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Peace at any cost is a prelude to war!
VOICE OF THE GRUNT, 1999-11-24-B
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ARTICLE 4
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SET A REAL CAREER PATH
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SUMMARY: This troop would like the Army to take more of its officers from
the ranks.
*************************************
By An Enlisted Soldier
Kudos on your latest columns, about the "Flakes," those sorry females who
gum up the works in the military, goldbricking and generally contributing
to plummeting morale. It really gets me going to hear about how today's
female soldier is "combat ready." I had to process VHA/BAQ paperwork for
one of these, for her latest progeny from yet another "unknown" father.
These females bring shame and dishonor on all those women in the service
who do bust their asses. Despite all the politically correct banter about
how women are allegedly prepared for the rigors of war, the women I've seen
in the service are very few and far-between who can hold a candle to a
hard-boiled WAC nurse from WWII.
I ought to know; I was raised by one. I've been reading with interest
dispatches from troops and NCOs about how they get the short-end of the
stick from the commissioned officers. It doesn't do a troop good to see an
LTC getting pinned with an ARCOM or an MSM for every action that went right
(usually because the enlisted worked night and day to make it happen). But,
you know something? It has always been that way and always will -- just read
letters from the Revolutionary War from the grunts, and you'll learn that.
I've seen hundreds of officers in my military career, which is about to
reach the 10-year mark. The best ones come out of West Point, and a few
good ones from ROTC, but most live in that rarefied atmosphere known as
"commissioned." In any situation it is the enlisted who'll have to carry
out the mission, and -- yet -- as a rule of thumb, most officers keep an
invisible wall between themselves and us.
I've conducted an informal poll in my unit, asking troops which officers
they most admired, and why. The officers whose names came up 8 times out of
10 were either warrant officers (who are selected from the enlisted ranks)
or commissioned officers who were enlisted before going on to OCS.
Which brings me to the subject of this letter: I know a great number of
enlisted and NCOs who -- because of being forced onto the "up or out"
promotion ladder -- already have a college degree under their belts. Yet,
these same troops still complain about treatment from the officers.
Personally, I'm going to Warrant Officer school at Fort Rucker. If we'd
just stop whining for a second, and think about how valuable we'd be to our
troops -- and therefore our units -- as commissioned officers, maybe we can
make enough small changes to start turning morale around and building unit
esprit de corps back up.
A lot of troops I've spoken with tell me they don't want to "sell out" by
going to OCS or warrant school. They hold most of the officers in low
esteem, and don't want to be regarded as one of "them." But you won't be
one of them if you didn't forget where you came from. Then, you'll know
where you are going. Set a career path so that you're working alongside the
troops, getting your hands dirty, not hanging around as staff at battalion
HQ. Chances are, you're first assignment will be as platoon leader.
Imagine what a service you'll be doing those troops if you show them
you're dedicated more to the mission than in bucking for a company command.
Imagine if, as a company XO, your soldiers find someone who knows how to
handle his subordinate officers and treat his NCOs as leaders, not just as
peons. Imagine later if, as a company or battery commander, your troops
have confidence in you because you've "been there," and are only about as
green as a leaf in autumn in Vermont. Imagine them being inspired to action
by you, rather then resenting you. Maybe then, you'll give hope to some
young troop, who might see something worthwhile in becoming on of "you."
Imagine the good that will come out of enlisted who become officers for
the good of the military, rather than for the good of their careers. Who
knows, maybe one of you will make to it General.
====================================================
ARTICLE 5
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JUST ANOTHER BURDEN FOR THE TAXPAYER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUMMARY: Army as socio-economic family planning job training facility.
Great idea! NOT!
*********************************************
By 1st Sgt. Rolland D. Miller, USA (Ret)
Although I don't always agree with your reasoning or conclusions insofar
as what is wrong with the military, I have to say that you are "Right On"
in your article concerning women in the military.
Actually, you only touched the surface concerning this area. An unmarried
person who has a child for whom they are the prime caregiver (Usually a
woman) is not allowed to join the military. The solution that is given by
many recruiters is to give custody of the child to a relative. After you
finish training and are assigned to a regular unit, have the relative cite
"personal problems" as a reason they can no longer be the child's guardian.
Result-the child becomes a military dependent with all the benefits to
include housing.
