Military (and Family members) two

[Big T]

Here is the beginning of the new Military and family members thread. The other one was nearing the 1000 post mark and needs to be closed and locked.

Part 1: http://bibleforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38149

[Slug1]

BigT when I saw that lock on the old thread I thought :o:o :eek:

Hahahaha, fresh ground.... :lol:

[Big T]

LOL, did you like my little joke?

[ChristsCourage]

I pray for all the families, and, their soldiers that are out there on the front lines.:pray::pray:

[Tanya~]

Hi :)

My daughter will be leaving for Basic Training on July 10. That's less than a month away now, please pray for her and us, because we are REALLY GOING TO MISS HER!!! :cry: Still, we trust in God to guide and keep her, and bring her back to us safe and sound, strong and whole in body, soul and spirit.

She enlisted in the Navy and will be a CTI which is an interpreter.

[karenoka27]

My nephew Chris is in the Army...he is leaving for Iraq on July 15th.
My nephew Justin is in the Air Force...he is leaving for Iraq in October.
Please bring them before the Lord.

[Slug1]

An unclassified update to the AR 670-1 has come down the pipeline...

UNCLAS

FROM
DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HRI//

TO ALARACT

INFO
DA WASHINGTON DC//DALO-SMT//
DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HRI//

SUBJECT: AR 670-1, 3 FEB 05, WEAR AND APPEARANCE OF ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA

1. THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHANGES TO THE WEAR POLICY OUTLINED IN AR 670-1 AND MESSAGES OUTLINING THE WEAR POLICY FOR THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU).

2. THE ARMY WHITE UNIFORM IS NO LONGER AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR.

3. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-14A IS CHANGED TO READ: SOLDIERS MAY WEAR A WRISTWATCH, A WRIST IDENTIFICATION BRACELET, AND A TOTAL OF TWO RINGS (A WEDDING SET IS CONSIDERED ONE RING) WITH ARMY UNIFORMS, UNLESS PROHIBITED BY THE COMMANDER FOR SAFETY OR HEALTH REASONS. JEWELRY WORN BY SOLDIERS MUST BE CONSERVATIVE AND IN GOOD TASTE. IDENTIFICATION BRACELETS ARE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: MEDICAL ALERT BRACELETS, MIA, POW, AND KIA (BLACK OR SILVER IN COLOR ONLY) BRACELETS. SOLDIERS ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED TO WEAR ONE ITEM ON EACH WRIST.

4. JEWELRY OUTLINED IN AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-14A AND PENS/PENCILS WORN IN THE PEN/PENCIL SLOTS ON THE ACU COAT CAN BE EXPOSED. NOTE: THERE ARE NO STIPULATIONS ON THE COLORS OF PENS/PENCILS WORN IN THE SLOTS ON THE ACU COAT. OTHER AUTHORIZED EXCEPTIONS ARE RELIGIOUS ITEMS DESCRIBED IN AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-7B, A CONSERVATIVE TIE TACK OR TIE CLASP THAT MALE SOLDIERS WEAR WITH THE BLACK FOUR-IN-HAND NECKTIE AND A PEN OR PENCIL THAT MAY APPEAR EXPOSED ON THE HOSPITAL DUTY, FOOD SERVICE, COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN UNIFORM, OR FLIGHT UNIFORMS.

5. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-9A(2)(B) IS CHANGED TO PROHIBIT WEAR OF WIRELESS BLUETOOTH DEVICES AND NON-WIRELESS EAR PIECES WHILE WEARING ARMY UNIFORMS, EXCEPT WHILE OPERATING A COMMERCIAL OR MILITARY VEHICLE (TO INCLUDE A MOTORCYCLE OR BICYCLE).

6. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-15 IS CHANGED AUTHORIZING SOLDERS WEAR OF BALLISTIC SPECTACLE EYE PROTECTION ISSUED BY THE ARMY.

7. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-10E(2) IS CHANGED AUTHORIZING WEAR OF THE BLACK, ACU UNIVERSAL PATTERN, FOLIAGE GREEN, DESERT CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN GYM BAGS, CIVILIAN RUCKSACKS, OR OTHER SIMILAR CIVILIAN BAGS WHILE IN UNIFORM. THE REMAINING WEAR POLICIES OUTLINED IN AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 1-10E(2) STILL APPLIES.

8. NON-SUBDUED SSI (S) ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON UTILITY UNIFORMS AS A SSI OR SSI-FWTS. LEADERS WILL ENSURE SOLDIERS COMPLY IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY CURRENTLY APPROVED AUTHORIZING WEAR OF ANY NON-SUBDUED SSI ON UTILITY UNIFORMS.

9. COMBAT, SPECIAL SKILL, AND IDENTIFICATION BADGES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU IN FIELD OR IN DEPLOYED ENVIRONMENTS.

10. SUBDUED PIN ON OR SEWN ON RANK IS WORN ON THE ACU SUN (BOONIE) HAT AND THE ACU PATROL CAP.

11. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPHS 6-2C(4), 6-5E, AND 12-2C(1) IS CHANGED AUTHORIZING WEAR OF THE BLACK LEATHER BOOTS, TAN COMBAT BOOTS, OR OPTIONAL TAN BOOTS SIMILAR TO THE TAN COMBAT BOOTS WITH THE AIRCREW BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM AND THE FLIGHT UNIFORM.

12. THE MILITARY POLICE (MP), EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD), AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION (CID) INSIGNIAS ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU. THE INSIGNIAS ARE PLACED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE HOOK AND LOOP-FACED PAD ALREADY PROVIDED ON THE LEFT SLEEVE OF THE ACU COAT SHOULDER POCKET FLAP. THE INSIGNIAS ARE WORN AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMANDER.

13. THE FOLLOWING INSIGNIAS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU: BLOOD TYPES, COMBAT LIFESAVERS (CLS), MEDIC, ALLERGIES, ARABIC NAMETAPES, NO KNOWN DRUG ALLERGIES (NKDA), NO KNOWN ALLERGIES (NKA), PENICILLIN (PEN), ETC.

14. AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 14-2 IS CHANGED AUTHORIZING WEAR OF THE FOLLOWING CAPS WITH THE IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (IPFU): BLACK KNIT CAP, FOLIAGE GREEN MICRO FLEECE CAP OR BLACK MICRO FLEECE CAP.

15. THE BLACK OR TAN RIGGER BELTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN WITH THE ACU.

16. BLACK, TAN, OR GREEN SOCKS ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN WITH THE ACU.

17. LAST NAMETAPE WILL BE WORN ON THE ACU PARKA, COLD WEATHER (GORTEX) (GENERATION II). ALL PERSONNEL WILL WEAR THE NAMETAPE ON THE LEFT-SLEEVE POCKET FLAP. THE NAMETAPE WILL BE CENTERED LEFT TO RIGHT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE POCKET FLAP. PERSONNEL ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE NAMETAPE IN ANY OTHER LOCATION ON THE PARKA OTHER THAN THE BOTTOM OF THE POCKET FLAP. PERSONNEL ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO EMBROIDER THE NAMETAPE DIRECTLY ON THE POCKET FLAP, OR WEAR AN OLIVE GREEN OR UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN NAMETAPE WITH HOOK AND LOOP FASTENER ON THE GENERATION II GORTEX PARKA. THE NAMETAPE IS A STRIP OF UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN OR OLIVE-GREEN CLOTH, 5 1/4 INCHES LONG AND 1/2 INCH WIDE WITH 1/4 INCH BLOCK LETTERING. THE NAMETAPE CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 14 CHARACTERS. NO OTHER SIZE NAMETAPE IS AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU GORTEX PARKA (GENERATION II).

18. BOOTS WITH ZIPPERS OR SNEAKER-TYPE CONSTRUCTION ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN WITH THE ACU.

19. THE SLEEVE CUFFS ON THE ACU COAT ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE ROLLED INSIDE THE ACU COAT.

20. SUNGLASSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE HUNG ON UNIFORMS OR FROM RESTRAINTS DOWN THE FRONT OF UNIFORMS, ATTACHED TO CHAINS, BANDS OR RIBBONS, WHILE IN A GARRISON ENVIRONMENT.

21. SOLDIERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO STORE THE HEADGEAR WHEN IT IS NOT WORN. SOLDIERS MAY STORE HEADGEAR IN THE ACU CARGO POCKETS. WHEN STORED, THE HEADGEAR MUST BE FOLDED NEATLY AND NOT PRESENT A BULKY APPEARANCE.

22. THE BLACK OR TAN (COLD WEATHER) MOISTURE WICKING SILK WEIGHT T-SHIRTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN UNDER THE ACU COAT IN PLACE OF THE TAN, FOLIAGE GREEN, OR BROWN T-SHIRTS. THE SILK WEIGHT (COLD WEATHER) T-SHIRTS WILL BE WORN AS UNDERGARMENTS ONLY.

23. SOLDIERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO MODIFY THE BLACK EXTENDED COLD-WEATHER CLOTHING SYSTEM (ECWCS) FLEECE TO ADD HOOK AND LOOP PADS FOR THE LAST NAMETAPE, U.S. ARMY, AND RANK INSIGNIA

[Clavicula_Nox]

#9 will make some officers mad, but #13 makes no sense. Blood type, allergies, and No-Penicillan are important things. I've never seen anyone wear non-subdued RSSI or LSSI on BDU's DCUs, or ACUs.
*edit*

Also, I'm back.

[Slug1]

Welcome back dude!!

Hahaha, I flatline my ACU's in garrison and the field... stupid having to wear pin on. Well, I did anyway... now they just collect dust in the closet.

I bet a Change # XXXX will come out on #13 so in combat you can. I know I had my blood type penned on my boots and on the front of my t-shirt also.

[rabidchipmunk]

Well. Call me niave, but why would something such as that have to be classified?

[Slug1]

I got this in my American Legion mailed newsletter today...

Two Wolves

One evening the Squad Leader told his soldiers about a battle that goes on inside of people. He said,

"The Battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, truth, compassion, and faith."

A young Private asked his Squad Leader, "Which wolf wins?"

The Squad Leader looked reverently at his squad and replied, "The one you feed."

[Clavicula_Nox]

What is the proper way to tell a retired E-7 with no deployments that he doesn't know anything when it comes to combat, deployment, or anything that isn't garrison related?

My fiancee's dad retired 19 years ago and thinks the Army is exactly the same way as it was then, plus, with no deployment history, he's trying to tell me, with 3 deployments, that I don't know what I'm talking about because I'm "younger" and *only* an E-5. I made 5 in like..2 1/2 years..that's quick.

He also informed me that special operations "isn't real," and none of our operations mean anything.

I'm also wrong because I'm not a jumpmaster, but when the paperwork comes through, I will have a mustard stain on my wings, which at this time is, I believe, one of the most rare awards/badges in the Army. I haven't done jumpmaster because I don't have the retention for it, plus, I'm not interested. It just doesn't appeal to me, though, if I stay in, I'm sure at some point I'll be forced to go.

[rabidchipmunk]

What is a mustard stain?
Jumpmasters...what do they do besides tell the guys when to jump?

[Clavicula_Nox]

http://www.qmfound.com/parachute_1st_combat.gif

Denotes a combat jump. They don't happen too often, and are usualyl not large scale when they do.

Jumpmasters are responsible for the sucessfull deployment of the entire chalk. They inspect harnesses, chutes, etc.

[rabidchipmunk]

Cool. Congratulations.

[Clavicula_Nox]

the main reason i should not drink is:

post traumatic stress disorder.

see. i keep my emotions on the inside, but when i drink my depression comes out. such phrases as:A

"so and so died and i wasn't there"

or

"so and so died because i couldn't stopnit"

"i killed so and so many people"

"this happened and i was almost killed"

etc
etc
etc.
'
ptsd hits me on 2 occassions. whenever i write papers for college work, and when i drink. the conuyndrum is that i like to drink, but sometimes i wish i would have died instead of someone else. io would hasve died for anyone but they wouldn't let me and i dont know how to do that.

[Clavicula_Nox]

everytime iv been shot or blown up i sould have died and i didn't. it isn't fair. my friends should have died alone i shouldhave been there for them or died eith them or something. i fi ucould have bene there i could have kille dwhoever killed them or at least died with them so theybwouldnt have to die alone. it isnt fair

[rabidchipmunk]

CN, it is hard for us as humans as we can only see life in a very small frame at a time; whereas God sees all of it and knows exactly what is best for us. He has a specific purpose and plan for you. That is why you didn't die with someone else who died or weren't able to prevent it.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isaiah 55:8-9 " 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Who can know the will and mind of God? God allowed things to happen that way. It is impossible for us as humans, who cannot see the complete the picture to understand.
I hope you feel better soon.

[Slug1]

CN, As many times that I've been shot at, as many times I got blown up... I never even got scratched. I look at it as blessings and don't worry about it.

[Slug1]

I found this on the website of the unit I went to war "twice" with. 1st time in 1990-1991 and then again in 2003-2004:

1/16 Infantry Iron Ranger Battalion Prayer

Almighty God, who alone can strengthen us in the hour of danger, give us thy strength so that we may be ever ready to visit swift obedience and deadly justice upon those who wish ours harm. May we advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.

We are the Iron Rangers of war. We go out to meet Thy enemy and we laugh at fear, for we are not dismayed. We do not turn away from the sword, the flashing of a spear; we turn toward it and with fierceness and rage, we swallow the ground to close the distance. We cannot stand still at the sound of the bugle, for when it sounds, we cry out in joyous anticipation. Terror dances before us. Though the sword may reach us, we are not afraid for it does not avail, nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. With Thy strength we count iron as straw. On earth we have no equal; we fear nothing through Thy blessings.

Lend us resilience, Lord that we may reach the end of the road. When the cords of death encompass us, the torrents of perdition assail us, and the snares of death confront us, help us through the hardest of days that we may visit the last of days. Let us be filled with Thy fortitude that we may see the end of corruption, the death of pestilence.

Let us be an Instrument; the right hand of God as was Gabriel and Michael. Use us as you would to make the world right. We stand ready to visit the wicked as obedience and justice. Our only companions, our brothers and you, Almighty God. Walk close to us always, our Father that we may not fall. Amen

~Richard W. Martinson
2LT, IN

[rabidchipmunk]

my s/w/d googles fog up. how can i stop that?

[Slug1]

Clean them with rubbing alcohol or buy a glass "anti-fog" cleaner.

[Jollyrogers]

Here is a news cast on a lady that does paintings for families who have lost loved ones in Iraq. It was sent to me by email. Slug recomended I post it here. :rolleyes:

God Bless you Kesiah (http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/gannett.download.akamai.com/21772/streaming/wmv/hancockportraits.asx)

Since I recived it this morning I have found her website

http://www.kaziahthegoatwoman.com/

[Slug1]

Thanks Jolly!

I see one in the list of portraits I served with.

[Clavicula_Nox]

http://www.kaziahthegoatwoman.com/Images/640x480/HS-128_Samuel_T_Castle_5888.jpg

SSG Castle was in my battalion and was killed in 2005 by an IED. The photo used as reference for this painting is hanging in the battalion even today.

http://www.kaziahthegoatwoman.com/Images/640x480/HS-235_Mickey_E_Zaun_0257_L.jpg

There are pictures of this guy hanging up at various buildings in USASOC, but I never knew who he was.

There were a few others I recognized, and with the truckload of kids recently being from Iowa being killed that I know, and with the impending deployment of my hometown's unit, I'm sure there will be more faces to recog.

[rabidchipmunk]

Where can I get cheap MRE's for my trip this winter?

[Slug1]

Where can I get cheap MRE's for my trip this winter?
WHY ? :lol:

[Clavicula_Nox]

WHY ? :lol:


Because MREs are awesome, that's why.

The answer? I've never seen cheap MREs before...

[Slug1]

Yeah, awesome when you're in the middle of nowhere and you decide to carry more ammo and boomers then food. Then the MRE's are important cause they're so conveniently easy to carry and are loaded with tons of calories.

But in the real world ? :lol:

RC, MRE's usually go for about $6 a bag which is about 1300-1600 calories worth of food. At three a day and if you were to eat everything that's $18 a day and about 4000 calories a day.

While patrolling (LPC) in the past even during training, I'd eat all three in a day and loose 5 pounds in one week. If you aren't highly active while eating MRE's you'll gain allot of weight.

Better to bring a cooler and buy deli meat (sandwiches) and whatever for the trip.

UMMM, did you say you're driving? I guess the cooler only works if you're driving.

[Slug1]

Oh, for the record... I loved MRE's (notice I said LOVED) :rofl:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Oh, for the record... I loved MRE's (notice I said LOVED) :rofl:
Yeah, I aquire cartons of them quite often and scavage through them whenever I feel like a snack. I love them too.

My upcoming schedule:

Aug - E-6 board
Sept - SFAS
If SFAS = pass then
Next year - 3 years = SFQC
If SFAS = no go then
....dunno, look into the BEAR program, I suppose.

[StarscreamX-2]

Howdy all, been awhile....currentlly stuck in Fort Gordon, changing my MOS.....LOL.

[rabidchipmunk]

Yes, we're driving.
And, we don't want a repeat of the donner party incident. So any ideas?

[Slug1]

Howdy all, been awhile....currentlly stuck in Fort Gordon, changing my MOS.....LOL.

Welcome back dude!!!

Fort Gordon... isn't that where all the Signal MOSes are located :eek:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Welcome back dude!!!

Fort Gordon... isn't that where all the Signal MOSes are located :eek:


Signal and Ordinance.

[Slug1]

AH, EOD, OK, that's cool :P

[StarscreamX-2]

Stoopid mos im getting.....25U LOL.

[Slug1]

ARRRG, no EOD, not cool ;) :lol:

[Slug1]

My upcoming schedule:

Aug - E-6 board
Sept - SFAS
If SFAS = pass then
Next year - 3 years = SFQC
If SFAS = no go then
....dunno, look into the BEAR program, I suppose.

This sounds like a plan and a half http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_11.gif

[Clavicula_Nox]

Stoopid mos im getting.....25U LOL.

Dude, I'm still technically a 25Q. heh heh, technically.... Hopefully, if I get the Go at selection they don't try to stick me with 18E, that would make me a sad sad soldier I need to do something besides Signal.

[Slug1]

Bald Eagle Taken Off Endangered Species List



http://www.huntingclub.com/Hunting/Newsletter_Folder/Newsletters/Week_of_7-5-07/asset_upload_file793_11520.jpg

WASHINGTON, D.C—After nearly disappearing from most of the United States decades ago, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced last week that the bald eagle has been officially removed from the list of threatened and endangered species. “Today I am proud to announce: the eagle has returned,” Kempthorne said. “In 1963, the Lower 48 states were home to barely 400 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, after decades of conservation effort, they are home to some 10,000 nesting pairs, a 25-fold increase in the past 40 years. Based on its dramatic recovery, it is my honor to announce the Department of the Interior’s decision to remove the American bald eagle from the Endangered Species List.”

The removal of the bald eagle from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. After the bald eagle is removed from protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will continue to work with state wildlife agencies to monitor eagles for at least 5 years as required by the Endangered Species Act. If at any time it appears that the bald eagle again needs to be placed under federal protection, the USFWS can propose to do so.
Bald eagles will also continue to be protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both federal laws prohibit “taking”—killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs.

