I love hearing tales of combat experiences.  Those that I enjoy the most are those of courage, valor and selflessness.  I think they speak to the core of what being an infantryman is about.  The challenge, the struggle, the victory… These words have often reminded me of those groups of individuals I have on occasion …

Ever since my time as a rifle platoon leader in the 101st I’ve had a special place in my heart for the Blackhawk that only expanded to the attack helicopter crowd when I got to see a Cobra take out an Iraqi tank back in the day so at the Maneuver Conference I made a …

Not much coverage to be seen on the anniversary of the Invasion of Grenada Operation Urgent Fury or Beirut Bombing.  The Grenada invasion was the first major US military operation after Vietnam.  It marked the re-emergence of US military exceptionalism after the disastrous ‘70’s. It simultaneously demonstrated the incredible capabilities of our military as well …

As promised, this is the first in a series of articles chronicling the most interesting systems I saw at the Maneuver Conference (formerly known as the Infantry Conference). General Dynamics showcased the Stryker test bed vehicle.  This is the Stryker with the latest  modifications/technology for the Army to play with determining the future direction of …

As part of the Marines effort to collect data on women serving in the Infantry the first enlisted marine infantry basic course consisting of 15 women started 28 Sep 2013.  The course is approximately 8 weeks long. 19 women Marines volunteered to try the course which is for data only.  They will not be awarded …

I read an article about “toxic leadership” on a blog I visit. For those that don’t know “toxic leadership” has been the in vogue buzz word for leaders (mostly officers) that create command climates that drive people from the service and leave a trail of destruction behind them.   The article was chock full of solutions …

“OUTLAW PLATOON, Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell HANDS DOWN, THE BEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ ABOUT AFGHANISTAN and I’ve read all the “bestsellers”.   I can’t think of a better book to recommend to anyone who wants to understand combat, the brotherhood of war and selflessness or be …

Captain James Clement commanded a Marine company in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in July 2011.  Unbeknownst to him, four of his Marines did something dumb urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters and then crossed the line into blind stupidity by taking pictures and filming it.  Well the pictures were released to the press by …

Every infantry fire team has a light machine gun called the SAW (squad automatic weapon).  The SAW gunner carries a 17lb weapon and typically a 600 round basic load which is another 15lbs for a total of 32 lbs.  The LSAT SAW the Army is testing cuts the same load down to 19lbs. I was …

Hello! Grunts & Co is about the Infantry, those subjects of interest to infantrymen and those that have an interest in either.   Grunts & Co is about commemorating and celebrating “Grunts” and company.  It’s also about those serious issues that impact them and our great country.  We welcome everyone.  I believe a hole exists in …

Every year the Infantry and Armor put on a conference.  It is essentially a huge trade show for those branches of the Army.  Think of it as Shot Show for the Infantry and the Armor.  The purpose of the conference is to yearly touch base on the latest developments and future of the respective branches.  …

Today there was an addition to the illustrious roll of Medal of Honor awardees. CPT Will Swenson was awarded the MOH by the President at the White House today 15 Oct 2013.  He commanded an embedded training team advising Afghan Border Police on 8 Sep 2008 when his team came under heavy fire near the …