These two desserts look to be pretty much the same thing. And, to the person standing there watching you make these two after dinner delights, it sure looks like you used the same ingredients, mixed the batter, rolled the dough, prepared the apples, you know, the same steps. But, there are subtle nuances that can be found, if one actually takes the time and has the experience, in making these two classic desserts.

The Main Stream Media thinks they understand how the US Military gets troops ready for battle. These are the same scum that miss some glaringly obvious nuances and truly “forked us” in regards to Vietnam.

In this last Sunday’s San Francisco “Comical” (SF Chronicle to those of you that respect this friggin’ rag!), Anna Badkhen, the person that typed the piece of fiction to which I refer, says that the US Military has “cut corners” to get personnel into the field. She asserts that shorter training times and lack of equipment have hurt readiness. One of the choice paragraphs that exposes her lack of understanding follows:

“Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had so little time between deployments to Iraq they had to cram more than a year’s worth of training into four months.”

At first blush, one could say, sure, this amount of training time seems a bit too short for someone to go into an operational theater, not to mention the field where every move one makes has consequences. Some of us would say that there are very plausible reasons to have just such a training period. I will hold that assessment until my conclusion. My true intent at the outset is to show just how off the mark these “writers” are when it comes to understanding US Military training and deployment policies, procedures, and ultimately goals and objectives that are more strategic in nature. Or, more appropriately, just what these twits are really up to as they mask their true colors.

The “writer” continues:

“Some had only a few days to learn how to fire their new rifles before they deployed to Iraq - for the third time - last month.”

Now, let’s really look at this statement closely. This is the third time that this particular team, or team member that she spoke with, has been to the battlefield. They had weapons then, obviously, yet this time they have a new weapon. Is the weapon in question such a tectonic departure from their current weapon for their MOS? And I am assuming these individuals are only in the US Army (1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry), what if it were a US Marine or US Air Force Security Forces person? C’mon, is this reporterette honestly trying to make me swallow this swill, hook, line and sinker?! Are all the “SF Comical” readers truly that lost that they do not understand weapons training and in-combat experience?

Am I the only one awake, left reading this tripe, and barely able to hold down my breakfast? Well, this gets better, really! Chew on this one:

“And some soldiers were assigned to the brigade so late that they had no time to train in the United States at all. Instead of the yearlong training recommended prior to deployment, they prepared for war during the two weeks they spent in Kuwait, en route to Anbar, Iraq’s deadliest province.”

Again, members of this brigade are on their THIRD ROTATION! Or, am I just missing something she seems to understand as being crucial to the whole picture? Onward:

“As the Pentagon prepares to boost troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 people, such logistical and training hurdles are emblematic of the struggles besieging a military strained by unexpectedly long and grueling commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

I’m trying really hard to stay calm here … really …

You’d think that, based upon the above, we are talking about shortened training time with new weapons, right? Oh no, this little barb sticks out, in a big way:

“After the Cold War, U.S. military [her use of case, not mine] policy - pushed hard by former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s policy of “transformation” - relied too much on cutting-edge technology and air power and too little on boots on the ground, and further undercut spending on equipment that would protect large ground forces, critics charge.”

Why do these pinheads always dodge the bullet and say, “critics charge” or “military analysts conclude”? Why isn’t this reporterette making an assertion herself? C’mon have some “gravitas” and make the call yourself! Hiding behind faceless, and often out of context, assertions that are based on several factors, not the one under discussion. But, I digress … these friggin’ chicken-livered, candy-assed, oops … sorry … onward …

Obviously, this writer has no information from which to posit an intelligent conclusion. Just 20 minutes of research on 5th Generation Warfare, and she’d be relatively up to speed on modernization and the efforts being put forth by the US Military - beyond boots on the ground. The only reason that the casualty rate is SO FRIGGIN’ LOW YOU MORON is due to these new, modern, and all encompassing changes to improve the net effective force strength and battlefield control infrastructure.

