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Troy Steward is an Army brat and 22 year 1SG who has served in two wars and multiple deployments in support of internal national security. In addition to blogging here, he blogs on his personal site primarily about issues related to Afghanistan and on another site he started focused on political issues and topics.
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This looks pretty interesting. HBO’s The Pacific, is an upcoming miniseries about the Pacific Theater of WWII from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman. The Pacific premieres on HBO Sunday, March 14th. I watched the trailers and it looks as intense as Saving Private Ryan was. I hope it comes out in DVD since I don’t have HBO.
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There is a huge difference between Officers and NCOs in the Army. Because of these differences, I decided against my Commanders’ advice and remained within the enlisted ranks. It’s hard to put into words, so let me tell you a few stories.
Eleven people were dangling below a helicopter on a rope. There were ten Officers and one NCO. Since the rope was not strong enough to hold all the eleven, they decided that one of them had to let go to save all the others.
They could not decide who should be the volunteer. Finally the NCO said he would let go of the rope since NCOs are used to doing everything for the good of the Service. They forsake their family, don’t claim all of their expenses, and do a lot of overtime without getting anything in return.
Continue reading this post…
After sitting in classrooms for many semesters learning about endangered species preservation and wildlife regulation enforcement, Matthew Groppi had the chance to apply his knowledge in the great outdoors working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. However, just months into his job, the Army Reserve staff sergeant was called to serve his country and apply the lessons learned in school during a deployment in Afghanistan.
“Being that I am a recent college graduate, I wanted my role in the military to be applicable to my civilian job. I wanted my employer to benefit from my time overseas too,” he said. “My time in Afghanistan gave me an international application to what I had learned in class and in the U.S.”
While deployed to Afghanistan with the 330th Military Police Detachment from October 2008 to August 2009, Groppi and his unit were responsible for law enforcement patrols, specifically to ensure compliance regarding customs regulations. In conjunction with his law enforcement patrol duties and tying in his natural resources background, he was responsible for training Soldiers about wildlife conservation and threatened or endangered species native to Afghanistan. Since animal furs are a popular tourist export, the Soldiers were responsible for ensuring that outgoing customs items were thoroughly checked.
Although much of his deployment was spent within the wire regulating customs and training his fellow Soldiers, Groppi had the opportunity to visit a national park in Afghanistan, which he says was the highlight of his time overseas.
“It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The landscape was quite striking and very beautiful,” Groppi said. “After seeing it, it was hard to stay on base knowing what was out there.”
Groppi also deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the 330th Military Police Detachment. In June 2004, while the unit was performing a mission at the Police Academy in Mosul, a suicide bomber attacked the academy with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Two of the Soldiers were killed and six Soldiers, including Groppi, were wounded in the incident. Groppi returned home a month later to undergo surgery for his injuries and was awarded the Purple Heart. He has since made a full recovery.
After returning from Afghanistan in August 2009, Groppi continues to work as a conservation warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is responsible for traveling throughout the state to enforce hunting, fishing, environmental and RV laws. In the coming months, he will be finishing his probationary period with the DNR that was put on hold during his most recent deployment. The Soldier is a graduate of Waukesha North High School and received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
This churns my gut. Our military is under assault from outside and within the military. We can’t take them alive because then they get rights and trials that violate Geneva Conventions and we can’t kill them because we’ll be tried, convicted, and sentenced for murder! These guys are the same people that are killing our troops in Iraq and are the same people that killed 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Absolutely insane and you MUST listen to this interview between Michael Savage and Army Ranger 1st Lt. Michael Behenna’s mother.
PART I
PART II
Check out the story associated with this interview HERE.
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
The Scots raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line in the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide”.
The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.
It’s not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout loudly and excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”
The Germans also increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose”.
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Americans meanwhile are carrying out pre-emptive strikes on all of their allies, just in case.
New Zealand has also raised its security levels – from “baaa” to “BAAAA!”.
