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Alright well the last patrol that I just got off of was a very, very, very long and crappy time. It seemed as if the time would never pass and we would never make it back into base. But eventually time did pass and we finally made it back home. Just seemed like an eternity out there this time.

To start out, we ended up doing the usual market babysitting that apparently, the 82nd Airborne, a prestigious unit full of strong battle heritage, has been tasked with a job that the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police should be doing. But anyways. We dismounted through one of the markets to look around and make sure everything was all well. We got a couple new guys in not too long ago, and I had one of them on my team. This meant an extra eye on that guy to make sure he was doing what he was supposed to. Not to mention that he’s not used to how everything is and what to do, so I also would have to give him pointers and tell him what to do. Its a learning process and I understand that. Nothing really exciting in the market, although there was a guy trying to get me to buy some “freaky sex tapes”. This is nothing new. Theres always a good assortment of guys selling copied porn DVDs.

Once we loaded up, we headed over to another market. As we were leaving there, we heard a loud explosion, and then the call came up over the radio that some mortars had been fired at the market. We rolled back over there to check it out. I guess only 1 or 2 had actually exploded and there were a couple unexploded ones. Almost immediately after pulling up to this IA checkpoint, one of the snipers from that one bad area started shooting. They constantly shoot at the IA, as well as the civilians just trying to shop in the markets. Its not very often that they do this when we are there, but this guy was ballsy enough to take a couple shots with us there. None of them were directed at us, but they were definatly shooting in our direction. We couldn’t see anything, or where he was, so we could do anything.

This really got me thinking about the whole “Market Security” job that we have been tasked with. It seems that we are there to help secure the markets, but I dont really think we are securing much. In fact we are pretty much in a reactive posture. Something happens, we try to take care of it or help out. Not very proactive, which I think is what needs to happen. There needs to be more of an effort to go after those responsible, not just trying to stop them in the act, or reacting to an attack. In the few months that we’ve been doing this, there have been, by my count, at least 5 car bombs, 2 of which were quite devistating. There have been several mortar attacks and IED attacks on the markets, not to mention the almost daily sniper attacks at a couple of the markets. So I have to ask myself, what are we really doing? I know some people would say that there are fewer attacks because of our presence. Maybe so, but if so, I dont really think its much of a difference. I just really hope people who need to know this see this or recognize this and we start going after those responsible, BEFORE they do something.  

Continue reading (Eighty Deuce on the Loose)

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SJS talks about his milblog Steeljaw Scribe.

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. That my formative years included a number activities that would make the nanny society of today grow pale and faint, centered as they were on the search for speed (on bikes and sleds), (explosives fireworks and home made) and flying - powered and otherwise…and all garnished a collection of broken ones and scars in the process.
2. That I am a huge Al Stewart fan.
3. One of my signatory achievements was proving an arrogant high school physics teacher dead-wrong.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

1. First bog went up in April of ‘06 - ver 3.0 was rolled out on 7 Jun 07 - the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Midway, and lends insight into why I blog.
2. Began blogging to provide a creative outlet to address my desire to write. Of particular interest are those topics that center on naval history (especially naval aviation - see the “Flightdeck Friday” series, rolled out weekly), geopolitical issues concerning Russia, China, India and Iran and nuclear weapons/missile defense.

Question: What is your military experience?

• Career Naval Officer (retired as a Captain with 26+ years service)
• Naval Flight Officer - E-2C Hawkeye (3500+ hours/525 arrested landings or “traps”)
• Career highlights include CO of a VAW squadron, CVN Navigator and serving on the Navy Staff in the Strategy & Policy directorate
• Served in a variety of joint billets
• 9/11 vet of the attack on the Pentagon - led the N3N5 casualties coordination and assistance team effort for 37 families/NoK
• Operated in all theaters around the world
• Graduate of Naval War College, Naval Postgraduate School and The Citadel (all with honors)

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

• Neptunus Lex (http://www.neptunuslex.com)
• Far East Cynic (http://fareastcynic.blogspot.com)
• CDR Salamander (http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com)
• Chaotic Synaptic Activity (http://www.chaoticsynapticactivity.com)
• Black Five (http://www.blackfive.net/)
• EagleSpeak (http://eaglespeak.blogspot.com)
• No Angst Zone (http://noangst.blogspot.com)
• Castle Argghhh! (http://www.thedonovan.com/)
• The Stupid Shall be Punished (http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com)
• Chapomatic (http://www.gmapalumni.org/chapomatic/)
• Yankee Sailor (http://www.yankeesailor.us/)

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

• Help/encouragement from fellow shipmates (esp. Far East Cynic and Chaotic Synaptic Activity)
• Decent blogware (first blogspot, lately WordPress)
• And to quote Blanche (Streetcar named Desire) - “…I rely on the kindness of strangers.”