[Dawn74]

Posting here for advice again. This morning, my husband's unit rolled out on a five-day field exercise. In the midst of packing, his sgt. (yes, the one he was supposed to have been getting transferred away from) sat a briefcase full of classified material down in the staging area. About twenty minutes into the trip, the guy remembered said briefcase ... which per regulations was apparently not supposed to have left his hands. But after about five minutes of cursing and swearing and berating himself, he turned and told my husband that he had given the the briefcase to *him* and given him explicit orders not to let it out of his sight. Now, this was a bold-faced lie, but he and my husband were the only two occupants of the vehicle, and by the time they reached their destination, the sgt. had his story well-rehearsed.

So far, none of the powers that be have bothered asking my husband for his version of the events. He's just been told to expect "action" once they get back on post (the end of this week) as this is officially a Big Deal.

After seven and a half months of passively accepting all the crap this guy has thrown his way, hubby's finally in a position where he's not only willing to fight back, but knows that he has to. Question is, how? As with so much else in this ongoing saga, it's a matter of his word vs. the word of a guy who outranks him -- no witnesses. ...

[Slug1]

Do a sworn statement immediately and include the reasons why he's immediately writing it all down.

Someone hopefully saw the sergeant place the case down and I do hope they step forward to help your husband.

Look, ENSURE your husband knows that responsibility CANNOT be delegated. If this case was the sergeants responsibility then that responsibility of it's safety cannot be handed off. Not in the legal world anyway.

In my book, if by regulation this case was not to leave his hands then HE'S digging his own hole by even attempting to delegate the responsibility of securing the case to your husband.

Your husband only has to stick to his story and I bet as pressure increases this sergeants true colors will emerge.

Beside, all your husband has to do is ask for the sergeant to produce a witness to prove the case was given to your husband. The fact that there was no witness can work both ways.

[Dawn74]

I've got a sworn statement form printed out and a text message into my husband right now. Whether I can that form to him while he's in the field remains to be seen. In the interim, I've been advised to tell him to sign absolutely NOTHING the powers that be might hand him without first discussing it with a lawyer. ... And I'm going in tomorrow to try to get an appoinment with a JAG lawyer.

[Slug1]

Sworn statements can be on normal notebook paper. In my career I've seen statements written on MRE boxes ;)

[Clavicula_Nox]

Slug is absolutely right. Your husband will (should) win based entirely on the fact that a Sergeant cannot delegate responsibility, only authority can be delegated. It's an open and shut case, or it should be. Sworn Statement, clear definition of who's responsible for sensitive items (should not fall to anyone below an NCO anyways, except in special circumstances which this is not one of them), and an understanding of unti/MACOM/post policy.

When consulting the Lawyer, ask whether inclusion of prior engagements between your husband and his NCO would assist in establishing precedence that your husband is this Sgt's sacrifical lamb. That information could go both ways, so consult with him first.

Finally, if the Article 15 goes ahead, I would personally refuse to sign and take the matter to courts-martial. At this point, the command will either back off (most likely) or go ahead. If they go ahead and call your bluff, I would immediately begin studying Socrates' Socratic Method and Plato's writings on syllogisms and hope that practiced rhetoric + regulations + NCO duty = Victory.

BUt do the Sworn Statement route that Slug mentioned first, the other stuff is for us ruthless types who like to hear the sound of our own voices.

Also remember, in this situation, your husband is more right than he could almost possibly be and the cards are stacked in his favor. If he loses, it's because the entire thing was set up against him and he never had a chance anyways.

[Slug1]

Yeah, remind your husband to ask for the hand-receipt that he signed... oh, your husband never was asked to sign a hand-receipt... then it can never be proven that the case was ever in your husbands possession. ;)

[Clavicula_Nox]

OH yeah..the hand Receipt! That's a good one too.

[Slug1]

I received my retirement pay breakdown from DFAS today :pp

First payment on 1 Aug 07. Or is that Aug 1, 2007 :rolleyes: :lol:

[Clavicula_Nox]

1 Aug 07. I cringe whenever I see it the other way.

[Slug1]

I know what ya mean. When I'm about to write something and I accidentally grab a pen that has blue ink, I toss the paper after the first scratch on the paper. Then turn the house upside down till I find a black ink pen. :lol:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Yeah, I do that too. I've noticed that when doing school-work, I always write in pen, even to forgo a pencil or soemthing.

[rabidchipmunk]

why do we hate blue ink? i think i asked this before but i can't remember the answer.

[Slug1]

Because the drill sergeant said to only use black ink. Otherwise you'd just be an individual who uses blue ink and the ENTIRE Army uses only black ink. Being an individual instead of a team player is a bad thing :lol:

[Clavicula_Nox]

It also looks more professional. Blue ink looks like that cutesy crap. I know if one of my soldiers handed me a DA-4187 requesting a school, or a leave form or something, I would laugh if he filled it out in blue ink before neatly folding it up and throwing it away.

[rabidchipmunk]

OH I see. So what if the whole army wrote in blue?

[Slug1]

OH I see. So what if the whole army wrote in blue?
HAHAHAHAHA, what if our uniforms were pink :rofl:

I like what if games! :P

[rabidchipmunk]

you mean like this?
http://www.worth1000.com/entries/45500/45520vcEA_w.jpg

[rabidchipmunk]

Yes, I know you can't believe every bulletin you see posted on my sp@ce. But I was wondering if you guys heard anything about this?

Military Funerals
Body: Ft Lewis has decided that we are losing too many soldiers to offer 'individual' memorials for those that are killed in action. They will now offer a 'once a month' service. Well, what kind of cr@p is that? I am considering going door to door with a petition. PLEASE , if you agree that fast food funerals for soldiers are WRONG, repost this and make the public aware of this travesty.

[Slug1]

Send me the link in a PM.

It's been investigated by Snopes and found to be false: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/fortlewis.asp

[Slug1]

I received an email from a close friend of mine that confirms a suspicion that I had.

My friend was the 1SG of the unit from Drum that has been in the news concerning the 3 MIAs. He lost 9 of his men that day total :(

Prayers for the fallen, the 2 still not found, their comrades, and the families effected by this :pray:

[Slug1]

I received my VA Disability packet today in the mail so tomorrow I have to go into post for counseling by the VA rep. I received 30% which is what I expected.

[Clavicula_Nox]

30% isn't bad, actually..I think it's considered the Sweet Spot, isn't it? Where you're eligible for all the benefits but won't be turned away by jobs.

[Slug1]

Exactly ;)

I can hunt for free now in the state of NY :pp

[Clavicula_Nox]

Good luck with your hunting.

Yeah. I just picked up a game that came out Friday called, Combat Mission: Shock Force. The setting is a modern strike into Syria with a SBCT as the focus. I've only messed with it for a little bit, but it's very good. The developers have a long history of success with various wargames in the World War 2 and Pre-Modern eras. The game uses a "We go" system where both sides enter the commands for their forces (which can be brigade and possibly multiple brigade in size) and then watch how the commands occur simultaneously for 60 seconds.

First time my Javelin gunners decimated a T-72 at 800m made me giggle inside.

If interested the website is http://www.battlefront.com/ . the link takes you to a splash screen for a software development company that specializes in wargaming, but also has a diverse library of older German and US field manuals.

[MarieDanielle]

When I see an eagle, I see a great nation
which has been founded on the principles of
equality and freedom for all.

When I see an eagle, I see our flag flying high.
I see happy children playing and smiling and laughing and singing.

When I see an eagle, I see a melting pot of blacks and Hispanics, Italians and Indians, Native American and Irish which make up our country.

When I see an eagle, I see no more bondage,
no more terrorism, ethnocentrism, racism, and hate.

Whe I see an eagle, I see our troops fighting for what is right, fighting to keep us free.

When I see an eagle, I see America standing tall and strong and proud behind her servicemen and women.

When I see an eagle, I salute and say a silent prayer of thanks for the troops who protect us.


I wrote this for a contest. It was a support the troops thing and I was one of the winners. I got published in a book and this poem was sent to the Middle East and is hanging up in every military office of the different branches over there. A soldier who was killed in a car bomb incident was buried with this poem in his pocket.

[Slug1]

Thank you Marie :hug:

That is a beautiful poem!!

[MarieDanielle]

Thanks. It made a few people cry. I read it at my church since a lot of the members of the congregation have served in the military and it will be in the August newsletter. I didn't get it out in time for the July newsletter. Quite a few people haved asked for copies of it also and so I spent like 20 minutes photocopying it in Pastor's office after the sermon ended.

[Dawn74]

Marie, could I repost that poem on a Veterans Day webpage?

[Slug1]

Hey Dawn, what's the SITREP with your husbands situation dealing with that briefcase?

[Dawn74]

Officially? "What situation?"

Unofficially, hubby is no longer in that section (PTL!), and though the, um, "individual" who actually lost control of the stuff is still online for promotion, he no longer has a whipping boy to try to pin his mistakes on.

[Slug1]

Good for your husband.

The true colors of this "person" will show... but never soon enough.

[karenoka27]

Can you ask for prayer on this thread? My nephew Justin is stationed in Beale Base in California. He is going to Iraq in the fall. Anyway, he is so depressed right now. He said there is nothing there. He hasn't met anyone as they each have their own apartment room and work different shifts. He has been there for over three months. He found a church to go to recently off base but he works every other weekend.
Has anyone else been through this? I just don't know how to encourage him. He is 19 years old. Air Force.

[Slug1]

I'll pray for him tonight Karen :pray:

I don't know about advice cause I was Army and we were in the field training till we left for Iraq. We had some time off but other then that it was nothing but training and packing till we flew.

[MarieDanielle]

Marie, could I repost that poem on a Veterans Day webpage?

Sure. The more people see it, the more will come to realize that the troops aren't losing their lives over a hopeless cause.

[Dawn74]

Sure. The more people see it, the more will come to realize that the troops aren't losing their lives over a hopeless cause.
The page I want to post it on is http://www.theholidayzone.com/veterans/poetry.html of http://www.theholidayzone.com/ (Free seasonal and holiday resources geared primarily toward parents and teachers). If you can e-mail whatever copyright information you want displayed along with the poem to the e-mail address at the bottom of the poetry page, I'll get it posted. And thank you!

[MarieDanielle]

I just sent the poem and some information.

[Clavicula_Nox]

I'm back at Fayetteville and did really well on my E-6 board. Now if I can somehow dredge up 798 points...

[Clavicula_Nox]

I found this on my mom's computer. I thought I had lost it, it's a picture of The Rangers Three ;)

Brandon, Myself, and Erik.

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/9112/casxod03sl5.jpg

[Clavicula_Nox]

Paratrooper awarded Silver Star
by Staff Sgt. Michael J.
Carden
3rd BCT PAO
PATROL BASE OLSON, Iraq— An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper was awarded the nation’s fourth highest decoration, the Silver Star, July 31, at Patrol Base Olson in Samarra, Iraq, for valorous actions during a near ambush Feb. 2 in Samarra.
Capt. Brennan Goltry, 27, 2nd Platoon leader, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, joins a coveted list of Silver Star recipients, including Senator John McCain and Audie Murphy. He’s the first from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and sixth 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper to receive the Silver Star in the Global War on Terror campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The sun had just set on Goltry and his platoon’s routine mounted patrol in Samarra. He noticed the brightness of the full moon as his convoy turned south on 20th Street, because it gave the enemy an advantage of extra visibility on the U.S. patrol, he said.
The five up-armored humvees progressed south, when they began taking automatic weapons and sniper fire from the south and west.
The lead humvee was disabled immediately, so Goltry had his driver pull their vehicle perpendicular and in front of it to provide cover. Goltry spotted a shooter to his right, opened his door, and returned fire. He received two gun shot wounds to his left leg but continued fighting until the shooter was killed.
Goltry took cover and gathered his men; some of them were wounded. It is unknown how many attackers were involved, but Goltry led his men south on foot with suppressive fire and basically ran through the objective until the enemy was constrained. The ability to gain fire superiority allowed for his more seriously wounded paratroopers to receive medical care.
“I’m real proud of my men,” Goltry said. “They fight real hard for me, and they’ve saved my (rear) more than once.” Goltry’s commander and fellow paratroopers said this was just another day for him. He’s a tough, no nonsense type of leader, but at the same time, though one may never see it, he’s extremely compassionate about his platoon, said Capt. Buddy Ferris, commander, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
“Here in Iraq, he’s excelled at everything he’s done,” said Ferris, who has worked with Goltry since October 2005. “I’m happy he’s been recognized, but this is the type of stuff he does everyday. It’s not the first time he’s been shot, and it’s not the first time he charged the enemy.”
Goltry attributes his leadership to the men of his platoon, whom he said he’s fortunate enough to have trained with for 11 months at Fort Bragg and fought along side of for a year in Samarra. There have been no surprises to them.
“It’s just another day to me and my platoon; we’re used to roughing it,” Goltry said. “That’s how we train, that’s how we fight, and that’s how we stay safe in this country.”
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander of 25th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division — North, presented Goltry with the Silver Star as well as two Purple Hearts — one of which was for injuries received during the Feb. 2 attack — and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Goltry is expected to be awarded a third Purple Heart for injuries he suf­fered during a May 6 insurgent attack on the Samarra Police Station.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9049/image4cy4.jpg

[rabidchipmunk]

yay! Springfield has a cool store called surplus city. and if you gotta go potty you gotta use the porta johns outside. dang are they hot inside. Anyways. i got a acu patrol cap and a beret with a flash (i've always wanted one). the acu is pretty stiff. I guess it needs breaking in huh? i think i'm figuring out how to wear the beret.

[Slug1]

Don't forget to shave the beret. Makes wearing it allot easier and it'll shape properly.

[rabidchipmunk]

I have to shave it? ummm. how do i do that? i think in a desperate shapeing attempt last night i slept in it on my right side to try and get that side to stay down lol. not on purpose but i fell asleep.

[Slug1]

Buy a Bic razor and shave all that loose felt off. Then ya soak it, wring it out and put it on your head and shape it. Wear it till it's dry ;) :lol:

[rabidchipmunk]

leave it soaking or just get it all wet. Are you being serious or is this a drill sgt joke to get me to wear a wet beret?

[Slug1]

Hold it under the water for a few and squeeze it all around so it's soaked. Then wring it out and put it on your head to shape it. If you don't want to wear it till it's dry then make sure when you take it off you place it on the edge of a table so the part that hangs... can hang.

Once it's dried there's a way to fold it so it always maintains it's proper shape.

[Clavicula_Nox]

leave it soaking or just get it all wet. Are you being serious or is this a drill sgt joke to get me to wear a wet beret?

It's serious, that's how you do it.

[Clavicula_Nox]

PARATROOPER AWARDED SILVER STAR (again)

Paratrooper upholds standard of ‘ Devil in Baggy Pants’ 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
by Maj. Sean Ryan
2nd IBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – No paratrooper leaves a forward operating base think­ing they will become a hero that day. They are considering the route they will be on, doing ammunition checks, going over rules of engagement, and thinking of Family and friends before rolling “out­side the wire” for duty in the hazardous streets of Iraq.
April 10 started off the same as other days for the para­troopers from 1st Brigade Combat Team’s 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, “Red Devils.” But that quickly changed, and Staff Sgt.
Brandon Zylstra and his pla­toon, part of the quick reaction force, found themselves responsible for hauling a supply trailer to their fellow paratroopers, who were in contact with the enemy in the Al Fadhl neighborhood of east­ern Baghdad.
Zylstra, a native of Sully, Iowa, and his platoon found their route blocked by a jackknifed vehicle and immedi­ately started taking enemy fire. With nowhere to go, he dismounted the vehicle and quickly positioned himself and his paratroopers to start moving forward.
The following events would change Zylstra’s quiet professional demeanor into a an Audie Murphy type, some­thing only Hollywood writers could script and his actions led to him earn­ing the Silver Star.
Despite being completely exposed, Zylstra stood in the street and posi­tioned his paratroopers, while exchanging fire with the enemy for over a minute, which seems like a lifetime in a hot combat zone. The platoon quickly took their first casu­alty and Zylstra ran to administer first aid, with two other paratroopers following his lead to provide securi­ty.
Enemy fire soon struck both of the paratroopers pulling security, and then Zylstra provided medical care to all of them and tried to keep them in a safe location, but the present location was still under heavy attack. Zylstra, who has only known Fort Bragg as his home station and the 504th PIR as his unit, knew he had to assess which of the three casualties was the most serious and get them to better cover.
After dragging the most serious casualty to safety, Zylstra disregarded the hail of bullets around him and ran back to the original site to retrieve the weapon of the original casualty. With enemy fire still erupting around him, he again sprinted back to his fellow injured Paratroopers, this time firing both weapons at the enemy at the same time. As for all the bullets piercing the ground around him, Zylstra said, “The enemy fire didn’t really concern me, I was worried about the lives of my paratroopers.”
Spc. Dennis Howard, a native of Chicago and driver of one of the vehicles that day, explained why his squad leader would risk his life to retrieve the weapon of the first casu­alty that was left behind, “Staff Sgt. Zylstra continually does the right thing and always tells us that your weapon is your best friend and never leave it behind,” Howard said. Zylstra’s day was far from over and again he crossed the bullet-pocked street to check on a casualty, while directing fire from a crew served weapon to position his Paratroopers for the fastest exit when possible. His command team believes this action not only saved the two lives of the wounded paratroopers, but that directing the gunners opened up an avenue of approach to get them out of the area as well.
“Zylstra’s life revolves around the Army and he never asks what the Army can do for him, but what more can he do for the Army,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher Bauman. Bauman, a native of Muncie, Ind., said, “Zylstra is a quiet and humble guy, but is adventurous and you would never see him run from a fight.”
Finally, after opening up an escape route, Zylstra couldn’t find a seat in one of the vehicles.
“I knew my vehicle had casualties in it so I jumped on the hood of my platoon sergeant’s humvee, grabbed the sling load ring to hold on to and started firing my weapon so the enemy would keep their heads down,” he said.
Spc. James Bossio, the driver of Zylstra’s vehicle and native of Modesto, Calif., said, “Staff Sergeant Z is everything I want to be as a para­trooper,” but added, “there was no way I thought he would survive after witnessing some of the things he was doing. Then, jumping on the hood all the while firing at the enemy while I was driving in reverse, it was pretty incredible to witness.”
“Loyalty to his Soldiers and his military bearing are what Zylstra is all about”, said platoon leader, 1st Lt. Daniel Capozza, from Cooperstown, N.Y. “He is not really into much fan­fare, but leaving the area while firing a weapon with one hand is some­thing out of the movies, and he did what he had to do to take care of his guys.”
For his disregard for his personal safety and willingness to risk his life to save his paratroopers, Zylstra was awarded the Silver Star, pinned on by Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, command­er of Multi-National Corps — Iraq, on Aug. 5. The event was held in a crowded theater in eastern Baghdad with Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr., the Multi-National Division command­ing general–Baghdad, standing next to him. Both generals spent time speaking with the paratroopers of the “Red Devil” battalion and other visitors praising Zylstra and the unit for their dedication and work ethic.
In 1942, the 504th Parachute Infantry became the first parachute infantry regiment in the newly desig­nated 82nd Airborne Division under the command of Maj. Gen. Omar Bradley. The nickname 'the Devils in Baggy Pants,' was taken from an entry found in the diary of a German officer killed at Anzio during World War II after their eight-week stay on the beachhead. Few units are more highly decorated or have a prouder heritage than Soldiers of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Zylstra has upheld that standard.