As to my statement above where I said I’d add a conclusion, well, here goes. Reporters like this Anna Badkhen, in pieces like her 4th of February 2007 piece, “Corners Cut in Rush to Add Troops”, really shows just how lost these people are today. I am struck by the obvious lack of military experience that pervades our printed and video media reports. To just take one point to task, shorter training times are not necessarily bad during war - in fact, they are quite often the smartest decision. By using real world examples (ie on the job training - the hallmark of the US Military!), while riskier, provides training that far surpasses anything you get using fake rounds and a confidence course! And, when you are already skilled with one rifle, how hard is it to get qual’d on a newer one? I know folks that would be splittin’ targets after about 10 minutes of mini-instruction on a new rifle!!! Once you’ve got the sight, feel, weight, balance, and correction for drift, any rifle is just damn deadly - to our enemy. So, THREE WEEKS TO LEARN A NEW RIFLE!?!?!?

Sheesh!

What’s holding us back is stories, and I truly use the word story in reference to this reporter’s piece, and uninformed perspectives that cloud the overall effectiveness of the US Military. We wouldn’t have such a strong insurgency if it weren’t for the cut-N-run crowd and these twits that are very much the lesser of any species trying to grasp what warfare and the US Military are all about.

Anyway, we’re way beyond Apple Crisp and more into apple sauce … what a mess!

If you have the Sunday Comical from 4 February, 2007, maybe you need some bird cage liner?

So, did you get on the Stand-To! mailing list? No? Hmmm … we need to talk.

The US Army has provided the second part of their discussion of battle command. Again, I’ll help those that are asleep at the switch and haven’t seen today’s installment:

“What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future? The Army continues to focus on the synchronization of operations, logistics and intelligence in order to provide Commanders and leaders with the most accurate information needed to conduct combat operations and achieve mission success. The Army will use the Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) process to field robust Joint Network Battle Command capabilities to the units as they prepare and engage in combat operations. The Army will use these new Joint Networked Battle Command capabilities to leverage information from intelligence, logistics, operations and medical sources, improve analysis, enable greater collaboration, to synchronize efforts quicker and reduce Commander’s decision cycles in the execution of operations to include Force on Force, Stability and Security Operations (SASO) and Counter Insurgency (COINS). The Battle Command systems will connect more soldiers to the network, and provide increased throughput, improve security, enhance collaboration, provide situation awareness, unit readiness status and Command & Control analysis. Battle Command will move toward closer integration with Logistics, including the Movement Tracking System. This system automates tracking of continuous, distributed, and Joint focused logistics across the battle space. Battle Command will also add gateways to US Marine Corps, joint, and coalition tracking systems. As with Blue Force tracker, the result will be a better integrated common operational picture.

Why is this important to the Army? Battle Command is an essential Warfighter Mission Area operational capability for both our current and future joint operations. Joint fully networked Battle Command capabilities will bridge to the Future Force and enable the Joint Force Commander to conduct fully interdependent, network-centric warfare. The Army must continue to work with the Combatant Commanders, Joint Forces Command, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Network and Information Integration to identify, align and develop Joint Force capabilities relevant to joint operations. Battle Command will align with Joint ground combat capabilities while simultaneously spiraling in proven Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies.”

Is this approach new to the US Army, or the US Military as a whole? No.

Is there something missing that no matter the good intentions of the US Army and the entire US Military Command Structure, this is all for naught? Yes.

To wage an effective campaign in this 5th Generation Warfare watershed, the media is an integral component to success. Without getting too down on the main stream media (I know, fish in a barrel) an effective holistic campaign can only be waged with communications not just inward but outward. The Milbloggers are behind you and already on board, but multiple media outlets are still not working effectively together with the war. This war on terror is lacking a primary component and we are sacrificing the high ground by not executing in this area.

One can see the net-effect difference by comparing Al Jazeera teamed up with al Qaida and the terrorists currently in the field of battle. In a 5th Generation Warfare command structure, communications between soldiers and communications to the support structure, like the people sacrificing their sons and daughters, results in a highly effective overall campaign. Terrorists have a lock on that, albeit they utilize tactics that should nullify any effort, but theirs works very effectively. We are not to accept or emulate their approach, but it is clear without an outward communications component, all effectiveness is diminished to an unbearable level.

