SEATTLE, Washington (AP) — A group of soldiers has been busy testing a series of high-tech military concept vehicles outfitted with remote weapons systems, night-vision capabilities and enough strength to sustain the concussion of a roadside bomb.
The vehicles, while only in the concept stage, are part of the Army’s $60 million program to modernize its aging tactical fleet for the challenges of today’s military missions.
You wanna know what keeps me in the Army? Truly? I stay because I am surrounded by people like this guy:
To hear Staff Sgt. Andrew S. McMann tell it, being sent to the Air Force Theater Hospital here, simply gave him the free time he needed to re-enlist.
He didn’t bring up that the reason he was in the hospital is that he survived an improvised explosive device just 48 hours previously. McMann, a squad leader with Company B, 321st Engineer Battalion, was leading 1st Platoon on a route clearance mission in the Adolous District of Ramadi on March 23 when the IED went off directly under his vehicle. (source)
Wow. I mean, there is dedication to duty, there is love of country, and then there is this guy. The epitome of all that I strive to be. A leader so dedicated to his job, to his men, to the mission that the earliest opportunity that he could find to reenlist was when he was in a hospital recovering from being blown up. Wow.
SSG McMann, thank you. For serving, for leading, for being committed to the mission.
WASHINGTON, March 26 — More than 20 months ago, the United States secretly sent Iran a diplomatic protest charging that Tehran was supplying lethal roadside explosive devices to Shiite extremists in Iraq, according to American officials familiar with the message.
The July 19, 2005, protest — blandly titled “Message from the United States to the Government of Iran” — informed the Iranians that a British soldier had been killed by one of the devices in Maysan Province in eastern Iraq.
Question: What are three things your readers probably do not know about you?
Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?
I began blogging the end of Sept 2004, so I’m pushing the 2.5 year time line now. I got into blogging after I had been reading Black Five’s blog (http://www.blackfive.net) for a few months. I figured I had some stories to tell so I began with a Blogger account.
Question: What is your military experience?
I spent 4 years at a military college in NROTC, followed by 20 years active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer. My sea time was mostly on destroyers and frigates, and my shore duty mostly related to training commands.
Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?
Neptunus Lex - http://www.neptunuslex.com
MilBlogs - http://www.mudvillegazette.com/milblogs
Cdr Salmander - http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com
Black Five - http://www.blackfive.net
Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?
At the 2006 MilBlogs conference, a Marine was discussing the Corps’ policy on blogs: Stick to what you know. I think that was the best guidance, as it makes the blog a reflection of what you actually know. That way, you’re on firm ground if some issue or discussion comes up. If I have an opinion and don’t know a lot about a subject I feel the urge to blog on, then I state that in the opening lines of the post, but I try to keep my content to something I have been involved in directly, or I have researched.
Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you,
your blog, or your readers?
The connection between MilBloggers, and those who read them, has proven to be a powerful force in doing several drive to support the troops. I specifically enjoyed working to help raise funds for the V(oice) A(ctivated) L(aptops) for OUR - I(njured) T(roops) (VALOUR-IT) project the past two years. We set goals for funds and in both years, the collection effort blew past the dollar amounts by a considerable amount and the end result is about 1000 laptops have been equipped with voice activated software and placed in major medical facilities for our wounded service members to use to keep connected to friends, family and their units, as well as to continue blogging in a few cases.. All that because a school teacher and a wounded Army Captain, both bloggers who only knew each other via the blogs, put their thoughts together less than 2 years ago. The community of bloggers assisting in these funds drives was pretty diverse and I look forward to being part of the Navy’s team (it was all “friendly” competition in the snarky emails) again this coming year.
Project info is here: http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it
VALOUR-IT is but one project that has seen such success, and I think it’s an incredible tribute to my readers, fellow bloggers and those who just have a heart to roll up their sleeves and do something great for others, particularly for those who protect us.
BTW, the 2007 MilBloggers Conference is coming May 5th! It’s a great opportunity to put faces with pseudo-names and learn where you can help out, or tips on how to do it better. You better sign up quickly!