[Clavicula_Nox]

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4494/parachuteok9.jpg

National Airborne Day
Taking pride in the heritage of the airborne


Perhaps no military develop­ment has been so revolutionary as the employment of para­troopers. Certainly, none has been so spectacular.
Shortly after World War I, General Billy Mitchell proposed that parachut­ing troops from aircraft into combat could be effective. During the demon­stration of his concept at Kelly Field at San Antonio, six Soldiers parachuted from a Martin Bomber, safely landed, and in less than three minutes after exiting the aircraft, had their weapons assembled and were ready for action.
Although the U.S. observers dis­missed the concept, not all of the observers arrived at the same conclu­sion. The Soviets and Germans were impressed with the demonstration. In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, static line parachuting was introduced as a national sport and the population was encouraged to join the Russian Airborne Corps. The German observers eagerly grasped the idea and planners worked quickly to devel­op an effective military parachute organization.
For the first time, in August 1930 at Veronezh, Russia, Soviet paratroopers participated in military maneuvers.
Their actions were so effective that a repeat performance was given in Moscow one month later.
The Germans effectively developed their airborne forces and, at the start of World War II, used parachute troops in their spearhead assaults.
Spurred by the successful employ­ment of airborne troops by the Germans in their invasion of the Low Countries, U.S. military branches began an all-out effort to develop this new form of warfare. Controversy sur­rounded the effort and the various branches made several colorful pro­posals. The Air Corps made the most unique proposal. Its staff proposed that the air infantry be called 'Air Grenadiers' and be members of the 'Marines of the Air Corps.' In April 1940, the War Department approved plans for the formation of a test platoon of airborne infantry to form, equip, and train under the direc­tion and control of the Army's Infantry Board. In June, the comman­dant of the Infantry School was direct­ed to organize a test platoon of volun­teers from Fort Benning's 29th Infantry Regiment. Later that year, the 2nd Infantry Division was directed to conduct the necessary tests to develop reference data and operational proce­dures for air-transported troops.
In July 1940, the task of organizing the platoon began. 1st Lt. William T.
Ryder from the 29th Infantry Regiment volunteered and was desig­nated the test platoon's leader and Lt.
James A. Bassett was designated assis­tant platoon leader. Based on high standards of health and rugged physi­cal characteristics, forty-eight enlisted men were selected from a pool of 200 volunteers. Quickly thereafter, the pla­toon moved into tents near Lawson Field, and an abandoned hanger was obtained for use as a training hall and for parachute packing.
Lt. Col. William C. Lee, a staff offi­cer for the chief of infantry, was intently interested in the test platoon.
He recommended that the men be moved to the Safe Parachute Company at Hightstown, N.J., for training on the parachute drop tow­ers used during the New York World's Fair. Eighteen days after organization, the platoon was moved to New Jersey and trained for one week on the 250-foot free towers.
The training was particularly effec­tive. When a drop from the tower was compared to a drop from an airplane, it was found that the added realism was otherwise impossible to duplicate. The Army was so impressed with the tower drops that two were pur­chased and erected at Fort Benning on what is now Eubanks Field. Later, two more were added.
PLF training was often conducted by the volunteers jumping from PT plat­forms and from the back of moving 2 1/2 ton trucks to allow the trainees to experience the shock of landing.
Less than forty-five days after organ­ization, the first jump from an aircraft in flight by members of the test pla­toon was made from a Douglas B-18 over Lawson Field on Aug. 16, 1940.
Before the drop, the test platoon held a lottery to determine who would fol­low Ryder out of the airplane and Pvt. William N. (Red) King became the first enlisted man to make an official jump as a paratrooper in the United States Army. On Aug. 29, at Lawson Field, the platoon made the first pla­toon mass jump held in the United States.
The first parachute combat unit to be organized was the 501st Parachute Battalion. It was commanded by Maj.
William M. Miley, later a major gener­al and commander of the 17th Airborne Division, and the original test platoon members formed the bat­talion cadre. The Civilian Conservation Corps cleared new jump areas and three new training buildings were erect­ed. Several B-18 and C-39 aircraft were provided for training. The traditional paratrooper cry 'Geronimo' was originat­ed in the 501st by Pvt.
Aubrey Eberhart to prove to a friend that he had full control of his faculties when he jumped. That cry was adopted by the 501st and has been often used by paratroopers since then.
The 502nd Parachute Infantry Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col.
William C. Lee with men from the 501st as cadre, was activated on July 1, 1941. The 502nd was far below strength, and 172 prospective troop­ers from the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg were needed. The response to Lee's call for volunteers was startling — more than 400 men volunteered, including many non­commissioned officers who were willing to take a reduction in rank ('take a bust') to transfer to the new battalion.
Airborne experimentation of anoth­er type was initiated on Oct. 10, 1941 when the Army's first glider infantry battalion was activated. This unit was officially designated as the 88th Glider Infantry Battalion and was commanded by Lt. Col. Elbridge G.
Chapman Jr. Chapman later became a major general and commanded the 13th Airborne Division.
As more airborne units were activat­ed, it became apparent that a central­ized training facility should be estab­lished. Consequently, the facility was organized at Fort Benning on May 15, 1942. Since that date, the U.S. Army Parachute School has been known by a variety of names: The Airborne School (Jan. 1, 1946); Airborne Army Aviation Section, The Infantry School (Nov. 1, 1946); Airborne Department, the Infantry School (February 1955); Airborne-Air Mobility Department (February 1956); Airborne Department (August 1964); Airborne­Air Mobility Department (October, 1974); Airborne Department (October 1976); 4th Airborne Training Battalion, the School Brigade (January 1982); 1st Battalion (Abn), 507th Parachute Infantry, The School Brigade (October, 1985); and the 1st Battalion (Abn), 507th Infantry, 11th Infantry Regiment (July 1991).
Although several types of headgear insignia have been worn by parachute and glider organizations since 1942, an insignia peculiar to the airborne was not authorized until 1949 and did not appear in Army regulations until 1956. The authorization was first men­tioned in AR 670-5 (dated 20 September, 1956), which stated, 'Airborne insignia may be worn when pre­scribed by the com­mander ... The insignia consists of a white para­chute and glider on blue disk with a red border approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter overall.' In December, 1943, the all black '555th Parachute Infantry Company (Colored)', later redesignated Company A, 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (and remembered by many as the 'Triple Nickel'), arrived at Fort Benning for airborne training.
This training event marked a signifi­cant milestone for black Americans in the combat arms. The first troops in the unit were volunteers from the all­black 92nd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
After proving their skills, the battal­ion was not sent overseas, but was deployed to the western United States for 'Operation Firefly,' dropping in to fight forest fires set by Japanese incen­diary balloons in the Pacific Northwest. During this mission, the 555th earned the nickname the 'Smoke Jumpers.' In 1948, after full integration of the armed forces was finally effected, black Americans were finally given their full rights as American combat paratroopers and made their first com­bat jump while attached to the 187th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War.
On Dec. 14, 1973, another milestone in airborne history was established when Pvts. Joyce Kutsch and Rita Johnson became the first women to graduate from the Basic Airborne Course.
Following graduation from a modi­fied, but rigorous, airborne course the two women successfully com­pleted the U.S. Army Quartermaster School Parachute Rigger Course and were assigned to aerial delivery com­panies at Fort Bragg. Since then, women do not attend a modified air­borne course, but complete the full course and meet the same standards as their male counterparts.
Airborne unit combat records tell stories of extreme valor. From the first combat jump during World War II in North Africa, paratroopers have fought with a spirit, determination, and tenacity that captured the respect of the world. Future events will con­tinue to find the American paratroop­er in the forefront of hostilities.

[rabidchipmunk]

It's serious, that's how you do it.

ok. I shave it dry right? And, the left side looks kinda funny when i wear it. what am i doing wrong? Is it supposed to be completely rounded on the left side?

[Clavicula_Nox]

Throw up a picture, please. :)

[Slug1]

If you're a member of the Armed Forces (or been a member and retired) there is a list on Military.Com of 700+ companies throughout the US that give discounts to the military and some to federal employees also. Here is the list from the Military.Com website:

http://img.military.com/misc/DC/DealIndex.jsp

[rabidchipmunk]

Ok, here's a couple of pics from a couple different angles:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/rabidchipmunk77/temp/beret1.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/rabidchipmunk77/temp/beret2.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/rabidchipmunk77/temp/beret3.jpg

[Slug1]

Don't pull the berat to the right so much that it flattens the left side to the head. Tuck the front of the beret behind the flash and then as you do pull the right side down along the right ear, you run your left hand along to the left tucking the beret.

Make sure it's well shaved and then soak it before attempting this or it just won't form properly.

[Dawn74]

Hubby got orders yesterday. We're headed for Fort Hood in November. It wasn't his first choice of a location, but he's simply happy that his tour in Korea is coming to a close. I, on the other hand, am more apprehensive about this move. I've now spent almost as much of my adult life in Korea as in the States, and moving from here -- where the U.S. military is just one facet of our lives -- to a town that's virtually all military is going to be a HUGE adjustment.

So, anyone have anything *good* to say about Hood? (I did notice that there's a ranch and 1,200+ acres of trails on post. That's a start.)

[andrewanderson]

Don't pull the berat to the right so much that it flattens the left side to the head. Tuck the front of the beret behind the flash and then as you do pull the right side down along the right ear, you run your left hand along to the left tucking the beret.

Make sure it's well shaved and then soak it before attempting this or it just won't form properly.

Its nice to hear that someone still knows how to properlly wear a beret. http://legacygt.com/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif
Some days I am convinced there is no one left that knows.

[Slug1]

I wore one for many years in the military :lol:

[Slug1]

Hubby got orders yesterday. We're headed for Fort Hood in November. It wasn't his first choice of a location, but he's simply happy that his tour in Korea is coming to a close. I, on the other hand, am more apprehensive about this move. I've now spent almost as much of my adult life in Korea as in the States, and moving from here -- where the U.S. military is just one facet of our lives -- to a town that's virtually all military is going to be a HUGE adjustment.

So, anyone have anything *good* to say about Hood? (I did notice that there's a ranch and 1,200+ acres of trails on post. That's a start.)Do you like the heat?

I lived in Copperas Cove, TX while stationed at Hood and I liked the area. Ummm, Gatesville had a drive-in-theater which was cool but I don't know if it's still there. Guess that's about it from me this early in the morning :lol:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Hubby got orders yesterday. We're headed for Fort Hood in November. It wasn't his first choice of a location, but he's simply happy that his tour in Korea is coming to a close. I, on the other hand, am more apprehensive about this move. I've now spent almost as much of my adult life in Korea as in the States, and moving from here -- where the U.S. military is just one facet of our lives -- to a town that's virtually all military is going to be a HUGE adjustment.

So, anyone have anything *good* to say about Hood? (I did notice that there's a ranch and 1,200+ acres of trails on post. That's a start.)


Something good about Hood...well..I've never been there..so um..it's big? Military towns aren't too bad, Fayetteville isnt't bad and Clarksville wasn't bad. Civilians just seem a little bit extra snotty, but that's about it.

Congratulations on getting out of there, though with Ft Hood there's a good chance for deployment. By good I actually mean "definite."

[jamiebocc]

I lost my Grandson in Iraq in 2003. It takes longer than one would think for the pain to ease.

May YAHSHUA have mercy on our sons and daughters.

[Slug1]

I lost my Grandson in Iraq in 2003. It takes longer than one would think for the pain to ease.

May YAHSHUA have mercy on our sons and daughters.Yes, all need time to heal from loss and some take longer then others :hug: :pray:

[StarscreamX-2]

I was station in Hood in '94, hated it.....Killean was ok....for a Army town...

At the time Hood had a Gang problem....Ft. Hood holds no good memories for me.....

13th Coscom was a less than desirable unit to belong too....at least at the time....Lots has changed at Hood though.....


Still end up there from time to time....UGH....


Looks like our State BCT is rolling out soon.....just made the cut off.......

No deployment for me this Year....probally next year though...


Slug....
Had to go to the IG today, Its been a Year now with no Sign my Bnus for my re-up in Iraq.....sometimes I just want out....grrr...8 more years till my 20...


Got a 6 slot in Mortuary Affairs......now I need to start working towards 7 and ill be happy! PLDC (WLC) done and a slot for BNOC on the way......


Its so stinking tough to fight for slots in the Guard.......Oh well LOL


Out

[Clavicula_Nox]

Hey man, how was Uniform school?

[StarscreamX-2]

LORD, give me patience....


I need a entire thread to discuss all that happen with Uniform school.....


I was very disappointed...not with the school but with Gordon and the state of things there.....


Maybe ill post a thread.....


Although i would want it limited to us military folks......got a lot of issues to deal with becaus eof that place....

[Clavicula_Nox]

Is it okay if I call?

[StarscreamX-2]

Sure still got my number?

[Clavicula_Nox]

I just tried calling Jess' number, I left a message.

[StarscreamX-2]

Ill PM my number to ya.....

Jessica's phone is DUMB

[Clavicula_Nox]

Alright, I'm calling

[Clavicula_Nox]

Dude, Ken, you wouldn't believe the stuff Eric told me about his adventure at Ft. Gordon, Home of the Signal Corps! (and Ordinance) Insane stuff, it's like a completely different Army and makes me thank God for the special operations forces.

[Slug1]

I don't even need to know...that's why I stuck in Combat Arms :rolleyes:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Imagine a private talking to you like you're his best friend, without the use of any form of rank. Pretend your a Drill Sergeant again, too.

[Slug1]

I imagine myself getting tired as I'm yelling at a private while "they" do about a million pushups!

[Clavicula_Nox]

I woudln't get tired of that at all, I would pull up a chair, grab a book, and have the soldier count off while I supervised, and ocassionaly suggest alternative forms of physical exertion...flutter kicks....iron mikes...etc

[cheech]

I lost my Grandson in Iraq in 2003. It takes longer than one would think for the pain to ease.

May YAHSHUA have mercy on our sons and daughters.

I am very sorry to hear of this jamie :hug:. He made the ultimate sacrifice and we are forever grateful :hug:.

[cheech]

There is nothing good about FT. Hood...too hot, to dusty...bleah bleah bleah! :P:P:P

Eric...I just want to publicly thank you from the bottom of my heart for leading slug to think I'm crazy and losing it due to your little last edited cheech comment blurb. Apparently he was trying to convince me of something I had no recollection of writing. He had phone in hand calling a memory challenged home for me to be dropped off at until you set him straight.

Thank you Eric...no really...thank you :P.

[StarscreamX-2]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.....................

Slug paid me to do it...LOL

[cheech]

Slug's too cheap to pay anyone to do anything :rolleyes: Good try though :D

:o HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY...stop repeating what I say!!!

[Slug1]

Today a friend of mine was killed in Iraq. Not the normal friend you'd imagine but an Iraqi that I worked with for 9 months while I was the S5's NCOIC in our battalion. We did allot of good things for Iraq together. The final memory I have is a feast at his home as he bid us farewell and welcomed in the command from the unit that was replacing us.

The link will lead you to the entire article.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/13/iraq.killing/index.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A key Sunni sheik who united with U.S. forces to fight al Qaeda militants in Iraq was assassinated Thursday by a roadside bomb, officials said.
http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/meast/09/13/iraq.killing/art.sheikh.iraqiya.jpg Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha speaks to reporters Wednesday in Iraq.


The bomb struck a convoy carrying Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha and his security detail, a Ramadi police official and an Interior Ministry official said.
At least two of the sheik's bodyguards were killed and five other escorts were wounded in the afternoon attack.
Abu Reesha, 39, was head of the Anbar Salvation Council -- also known as the Anbar Awakening -- a coalition of tribes that has been working with the U.S. military to counter al Qaeda in Sunni-dominated Anbar province....

During one of our visits we took this group picture. I cropped it and blurred out the faces of all but me and Sattar:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h82/Slug1_2006/Sattar.jpg

[Kay]

saw a military thread and just had to post :D I posted a introduction in thread in the introduction area. I come from a big military family. Dad and mom were marines for sometime. Mom just about a two years ago joined the army and she just got back from iraq, she is up at fort dix. Twin sister is in the army she is at fort campbell. Then there is me I leave for basic training for the Navy in a few weeks. Im very excited cant wait. Is it cool that I post a pic of my mom and sister doing their army thing? again new not sure how things roll here

[andrewanderson]

Kay,

Welcome and good luck at Basic.

Slug1,

All the death of the Shiek proves is that there is still work there to be done.

[Clavicula_Nox]

saw a military thread and just had to post :D I posted a introduction in thread in the introduction area. I come from a big military family. Dad and mom were marines for sometime. Mom just about a two years ago joined the army and she just got back from iraq, she is up at fort dix. Twin sister is in the army she is at fort campbell. Then there is me I leave for basic training for the Navy in a few weeks. Im very excited cant wait. Is it cool that I post a pic of my mom and sister doing their army thing? again new not sure how things roll here

Hey, welcome, and good luck at basic.

Go ahead and post the pictures, but please blur out their name tapes. See, in this picture of me, my nametape is blurred out:

http://bibleforums.org/forum/customprofilepics/profilepic12919_3.gif

[cheech]

You just wanted to show your pretty face :D.

[Clavicula_Nox]

You just wanted to show your pretty face :D.

Not particuarly, that picture was taken while I was still on profile from being blown up, and I have some double-chin happening :cry:

*edit*

and dark circles from PTSD-induced sleep loss

[andrewanderson]

Not particuarly, that picture was taken while I was still on profile from being blown up, and I have some double-chin happening :cry:

*edit*

and dark circles from PTSD-induced sleep loss

Are you still on active duty?

[Clavicula_Nox]

Yeah, for a few more months. I *was* extended and supposed to be doing SFAS and SFQC right now, but that was cancelled and I whined until they cancelled my extension. I dunno if I'll re-up or not, or just get into the Guard. I want to be a combat medic, but the MOS doesn't exist anymore and I don't know what it was replaced with.

[cheech]

Not particuarly, that picture was taken while I was still on profile from being blown up, and I have some double-chin happening :cry:

*edit*

and dark circles from PTSD-induced sleep loss

:hug: Well...I still don't think it's a bad picture for having all that done to you! Take the compliment and run with it! :D :hug:

[beckisted2004]

Alright, military men. I need your help! What kinds of things would you (or did you) like to get in a care package?

I have quite a few different kinds of food-type items that I have and will continue to send. I've sent him some toy/fun things too. Anything in particular that was like "the best care package ever" for you guys?

Oh and for those of you who don't know, my fiance, Daniel, is currently in Iraq. Guess that might be helpful information :lol:

[Slug1]

Beef Jerky was my fav in any package.

