Yankee Papa’s Uniforms series… UNIFORMS: Towards The Practical Part One 1775-1915 UNIFORMS: Towards the Practical Part 2 1914-1975 UNIFORMS: Towards the Practical Part 3. 1917-2017 Camouflage, Conflict, and Chaos “…General requirements for military textiles:  Future soldier requirements:  Dealing with complexity; Non-woven fabrics for military applications; Mechanical failure criteria for textiles and textile damage resistance; The …

With a broken heart and significant physical difficulty (it’s hard to type constantly wiping away one’s tears and blowing one’s nose) that I report the passing of our oldest, wisest and most loving four-legged friend. I adopted “Sabot” as a gift to my wife a month after our wedding on Valentine’s Day almost 15 years …

The General sat at his desk and fumed.  Thirty-five years in the Army and he was used to getting his way.  But this damned “Second Land Army”, as he always insisted on calling it (except in public) was being more arrogant than usual.  He never saw any reason for it existing in the first place.  …

If you’re a “gun guy” you’ve read a flurry of articles on the Army considering fielding a 7.62mm rifle to replace the 5.56mm M4 as an interim step to eventually adopting a new caliber next decade.  The driving force is a perceived overmatch by our current and future potential enemies. It’s an effort fraught with …

 …August 22, 1914.  The day started with heavy fog and no idea where the German army might be.  At least the French knew where *they* were… spread out from Northern France into Southern Belgium.  As the fog began to burn off, most of the men found themselves in forest country… and the Germans were immediately …

Round counters were once a dream or concept for science fiction movies.  They may have finally become a real world practicality facilitating a huge leap in weapons maintenance.  ADS and Secubit will be showcasing their paradigm changing approach WeaponLogic, at Shot Show 2017. Since the advent of large capacity magazines, soldiers have searched for ways …

Rock Island’s TCM TAC Ultra Full Size (FS) is the third pistol in my series of reviews on the company’s innovative new 1911’s chambered in 9mm AND 22TCM.  When I opened the box the movie Robocop came to mind.  I learned the passing similarity to the Desert Eagle wasn’t the only thing the guns have …

The Washington Free beacon reported a disturbing incident.  A joint U.S.-Russia Commission on POW/MIAs met in May.  Despite over a 1000 pages of documentation citing Russian and Chinese officers eyewitness accounts, Michael Linnington, former director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) told the Russians there was “no evidence” US POW’s captured in Korea were …

Every November 10th, Majrod has me address some Birthday comments to the Marines that prowl around this site from time to time.  Every year I remind them that the Marine Corps is so besotted with glory that it is as well to remember that other services… especially the Army… have played their own part in …

I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to sit through BAT Defense’s Aerial Target Interdiction Course last Saturday given at Altair in the Florida everglades.  I probably won’t be able to do justice to the event.  From top to bottom it was awesome.  If you’ve “done everything” when it comes to shooting, put this …

I watched Hacksaw Ridge tonight and left the theatre spent.  It’s an inspiring story that celebrates being true to one’s self in the cauldron of combat.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in movies with a strong moral theme.  It’s also a very well done action movie and has much to offer those that …

…Brisk April morning.  Roughly zero dark thirty.  Troops had been waiting forever, but the brass had insured “hurry up and wait” by trying to micro-manage an evolution that they had never seen fit to practice before.  They were late getting all the men into the boats and underway.  It would be long after dawn before …

When it comes to guns it’s hard to be innovative with the myriad of choices out there.  The task becomes near insurmountable when you tackle the venerable 1911 chassis and simultaneously create a brand new round.  You have to hand it to Rock Island and I applaud their daring.  I was given the opportunity to …

Marathon Targets likely impressed me the most of all the displays at Ft. Benning’s 2016 Maneuver Conference.  It can potentially revolutionize our small arms ranges and small unit training up to company level while tremendously increasing our Soldiers and Marines marksmanship capabilities.  Today, unless our troops are given access to very limited and expensive range …

One hundred years ago combustion powered armored war machines first took to the battlefield. Startfor did an excellent article in commemorating this historic development. Besides describing that event the article discussed the evolution of armored platforms back to the Roman Army and hit on some dynamics that still are with us today e.g. speed, weight …

Get ready.  I’m about to overturn what a lot of knowledgeable “gun people” think they know about the Army’s M855A1 “Green Round”.  There will be gnashing of teeth as angry keyboarding hammers out responses that will most likely ignore the facts I’m about to share. What’s prompted me to cause this upheaval in “common knowledge” …

Gentex is commonly known as a helmet company but they are much more than that.  Their specialty is actually producing solutions that go far beyond just the shell of a helmet and ballistic protection.  They are very concerned with creating solutions that make the soldier’s ability to complete the mission safer and more efficient.  Their …

