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?

August 14, 2010 – Excellent point. Despite the wind-down in Irag our brave heroes are still exposed to constant danger. SFTT salutes Spc. Faith Hinkley and extend our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family.

August 12, 2010 – We salute you and welcome you home.

August 12, 2010 – What have they got to hide? What is the difference between a “mentor” and a “lobbyist”? With countless GAO studies suggesting an unhealthy relationship between vendors and the military procurement process, the least Secretary Gates can do is to require vendors to publically disclose all former military and DOD civilian officials who have received more that $10,000 in commissions or non-salary compensation. Similary, the military should do the same for Mentors or Consultants. Make those 1099s public.

August 12, 2010 – We often take our brave young heroes for granted, but clearly there are serious “unintended consequences” of prolonged deployments, short rotation periods and the rigors of fighting wars in Afghanistand and Iraq. SFTT applauds the recent disclosures and initiatives taken by the military leadership to deal with the mental and physical well-being of our men and women in uniform.

August 12, 2010 – This is very good news. Clearly, shortened rotations were cited in the recent US Army Report on Suicide Prevention as a factor in contributing to high stress among our men and women in uniform.

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.

August 7, 2010 – A recurring tragedy that ravishes the families of the brave heroes who serve in harm’s way. With recent release of the US Army report on Suicide Prevention, we are hopeful that our frontline troops get the medical and psychiatric attention they deserve to deal with this serious problem.

August 7, 2010 – This is welcome news indeed, give the level of stress and uncertainty that this placing on the young men and women serving in harm’s way.

August 7, 2010 – Surely you must be kidding me? Lots of jokes come to mind – like the mushroom in the basement – but obviously quite a few Pentagon staffers were out doing their inane version of damage control. Doesn’t it seem fair that our troops deserve the same level of intelligence that our enenmies have or do we feel compelled to provide them with a sanitized version?

August 7, 2010 – While there is no question that safeguarding the lives and safety of non-combatant civilians is a critical component of any military operation, it places a huge strain on on US forces policing what has now become a civil or tribal war in Afghanistan. When you insert a clause that permit US troops to respond aggressively in self-defense, you are advocating a military doctrine that is open to interpretation and pretty much useless.