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

Just encourage your readers to stop by and pass along their suggestions, recommendations, brickbats, etc.!

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Hard Soldier talks about his milblog Hard Soldier.

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. Aside from the sense of humor I put into my blogs I am actually a pretty relaxed parent at home I just tend to see the funny side of work and parenting.
2. I laugh out loud when I think of something funny even though nobody said anything sometimes causing uncomfortable silences.
3. I come from a military family my dad was a soldier and a handful of uncles all went to Vietnam so I guess it was natural for me to join.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I had a blog on myspace where I would write funny stuff about the holidays or what was going in my life and always try make it hilarious. Many were good and some well, not so much. I had to cancel myspace because it was to much for my girlfriend….she’s my wife now.

Question: What is your military experience?

I have been in for nine years creeping up on ten. I was in the infantry for the first four years then was promoted to SGT. After the Semptember 11th attacks I was mobilized and served at Deseret Chemical Depot. Following that I can home home was approached about a job in recruiting so I did that for almost five years. I volunteered for this mission because in recruiting you almost forget that you are even a soldier because it’s all about the numbers for them, there is no comrarderire, no military bearing, no discipline, and a whole lot of favortism. To be honest I feel less stressed in a combat zone than at home recruiting. Plus I was tired of sending kids to Iraq and Afghanistan without having been there myself, I have soldiers that I trained and enlisted in my unit it really kind of cool to see them this far through their careers.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

I wouldn’t say I have favorites but Milbloggers are some funny guys and gals and I like all of them.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

I have to give credit to SGT Jean Paul Borda he gave me the idea set me up and all I did was have to write in it. So kudos to JP.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

Thanks for all of the support that I have recieved I hope to reach my laptop more often to post new interesting points of view on the life of Hardsoldiers from the infantry.

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Highlights From Milblogs Around the Net

• Kids of military parents deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan can go to camp for free. [Mudville Gazette]
• The “other” Iraq. [Looking at the World Through Slanted Eyes]
• One country surrenders to organized crime. [iVory Towerz]
• Two Republican senators call for a change of strategy in Iraq. [The Raw Story]
• One man simply trying to make a difference in the lives of a few Iraqi children. [My DD]
• What about long term plans in Iraq? [War In Context]
• Can we get some better body armor already? [Defense Tech]

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Guardsmans talks about his milblog One Guardsman’s Spiel.

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. I’m a nerd - I love computers and doing websites and LOVE video games. Battlefield 2 ROCKS!
2. I never tried tobacco until I joined the Army National Guard. I had just returned to my unit after AIT and my platoon said that it was time for my initiation…. I can’t go through many details but part of it involved tobacco in all it’s forms. In a short hour I went from never touching tobacco to smoking a cigar, smoking several cigarettes, snorting sniffing-snuff, and finally a big dip of Kodiak Wintergreen! By the time they’d finished with me I had a cigar in one hand, which they convinced me to inhale, a cigarette in the other, a fat dip in, and was snorting lines of sniffing-snuff! Oddly enough I never puked (I wish I would have), but needless-to-say my legs didn’t want to work for a while!
3. I know I have the most embarrassing experience in the military than most anybody. This might be a long story but you’ll enjoy it.I had just turned 21 and my unit was having a party to raise funds for our Christmas party. I figured I’d go there and have a couple of drinks then head back to the Armory. The party was a the bar of one of our unit members, a friend of mine. I had my first drink and Raffy had made it exceptionally strong - not that I was complaining. I planned on 2 more drinks and ordered my next one, which was also strong. When I ordered my third drink I was feeling pretty good. By the time I finished my third drink I had forgotten that I only wanted to have 3 drinks then leave. I remember having a good time but then everything becomes a blur. I remember thinking I needed to pass out and thought “I should just pass out in this booth - somebody will take me back to the Armory…” So pass out I did. Suddenly I woke up realizing that I needed to puke right NOW! I got up and started pushing through the packed bar to get to the bathroom. I remember having my hand over my mouth as I started to puke up on my way to the bathroom. In the bathroom I was puking everywhere except the toilet. On the wall, on the floor, everywhere! Suddenly the door flew open and somebody said “HEY! DO YOU KNOW WHO THE F#CK I AM?!” I said no between puking. “I’M THE GUY YOU JUST PUKED ON!” “Sorry.” I replied between heaves. “DO YOU KNOW WHO I ALSO AM?!” “No” I replied while continuing to puke. “I’M YOUR F#CKING SERGEANT MAJOR!!!!” Needless-to-say I sobered up pretty quickly. The CSM and I had a lovely little chat and somebody took me home. I was expecting to be demoted the next day at opening formation, but that never happened. Oddly, I ended up getting promoted the next month!