Ft Benning, the home to the Army’s Maneuver Center and the Army’s Infantry and Armor branches hosts a yearly conference called the Maneuver Conference.  The conference is an opportunity for vendors to showcase equipment the Army may be interested in as well as an event where the Army’s primary maneuver branches assess themselves, the Army …

Every five years our country makes a special effort to remember 911.  I understand.  We tend to make a bigger deal when an anniversary falls on a multiple of five.  That said, 911 falls in a very unique category and we don’t do it justice.  It is an event that has impacted our lives daily …

Six battalions of Infantry were called for by the continental congress this day 241 years ago.  The Infantry throughout our history has been the American who had to dig out our enemies at face to face distance.  Happy Birthday, US Army Infantry!   Today is the Army’s Birthday, an organization that has borne 80% of …

S.L.A Marshall is a very well-known military historian.  For decades his perspectives of combat were seminal and uncontested.  Even later while his statistical analysis has been questioned his anecdotes remain unchallenged, stirring examples of what battle is like.  The Atlantic ran some words from his personal notes where he documented the initial company by company …

“It is nothing; for this are we soldiers.” -Colonel Guy V. Henry-, severely wounded on the battlefield at Rosebud Creek, June 1876.   Part I, Part II, Part III of BOTH SIDES OF THE CHOSIN series.   Faith decided that on December 1st that he would attempt to take his force back the way that …

There’s been a rash of articles about Gen Mark Milley wanting authority to select the Army’s next pistol.  This isn’t new.  Gen Milley has been broaching the issue since October not even two months into his tour as the current U.S. Army chief of staff.  On the surface, the argument makes a lot of sense …

Special Operations Command recently experimented using two OV10 light observation/utility aircraft in the close air support role in combat against ISIS.  This incident has made a small splash in various forums and a discussion of the Air Force obtaining prop engine type light aircraft to do CAS especially with the venerable A-10  being constantly offered …

“…Because Washington permitted soldiers to make and to act on decisions that were beyond the purview of the military, because it forced them to bring purely military thinking into matters that remained in essence political…in short because Washington still sometimes acted as if there could be a separation between war and politics, the United States, …

  “A sense of security is very often the beginning of disaster…” -Velleius Patercuslus- re Teutoburger Wald, 9 AD   “That’s impossible.  There aren’t two Chinese Communist divisions in the whole of North Korea…” -Major General Edward M. Almond- Noon, 11/28/50 when told of eight Chinese Divisions attacking X Corps at Chosin – – – …

The seizure of two US Navy riverine patrol boats January 12th has been widely reported.  For those not following or remembering details, two Navy Riverine Command Boats (RCB) were captured by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces near Farsi Island, a sensitive Iranian naval base.  One of the boats had engine trouble and somehow the GPS units …

At this point most know the story of SFC Charles Martland.  He’s the Special Forces soldier that beat and physically evicted the commander of an Afghan Local Police (ALP) unit who laughed and admitted he raped a boy from the post his Special Forces team was on.  Martland and his lesser known commander Captain Dan …

  “The water downstream will not be clear if the water upstream is muddied…” -Korean Proverb-    Part II, Part III, Part IV of BOTH SIDES OF THE CHOSIN   Lt. Colonel Don Carlos Faith Jr. came home to stay on April 18th of 2013.  He had been born in Washington Indiana in 1918.  Son …

During this joyous time of year military history appropriately takes a back seat to Christmas shopping, family and most importantly the reason for the season.  That said and wishing all of you the best holiday I’d like to shine a spotlight on a seminal event often forgotten in our military history, the largest, riskiest and …

It’s Army-Navy week where the MILITARY Academy and the Naval Academy (there’s a reason behind the names) ramp up school spirit culminating at the annual Army-Navy football game.  One of the more spectacular pranks is mascot stealing of which much has been written.  I was personally involved in the most obscure and largely unreported mascot …

There’s been a tremendous amount written on the startling news of Turkey’s shoot down of a Russian fighter.  Just as surprising is the superficial analysis and stunning lack of discussion of the background events leading to this event.  Numerous media analysts and pundits have characterized Turkey’s shoot down of a Russian fighter as an overreaction …

  There are 22 million vets in America today, 7% of the US population.  Veteran’s Day is America’s way of celebrating her living veterans.  A veteran is an American who at one point or the other served in our armed forces during war or peace.  Most are volunteers, some were draftees.  They all took an …

Every year I wish my fellow Marines all the best on the occasion of the Birthday of our beloved Marine Corps.  I also remind them that though the Corps is positively besotted with glory… other services have done their part as well.  No Marines died at Shiloh or Gettysburg or Bastogne or the Ia Drang… …

