Thursday, July 29, 2010

Customs and Border Patrol wants YOU!

File under 'More than one way to skin a cat':

CBP Accepting Applications for Positions on Southwest Border

CBP U.S. Border Patrol Accepting Applications

(Friday, July 23, 2010)

contacts for this news release

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is currently taking applications for Border Patrol Agents with duty locations on the Southwest Border. The open period began July 14 and closes September 30. Early hiring consideration will be given to those applicants who complete the online registration process by July 31 and test by August 27. [Emphasis mine]

For more information or to apply online please visit the U.S. Border Patrol recruitment website. ( www.borderpatrol.gov ) CBP is an equal opportunity employer.

Five things a Border Patrol recruit can expect:

  1. Border Patrol recruits earn between $38,000 and $49,000 during their first year, with the potential of earning up to $70,000 per year within three years of service.
  2. Benefits include federal health insurance, life insurance, retirement and additional pay in overtime opportunities.
  3. Successful Border Patrol candidates will complete a rigorous screening process, which includes a written examination and structured interview, language aptitude or Spanish proficiency test, along with an initial and second physical fitness test, medical examination, and drug test.
  4. Training is provided and includes a 55-day basic training program. Those who have not successfully passed the Spanish proficiency exam in the academy will complete an additional 40-day Spanish immersion course upon completing the training. All training is conducted in Artesia, N.M.
  5. Initial assignments will be in Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas.

As the primary federal law enforcement agency between the ports of entry, the U.S. Border Patrol is the mobile, uniformed law enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security.

The Border Patrol’s mission is to prevent terrorists and their weapons of terrorism from entering the United States. The Border Patrol’s endeavor is to enforce the laws that protect America’s homeland through the detection, interdiction and apprehension of those individuals who attempt to illegally enter or smuggle any person or contraband across our nation’s sovereign borders.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone:(202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax:(202) 344-1393



You know what to do here. Get to it!


H/T Jane

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Wednesday Hero

Warrant Officer John W. Hermann
Warrant Officer John W. Hermann (Pictured Right)
7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG
U.S. Marine Corps

A Marine warrant officer received the Silver Star on July 15 during a short ceremony in Afghanistan. On Feb. 26, 2008, then-Staff Sgt. John W. Hermann, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, accompanied a team with Company B, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, on a combat reconnaissance patrol through Dahaneh, a village in southern Afghanistan held by Taliban forces.

While on the patrol, the team came under a barrage of fire from rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, machine guns and small-arms fire. Hermann, according to the award citation, jumped out of his vehicle with another Marine and ran toward a group of entrenched fighters.

You can read the rest of Warrant Officer John W. Hermann's story here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo


--

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Greta

Ernie Pyle
Ernie Pyle
August 3, 1900 – April 18, 1945

Ernie Pyle is oft considered the best, and most loved, war correspondent in American history. Pyle's involvement with the military began early in his life. He wasn't even 18 years old when he joined the Navy Reserve, but because WWI ended soon after he only served for three month.

After he dropped out of Indiana University he began his career in journalism when he worked for a local Indiana paper for three months after which he got a job at The Washington Daily News. In 1928 he became the countries first aviation columnist. Pyle stayed on at The Daily News until 1942 when America entered WWII.

His style of writing during this time was different than anyone else was doing. Pyle wrote from the perspective of the Soldier. A style that won him popularity as well as the Pulitzer.

On April 18, 1945 Ernie Pyle was killed on Ie Shima, an island off Okinawa Honto when he was hit by enemy fire. He was riding in a Jeep with Lt. Col. Joseph B. Coolidge when a machine gun began firing at them. They stopped and ran for a ditch. Pyle's last words were to Lt. Col. Coolidge when he asked him "Are you all right?"

Upon his death, Ernie Pyle was buried with his helmet on, the Army, Navy and Marine Corps were all represented at his service and he was one of the few American civilians to be awarded the Purple Heart.




These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..."




BBC

Go to the BBC link to see original video of the moon walk..



CBC

"It was simply a night of magic...." Knowlton Nash, CBC...


20th July, 1969. It really WAS a night of absolute magic for humanity. Something I will never forget watching from London, as the reach, the majesty, of American imagination was on display for the world to see.

Monday, July 19, 2010

A really sad day for America: Lt. Col Chessani retires

I have written about Lt. Col Chessani a few times. Today he retires. My long time regular readers know very well how I feel about the disgraceful way this fine American, and his family, have been treated. Throughout his fight for justice for himself and his beloved Marine Corps troops, Lt. Col. Chessani was defended every step of the way by the Thomas More Law Center.

Today they released this statement:



A Sad Day for America and the Marine Corps—LtCol Chessani Retires

Monday July 19, 2010

Chessani Case - Jeff and Alisssa 2ANN ARBOR, MI – He defended our Nation for over twenty-three years . . . often away from his wife and children . . . so that we could be home safely with ours. All patriotic Americans owe a debt of gratitude to this American hero.

After a protracted four and a half year legal ordeal over the “Haditha massacre” - a massacre that never happened - LtCol Jeffrey Chessani completed his final day of active duty service in the United States Marine Corps last Friday, July 16, 2010. Thus ended the promising career of one of America’s most effective combat leaders in Iraq—a political scapegoat to appease the anti-war press and politicians.