Go here and get registered: http://www.andisworld.typepad.com/milblog_conference/
Thanks for the opportunity to share this information!
Question: What are three things your readers probably do not know about you?
They probably are not aware that I have four children, three grandchildren and have been married to my wonderful wife, Debbie, for over 33 years.
Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?
I started my blog late last year when I knew I was returning to active duty. During my tour in Iraq, I kept a detailed, day-by-day journal which I am currently editing into a book. I am still maintaining the journal, but I liked the idea of sharing my feelings, ideas and experiences as they happen. It is rewarding to me as a soldier and I have heard from a wide variety of people from all over the world.
Question: What is your military experience?
I first entered the Army in December, 1968 as a private. I graduated from Officer Candidate School at the age of 20 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. After finishing Airborne and Ranger schools, I served as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. When I came home as a first lieutenant, I was barely 23 and was more interested in going to school and having a civilian’s social life. I didn’t keep up with the military education required of officers and lost the commission. Some nine years later I was recruited to rejoin and came back as a sergeant. Because of my civilian career, I have been in and out of the Army two additional times. My mandatory retirement date is in two years and I am hoping for one more overseas tour to either Iraq or Afghanistan. I am currently involved in training and mobilizing troops who are headed to the war zones.
Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?
I am impressed with the creativity of Michael Yon and his on-line magazine. I also like “365 and a wakeup”. I especially enjoy reading the blogs of the soldiers who have been there and done that. They write from the depths of their souls about war, the pain of lost friends and how war changes them.
Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?
I believe in the American warrior, whether soldier, sailor, airman or Marine. They are the best we have and they are giving their hearts, their souls and their blood to keep everyone safe back home. I will do everything I can, whether here or abroad, to make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten. I also want to share my own experiences in both Vietnam and Iraq because I believe I have a unique perspective.
Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?
I want to thank those who have taken the time to check out my blog and I hope they will continue to do so. I will do my best to make it interesting and informative.
I found two related stories on ArmyTimes.com:
N.M. scraps state income tax on troops
New Mexico has joined the handful of states that does not tax the pay of active-duty service members after Gov. Bill Richardson signed that change into law March 16.’
[…]
The tax savings will average about $1,350 per year for an estimated 10,000 active-duty military members in the state and $133 per year for the roughly 3,000 National Guard and reserve personnel who will serve at least part of the year on active duty, according to the New Mexico Department of Taxation and revenue.
Bill would make all military pay tax-free
A bill exempting all military pay and benefits from federal income taxes was introduced Monday in the House of Representatives.
“U.S. soldiers are fighting hard to protect our freedoms, and they should be protected from the long arm of the IRS,” said Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, the chief sponsor of a bill that has four Republican cosponsors.
Culberson said the bill, HR 1559, which he is calling the Armed Forces Tax Relief Act, “will allow soldiers to concentrate on defending America, rather than worrying about paying their taxes.”
Sounds great, huh? No taxes at all for Active Duty Military… ever! What a deal. In the past I wondered why we pay taxes anyway. I mean, the government pays my salary and then I pay some of it right back. Strange. But, to be honest, I don’t pay much of it back. In my tax bracket, with my deductions, I get most of my taxes back when I file my return. And, being a Texan (and damned proud of it!), I don’t pay state income tax, either. Not because I’m military, but because Texas doesn’t have a state income tax. Most of Texas’ revenue is generated from sales and property taxes.
So, as it is, I stand little to gain from HR1559. But, I’m against it.
Did your eyes pop out? Yes, you read correctly, I am against a bill that would benefit me monetarily. Why? Am I stupid? Am I out of my mind? Or is it that I’m a closet liberal and I believe that the government can spend my money better than I ever could?
None of the above. I think I’m fairly clever and I don’t have a fever. I definitely know I spend my money better than Uncle Sam and his cronies. So why be against a bill that would allow me to keep more of my hard-earned cash?
Because I am a citizen. First. And citizens pay taxes. I don’t agree with all the taxes we are forced to pay and I certainly think that most tax rates are too high, but I want to pay taxes. I want to contribute my fair share, not more, not less, just a fair share.