Recently the media alleged that presidential candidate Ben Carson lied about receiving a “scholarship” to West Point as a teenager.  My intent here is to explain the very unique process one goes through to get into the Academy so as one reads the various reports one is better educated than the overwhelming majority reporting on …

Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller approved making the M4 the primary rifle for all infantry battalions.  The Marines are adopting the M4 as its primary Infantry rifle something the US Army did for its light Infantry in the late 90’s and for the rest of its combat arms troops in 2006.  I presaged this decision …

What do Poland and Syria have in common?  Both have been playgrounds for Russian adventurism and political manipulation by the application of brute (sometimes brutal) military force. History tells us of the product of the Molotov-Ribbentrop meeting.  Ribbentrop  was Hitler’s foreign minister and Molotov was Stalin’s representative.  At the meeting they agreed to invade and …

   –  The day was getting late.  Much longer and it would be a few remaining Martini-Henry’s against thousands of assegais in the gloom.  The horses were long dead… and many of the volunteers.  One more hard push by the Matabele and it would all be over.  It was becoming obvious that any relief force …

Recently, US forces struck a hospital in operations to recover Kunduz Afghanistan from the Taliban.  The hospital was engaged because it was reported Taliban forces were firing on Afghan Forces (initially reported as US Force) inside or in the vicinity of the hospital.  The hospital was engaged by an AC 130U gunship.  This version is …

  Published here with permission from LTC (RET) Terry Baldwin & Soldier Systems Daily.  (Thanks!)   I was a freshly minted Infantry Staff Sergeant in the spring of 1981 attending the 25th Infantry Division’s Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course. We had a 2-Star guest speaker one day. I admit I don’t recall his name or job …

I attended the Maneuver Conference 2015 at Ft. Benning this 14-17 September.  As usual, it was a great event and if you are ever in Columbus Ga when the conference is being held it would be well worth your time to attend.  I always leave informed impressed and foot weary from all there is to …

The facts are still coming in.  Next of Kin are still being notified.  Thankfully the “T” word isn’t being avoided. I have some sad predictions.  As soon as the authorities announce the type of rifle Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez used to murder four unarmed Marines the anti-gun community will revisit their attempts to limit American’s right …

The NYT reported the story of Lt. Col. Kate Germano, a commander of an all women Marine basic training unit.  Besides increasing female Marine physical performance and a three-fold increase in rifle qualification Germano made enemies and was recently relieved.   Statements like “telling them (female Marines) their male counterparts will never respect them if they …

The House Armed Services Committee asked the Pentagon in late April why the Army and the Marines use different primary ammunition types in their most common small arms caliber 5.56mm.  It’s a curious contradiction since the Army and Marines are fighting the same enemy in the same regions of the world.  Now that the worldwide …

35 years ago I celebrated my first 4th of July in uniform.  My memory might be a bit hazy but I remember it as follows.  Three days after arriving at West Point and surviving R-Day I found myself on the “Plain” participating in the Cadet Basic Training Regiment 4th of July Review.  R-Day stands for …

Stars and Stripes reported last week on the three remaining women attempting Ranger school again after failing the first phase twice.  (Not unheard of for male students but it is uncommon.)  My biggest take away from the article was a fundamental misunderstanding about patrols, how we train our leaders and Ranger school. The article put …

Below is the first story I ever had published which was in the Fall 2003 issue of Infantry Magazine. I wanted to include it here and rescue it from its pretty ignominious existence buried in the bowls of internet. The title pretty much describes the subject.  Warning, this was written for a professional journal and …

The Army celebrates 14 June, 1775 as its birthday.  On that day, the Continental Congress called for ten companies of expert rifleman to be formed.  The day is also in effect, the birth of America’s first Infantry.   These men came from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia comprising the 1st Continental Regiment.  Within two months they …

Today is the 71st anniversary of D-Day, one of the largest amphibious invasions in history.  Besides being a prime number, there’s nothing special about the number 71 so you won’t see the wider coverage we enjoyed last year except for some stuff maybe on the History Channel.  It’s admittedly a tough subject.  In the 71 …

For some reason this Memorial Day Weekend is hitting me exceptionally harder than normal.  I’m having a mental block but like on all Memorial Days I try to make it a point to remember and meditate on the 11 men I knew that lost their lives in the service of this nation.  I’m not the …

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported the Anti-ISIS Al-Hashad Al-Shabi militia forces shot down a US helicopter supplying ISIS.  It further reported US Apache helicopters airdropped food and arms to ISIS.  Fars published pictures of the shot down helicopter (see above). There are a couple of problems with the report.  First, the helicopter pictured isn’t a …