LtCol Chessani served three combat tours in Iraq as well as serving in the First Persian Gulf War and in Panama, receiving numerous awards and honors. At the time of the Haditha incident, he was commander of the 3rd Battalion (“The Thundering Third”), 1st Marines—one of the most decorated units in the history of the Marine Corps.

This loyal Marine officer faced criminal charges as a result of a legitimate combat action taken by four of his Marines after being ambushed by insurgents in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005. He cared deeply about the young Marines entrusted to his command, and refused to “throw them under the bus” to save his own career.

On November 19, 2005, at approximately 7:15 a.m., a Marine convoy was rolling through Haditha, Iraq — a terrorist stronghold. Suddenly, a roadside bomb went off, destroying a Marine Humvee, killing one Marine and seriously injuring two others.

The Marines immediately received fire from the ambushing insurgents, who were shooting from nearby civilian-occupied homes. A four-man fire team responded as trained: they cleared several houses occupied by the armed insurgents, and in the ensuing room-by-room, house-by-house gun battle, it was reported eight enemy were killed.

Tragically 15 civilians also died. In urban combat, where insurgents purposefully use civilians as human shields, civilian casualties are tragic, but not uncommon. In fact, sometimes the insurgents themselves kill civilians to achieve a propaganda victory by blaming the Americans.

LtCol Chessani immediately reported the deaths of the 15 civilian Iraqis to his superiors. Upon hearing of the 15 civilian deaths, not one of LtCol Chessani’s superiors ─ including top generals ─ considered it unusual. Not one ordered a further investigation. In fact, they commended him for a job well done.

However, several months later, a known Al Qaeda propaganda operative instigated an inflammatory Time magazine news article written by reporter Tim McGirk – later proven to be false – accusing the Marines of massacring innocent civilians.

Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a leading anti-war critic, saw his opportunity and jumped in. Murtha was head of the House military appropriations subcommittee –a position with significant power over the military. He echoed the Time magazine story.

Murtha appeared on several major television networks and publicly accused the young enlisted Marines of “cold bloodedmurder and Marine officers of a “cover-up.” He blamed it all on the stress of being in Iraq too long. Incredibly, these accusations were made even before the investigation was completed.

Murtha was the same person caught on tape negotiating bribes with Arab Sheiks during the FBI’s 1980 Abscam investigation – he was an un-indicted co-conspirator in that case.

The trumped-up charge: failing to properly report and investigate the November 19, 2005 incident. The Government did everything it could to convict LtCol Chessani. It spent millions of taxpayer dollars, employed over 65 Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents ─ the largest investigation in that agency’s history ─ and granted immunity to scores of witnesses, all in their attempt to make Jeffrey and the “Haditha Marines” political scapegoats.

Lt. Colonel Paul Ware, USMC, an Investigating Officer who heard testimony in several cases involving the charged enlisted Marines, blasted the credibility of the government witnesses and expressed concern that the allegations were nothing but a tactic “to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq.” He went on to say:

“Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy . . . ”

Retired General Thomas McInerney, former Joint Force Commander and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, called the prosecutions of the Haditha Marines “despicable.” He warned:

“We cannot fight a war like that . . . We’re not taking care of our people.”

Evidence of what our nation lost by the unjust prosecution of LtCol Chessani, can be garnered from a few excerpts from his official Combat Fitness Report, a required annual evaluation of a Marine officer’s performance prepared by his superiors. It covered the period of September 2005 to February 2006 ─ which included the date of the Haditha incident:


“Leads Marines from front in every operation. Demonstrates moral courage every day. Doesn’t hesitate to report bad news fast or contest unrealistic plans/poor concepts. Despite the complexity and size of his AO [area of operations], he always maintains a calm, cool demeanor.”
• “Always seeks advantage over complex, diverse insurgent enemy. Truly one of the finer thinkers in this COIN environment.”
• “One of the top 3” infantry/cavalry battalion commanders “of 13 who have served with RCT –2 [the regiment] during OIF. A superb leader, who knows his men, knows the enemy, knows his business. Doesn’t attract a lot of fanfare; just gets the job done to an exceedingly high standard.”
• “Long ball hitter; recommend selection for promotion to Colonel and TLS [Top Level School].

The Reviewing Officer, Major General Huck added his comments: “Top notch officer with outstanding potential. Promote and select for TLS [Top Level School]. Post TLS slate for Regimental command and subsequent joint tour. Unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps. Capable of the most challenging assignments.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and detailed military lawyers, LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC, and Capt Jeffery King, USMC, successfully defended LtCol Chessani throughout his prosecution. The criminal charges against Chessani were dismissed on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence. The government lost its appeals of that dismissal.

Not giving up its quest for a scapegoat, the government then convened a Board of Inquiry to determine allegations of misconduct. On December 11, 2009, the Board of Inquiry ruled that LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct, but stated he must retire without loss of rank. And on June 25, 2010, the Secretary of Navy announced his acceptance of the military Board of Inquiry findings.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.