I believe that government has it purposes and needs revenue to do them. Funding and fielding a strong military is just one of those purposes. Funding and maintaining the infrastructure that makes our country strong, safe and healthy is also important. Highways, sewers, power grids, hospitals and other great public-use creations do not just appear out of thin air.
I believe that my military service is not the end-all be-all of my duty as a citizen. It is merely one form of service and a noble one at that, but citizens must contribute to the functioning of our government if we are to continue to enjoy the freedoms our military, past and present, has fought hard to secure. I will continue to contribute long after my days of military service are over, and so should you.
Besides paying taxes, what other duty should all citizens perform?
VOTE!
The Week In Airpower
In Afghanistan this week, 289 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
A total of 61 Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.
In Iraq this week, Coalition aircraft flew 325 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
The United States is keeping a watchful eye on developments in North Africa to ensure terrorists don’t gain a foothold there, a senior U.S. military officer said in remarks provided to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee at a hearing here today.
The Defense Department is participating in the U.S. State Department’s Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock stated, because of concern that Islamic terrorist organizations like al Qaeda may use ungoverned areas of North Africa to gain new recruits and train for future attacks.
Yesterday we were told that Iraqi’s are “optimistic despite their suffering in sectarian violence since the American-led invasion four years ago this week.” (source)
Today, I discover that “A new survey paints a pessimistic picture of Iraqis’ confidence in their own government and in coalition forces.” (source)
Ok, which is it? Depends on who you ask, I suppose. Or does it depend on what you ask?
After reading both articles, I find them both to pretty accurately describe what I see in my area. Many people are concerned with the number of deaths, not just in their own families, but throughout the country. Also, many think that life is better without Saddam, but see potential for even better things to come. Everyone I talk to is sure that security will settle out to the point that the majority of Coalition Forces will one day withdraw from Iraq, but no one is under the illusion that violence will be stamped out completely and permanently. They can easily point out the violence in neighboring “peaceful” countries like Iran, Syria and Turkey to know better than that bit of utopian wishfulness.
So, what I find is the major difference in the two articles referenced is the headline. One journalist finds darkness and gloom where the other finds hope.
Inshallah, Iraqis hoping for and making a better future will win out over those pessimists who tend to see mostly the bad and push aside the good, sometimes violently.
To answer my own question in the post title, we will. Despite the pessimists in Iraq and elsewhere, we will succeed in turning Iraq into a proud nation that participates peacefully in the community of nations.
Question: What are three things your readers probably do not know about you?
Question: How long have I been blogging and why did I get into blogging?
Well I’ve only been blogging since I’ve arrived in Afghanistan for my tour here in June of 2006. My original intent was to only keep my friends and family back home informed as to my happenings in a combat zone. Since then, the blog has blossomed and I now have readers from all over the globe and because of this I now have a responsibility to all of my regular readers and not just my friends and family.
Question: What is my military experience?
Well, I’d like to say that it has been totally great, but I can’t. More like a system of hills and valleys with more valleys than hills. The Army for me has been being away from friends and family for great lengths of time (2 years in Germany, year in Iraq, and now a year in Afghanistan). I’ve learned a great deal about myself from the Army and wouldn’t take any of it back if I could, but it’s been tough and has tested my strength as well as my spouse’s.
Question: What are some of my other favorite milblogs?
I have several milblogs that I love to read and visit regularly. Blogs like Blackfive.net, Badger’s Forward, Gazing at the Flag, The Thunder Run, SGT Hook and A Soldier’s Perspective definately top the list. Pretty much all of the links you find on the sidebar of my blog, I visit and read regularly.
Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?
The biggest factor, hands down, at creating and publishing a successful blog has been my reader feedback left in the comment sections of my blog posts. Without my readers letting me know how my writing has affected them, I certainly wouldn’t have had the confidence in my abilities to continue blogging to the scale at which I have been. Without my readers, I have no blog.
Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?
Yes. If everyone who reads this hasn’t done so yet, head on over to gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox and read soldier-contributed stories from the frontline. Garry Trudeau has truly created something great with The Sandbox, go there and be educated about what life in a combat zone is really like.