Due to continuing defense cutbacks (the Air Force being a squadron of spotty teenagers flying paper aeroplanes and the Navy some toy boats in the Prime Minister’s bath), New Zealand only has one more level of escalation, which is “Shit, I hope Australia will come and rescue us”.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be all right, mate.” Three more escalation levels remain, “Crikey!’, “I think we might have to cancel the barbie this weekend” and “The barbie is cancelled”…………… So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
4:04:30 PM: New blog entry: Feb 4 Live Blog http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4086
8:04:39 PM: Doing out intro’s tonight
8:09:02 PM: Playing pledge and disclaimer
8:09:21 PM: Don’t forget to become a fan of our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/youserved
4:04:30 PM: New blog entry: Feb 4 Live Blog http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4086
8:04:39 PM: Doing out intro’s tonight
8:09:02 PM: Playing pledge and disclaimer
8:09:21 PM: Don’t forget to become a fan of our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/youserved
3:15:38 PM: New blog entry: Current worldwide security levels http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4119
3:15:38 PM: New blog entry: Current worldwide security levels http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4119
7:15:38 PM: New blog entry: Current worldwide security levels http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4119
4:54:14 AM: New blog entry: Soldier Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing AQ Leader http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4123
12:54:14 AM: New blog entry: Soldier Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing AQ Leader http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4123
4:54:14 AM: New blog entry: Soldier Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing AQ Leader http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4123
2:22:56 PM: New blog entry: Soldier of the Week – SSG Matthew Groppi http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4128
10:22:56 AM: New blog entry: Soldier of the Week – SSG Matthew Groppi http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4128
4:34:36 PM: New blog entry: Officers and NCOs http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4132
9:54:56 PM: New blog entry: HBO Series to Honor WWII Pacific Theater http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=4135
I got this in an email and found it quite profound. There is a movement in this country to criminalize and stigamatize those who collect, own, and/or carry guns. People ask me all the time, “why do you want so many guns?” My answer is simple: “Because I can.”
But, it’s more than that. One day there may come a time where I “can’t” legally own a gun and when that time comes I’ll own them to protect my absolute right to self defense. I’m not a violent man. I just want to protect myself against those that are!
I don’t carry a gun . . .
… to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don’t carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
I don’t carry a gun because I’m paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
I don’t carry a gun because I’m evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.
I don’t carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
I don’t carry a gun because I’m angry. I carry a gun so that I don’t have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don’t carry a gun because my sex organs are too small. I carry a gun because I want to continue to use those sex organs for the purpose for which they were intended for a good long time to come.
I don’t carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
I don’t carry a gun because I’m a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
I don’t carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
I don’t carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
I don’t carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
This video tribute on the front lines is the story of true patriots, told by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North at the NRA Annual Meetings in 2009. It’s a stirring profile of the spirited, courageous guardians of our precious freedoms. America’s best …
The idiots at Code Pink that love boycotting and protesting our wounded warriors at Walter Reed, interrupt official Congressional business, and generally do stupid things are being forced to shut down their “Pink House” in DC. The leaders of the commie, insurgent funding Code Pink organization sent out the following email to their followers:
Dear CODEPINKers,
We are writing to share with you, who have applied to stay at the Pink House over the past several years, the news that the Pink House will be closing at the end of February. The CODEPINK House has been a home to PINKs from all corners of the world, and a hub for brainstorming, networking, prop-making and song-writing. After late night strategy meetings, we have woken up early to head off to Congress to attend a hearing, sit-in at an office, hang a banner in the atrium, sing anti-war songs in the cafeteria or crash press conferences. The costs of maintaining the house and paying the rent have become an overwhelming burden for CODEPINK and we must now move on from the house into the next course of action.
Please take a moment to read about the Pink House and share your own story on our blog here:
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2010/02/packing-up-the-pink-house/
We’d like to say thank you, from the bottom of our pink hearts, to each and every one of you who contributed to the magic that was the Pink House. Thanks to those who donated, processed applications, greeted new arrivals in DC, stormed the Hill, and reached out to their networks to grow the CODEPINK family. The house was a bright idea, initiated by Xan Joi and other San Francisco activists, that would have failed had it not been for a surge of people who answered the call and supported the vision of ending war, creating peace, and restoring democracy.
