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What the Progressives will never understand:

Vice chief: Soldiers Army’s greatest asset

October 24, 2012

By David Vergun

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 24, 2012) — “The greatest assets of the United States Army aren’t our tanks or our helicopters or our sophisticated weapon systems. They are our people. You are what make ours the best and most powerful military in the world,” said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III.

The general, who was speaking at Association of the United States Army’s Sergeant Major of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Awards Luncheon here, Monday, said that over the last 11 years he’s witnessed Soldiers’ determination, remarkable courage and winning attitude firsthand during multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I have seen you do the most amazing things, seemingly impossible things,” he said. “I have seen you do them routinely.”

Austin recalled a “particularly difficult day,” June 6, 2011, when terrorists attacked a forward operating base near Sadr City, Iraq, just before dawn. The attack resulted in the deaths of six Soldiers and injuries to many others, as well as an almost complete destruction of the base.

There was a great amount of damage, chaos and confusion, he said, “but, even more remarkable than the attack itself was the response by the leaders and the Soldiers of that unit. Every one of them was a hero that day.”

He said when he learned of the attack that morning, he immediately flew out there from his headquarters.

“When we got there, I walked over to the battalion commander, recognizing that he and his unit had just gone through something incredibly traumatic,” he said. “(But the commander) was very much in control and very confident. And, he was probably wishing that I would get back on my helicopter so that he could focus on his Soldiers and the challenge at hand.”

“I told him that, together, we were going to make this better,” Austin continued. “I said to him, these are my Soldiers too. And we are going to bring the power of the United States military to bear on your location. And we did.”

Austin went on to explain that within a matter of hours, the engineers, along with dozens of contractors and even some Navy Seabees, were on site helping to rebuild that camp.

“Within just a few days, those Soldiers had better fortified positions, and they had replacement housing units, new weapons, body armor, uniforms and all types of supplies,” Austin said.

Austin said it was incredible watching the Soldiers come together and emerge from the tragedy “stronger and more confident and more capable than ever before.”

Austin said Soldiers of that unit, the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, truly lived up to the unit’s motto: Never Broken by Hardship or Battle.

The general emphasized that what occurred that day was not exceptional and that that type of teamwork has occurred routinely over the last 11 years.

“In everything that we’ve done we’ve supported one another. And, that is what it means to be a part of a team and this is indeed a great team,” Austin said. “No matter how long we’ve been fighting, no matter what happens, we have always done and will always do what is necessary to support one another and to ensure the team’s success.”

While Soldiers continue to fight in Afghanistan, their families back home and the American people are providing outstanding support for them, he said. He added that he wished Soldiers and their families could take a well-deserved rest, but that they would have to remain ready and resilient in the face of an “incredibly complex and volatile” world.

Despite these challenging commitments, Austin said the Army and the nation must do everything possible to care for the Soldiers and veterans and their families as well as the wounded warriors.

Regarding the wounded warriors, he said that not all injuries are physical.

“It’s not just about the obvious wounds and injuries, like amputations and burns,” he said. “Equally serious are the less apparent conditions of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress and depression and other similar ailments. So, we have to change the mindset among our leaders and Soldiers and get folks to understand that … asking for, and receiving help, is a sign of strength.”

He concluded: “I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you and your families. And, I am proud to serve alongside you. You are the best of the best. And so, I challenge you to keep up the great work!”

(h/t Stand To!)

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ACT NOVA Chapter Presents

An American Tragedy

LOSING OUR SONS
The people need to know

Full Length Showing at:
Waterford at Fair Oaks
12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA 22033
Tuesday October 23, 2012
7-9:30pm
Directions
RSVP Here

- A searing true story from America’s heartland tells the story of two American families whose lives intersected through a shattering act of violence. Melvin Bledsoe, a small business owner in Memphis, TN watched with pride as his son Carlos went to Tennessee State University in Nashville to better his life. Daris Long, an ex- Marine, felt honored that his son Andy, chose to follow in his footsteps by joining the military. But when Carlos Bledsoe murdered Andy Long in Little Rock, AK, both fathers had to face a new kind of nightmare. As Melvin followed the trail that led Carlos from Nashville to Yemen and then to Little Rock, Daris confronted an American government that seemed in denial about what happened to his son. This powerful documentary provides a moment of clarity for Americans who care about their country’s future. View Movie Trailer Here

Both Melvin Bledsoe and Daris Long, fathers of both young men, will be at this showing. We are honored to be able to bring them in for this special showing in Fairfax, VA.

