Sorry, I’ve been involved in a do-it-yourself household move. We’ve got some catching up to do, and I promise more this weekend. Been a lively few days, hasn’t it?
Lance Corporal James Ashworth to be Awarded VC
Over at the Telegraph an article states that Lance Corporal James Ashworth 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards will be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. I was surprised to learn that only 13 VCs have been awarded since the end of World War II and that only 1,356 have been
Two Thousand Seven Hundred MRAPS
Now belong to DHS. Bought from the Army, apparently surplus. Why, may I ask? If the Border Patrol were using them to track and run down illegals crossing the border, like Koevoet fighting groups did to SWAPO infiltrators in what used to be South-West Africa, well, that’d be one thing. And I’d applaud it. But I can’t, for the life of me, figure out what DHS is doing with two thousand seven hundred mine-resistant ambush-protected carriers. Anybody?
They Are Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors Too
Interesting article over at Battleland.
The Army’s Uncertain Furture
Greg Jaffe over at the Washington-Post has a great article on the U. S. Army. As many are aware I am not a fan of the current Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler. It is clear that there is a distinct divide in the Army between the NCO’s like Chandler who put an emphasis on spit and polish, order, as being a sign of discipline and those who after eleven plus years of war put a premium on common sense. “His solution has been a raft of new regulations governing tattoos, the length of soldiers’ sideburns and the color [...]
The Morning After
What say we all? What does this mean for defense and national security?
Rifles! From Mr Farnam
I have found that one of the benefits of being a Farnam course alumnus is being placed on the mailing list and getting the Quips before they’re posted. Here’s one that came in the other day, and it neatly illustrates one of the critical skill sets of the practical marksman. (I don’t think he’d mind me sharing, especially since it’ll get put up shortly anyhow.) “The rifle is the weapon of democracy.” Edward Paul Abbey At an Urban Rifle Course on the East Coast last weekend, I, as always, challenged students with: “How fast can you successfully engage that threat?” [...]
Are We Becoming Another Special Interest?
Over at the World Politics Review, Abu Mugawama who is actually Andrew Exsum, has written a very provocative article which I commend to our readers. Your thoughts. Rather than choose between these two visions of military service, however, we Americans have opted for a middle option whereby we have a professional military in which men and women provide a public service — like police officers or emergency medical technicians — but are elevated to the highest echelons of publicly bestowed honor. This ambiguity hinders our ability to make even basic reforms to the military pay and benefits that will soon [...]
“Full Spectrum Operations in the Homeland”
MDL sent this in today, probably being as incensed as I was about it (ironically he and I both know one of the SWJ principals). I was planning on bringing it to everyone’s attention, with a little side note about how easy it is to despise its loathsome authors– a West Pointer and an Ivy Leaguer. But since it’s been noted elsewhere, especially at Sipsey Street’s solid takedown, my work has been done. Read it, understand it, and feel free to weigh in.There is much to mock, much to dislike, but also much to file away for future use. I [...]