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I’ve been blogging for quite a while. I’ve had different blogs not related to the military but I’ve shut them down. I started my brother’s blog when he deployed to Iraq in 2005 and eventually decided to start my own.

I started my blog because I thought I might have an interesting story to tell. Whether I have an interesting story to tell still remains to be seen - but I keep blogging anyway. I thought I had an interesting story to tell because at the time I was a recruiter for the Army National Guard. I looked at the media and all the things I hear every day about recruiters and thought maybe I could change some opinions. I figured maybe I could provide an insight into the recruiting world that people have never heard before.

I am no longer a recruiter having ETSed and am going back to being a traditional soldier. I will continue to blog but don’t exactly know which direction I will take my blog.

Question: What is your military experience?

I tried to enlist just after my 17th birthday during my junior year of high school. I went to MEPS and was told I have “droopy eyelids”. Many doctor visits and several months later I enlisted as a 31C Single Channel Radio Operator. I was assigned to the scout platoon of an ADA unit and had a lot of good experiences and fun. Being in the scout platoon was an amazing experience.

Eventually it was decided that I would be the XOs radio operator in the ALOC. That was an interesting experience and I learned more about the military than I thought I would. After a while I decided that I would like to try out some combat arms stuff. I re-classed to a 14M Stinger Missile Operator, or MANPADS Crew member officially. I did that for a while before becoming a recruiter. I recruited for almost 4 years in a small town in Northeastern Minnesota. Being a recruiter was the best experience and the worst experience of my life. I was able to take a forever failing office and proceeded to win the Chief’s Freedom Challenge in 2005 and helped my team to be the #1 recruiting team in the country in 2006. They’re on track to being #1 this year too.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

My favorite Milblog is JusticeSoldier.com - the fact that he is my brother and I administrate and sometimes contribute to his blog has nothing to do with it being my favorite I assure you! I used to really like “Confessions of a Military Recruiter” until he had to shut down his blog. I now read “Jack Army”, “Adventures of a Detailed Recruiter”, “SGT Lori”, and “Blackfive” quite often.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

I think the biggest factor is having something to say that is relevant and understandable. I know we’ve all been to a blog and not understood what the author was saying…. or just didn’t care. When I write in my blog I think of my readers (whoever they may be) and wonder if they will care what I am writing about. I also make sure that I care what I’m writing about. If I don’t care about what I’m writing about or I don’t think my readers will care - I don’t write.

Another major factor to a successful blog is making it personal. When my readers visit my blog, I like to think it is like sitting down and having a cup of coffee with me. I’ve been to blogs where the writer was more like an impersonal reporter - I didn’t feel like I was connecting with the writer.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

I really like to dabble in video editing. Some people may have seen my first video “American Soldier Featuring LTC Randolph C. White Jr.” I recently finished a new video titled “A Tribute to Military Children”. I think everyone will enjoy this moving new video of mine and encourage everyone to go to my blog to check it out!

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Eighty Deuce on the Loose in Iraq

From Airborneparainf82: Im 25 years old and Im a team leader in an Infantry line squad with the 82nd Airborne. This is my first experience in Iraq, and being inspired by another blogger from before I joined, I decided to keep a record of my experience; a perspective of the war from boots on the ground.

Q & A with Airborneparainf82

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

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Frank Staheli talks about his milblog Serving the People of Iraq.

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. That I was born in Saigon, Vietnam while my father was working there in the early 1960’s.
2. That I served in Iraq after my wife and I prayed about whether I should retire from the military (the answer was to stay in).
3. That I am afraid of heights.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

After having served in Iraq for about 4 months, I decided to capture my feelings. Serving Iraq was born. I feel a catharsis when I can put my feelings down for posterity, and that’s what keeps me going. The learning that takes place as I study such issues as Oil for Food, PBS lack of desire to show a film about moderate Muslims, and successes in Iraq makes it all worth it. I chose the name Serving Iraq because I felt it was important to remind myself and my readers that we are attempting to provide a valuable service to the people of Iraq–helping them to achieve liberty.

Question: What is your military experience?

I served in the Utah National Guard with the 222nd Field Artillery for nearly 25 years. I retired in December 2006. I was a Fire Direction Chief for 19 of those years, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

• SoldiersPerspective
• Mudville Gazette
• Kari with a K!
• Gazing at the Flag
• VA Joe!

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

I feel that I am an excellent writer and I am often able to provide a unique perspective into the stories and issues of the day. The challenge of writing something that people will read and appreciate is what keeps me going. The occasional compliments from readers doesn’t hurt either!