(
For more background on this case, you can go to TMLC and use their search engine. )

Today IS a sad day for America. What happened to this hero, and the other Marines smeared by both the media and the politicians, continues to blow a very chill wind throughout all our military.

Every single one of these men conducted themselves with dignity and honour as they defended their good names.

Lt. Col. Chessani, I extend my gratitude and respect to you for your exemplary service to America. The USA is blessed to have numbered you among her heroes and is, without any doubt, the poorer for your retirement.

I wish you and your family many years of joyful retirement.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Every Day Hero:The children also serve


Meet Brittany Stewart:




Summer Camp for children of fallen Canadian soldiers

Sean Chase



PETAWAWA -A few summers ago Brittany Stewart and her sister, Sarah, were attending a camp for military children when they found themselves in a difficult situation.

The campers had gotten together with their counsellor to talk about what it would be like when their deployed mother or father came home from Afghanistan. The two girls immediately felt out of place. Their father wasn't coming home.

"Brittany loved everything about the camp and loved making new friends," explained the girls' mother, Christa Stewart. "When she got home she got to thinking that if she was feeling this way, there may be other kids who would be feeling the exact same."

Life changed for the Stewart family on April 11, 2007 when Master Cpl. Allan Stewart, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, was killed after his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device west of Kandahar City. He was on his way to assist another vehicle that had been disabled by a mine. Trooper Patrick James Pentland also died in the blast.

Brittany was only 12 at the time. Her sister, Sarah, was nine. While attending "Hero Camp" at Bloomfield, Ontario near Trenton, Brittany found they could not relate to the other kids after that discussion.

"It was awkward. The kids treated us differently after that," Brittany said, noting it was there that she dreamed up the concept for this special camp. "I really hope this makes a difference."...

Read more here.

Brittany's FaceBook page, Support for Children of the Fallen, says this:

I set this group up to be of help to those children who have lost their parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters in Afghanistan. We need to support each other.
I lost my dad (MCpl Allan Stewart) in April 11th, 2007 (Here)

There is a beautiful poem on that page. Check it out.




Master Corporal Allan Stewart, who was killed April 11, 2007, is seen in this photo taken from his geocities website while he was on patrol in Afghanistan.

..."He was a straight shooter," said Ken Finney, a teacher at the Art Institute of Toronto who knew MCpl. Stewart by his on-line nickname, Dr. Evil TAG. "He never dealt anybody a bad hand. You had this mental image of this guy with a wide smile."

MCpl. Stewart was born in Newcastle, N.B., in 1977 and joined the Canadian Forces in 1997. He served on his first tour of duty abroad in 2001, in Bosnia. In 2003, he was posted to Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Athena.

MCpl. Stewart empathized with the local population, which has endured decades of fighting. (Globe and Mail here)

It is obvious that Brittany and her sister Sarah meant the world to their daddy:

Soldier's family grieves

Master Cpl. Allan Stewart, who died in Afghanistan on Wednesday when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb, was born for the military but lived for his two daughters, says his sister.

Master Cpl. Allan Stewart, who died in Afghanistan on Wednesday when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb, was born for the military but lived for his two daughters, says his sister.

"He was about family. Even though he was quiet and kept to himself, we knew he was there for us," said his sister, Tanya Safard, a Saskatoon resident.

"He said this was his last tour. He wanted to be home with his daughters." Stewart, 30, was killed with Trooper Patrick James Pentland, 23, just west of Kandahar City when their convoy of armoured vehicles was attacked. They were members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ont.

A career military man, Stewart lived in Trout Brook, N.B., with his wife and two daughters, Brittney, 12, and Sarah, 8.

"He had two younger sisters and two daughters.

Allan was a protector. . . . He was born to do this.

He's always been a fi ghter," Safard said. "He spent almost every minute he had with his daughters when he was home." Stewart's other sister, Tammy Shackleton, and his grandmother were in Saskatoon with Safard on Wednesday night mourning Stewart's death.

"(Allan) was strong-willed. He was very quiet, but caring,...(Star Phoenix Saskatoon here)

Another FaceBook page, set up to share memories of Mcpl Stewart, has this:

...As you can tell, Stewie was liked by all, hated by few and remembered by everyone. He is a legend in the RCD. A true friend and quite the comedian I might add. No matter what the outcome, he always had a smile on his face or made you smile. RIP brother and get the carts ready for the next challenge! (here)
This week, children of Canadian fallen heroes are at a summer camp, which was begun by Brittany and Sarah. I am sure that Mcpl Allan Stewart is looking on, so very proud of his beloved daughters. His legacy lives on through his children.

Thank you, Brittany. Thank you, Sarah.

The children also serve.

Music and Me

Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Message from Commander Kirk S. Lippold (USS Cole)



A Message from Commander Kirk S. Lippold


"I need your help in honoring America's fallen Heroes"

Ten years ago this October, I saw the face of evil as the ship I commanded, the USS Cole, was bombed by al Qaeda terrorists. On that unforgettable day, the incredible men and women on that ship -- some of the bravest and finest Sailors I have ever known -- saved the Cole and many of her crew. Sadly, we lost 17 of our fellow Sailors on that fateful day.

