From the Richmond Times-Dispatch the obituary of Colonel Harold Buz Snyder for Commandant of Cadets. I did not know him well, however he was held in high regard by the members of the ROTC detachment.
What Has the Army Learned From Iraq and Afghanistan
Over at Tom Rick’s Best Defense there is an interesting discussion regarding “what the Army has learned from the wars of 9-11?” I have posted a very long comment to his original blog post; I would recommend you read the blog and the comments and then come back and read my comments which are posted [...]
Just Because the Army Says You Are a Career Field 59 (Strategic Plans and Policy) It Does Not Mean You Are a Strategist
Before anyone thinks I don’t know from whence I speak, when I retired in 2009 I was a Functional Area 59. I was a good planner but I was not a Strategist. I never pretended I was. I hope this offends every Army Officer out there who indicates in their signature block they are Strategists. [...]
The Burden of Command
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Vowell is the son of Colonel (retired) William O. Vowell, who was my Brigade Executive Officer in the 24th Infantry Division. I remember seeing Joel who was a teenager at the time. Obviously a good Commander who inherited the leadership traits of his father. See article at the Washington Post.
Stray Voltage
I am really going to piss some people off with my comments today; so be it! It appears that Congress has knuckled under to the most ruthless lobbying organization in our nation, the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and are going to approve a provision that the Chief of the National Guard [...]
Gives New Meaning to Being a Five Year Man!!!!!!
Five Year men are a reality at VMI; for those who are not graduates they are Cadets who for academic, disciplinary, or other reasons do not graduate with their class and end up graduating with a class who matriculated after they did. This article in the RTD gives new meaning to the term Five Year [...]
The Regiment
I attended the annual muster of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the Virginia Army National Guard over the weekend. The Regiment is heir not only to the lineage and honors but to the name of the famed “Stonewall Brigade.” As I looked around the room there were veterans from World War II, who now in [...]
I Have Seen the Enemy and the Enemy Is___________?
I am not a particular fan of Loren Thompson, however his piece on the failure of the Army to Modernize its equipment over at Forbes is a good read. From my foxhole the biggest problem the Army faces is sticker shock and the uncontrolled expectations of our Senior Officers and Officials that whatever the Army [...]
President’s Rendering Honors
I saw a great picture today of President Truman during his review for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. While I was not able to find the picture on line, I was able to find one of his honoring the colors as they passed in review. What struck me about this picture was how Truman rendered [...]
