DuffelBlog hits it again! Although emotions surrounding this news have been mostly positive from the prisoners, the news has its naysayers. “This is bullshit!” cried prisoner SA15-2-12. “I filled out all of the forms like they said and mailed them to my regional office in Spokane, Washington. I was enrolled in school and they said it was fine if I didn’t pay up front. Now I’ve just been dropped from all my classes because my claim hasn’t been processed yet and the school hasn’t been paid! I’d rather be force-fed pork and be sprayed with a fire hose than wait [...]
Women in Combat Units
A woman Marine Officer has questioned the wisdom of allowing women in combat units. What say our loyal readers. Before you comment please read her article, thanks.
“Tripoli Gift Company”
On a lighter and much more positive note, our good friend and fellow Marine, Phat Joe of Regimental Signs announces a new venture– the Tripoli Gift Company. LOOKS LIKE A WINNER. Get your orders in now. NOW. Joe– can you do an over-sized pair of gold jump wings in resin? :-)
Me Thinks the Good Professor Has Nailed It
Over at Tom Rick’s Best Defense, an Economics Professor Eric Shuck makes a persuasive argument for ending the All Volunteer Forces. Unfortunately, few people feel this way, and the AVF makes it all the easier for them to do so. Under the AVF, the military is a job for ‘other’ people (and at the risk of putting too fine a point on it, in the context of a college campus ‘other people’ means non-upper/middle class people). That’s not good. It’s corrosive to our society. Yet it is the corrosive effects on the military itself that are most worrisome. It allows [...]
Serving the Nation Nevers Ends
I am a veteran and damn proud of it. When I entered the Army in 1976 the Army told me that if I kept my nose clean, did my job, got promoted, at the end of 20 years or so I could retire and I would receive a lifetime pension and free medical care. Being the typical twenty something I paid attention to the lifetime pension and like social security figured the rest would be there. The world was different in 1976, the Soviet menace threatened us and the national debt was manageable. We knew there were problems with social [...]
A VMI Graduates Thoughts on a Parade Honoring Iraq War Vets
While I did not write the editorial in the New York Daily News, retired Captain and VMI graduate Shannon Meehan did. I concur with his sentiments.
Colonel Ty Ty Wilson
Just read that long time Professor of Military History at VMI, Colonel Tyson “Ty Ty” Wilson died on December 21, 2011. Here is the link to his Obit . I have a plefora of Ty Ty stories. He was a real character, a great professor, and a Marine through and through. Ask all VMI graduates who knew to share a story. He was one of the greats. May he Rest in Peace. So long faithful warrior and teacher.
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 Man. Not sure I could do what these three have done!
The Post 9-11 Veteran–Interesting Insights
Rather large report; have not had a chance to digest it in entirity, but the Pew Research Center is first rate. Take a gander and let me know what you think.
"Bill Millin: Piping in D-Day"
The ever-vigilant Tony-Sahib sent this in: “Bill Millin, piper at the D-Day landings, died on August 17th, aged 88″ Aug 26th 2010 “ANY reasonable observer might have thought Bill Millin was unarmed as he jumped off the landing ramp at Sword Beach, in Normandy, on June 6th 1944. Unlike his colleagues, the pale 21-year-old held no rifle in his hands. Of course, in full Highland rig as he was, he had his trusty skean dhu, his little dirk, tucked in his right sock. But that was soon under three feet of water as he waded ashore, a weary soldier still [...]