In a singular moment, the true meaning of sacrifice was crystallized in my mind. The freedom you and I enjoy as Americans is precious. Like all things of value, it comes at a cost. Imagine if that cost was your child, your spouse, your parent, or any dearly loved family member. For America's Gold Star families, that thought is their reality.

I need your help in honoring the service and sacrifice of America's fallen Heroes.

The families of our nation's fallen Heroes have had their loved ones make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Our lives are blessed by the freedoms their sacrifice affords, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge these families and demonstrate our appreciation for the price they have paid. Though we know we can never repay them for what they have given, we can honor that service and sacrifice...

Will you join me in giving something back to these special families? Link here for sponsorships: http://www.weekendofremembrance.com/sponsorships.html




Next week, Families United will honor the families of America's fallen servicemen and women at the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance - the country's largest gathering of Gold Star families. Because Families United believes these families have already given enough, and counting on your generosity, they host this event for Gold Star families free of charge. They need your help to pay tribute to these brave men and women and their families. Each of these parents, spouses and children will join together to celebrate a loved one that gave their life fighting in support of America and our freedom.

For the price of taking your family out to dinner, you can change the life of the family of a fallen military Hero. To these families, they won't just be recognizing a brave Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman or Marine; they will be remembering and celebrating the life of their fallen Hero.

A gift of just $50 will cover the cost for a family member to attend the weekend of events.
A gift of $250 covers the cost for an entire Gold Star family to enjoy this incredible weekend.

Please join me in supporting the families and honoring their Heroes through the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance and visit the website to help sponsor a family. 100% of all donations go directly to this event.

Your tax-deductible financial gift is a simple acknowledgement of the ultimate price paid by our fallen Heroes and the loved ones they left behind.

Kind Regards,

Commander Kirk S. Lippold, U.S. Navy (Ret)
Former Commander, USS Cole

DONATE here: http://www.familiesunitedmission.com/support2.html

Only Israel









From Monkey In the Middle:

Friday, July 16, 2010

Only Israel

A hit on YouTube with over 350,000 views, Yedida Freilich's song "Only Israel" speaks the truth louder than the meager words I can write.
A 22-year-old pianist from the Gush Etzion settlement of Neveh Daniel has become the latest YouTube phenomenon with her pro-Israel hasbara song “Only Israel.”

Yedida Freilich, a composition student at the capital’s Rubin Academy of Music and Dance, wrote the mournful piano ballad along with her father, Gabby, and brother Yuval, following the Gaza flotilla incident last month. In only two weeks, the video has attracted over 350,000 views on YouTube and turned Freilich into a celebrity in nationalist circles.

“The song transpired by chance,” Gabby Freilich told The Jerusalem Post this week from Australia, where he was visiting family. “One of Yedida’s projects in school was to compose a musical piece for a political song. As it happened, the assignment fell on the same week as the flotilla.”

Freilich said he was moved to write down lyrics after seeing the world’s reaction to the IDF raid on the Mavi Marmara, which left nine passengers dead.

The video clip of her moving performance on piano and vocals, with lyrics switching between English and Hebrew, is juxtaposed with images of Kassam rockets, St.-Sgt. Gilad Schalit, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, judge Richard Goldstone and the Mavi Marmara.

The lyrics decry the double standard Freilich says Israel faces when trying to defend itself, and includes couplets such as “Eight thousand rockets is no excuse / suicide bombers, it’s all just a ruse” and a Hebrew chorus of “Darfur is ignored, Russian troops in Chechnya, only Israel has no right to defend itself, because the world cares nothing about Jewish blood.”

“It was obvious to me that this was a hasbara [public diplomacy] song. Our efforts at explaining what happened with the flotilla were so appalling, and this did so well in explaining our positions, I knew it had to go on YouTube,” said Freilich.

He found a professional videographer, Daniel Sass, who volunteered his time, and together they chose the images and produced the clip.

Freilich insisted that the song appear with English, Hebrew and Arabic subtitles.

“I thought that it was important that the Arabs would be able to understand it,” he said.

“I think it’s a powerful song and a great tune. Yedida sings it from the heart. You can tell she’s involved in the lyrics and the performance, because it’s part of her life – her friends and her family are involved.”

Read the full story here.

Only Israel





Pass this on!



Commander in Chief?










At a time when America IS at war, it is enlightening to compare the resumes of two of the leading figures in implementing this Global War on Terror:

2 Biographies - READ both

General McChrystal - Biography

Commander, International Security Assistance Force/
Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan
United States Army

