing. Mind you, I approve, fwiw, of what they have done. As someone else said in an email, "It's never too late to do the right thing."

I am still angry that it took Dana Priest, and people like me, and you, to make them do the right thing. Make no mistake - we, collectively, catalyzed by the work of Priest, forced them. I am still appalled at that. It is such a colossal failure of leadership. And putting the "bright shiny" on it allows the leadership to spin it positively and move on.

You realize, don't you, that Project Valour-IT was a band-aid on a symptom, if a very specialized one, correct? As I noted in an email exchange with Doug Matties, Representative Boyda's legislative lead, where Valour-IT was discussed, "It's a classic case of what makes America great - citizens organizing, and not waiting for the government to act, but rather for the government to catch up."

We do have to move on, true enough, and we must support the new leaders!

From the Press Release (edited for space considerations, original available here). It looks like they found the right guy to be the new Command Sergeant Major - CSM Hartless. Which he obviously is not. Heartless.

Subject: Wounded Warrior Brigade Top Enlisted Soldier Provides Hands-On Leadership
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2007 - Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Hartless, an airborne ranger and master parachutist, served nearly his entire 24-year career jumping out of planes. He earned parachute badges from Italy, Jordan, Norway, Korea, Germany and Honduras. His airborne career ended, though, when he was crushed under a 10-ton front loader in Afghanistan in 2005. Once stable, Hartless was taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.

He has since recovered, but in an ironic and unlikely career twist for an infantryman, Hartless' injuries have brought him back again to Walter Reed -- this time to apply his combat leadership skills to taking care of wounded warriors as the top noncommissioned officer in the Warrior Transition Brigade. The brigade stood up its headquarters and first company in a ceremony at the center today.

The two-time combat veteran now will lead a new group of NCOs, many hand-picked by the sergeant major of the army, tasked with improving soldier care at Walter Reed. In his leadership "rucksack," Hartless brings a hands-on approach that starts at the squad leader level.

"They will have a squad leader again," Hartless said of wounded warriors recovering here. "(Each squad leader) is going to know them. He's going to know their family. He's going to know what unit they are in. He's going to know the appointments they have. He's going to know whether his soldier needs help getting to his appointments."

Hartless said leadership at the squad leader level is critical because it allows for the face-to-face and hands-on communication needed to ensure proper soldier care. As an example, Hartless cited the practice of an infantry squad leader just after a combat encounter:

"An infantry squad leader -- once they've consolidated, they've pushed through the objective, ... that squad leader goes to every solder and puts his hands on him and feels him," Hartless said. "Why is he doing that? He's talking to him. How much ammo do you have left? How much water do you have left? He's getting a status report.

"But he's feeling him to see if he's bleeding. Because (the soldier's) adrenalin is running so high sometimes you have a wounded soldier and you don't know until you put your hands on him," he said.

Because squad leaders have that hands-on relationship, "that young private ... knows his squad leader cares for him personally," Hartless said.

"To me a soldier's mission is healing while they are here. That's their mission. Just like they get a task or a mission in a regular unit -- we want them to heal,"" he said.

Hartless was serving as the garrison command sergeant major at Fort Polk, La., when the sergeant major of the army tapped him for this post. The infantryman said he had no angst about putting on the medical patch to take this assignment. But, it has been an adjustment, he conceded

"It's a different feeling. Acronyms are different here. CLS is not combat lifesaver, its common levels of support. I have to learn a different language as I go. I learn something every day, so it's good," Hartless said.

"(I have) no angst about the patch. The patch is just the history. It's the people that make the units," he said.

Hartless said his injuries, his familiarity with the care at the center, and his ability to empathize with soldiers looking at the end of their careers make him a good fit for the job. But, for the soft-spoken sergeant major who has spent his career down in the dirt with his troops, the "honor" is all his.

"It's quite an honor ... to be selected for this, to help take care of our injured soldiers. It's just an honor," Hartless said.

Indeed. It is *always* an honor to lead America's fighting men and women. And the leaders who see it as a perk, a right, even, are the ones that just seriously chap me.

There's more to this post, but I stuck it down below the fold, in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry.

