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While I worked night shift 1800-0600, I always HATED the daily
GQ drills, as they were typically held during our sleeping hours. However, they
paid off in the long run.
From: TypePad
On this day in 1991: USS Tripoli Mine Strike
The 20th Anniversary of the USS Tripoli Mine Strike By Thor: Today is the 20th anniversary of the USS Tripoli & USS Princeton mine strikes. Being "sick in bed" aboard the Tripoli, due to an infection in my leg, I felt very fortunate to have not been in my shop that morning as I normally worked...
That pay raise we received Jan 1st was greatly appreciated, but it was eaten up by higher Tricare deductibles. Essentially what they've done is give us money in one hand, only to take it out of the other. When I was working, I always used my employers health care plan & let Tricare pick up the remainder. Now that I'm not, it's getting to be almost too much for me as a retiree.
America, When Will You Stand Up for Veterans?
Military Retirees, under 65, probably have another job that can pay their Health Insurance Costs. We need to convince them to use that Insurance plan instead of the one they earned by 20+ years in the Military. Obama Administration. (paraphrased, they would never say it that clearly.) This i...
Some Thoughts on Preparedness
I was on the Tripoli during Desert Storm. The Tripoli stood tall above her sister ship, the New Orleans. (Hereafter referred to as, the "NO boat") I worked night check, where the majority of maintenance got done. Oh how I cursed the skipper of the Tripoli for holding GQ (General... Continue reading
Posted Jan 5, 2012 at War On Terror News
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Necessity is the mother of invention.........
Troops Invent De-Icer to Prevent Mission Delays
Soldiers’ ingenuity keeps airfield clear of ice by U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Syner, CJTF101 LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Task Force Knighthawk soldiers’ ingenuity was tested at Forward Operating Base Shank in December when it became apparent there was a need to remove ice from the runway. “We r...
Being in the Navy and in particular, the Aviation component of the Navy, I've seen more than my share of women trying to do the same job that the men do. With FEW exceptions, they simply cannot. I don't know of too many women that have the actual strength to lift a T58 turboshaft engine with only the help of another. (Yes, the Navy does use engine hoists, but there are times when that equipment isn't available) Hell, I'm a big brute, or at least I was and I had a hell of a time torquing an aft transmission (400 lbs/ft Tq). I couldn't see a woman manually shoving, pulling or pushing an MMG-1 or an A/M24M-5 (mobile electric power unit) across the hangar deck by themselves, which I've done many a time while I was active duty. I've run across women who normally can't even lift a tool box up onto the aircraft where they need to work and that's a job requirement. Sure, there are always exceptions to the rule, but I just don't see where it would provide beneficial to the military to allow women to be in active combat roles. In my opinion, it's a mistake. A very BIG mistake.
Discussing the Arguments FOR Women in Combat Units
Last week, activists floated the balloon that the Congressionally appointed "Military Leadership Diversity Commission" would recommend that women would be allowed to serve in Combat Positions. The report is due to Congress in March, so the leak allows them a chance to tailor their arguments t...
You failed to mention that women tend to be more of the "nurturing type". That, in itself, presents a problem while on patrol or doing any type of Ops.
Discussing the Arguments Against Women in Combat Units
First, I went over the arguments used to call for allowing women to have any Military Speciality they desire. So far, no one has provided any arguments I missed, nor provided any rational debate that I was wrong in those discussions. That article is the place to discuss those arguments. The...
Nail, meet hammer.....
One of the things I was fortunate enough to NOT experience was having women aboard my various ships. While I did have women in my various squadrons, they still presented a problem. There was fraternization, despite the "rules", unnecessary drama, etc. We still got by, but there were always some sort of tensions created by the co-ed Military.
Return to a Eunuch Military?
Ages past, rulers trusted their most prized possessions only to warriors neutered, physically, from sexual desire. Eunuchs were stronger than common warriors and could be trusted to guard the kings' harems without any thought of succumbing to sexual desire or thoughts. Their energies were fo...
Not only his Sailors, but Sailors, past & current, are rallying around him on Facebook. We can see the injustice being perpetrated against Capt. Honors. I'm one of them.
More Videos of Captain Honors
The original we saw was a compilation of prior videos. Yes, there's vulgar language. They cuss like Sailors and do other things Troops do when stuck together in close quarters for long periods of time. Guess who that is that pops up from under his desk. Here are some that provide further cont...