It is a fact that the main stream media is refusing to support our military, our politicians are thrashing to keep their jobs, and the counter-media (Al Jazeera) utilizing propaganda to shift opinion and mold fact to fiction. All of this gives testament to the lack of the US Military’s ability to effectively execute a holistic campaign in the global war on terror. We have technology that dwarfs the competition, yet we cannot use true shock and awe because we all know we’d be set upon by our own media and politicians. It is a given that the European Union is against us, they always will be, so move on, nothing to see here. But the negative energy from within our own boarders is continuously aimed inward thereby reducing the overall effectiveness of waging a true campaign. In the end, it is impossible to be effective in a 5th Generation Warfare watershed until the entire battlefield is conflated. Therefore, our US Military Command Structure needs to gain the high ground on this primary objective, take this last hill and hold it, or we will never be able to effectively field a successful force in battle.

For review, here are my 5GW posts, in order from oldest to newest:

Seems the family has a rift
We Blew Through 4th Generation Warfare!
Boundaries for the Fourth Generation
Clues to the 5th: Shorter Chains?
Yeah, 5GW Means Squat, Right?

Again, any 5GW stuff you find, forward on to me.

And, no, we’re not talking about snow chains for your car or those hanging swag light chains. The 5th is being marked by something very simple, and I’ll just drop a few breadcrumbs to get ya walkin’ in the right direction:

• JTIDS
• JSTARS
• TADIL
• MC2A
• MOP/DSHTW/Big BLU
• JSF
• JDAM
• HDBTDC Thermobaric Weapon
• Metal Storm
• MOAB
• NLOS
• RJ
• SWF
• UAV/UCAV/JUCAS

In the strategic and tactical execution of warfare, the above have enabled or will produce a tectonic change, uncovering the holy grail of warfare: the Shortened Kill Chain.

Really, the dialectically qualitative change has happened, you just need to read the simple signs. Several of the above I’ve seen on Future Weapons. And a couple of these I’ve had the honor of supporting on active duty. I believe that once you tie all the US Military services’ commands, infrastructure, tools, and weapons together you’ll start to see just how much the change is so very real.

More to come. (how ya doin’ so far, eh?)

UPDATE: added the Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SWF) and Direct Strike Hard Target Weapon (DSHTW) as these two truly change the “response” of the enemy on the battlefield. In fact, in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the SWF was used and was VERY effective. Oh, and ya can’t leave out the MOAB - she’s got game!

UPDATE 2: added the Hard and/or Deeply Buried Target Defeat Capability (HDBTDC) Thermobaric Weapon, or the BLU-118/B. This is the cave-buster used in Afghanistan that was rushed through development, test, and live fire, to be used live - in less than 67 days (from the woman in charge of the program at Eglin AFB that was interviewed on Future Weapons). Another item to make the enemy, think, before hiding …

It’s funny, but how many have that poignant Thanksgiving memory that just sticks in the back of your mind? And, it always seems to come back at the funniest of times doesn’t it?

My wife and I were watching the local news one night. During the sports segment the reporter was asking one of the 49ers what he was all about for Thanksgiving. He joked around and then mentioned Stove Top Stuffing. They cut back to the studio and the anchors were kidding around. Then, the female anchor said something to the effect of, “Well, men like Stove Top.” It was kinda a slight, but that’s not what came up from the depths of my memory banks.

I remembered one Thanksgiving very far from home. I was stationed in Germany at the time, and my Mom and Dad sent me a care package before the big day. I got a small-ish electric tea pot and some precooked turkey, can of cranberry sauce, and, yes, stuffing! I got a container of Stove Top, which was round in those days. I heated the turkey and decided to not make tea but heat water to make some, stuffing!

It tasted good. And, not because it was Stove Top but because it was from Mom and Dad. Back then we didn’t have sat-cameras for video e-mail, or well, e-mail of any kind! I had to share a phone in the barracks until I moved out on the economy - hmmm … phone calls weren’t cheap! Letters and packages were my only means of communication - except those memories and smells that triggered new memories.