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

In another article, this one more focused on the unit, vice CSM Hartless, are some other tidbits.

Officials called the activation historic and precedent-setting, as it signals a fundamental shift in the way the Army manages those thrust into its sometimes confusing and bureaucratic medical system.
The unit is called the Warrior Transition Brigade, because the soldiers assigned there are "in a very difficult transitional period in their lives and in the lives of their families," said Army Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, commanding general of North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston both attended the event, flanked by a host of other VIPs and congressional representatives.

I know I'm a broken record - but where were you guys before Dana Priest? Many of these problems were touched on in the milblog world, actually. But lets face it - the MSM has their place, because they've got the ability to garner the one-stop attention shop.

Just how sad is it that Congress has a bill pending that directs DoD to:

SEC. 1313. INSPECTION OF MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES , MILITARY QUARTERS HOUSING MEDICAL HOLD PERSONNEL, AND MILITARY QUARTERS HOUSING MEDICAL HOLDOVER PERSONNEL. (A) Periodic Inspection Required-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall inspect each facility of the Department of Defense as follows:

(A) Each military medical treatment facility.

(B) Each military quarters housing medical hold personnel.

(C) Each military quarters housing medical holdover personnel.

(2) PURPOSE- The purpose of an inspection under this subsection is to ensure that the facility or quarters concerned meets acceptable standards for the maintenance and operation of medical facilities , quarters housing medical hold personnel, or quarters housing medical holdover personnel, as applicable.

(b) Acceptable Standards- For purposes of this section, acceptable standards for the operation and maintenance of military medical treatment facilities , military quarters housing medical hold personnel, or military quarters housing medical holdover personnel are each of the following:

(1) Generally accepted standards for the accreditation of non-military medical facilities , or for facilities used to quarter individuals with medical conditions that may require medical supervision, as applicable, in the United States.

(2) Standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

(c) Additional Inspections on Identified Deficiencies-

(1) IN GENERAL- In the event a deficiency is identified pursuant to subsection (a) at a facility or quarters described in paragraph (1) of that subsection--

(A) the commander of such facility or quarters, as applicable, shall submit to the Secretary a detailed plan to correct the deficiency; and

(B) the Secretary shall reinspect such facility or quarters, as applicable, not less often than once every 180 days until the deficiency is corrected.

(2) CONSTRUCTION WITH OTHER INSPECTIONS- An inspection of a facility or quarters under this subsection is in addition to any inspection of such facility or quarters under subsection (a).

(d) Reports on Inspections- A complete copy of the report on each inspection conducted under subsections (a) and (c) shall be submitted in unclassified form to the applicable military medical command and to the congressional defense committees.

(e) Report on Standards- In the event no standards for the maintenance and operation of military medical treatment facilities , military quarters housing medical hold personnel, or military quarters housing medical holdover personnel exist as of the date of the enactment of this Act, or such standards as do exist do not meet acceptable standards for the maintenance and operation of such facilities or quarters, as the case may be, the Secretary shall, not later than 30 days after that date, submit to Congress a report setting forth the plan of the Secretary to ensure--

(1) the adoption by the Department of standards for the maintenance and operation of military medical facilities , military quarters housing medical hold personnel, or military quarters housing medical holdover personnel, as applicable, that meet--

(A) acceptable standards for the maintenance and operation of such facilities or quarters, as the case may be; and

(B) standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and

(2) the comprehensive implementation of the standards adopted under paragraph (1) at the earliest date practicable.

It shouldn't be needful to tell DoD to do this. One would think one could simply send the DoD Congressional Liaison a note asking for a report, and that they'd be able to answer that based on existing data. And it probably could have - except no one in authority was looking.

� Secure this line!

by John on Apr 26, 2007 | Observations on things Military

It's Friday Non-Cat Blogging Time Again!

