Reader RDL sent this in with the comment, “What is it about life above the BG level where they seem to go all wobbly? I’ve read Dooley’s course materials and from an academic stand-point (this was a war college course right?) it really didn’t seem that out there to me. What say you?” Political correctness is always petty, often infuriating, and sometimes does no permanent harm. But occasionally it’s a threat to the nation’s security. When a paperclip general at the Pentagon surrenders to the enemy at the first sound of the popguns, the harm can be permanent. Gen. Martin [...]
Military Pregnancies… Not from DuffelBlog
Not from DuffelBlog, but I wish it was: “Time to curb unintended military pregnancies” A new study in the February 2013 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that “eleven percent of [military] women reported an unintended pregnancy in the prior 12 months,” and that this trend grew worse from 2005 to 2008. These findings, combined with the added knowledge that repeated studies have demonstrated low rates of contraception use by servicewomen of reproductive age, clearly delineate an area in need of focused attention by the Defense Department’s Military Health System. Remedy of this situation is prudent, not only as a [...]
I’m Sure Her Esteemed Alma Mater Is Very Proud of Her
Talk about losing sight of the objective. She took a slot in that class that could have been filled by someone dedicated to being a soldier and an officer. Oh, wait– he might have been Jesus-obsessed. Can’t have that. Fire away.
“A ‘Star’ Is Porn”
Had a stroke of genius today while ruminating on a possible creative venture. I think it would be great fun to make a porn video that re-enacts, in exact detail and with an eye toward correct uniforms and rank insignia, the evidence and testimony in BG Sinclair’s court martial proceedings. Sort of a dramatized documentary– a cock-umentary, if you will– but with no artistic license taken. Just a strict adherence to the facts and evidence. And I have the perfect title: “A ‘Star’ Is Porn.” And an even better idea: use young Army vets for the actors. What former SPC [...]
General Officers are Special–Not Like You and Me
Okay boys and girls I can’t pass this up, the CSA, General “Big Ray” Odierno stated in Army Times, that: Demoting a four-star general for spending misconduct could be harsh and would force the officer to lose as much as $1 million in retirement pay, the Army’s top military officer said Monday, noting that a lower level officer would never be asked to pay such a high price. That’s right boys and girls a lower ranking officer wouldn’t suffer as much. I guess he failed to ask COL (Formerly) Johnson, or the myriad of other Officers, NCOs, and Soldiers would [...]
Report: “Colonel’s Career in Limbo”
This is NOT a DuffelBlog article, but it is every bit as perverse and far more pernicious. When ArmyLt. Col. Matthew Dooley last year began teaching a class to fellow officers on the dangers of radical Islam, he seemed to have landed in a perfect spot. A highly rated armor officer who saw combat in Iraq, Col. Dooley planned to instruct for several years at the Joint Forces Staff College within the National Defense University, then seek command of a combat battalion — a ticket to better postings and higher rank. Today, Col. Dooley finds himself at a dead end [...]
WTF–The Army Is Unable to Spare Non-Commissioned Officers
I was over at the VMI web site tonight, as always I looked at the employment opportunities. Imagine my surprise when I saw this, an advertisement for Military Science Training Non-Commissioned Officers. WTF–the Army can’t find NCOs. Of the ROTC instructors I had at VMI, SFC Okie Sims, and MSG Bigger left a lasting impression. They were professionals. The knew the Army, they had served in Vietnam. MSG Bigger talked to us about the M16 protection stick. SFC Sims was the type of NCO who had a Silver Star and an Article 15 for the same act in Vietnam. So [...]
Army PT Test
Over at Carl Prine’s Line of Departure there is a good discussion about the Sergeant Major of the Army’s recent remarks that the Army needs to make the APFT harder by making it a four mile run and twelve mile ruck march. The sentiment of many at Prine’s blog was this was another case of a lifer NCO opening his mouth and stupid falling out. I have to agree, and I am afraid to say I think this SMA is going to be an absolute bust. I think he is more interested in what looks good than making sure the [...]