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

Since returning home, I have also written prodigiously in another web log entitled Simple Utah Mormon Politics. I’ve made a handful of appearances on a national radio talk show called “The Right Balance” with Greg Allen, where I’ve talked about my service in Iraq, etc.

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Stoli talks about his milblog Mission Iraq - Round 2.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I have been blogging since January 07 when I started this deployment. This is an easy way for family and friends to stay up with what I am doing in Iraq.

Question: What is your military experience?

I have been in the Air Force for 16 years and have worked many different types of jobs…although lately been doing a lot of staff work. I have been to Korea, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Bosnia, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

The One Wire, The Landlocked Sailor, and the AF EWO in Iraq. They are linked on my blog. I should probably expand my blog horizons and check out some others.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

My children are growing up without me while I serve over here. Thus, the blog lets them see what I am doing, seeing, and thinking while 8,000 miles away from home. It gives them something tangible to keep for later in life in addition to memories of my phone calls and emails.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?

I really appreciate the random emails of support and thanks from people back in America. Our presence has become unpopular both in America and in Iraq, yet it’s good to know we have a loyal following of support from home.

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Paul Lynn talks about his milblog Worth My Salt

Question: What are 3 things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. I was enlisted Air Force right out of high school, stationed at the Pentagon during the late days of the Cold War. Riding my skateboard home one day I crashed it in the center court of the Pentagon, earning a few stitches above my eye and a potential Article 15 for damaging government property, myself.
2. I wanted to go Army right out of high school, and go to Ranger School. But, my older brother talked me out of it in order to go to college at night in the AF. I took an Admin. job, and was able to get a jump start with the AF paying for much of it.
3. I took a military hop to Germany with a friend, and toured Europe on a first class Eurarail pass. It was a real bargain by American standards. I was there in October of 1989. One month later I would have been able to witness the Berlin Wall come down. Bummer.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I will answer the second question first. I’m a news junkie; pretty much always have been. How far back shall I answer this question? Well, since 9/11 my patriotic ire has been up for obvious reasons. I was glued to the news when we assisted and invaded Afghanistan. And likewise Iraq.

I’ll never forget an email I got from a Chaplain in Iraq in 2003/04. We attended college and seminary together. I walked down the steps from second floor and told my wife that I wanted to do what he was doing. I wanted to hear more about what was going on over there, first hand accounts. I heard about Colby Buzzell’s blog, “My War.” I searched for it, and read it. It was riveting. I was hooked.

I started blogging when I was a civilian pastor. I attached a blog to our Church’s website as a way to make it more alive and interesting. This was probably 2004/2005.

Question: What is your military experience?

As stated above, I enlisted in the Air Force. 3 years active duty. Then I went to college full time. After college I went back into the AF Reserves for 2 years until Seminary. I became an Army Reserve Chaplain in September 2005. I went active this past February. Actually, counting IRR time, over 15 years.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

 I was hooked on Michael Yon for a while. How could you not check out Black Five every once in a while? But, Gentle Whisper is a site where she has a collection of active Chaplain blogs, several of them I personally know. It’s interesting for me to keep up with my fellow Chaplains.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

I’m flattered that you consider “Worth My Salt” a successful blog. I’m not sure I do, yet. But to answer the question in one word, “Discipline.” It’s like anything else that you want to improve upon–one must make it a priority, and have a desire to get better at it. That means coming back to it on a regular basis, whether you feel like it or not. I’m also inspired by others, not necessarily those who have a cool blog, but people who make it a priority to think creatively.

Question: Any other final thoughts?

This might sound strange, but I often think about deleting the whole thing. I worry about saying too much. As a Chaplain I take “confidentiality” very seriously. And, so, there are things that I would love to blog about, but it would definitely cross the line by writing more than I should. I’m also cautious about offending the Chaplain Corps. I would have to be naive to think that big brother isn’t watching. There are things that Chaplains should not say or do, and I want to be above reproach. One more thing. The reality of not only 9/11 is in the consciousness of many military members, but now there is also the reality of, “The Ft. Dix 6.” These are the latest Islamic radicals to try to make a statement by taking out service members here at home. The fact of the matter is . . . it’s too easy to find out where I live. Freedom of Speech is awesome, but loose lips, well, you know.

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Here she is, the USS New York, made from the World Trade Center!

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship’s bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, ‘those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,’ recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. ‘It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.’

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the ‘hair on my neck stood up.’ ‘It had a big meaning to it for all of us,’ he said. ‘They knocked us down. They can’t keep us down. We’re going to be back.’

The ship’s motto: Never Forget

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