The Berzerkeleys are at it again. In a recent editorial in the Berkeley Daily Planet former Berzerkeley Councilmember Mark McDonald slanders military recruiters and leaders. He presents three fallacies that I’d like to correct him on.
Continue reading this post…
Iraq Veterans Against the War are trying again. Only this time, they better really bring it. Winter Soldier is going for Round 3 in trying to influence the public about the supposed “travesties” taking place in Iraq. Only this time, we’ll be paying even more attention to what they say UNDER OATH about the “failure of troop surge”, according to their press release.
WHAT: Winter Soldier on the Hill
WHO: Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) & The Congressional Progressive Caucus
WHEN: May 15, 2008, 9:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: 2261 Rayburn House Office Building
WHY: To present eyewitness accounts of the Iraq occupation to Congress.
You know, I get tired of hearing about how much this war is costing us. I believe the going figure right now is about $600 billion since 2003. While not a small number by any calculation, let’s look at some other numbers for context.
Continue reading this post…
“In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.) or have you consulted with another health care provider about a mental health related condition? If you answered “Yes,” provide the dates of treatment and the name and address of the therapist or doctor below…”
This is one of the questions on Standard Form 86, the security clearance questionnaire for national security positions. It is used as a basis for granting access to classified government information and determining one’s allegiance and suitability for such sensitive positions.
But, until recently, Question 21 above posed a morale dilemma for many Soldiers about whether or not to seek the help they sorely needed.
Continue reading this post…
I dialed into a bloggers roundtable yesterday with BG Dennis Rogers and CSM Deborah Strickland, Deputy Director and Command Sergeant Major of Installation Management Command respectively. While waiting for the attendees to dial in, Matt and I spoke a little about his recent trip to China and the fact that Blackfive is actually banned in China!! So, kudos to Matt for that esteemed honor!!
We were gathered to discuss the recent video that surfaced on YouTube about the barracks at Fort Bragg. The video depicted deplorable conditions, to include sewage leaks in the latrines and mold in various locations. It was assembled by the father of a Soldier who had recently returned from a deployment to Iraq staying in those very same barracks. Naturally, he was very upset with what he saw.
The entire issue with the barracks at Fort Bragg and other locations boils down to a single point of failure - NCO Leadership. As I’ve said numerous times here and everywhere else, our job as NCOs is to take care of Soldiers. Since the beginning of our military it has been an NCO responsibility to ensure that the living quarters of our Soldiers are up to standard. Naturally, that standard depends on the NCO inspecting the area, but there is a general agreement about the living conditions in which our Soldiers reside. The issue at Fort Bragg was an NCO leadership failure at every level from the most junior of NCOs to the to the most senior on the installation.
Continue reading this post…
With a highly politicized election year upon us, it’s important for military members to understand and abide by the rules and regulations that govern our involvement in the political process. If we aren’t aware of our boundaries, we can’t exercise our rights as citizens of this great country.
I couldn’t say this any better and I’m a Soldier:
Really?
There’s been a lot of talk by those who detest this administration and are clinging to anything they can that “supports” their notion of an unjust war. One of the reasons they site for why we shouldn’t be at war in Iraq is that the military has had to resort to “lowering our standards” with more moral waivers than ever before. The fact is that moral waivers have been increasing since prior to the war in Iraq.
Under pressure to meet combat needs, the Army and Marine Corps brought in significantly more recruits with felony convictions last year than in 2006, including some with manslaughter and sex crime convictions.
Data released by a congressional committee shows the number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 in 2006 to 511 in 2007. And the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350.
Those numbers represent a fraction of the more than 180,000 recruits brought in by the active duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2007. But they highlight a trend that has raised concerns both within the military and on Capitol Hill.
I have another perspective I’d like to share.
I learned an important lesson on April 1st - People are gullible!! I also learned that you can draw a lot of attention by saying the right (or wrong) thing on a military blog. Not long ago the military tried to crack down on military bloggers with new and improved regulations (we didn’t take it lying down!). In an effort to prevent drawing unwanted attention by Big Brother, I humbly offer some rules to those military bloggers concerned about crossing the line (and how to avoid it).
Continue reading this post…
I found this story from November 07 and can’t believe it’s taken me six months to find it. It’s very motivational. I like that the story includes all first responders and along with the military.
Continue reading this post…
You Served's Claire talks about the life of a military spouse - the hardships, the joys, and everything in between.
Join the discussion in our new Spouse and Family section to speak with Claire and hundreds of other spouses just like you.