As a career Sailor, I must admit that the videos were hilarious. Were they out of line?? Maybe through some enhanced video editing, they appeared that way. However, it is the XO's responsibility to keep morale up. Being haze gray & underway for extended periods of time is pretty tough on people. A little break from the monotony of 12-16 hour days is often welcomed. It's sad to say that the upper echelon and the PC police have disregarded the actual GOOD that Capt. Honors did while he was XO. I would have LOVED to have a Skipper or XO like him. I actually did have an XO & CO like him at one command, Cdr. A.J. Billings, who wrote, "Seawolf28".
All in all, I was saddened to hear the news that Capt. Honors was reassigned and relieved of command. This shows that the upper echelon of the Navy and the DOD is out of touch with the reality of shipboard life. It also shows they are out of touch with their men. I DO have to question the timing of the release of the video and what ulterior motives were behind the release of something four years old. What about the CO? Will he go unpunished for allowing these videos the be broadcast on the ship's closed circuit television? After all, he's the one ultimately responsible. (Not that I'd like to see another Sailor's career thrown down the drain.)
More Videos of Captain Honors
The original we saw was a compilation of prior videos. Yes, there's vulgar language. They cuss like Sailors and do other things Troops do when stuck together in close quarters for long periods of time. Guess who that is that pops up from under his desk. Here are some that provide further cont...
Anybody that thinks or believe that this was NOT terrorism is simply naive, stupid, or just doesn't want to face the facts.
On this date in 2009: Terrorism Struck Ft Hood
One Shooter shot, paralyzed: Soldier, MAJ Malik Nidal Hasan, Islamist Terrorist, by Civilian (Ft Hood) Police Pentagon Confirms Shooter was: Major Malik Nidal Hasan, Mental Health Doctor Shouted "Allah Akhbar" as he comenced shooting. Hasan was 39 year old Major from Virginia. Previously assig...
AMEN, WOTN Editor.
"Indian" needs a cranial-rectumotomy.
BZ MsMarti!!
While I don't really like to see death, Pvt. Manning would be one that deserves the death penalty should it be confirmed that his theft has caused any military or civilian deaths. Murder by proxy, at best.
WikiLeaks - Exposing Those Dirty Little Secrets
WikiLeaks was established back in 2006 by Julian Assange, "a man with a near genius IQ" say some. According to the NYT's Assange redefined "whistle-blowing by gathering secrets in bulk, storing them beyond the reach of governments and others determined to retrieve them, then releasing them ins...
LW: Honestly, I can't remember when this was or which airport. I want to think it was in 1995 when I did a lot of flying around for training to different places. However, it could have been in 2000 or 2004. I just remember the incident and me walking out of there pretty disappointed and a little disgruntled. I doubt that the same people would be working at any of those places now.
It IS good to know that the USO of Indiana allows everybody. But, nowadays, I don't do much flying.
USO of Indiana Ribbon Cutting
I'm down in Indy at the ribbon cutting for the new USO of Indiana facility at the airport. The move was several weeks ago, with the ribbon cutting today. The move, and a bit more, was made possible by the generosity of the Russell family. The new facility is more than twice the size of the previ...
I like the fact that the USO is out there to support our troops. However, I have an axe to grind with them. As a military retiree, I was at some airport a while back and wandered into the USO to maybe grab a cup of coffee and hang with my brethren, shoot the breeze, etc. I had some time to kill between flights. When I attempted to sign in, they flat out rejected me because I wasn't active duty and bluntly told me that I wasn't allowed in there. That kind of bias and treatment didn't sit very well with me.
USO of Indiana Ribbon Cutting
I'm down in Indy at the ribbon cutting for the new USO of Indiana facility at the airport. The move was several weeks ago, with the ribbon cutting today. The move, and a bit more, was made possible by the generosity of the Russell family. The new facility is more than twice the size of the previ...
I'll check into why their endorsements haven't been yanked. In case you haven't been following this closely, last Friday, ALL of the VFW-PAC board members have been recalled and essentially fired by the National Commander. I don't know what authority the National Commander may have over their web site. It's very possible that he has none and this, too, must be addressed by the delegates of the National convention. You may want to read what the Texas State Commander has put out here: http://www.texasvfw.org/UserFiles/File/dept_pac_stmt.pdf
Don't "Desert" the VFW!
Like I've stated before, cancelling one's membership is NOT the answer!! If we want to effect change in the VFW & it's PAC, it MUST come from within!! To abandon an organization because they screwed up or we don't like how it's running is just like rats abandoning a sinking ship!! I've heard s...