Also in attendance will be Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. and John Guandolo to answer questions of how this is happening in our community.

Anyone else out there remember the new Army Soldier that was killed in front of the recruiting station in Arkansas by the “lone wolf”?  I sincerely hope so.

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Another campaign stop photo op morale booster for our Troops from Prezzie O ~ (Was he angry or was he just trying to look like what he thinks a strong but caring CinC should look like while speaking to the Troops?)

Can we say the enthusiasm level was pretty much stuck at respectful? (nothing less expected with our Military)

(Transcript of speech after the fold)

The story told at 20:00 is an up-chucker, just a warning. Not because of what the Soldier did (that is how it is) but for the chest thumping by this fake.

If I was a Soldier listening to this speech, I’d have to go and speak to a counselor or the Chaplain ~ just to lift up my spirits and renew my morale.

Between all the talk about the mental issues all our Military apparently have, or will have, the cloudy theme and the empty platitudes…I’d have to just go to my room, lie down and stare at the wall for awhile.  (or hit my favorite bar…)

Remember his 2010 visit?

President Obama Visits Troops at Fort Bliss

Watch his face - so disconnected from the words he’s saying and seemingly hard for him to get out.  Michele O is the same, though she’s better at playing the role of being a champion for all the struggling and tormented military families and their broken loved ones in uniform.

Can’t wait to see them exit the White House.

God knows, our battle-hardened and loyal Troops, our kids in uniform, deserve so much better.

Even though I had many disagreements with Pres Bush’s policies, I know that he was sincere in his support of our Troops and their families.  A comparison:

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Remarks by the President to the Troops at Fort Bliss, TX Read more…

VA Continues to Focus on Veteran Health Service Offerings

Written by Gino Troiani

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue focusing on veteran homelessness, claims backlogs and access to care, VA CIO Roger Baker said Tuesday.

GCN reports Baker made the announcement during AFCEA Belvoir Industry Day.

Baker said the VA has prepared projects focusing on streamlining online recordkeeping, telehealth and Web-based applications designed to simplify access to care.

There are at least 75,000 homeless veterans, according to Baker.

He said the VA expects that figure to drop by 60,000 within the year and totally eradicate homelessness within the veteran population by 2015 through using technology.

Baker also said there are currently 827,000 claims waiting adjudication and up to 57 percent of veterans leaving military service now file medical claims.

To meet rising demands, VA aims to turn around the claims in less than 125 days through migration to an electronic process.

Electronic processing will start in July at 15 centers across the country, GCN reports.

With the use of the video-based service Telehealth, patients and doctors can easily connect with each other through the department’s video system from any location in the country.

Baker said this will help minimize travel costs for veterans and present early detection for patients while lowering emergency hospital admission as mental health visits and in-home health assessments are included in the services.

The agency also recently launched two websites dedicated to align military occupational skills with civilian equivalents and to monitor mental and physical well being.

But then, there’s this:

VA issues stop-work order on crucial element of e-health record system

The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a stop-work order on a key component of the integrated electronic health record system it is developing with the Defense Department.

Virginia-based ASM Research was awarded the contract to build a central hub that would let the agencies incorporate private-sector products more easily into the combined system.

VA assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer Roger Baker called it the “heart” of the integrated electronic health record (iEHR) system.

When asked about the stop-work order during a call with reporters, Baker said he did not know of the project’s status. A spokesperson later confirmed that the agency had issued the order, but would not offer more details.

Continue…

No worries, though.  It’s government work.

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How green of them!

Army Seeing Energy Efficiency as Security Issue

Written by Ross Wilkers

The Army is looking for high-tech solutions to improve its energy efficiency for soldier gear and camps, DoDBuzz reports.

According to Army Secretary John McHugh, water conservation in camps could help lessen convoy runs and minimize soldier casualties.

According to DoDBuzz, 70 percent of convoy loads are fuel and water resupply.

The Army says fuels make up 50 percent of convoy supply load, making it susceptible to attacks from improvised explosive devices and direct fire ambushes.

The Army estimates there will be nearly 3,000 resupply convoys in Afghanistan for 2012 and McHugh estimates another 69 soldiers will die this year from attacks on the convoys.

