One Marine's View

Its the simple things in life...........

 

 

Fleets fade away with Pentagon budget cuts

America’s aging tactical Air Force — the jets that protect ground troops and strike hard-to-reach targets — is shrinking just as the Pentagon is cutting even more planes to achieve nearly a half-trillion dollars in spending cuts.

Can do attitude vs what can you do for me?

INDIANAPOLIS -- A joint color guard made of servicemembers from around Indiana practice presenting the Colors at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Indianapolis Jan. 25. The group will present the Colors at Super Bowl XLVI Feb. 5. Pictured from left to right are Sgt. 1st Class David Warder, Staff Sgt. Austin Stoner, Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Rasmussen, Sgt. Brian Francies, Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Delgado, Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner, Seaman Aaron Such and Sgt. Joshua Bishop. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Geoff Spaulding)

Call me crazy but there was a time when the US was a “Can do country”. Now the perception form outside nations and most importantly from our own American’s is more of a what can you do for me attitude.

 

Truth, lies and Afghanistan

How military leaders have let us down

By LT. COL. DANIEL L. DAVIS (US Army)

I spent last year in Afghanistan, visiting and talking with U.S. troops and their Afghan partners. My duties with the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force took me into every significant area where our soldiers engage the enemy. Over the course of 12 months, I covered more than 9,000 miles and talked, traveled and patrolled with troops in Kandahar, Kunar, Ghazni, Khost, Paktika, Kunduz, Balkh, Nangarhar and other provinces.

Panetta: US to end combat in Afghanistan next year

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — U.S. and other international forces in Afghanistan aim to end their combat role next year and switch to training and advising Afghan forces through 2014, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday.

US military raid frees American and Dane held hostage in Somalia

U.S. military forces helicoptered into Somalia in a nighttime raid Wednesday and freed two hostages, an American and a Dane, while killing nine pirates., U.S. officials confirm.

Wuterich attorney speaks about plea deal

I was in Iraq when “Haditha” hit the fan. Actually, I wasn’t too far from the actual event. It’s interesting that after 6 plus years the Marines involved have had charges dropped. It’s interesting how the ones who have never been to war or served in the countries great military are the first to point at those that have. Remember, when you point at someone, you have three fingers point back at yourself…..

Time for a CGar 

Marine Corps "Tebowing" During the last Denver game

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  A lot could be said about the Denver quarterback. He gets hammered on the field, his coaching staff is wondering if he is the real deal and all those against his religion criticize his faith. Hmmm I thought America was built on freedom of speech.

I will give him this, he stands strong, and he has the Marines on his side so stand by.

 Time for a CGar!

 

WHAT MAKES A MARINE A MARINE

Ask a Marine what's so special about the Marines and the answer would be "esprit de corps", an unhelpful French phrase that means exactly what it looks like - the spirit of the Corps, but what is that spirit, and where does it come from?

 

Marine commander fears amphibious ships shortage

Shrinking the military is never my idea of a good thing. Im kinda partial to having the trained personnel and equipment I need when I deploy. I guess I like to win. One of the biggest issues I see is our military being reduced so thin that when the time comes to fulfil ALL the commitments, we are going to be doing more with less, without the things we need and which is not the way to do business. That’s the way to get dead. Remember, those that the US military its telling “No thanks we don’t need you anymore” and booting out of the military  (into a real work friendly environment) are the ones who are battle tested through the Iraq & Afghanistan campaign. Sure, our service branches will train new recruits like no other. However, battle trains some like no other and we are telling those with battle tested skills good bye. When you tell them good bye, you simply don’t regenerate that kind of combat power again…..unless you go to war for another ten years.

I guess if you don’t actually have to go to do the fighting it doesn’t matter to you as much, but to those of us that do deploy, it’s pretty damn important. Like coming home or not important.

Time for a CGar