SOURCE OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE: USMA EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
United States Military Academy - BS - No Major
United States Naval War College - MA - National Security and Strategic Studies
Salve Regina University - MS - International Relations
MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
United States Naval Command and Staff College
Senior Service College Fellowship Harvard University
FOREIGN LANGUAGES:
Spanish
PROMOTIONS DATE OF APPOINTMENT:
2LT 2 Jun 76
1LT 2 Jun 78
CPT 1 Aug 80
MAJ 1 Jul 87
LTC 1 Sep 92
COL 1 Sep 96
BG <http://file/l> 1 Jan 01
MG 1 May 04
LTG 16 Feb 06
GEN 11 Jun 09
FROM TO ASSIGNMENT:
Nov 76 Feb 78 Weapons Platoon Leader, C Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Feb 78 Jul 78 Rifle Platoon Leader, C Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Jul 78 Nov 78 Executive Officer, C Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Nov 78 Apr 79 Student, Special Forces Officer Course, Special Forces School <http://file/l> , Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Apr 79 Jun 80 Commander, Detachment A, A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Jun 80 Feb 81 Student, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia
Feb 81 Mar 82 S2/S3 (Intelligence/Operations <http://file/l> ), United Nations Command Support Group Joint Security Area, Korea
Mar 82 Nov 82 Training Officer, Directorate of Plans and Training, A Company, Headquarters Command, Fort Stewart, Georgia
Nov 82 Sep 84 Commander, A Company, 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia
Sep 84 Sep 85 S3 (Operations), 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia
Sep 85 Jan 86 Liaison Officer, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger <http://file/l> Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia
Jan 86 May 87 Commander, A Company, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia
May 87 Apr 88 Liaison Officer, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia
Apr 88 Jun 89 S3 (Operations), 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia
Jun 89 Jun 90 Student, Command and Staff Course, United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
Jun 90 Apr 93 Army Special Operations Action Officer, J3, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/STORM, Saudi Arabia
Apr 93 Nov 94 Commander, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Nov 94 Jun 96 Commander, 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington
Jun 96 Jun 97 Senior Service College Fellowship, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jun 97 Aug 99 Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia
Aug 99 Jun 00 Military Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York
Jun 00 Jun 01 Assistant Division Commander (Operations), 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina to include duty as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Kuwait, Camp Doha, Kuwait
Jun 01 Jul 02 Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, Fort Bragg, North Carolina to include duty as Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force180, OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM, Afghanistan
Jul 02 Sep 03 Vice Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC
Sep 03 Feb 06 Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Feb 06 Jun 08 Commander, Joint Special Operations Command/Commander, Joint Special Operations Command Forward, United States Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Aug 08 Jun 09 Director, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC
Jun 09 Present Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS:
S2/S3 (Intelligence/Operations),
United Nations Command Support Group Joint Security Area, Korea (Feb 81-Mar 82, Captain)
Army Special Operations Action Officer, J3, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/STORM, Saudi Arabia Jun 90-Apr 93 Major/Lieutenant Colonel)
Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, Fort Bragg, North Carolina to include duty as Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force180, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan (Jun 01-Jul 02, Brigadier General)
Vice Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC (Jul 02-Sep 03, Brigadier General)
Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Sep 03-Feb 06, Brigadier General/Major General)
Commander, Joint Special Operations Command/Commander, Joint Special Operations
Command Forward, United States Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Feb 06-Jun 08, Major General/Lieutenant General)
Director, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC (Aug 08-Jun 09, Lieutenant General)
Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan (Jun 09-Present, General)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNMENTS DATE GRADE
Army Special Operations Action Officer, J3, Joint Special Operations Command, OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/STORM, Saudi Arabia (Jun 90-Mar 91, Major)
Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Kuwait, Camp Doha, Kuwait (Apr 01-Jun 01, Brigadier General)
Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force180, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan (May 02-Jul 02, Brigadier General)
Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan (Jun 09- Present, General)
US DECORATIONS AND BADGES:
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab
Special Forces Tab
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

*****************************










Obama Biography:

Birthplace: Location remains questionable. Proof of United States Citizenship still questioned.
Education: Columbia University, Harvard Law School. Records never produced, attendance remains questionable.
Military Career: None
Business Career: None
Political Career: Community organizer, Chicago, 1983-86; civil rights attorney, Chicago, 1991-96; 153 days in Congress.
University of Chicago, lecturer, early 1990s-2004; Illinois State Senator, 1996-2005; U.S. Senator, 2005-2008; President 2008-.
__________________________


I believe the wrong guy resigned.


Food for thought. One man's resume is an open book. The other? Not so much. No, I have not checked the details here, but am sure General McChrystal's resume is public record, and easily verifiable. BHO's resume? Again, not so much!

Any questions?

H/T Ed..

Friday, July 16, 2010

B*N*S*N1

‘Smile Train’ returns to help Iraqi kids

Written by 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command PAO Monday, July 12, 2010



A mother and her 4-year-old son rest together in a recovery room following surgery to repair the boy’s cleft pallet, June 26, 2010. The surgery was performed at a mobile medical treatment facility on Contingency Operating Base Adder by volunteer doctors from Smile Train Italia. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Patrick Wilson.


COB ADDER — A groggy little boy looks up from his mother’s lap. The presence of American Soldiers in his room is certainly not expected. His face brightens a bit after he and his mother receive small bags of treats from the Americans.

His recovery room is actually part of an elaborate mobile hospital run by the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team for Dhi Qar province, led by representatives of the Italian government.

The compound here is also home to numerous training and outreach programs. It houses a new improvised field hospital that provides care for Iraqi citizens unable to get treatment elsewhere.

Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), visited the facility in late June to learn more about the services offered and to bring gifts sent to Iraqi children from families in the National Guard unit’s home state of Virginia.

The visit by the infantry Soldiers was the result of an invitation from Steve Burton, a civilian police adviser-trainer, and a Martinsville, Va., native who wanted his fellow Virginians to learn more about the programs being offered.