The parent must file an action plan in the event of deployment. Usually
this drags on, and even if accepted, once the person actually receives
deployment orders, the "plan" is no longer valid and the person is
non-deployable; another burden on the taxpayer. Dig deeper, David, there
are even more horror stories in our social science experiment we used to
call an Army.
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ARTICLE 6
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AN ILL MANNERED CHILDISH BUNCH
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SUMMARY: A parent comments on the certain aspects of our new, post
"Tailhook '91" U.S. Navy. Just wonderful.
****************************************
By Step-Dad "D"
Your article entitled "Why troops are hanging it up" is right on target. My
stepdaughter joined the Navy right out of high school, against our (my and
my wife's) better judgement. She got pregnant out of wedlock (I guess the
temptation of being around all those men was too much to bear) and now has
a 16 month old child. In order to stay in the Navy, she married a 'friend'
(not the father) and is now dealing with the fallout from a particularly
nasty divorce.
She could not stay in the Navy with a child out of wedlock, but she's
allowed to stay in if she's divorced. On top of all that, she recently
reenlisted for another 6 years.
Because of her selfishness, we will have to care for our grandchild (whom
we love dearly), for months at a time while she is on deployment. (I find
this requirement for a new mother to be separated from her child barbaric,
but that's another day.....) She MUST fulfill her duty. She's not
non-deployable, as the woman (girl) in your article apparently seems to be.
If ever there were a "poster child" for not allowing women in the military,
she'd rightly be considered. Although I love her as my own, I sincerely
wish we had voiced our objections more forcefully.
On another note, I graduated from high school almost the same time as the
end of the draft. Although I did not serve, my father served in both the
Marines and the Air Force, and saw combat in Korea. I was surrounded by
military in my early years. Many of my friends went through the rite of
passage from boy to man in the military. Their conduct was admirable. They
acted as, and indeed were, men. This is not what I see now.
My daughter's friends, with only a very few exceptions, are an ill-mannered
and childish bunch. One wonders how they possibly can remain in the
military by their behavior. Frankly, it makes me doubt our military
readiness. Your depiction of them in your articles is very accurate.
====================================================
MEDAL OF HONOR ARTICLE 7
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*MARTINI, GARY W.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rank and organization: PFC, USMC, Co. F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st
MarDiv,
Place and date: Binh Son, RVN, 21 April 1967.
Entered service: Portland, OR.
Born: 21 September 1948, Lexington, Va.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during Operation
UNION* elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son,
encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to
engage them. The marines in Pfc. Martini's platoon assaulted across an open
rice paddy to within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were
suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons,
and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 marines,
pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the
face of imminent danger, Pfc. Martini immediately crawled over the dike to
a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where,
continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing
several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined
his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From
this position he observed several of his wounded comrades Lying helpless in
the fire-swept paddy. Although he knew that 1 man had been killed
attempting to assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area
and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious
wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the
unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion Lying wounded
only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen
marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he
began to drag the marine toward his platoon's position. Observing men from
his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him,
concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover,
and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he
could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds.
Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life
to save 2 of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his
platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless
devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine
Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
====================================================
ARTICLE 8
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AN ADMIRAL'S DAY ON THE FIRING LINE
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SUMMARY: CINCPACFLT recently visited the sailors who operate & maintain
EA-6B Prowlers and P-3C Orions at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. These
are some of the questions and answers he replied to on Nov 17, 1999.
*************************************
By Mark Crissman
"Where do we get these men?" That was what one fictional Naval Officer
asked about his men in the Korean War novel, "The Bridges of Toko Ri." It
was a rhetorical question about where the Navy came up with warriors that
would sacrifice life and limb to go in harms way and deliver bombs or
rescue downed airmen in a heavily defended target area. It's almost surreal
to hear that the United States of America is actively sending American
Warriors into harm's way over the No Fly Zone in Iraq to deliver laser
guided concrete dumb bombs. The troops on the deck plates aren't as easily
persuaded as the perfumed princes listening to no notice power point
presentations at the five sided asylum.
Listed below are some recent questions and answers from a session with
Admiral M.B.Fogel, CINCPACFLT and the troops at NAS Whidbey Island on 17
Nov 1999.
--Admiral, is the new 401k plan for retirement a supplement or replacement
and when will it go into effect?