So, if you are thinking of something nice to do for all those serving right now, please, join the Soldiers’ Angels and adopt a soldier! Or, find another org or local outfit and do your part! It really is the small things from home that make life as a servicemember a big friggin’ deal!!!

And, maybe some day on the couch watching TV, someone is gonna have one of those, memories.

BE A PART!!!

Todays Valour-IT Team Air Force Funny from Day-By-Day!

Richard S. Lowry has offered to auction two of his books for this years Valour-IT donation drive.

Marines in the Garden of Eden

The Gulf War Chronicles

Valour-IT Air Force Team Member CoInSide is managing the auction for us. The auction ends in 8 days, so you need to get there, manage your bids, and GET THESE BOOKS!

And, let’s get this donation drive going, Air Force folks! Yesterday, it was fun to watch how we were in second place for the bulk of the day! It would be really great if we could, at the very least, hold second place to the end!

Wouldn’t it … ???

Alright, John over at Op-For is my team leader for the Valour-IT Project drive this year.

Now, he’s counting on all you US Air Force types to get in there and keep us on top - you know, ’cause the US Air Force OWNS THE SKY! And if you’ve never been in the US Air Force, but like reading the stuff I write, then, please be kind and make a donation via the link I have provided at the top of my sidebar, there on the right. If you make a donation here on my blog, the US Air Force team gets credit for your kindness!

And, well, there still is an inter-Branch rivalry! No one branch wants to be on the bottom of the heap, least of all me! And, I know that John is going into this full AB! So are the other folks I have seen so far on our team roster. Here is our squadron of US Air Force Milbloggers so far:

• OPFOR
• Euphoric Reality
• THIRDWAVEDAVE
• richardlowry
• Cold Fury
• My Weekly Thoughts
• The Adventures of RV-6 N466PG
• Stop The ACLU
• iowahawk
• Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
• Soldiers’ Angels New York
• Dude Where’s The Beach
• Spec Ops Angels
• Fix 4 RSO
• Exile in Portales
• Radio Patriots
• MURDOC ONLINE
• Defense Tech
• Right on the Right
• No Angst Zone
• Banter In Atlanter
• Townhall Blog
• Bill’s Bites
• Gateway Pundit
• Mudville Gazette
• Seraphic Secret
• CoInside
• The Splatter Zone
• Air Force Pundit
• Conservative Thinking
• VodkaPundit
• LinkedInUSAF
• Gazing at the Flag
• Michelle Malkin
• Kowabunga
• Blogger News Network
• Mind in the Qatar
• If Laura Petrie Married General Patton
• corsair the rational pirate
• Townhall Blog
• James Hudnall - Hud’s Blog-O-Rama
• CascadeExposures
• Dazed and Confuzed from Here
• Lemonade Made Daily
• One Happy Dog Speaks
• The Happy Homefront
• Watchman’s Soap Box
• Ironic Surrealism
• Anchored by Grace
• Ron’s Musings
• Diary of the Mad Pigeon
• Mean Ol’ Meany
• Rude1’s Rampage
• Pixie Dust Productions, Inc.
• Thunder And Roses
• GOP and College
• Defense Tech
• ArmyAirForces.com

I’ll continue to update the list as they are updated on the Valour-IT Project site.

Let’s keep getting people involved! This is a GREAT cause and something we all can work on to help our brave men and women defending our freedoms!

God Speed!

I want to share a very important message that The Gunn Nutt asked me to cross post. We all really need to help everyone that is adversely affected by the Global War on Terror. In this case, your help goes directly to the soldiers at Walter Reed.

Olney Park Golf Event — October 7th 2006

Please, read on:

Hello Everyone,

My name is Sgt. Mark Kreisher and I am a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), while I recover from injuries. I have met most of you either at a golf outing or at WRAMC. I am contacting all of you because at some point each of you has touched my life and helped my recover in a positive way.