In addition to childhood and family education programs, Iraqi Highway Patrol professional training, horticulture classes and English language classes, the PRT is also partnering with an international charity which has a mission to provide corrective surgery for children born with a cleft lip or pallet....



Much more on this B*N*S*N story here.

B*N*S*N2




July 09, 2010

Video of Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division's 1-87 Infantry Battalion in Kunduz, Afghanistan, help the Afghan National Army and the Afghan Police enforce security in the region. U.S. and Afghan troops go on daily missions to interact with the villagers. During one of their patrols, locals told Afghan troops the ferry used to cross the river had sank. Specialist Marlon Styles shows us a joint mission where both the U.S. and Afghan troops attempt to stay dry. Produced by Spc. Marlon Styles.

B*N*S*N3

Army Rock Band Plays for ISAF Troops

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tania Reid
ISAF Public Affairs Office


KABUL, Afghanistan (July 11) - In an effort to promote espirit de corps, the members of the 101st Airborne Division Rock Band played a mix of rock, country and alternative music for servicemembers at a live concert held in the Destille Gardens at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters here July 11.

“We are located at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Iaian Thompson, lead male vocalist, 101st ABN Division Rock Band. “Our mission is to use our music lifts the spirits of the servicemembers at the areas we visit such as at the forward operating bases, provincial reconstruction teams in Nangarhar, Kandahar , Jalalabad and anybody who wants to hear us.”

The five-member band, also referred to as “Nuts,” plays remixed songs, cover tunes and music from popular bands in the U.S.

“We got our name from the movie the ‘Battle of the Bulge’," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Brown, the manager for the 101st ABN Division Rock Band.

The band was named after the famous single word reply to a German surrender ultimatum “Nuts” made by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Anthony McAulife commander of the 101st ABN Battalion during the Battle of Bastogne in Belgium.

“It’s a very significant name for the band and memorable,” he said. “We hope to get the servicemembers in a better mood when we play the songs.”

More than 100 members from ISAF attended the concert, and were treated to an eclectic blend of some of the top songs on the rock charts.

“The band members choose the songs based on the crowd participation,” said Brown. “Our audience usually prefers to listen to the remixed music or the original version of the songs.”

Attendee U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Kerrigan Glaspie, ISAF, said the band was awesome.

“This is my first time attending the 101st Airborne Division Rock Band’s concert and I think they are really good,” he added. “Being deployed you miss quite a lot from home and attending concerts is one of them, but listening to the band play today brought back very fond memories.”

The band is scheduled to play at Kandahar, the Nangarhar Province and Jalalabad to continue their mission of bringing rock music to servicemembers in deployed locations.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/isafmedia/sets/72157624476157154/


(source)

B*N*S*N4

MOD police officer rewarded for training Afghan police women

A People In Defence news article

15 Jul 10

The first female MOD police officer to train women in the Afghan National Police (ANP) has been awarded two national awards for her outstanding work during her deployment to Afghanistan.

Sgt McManus trains female Afghan police officers

MOD police officer Isabella McManus trains female Afghan police officers to use the Sig Sauer 9mm pistol
[Picture: Corporal Steve Wood, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]



Sergeant Isabella McManus spent the majority of her six-month deployment in 2009 training female Afghan police officers to work as equals alongside their male counterparts.

On arriving in theatre, Sgt McManus felt she could not stand by and do nothing after seeing how the women lacked training and knowledge of equipment, and dedicated her deployment to developing their skills.

In recognition of her efforts in Afghanistan, Sgt McManus, who is based at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, near Helensburgh, has been given the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) Leadership Award and Opportunity Now's Champion Award.

She was also short-listed in the final three for the Forces section of the Daily Record Our Heroes Awards.

Sgt McManus said:

"I am very humbled to have been nominated for these three awards and to have won two of them. But this is not just about me. This recognition is for every woman in Afghanistan who is brave enough to put on a police uniform.

"Every day they put their lives on the line to help build a better Afghanistan for the future."...

Sergeant Isabella McManus

Sergeant Isabella McManus
[Picture: Sergeant Rob Knight RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]


More here.

A related video of Afghan women being trained here. GO watch here...


B*N*S*N bonus!




Female Marines participated in the first ever all-female jungle survival course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa. Cpl. Amber Watson reports. (here)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

NASA: In the Constellation Cassiopeia


In the Constellation Cassiopeia

Tycho's Supernova, the red circle visible in the upper left part of the image, is SN 1572 is a remnant of a star explosion is named after the astronomer Tycho Brahe, although he was not the only person to observe and record the supernova. When the supernova first appeared in November 1572, it was as bright as Venus and could be seen in the daytime. Over the next two years, the supernova dimmed until it could no longer be seen with the naked eye. In the 1950s, the remnants of the supernova could be seen again with the help of telescopes.

When the star exploded, it sent out a blast wave into the surrounding material, scooping up interstellar dust and gas as it went, like a snow plow. An expanding shock wave traveled into the surroundings and a reverse shock was driven back in toward the remnants of the star. Previous observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope indicate that the nature of the light that WISE sees from the supernova remnant is emission from dust heated by the shock wave.

