A young officer I once served with recently changed command and is now attending the Army’s Intermediate Level Education course for field grade officers; when he graduates he’ll report to a new unit and redeploy. His tedious ride from the east coast to Kansas coincided with the sacking of McChrystal. Remember him? After the storm broke and his pension was paid, follow up analysis of the “crisis” revealed that the majority of attributable quotes and “off-the-record” background was provided by ...
Continue Reading →“‘King for a Day’ Kit-Wise”
As counter-intuitive as it sounds, the Pashtun tribal code in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan is inhospitable to outsiders to the point of hostility. The history of the valley is marked with violent encounters and campaigns where these isolated tribes defeated their unprepared foes time and time again. In fact, US forces recently ceded ground and treasure by abandoning the valley after five years of futile fighting where they learned the painful lessons of the limits of power and lack ...
Continue Reading →Shared News from SFTT – August 14, 2010
- *US* Marine Corps must redefine mission: Gates
August 14, 2010 – Not sure it makes a lot of sense for the Marine Corps to redefine their mission. Isn’t that the responsibility of the Secreatry of Defense in consultation with the other military service components, Congress and other govenment Departments and agencies?
- Fallen Heroes: Army Spc. Faith R. Hinkley
August 14, 2010 – Excellent point. Despite the wind-down ...
“Close Hold” A new feature on SFTT
I am delighted to introduce SFTT’s new commentary, “CLOSE HOLD” dedicated to the late Colonel David “Hack” Hackworth, our co-founder and my comrade-in-arms.
Ram-rodded by a master intell-evaluator, “CLOSE HOLD” will feature what’s really going on with America’s frontline troops—from the ground up and from the top down, for better or worse, on the killing fields, in garrison or at home. Hack taught me the importance of “bitching” and the value of carefully sifting through it. For sure, feedback direct from ...
Continue Reading →Military News you may have missed – August 8, 2010
- BAE Systems Displays Ultra Lightweight Warrior (ULW) Infantry *…*
August 7, 2010 – The development and deployment of light and effective body armor is to be applauded. Nevertheless, considering the US Army’s and DoD’s shoddy test procedures and questionable contract awards as documented in GAO studies, we are hopeful that all new military protective gear is properly tested and its suppliers vetted.
- A Sergeant’s ...
US Army Releases Comprehensive Report on Suicides
The US Army released a 350 page report seeking to understand the increasing rates of suicides among military personnel. Entitled “Health Promotion Risk Reduction Suicide Prevention,” this comprehensive report is the most serious effort yet to understand the disturbing trends that are affecting the mental well-being of men and women in uniform.
The report contains a sobering introduction from General Peter Chiarelli, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, who reports that there were ...
Continue Reading →New Helmet Sensor to detect Traumatic Brain Injuries
BAE Systems unveiled its latest concussion sensor for soldier helmets, named Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic System (“HEADS”). Reportedly, about 7,000 1st generation sensors have already been installed in helmets of U.S. military warriors. The new devices feature much more effective reporting capabilities that will hopefully help in getting medical attention quicker to those that need it.
The HEADS smart sensor is also designed to provide medical ...
Continue Reading →Open Letter to Senator Scott Brown on M-ATV defects
July 30, 2010
Honorable Senator Scott P. Brown
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Honorable Senator Scott P. Brown:
I am writing to you today as a concerned and worried Father and Veteran, on the issue of the M-ATV vehicle doors. These concerns are not only mine, but of many other families in the Corps, as well as the other branches in our military. We are reaching out to you and your colleagues’ for HELP, on these issues listed in the letters (see ...
Continue Reading →Military News Items You May Have Missed – July 31, 2010
- Google Alerts – body armor – Former *Body*-*Armor* Executive on Trial for Fraud – Blogrunner
July 27, 2010 – This long trial is finally drawing to a close. It is sad to think that body armor used by the majority of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq have been supplied by a company run by Mr. Brooks. Point Blank Armor is now in Chapter 11. Can’t we do better for our troops?
- Google Alerts – military ...
How you can support our troops with more than lip service
I have been pondering for some time what more I could do to help promote Soldiers For The Truth’s Basic 5 Campaign. My latest effort has been to inform politicians running for congressional and statewide offices of our cause. Politicians are never more accessible than when running for office, so my plan is to take advantage of that situation and that is what I did!
Last Saturday I attended a private reception in Arkansas for several politicians running for ...
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