I have been a patient at WRAMC for 9 months. One of the hardest things I have faced during my recovery (both physical and mental) was getting myself back out in public and trying to resume doing some of the things I did before my injuries. Thanks to some GREAT individuals, groups, and organizations I was offered the chance to learn and play the game of golf. Golf became a big part of my physical and mental therapy and I’m afraid without the
opportunities afforded to me I would still be sitting in the lonely confines of my room feeling sorry for myself. I (along with dozen of my friends) have been provided golf equipment at no charge, free lessons from a PGA instructor, and unlimited range time at no charge! The instructors do not care if we have lost an eye, two legs or an arm, they help us develop our golf games despite our “limitations”. They have donated their time to instruct us, and treat us as if we were paying customers.

I’m not going to pull any punches on this matter and I’m not the type of person that finds it easy to ask for help, but I DESPARATELY need HELP from each and every one of you, as well as your friends and colleagues! I have been asked to coordinate a fundraising event that is very near and dear to my heart! The Disabled American Veterans and Yellow Ribbon Fund, in conjunction with Olney Golf Park and local PGA instructors Jim Estes and Matt Kayson, have set up a fund dedicated to their goal to provide quality golf and recreational opportunities for military personnel injured while on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The fund that has provided me and numerous other soldiers with these opportunities is running dangerously low, and it tears me up inside to think that it won’t be around to HELP my fellow SOLDIERS in the future, as it has helped me and my friends in the past year.

My HOPE is that through donation of items and cash, 100% of the money raised will go directly to helping soldiers.

I NEED EVERYTHING!! DOOR PRIZES, SILENT AUCTION ITEMS, CONTEST PRIZES and CASH DONATIONS.

If you can donate something, no matter how small, I can use it. I also need each of you to PLEASE pass this E-MAIL on to anyone you know that may be able to help. I have never done anything like this, so if any of you have any advice for me, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me, and please keep me in your prayers!

I can arrange for any companies that would like to hang a banner during the event to do so, and there is room for approximately 10 to 15 tents.

The Event will be held on October 7th, from 1pm-5pm, at Olney Golf Park, in Olney Maryland (www.olneygolfpark.com). There will be free golf clinics, free golf exhibitions, short game challenge, putting contest, and many other fun activities.

I am pleading for your help, failure is not an option for me on this project! I believe too much in this program to let it DIE! PLEASE let me know how YOU can HELP!

For Cash donations make checks payable to Disabled American Veterans. Items and donations can be sent to:

Olney Golf Park
Attn. Mark Kreisher
3414 Emory Church Rd.
Olney MD 20832

Thanks to each of You!

Mark Kreisher
U.S. Army
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Mark’s e-mail, in case you can make a direct connection that can help him out, is here:

mark DOT kreisher AT us DOT army DOT mil

Please help these folks out, in any way you can!

Thanks Gunn Nutt!

And a hearty HOOAH! to the readers of Stand-To! — GET THE WORD OUT, PLEASE!

Without passion, we have no path. Without commitment, we have no honor. Without conviction, we have lost our way. Without faith, we have surrendered our soul. Without duty, we have forfeited our “six”. Without reverence, we have no passion.

So ask yourselves, without these, what have you? And, what will become of our great country, The United States of America?

[Thanks, Amy and Johnny, for the muse - the words just fell out.]

“Atlas doesn’t shrug, Atlas heaves with cries of agony at our myopia.”

Soldiers’ Angels supports Soldier Ride and lends it’s support in the way of volunteers and money.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2006 — Wounded servicemen and women cycling across the United States From Montauk, New York to San Diego, California to spread their inspirational message of courage and hope. The brave men and women participating in this event are cycling in support of their injured comrades recovering in military hospitals across the country. All of the participants are provided the adaptive equipment they need to cycle though missing one or more limbs.

Soldier Ride is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for our injured soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This organization is 100% non political. It’s not about the war it’s about the soldiers. Soldier Ride organizes cross country and local bicycle trips used as rehab opportunities for soldiers recovering from major injuries and also to raise awareness.