It is a supplement to retirement and it will go into effect July 1st
of 2000. (Ed note, you may want to consult the IRS. Military personnel are
considered federal employees and are eligible for a full pension. Those who
invest in an Individual Retirement Account may not get to deduct the full
amount they've invested from their total taxable income.)
--Sir, I fly the EA-6B and last year, CINCPAC Clemmens gave us a rather
negative answer to low level training. Do you see us training low level in
the future?
I'd like too but we must evaluate the need against the dangers. I
won't hide the fact that the EA-6B is for all honesty a lousy low level
performer. The accident in Aviano and the loss of seven EA-6B's in ten
years to low level accidents is not a good trend. The EA-6B is simply too
heavy and slow responding an aircraft to fly at 500 feet off the hard deck,
it's no fighter jet. We'll just have to continue evaluating and hope to
come up with better technology to offset the Prowler's weakness.
Sir, I am pleased with the 4.8 percent pay raise and I think it will help a
lot.
I think it will help too. We wanted more, but the 4.8 is the best
we've had so far...along with the other bonus additions from the 2000
Defense Bill.
--Sir, in deference to the Lieutenant's rosy picture, I must protest and
say that the 4.8 percent "raise" is a joke. (applause) I've figured my
income with the new raise and as a 14 year 2nd class (E-5), I get only a 9
dollar raise. I'm having problems now in taking care of my family, I have a
wife and one child. We're working two jobs extra just to make ends meet.
Now you tell me if that's a sign of things getting better. (more applause)
Um...if you'd sit down with Master Chief here after we're done and let
him get some specifics from you.
--Sir, about subsistence pay for housing (BHA/BAS)
We understand the shortages and the financial problems, but we need to
hear from more of you so we can get a better idea of the problem. We're
adding more housing, revamping others, and working with landlords and
agency groups to find low cost housing for our people.
Sir, given all the concerns about readiness, are we ready to fight a full
scale war if North Korea were to invade the South?
Yes, we are.
--Sir, are we using dummy bombs on Iraq?
Adm: What do you mean?
Petty Officer: Bombs loaded with concrete.
Adm: Yes.
Petty Officer: Well...that doesn't sound very...it sounds like a
pretty bad choice of ordinance. I'm an AO, (Aviation Ordinanceman) sir.
(laughter and applause)
Adm: Well...they do work. With a seeker head, a 2000 LB bomb coming
down at the speed of sound tends to pretty much squash anything it hits.
And there's no danger to civilians in the process.
--Admiral...You ask for brutal honesty, so may I be very blunt with this
question?
Adm: I asked for it...shoot.
Petty Officer: The subject is sexual harassment. To be blunt, I think
the current regs are unfair and bias towards women and gives them a free
ride to do whatever they please. I've even talked to some of our female
Sailors and they say the current policy breeds an anti-female combative
environment. We've also seen too many male Sailors being thrown out for
petty infractions. Is the Navy still working on a new and more fair policy?
Adm: ...the current policy is the best we have.
=====================================================
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, see references above. Second, brevity where possible.
************************************************
As a rule of thumb, please try to keep article for possible publication to
700 words or less. We do make exceptions and will not turn away an 800 to
900 word piece, but please make every editing effort not to exceed these
guidelines.
If you believe you have a story that is longer than 700 words we will
consider running it in parts. Keep the piece focused on the story you want
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Submit in OPEN format only, not as a file attachment. Thanks to everyone for
keeping the communication lines open and the ideas flowing.
Semper Fi,
Bob McMahon
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.freeyellow.com:8080/members7/rlmcmahon
=============================================
HACK'S DEFENDING AMERICA COLUMN:
Many readers have asked for guidance/help/ideas for getting Hack's column
in their local newspapers. See http://www.hackworth.com --- NEWSPAPERS for
a few suggestions.
Much appreciate your effort. What we're into is getting the word to as many
citizens as possible about what is causing our military machine to sputter
like an M-4 Sherman tank.
Thanks,
Bob McMahon
=============================================
ARCHIVED DEFENDING AMERICA COLUMNS:
You can now find copies of Hack's previous columns at:
http://www.hackworth.com
These are found in the Defending America Section, under Archived Copies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GLOSSARY OF MILITARY ACRONYMS:
We've had numerous requests from troops in different branches of the
military to establish this link so that we will all know how "all you
others" talk that talk. Please see below:
http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/doddict/acronym_index.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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All four books, to include postage and handling for only $75.00. If you
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