[beckisted2004]

Beef Jerky was my fav in any package.

Check! He wouldn't tell me what kind to get him, so in his first package I gave him sesame ginger flavor. He was like, "What the heck was that?!" :lol: Guess I'm sticking to original now!

I've also got a pile of various nuts, trail mixes, granola bars, Beanie Weenies (he requested it...ick), dried fruit, Easy Mac, Ramen, Oreos, mints, drink mixes, and fruit leather.

[andrewanderson]

I just liked getting the packages. Most of the foodstuffs I could just purchase if I wanted.

Are there any Magazines, books or movies he can't get there and might want?

Iraq is a big country and his locaiton affects the availablity of entertainment and food items. I do not recommend sharing his exact location on this or any forum though.

[beckisted2004]

I've sent him a few books. I need to find some magazines, but I'm having a hard time finding Soccer magazines (his favorite) for him. He's pretty set for movies right now.

I sent him a remote controlled car that he seemed to like. I also made a short home video of me for him. I'm trying to get creative. He may be at war, but by golly, I'm going to make sure he knows he's loved and missed!

Thanks for the ideas! And no, I won't be sharing his exact location. :)

[Clavicula_Nox]

We don't need his location.

I had this strange tendency to get care packages from random people who sent me 6 year old issues of Cosmo, and I figured they had a bunch of magazines they needed to get rid of :hmm:

Anyways.... My mom used to send me these ginormous bags of peanut M&Ms and Cherry twizzlers. I can't remmeber having a problem where the peanuts melted.

[beckisted2004]

I had this strange tendency to get care packages from random people who sent me 6 year old issues of Cosmo, and I figured they had a bunch of magazines they needed to get rid of :hmm:

:lol: Cosmo, huh? Sounds like it's right up Daniel's alley. :rofl:


I sent a bag of trail mix with M&Ms and it arrived relatively unscathed, so I think Peanutbutter M&Ms are getting added to the list. Thanks for the feedback!

[Slug1]

This time of year it should be just under or at 100 degrees so the M&M will survive :rofl:

[Tanya~]

I woudln't get tired of that at all, I would pull up a chair, grab a book, and have the soldier count off while I supervised, and ocassionaly suggest alternative forms of physical exertion...flutter kicks....iron mikes...etc

:lol:

Someone near to me just finished Navy basic training, and told me a story about the RDC. This one seaman recruit did something wrong and the RDC ordered the recruit to DROP! The recruit stood there, and the RDC said, DROP!! The recruit said, "What exercise, Sir?" RDC said, Just drop and roll around on the floor for a while!

[StarscreamX-2]

The Navy is weird......LOL

[Ohio_State_Fan]

Our Warriors are in my prayers.

[Clavicula_Nox]

‘A historic day’
3rd Special Forces Group Soldiers recognized for valor in Afghanistan

by Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker
USASOC PAO
Thirty- nine members of the 3rd Special Forces Group ( Airborne) received awards during a ceremony held on Meadows Field Oct. 4, for their valorous a c t i o n s over the course of their last d e p l o y ­ ment to Afghanistan in support of O p e r a t i o n Enduring Freedom.
“This is more than a great day for the 3rd Special Forces Group and our Families; this is a remarkable day,” said Col. Christopher K. Haas, com­mander, 3rd SFG during his remarks. “I would even characterize it for the 3rd Special Forces Group as a his­toric day.”
During the cer­emony six Silver Stars, eight Purple Hearts, 15 Bronze Stars and 23 Army Commendation Medals for valor were awarded. Haas said that the number of awards presented during the ceremony correlated to the increase in enemy activity experienced during the deploy­ment compared with the group’s previ­ous deployments.
As the citations were read, it gave account to an emboldened enemy in Afghanistan who has increased its size and sophistication of attacks against U.S., Afghan and coalition forces. The theme that rang more clearly with each citation was that of the grit and valor of the American Green Beret to succeed against overwhelming odds.
Each Green Beret stepped forward as his Silver Star citation was read before the formation and audience of hun­dreds of friends, Families and other Soldiers.
For one Silver Star recipient it is the recognition, more than the award itself that is most gratifying and humbling.
“ The individual who wrote the award and suggested that it is what I deserve, that is what means a lot to me,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew J. Julian, Co. B, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG. “Ninety percent of the time it is someone who has more experience than you and you look up to them. It means a lot to have someone you look up to say, ‘what you did was outstanding and you
See Valor, page 5A (http://javascript<b></b>:parent.contents.gotoPage()



http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071011/05501a01p101107.pdf.0/img/Image_6.jpg

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071011/05501a01p101107.pdf.0/img/Image_7.jpg



http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071011/05501a05p101107.pdf.0/img/Image_10.jpg

[Clavicula_Nox]

Former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command buried at West Point
by Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker
USASOC PAO
WEST POINT, N. Y. — West Point graduate and for­mer commander of the United States Special Operations Command retired Gen. Wayne A. Downing was buried Thursday on the grounds of the institution that set the foundation for his storied military career 45 years earli­er.
Downing, who died July 18 at the age of 67 in his home­town Peoria, Ill., returned to the academy for the final time. His funeral was scheduled to coincide with his 45th class reunion.
Hundreds of Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the West Point Cadet Chapel to mourn their loss and listen to eulogies given by fellow 1962 West Point graduates American on Line co-founder Jim Kimsey and roommate Jim Heldman, his daughter Elizabeth Downing Revell and former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw.
During the chapel service Brokaw described the humble beginning of a fatherless young boy. His father having been killed in the Battle of the Bulge, Downing was encour­aged by his mother to visit a wounded veteran of the 101st Airborne Division.
The relationship sparked the inspira­tion that led him to West Point.
“One day he came home and announced that he knew what he wanted to do with his life, which was to jump out of air­planes.,” described Brokaw during his eulogy. “Seldom has a young man’s brash declaration been so famously fulfilled.”
His life would take him from a home of modest means raised by his widowed- mother Eileen Downing, to a decorat­ed and distinguished 34-year military career earning the rank of four-star general, sev­eral awards for valor and leader of the nation’s special operations and later as a civil­ian to Washington D.C. as the president’s national director and deputy national security advisor for combating terror­ism.
His classmates described the mischievous and adventurous personality of a young Cadet Downing to which they attrib­ute his success as a special operations Soldier.
“Wayne had his own agen­da, he was his own man,” said Heldman. “I think that made him what he subsequently became, in the particular line of work being special opera­tions. He was very comfort­able finding rules that could be bent, ignored or broken. You may all be pleased to find out or learn that Wayne was never caught doing anything he should not have done. … And I think (that) said a lot about someone who sought and embraced danger and would do very well in his cho­sen line of work.”
In contrast his daughter said, “Many of knew you Wayne Downing as a son, a friend, husband, cadet, Ranger, gen­eral, advisor, military analyst ­Laura and I only new him as a father, our dad, our daddy.”
She concluded her eulogy by tenderly describing a last request made by her father in a conversation just before he died.
“Dad ended our conversa­tion with a request. He asked that I take the grandchildren to church more often but he also asked that I strengthen my relationship with God,” she said. “This has been an easy request to honor.”
After the chapel service, his casket was led by Soldiers from the 3rd U. S. Infantry Regiment ( The Old Guard) and placed on a horse- drawn c a i s s o n . Hundreds fol­lowed behind the funeral p r o c e s s i o n , led by a pla­toon of West Point cadets, an honor pla­toon from the 75th Ranger Regiment and the USMA Band, as it made the solemn march from the chapel to the West Point Cemetery.
At his graveside, Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, described how Downing would go on to ful­fill the words spoke during a graduation address by then U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
“We need to be prepared to fight a different war, new in intensity, ancient in origin. It requires a wholly different kind of force and a wholly different kind of military training,” said Wagner quot­ing JFK. “Those words could not have found a better heart or mind with which to grow, than that of Wayne A. Downing,” said Wagner. “Wayne Downing led the way setting those standards in the newly formed 1st Ranger Battalion, then commanded the 2nd Battalion. He formed and commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment; he com­manded JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). He commanded the Army Special Operations Command and he commanded the United States Special Operations Command. “Almost as if President Kennedy had given direct orders to Wayne Downing,” continued Wagner. “General Downing had formed and built that whole different kind of force. He pioneered a whole different kind of training.”
The service ended with his wife Kathryn Bickerman Downing, mother Eileen and two daughters being present­ed with U.S. flags in his honor by retired Gen. William F. Kernan.
Waganer added if Downing, a humble mid-western man, were present he would have said all the effort and money would be better spent on Soldiers. But all would reply, “Yes sir, but we wanted to do this for you, out of honor and respect for all you did for each of us


http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071004/05501a03p100407.pdf.0/img/Image_59.jpg

[Slug1]

Navy SEAL Family to Get Medal of Honor
Associated Press | October 22, 2007
WASHINGTON - The first Medal of Honor awarded for combat in Afghanistan will be presented Monday to the family of a Navy SEAL from Long Island, N.Y, who gave his life to make a radio call for help for his team. President Bush is to present the nation's highest military honor for valor to the family of Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue, N.Y.
"There's a lot of awards in the military, but when you see a Medal of Honor, you know whatever they went through is pretty horrible. You don't congratulate anyone when you see it," said Marcus Luttrell, the lone member of Murphy's team to survive the firefight with the Taliban.
Murphy, Luttrell and two other SEALs were searching for a terrorist in the Afghan mountains on June 28, 2005, when their mission was compromised after they were spotted by locals, who presumably alerted the Taliban to their presence.
An intense gun battle ensued, with more than 50 anti-coalition fighters swarming around the outnumbered SEALs.
Although wounded, Murphy is credited with risking his own life by moving into the open for a better position to transmit a call for help.
Still under fire, Murphy provided his unit's location and the size of the enemy force. At one point he was shot in the back, causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in.
He then returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. A U.S. helicopter sent to rescue the men was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing all 16 aboard.
By the end of the two-hour gunfight, Murphy and two of his comrades were also dead. An estimated 35 Taliban were also killed. Luttrell was blown over a ridge and knocked unconscious. He escaped, and was protected by local villagers for several days before he was rescued.
"We look at these guys and say, 'What heroes,'" said Murphy's father, Dan Murphy. "These guys look at themselves and say, 'I'm just doing my job.' That's an understatement, but that's the way they view it, and that was Michael's whole life."
Murphy, who died before his 30th birthday, is the fourth Navy SEAL to earn the award and the first since the Vietnam War. Two Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously in the Iraq war: to Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, who was killed in 2004 after covering a grenade with his helmet, and to Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, who was killed in 2003 after holding off Iraqi forces with a machine gun before he was killed at the Baghdad airport.
Murphy's heroics have been widely recognized on Long Island, where he graduated in 1994 from Patchogue-Medford High School.
To his fellow SEALs, he was known as "Murph," but as a child, his parents nicknamed him "The Protector," because of his strong moral compass. After the 2001 terror attacks, that compass eventually led him to Afghanistan, where he wore a patch of the New York City Fire Department on his uniform.
"He took his deployment personally. He was going after, and his team was going after, the men who planned, plotted against and attacked not only the United States, but the city he loved, New York," said his father. "He knew what he was fighting for."

[karenoka27]

My nephew Justin who is presently stationed in Beale, California just received his orders that he will be going to Iraq in February for six months. Please bring him before the Lord. He is a Christian. He is turning 20 this week. thanks..

[Slug1]

Karen, let him know I'm still available to receive his emails if he has questions.

[beckisted2004]

My nephew Justin who is presently stationed in Beale, California just received his orders that he will be going to Iraq in February for six months. Please bring him before the Lord. He is a Christian. He is turning 20 this week. thanks..

Bringing him before the Lord right now...bringing you and your family before Him as well... :pray:

[Slug1]

Restaurants Offer Vets Free Dining

Week of October 22, 2007
Golden Corral Restaurants are conducting their seventh annual Military Appreciation Monday on Nov. 12, 2007. On this day, all 485 restaurants across the country will offer a free "thank you" dinner buffet and beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to any person who has served in the U.S. military. A new component of this year?s event is an essay contest open to anyone who has served or has a parent who has served in the military. Essays of 1,000 words or less should explain why the entrant is proud of their service or that of their parents. Three prizes, starting at $1,000, will be awarded to further the winners' educations. For more information, visit the Golden Corral Restaurants (http://www.goldencorral.com/military/) website.

[Slug1]

Deal of the Week: Military Discounts

Week of October 22, 2007
Veterans, keep your hands free to hold all the cash you saved. $150 off* a BlackBerry Curve 8300 & FREE Bluetooth headset! I have the link which I can PM to ya's if interested.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Alright! Golden Corral!

[andrewanderson]

Deal of the Week: Military Discounts

Week of October 22, 2007
Veterans, keep your hands free to hold all the cash you saved. $150 off* a BlackBerry Curve 8300 & FREE Bluetooth headset! I have the link which I can PM to ya's if interested.

Why not post the link here?

[Slug1]

Cause it's a commercial site that involves money... against the rules to post on the open board.

[andrewanderson]

I suppose I should read, uhmmm, I mean re-read the rules http://legacygt.com/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif

[Clavicula_Nox]

USASOC hosts World War II veteran reunion
by Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker
USASOC PAO
Baseball players have their heroes — Cobb, Ruth, Mantle, Mays. Special Forces Soldiers also have their heroes — Bill Donovan, Aaron Bank, William R. Peers, and Carl Eifler. All four were leaders with in the Office of Strategic Services dur­ing World War II.
Peers and Eifler led Detachment 101 of the OSS during the Burma Campaign and more than 60 years later, the U. S. Army Special Operations Command hosted the detachment’s reunion Oct. 11 through 13.
During the reunion, the veterans toured the U. S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, were briefed by USASOC com­manders, observed Special Forces training and equipment demonstra­tions, fired current special opera­tions weapons and swapped stories with today’s Special Forces Soldiers. “They were the forefathers for the force today,” said Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, USASOC commander. “They are people you have read about and studied about. It’s a his­toric moment when we get a chance to meet these people and share and show them what today’s Soldiers are capable of doing.”
During the Burma Campaign, Detachment 101 was given the mis­sion to conduct reconnaissance behind enemy lines and build rela­tionships with the indigenous popu­lace. After a year of operations, with no more than 120 members operat­ing at any one time, the detachment was able to build and train a force of over 10,000 native Burmese Kachin tribesmen. The detachment also con­ducted search and rescue operations for downed Allied pilots resulting in 425 successful rescues.
As their association’s Web site claims, “They pioneered the unique art of unconventional warfare, later incorporated as fundamental com­bat skills for our Army Special Forces (Green Berets). They have been credited with the highest ‘ kill/ loss ratio’ for any infantry­type unit in American military his­tory.”
On the final day of the reunion, the “ 101ers” and their Families attended the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the latest special exhibit dedicated to the OSS at the U. S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.
The one-year special exhibit fea­tures dozens of artifacts provided by the USASOC history office, North Carolina Museum of History and the ASOM.
For many of the Family members this was the first opportunity they have had to learn what their rela­tives did during the war. The Central Intelligence Agency has a permanent exhibit dedicated to the OSS but it is not open to the public. “ Normally, I’m a pretty quiet guy,” said John Breen, Detachment 101 radio operator . “When I got around you guys, I just didn’t know when to shut up.”
Their Green Beret escorts were all too eager to listen to every word they had to say.
“To actually hear their first hand accounts of what they did is just unbelievable,” said Staff Sgt. Jesse Davis, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. “ We would come upon an exhibit and he would say, ‘I was right there; we did this at night time and when we woke up the geese were flying overhead’ or ‘we jumped in to that rice patty, right there. We could have spent three months with them and never gotten tired.’” All around, the exhibit, memories of more than 60 years were rekin­dled by the artifacts and photo­graphs on display. Hunched over a display case con­taining a captured Japanese flag and a machete, OSS veteran Herb Auerbach described to a group of Soldiers what it was like to hack through the thick jungle brush and the accident he had one day using a similar machete.
“I would hold the branches back with one hand and chop through with the other,” the Detatchment 101 cryptographer explained. “Well one time I got it a little too close and took off this part of my finger right here. We wrapped it up, but a few weeks later the ‘Chinese rot’ got to it. So they flew me out and I jumped into this MASH-type hospital. When I was there they took care of it by taking off all my finger nails.”
All of the veterans gave high praise for the support and attention they received from the USASOC staff and supporting units during their reunion. A few even comment­ed that this reunion was the best they have attended.
“ It is always a pleasure to find yourself on a base but this has been fantastic because of the arrange­ments made prior to our arrival. You couldn’t expect anything more,” said 91- year old Allen Richter, communications officer with the original 21st Detachment members. “ It has been marvelous the way they looked after you.”
The night ended with a formal banquet at the Pope Air Force Base Officers’ Club, where they were treated to a per­formance by the 82nd Airborne Division’s All­ A m e r i c a n Chorus


http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071025/05501a04p102507.pdf.0/img/Image_12.jpg

photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker/USASOC PAO
Office of Strategic Services Detachment- 101 veteran Herb Auerbach describes to Staff Sgt. Jesse Davis, 2nd Bn., 7th Special Forces Group, how he accidently sliced off a
piece of his finger with a machete much like the one in the case when
going through the jungle in Burma. The
detachment held its annual reunion
Oct. 11 through 13 at Fort Bragg.

[Clavicula_Nox]

My uncle was IED'd in Baghdad a couple days ago. He is the only survivor of his vehicle, with 2 KIA, including his ODA-Commander. :cry:

[kingsdaughter]

Hello everyone, I just had a question about awards.If anyone can answer, I don't know. How easy is it to replace an award, not the actual medal but the paper certificate? Can the paper certificate be replaced?

[StarscreamX-2]

Depends......


If the award was logged into iperms....thats easy....otherwise it would take tracking down the unit responsible for giving the award, and hoping they kept a record.....um if it was recorded on a DD-214....maybe.....otherwise i think you may have to contact....st. Louis? Cant remember....Slug?

[Clavicula_Nox]

Hello everyone, I just had a question about awards.If anyone can answer, I don't know. How easy is it to replace an award, not the actual medal but the paper certificate? Can the paper certificate be replaced?


Generally speaking, you're out of luck. I had to wait until my "second" CAB before actually receiving my first award, and then my "third" in order to receive my second. It sucks, believe me.

[StarscreamX-2]

Hey CN,

On a second CaB do ya get a star or something?

[Slug1]

Generally speaking, you're out of luck. I had to wait until my "second" CAB before actually receiving my first award, and then my "third" in order to receive my second. It sucks, believe me.CN, as far as I know the CAB is the same as the CIB and can only be awarded once per combat theater/war. I got one for Desert Storm and a second for OIF I. No more CIB's can be earned for a specific war until it's ended and a new designated. I just assumed the CAB is the same because of the reason for it's development.

Prayers will go out for your uncle. I read the post the other day and I just want you to know that he's in my prayers :pray:

Hey CN,

On a second CaB do ya get a star or something?No, if it's under the same regs as the CIB.