Funds raised go out to such organizations as the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and Disabled Sports USA (www.dsusa.org) You can learn more about us at www.soldierride.org or please feel free to contact Nick Kraus at 516 994 5907.

Soldier Ride began in East Hampton , NY as an effort to raise money and consciousness for soldiers who were severely wounded overseas. Last year Chris Carney a local bartender embarked on his second cross-country Soldier Ride, cycling from Los Angeles to Montauk, New York. Soldiers from the current conflict and veterans, both disabled and not, rode with Carney on Soldier Ride. Over the last two years Soldier Ride helped raise millions of dollars for the WWP. These funds are being used to:

• Purchase thousands of comfort backpacks for wounded soldiers on their return (including guidebooks on discharge from service and entitlement benefits). These packs include such basic comfort items as phone cards, Fresh clothing, Portable CD players and small items that make a big impact for a returning injured soldier.
• Hire full-time benefits counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical to distribute comfort backpacks to amputees.
• Conduct adaptive sporting events and clinics to build self-esteem and independence for those who suffered catastrophic injuries, for example the Breckenridge Colorado Ski Spectacular and our recent Florida bicycle program.
• Develop peer-mentoring programs where rehabbed soldiers can lend support to their newly injured comrades. Organize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symposia to help the estimated one in six soldiers who suffer from this disorder. Transport soldiers and their families between home and hospital, as well as purchase a van to transport soldiers to functions in the Washington D.C. area.

Soldier Ride has received extensive media coverage in The New York Times, New York Post, The New York Daily News, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Newsday. The project has also appeared on NBC’s Today in New York, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox News Radio’s Tony Snow Show, HBO’s Inside the NFL and CNN’s Larry King Live.

Several notable people have helped with Soldier Ride fundraising efforts, including Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi, Pat Lofaintane, Gary Sinise, Alec Baldwin, Tony Snow, Harris Yulin, Stephen Lang, Bill O’Reilly, Congressman Tim Bishop, Senator Bob Kerrey, and many more.
www.soldiersangels.org

Soldiers’ Angels will be hosting the closing ceremonies and beach party for the riders at Semper Fi Park in San Clemente on July 29, 2006 at 3 pm. Adam’s Attic, The Bader Band, and Jillian Russell will be performing at the beach party. Mayor Wayne Eggleston and the community are excited and happy to help Soldiers’ Angels honor these riders. Please join us in welcoming the riders by lining the streets and showing your support as they ride into San Clemente.

Soldiers’ Angels is an all volunteer, 501 (c) (3) non-profit based in Pasadena, Ca. Donations to help offset the costs of the closing ceremonies can be sent to:

Soldiers’ Angels
150 North Loop 1604 West, Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248
Attn: Soldier Ride

Please make checks and money orders out to Soldiers’ Angels. You can also donate on-line or adopt a soldier at www.soldiersangels.org. Include what your donation is for in the comments section.

I’ve been spending time on the CENTCOM site for months. There are so many stories about what our brave men and women really do today. It is true that any military has a primary role when at war. After the opposition has been vanquished, there are so many more things that can be done after the major fighting has ended. I believe that no matter what, we need to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

Some think that because the current administration has been successful in Iraq, every photo is a photo-op only. And, if the activity we are engaged in right now is not captured on film, there is room to cast aspersions or spin fabrications that we are failing at our ultimate mission. Leaving any negative spin to take hold threatens the entire mission (GWOT) as well as our men and women on the ground. It is a double edged sword for CENTCOM to capture the moments that should be something in which we all can be proud:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

And then make those moments, which are powerful and illustrative, taken in the correct light to provide clear proof we are successful in Iraq. Yes, maybe to some of the elites in the US, delivering some water and a few toys is a joke. It’s just sad that all this poo-pooing we get from those with an axe to grind, or a plank to set for an election, takes center stage.