The PAC followed their own by-laws. These by-laws have been in place since their inception. The problem with the PAC is two-fold; 1.) a messed up set of by-laws & 2.) the failure to demonstrate some flexibility when confronted with some problematic endorsements. #2 has been fixed. I'm sure that the National Commander didn't want it to come to this and that is why it took a while to get it corrected. #1 will be fixed or the PAC will go away. Again, the Commander is operating per the by-laws of the VFW. If y'all are too hard-hearted to recognize that the Commander is doing the best as he can within the rules that he MUST abide by, then I feel for you.
A couple of important factors in the way the PAC operates:
1.) The By-laws are pretty clear about that too. The final decisions are made by the Director, the Treasurer and a nine member Board of Director's, ALL of whom are appointed by the National Commander and they DO NOT HAVE TO CONSULT WITH ANYONE. They may, if they wish, take advice from anyone they chose, but there is no official line of communication with anyone other than themselves. That's how the system was set up and that's how it's operated. As anyone who knows something about tax-exempt organizations knows, such an organization operates outside it's published By-laws at great peril to its tax exempt status and the PAC has done nothing at variance with those By-laws when determining who to endorse.
2.)Of primary consideration shall be the candidate's position and/or voting record on issues involving national defense and veterans legislation. And whether the candidate holds a leadership or policy-shaping position in his party or on a congressional committee or is likely to hold such a position in the future.
Once I saw the the endorsements that the PAC made this year, I was pretty pissed off, too. I wasn't involved with the VFW in 2008. The larger fact is that WE put the PAC in the limelight and showed how messed up they are. Now that this is accomplished, the VFW can move forward. It's not time to abandon the VFW, it's time to hold them to task!!
I think that many of us have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to the VFW, politics, or even the goings on in the World. Today's modern world with the internet has really opened people's eyes because of the near-instant communications. Today's political climate is much different than it was in 2000 and 2004. It's heated, people are scared of what Obama and his ilk might do, and people are frustrated because the inept "leadership" is NOT listening to its constituents. (I remember one candidate saying that he'll vote how he pleases, regardless of what his constituents wanted.) At least the VFW Leadership heard the cry of outrage and acted!!
URGENT: VFW DISSOLVES PAC BOARD!
This, from last week, is just now making it to my in-box. THIS IS WHAT WAS NEEDED ALL ALONG- Download Memo to council - new ballot Oct 10 I have reviewed the Political Action Committee (PAC) Board of Directors’ response to our request to rescind this year’ s Congressional endorsements. I disag...
My Post had come to a consensus to send a letter requesting EXACTLY this. I guess we won't need to send that letter up the chain of command within the VFW now. I have to commend the National Commander for stepping up to the plate and demonstrating some true leadership!!
URGENT: VFW DISSOLVES PAC BOARD!
This, from last week, is just now making it to my in-box. THIS IS WHAT WAS NEEDED ALL ALONG- Download Memo to council - new ballot Oct 10 I have reviewed the Political Action Committee (PAC) Board of Directors’ response to our request to rescind this year’ s Congressional endorsements. I disag...
Since when does being scared equate to "torture"? Major Tom needs to go through SERE school or even easier, go find & watch the movie, "Bravo Two-Zero" Methinks that "Major Tom" hasn't even served....
VFW Beseiged by Partisanship & PAC
There are active calls for the demise of the Fraternal Organization of Combat Veterans, the VFW. Partisan Pundits, often Combat Veterans themselves are purposely muddying the waters between the PAC and the VFW. Some have never been members of the organization while others have pledged to burn ...
At my post, we are calling for the recalling of the PAC Board members. In all essence, fire them until this whole thing gets squared away. (Can one actually "fire volunteers?) The National Commander has that authority, at least that's how we interpret it. We realize that it will be too late for this election cycle.
@ Constitutional Insurgent: There are many Dems on the endorsement list. There are only a handful that we have a problem with. And yes, I would endorse a WAR Veteran before I would endorse some of these folks.
VFW Still Can't See The Light! (Ladies Fight Back Update)
UPDATE! VFW Ladies Auxiliery de-funds VFW-PAC: Post Date: 10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars October 13, 2010 Dear Sisters, In light of the VFW’s position on the most recent endorsements by the VFW Political Action Committee, effective this day, October 13, ...
Mr. Mahoney:
While I might concur with you to some extent, many of these politicians have demonstrated a strong anti-military sentiment. With that in mind, I ask you who makes up the body of the VFW? It's those that are on active duty in a combat zone or those who have served in a combat zone. One simply CANNOT be anti-military and pro-veteran as they run hand in hand. Sure, a politician can certainly endorse veterans issues, but when they berate, withhold funds, and otherwise disparage our troops, their true colors start to be revealed. Are their Dems & Independents that DO support our troops?? Most certainly. However, and I'm repeating myself, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, Harry Reid, Alcee Hastings, Sheila Jackson Lee and their ilk have constantly shown their sentiment towards our troops and it's not positive. There are others, too. I just mentioned the main ones that stick out in my mind.