Hello everyone, I just had a question about awards.If anyone can answer, I don't know. How easy is it to replace an award, not the actual medal but the paper certificate? Can the paper certificate be replaced?If you can PM me more details about the situation. Is it a recent award or are we talking about an award as far back as WWII? I work in the S1 as a DOD civilian now and I can get with the awards clerk who sits about 20 feet from me ;)

[kingsdaughter]

Thank you Slug1, I'll send you a pm with all the details,my husband got it in 1995, so hopefully you can help me. Thanks again guys:hug:

Your sis in Christ

[andrewanderson]

I am a Personnel Officer in the US Army. If somehow Slug is not able to helpsend me a PM.

I am sure he will be able to help you though since he works in an S1 section.

[Clavicula_Nox]

CN, as far as I know the CAB is the same as the CIB and can only be awarded once per combat theater/war. I got one for Desert Storm and a second for OIF I. No more CIB's can be earned for a specific war until it's ended and a new designated. I just assumed the CAB is the same because of the reason for it's development.

It is, but I did a brief trip to Afghanistan this summer

No, if it's under the same regs as the CIB.

It does have stars to designate multiple awards, up to the 4th award.

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/CombatActionBadge1stAwd.jpg

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/CombatActionBadge2dAwd.jpg

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/CombatActionBadge3dAwd.jpg

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/CombatActionBadge4thAwd.jpg


*edit*

The situation I was talking about was related to 1st deployment. CAB was denied by Gen Gavin through the National Guard, it was re-submitted through my parent unit and was unofficially given to me in the way that I was told I would receive it "for sure." "For sure" turned into "maybe" which then turned into "I have no idea what you're talking about." First official receipt of the award was a year + ago from USASOC, second receipt of the award was this summer, also from USASOC. Eric got his from the deployment mine was denied for.

[Slug1]

It is, but I did a brief trip to Afghanistan this summer

Same war. I can't get a CIB from there if I have one from Iraq. CAB's should be the same.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Same war. I can't get a CIB from there if I have one from Iraq. CAB's should be the same.

It's Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom, different qualifying periods.

*edit*

If what you're saying is true, everyone in 82nd who has gone from one to the other, plus guys from 3rd Group, all have "illegal" awards. CIB x 2 is getting really common here on Bragg, and CAB x 2 is as well.

[Follow_Me_Infantry]

Just found this thread - I read every post.

How do y'all get so open with your experiences? I can't even think about them, much less talk about them, let ALONE post them in text to a public board. I did the whole post-tour PTSD thing, but I just never wanted to talk about it. Maybe I'm just scared? Is it really that much better being completely open and honest, or am I OK just keeping some things to myself?

Normally, I find people so open about what they did/where they did it/what was involved in doing it as REMFS running their mouths... But I've seen y'all pictures and read y'alls posts, and it's obvious you've BTDT - and at least one SOG, too! :eek:

How did y'all finally break through to be able to talk about it? Did it help? Do you have to still look at everyone closely and consider who they are before you can mention it? Are you shunned at church, too? Do you have problems keeping in touch with old friends since you've ETS'd? Did using the actual VA help the dreams at all?

When I got out in '93 I was pretty solid in my ability to talk about my time, but I noticed that people, especially Christians, look at us different if they know we did anything in the military besides shuffle paperwork. My perception, or your experiences too? Is the PTSD counseling really that good? Or is just the typical nonsense the VA offers for the feel-good civilians that report the progresses?

[Slug1]

Rich, there is also a forum called Breaking the Chains and PTSD is a category of a hurt we deal with. I'm already beginning to see why Jesus has lead you here and based on your post you may find some healing here.

BtC is in the Counseling area of the Forums listed on the front page.

I have also been led to begin a ministry dealing with Soldiers on the path of Warriors. How God will have His servants on this path even though there are some Christians who say this is impossible.

Just so you know... I feel that God is using you right this very minute to confirm to me that my desire to start this ministry is needed. You are one of many new members who are or have had military experience and will find help and healing through this board.

[Clavicula_Nox]

I didn't start talking until Week 9 or so of a 16 week PTSD support group class. The class was a bunch of infantry guys, 1 guy from 7th Group, and myself..the signal guy. I felt extremly out of place to be in teh same room as them, even though I had done the same job as the infantrymen. Eventually I cracked and it all came out. It's easier to type things than talk about them, that's for sure.

I keep in contact with old war-friends, one of whom posts here and that helps. I'm still active duty until January, so I couldn't tell you about the VA services, but I'm sure they can't be terrible. Womack Hospital's Mental health is only good if you're seeing a civilian, the Army mental health personnel aren't so great.

When I got out in '93 I was pretty solid in my ability to talk about my time, but I noticed that people, especially Christians, look at us different if they know we did anything in the military besides shuffle paperwork.

Most people look at me funny when I try to talk about deployment things such as kicking in doors, or shooting people. Mainly it's because I can talk about these things and not turn into some whimpering person fullf of tears and sadness. I have my guilt and remorse, but that's mine and not for anyone else to see. I can talk about things professionally because I am a professional, for at least a few more months. ;)


Slug, I'm looking for something that clarifies the different qualifying periods for CAB/CIB, I'm not finding anything that is specific. Mine are both signed by the same guy, the Cdr of USASOC, LTG Wagner. It wouldn't surprise me if it is wrong and he signed it, he doesn't do anything by regs. I mean..he wears a tan beret when he's not in a Ranger slot, still, more power to him. :lol:

[kingsdaughter]

Hey Slug,

I just feel like if he tells me what happened to him there that he would feel better? I just want to reach out to him, I'm crying as I'm writing this because I sometimes see him up walking around in the middle of the night unable to sleep, sometimes he has nightmares and doesn't talk to me about it. I pray for him so much that somehow the Lord will save him and give him peace.

[Follow_Me_Infantry]

Rich, there is also a forum called Breaking the Chains and PTSD is a category of a hurt we deal with. I'm already beginning to see why Jesus has lead you here and based on your post you may find some healing here.

BtC is in the Counseling area of the Forums listed on the front page.

I have also been led to begin a ministry dealing with Soldiers on the path of Warriors. How God will have His servants on this path even though there are some Christians who say this is impossible.

Just so you know... I feel that God is using you right this very minute to confirm to me that my desire to start this ministry is needed. You are one of many new members who are or have had military experience and will find help and healing through this board.

I've made a few posts in the BtC boards - some really touched me. I posted to a few, though I have zero intention of beginning a thread there of my own.

I'll tell you, Slug, if you are seriously considering a counseling section for those with PTSD, or those who may wonder about it, there is much more need out there than you know. If you've been assured, through PRAYER (and I mean open and honest prayer, as no one should counsel without His divine guidance), if you are 100% certain this is His desire for you, then do it.

PTSD is like alcoholism: It doesn't just affect the afflicted, it touches the families and the friends of those that deal with it. And I'm not saying I have PTSD... Not at all. I am saying that our service doesn't make sense to many who try and understand us, and they have no where to turn.

I remember when Camy used to ask me about all this stuff. I just shut up. She took it as an affront. I can't blame her, really, but I didn't want to talk about it, and there was no one to explain it to her for me. To her, it was a matter of personal "You're not a soldier, you're not good enough to talk to about this and that." It was a huge part in what eventually cost us 9 years of committed relationship. She wanted to know me from the deepest parts, and I couldn't (not wouldn't, I couldn't) give her that. Not her fault - she loved me, she wanted to know all of me. That part of me I refused to release was telling her that I didn't love her enough to give her all of me.

I dismissed it, of course, as guys are really good at dismissing things rather than dealing with them. Oh, and don't get me wrong, I did try and explain things to her! Her cop buddies bragged about all they did in Iraq, so why couldn't I just talk to her? She always took it as an insult that I felt that anyone bragging about what they did was a moron and, most likely, didn't do crap besides push a pencil - if they deployed at all. I was jealous over her new friends, I wouldn't talk because I was too embarrassed to compare myself to their Navy SeAL Recon Special Forces careers of 2 years, I was just trying to make distance, blah, blah, blah. Somehow it was always my fault that I just didn't want to talk about it when all her "new friends" could fill an entire coffee break with their stories of valor.

God, I so totally lost all respect for her and for cops over that. Am I crazy, or is this just total nonsense? One dude admitted that he had his DD Form 212 (please note that 212 is NOT a typo - that's what he said he had). It was, of course, classified. Another dude--I kid you NOT about this--said his 214 was hidden from public view, as was his Ranger training class, as they were all going on to Delta Force :dunno: I'm not kidding, bro. This led to arguments almost every night between us: I didn't love her because I wouldn't ever talk to her. Oh, and dude's RIP? 139745-something, LOL. Not even CLOSE to a class number. If you're going to lie, at the very least Google something and get the format right. :rofl:

I can't imagine I am the only one here with these experiences, bro. Like ALANON is to AA, so should you have a program to help civvy's understand why we just want to put this in our past without losing the pride of servinf altogether.

If this is what the Lord is compelling you to do, let me know: I'll pay the web hosting fees (no, I am not kidding). It might have saved me the family I loved. The VA was worthless, and we NEED something like this. We NEED it! Just make sure that it is of the Lord.

[kingsdaughter]

If you do this counseling thing Slug,if the Lord calls you to it,count me in put my name on the list! I'm there! Thank you for your post FMI. Although my husband has been home for 4yrs now, He stiil hasn't said one word about it to me or anyone really, he just keeps in touch with one other brother(a fellow marine)that was with him in 2003. I just pray for him and ask the Lord to give him peace.


please don't lose respect for ALL cops:hug:My husband is one, and I promise you he's NOT like those guys:)God bless you brother, and thank you so much for your post.

Trina

[Follow_Me_Infantry]

Hey Slug,

I just feel like if he tells me what happened to him there that he would feel better? I just want to reach out to him, I'm crying as I'm writing this because I sometimes see him up walking around in the middle of the night unable to sleep, sometimes he has nightmares and doesn't talk to me about it. I pray for him so much that somehow the Lord will save him and give him peace.

I'm not Slug - will you forgive me if I say something directed at your post? If not, then please stop reading and just tell me to delete my post and I will.





My answer would be to leave him be. It's not about you, hun. I just went through this with Camy, who also felt it was about her. Sleeplessness and nightmares and mood swings and difficulty talking are all a part of it. What we gave and give to this country is much more than the physical danger we face. It is, honestly, a mental thing that is likely to never go away.

Trust me: If he wants to talk about it, he will. Until then, let him know you're there but that you trust that he knows what is best for him. Sometimes things just happen that men just don't want to talk about. It's not an affront to you. It's not an affront to civilians. It's just a metter of not being able to explain it and not wanting to relive it to a point that you can explain it.

Usually, it just goes away. At the very least, it fades, like a bad divorce or any other bad memory: It just stops stinging so bad, and a little more comes out here and there until it is all out.

Pray for him, and pray WITH him, but we don't really want to be prayed for. It's very difficult to explain, but we're content just meandering in our own thoughts until we get them worked out for ourselves. Christian or not, we're not looking to be saved and get peace, we just know it is part of the job. It's a job we take pride in, so it's a conflict of a sort, the kind that is best worked out on our own.

You married a soldier, my sister. That is every bit as hard on you as it is on him, but you have to allow it. It has nothing to do with you. The more you fret over it, the more you make it harder on him to confront it for himself. I know it doesn't make sense, but it is what it is.

If he gets up in the middle of the night and walks around, get up and turn on some soft music and ask him if you can get him some milk, or a glass of beer, or take a hot bath with him. If he says 'no,' let it drop and go back to bed. If he has a nightmare, leave him be until he wakes up. When he does, pretend you didn't notice and just happened to wake up right when he did and suggest the before-mentioned activities. If his attitude changes suddenly during the day, even if directed at you, then just tell him, "OK honey, would you like a bit of 'me' time? If not, can I do anything? Would you like to get a glass of wine and join me in the bathtub? Would you like a back rub, or to give me one?"

A lot of times we just want to be reminded that we're back in our other lives, if that makes sense. Camy used to invite me to breakfast (she worked 3rd shift) and then offer to pay for it if I'd go with her. I never went, but somehow the invitation was just the right thing at the right time. Seeing her in her uniform and getting that morning hug and that offer for breakfast was just the thing to get me back to sleep, but I needed her to curl up with me, just to know that I wasn't alone.

Great, now I'm crying. Thanks a lot. LOL.

Trust me, honey, the best thing you can do is NOT interfere and NOT leave him. We'll work it out from there. Let him know that the power of your love is greater than anything else he'll ever remember - he'll be just fine.

[/cheesy post off]

[kingsdaughter]

Thank you for your post FMI what you said makes so much sense to me. They didn't tell me this in all of those websites they have on dealing with this sort of thing and no shrink is going to give me this kind of knowledge either,Thanks so much, it was hard in the beginning, when he first got home, because when he would wake up at night, I would jump up and grab him and hold him and say" what can I do? you just need to tell me so that I can help you" but he would always try not to hurt me physically as he pulled me off of him:D and would just walk away. This is really good advice. I'm sorry things didn't work out with Cami, but your experience is actually blessing me and my husband:). God bless you.

In Christ,
Trina

[Clavicula_Nox]

I have the same problem wiht my fiancee. I have tried to talk to her about things, but she misses the point and then her feelings end up getting hurt. I have a very big survivor's guilt, and I earnestly believe that soldiers who died around me should have survived in my place. She takes that and turns it around and suddenyl it's about how I don't want to be with her and blah blah blah. When i start having my anxiety problems (like tonight) where I'm in Walmart with tons of people making loud noises all around me, I press my back against things and just watch. She doesn't understand why I get jumpy and just want to get out of there while she wants to stop and look at every single stupid nick nack and $.05 piece of crap that is being peddled. Then when she asks me why i'm "acting that way," i dont want to talk about it, i just want to get out of the situation, so that means im distancing myself from her. NO. I tmeans i want to get aawya from the press of people who miught be trying to kill me, thats all it means.

she will never understand, its not even possible for her to understand.

she told me that at night i speak arabic, its funny, because i dont speak arabic outside a few simple phrases. she says that my nightmares are nightly, but i can't verify that. I can feel the anxiety in my chest like it's crushing on me and she will never ever understand.


God, I so totally lost all respect for her and for cops over that. Am I crazy, or is this just total nonsense? One dude admitted that he had his DD Form 212 (please note that 212 is NOT a typo - that's what he said he had). It was, of course, classified. Another dude--I kid you NOT about this--said his 214 was hidden from public view, as was his Ranger training class, as they were all going on to Delta Force :dunno: I'm not kidding, bro. This led to arguments almost every night between us: I didn't love her because I wouldn't ever talk to her. Oh, and dude's RIP? 139745-something, LOL. Not even CLOSE to a class number. If you're going to lie, at the very least Google something and get the format right

That's hilarious. A classified DD Form "212" Ranger..no no.. Ranger Indoctrination "hidden" from public view?

LOL. Even 1-SFOD-D advertises for recruitment in the newspaper!

*edit*

Slug, I want to know the different qualifying periods. I want all of my awards to be correct, and I don't want to have an "illegal" award. To be perfectly honest, this is the first I've heard that OEF and OIF were considered the same qualifying period, but it wouldn't surprise me, but I can tell you that everyone in my detachment would lose a star on their CIB/CAB/CMB...

[beckisted2004]

I have the same problem wiht my fiancee. I have tried to talk to her about things, but she misses the point and then her feelings end up getting hurt. I have a very big survivor's guilt, and I earnestly believe that soldiers who died around me should have survived in my place. She takes that and turns it around and suddenyl it's about how I don't want to be with her and blah blah blah. When i start having my anxiety problems (like tonight) where I'm in Walmart with tons of people making loud noises all around me, I press my back against things and just watch. She doesn't understand why I get jumpy and just want to get out of there while she wants to stop and look at every single stupid nick nack and $.05 piece of crap that is being peddled. Then when she asks me why i'm "acting that way," i dont want to talk about it, i just want to get out of the situation, so that means im distancing myself from her. NO. I tmeans i want to get aawya from the press of people who miught be trying to kill me, thats all it means.

she will never understand, its not even possible for her to understand.

My heart really goes out to you. You're right. We'll never understand. Doc always tells me he's glad that I don't understand, because to understand it would involve experiencing it and that's the last thing he wants for me. Your fiancee probably has no clue she's turning things around. I'm sure I've done the same thing before. It's a hard thing from both sides. I want to know what he's experienced, but there's no good way to respond. I want to understand, but that's not possible. He doesn't want sympathy or pity. He says listening is enough, but it sure doesn't feel like it. I'm helpless. I can't take away the images that are burned into his mind forever. We've worked out a signaling system to get him out of situations like you mentioned in your Walmart example, but there's only so much you can do. So, anyways...sorry for babbling. I'm sure your fiancee wants very badly to be understanding, but she probably has no clue what to do or how she can help.

Thank you for serving. You have gone through things that we'll never know or understand. Just know that there are people that appreciate what you do/did so very much. Thank you. :hug:

[Clavicula_Nox]

She should know that she turns it around because I tell her very plainly and very clearly. She does it automatically because she isn't a person who knows responsibility. Every one of her problems was caused by someone else, and someone else should be responsible for fixing them, and if they're not fixed, it's someone else's fault who woke up that day specifically to mess with her.

I may have fairly bad PTSD, but she's plain irrational.

[beckisted2004]

She should know that she turns it around because I tell her very plainly and very clearly. She does it automatically because she isn't a person who knows responsibility. Every one of her problems was caused by someone else, and someone else should be responsible for fixing them, and if they're not fixed, it's someone else's fault who woke up that day specifically to mess with her.

I may have fairly bad PTSD, but she's plain irrational.

Ah...well, that's a different story then. I would definitely never equate irrationality with PTSD. Those are two VERY different things. You are experiencing PTSD and all of its affects through no fault of your own. I'm so sorry that she's not being what you need her to be. I wish I could offer you help in another way, but I feel like all I have to offer are my prayers. So, know that you (and your fiancee) are being lifted up this very minute.

[Slug1]

Just found this thread - I read every post.

Hey Dude, "all" the posts? ;) :lol:

This thread is part II of a thread that started back in 2005: http://bibleforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38149

We cut off threads near the 1000 post mark and continue in the new Part II, III, IV etc.

[Clavicula_Nox]

This is Gordon's ODA-Commander who was killed a few days ago.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Nov. 8, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier was killed Nov. 7 as a result of an improvised explosive device strike while conducting a combat operation in Baghdad, Iraq.

Capt. Benjamin Tiffner, 31, was fatally wounded when his vehicle encountered an IED in the course of conducting a ground convoy in Baghdad. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha team leader assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Tiffner, a native of Ohio, volunteered for military service and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2000. After Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger School, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment., at Fort Lewis, Wash., and served as an infantry platoon leader, reconnaissance platoon leader, and company executive officer. He served in Iraq from November 2003 to March 2004. Upon graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in April 2006, he was assigned to 5th SFG(A).