I, on the other hand, see our efforts in a multi-faceted way. Yes, the bad guys must be vanquished. And yes, we need to win the hearts and minds to provide an excellent foundation from which freedom can take root. There are some very small things that can be done to bring about a smile or laugh:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

And we can all stamp out tyranny with smiles, laughter, water, protection, training, and good old fashioned friendship. It may be that the following small group of minds is not strong enough to topple an evil and maniacal regime:

US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton

But by touching so many families, and religious groups, and the policemen and soldiers, we can ultimately create the most powerful force from which freedom is sure to grow.

I’m positive, yes I am. Maybe some day being positive will begin to take hold again here at home. I am holding my breath so don’t take too long, people!

Remember I asked at the beginning, to cut and run does what?

Cut and run, if we followed the time table originally proposed by the Democrats, would never have provided friendship building like you’ve seen here. Cut and run would never have allowed us to get Zarqawi. Cut and run would only get more votes for the likes of John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, John Murtha, or Charlie Schumer. Cut and run will take us back to the days of a leaders that gave us bombing aspirin factories as a show of force, or not being able to rescue hostages in Iran, or the likes of present day Neville Chamberlains selling our country for some paltry price. Are more friends in the MSM or on Comedy Central a cost that today’s narcissists are willing to pay?

I think you’ve witnessed the answer to that last question. I think you all know what cut and run does. I think we all know what is at stake and why we press on under the weight of such negativity and selfish public gluttony.

Carry on, God Bless, and God Speed.

Also posted at California Conservative

In my CENTCOM e-mail today, this photo was mixed within some great news:

US CENTCOM Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael Skaar

Now, I just love it when the photo catches something ya just don’t see every day! No offense to the 1-158th or the 101st, I just made up the title as I was typing this posting. I couldn’t think of any other group other than the 101st to rhyme with “furry”. Sorry.

The story, Oklahomans Train Iraqi Police in Securing Baghdad, gives us some background into how the 1-158th Field Artillery of the Oklahoma National Guard is taking the time to train the Iraqi Police (IPs) the right way. Here’s a short snippet about how the new tactics they are learning are far different than the past under Saddam:

“In the past IPs never operated in quite the way that they do today and there were some growing pains at first”, said Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Venable of the 1-158th.

The IPs are coming around though and Venable went on to say that with each iteration of training the security situation continues to get better and better.

Training for the IPs has been mostly from the ground up, type of work since all police forces were disbanded when US troops first took control of Iraq said Venable. As a result US troops and contractors have begun with the basics, such as training the IPs in force protection (making sure that IPs are safe at their stations and in the streets) and investigation.

I suspect that there have been many trials and tribulations keeping the mission on track. It makes sense that to keep control, there needs to be some clear guidelines and cross-checks. Here, another key point made by Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Venable makes:

“One of the other situations that the 1-158th has to deal with is keeping the IPs autonomous from the influence of the local insurgency. The only resolution to this problem was to keep the IPs in the police station except when they are serving in their official capacity, sometimes they are even forced to stay” said Venable.

This should also have an effect on the overall effectiveness of insurgents, the IPs are making a big sacrifice staying at the station Venable added.

Keep it up guys, we’ve already turned the corner and are on the short stretch home!

Also posted at California Conservative

Just to fill you all in, I have been trying to help out the Soldiers’ Angels organization get the word out regarding some folks in need of our help. I know that often times we all can be a bit cynical or get our “knickers in a twist” about the bad feelings, slanted news, and more often than not raw deal the US Military gets. I’m trying to get out there and use my skills to help the Soldiers’ Angels - ’cause I can’t sew and I truly suck at baking! We’d have brave men and women with cool scarves falling apart in front of their eyes or they’d be dropping like flies from those evil cookies that looney toon Milblogger, Fix4RSO, sent them!