To the right is a star-forming nebula of dust and gas, called S175. This cloud of material is about 3,500 light-years away and 35 light-years across. It is heated by radiation from the young, hot stars within it, and the dust within the cloud radiates infrared light.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA

DTRT Ministries Calls for Resignation of Barack Hussein Obama

When Pastor Ed talks, I listen:

DTRT Ministries Calls for Resignation of Barack Hussein Obama


By cyberpastor
July 13, 2010













Last week on a broadcast of Do The Right Thing Radio, I announced that I was going to be calling for the resignation of Barack Hussein Obama. I have given this topic much thought and much prayer. My prayer was to say and do this in a way that is meaningful and not just partisan words.

I love my country, but I love my God even more. With the knowledge of how this country was founded upon Godly principles by Godly men, most of whom firmly believed in the authority of Jesus Christ, I am dismayed that this nation continues to move farther and farther away from the God of the Holy Bible. I believe that the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania is currently leading the charge away from God.


The lack of respect and disregard of the U.S. Constitution can no longer be ignored.


With this in mind and with the following two articles probably saying it better than I can:


I, Pastor Ed Boston, am calling on Barack Hussein Obama to immediately resign the office of President of the United States of America!

As the petition at the bottom says, if no resignation is rendered, then I am calling on members of the House of Representatives to begin articles of impeachment.

May God continue to bless America!

Pastor Ed Boston...

You can find this petition, and the other columns on this topic, here.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Wednesday Hero does not support this, or any other, candidate running for political office. It is only honoring his service.

Cpt. Steven Edward Pearce
Cpt. Steven Edward Pearce(Ret.)
U.S. Air Force

What is a hero? U.S. Army Captain John Williams was quoted recently in the June 2010 Special Edition of The Stars and Stripes article called "In Search Of Heroes" described it this way: "If it goes down and if you're in (a bad situation), these guys are not going to stop trying to help you out, even if it means getting killed." Steven Edward Pearce is a hero.

While serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force Steve Pearce received three personal military decorations for heroism. The Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medal's. In addition to those he also received 2 Air Force Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

You can read more about Steve Pearce here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo

Song For Gilad










Shalit

A Song and Prayer for Gilad Shalit: Take a Little Time to Pray


A 78-year-old Jerusalem Jewish resident and a Northern Ireland Christian have teamed up to produce an extraordinary video and song for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity under the guard of Hamas and allied terrorists since June 25, 2006.

They sent it to INN and asked us to post it. Here is the link:




British native and psychotherapist Elchanan Berkovitz told Israel National News he had produced a video from pictures of Shalit and wanted a song to go along with it, similar to an effort he made for missing Air Force navigator Ron Arad.

“I found someone in the Northern Ireland Friends for Israel group who said that a singer named Jim Clint had written a song for Gilad,” Berkovitz says.

After they made contact and collaborated on the project, Berkovitz posted the video and song on YouTube and showed it to Shalit’s parents on a visit to their protest tent near the office of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

"It is one thing to read about people and see pictures on television,” Berkovitz relates. "To actually be with them and see and share their pain is a humbling experience. I told them the story about Jim Clint, a Christian supporter of Israel, who was moved to write the song about Gilad."

Clint lived in Israel for nearly a decade and worked as a maintenance manager at a hostel in Tel Aviv. He is an educator for an Irish Christian community that celebrates the Jewish origins of their faith.

"Like everyone else I watched with horror the story of the Gaza flotilla and the ongoing conflict between Jews and Arabs", Clint explains. "I have witnessed myself the aftermath of a suicide bombing in the Machaneh Yehuda market in Jerusalem in July 1997. I couldn’t help thinking that in all the waves of criticism which is engulfing Israel at the moment, no one was saying anything about a young Israeli in Gaza, deprived of every human right, and facing the most awful threats if his kidnappers don’t get their way.

"I wanted Gilad’s family to know that in a far away country like Northern Ireland there are people who have not forgotten Gilad and pray for his return to his family. Like millions of others around the world, I want to give the Shalit family encouragement and hope"...

Lyrics and more at Israel National News here.

May he come home soon.


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

BIGGEST Tea Party Success Now an Official Member of the Turncoat Caucus

BIGGEST Tea Party Success Now an Official Member of the Turncoat Caucus

By JB Williams


Saying "I told you so" is getting way too easy and far too common these days. Besides, I take no pleasure in being right these days. My recent predictions are usually so horrific that I would much rather be wrong.

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown represents the greatest achievement of the Tea Party nationwide. When the Tea Party decided to take away Kennedy's life-long senate seat and put a Republican in it, they demonstrated that they have the power to make things happen.

But as I pointed out at the time, replacing a leftist Democrat with yet another turncoat Republican would in the end, prove to be a hollow victory. Republicans were silent as Obama recently ordered NASA to focus first and foremost on reaching out to the "religion of peace" – Obama's Muslim heritage.

Brown wasted no time stabbing Tea Party folks in the back with his stimulus vote and now he is prepared to hand control of the U.S. economy via Wall Street, over to Obama & Co. for their global economic agenda. Instead of caucusing on behalf of those who elected him, he is caucusing with the GOP Turncoat Caucus headed up by Olympia Snowe and Sue Collins.