Well, it’s Thursday, so that means it’s time for the ~~normal~~ (naaah -- nuthin’s ever *normal* around here) ~~standard~~ (naaah -- too milspeaky) usual round of Friday Non-Cat Blogging. Ummmm -- at least until the SBB collectively ODs on *cute*. Fat chance -- they're made of sterner stuff. After all, neither Barb, nor BCR, nor FbL have swooned over *me* since -- uhhhh -- since -- errr --

[sound of 120 watt incandescent bulb bursting into illumination]

-- well, since they ackshully *met* me. [Time to drag that pic out of the darkness! - the Armorer]

Hmmmmmpf.

Anyway, everybody’s seen that “Everything I Learned, I Learned From My Dog” bit, right? You know, the one that starts with “Always turn around three times before you lie down,” “It’s not a real kiss unless it’s wet and sloppy,” et cetera, et cetera?

Today’s edition is “Stuff You Learn From A Puppy That Has Real-World Applications.” Such as, "Vinca looks like violets but they're not as tasty."

Today's lesson continued below (you're *not* getting off that easy)...

· Leashes work both ways.

· Just because somebody bites you on the butt, it doesn’t mean they *don’t* like you. It could just be a teething issue.

· Acorns. Bleccch.

· Being born with a set of Wusthof paring knives for toenails is a big help when you’re climbing up dad’s leg, but they’re not much good when you’re trying to get on top of a row of Belgian blocks.

· Having big feet is cute until you want to walk along the top of a row of Belgian blocks. Or until you have to pee. Especially if you’re still on top of the Belgian blocks.

· If you absolutely *must* stick your foot in your mouth, don’t forget to lick between your toes.

And, most important of all in these stressful times,

The discovery of vegetation with built-in toothpicks

· At least once a day, grab a few minutes to stop and eat the roses.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

After all, neither Barb, nor BCR, nor FbL have swooned over *me* since -- uhhhh -- since -- errr --

Now we see the true motive behind the Chief trotting out furry animals. We are not paying enough attention to him. posted by Maggie on April 26, 2007 8:26 AM

Since it's really Thursday, is this then Non-Friday Non-Catblogging?

posted by Heartless Libertarian on April 26, 2007 8:39 AM

HL - see the First Edition.

posted by John of Argghhh! on April 26, 2007 9:25 AM

Lesson No: 7 - As countless armies can attest: A Belgian Block is a contradiction in terms. It however, makes a great Doormat to trample on as you transit towards tastier grounds in Western Europe.

Hope he has impeccable behaviour towards your Japanese Peony.

posted by Boquisucio on April 26, 2007 9:40 AM

Now we see the true motive behind the Chief trotting out furry animals.

Or having furry animals trot behind me. At my age, Mags, I'll take any attention I can get -- except from stuff travelling at 2800fps...

...is this then Non-Friday Non-Catblogging?

Nope. Friday's just a handy part of the title, and Non-Friday Non-Catblogging is so -- so --

[head thrown back with arm upraised, back-of-the-hand pressed firmly to forehead in "horrors-galore" pose]

incredibly *negative*, ya know?

Which is my plausibly-deniable cover story for losing Thursday of the first week of April and then having it jump into last week. Firkin short-term memory thing...

Boq -- "She." Nope -- Gaby doesn't get near anything decorative or poisonous (see "Leashes work both ways"). And if I let her swallow any of the stuff she samples, she'd *look* like a Belgian block by now. Or a doormat...

posted by BillT on April 26, 2007 9:42 AM

She looks like she samples enough to keep her strength up ... but then again, she is kinda furry. And those blue, blue eyes!
Yup - the cute thing is still working. And it takes a lot of critter-cute for me to OD!

posted by Barb on April 26, 2007 10:32 AM

Why women have cats and dogs to keep them company:

furry, generally obedient, if they do somethng wrong they are just too cute to punish and, they are usually much quicker to repent with cuddling and kisses (licks?).

posted by kat-missouri on April 26, 2007 11:03 AM

Heh. kat's a true Child of the Sixties...

posted by BillT on April 26, 2007 11:14 AM

Lack of Swooning is a symptom usually caused by Dearth of Chandelier Parties, Severe TINS deficiency, Choklit Gun jams, and a certain SugarButtons developing cirrhosis of the email for long periods of time.

posted by bad cat robot on April 26, 2007 1:18 PM

Oh! BCR shoots! She scores!