VFW Leadership Un-Endorses Candidates
Veterans have spoken and the VFW Leadership could not help but hear. "As determined in the VFW By-Laws, as the national officers, we have specific responsibilities to take definitive action when events can have a detrimental impact on the organization. It is clear to us that the current situatio...
"Teh stupid" is strong in Oklahoma!! I live about half a mile south of the OK border in Texas. Oklahomans are the bane of my existence when it comes to driving, common sense, etc. They come over her to shop for groceries because OK charges sales tax on EVERYTHING.
This was on the local news last night. At least someone FINALLY did the right thing. I have a problem with "Toll Roads" in general. They use taxpayer's money to get most of them built and then they charge the people to use something that they already paid for.
Soldier's funeral procession told to pay tolls in OK
The Tanker Babe is in high dudgeon and rightfully so. Somebody in Oklahoma is screwing the pooch and they better square themselves away. PFC Cody Board died 4 October 2010 from wounds sustained by an IED. PFC Board grew up in McKinney, TX but was originally from Oklahoma. His family plans to l...
Mr. Wolf:
I don't perceive WOTN Editor as defending the PAC, only the VFW. As far as the PAC board members resigning, I don't see that happening. They have become accustomed to the DC lifestyle. Wining & dining on the VFW & its Auxiliary members' dime. Is it right? Definitely NOT!
Here's what I want to see out of the PAC, if they continue to exist: Continue to lobby and keep getting veterans' issues bills passed. Not to endorse ANY candidate, period. In my opinion, the VFW shouldn't be in the endorsement game. However, the PAC needs to continue as a lobbying entity because without them, I don't feel that needed legislation would get passed. I will admit, they certainly fell down this year, as military retirees weren't granted a COLA, many of those retirees belonging to the VFW. I know of four at my small post. (We have an ACTIVE membership of about 20 out of some 250+ actual members. By "active", I mean those that attend meetings or participate in Post functions in one way or another.) The VA issues seem to be getting resolved, but I can't say that the VFW PAC had a lot to do with that. They may have or not, but I don't think so.
VFW Beseiged by Partisanship & PAC
There are active calls for the demise of the Fraternal Organization of Combat Veterans, the VFW. Partisan Pundits, often Combat Veterans themselves are purposely muddying the waters between the PAC and the VFW. Some have never been members of the organization while others have pledged to burn ...
I'm with you, Uncle Jimbo.....
What I've never been able to grasp is WHY the Phelps' have chosen military funerals as their "podium". Why aren't they protesting at Gay Pride parades, Gay bars, etc.?? It seems inappropriate to protest at a military funeral mainly because the military really isn't "pro-GLBT". Seems to me that they are pretty much "preaching to the choir" and disrupting what would be & should be an honorable event.
Can the Phelps Phag-Haters lose at the Supreme Court?
I despise Fred Phelps and the rest of his mouth-breathing, backwards wastes of human protoplasm. I also hate the idea of the government decidinh who can say what to who. Government is a blunt and stupid tool run by blunt and stupid tools. It should do as little as possible. There is no right in ...
I am so pissed that I am beside myself. I personally spoke with Mike Wysong. They simply refuse to comply with the National Commander's request to simply not endorse any candidate, and fully intend on heading into the abyss of dishonor. I think that the consensus is that, until the next National Convention, no funds will be appropriated for them, no funds will be donated to them (at least from the VFW members and the Ladies Auxiliary), and it will roll on from there. I've spoken with a few insiders on this and it just may be that the PAC will cease to exist, at least that's their thoughts on the issue right now.
VFW Still Can't See The Light! (Ladies Fight Back Update)
UPDATE! VFW Ladies Auxiliery de-funds VFW-PAC: Post Date: 10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars October 13, 2010 Dear Sisters, In light of the VFW’s position on the most recent endorsements by the VFW Political Action Committee, effective this day, October 13, ...
I spoke with Mike Wysong, a board member of the VFW-PAC, this afternoon, and they are sticking by their endorsements with NO intention of compromise.
PAC Proves It's Not the VFW
In an act of defiance of Veterans, the VFW, the VFW Leadership, and the VFW Membership, the PAC claiming in its name that it is an arm of the VFW, that uses the symbols of the VFW has refused to reconsider, rethink, or rescind its list of incumbent endorsements. In a news release dated 12 Octobe...
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