Tiffner is survived by his parents, Timothy and Judith of Soldotna, Alaska


http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1303/tiffnertnrz7.jpg

[cheech]

Talking is a big factor in healing. The longer things are kept inside, the more they are dwelled on, and the more one withdraws. It's funny how men and women think. When slug came home for R&R, I wanted to be close to him because I knew he was going back. He was a bit more distant in some ways because he knew he had to go back and I think it was easier for him where it was harder for me. But each time he came home for good, the one thing I did was give him his space. I don't think I've ever asked him to talk about his time there except when we would chat on yahoo messenger and I'd ask how his day was or he started a conversation to talk. I figured if there was something he wanted me to know, he would tell me as that is how we are. I did make it clear if there was anything he wanted to talk about, all he had to do was start the conversation and I would listen, but I knew it was something only those in the same situation would understand. There was only one time I had to "talk" with him from concern a few months after he came home. Other than that, we have been fortunate by the grace of God to have gotten through it. Unbeknownst to slug, I would monitor him, keeping my eyes open for any signs or changes in his personality and mood. I know there were things that bothered him, like the men/friends he lost and there were times he did show emotion over this. I would much rather see that, than never seeing any because grieving is part of healing. Even now he knows he can come to me to talk but I know it's just not the same. I truly feel by doing this ministry he has in mind, it will help him more than he realizes it.

Kingsdaughter, I agree with FMI's post...giving your husband space but letting him know you are there is what you can do. Even a silent hug and an I love you can be highly effective. Honestly? I'm one to turn inward before slug will. I did this the one year he was over there. I was part of the Family Readiness Group and there were times wives called me for support...I had no problem being there for them but my problem was not allowing anyone to be there for me for support. I held alot in and never really told anyone how I felt. That was not the greatest thing to do and it was very hard on me, yet for me it was more important for the other wives to have that support as I knew I would eventually get through it. Not the wisest thing I know.

FMI...through the years, I lost alot of close family and friends and would only cry for them briefly. I held alot in and didn't talk much about it. Holding this in all these years did more harm than good. I always carried everything on my shoulders. Then we began attending a church where my family found spiritual healing. One of the things I learned was that my shoulders were not wide enough nor big enough to hold everything (in). Because I never allowed myself to really grieve over anything or anyone and would push things to the back of my head and lock the door, I had alot of pain that would come and go but never completely stay away. I built up walls to protect myself from anything painful because I didn't want to deal with it. Finally, I was prayed for by my friend and Pastors at church (my family was prayed for too) and I was counseled. Even though I taught a recovery program and did follow the advice I taught...still it was hard to truly turn everything over to God. But I prayed and learned and finally, piece by piece gave things over to God. I began to pray for God to help me to grieve and then not dwell on my pain anymore. A few days later as I read the Bible, a thought of my best friend just popped into my mind. She had died in 98 and we had known each other since kindergarten. I felt badly because I wasn't there when she died...didn't even know she was ill...just had a call from my sister one day asking if I knew she had died (she did have health problems but was doing ok when I last saw her a couple months prior) the day before. I think I cried harder for her than some family that had passed on. I grieved for one day then locked it away. Well...on this day I was reading my bible, I began to cry uncontrollably and just couldn't stop! It went on for quite a while...but after that...i didn't feel badly anymore. Then on another day, a thought of my dad popped into my head and the same thing happened...cried uncontrollably for quite a while, but afterwards the pain was gone. I still have to struggle not to keep my feelings in though. It can be a daily struggle sometimes but God has been gracious and patient with me.

Soldiers situations are different in the fact that healing takes quite a while because of all they have gone through, but healing can happen...it's just a matter of allowing yourself to be healed and that means unlocking that door and facing that which pains you. This is not to be done alone though...there must be a professional counselor there to guide you through it...preferably one who is Christian or a counselor and Pastor. I don't think people really know the true healing effects of Christ if he is just allowed in. I never ever thought I could get past some things...hurts and pains...but I have but it takes time and work. Christ has done amazing work in my family and that is why I have written this post...I want others to know that the freedom from their pain is right in front of them and He is standing there waiting for us to ask Him to break the chains of bondage our pain holds us in.

Psalm 146:5-7
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

When you think about it...we are prisoners in many ways...but Christ frees us...all we have to do is ask.

[kingsdaughter]

That was a blessing for me to read Cheech, thank you. What troubled me the most about my husband, is that he is very "vocal" what I mean by that is, he says what's on his mind and has always been that way, but when he came home from Iraq the silence was new to me and I didn't know how to handle it. where as I am more quiet and tend to keep things in. So here we have two people who aren't saying anything to eachother. It wasn't until two years ago when I started to seek the Lord and His will again that He turned things around for me. And my marriage has been blessed because of His grace and love , the Lord just gave me peace and joy.

I pray that my husband will come to know the Lord one day and I no longer have the desire to "fix" him. I assume that he talks about things with his buddy when they go on their rides. I used to feel that he is the way he is and that is because of me, but now I know that it is not. He has a "temper" and he's always promising me that he's going to get counseling, but never does, I would rather have a christian counselor, but they are hard to find.

thank you for your post Cheech.

Love in Christ,
Trina

[dljc]

Passing this on to you guys. A 15 year old girl put this together. It is very powerful and moving. It brought tears to my eyes.

Video message to and about the soldiers in Iraq.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0 (http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1)

It has been viewed this many times. Views: 19,586,317


God bless you all.

[Slug1]

I've seen that one before. It's one of the better ones!

[Clavicula_Nox]

Is there anything special I need to know about ACAP? My ETS is in January. Is there anything that I need to do with them besides the intial briefing? I have written a resume already and don't need that course, maybe a job fair?

[andrewanderson]

ACAP is good. I would hav ethem take another look at your resume and I would attend the VA benefits brief.

[Slug1]

I did the 3 day TAP class and then all the classes after that also. It's allot of good info. After the ETS you can only use ACAP for 180 days I think so get everything in that you can between now and then.

My first resume I wrote was slaughtered by the ACAP counselor. I had more red suggestions all over those 5 pages and I was short words for a Federal Job Application. I had 7 pages when I redid it and after 8 resumes (over seven job applications) the one that landed me the job I have now was 6 pages long.

[andrewanderson]

I did the 3 day TAP class and then all the classes after that also. It's allot of good info. After the ETS you can only use ACAP for 180 days I think so get everything in that you can between now and then.

My first resume I wrote was slaughtered by the ACAP counselor. I had more red suggestions all over those 5 pages and I was short words for a Federal Job Application. I had 7 pages when I redid it and after 8 resumes (over seven job applications) the one that landed me the job I have now was 6 pages long.

You actually talking abotu your resume or are you talking about your resumix?

[Slug1]

You actually talking abotu your resume or are you talking about your resumix?Both. The job I ended up getting wasn't announced and I was able to get my hardcopy resume into CPAC and got hired. That's the one that was 6 pages.

One of the best things that TAP class did was to suggest making a "master" resume. When I got done with that one it was 14 pages long and covered the last 10 years of my career. Then all I had to do was cut and past bullets and job specifics revelant for whatever job I was applying for. Took me about 30 minutes to generate a resume this way.

[Clavicula_Nox]

My resume isn't long. It's 3 pages without a cover letter, but I don't have anything else to include.

[andrewanderson]

My resume isn't long. It's 3 pages without a cover letter, but I don't have anything else to include.

You would be suprised. I bet once you sit down with them you will come up with all kinds of stuff.

[Clavicula_Nox]

I can include awards, but I think that's unnecessary and some things I'm not sure if I can put in a resume based on various things related to OPSEC.

*edit*

For example, my USASOC time is fairly non-descript because I just don't know what I can put other than "Fire-Team Leader" as a job title.

[Slug1]

Fire-TL = Assistant Manager

[andrewanderson]

For example, my USASOC time is fairly non-descript because I just don't know what I can put other than "Fire-Team Leader" as a job title.



you need to go meet with ACAP

[StarscreamX-2]

get this guys got a Warning order just came down, Im heading to Iraq right.....well i got 5 months home after this deployment then i roll out to Afgan-land........


Need some advice.......

[Slug1]

Start running hills... tall hills!!!!!!!!!!

[StarscreamX-2]

you know what this is gonna be my 4th deployment in 6 years.....im getting burnt.........

[Follow_Me_Infantry]

4 in 6 years? Holy...

Dude, you are SO in my prayers.

[Clavicula_Nox]

get this guys got a Warning order just came down, Im heading to Iraq right.....well i got 5 months home after this deployment then i roll out to Afgan-land........


Need some advice.......

What the...?

I thought they couldn't do that...


BUt yeah, as Slug said, hills hills hills and mountains mountains mountains. There are places in A-Stan where we can't use Humvees because they "offend or frighten the locals," and we had to use pickup trucks. I thought A-Stan was worse than Iraq, everything seemed more feral and dangerous, b
ut we were near Pakistan so that might be why. I tell you, do whatever it takes to not be near N. Pakistan.

*edit*

At this rate, you should go Active, then to Jump School and then to the 82nd Airborne and you'll be maintaining a better OPTEMPO.

[andrewanderson]

you know what this is gonna be my 4th deployment in 6 years.....im getting burnt.........

Hence the reason I am leaving active duty.

[Slug1]

Generally speaking, you're out of luck. I had to wait until my "second" CAB before actually receiving my first award, and then my "third" in order to receive my second. It sucks, believe me.Hey CN, I was bored today so I checked on this:

In AR 600-8-22 Military Awards: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_8_22.pdf

On page 103:

8-8

(4)
f. Second and subsequent awards of the CAB are as follows:
1. Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualifying period.

Also on page 99,

8-6

(5)
c.
12. A-stan (OEF): 5 Dec 01 to date to be determined.
13. Iraq (OIF): 19 Mar 03 to date to be determined.

Afghanistan and Iraq ARE two separate qualifying periods. So earn one in Iraq, then one in A-stan and that will be the star in the wreath. Go back to Iraq or A-Stan... no more stars.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Good, then my star is "legal." Thanks for checking on that.

Here's another, but I think I already know the answer. If one is awarded a CAB they cannot receive a CIB or CMB for that same qualifying period, right?

*edit*

It's screwed up that the qulaifying period for OEF starts in December, what about all of the SOF (non-green tabbers) who were there in September? I know there were at least 3 or 4 ODA's from 5th Group in A-Stan in less than a week.

[andrewanderson]

Good, then my star is "legal." Thanks for checking on that.

Here's another, but I think I already know the answer. If one is awarded a CAB they cannot receive a CIB or CMB for that same qualifying period, right?

*edit*

It's screwed up that the qulaifying period for OEF starts in December, what about all of the SOF (non-green tabbers) who were there in September? I know there were at least 3 or 4 ODA's from 5th Group in A-Stan in less than a week.

I don't think whether they get an award or recognition is of major concern to them. I don't think they have the pride issues like the rest of us.

[Slug1]

I don't think whether they get an award or recognition is of major concern to them. I don't think they have the pride issues like the rest of us.I agree. When I went to ANCOC the MOI said I had to get all my Hooah badges sewed onto my uniforms. This was the first time I wore all of them. Many of my uniforms were always flatlined and now that the career is over, all of the uniforms and all those patches and badges will become a huge quilt :rofl:

[Clavicula_Nox]

I don't think whether they get an award or recognition is of major concern to them. I don't think they have the pride issues like the rest of us.

It might not be, but they still earned it and it really doesn't have anything to do with pride.

[andrewanderson]

So we disagree. That is fine.

[Clavicula_Nox]

It is fine, but..uh, I don't see how it wouldn't be fine.

Hey when you come off active are you going to pursue a reserve slot, or go into the civilian sector?

[andrewanderson]

It is fine, but..uh, I don't see how it wouldn't be fine.

Hey when you come off active are you going to pursue a reserve slot, or go into the civilian sector?

Yes, both. I am goimg to be the S6 for the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Greensboro, NC. Of course I still need a civilian job to pay the bills. :)

[Clavicula_Nox]

Oh man, CA and Psy Ops were one of the jobs I've been looking at. Hm, CA in NC isn't bad news at all. Do you know of any psy ops?

[Clavicula_Nox]

Paratroopers die in Iraq
http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071206/05501a01p120607.pdf.0/img/Image_3.jpg

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20071206/05501a01p120607.pdf.0/img/Image_7.jpg



82nd Abn.
Div. PAO
Two 82nd A i r b o r n e D i v i s i o n paratroopers died in Iraq last week.
S p c .
Matthew K.
Reece, 24, of H a r r i s o n , Ark., died of wounds suf­fered when an impro­vised explo­sive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad Saturday. Reece was a grenadier in 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.
“Specialist Reece will forev­er be a part of the battalion, especially a part of the lives of the paratroopers he served with,” said Capt. Aaron King, 1st Bn., 504th PIR rear detach­ment commander. Reece joined the Army in September 2005 and complet­ed Infantry One Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course in 2006 at Fort Benning, Ga.
He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in November 2006 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 504th PIR.
Reece’s awards and decora­tions include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Reece is survived by his wife, Chauntelle, of Oak Grove, Ky.; his daughter, Alyssa, of Jasper Ark.; his son Teagan, of Oak Grove, Ky.; his father Preston, of Harrison,
Ark.; and his mother Tammy Vanderwaal, of Jasper, Ark.
Sgt. Kyle Dayton, 22, of El Dorado Calif., died of wounds suffered when his unit responded to a logistics convoy acci­dent and one of the vehicles involved unexpectedly ignited, near the Al Anbar province, Iraq, Monday. The accident is under investigation. Dayton was an infantry team leader, with the 2nd Bn., 504th PIR, 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.
“Sergeant Kyle Dayton was more than just a leader, or a Soldier, or a friend,” said Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Creel, a squad leader in the same company as Dayton. “Dayton’s personality, professionalism and approach to leadership was a part of the soul of this company and of this bat­talion; and just as it is with everything lost, you only realize how important that part was once it is gone. Dayton was a large part of us; of our Family.”
Dayton joined the Army in October 2003. He graduated Infantry One Station Unit training in March 2004 and the Basic Airborne Course in April 2004 at Fort Benning, Ga.
He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in September 2005 and was assigned to the 2nd Bn., 504th PIR as an infantryman and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April 2005 to March 2006.
“Dayton was a brother to us all, the bravery and courage he possessed will always be with the men of Bravo Company,” said 1st Lt. Robert J. Hanratty, Co. B executive officer.
Dayton’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two gold loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non­commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with the numeral 2, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Dayton is survived by his wife, Nicole; his son Sean both of Folsom, Calif.; and his mother, Linda Mclaurin, of Tracy, Calif.
Memorial ceremonies will be held in Iraq for the paratroopers.

[Slug1]

CN, ya know these two troopers? I was assigned to the 504th while in Fallujah back in 03-04. It was a good unit to work with once that got used to us Mech guys with our Brad's. We made friends fast when our 25MM started barking and ended firefights REAL quick.

[Clavicula_Nox]

No, I don't know them. 25MM is neat, but I've never had the pleasure.

[andrewanderson]

Oh man, CA and Psy Ops were one of the jobs I've been looking at. Hm, CA in NC isn't bad news at all. Do you know of any psy ops?

Where exactlly in NC are you looking? Reserve or NG or just active duty?

[Clavicula_Nox]

Either Reserve or NG. My fiancee and I own a house in Fayetteville, or rather, she owns it, and because she filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy we can't sell it...so something in the Fayetteville area or within 50 miles. My car is a used beat up machine, thanks to an accident involving an ambulance and All-American Freeway, and I don't like taking it long distances.

I have a prospect with Terminix as a pest control technician (avg wage 45K/year....) so the vehicle situation may change.

Are you in the Active component CA battalion on Bragg, I forget the number/name? If so, do you know a Sgt(maybe SSG) Drevino Woods? Tall black guy, real skinny, uh.. airborne and air assault qualified, wears an 82nd RSSI, fairly loud, funny, and slightly crazy. If so, he was one of my first NCOs.

*edit*

I would prefer NG so I can keep my GI bill, while taking advantage of the NG's 100% tuition assistence.

[Slug1]

I would prefer NG so I can keep my GI bill, while taking advantage of the NG's 100% tuition assistence.Dude, hit any of the Purple Heart associations in the area and see what NC offers to PH recipients. Some states offer free tuition (even to any kids you someday have due to "your" PH), some states will take a full percent of your mortgage, etc. There is allot of help out there for PH recipients.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Dude, hit any of the Purple Heart associations in the area and see what NC offers to PH recipients. Some states offer free tuition (even to any kids you someday have due to "your" PH), some states will take a full percent of your mortgage, etc. There is allot of help out there for PH recipients.

Wow, I didn't know anything about that. Thanks.

[andrewanderson]

Either Reserve or NG. My fiancee and I own a house in Fayetteville, or rather, she owns it, and because she filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy we can't sell it...so something in the Fayetteville area or within 50 miles. My car is a used beat up machine, thanks to an accident involving an ambulance and All-American Freeway, and I don't like taking it long distances.

I have a prospect with Terminix as a pest control technician (avg wage 45K/year....) so the vehicle situation may change.

Are you in the Active component CA battalion on Bragg, I forget the number/name? If so, do you know a Sgt(maybe SSG) Drevino Woods? Tall black guy, real skinny, uh.. airborne and air assault qualified, wears an 82nd RSSI, fairly loud, funny, and slightly crazy. If so, he was one of my first NCOs.

*edit*

I would prefer NG so I can keep my GI bill, while taking advantage of the NG's 100% tuition assistence.

Most CA and PsyOps units are either active or reserve. There are very few in the NG.
I change command tomorrow. After I change command I should have time to look into it.

[StarscreamX-2]

National Guard!!!!!!!!!!

[Clavicula_Nox]

Terminal leave in T minus 18 Days.

[StarscreamX-2]

The National Guard has been more than great to me.....other than the slower rank progression.......stoopid slots........LOL

[andrewanderson]

The National Guard has been more than great to me.....other than the slower rank progression.......stoopid slots........LOL


What branch or MOS are you?

[Clavicula_Nox]

In case Eric is busy (which he probably is) I'll answer for him. He is a 25U, former 25Q/31R and had that NBC MOS back in the day. 25 series is tactical communications, and a few other electronic/IT related positions.

[andrewanderson]

In case Eric is busy (which he probably is) I'll answer for him. He is a 25U, former 25Q/31R and had that NBC MOS back in the day. 25 series is tactical communications, and a few other electronic/IT related positions.

Thanks, I know what most fo the MOS's are and I can look them up if I am unsure.

I am changing branches to 25A in March.

[StarscreamX-2]

What branch or MOS are you?


US Army National Guard, 25U20 Signal Corp. Currently assigned to 39th BCT out of Arkansas.......rolling to Iraq.....soon.........COMSEC HOOOAH!

[StarscreamX-2]

WTT........TSERT ROCKS!........sarcasm......LOL

[NavyFirefighter]

A Sailor's Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming, Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.

They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small, In a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.
I had come down the stack with presents to give, And to see inside just who might perhaps live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand, On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.

They had medals and badges and awards of all kind, And a sober thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary, I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.

A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone, Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the room squared away, This was the United States Sailor today.

This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night, Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year, Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice."

"Defending the seas all days of the year, So others may live and be free with no fear."

I thought for a moment, what a difficult road, To live a life guided by honor and code.

After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.

The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight, No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night."

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still, I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure, Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and All is Secure!"

HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT

[StarscreamX-2]

http://www.csufresno.edu/ROTC/insignia_signal.gif

I am Signal, the voice of command. Hear me.
I will defend my country in the face of any danger.
Nothing can deter me; I will get the job done, and I will win.
I believe in my training, my equipment, my comrades and my leaders. I depend on them, and they depend on me.
I am Signal. Hear me.
I am the nerve system of our nation’s defense.
I connect companies, brigades, entire armies;
I speak from foxholes and from the White House.
Through me, the commander’s will is done anywhere in the world – and beyond.
I am Signal. Hear me.
I am proud of my heritage, of my achievements, and of the triumphs of my corps.
I am honored to walk in the hallowed footprints of those who served before me: at Bull Run and the Argonne; on Guam and Midway; in Korea and Vietnam; and in the deserts of Saudi Arabia.
I am Signal. Hear me.
For a hundred years and more, I have spoken my country’s freedom – and my voice has never faltered.
This is the way it will always be, for I am Signal and I will never fail the corps, the Army or my country.
I am ready, I am willing and I am strong;
I will shoot, move and communicate.
I will always get the message through.
I AM SIGNAL! HEAR ME!

[StarscreamX-2]

I am Signal -- the voice of command!
From place to place and hill to hill -- I communicate!
Over the years, I have been the nerve system of our nation's defenses.
I am Signal! Hear me!
I am Signal -- but my signalmen are soldiers first.
They, too, have tasted victory as well as defeat.
Some within my ranks, too, have died to keep Old Glory flying.
Their blood, too, stains Old Glory's hallowed stripes.
I wear the badge.
I wigwagged my way across the plains of Texas and New Mexico with Myer.
I saved besieged Allatoona and directed artillery fire at Hampton Roads.
I was at Bull Run both times and Appomattox, too.
I operated the "Beardslee" and launched the "flying" telegraph.
I floated above battlefields in balloons.
I gave birth to the dirigible.
I rigged man with wings and launched the first military aircraft.
I was the first to put a soldier in the sky.
I froze with Greely at the North Pole.
I put the first cable and telegraph in Alaska.
I was aboard the Santiago at San Juan ... and waded in the shallows of Manila Bay.
When I signaled, masses of men moved -- and we won.
Through me, the commander's will will be done.
I was first off the boat in France.
I clicked telegraph keys in the Meuse-Argonne ... put telephones in the trenches at Soissons ... spliced and respliced wire at Chateau-Thierry ... and sunk poles at Tartigny.
I flew with brave Cher Ami through a hail of lead.
I immortalized men and their deeds with the click of a shutter.
I, too, was "over there."
My radars guarded the approaches to many a hallowed place:
Corregidor, Saipan, Guam, Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, to name a few. And yes, I was at Hawaii that December morn -- that was one of my sadder moments.
I permitted islands, and ships, and aircraft, and men to talk to each other. I shot, and I moved, and I communicated.
I am the Signal Corps.
I did my bit in other places, too.
I put radio relays in Algiers ... landed under fire at Salerno and Anzio ... fought corrosion, mildew and mosquitos in China, Burma and India.
Neither weather nor disease could deter me -- I was determined.
I saw the mission through.
I guided the doom birds down from unfriendly skies, and helped ships to plow unerringly through night waters off hostile shores.
I kept tabs on the weather and sent signals across spaces where neither wire, cable, nor man could go.
I helped dim the rays of the rising sun.
I got the message through.
I, too, was "frozen at Chosen." I manned sets on barren hills, and scanned dials and meters with weary eyes.
I pulled stubborn cable and spliced wire with frozen hands, and struggled up poles with frostbitten feet.
I braved sniper fire and landmines, and fought off charges by bayonet.
My weary mind deciphered code and took Morse.
My voice never faltered. I got the job done.
I am Signal -- hear me!
I was also in 'Nam. I was at my best there:
I dotted the deltas, perched precariously on the highest peaks and peered from beneath the cover of jungle.
I connected outposts, hamlets, firebases, base camps, air bases, continents and, seemingly, the world.
Through me, commanders and those for the commander communicated from camp to camp, continent to continent and around the globe.
I did my thing, and I did it well.
In this century, I have bounced sensitive whispers off the moon, and guided manmade moons in orbit around our earth.
For the first time ever, I have cupped my ears and listened to satellites. My far-reaching voice can now reach across the vast expanse of space. I can guide rockets and missiles.
I can hear an enemy's whisper. I can see him in the dark.
I can do that and more. I am the Signal Corps.
Few wars have been fought without me, and the Army seldom moves without me.
I am the eyes, ears, arms and voice of the commander.
I do his looking, listening, gathering and talking for him.
I am indispensable. I am the first to arrive and the last to leave.
I've done my job well, and I've left my mark.
Whenever there is a call to arms, I'll pack up and ship out.
Wherever there is a threat to free men, you'll find me at port arms, ready to go.
I am effective, I am dependable, and I am mobile.
I am the nerve system of our national defense.
I am ready, willing and able to perform. I communicate!
I am Signal -- the voice of command! Hear me!

[Slug1]

It all boils down to.... can ya get my radio workin' again? :rofl:

[StarscreamX-2]

Signal Corps History

Albert James Myer, an Army doctor, first conceived the idea of a separate, trained professional military signal service. He proposed that the Army use his visual communications system called "wigwag" while serving as a medical officer in Texas in 1856. When the Army adopted his system June 21, 1860, the Signal Corps was born with Myer as the first and only Signal officer.
MAJ Myer first used his visual signaling system on active service in New Mexico during the 1860-1861 Navajo expedition. Using flags for daytime signaling and a torch at night, wigwag was tested in Civil War combat in June 1861 to direct the fire of a harbor battery at Fort Calhoun (Fort Wool) against the Confederate positions opposite Fort Monroe. Until March 3, 1863, when Congress authorized a regular Signal Corps for the duration of the war, Myer was forced to rely on detailed personnel. Some 2,900 officers and enlisted men served, albeit not at any one time, in the Civil War Signal Corps.
Myer's Civil War innovations included an unsuccessful balloon experiment at First Bull Run and, in response to McClellan's desire for a Signal Corps field telegraph train, an electric telegraph in the form of the Beardslee magnetoelectric telegraph machine. Even in the Civil War the wigwag system, dependent upon line-of-sight, was waning in the face of the electric telegraph.
The electric telegraph, in addition to visual signaling, became a Signal Corps responsibility in 1867. Within 12 years, the Corps had constructed, and was maintaining and operating some 4,000 miles of telegraph lines along the country's western frontier.
In 1870, the Signal Corps established a congressionally mandated national weather service. With the assistance of LT Adolphus Greely, Chief Signal Officer BG Myer, by the time of his death in 1880, commanded a weather service of international acclaim. The weather bureau became part of the Department of Agriculture in 1891, while the Corps retained responsibility for military meteorology.
The Signal Corps' role in the Spanish American War of 1898 and the subsequent Philippine Insurrection was on a grander scale than it had been in the Civil War. In addition to visual signaling, including heliograph, the Corps supplied telephone and telegraph wire lines and cable communications, fostered the use of telephones in combat, employed combat photography, and renewed the use of balloons. Shortly after the war, the Signal Corps constructed the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS), introducing the first wireless telegraph in the Western Hemisphere.
On Aug. 1, 1907, an Aeronautical Division was established within the office of the Chief Signal Officer. In 1908, the Wright brothers made test flights of the Army's first airplane built to Signal Corps' specifications. Army aviation remained within the Signal Corps until 1918, when it became the Army Air Service.
The Signal Corps lost no time in meeting the challenges of World War I. Chief Signal Officer MG George Squier worked closely with private industry to perfect radio tubes while creating a major signal laboratory at Camp Alfred Vail (Fort Monmouth). Early radiotelephones developed by the Signal Corps were introduced into the European theater in 1918. While the new American voice radios were superior to the radiotelegraph sets, telephone and telegraph remained the major technology of World War I.
A pioneer in radar, COL William Blair, director of the Signal Corps laboratories at Fort Monmouth, patented the first Army radar demonstrated in May 1937. Even before the United States entered World War II, mass production of two radar sets, the SCR-268 and the SCR-270, had begun. Along with the Signal Corps' tactical FM radio, also developed in the 1930s, radar was the most important communications development of World War II.
The Signal Corps' Project Diana, in 1946, successfully bounced radar signals off the moon, paving the way for space communications. On Dec. 18, 1958, with Air Force assistance, the Signal Corps launched its first communications satellite, Project SCORE, demonstrating the feasibility of worldwide communications in delayed and real-time mode by means of relatively simple active satellite relays. Meanwhile the Korean conflict cut short an all-too-brief peace.
Korea's terrain and road nets, along with the distance and speed with which communications were forced to travel, limited the use of wire. The Signal Corps' VHF radio became the "backbone" of tactical communications throughout the conflict.
The Vietnam War's requirement for high-quality telephone and message circuits led to the Signal Corps' deployment of tropospheric-scatter radio links that could provide many circuits between locations more than 200 miles apart. Other developments included the SYNCOM satellite communications service and a commercial fixed-station system known as the Integrated Wideband Communications System, the Southeast Asia link in the Defense Communications System.
Today communications systems and facilities are still evolving as the Signal Corps continues the commitment to its regimental insignia's motto, "Watchful for the Country." A major program in 1988 was the initial production and deployment phase of the mobile-subscriber equipment system. MSE, along with other innovations, in LTG Bruce Harris' words "exemplify the dynamics of ... [the Signal Corps'] ever-increasing mission and responsibilities in supporting our Army. The professional challenge that these initiatives represent in not new to our Signal Corps. Our history is dominated by rapid change. ..." As in the past, the Signal Corps (Regiment) "will continue to ... [meet] these challenges with distinction."

[StarscreamX-2]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Albert_J._Myer_-_Brady-Handy.jpg/250px-Albert_J._Myer_-_Brady-Handy.jpg

"Father" of the U.S. Army Signal Corp


I love being Signal...........more than any other job in my life.

I would love to earn the "Order of Mercury"......

[StarscreamX-2]

It all boils down to.... can ya get my radio workin' again? :rofl:


My old units motto was "Communications Always!" LOL



I spent 3 hours fighting with my Node Center over whether or not we where being "jammed", during the work....i even told a Sergeant Major to get off my signal site, I had real work to do........

[Slug1]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317766,00.html


NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio — The last World War I veteran in Ohio, and one of only three known remaining U.S. veterans of the conflict, has died.
J. Russell Coffey was the last WWI vet in the state, according to the Veterans Affairs Department. He died Thursday at the age of 109, said the Smith-Crates Funeral Home in North Baltimore, about 35 miles south of Toledo.
The funeral home did not say where Coffey died or the cause of death. He had been living in the Blakely Care Center, a nursing home.
Coffey, born Sept. 1, 1898, did not see action overseas. He enlisted in the Army while he was a student at Ohio State University in October 1918, a month before the Allied powers and Germany signed a cease-fire agreement.
Coffey played semipro baseball, earned a doctorate in education from New York University, taught high school and college and raised a family.
He drove his car until he was 104 and lived on his own until three years ago, according to the funeral home.
The other known surviving American soldiers are Frank Buckles, 106, of Charles Town, W.Va., and Harry Landis, of Sun City Center, Fla., according to the Veterans Affairs Department.

[Slug1]

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h82/Slug1_2006/Wreaths.jpg

Here is a Youtube vid of this project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoZ9Rc-W7Wk

Here's an article to read about it as well: http://thetension.blogspot.com/2007/12/wreaths-across-america-at-arlington.html

[Follow_Me_Infantry]

http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/graphics/arlington1.jpg

Here is a Youtube vid of this project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoZ9Rc-W7Wk

Here's an article to read about it as well: http://thetension.blogspot.com/2007/12/wreaths-across-america-at-arlington.html


What's with the "bleh" face? You don't consider this a good thing? Talk to me about your thoughts, my brother.

[Slug1]

Hahaha, I linked directly to the photo from another site and their server replaced the picture... I'll download the original and post it again :lol:

Standby.

OK, all fixed now and it'll never happen again.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Paratroopers die in Iraq, Afghanistan
http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080103/05501a01p010308.pdf.0/img/Image_4.jpg

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080103/05501a01p010308.pdf.0/img/Image_5.jpg


82nd Abn.
Div. PAO
An 82nd A i r b o r n e D i v i s i o n paratrooper died of w o u n d s s u s t a i n e d when his m o u n t e d p a t r o l encountered a bomb near M u s a Q a l ’ e h , Afghanistan Dec. 9.
Cpl. Tanner J. O’Leary, 23, of Eagle Butte, S. D., was an Infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
“We will always remem­ber Tanner O’Leary for the upstanding commendable paratrooper he was and the sacrifices he made for his country,” said Capt. Thomas Renner, command­er of Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 1st Bn., 508th PIR.
O’Leary joined the Army in January 2005. He gradu­ated Infantry One Station Unit Training in May 2005 and the Basic Airborne Course in June 2005 at Fort Benning, Ga.
He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in August 2007 and was assigned to the 1st Bn., 508th PIR as an infantryman.
“ His death was tragic and premature but the impression he made on his fellow brothers and paratroopers will last for­ever,” said Renner. “ His death reminds us of the honor and selfless service that he embodied.”
O’Leary’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
O’Leary is survived by his daughter, Alexis; and his mother, Carmen O’Leary, of Eagle Butte, S. D.
An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated while conducting combat opera­tions in Balad, Iraq, Dec. 25. Sgt. Bryan J. Tutten, 33, of St. Augustine, Fla., was a gunner with the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry “ Sgt. Tutten had many qualities not found just anywhere,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Lachenmayer, a fellow Soldier.
“He was loyal, motivated, disciplined and passionate. His loyalty to the Army, his pla­toon and his Soldiers made him stand out from his peers. His discipline and motivation were unwavering, and his passion for his family and friends made him a great hus­band, father and friend.”
Tutten joined the Army in June 2002. He completed One Station Unit Infantry Training and the Basic Airborne Course in March 2003 at Fort Benning, Ga.
He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in March 2003 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment as an Infantryman. In November 2005 the 3rd Bn., 505th PIR was deactivated and Tutten was assigned to the 1st Sqd., 73rd Cav. Regt.
“ It was truly an honor for me to know and work with him,” Lachenmayer said. “ I know that he is in heaven looking down all of us right now.”
Tutten had one previous combat deploy­ment in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3rd Bn., 505th PIR. Tutten’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two gold loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Tutten is survived by his wife, Constandina; his son, Gareth; and his daughter, Catherine, all of Fayetteville; and his mother Sylvia Smallwood, of Jacksonville, Fla.

[CANADIAN BACON]

Since the topic came up. Is it true that the President of the USA is now Commander & Chief of your National Guard?
Meaning a Standing Army on American Soil??
:hmm:

[mcgyver]

Since the topic came up. Is it true that the President of the USA is now Commander & Chief of your National Guard?
Meaning a Standing Army on American Soil??
:hmm:

When not deployed overseas, the vast bulk of our Armed Forces are based in the United States, so you might say we have always had a Standing Army on American soil.

The National Guard, although primarily a State Militia, may be "Federalized" by the President and congress to meet a national emergency or in time of war. :)

[th1bill]

And the seated President is always the Supreme Commander.

[Clavicula_Nox]

Change of responsibility ceremony
U. S. Army Special Operations Command welcomes new senior enlisted Soldier
by Pfc. Anthony Hawkins Jr.
USASOC PAO
The United States Army Special Operations Command welcomed a new senior enlisted Soldier Dec. 10 during a change of responsibility ceremony at Meadows Field.
Command Sgt. Maj. Parry L. Baer assumed responsi­bility of USASOC from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Hall in the cere­mony.
“Thanks to all of you for allowing me to be the ser­geant major (that) I think the command needed,” Hall said. “I was thrilled when Command Sergeant Major Baer was selected for the Special Forces Command. (He was) the right man then, and now I can think of no other man I would want to hand my responsibilities over to than Parry.”
Baer, a native of Croswell, Mich., comes to USASOC after serving as the command ser­geant major of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command since April 2006.
He has served in Special Forces for the last 27 years, 20 of which were with the 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky. Baer has partic­ipated in several combat oper­ations throughout his career, ranging from Operation Desert Storm to the current Global War on Terrorism.
“I can say without reserva­tion that you’ve (Hall) done more for special operations over the past six years than any single predecessor,” Baer said. “You always pushed to get the capabilities that we needed out there on the field and took up those issues to the forefront. I want to thank you on behalf of all the Soldiers in USASOC for your tireless effort as the USASOC sergeant major.”
Hall, the command ser­geant major of USASOC since November 2001, will be retiring after 31 years of mil­itary service.


http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080110/05501a01p011008.pdf.0/img/Image_3.jpg

photo by Pfc. Anthony Hawkins Jr./USASOC PAO
Command Sgt. Maj. Parry L. Baer, incoming U.S. Army Special Operations Command com­mand
sergeant major, shakes hands with Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Hall, outgoing USASOC command sergeant major, as Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, USASOC commander, looks on. Baer,
former U.S. Army Special Forces Command command sergeant major, assumed responsibility of
USASOC during a ceremony Dec. 10 at Meadows Field.




CSM Hall was a pretty good guy. A good motivator, smart, and liked to take in active role as opposed to some CSM's I've known who preferred to stay in meetings at all times and issue blind memorandums to company first sergeants over email. We will all miss him.

[StarscreamX-2]

Got DQ'ed for deployment....bad knees......PM for the details....OPSEC.

[theabaud]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Albert_J._Myer_-_Brady-Handy.jpg/250px-Albert_J._Myer_-_Brady-Handy.jpg

"Father" of the U.S. Army Signal Corp


I love being Signal...........more than any other job in my life.

I would love to earn the "Order of Mercury"......Apparently the signal Corps is Pagan. I am going to go get a stake and a gallon of gasoline and we will be by your house later.

Also, even though you have been DQ'd from deployment Brandy is still letting me buy tons of Comic books. I will still share.:D

[Clavicula_Nox]

My old units motto was "Communications Always!" LOL



I spent 3 hours fighting with my Node Center over whether or not we where being "jammed", during the work....i even told a Sergeant Major to get off my signal site, I had real work to do........


Yeah, and it wasn't even *your* sergeant major!

For anyone who wasn't there, Erik, Sgt Cumby, and I were trying to get our link in without much luck. The node center swore up and down we were being jammed. Sgt Cumby and I kept trying to explain, patiently I might add, that it was almost impossible for us to be jammed based on our frequency range when a bunch of high ranking jerks from my unit decided to grace us with their presence.

CSM Pflieger of the 327th Signal Battalion to whom my company was theoretically attached to, tried explaining to me why my equipment wasn't working properly and I, a Private First Class, bit my tongue because he had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I tried to disagree and he said that I was calling him stupid and he had been doing this for 20something years, I asked how much Tropo experience he had and it turned out he had none. I would have been doing pushups, but I had a permanent profile at the time, so it was overhead hand claps for me.

Sgt Cumby starts backing me up, and then he goes down. Erik gets frustrated and starts yelling and stuff.