McHugh is proposing the Army develop more efficient batteries to lessen soldier load during 72-hour patrols.

Soldiers carry around 400 pounds of batteries during patrols to optimize use of combat equipments.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team recently finished an intensive training curriculum for multiple energy capabilities.

That program aims to increase generator efficiency, improve renewable energy harvesting and reduce soldier load by improving battery recharging capabilities.

I’m sure conservation is a number 1 priority to our Troops over there.  Great idea when sitting behind a desk, all safe and sound and comfy.

And it’s not just the Army.  Oh, no:

Pentagon Releases Energy Conservation Plan for Military Operations

Written by Aquala Bogan

…The plan consists of a three-part strategy to reduce demand, adding options beyond fossil fuels and building energy security considerations into all military planning.

A defense operational energy board will oversee the department’s progress.

Military and DoD agencies will report to the board on energy consumption last year and future consumption over the next five years.

The board will work with the services and agencies on actions needed to improve their consumption baselines.

The Army plans to have 16 installations that do not use more energy or water than they produce and reduce waste by recycling under the NetZero initiative.

The Navy plans to reduce fuel consumption afloat by 15 percent by 2020 and the Air Force is aiming to increase aviation energy efficiency by 10 percent by 2020.

The Marine Corps is aiming to increase energy efficiency on the battlefield by 50 percent by 2025, and reduce daily fuel consumption per Marine by 50 percent at the same time.

Sharon Burke, assistant secretary for operational energy plans and programs, said the Navy is incorporating energy conservation into its acquisitions process.

Burke added that the Army is using generators at its forward operating bases that are 20 percent more efficient.

The Pentagon and the Environmental Protection Agency formed a partnership in February to develop more sustainable bases.

Scientists and engineers from both agencies are collaborating to develop energy saving technologies.

Well, at least they’re working with the EPA - what could go wrong?

Excuse me…but what about the ‘killing the enemy’ part so they can all come home?

My idea of efficiency:

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Soldier Missing in Action from WWII Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Pfc. Robert B. Bayne, of Dundalk, Md., will be buried on May 7 in his hometown. On March 28, 1945, while patrolling the Rhine River in an inflatable raft, Bayne, a lieutenant and two other enlisted men were attacked near Schwegenheim, Germany. Bayne and the officer were wounded, forcing all four men into the swift waters of the river. The lieutenant was rescued but the enlisted men were not found.

Between 1945 and 1946, Army Graves Registration personnel exhumed remains of three men from two different locations when German citizens reported the graves contained remains of American soldiers recovered from the river in March 1945. Among items found with the remains were military identification tags. Two of the men were identified as enlisted men from the raft — Pvt. Edward Kulback and Pfc. William Gaffney — but due to limited forensic science of the time, the remains of the other individual could not be identified and were interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery in St. Avold, France as “unknown.”

In 1948, the remains of the unknown soldier were exhumed to compare them to available records for Bayne. After several years of analysis the remains could not be identified and were reinterred as unknown at the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan, France, in 1951.

More than 60 years later, analysts from DPMO and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) developed case leads, evaluated records and determined that modern forensic technology could offer methods to identify the remains. In 2010, the remains were exhumed once again for analysis.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC used dental comparisons and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA — which matched that of Bayne’s brothers — in the identification of his remains.

At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans. Today, more than 74,000 are unaccounted-for from the conflict.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.

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~ Welcome Home, Pfc Bayne ~

A long road traveled - rest easy now.

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U.S. Soldier MIA from Korean War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Cpl. Primo C. Carnabuci of Old Saybrook, Conn., will be buried May 12 in his hometown. On Nov. 1, 1950, Carnabuci’s unit, the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, occupied a defensive position along the Kuryong River, near Unsan, North Korea. Chinese units attacked the area and forced a withdrawal. Almost 600 men, including Carnabuci, were reported missing or killed in action following the battle.

In 2000, a joint U.S-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), excavated a mass grave discovered earlier in Unsan County, south of the area known as “Camel’s Head.” The team recovered remains of at least five individuals as well as military clothing.

Analysts from DPMO and JPAC developed case leads with information spanning more than 58 years. They evaluated the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death and researched wartime documentation on the movements of U.S. and enemy forces on the battlefield.

Among forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC used dental comparisons and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA — which matched that of Carnabuci’s brother — in the identification.