Our first person in need is a soldier we’ll call Mr. Olson. He is very close to losing his house, being 3 months back on payments. He was with the 1498th Transportation Company out of Riverside, CA. He was in Kuwait first in 2003 and then was all over Iraq. In 2004 he was injured in Tikrit and sent stateside. Simply put, his injuries were from his foot being caught in a winch and he nearly lost it. This incident also affected his left knee and lower back. He was put on Med Hold until everything came back to normal. Needless to say, he had to go through physical therapy - but in 2005 he was released because the State of California says he’s just hoppin’ ready to get to work. However, his PT Test results say differently and he cannot return to his ANG Active Duty Special Work (Counter Drug Task Force in Southern California). His private sector job opportunities have fallen through as well leaving him without any pay at all. He moved temporarily to Washington State to go to Madigan Hospital for more PT. He has run out of money and wants to get back to California where the job market is improving a bit. He’d at the very least like to just get his electricity, water, and phone bills paid. If he could get some help with his house payment and a job, I think he’d be OK to carry on! It’s a steep hill to climb, but I think we all can help lighten the load.

Our second person in need is a sailor we’ll call Mr. McCutchen. He, too, is very close to losing his house. Without having any income at all, the weekly food bill is truly breaking the bank. The mortgage company has told him he needs to at the very least make one payment by June 5th - but he has no funds due to his injury and separation from the Navy.  He was injured in Iraq when the rear portion of the vehicle he was riding in ran over an IED. He struck his head during the explosion and has since been suffering extreme pain in his head and neck. He has been having blackout spells. His legs also swell to the point that he has difficulty bending legs to get dressed or to shower and walk. He cannot drive because of blackout periods nor can he do any form of exercise. His civilian job is driving an 18-wheeler. Because of the blackout periods, he cannot safely drive any vehicle. He was taken off active duty since his return from Iraq and has not been able to work. He has not had a paycheck since April and is getting behind in all his bills. Now, the Navy is trying to get him processed back on active duty so that he can continue and then complete medical treatment. He is currently being treated by a neurologist - does not know final results yet. The Navy cannot tell him when he will actually be back on active duty - has to wait for processing. He has 5, yes five, kids and his wife is a stay at home Mom (something I am happy to hear, and is very honorable!). They have lots of bills, as you all can imagine! We need to raise some very serious money to help the McCutchen Family!

Both these men are staring down the worst of all paths ’cause they’re gonna have to go on public assistance. Ouch! US Military personnel should never have to go on public assistance! If we could keep these families afloat just a bit longer, manage their runway so to speak, I think that they can get back to a normal life. I hope you can help, or maybe you know someone that can help both these families?

The best way to help is to either go to the Soldiers’ Angels web site and make a donation. In the “notes/comments” field be sure to mention your donation is for either Mr. Olson or Mr. McCutchen - or BOTH! And, if you just want to have me get my coordinator from Soldiers’ Angels to get in touch with you directly so you can best direct your gift, no matter what it is, we can do that too! Just be sure to leave a comment in this post with your e-mail address in the short registration process. That way I can send your contact info on. You can also just send me an e-mail. Use the following e-mail address:

Fix4RSO AT fix4rso DOT com

Last but not least, at a minimum, please say a prayer for both these families. Prayer is a power way beyond all understanding. Take a chance!

God Bless you all. God Speed to all our brave men and women!

Alright, this is truly a long flight. And, anyone that has been on a MAC transport (oops, AMC) knows that windows and flight attendants are - scarce?

You know, the general disorientation that comes with a long flight, crappy seats, the constant humm of the T-56s - oops, C-130 days flooding back here - umm, actually the Pratt and Whitneys whine. You look up, as Captain Erik Aadland does above (front row middle), and realize you are only 2 hours into the flight. Ugh. As time drags on you find yourself living the old adage: a soldier can sleep anywhere, anytime, if the opportunity presents itself. Just look, some of the most unpleasant conditions and folks are sleeping.

And then the bird hit the active runway, you taxi for a few moments, it seems like a lifetime, and then, chocks. Yeah! You get to really stretch your legs and that just seems like heaven. Now you’re out in broad daylight walking towards the “terminal”. We all know that Military Passenger Terminals are a far cry from the ones at home. As you head around the tail section of the plane, you see your destination just across the tarmac - and other folks are headin’ your way to get on the plane you just got off. Do they know how long their flight is going to be?

Actually, I think they do know how long the flight is, but they just want to sit down and sleep - for however long it takes to get home.