It was hilarious and CSM Pflieger never forgot that day and always tried to give me crap for wearing my 155th BCT combat patch. :lol:

[EaglesWINGS911]

Hey there, cool...this forum actually has a thread for military families! I'm Danielle, I'm 18 and my significant other is a Corpsman. He spent most of last year in Iraq which is how we met. I have a lot of friends in the military and I am a big supporter. My dad is a Navy Vietnam Vet, my brother is former Marine (1/6) and vet of the Bosnia War, all my uncles were in Vietnam,one was in the 101st Abn. My grandad and my great uncles were all WW2 vets, one was POW, well...you get the picture...I come from a long line of military men, something I am very proud of and I am proud to say that I will sometime in the near future be the proud wife of a Sailor :)

[Clavicula_Nox]

Hey there, cool...this forum actually has a thread for military families! I'm Danielle, I'm 18 and my significant other is a Corpsman. He spent most of last year in Iraq which is how we met. I have a lot of friends in the military and I am a big supporter. My dad is a Navy Vietnam Vet, my brother is former Marine (1/6) and vet of the Bosnia War, all my uncles were in Vietnam,one was in the 101st Abn. My grandad and my great uncles were all WW2 vets, one was POW, well...you get the picture...I come from a long line of military men, something I am very proud of and I am proud to say that I will sometime in the near future be the proud wife of a Sailor :)

Hello, welcome to the forums. How is your boyfriend now that he's back? There is a member of this board, Doc, who is a corpsman.

[Slug1]

Hey there, cool...this forum actually has a thread for military families! I'm Danielle, I'm 18 and my significant other is a Corpsman. He spent most of last year in Iraq which is how we met. I have a lot of friends in the military and I am a big supporter. My dad is a Navy Vietnam Vet, my brother is former Marine (1/6) and vet of the Bosnia War, all my uncles were in Vietnam,one was in the 101st Abn. My grandad and my great uncles were all WW2 vets, one was POW, well...you get the picture...I come from a long line of military men, something I am very proud of and I am proud to say that I will sometime in the near future be the proud wife of a Sailor :)Hey Danielle, welcome to the board :hug:

If ya have any military related questions or just want to hang out, that is what this thread is for. We have allot of experience and quite the variety with those that post here.

[EaglesWINGS911]

Hey ya'll, thanks for the warm welcome:D. My boyfriend is doing well. He's just very much ready for us to be married and me to be there in J-ville with him. Yeah, he is also called Doc. I guess just about all the corpsmen are though:). We have been together for almost a year now, we met last year while he was in Iraq. Yeah I know...people go "oh cool..wait a minute...huh?". It was crazy and something I know only God could have worked out.
See, about 3 years ago, I wanted to start supporting our troops somehow. I had just re-committed my life to the Lord and I had this real burden on my heart to help out our military and show them some support. I started praying about it, and I participated in a few card/letter drives but I wasn't satisfied, I really wanted to "adopt" someone or be able to send cards and letters to specific servicemen and women. The Lord answered my prayer after a long wait. I read a magazine article about a lady in Michigan who had a cards for troops project. There was an address to write to her and get more info on how to help. Next day I sent a letter to her in the mail. I waited and waited for a reply and still nothing. About 3 months later, I was dissapointed and figured my letter was lost or she wasn't going to reply. On June 7, I prayed and just gave it up to God, I wanted to help out, but I knew in my heart that God would have to lead me. Five days letter I get a response from her. For some reason I noticed the postmark date on the envelope...June 7. Same day I surrendered that to God. Sherry (the Michigan lady) is a military Mom and a Christian, she told me about a website (ANYSOLDIER.COM) and helped me get started with a few names and APO addys of soldiers. Pretty soon, I was on a roll, I started sending care packages and writing letters and it wasn't long before I had "adopted" several people in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
I can get tears in my eyes to this day just thinking about this story, because talking to these men and women has truly changed my life in so many ways. Letters and emails poured in sending thanks for just a simple card or a box of basic items. Wounded guys who had gotten a card in a hospital, a soldier who was on his 2nd tour and hadn't recieved any mail from home, from Privates to Majors, even an Iraqi Interpreter. A lot of them just needed someone to talk to, someone to share their fears and frustrations with. Some really opened up about personal matters, often conversations could branch into personal beliefs. The Lord opened door after door for me to share my faith and my own story of how God drug me out of a pit of darkness and into the light. I met agnostics, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians..all expressed thanks for the prayers I promised I was sending up on their behalf. I gained a deeper love for others regardless of beliefs, a greater compassion for the lost, a deeper respect for the military, and a greater appreciation for the blessed life we live here in America. I decided over a year ago to pursue a career in nursing and try to work at one of the military hospitals. At least, that is part of my dream right now, to somehow continue to work with the military and their families.
I met my b/f while I was writing to the troops. He and I started communicating through email, and I noticed that for a guy, he like lengthy...daily emails and he definitely asked me a lot of questions about myself;). We had a ton of things in common, first and foremost, our faith in the Lord. He asked to call me (from Iraq) one day and I gave him my phone number. I have no idea how much money the poor guy spent in phone cards while he was over there:lol: I just know it had to be a lot! When he got back he visited me and our first date we knew we had found "the one". God just amazes me again and again how he orchestrates things and the wonderful things he does. I am so blessed that he has done some good through me and its my hope that he will continue to use me to do good wherever He wants me.
Sorry for the verry lengthy post, but that's my story:D

[beckisted2004]

Hey ya'll, thanks for the warm welcome:D. My boyfriend is doing well. He's just very much ready for us to be married and me to be there in J-ville with him. Yeah, he is also called Doc. I guess just about all the corpsmen are though:).

I just replied to your thread in Women at the Well, but my fiance, Daniel, is the "Doc" on this board that Clavicula_Nox is referring to. :) Daniel is stationed in Jax, too (that is, when he's not in Iraq). Wouldn't that be crazy if they knew each other?

I'm glad your boyfriend is home and safe! I enjoyed reading your story. It sounds like you really have a heart for the troops. That's great! :hug:

[Clavicula_Nox]

Hundreds honor fallen Special Forces Soldier

CJTF- 82
PAO
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Hundreds of U.S.
S o l d i e r s , Sailors, Airmen, Marines and coalition partners lined Bagram Airfield’s main road*way and tarmac Jan. 27 to pay their last respects to a fallen comrade.
Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller, of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group (Airborne), was killed Jan. 25 by Taliban fighters while protecting his Operational Detachment Alpha teammates during combat operations near the village of Barikowt, Nari dis*trict, Kunar province, Afghanistan.
A tactical vehicle carried Miller’s flag-draped casket to the waiting U.S. Air Force C*17 cargo aircraft. As the vehi*cle passed, service members stood at attention and ren*dered a final salute to their fallen comrade. Soldiers from Special Operations Task Force 33 formed a cordon leading to the ramp as his brothers-in-arms, serving as pallbearers, escorted Miller’s remains into the aircraft’s empty cargo area.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, deputy commanding general for operations, Combined Joint Task Force-82; Col. Chris Haas, commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan and com*mander, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne); and Lt. Col. Samuel Ashley, com*mander, Special Operations Task Force 33, accompanied the escorts onto the aircraft to honor a fellow Soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of his country.
Miller was best remem*bered as a man who always had a smile and a ‘can do’ attitude. According to his teammates, he was always the first to volunteer for any task.
“Robby was the type of Soldier that saw the hard*ships before him and stepped up to the chal*lenge,” Ashley eulogized during a memorial ceremo*ny, Jan. 28 at Bagram Airfield. “He understood the hazards of combat and the risks of his service to our nation. He willingly bore the burden of the Soldier. He was the epitome of the SF Soldier. He was a warrior among warriors.”
Miller willingly led a team of Afghan national security forces and coalition soldiers Jan. 25 during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Kunar province near the Pakistan border. Insurgents hiding in a structure attacked Miller’s team. A fellow team*mate called for close-air sup*port to drop ordnance on the insurgent position to disrupt their attack. When the com*bined patrol moved toward the structure to check for any remaining enemy threats, insurgents again fired using heavy weapons.
Miller’s team captain was seriously wounded within the first minutes of the attack. While his commander was moved to safety, Miller returned fire. At great per*sonal risk to himself, Miller remained at the front of the patrol and continued to lay down suppressive fire on multiple insurgent positions, allowing his wounded com*mander to be pulled out of the line of fire, ultimately sav*ing his life. Miller’s personal courage under intense enemy fire enabled the entire patrol to gain cover and return fire. Even while injured by direct enemy small-arms and machine gun fire, Miller con*tinued to employ his M249 squad automatic weapon and grenades to suppress enemy fire and protect his team*mates.
Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee Aug. 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Jan. 6. and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course Sep. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course March 4, 2005. He received his Special Forces tab and was promoted to sergeant after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course Sept. 30, 2005. That same day he was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group ( Airborne), Fort Bragg.
Miller deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2006 to March 2007. During this deployment, he received two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for his courage under fire.
Miller returned to Afghanistan for his second tour in October 2007, where he served as a weapons sergeant for his team.
Miller is survived by his parents and seven brothers and sisters.

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080207/05501a05p020708.pdf.0/img/Image_1.jpg


Paratroopers die in Iraq

82nd Abn. Div. PAO
Two 82nd Air*borne Division paratroopers died of wounds suffered in combat opera*tions in Iraq.
First Lt. David Schultz, 25, of Blue Island, Ill. died when his location was hit by indirect fire in Scania, Iraq Jan. 31.
Schultz was a pla*toon leader with 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
“First Lieutenant David Schultz standards of leadership, resolve, and professionalism were bench*marks by which others measured themselves,” said Lt. Col. Michael Iacobucci, commander of the 3rd Sqdn., 73rd Cav. Regt.
Schultz graduated Northern Illinois University in 2005. He joined the Army in May 2005 and completed the Armor Officer Basic Course in 2006. He completed the Airborne Basic Course in 2002 in Fort Benning, Ga. and the Scout Platoon Leader Course in 2006.
He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in April 2006 and was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment.
“First Lieutenant Dave Schultz was a Soldier’s Soldier,” said Capt. Nathan Paliska, Bravo Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 73rd Cav. Regt. commander.
Schultz is survived by his wife, Sabrina and their son, of Fort Bragg and his father and mother, David and Marjorie, of Blue Island, Ill.
Cpl. Christopher J. West, 26, of Arlington, Texas died of wounds suffered when an improvised explo*sive device detonated while on a dis*mounted patrol in Muqdadiyah, Iraq Sunday. West was a Combat Medic with 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.
'Specialist West brought an upbeat attitude to the platoon that spread to everyone he met,” said 1st Lt. Rich Demarais, West’s platoon leader. “He loved being a combat medic and a paratrooper, he was loved by his brothers in the platoon.”
West graduated from Texas A&M, and joined the Army in January 2007. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga. in March 2007 and Healthcare Specialist Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas in July 2007. He completed the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga. in August 2007.
West arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in August 2007 and was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. “ It was an honor to be his pla*toon leader and we will never for*get him,” added Demarais. “ Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, and we will miss him tremen*dously.' West is survived by his parents, John and Hattie West, of Arlington Texas.
( E*ditor’s n*ote: C*pl. We*st w*as p*ro-moted p*osthumously.)

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080207/05501a01p020708.pdf.0/img/Image_6.jpg

http://paraglide.nc.newsmemory.com/newsmemvol2/north_carolina/paraglide/20080207/05501a01p020708.pdf.0/img/Image_8.jpg

[Clavicula_Nox]

3 "Dog Faced Soldiers" Receive Silver Stars


By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 12, 2008 10:56:22 EST
BAGHDAD — Three soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division were pinned with Silver Star medals Monday in a ceremony led by the Army vice chief of staff.

In stark contrast to the mean streets of northeastern Anbar province where one of the infantrymen helped his soldiers survive a complex attack, the star-studded event took place in the glittering rotunda of the Al Faw palace, one of Saddam Hussein’s former residences. More than 200 soldiers took the re-enlistment oath during the ceremony.

Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodriguez, an infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, is a platoon sergeant in B Company.
On March 19, 2007, he rushed out of Forward Operating Base Hawas in a Bradley vehicle to help two of his platoon’s Bradley vehicles that were on overwatch duty. They were attacked by an unknown number of insurgents who pinned them down with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
When he got there, he heard the gunfire, but he couldn’t lay eyes on his two Bradleys and didn’t want to lay down suppressive fire until he could figure out where they were.

So he began looking down a series of alleys perpendicular to a main road. Turning down one of them, his driver struck a roadway bomb, the kind soldiers call “speed bumps” or “stop-and drop” bombs because they’re laid down in the street like sandbags.

“The driver of the Bradley we were looking for couldn’t back up, either, because there was another speed bump,” Rodriguez said.
Pinned down, Rodriguez called for more help, and his tactical operations center dispatched two more Bradleys and a recovery vehicle for his own Bradley.

His driver was on the radio and Rodriguez realized the front of his Bradley was on fire and the driver’s compartment was filling with smoke.
“I crawled in through the space between the gunner’s position and the driver’s compartment and pulled him out by the handle on the back of his vest,” Rodriguez said.

The gunner was still engaging the enemy with his main gun and the two Bradleys on the main road were still taking and returning fire. More improvised explosive devices were “being tossed everywhere,” Rodriguez said, making it harder and harder to move around.

After pulling his driver to safety into the back of the Bradley, he got out to help the recovery vehicle operator hook up the towing chains and saw a number of insurgents approaching their position.

He raised the muzzle of his rifle and shot and killed eight of them “because they had AK47s and were shooting at me.”

“It sounds funny because they were shooting at this big vehicle,” he said.
The other two soldiers who received Silver Stars were with 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry.

Squad leader Staff Sgt. John Zamarripa and his platoon leader, 1st Lt. Ross Pixler recalled the incident that took the lives of three of their soldiers Oct. 30.

Riding through Salman Pak in a Humvee with one Bradley leading and another behind, Zamarripa’s vehicle was rocked as he witnessed the smoke from a powerful explosion engulf the Bradley before him.

“After the smoke cleared, I realized I saw the ramp door laying beside my Humvee,” Zamarripa said, describing how he rushed to the Bradley through the dissipating smoke only to find the worst. Three of his soldiers riding in the troop compartment — Sgt. Daniel McCall, Spc. Rush Jenkins and Pfc. Cody Carver — had been killed in the attack.

“I ran to save them, but it was too late. They were all dead,” Zamarripa said.

His mind turned to Pixler and his gunner and driver, who staggered up and out of the bombed Bradley with concussions and broken bones.
“They all went around to the back of the Bradley and saw what happened,” Zamarripa said.

Their medic had to pull him away from the vehicle because it was leaking fuel and could have exploded.

Down to two vehicles and dealing with several casualties, they were still under intense fire and Pixler, who had a broken arm and ankle, went to the radio in the other Bradley, coordinated close-air support and kept his platoon under control.

Zamarripa treated and evacuated the other wounded soldiers and established a security perimeter under intense fire from small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.

At the ceremony, Gen. Richard Cody, the vice chief of staff, gave the oath of re-enlistment to 207 3rd Infantry Division soldiers who have been in the war zone for 13 months.

“Six years into this war, very few Americans have stepped forward,” Cody said to the re-enlisting soldiers. “Not you, you did and said ‘send me.’”

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2478/thunderrunlgvz7.jpg

[Clavicula_Nox]

Army Sgt. Bradley J. Skelton
40, of Gordonville, Mo.; assigned to the 1138th Engineer Company, 35th Engineer Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; died Feb. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations.

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/2680/skeltonbradleyjlgxo5.jpg

Fort Drum soldier killed in combat in Iraq

The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A soldier on his second tour in Iraq was among three soldiers who died this week of wounds from an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced.
Sgt. Timothy R. Van Orman, 24, of Port Matilda, Pa., who also served in Afghanistan, was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. He is survived by his wife, Cadie, and their daughter.
Van Orman graduated in 2002 from Bald Eagle Area High School, where he played in the band.
“Tim was the kind of student who poured his whole heart into everything,” Scott Sheehan, his former band instructor, told the Tyrone Daily Herald. “He was an excellent trombone player and participated in jazz band, symphonic band and marching band. He took it very seriously, but at the same time, he knew how to have fun with it.”
Van Orman enlisted in 2003. He served in Afghanistan from August 2003 to May 2004 and in Iraq from August 2005 to July 2006. He left in September on his second deployment to Iraq.
Van Orman died Tuesday in Balad, Iraq, of wounds from the blast in Al Muqdadiyah, the Army said.
Spc. Miguel A. Baez, 32, of Bonaire, Ga., and Sgt. John C. Osmolski, 23, of Eustis, Fla., both of the 82nd Airborne Division, were also killed.


http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6834/vanormantimothyrlgva8.jpg

[Slug1]

I got this in my email this morning from the Patriot Guard Riders. I'm pasting in only this one:

Members,
We have heavy loss / missions in Region 3 right now. Please attend what you can. The families of these Fallen Soldiers have requested our presence.and support. I also need Assistant Captains to help on these missions. Thank you for serving those who deserve it.

1. CONFIRMED
Wed. 2/13 @ edit we will be standing with flags for the arrival of SSgt.Van Orman at the Syracuse Airport by private jet.
Staging edit

[Clavicula_Nox]

Paratroopers die in Iraq

82nd Abn. Div. PAO
Two 82nd A i r b o r n e D i v i s i o n paratroop*ers died of wounds suf*fered when an impro*vised explo*sive device d e t o n a t e d while con*d u c t i n g c o m b a t operations in the vicinity of Al Muqdadiyah, Iraq Tuesday.

Sgt. John C. Osmolski, 23, of Eustis, Fla. was a combat engineer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Abn. Div.

“ He was a premier young sapper, and an excellent engineer,” said Maj. James Downing, Osmolski’s com*pany commander. “ He was a future leader in the engi*neer world.”

Osmolski joined the Army in January 2005. He completed Basic Combat Training and the Combat Engineer Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in 2005. He completed the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., in June 2005.

Osmolski arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in June 2005 and was assigned to the 307th Engineer Battalion.

Osmolski had one previ*ous combat deployment with the 1st Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2005 to November 2005.

“ He was an adopted brother to the platoon,” said 1st Lt. Andres Donoso. “ Everyone loved him.”

Osmolski’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.

Osmolski is survived by his mother, Ruth E. Osmolski, of Powhatan, Va. Cpl. Miguel A. Baez III, 32, of Bonaire, Ga., was an assistant machine gunner with 1st Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

“ Baez was the best kind of Soldier,” said 1st Sgt. Kevin Spooner, Baez’s company first sergeant. “ He always volunteered and never hes*itated to help out a broth*er.”

Baez joined the Army in May 2005. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in August 2005 and the Basic Airborne Course in October 2005, both at Fort Benning, Ga.

Baez arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in October 2005 and was assigned to the 1st Bn, 325th AIR, 2nd BCT.

“ He was a clown, a lov*ing father and a wonderful husband, he’ll be greatly missed,” added Spooner.

Baez’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.

Baez is survived by his wife, Elena Deer- Baez; his children, Selena, Miguel, Aaliyah, and Breanna, all of Fort Bragg, and his par*ents, Miguel A. and Ramona, of Byron, Ga.


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