CODEPINK in DC will of course continue to be active in the hearings in Congress and will continue to call for and help coordinate national actions in DC, only now we’ll be reaching out to our neighbors to house those of us visiting from out-of-town and coordinating shared stays at hotels. There are many reasons to come to DC in March, including a national training and lobby day for justice in Palestine around International Women’s Day (March 7-8), the ANSWER mass march on the 7th anniversary of the Iraq occupation (March 20), the AIPAC convention protests (March 21-23), and the Peace of the Action coalition activities (mid-March). We hope to see you in the beltway soon! If you’re coming to DC, you can check out our housing board (http://www.codepinkalert.org/housing.php) to find DC activists willing to host – Thanks to Lydia for managing Pink House applications and now taking on updating and coordinating this housing board! You can sign up to join CODEPINK in DC in March at http://www.codepinkalert.org/march
See a slideshow of DC CODEPINK actions and Pink House pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/codepinkalert/sets/72157613326838530/show/For ole times sake, watch an excellent 5-minute video about the Pink House produced by the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/03/28/VI2007032801891.html
Can we all let out a collective “awwww, shucks”? When I was stationed in the DC area, I frequently went to Walter Reed to counter-protest the troop-hating hags of Code Pink. I’ve also crashed their sadistic meetings that cast our troops as murderers and baby killers. One night, some Code Pinkers even threw eggs at the cars of Freepers who were proudly waving American flags and shouting words of support to troops entering and exiting Walter Reed.
I’m not surprised that the organization is having trouble paying for the house. They’ve gotten more and more moronic in their actions which I’m sure has turned off many potential and former donors. I say good riddance!! It wasn’t that long ago that they were forced to close shop in California too. They have issues when they keep up their offices in liberal California and DC!! But, I’m not complaining.
I highlighted the area in bold text below that needs a LOT of attention brought to the matter. Negative reporting on the war, and the lack of support of the war and our troops affects the morale of everyone — including our military children. I am so sick and tired of the BS line “we support our troops but not the war.” It’s not true. It’s contradictory and this report here shows how that very attitude is not only unsupportive, but it is outright harmful to the children of our deployed troops.
I am going to print out a copy of the actual report and will write up some more. I am heading out to Fort Leonard Wood at the end of the week, so I am sure as a passenger in our 12-hour car ride, I will have plenty of time to read and respond.
With the recent announcement of President Obama’s fund increase to Military Family Programs, the importance of assisting our military Soldiers and families is ever prevalent. Today’s guest blog entry comes from a study completed at the Army War College by Dr. Leonard Wong and Dr. Steven Gerras discussing the the impact of multiple deployments on families, especially the children.
The new reality of repetitive deployments has led to innovative programs and policies designed to assist military children in dealing with the difficulties of deployments. Initiatives—ranging from “flat daddies” replacing deployed soldiers at the dinner table, to senior leaders ceremoniously signing the Army Family Covenant at installations across the world, to the First Lady proposing nearly $9 billion to support military families—point to the growing concern that multiple deployments may be as stressful to Army children as they are to soldiers. Despite the increased attention and seemingly endless resources directed at children in deployed families, however, there has been very little research examining the effects of multiple deployments on children.
In March of 2009, Leonard Wong and Stephen Gerras from the U.S. Army War College began a two-phase study to examine the effects of multiple deployments on Army adolescents. The first phase, collected through an online survey, evaluated the perspectives of over 2,000 soldiers, 700 spouses, and 500 Army children between 11 and 17. The second phase collected the views of over 100 Army adolescents through individual interviews at 8 Army installations throughout the U.S.
As expected, they found that strong families—to include a non-deployed spouse who coped well with deployments—as well as ample activities such as sports to keep Army youngsters busy serve to reduce stress levels of Army adolescents during a deployment. Surprisingly, they also found that the attitudes of Army children play a role in dealing with deployment stress and coping with a life of deployments. Children who believed that soldiers are making a difference in the world and that the American public supported the war were significantly more likely to report that they were coping better with deployments. The study highlights the often overlooked impact of attitudinal factors such as the influence of public opinion concerning the war and the importance—in a life marked by multiple deployments—of an adolescent’s confidence that their parent’s call to duty is worth the sacrifice.
For a free download of the full study, please visit the US Army War College Strategic Studies Institute website:http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=962.
You Served's Claire talks about the life of a military spouse - the hardships, the joys, and everything in between.
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