With this identification, 7,997 service members still remain missing from the conflict.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

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~ Welcome Home, Cpl Carnabuci ~

You are not forgotten.

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This Weeks Post Was Suggested by Michael

Col. Robert L. Howard
70 years old from Waco, Texas
Army Special Forces MACV-SOG Special Operations Command Korea
July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009

You learn very quickly that Col. Robert Howard was an amazing man. Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat. 8 Purple Hearts, 4 Bronze Stars, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses. And the awards go on from there. But it’s the three Medal Of Honor nominations for three separate actions within a thirteen month period that stand out.

1st Lt. Robert Howard Receives The Medal Of Honor

You can read more about Col. Robert L. Howard here and here and a tribute page dedicated to him 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.

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Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified

April 12, 2011

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Cpl. John W. Lutz, 21, of Kearny, N.J., will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery. From May 16-20, 1951, Task Force Zebra, a multinational force made up of Dutch, French, and U.S. forces, was attacked and isolated into smaller units. Lutz, of the 1st Ranger Infantry Company, part of Task Force Zebra, went missing while his unit was attempting to infiltrate enemy lines near Chaun-ni, South Korea, along the Hongcheon River Valley.

After the 1953 armistice, surviving POWs said Lutz had been captured by enemy forces on May 19, marched north to a POW camp in Suan County, North Korea, and died of malnutrition in July 1951.

Between 1991-94, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 servicemen. North Korean documents turned over with one of the boxes indicated the remains inside were exhumed near Suan County. This location correlates with the corporal’s last known location.

Analysts from DPMO developed case leads with information spanning more than 58 years. Through interviews with surviving POW eyewitnesses, experts validated circumstances surrounding the soldier’s captivity and death, confirming wartime documentation of his loss.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA – which matched that of his niecein the identification of the remains.

More than 2,000 servicemen died as prisoners of war during the Korean War. With this accounting, 8,001 service members still remain missing from the conflict. For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703- 699-1169.

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~ Welcome Home, Soldier ~

Rest Easy Now in the Company of your Brothers

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~ feeling like I’ve said everything there is to say.  Hell, I’ve been blogging since 2005 and it just seems as if it’s all about the same damn stuff.  Only now, it’s ramped up into hyper-overdrive.

I do believe I’m experiencing information overload.  I let myself take a few days off from the blog world and the news world and the real world over the weekend.  I spent Friday night and Saturday with my most wonderful grandbaby and the Mom and Dad.  Sunday was spent washing stuff, putting toys away and watching the rain fall.  Then the snow fall.  So much for less hauling of wood!

Now, here we are at a new week and it’s the same ol’, same ol’.  People are still going nuts out there.  Other people are still talk, talk, talking about it as if any of it makes sense.  Self-important people are still doing self-important things.  And you and I are still paying for it with our hard-earned cash and liberty.

Sigh…

Yeah, too much info coming in that boggles the mind.

Part of me wants to just hole up here on my ridge and say the hell with it all.  But the other part of me that loves this country and hates the moral and social degradation seen every day, is horrified at that thought.

I find as I get older, my margins of tolerance get thinner.  I just can’t abide fools and deceit.  Not an easy place to be when there’s so much of both around.

Time to find my “happy place”.

So I think I will just post about good things this week.  Leave the tirades against injustice and idiocy to others for a bit.  (Some of you out there have some catching up to do.  Get with the program!  We’re losing America to power-hungry, corrupt, lying, cheating, greedy sumsabiches.  We need all America-as-it-was-founded-lovin’ hands on deck!)

America\’s Army: The Strength of the Nation ~ November 2008

~ A Reminder

I include the Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Guardmen and Coasties in this ~ always.

This is why we’ll win against those Marxist, Maoist, Socialist, Communist, Progressive, Sharia pimping bastards.

Also ~

USS Bulkeley Crew Frees Ship Seized by Pirates

Heh.

God Bless Ya All!!!

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This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth.

SSgt. Robert J. Miller
24 years old from Wheaton, Illinois
Company A, Third Battalion, Third Special Forces Group
January 25, 2008

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor
posthumously in a Pentagon ceremony on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. He
died in Afghanistan saving his fellow soldiers in an act of heroism
that is honored as courage above and beyond the call of duty.

You can read the rest of SSgt. Miller’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.

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