The Boston Herald proclaims"Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown is winning friends in liberal places for agreeing to support a controversial Wall Street reform bill championed by Democrats Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd."

Need I remind folks that it was Dodd and Frank who headed the finance committee responsible for the financial collapse of the mortgage and banking industries, after the Bush administration tried and failed for seven years, to warn congress of impending disaster?

It's not only insane to put the most corrupt organization on earth (our federal government) in total command of our economy - it's beyond insane to place the very people who caused our financial disaster at the helm.

Clearly, Scott Brown has no problem with any of this. But this is not the bad news of the day… Let's all remember who put Scott Brown in office… The Tea Party!

As I pointed out in my last column, which some publishers refused to print, not all who call themselves patriots are in fact patriots.

Glen Beck has done a magnificent job of alerting the public to facts that many new media writers have been screaming from the internet for years now. But when push came to shove, he provided aid and comfort to Obama's efforts to remain anonymous, and his "solution" became nothing more than throwing his star power behind Dick Armey's Freedom Works, which supports most of the same Agenda 21 global socialist initiatives that Obama has under way. At the end of the day, Beck's "solution" was – "if you can't beat'em, join'em…"

Although most Tea Party folks violently oppose amnesty for illegals – Cap & Trade – global stimulus spending – federal control of once free-market capitalism – and daily assaults on personal freedom and liberty, Armey, Beck and other so-called "leaders" of the Tea Party movement are openly supporting these things...



JB Williams has more to say here.

Road to Kandahar




H/T Canadian Armed Forces In Kandahar Support Group. (FB)

Israeli military inquiry : "...attaches no blame to the navy commandos..."










From the CBC:

Israel made 'mistakes' in Gaza ship raid: panel

Last Updated: Monday, July 12, 2010 | 4:57 PM ET

Israeli authorities did not do an adequate job of planning the deadly raid on a Gaza aid flotilla, says an Israeli military inquiry report released Monday.

A frame grab from a video released by the Israeli military shows  what the military says is a pro-Palestinian activist hitting Israeli  soldiers with a club-like object after the soldiers raided a ship that  was part of Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, 2010.A frame grab from a video released by the Israeli military shows what the military says is a pro-Palestinian activist hitting Israeli soldiers with a club-like object after the soldiers raided a ship that was part of Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, 2010. (Israeli military/Reuters)


Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed and dozens injured during the May 31 pre-dawn raid, when Israeli commandos boarded six vessels on their way to Gaza.

The deaths occurred aboard one ship — the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara.

Declassified sections of the Israeli military commission's report cited several flaws in preparation for the raid. The report said faulty intelligence led military planners to underestimate the possibility of violent resistance to the boarding.

"Mistakes were made in the various decisions taken, including within relatively senior ranks, which contributed to the result not being as we would have wished," the panel's chair, retired general Giroa Eiland, told reporters at a briefing.

"In this inquiry, we found that there were some professional mistakes regarding both the intelligence and the decision-making process and some operational mistakes."

The report attaches no blame to the navy commandos that carried out the raid and does not call for anyone's dismissal. But officials told The Associated Press that some senior officers could be demoted or forced out.

Israel has maintained that its forces had the legal right to board the vessel to enforce a naval blockade it put in place in 2007 to stop weapons from reaching Hamas-controlled Gaza. It says its forces fired in self-defence when passengers attacked them with metal rods....


More here.

There is another civilian inquiry ongoing, and still there are calls for an international inquiry. It is my opinion that Israel should not bow to pressure and agree to any international inquiry. Imagine the outcry if it was demanded of ANY other country to participate in such a deal after they had defended their own territory! Absurd.

As this report says, one of Israel's failings in this incident was in having their troops woefully under-equipped in terms of weaponry as they faced these armed militants, on the Mavi Marmara. Lesson learned, I hope.


3 YORKS receive Afghan medals

3 YORKS receive Afghan medals

A History and Honour news article

12 Jul 10

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (3 YORKS) received their Op HERRICK medals on Friday 9 July 2010 in recognition of the part they have played in Afghanistan over the last year.

His Grace The Duke of Wellington presents Op HERRICK medals

His Grace The Duke of Wellington presents Op HERRICK medals to soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
[Picture: Sergeant Adrian Harlen, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]


The 222 personnel from 3 YORKS, based in Warminster, were deployed in a variety of roles between July 2009 and April 2010.

The medals were presented by His Grace The Duke of Wellington at Battlesbury Barracks, watched by colleagues, family and friends.

The parade also recognised the ultimate sacrifice made by some of the soldiers on this tour of duty.

Private Johnathon Young was killed in action in Afghanistan on 20 August 2009, while Corporal Liam Riley and Lance Corporal Graham Shaw were both killed by improvised explosive devices on the same patrol on 1 February 2010.

The parade marked the end of a year-long commitment to operations by the battalion:

"The contribution made by the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment this past year to reinforce the battle groups in Helmand has been immense," said Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, the Commanding Officer of 3 YORKS.


Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment on parade to receive their Op HERRICK medals
[Picture: Sergeant Adrian Harlen, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]


More here.

WELCOME HOME!