Stand for the Troops was founded by Col. David Hackworth over 10 years ago with the very simple premise that grunts in combat deserve the best combat equipment and protective gear available. It is a goal or expectation that I am sure most – if not all – patriotic Americans would support. In light of recent Marine Corps testing of ceramic plates used in body armor, we now learn that roughly 5% of these life-saving plates are defective.
While one might argue that ...
Continue Reading →In what should come to no surprise to readers of SFTT, the Marine Corps has confirmed that government-issued ceramic plates used in body armor are flawed. In an article published in the Marine Corps Times, James K. Sanborn reports that the US Marines are using X-Ray machines to detect “cracks” in the ceramic plates used in body armor.
According to Master Sgt. Mateo Mathis, operations chief at Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment in Quantico, Va., So far, 40,000 plates ...
Continue Reading →Almost daily, we receive reports of the devastating impact of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on our men and women in uniform and the terrible side-effects on their families and friends. The US Army is aware of the terrible cost of PTSD as evidenced by the 2010 US Army Report on Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention.
Many publications suggest that the origins of PTSD are unknown as evidenced by this recent commentary from a government organization:
“The cause ...
Continue Reading →SFTT reads with great interest that the US Army has awarded Ceradyne an order worth about $10 million for later in Q2, with completion estimated to be by Q3.
While one would not normally question our miliary leadership in making sure our troops have the very best protective gear, we still are seeking resolution to SFTT’s request for information on the reliability of ceramic plates used for body armor that was filed 18 months ago under the Freedom of Information Act;
One wonders at the insensitivity or blatant carelessness demonstrated by the public relations and advertising departments of major firms. This latest promotional ad from Team Wendy – which makes military helmets rather than hamburgers – suggests that men and women in uniform should should quit their belly-aching and cope with the safe but uncomfortable military helmets Wendy’s manufactures.
A veteran of many wars brought Team Wendy’s recent promotional ad to the attention of SFTT and asked for our ...
Continue Reading →Congratulations on being nominated for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Panetta. Or should I say my condolences on being nominated for Secretary of Defense?
I’m just saying —- DOD isn’t the CIA. You’ll need all of your considerable skills in your new job. You’re the right guy to deeply cut the enormously high DOD budget. You’ve been in the Office of Management and Budget, been the White House Chief of Staff, been in Congress and run the CIA, so you know ...
Continue Reading →SFTT received the following note from Sue Diaz, journalist, Blue Star mom and a leader of writing workshops for veterans. SFTT is proud to share a Mother’s story which she documents in Minefield’s of the Heart.
“I’d like to share with you a video story of the beginning of my son’s journey home after two long deployments in Iraq’s Triangle of Death. Here’s the YouTube link:
It’s a true story that also offers hope. And ...
Continue Reading →The news media is alive with the idea that a “simple tweak” of padding in military helmets will reduce TBI (“traumatic brain injury”) and, perhaps, PTSD (“post traumatic stress disorder”). Ms. Claudia Cowan of Fox News, published an article on Aril 22nd which suggests that “a little padding goes a long way . . . to provide better protection from blunt force contact.”
Quoting scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Ms. Cowan suggests that ” by adding just a quarter-inch, or even an ...
Continue Reading →is designed to improve “Soldier performance and readiness. Build confidence to lead, courage to stand up for one’s beliefs and compassion to help others. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is about maximizing one’s potential.” This program is deemed so important to forming core values of our men and women in uniform and their families, that they have even developed a camouflaged logo to promote the program. I suspect that by the time the lobbyists and universities have milked this program dry it will ...
Continue Reading →It is surprising how quickly the US government can move when matters of “vital interest” are at stake. Regardless of what feelings one may have regarding our intervention in Libya, it is quite amazing how we can focus our attention to prevent atrocities in a country which we have largely neglected for 40 years.
Compare our resolve in Libya to the interminable delays in getting our troops in Afghanistan the proper equipment to deal with IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices). Congressman ...
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