Don't look for sweetness and light here in the Dungeon, Chief! No sympathy either.

posted by Maggie on April 26, 2007 1:40 PM

She's a beauty!
Just got a new pup at our place too.

Always love getting a new family member...

posted by jimmmyb on April 26, 2007 5:55 PM

Oh, yeah! BCR nailed it. :D

I'll simply add: Lack of Chat Time to the list.

posted by FbL on April 26, 2007 6:44 PM

*swoon.... THUD*

(see? you still have that affect on me, SB. Of course... *I* haven't met you... )

posted by WereKitten on April 26, 2007 9:28 PM

jimmmyb - The best part of getting a pup is being awakened at 2:30, 3:15 and 4:45 for those 10-minute visits to the potty-patch out back...

BCR - Dearth of everything. Caused by an excess of Honeydew List because KtLW decided she (meaning *me*) needed to get the place looking like its usual rain-forest-self (and the temps here have been hoovering at 50F) for a fundraiser. On 5 May, naturally...

What're you doing in the Dungeon, Mags -- catering ry's lunch or Bergering his collection of colorized NatLamps?

FuzzyBee - See my reply to jimmmyb and add a persnickety ISP to the list.

Hiya, MAWK! [extending large, fluffy pillow and executing a flawless diving catch] - I'm just as lovable in person as in electrons. Which kinda begs the question...

posted by BillT on April 26, 2007 11:25 PM

She heard there was a hidden Bag of Holding stuffed full of M&M's down here. Something left over from John's D&D days. But it's only stale cheetos.

posted by ry on April 27, 2007 3:42 AM

Stale Cheetos® is redundant.

posted by BillT on April 27, 2007 11:00 AM

� Dismissed, Soldier!

by CW4BillT on Apr 26, 2007 | Uh-oh, Scruples are loose!

H&I* Fires, 25 APR 2007

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

*****************************
I think Naomi Wolf is cracked (and Brian Leiter, and…, and everyone else who puts forth such X Points showing So-and-so Fascist! lists).

They say we’re a fascist country every time we don’t vote for Jimmy Carter(Saviour of the World!).
Sigh. Apparently the only bad-guys left, and fair game to demonize, are fascists so, in efforts to win cheap political points, we always compare political opponents to fascists(be afraid! as they're fascists, donchaknow.).
Boooorrriiiing, and cheap political showmanship that means absolutely jackchit.

Besides, I thought dehumanization was the path of the fascist?
--ry
*******************************

Wahoo! Who cares about labels, Ry! I'm a winner!

AMERICAN MEGA MILLIONS LOTTERY. 17740 Preston RD, Dallas, Texas 75252. AMERICAN MEGA MILLIONS Are Affiliate of MEGA Millions Jackpot Attention, CONGRATULATIONS: YOU WON $2,500,000.00. We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded American Mega Millions Lottery, which was held this month. Your e-mail address attached to e-ticket number: 25-64-46-74-11 (03-07), with Prize Number (match 8): 0073627169 drew a prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand, American Dollars Only) This lucky draw came first in the 4th Category of the Sweepstake.

Oops. I screwed up. Dangit!

Because of some mix-up with sweepstake prizes, including the limited time placed on the payment of your prize of $2,500,000.00 we advice that you keep all information about this prize confidential until your winning prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand, American Dollars Only) have been transferred to you by the authorized paying bank. You must adhere to this instruction, strictly, to avoid any delay with the release of your winning to you in person. This program has been abused severally in past, so we are doing our best to forestall further occurrence of false claims.

Heh. This scamail came with a picture of the putative sender, too. I'd post it, but I suspect it's some poor woman's pic harvested off the internet. Amazing how all these Big Financial Disbursers have AOL and GMAIL addresses, vice some corporate domain name email. Yanno, suddenly I don't think I'm rich after all. Dangit! -the Armorer

*********************************
Monty Python's Reid and the Lost War

I think Reid should have stuck to the "it's a civil war" and "there is no military solution". He would have had the American public. The problem is, he said "lost". Then he tried to claim that Petraeus said the war was lost. That was a big mistake. He outright lied. Further, people are willing t