We are on top of the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.  A civilian (non-obligor reservist actually…) for almost five years when that went down, I still had a dim and very distant connection to that event.   At Marine Corps recruit training in 1968, my initial Series Officer (in charge of four platoons …

   The American had commandeered a Marine tank and a loudspeaker.  Pulling up to the gate leading to the Moslem section of Beirut he had the tank’s 90mm gun pointed into the quarter.  He announced through an interpreter that those who had taken the Marines hostage had three minutes to release them, their jeep… and …

Twelve men wearing US Army uniforms, armed with US weapons and riding in black GMC Suburbans passed through three Iraqi security checkpoints in Karbala Iraq.  Upon entering the compound of the joint Iraqi-American headquarters, the group moved with precision and purpose.  They attacked a US HMMWV guarding the entrance mortally wounding one soldier and taking …

It has been said by many that the United States has not launched an amphibious assault since Inchon in 1950.  The 51 Marines and Navy Corpsmen killed and 203 wounded in Operation Starlite in Vietnam in 1965 (and four times that number of VC) might disagree. Still, the operation was quite a bit smaller than …

CNN reports that 100 US Special Ops forces, the last present in Yemen, are being withdrawn because of a deteriorating security situation.  This announcement should raise a list of questions, concerns and demonstrate some important truths. Why are we withdrawing completely from the administration’s only vaunted counter insurgency success?  One’s first response might be, “Well, …

The Marines were defending their number one modernization priority in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcomittee on Seapower this week.  A “new” wheeled amphibious vehicle called the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is slated to replace the majority of the Corps 40 year old AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle.  GruntsandCo’s covered the ACV in its …

Iran, Er I mean “Iraq”, surprised US officials with an offensive aimed at Tikrit that started a couple of days ago.  The composition of the offense, the manner it is being conducted, the lack of US involvement and the target all signal deeper truths about the current struggle going on in Iraq and Iran’s growing …

Two dueling and paradoxically supporting reports surfaced today. The Daily Beast published a story by Rep Duncan Hunter reference the falling lack of trust soldiers have in their Generals.  The belief that senior military leaders have the best interests of their soldiers at heart dropped from 53% in 2009 to 27% last year.  He cited …

Operation Inherent Resolve has been largely reported as a special operations effort to stop ISIS’ progress in Iraq and assist the Iraqis in taking the offense against them.  Not counting the significant Navy and Air Force conventional forces supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the surprising and largely unreported truth is the majority of ground troops committed …

The Army in again evaluating establishing military occupational specialty (MOS) specific physical training (PT) fitness tests.  Military.com reports the latest initiative considers maintaining the general test that is in practice but also create one for combat arms like Infantry and Armor. The most likely reason for the latest effort is to create specific individual standards …

70 years ago today American troops found themselves engaged in the second largest battle in its history.*  Over half a million American troops eventually fought the Nazis during that Battle of the Bulge but in its early days the odds were very much in the Germansd favor. From the city of Bastogne emenated major highways …

Correction: Below is my response to a fake story about the Marines getting rid of Navy Corpsman.  The story has been debunked.  It’s a reminder to me to not respond so quickly to “news” until I confirm from multiple sources.   Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus announced the Marines will take over unit level …

Just like the data dump following the failed Syria raid to rescue James Foley exposed US tactics techniques and procedures, the administration has repeated the mistake with the recent failed raid to rescue American journalist Luke Somers. While a simple statement saying, “US Special Operations Forces were unable to rescue an American hostage who was …

There’s been a flurry of events going on over the last month that have put events in Iraq and Syria on the back burner.  After about three months of airstrikes and deploying well over 1000 “advisors” the operation has been publicly named “Inherent Resolve” a striking paradox considering neither word lends itself to describe the …

Veteran’s Day has a very unique and somewhat strange history.  It has become a uniquely American celebration in that while its roots like many nations started as a commemoration of the sacrifice of WWI vets it has become a celebration of the service of all living vets. World War I, “The War to End all …

Every November 10th Majrod has me perform the proper benedictions and deliver the Gruntsandco Marine Corps Birthday greeting.  “It is altogether fitting and proper that we do so…” I usually just remind my fellow Marines that even though our beloved Corps is absolutely drenched and besotted with glory… that we did not do it all.   …

By YP (All Rights Reserved)   Back in the 1980s I used to subscribe to quite a few military journals and read many of the most recent books on military science… news, and events. I did a little writing, including for the Marine Corps Gazette. Then like a character in a Hitchcock film I saw …

  Saw “Fury” on its opening night.  It’s well worth seeing.  It is a brutal, realistic, violent portrayal of tank warfare, a story not often told let alone told so well.  This is likely the best movie I’ve ever seen or heard of that focuses on the subject.  The emotional roller coaster is wrought with …

At the Third Review Conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention (also known as the Ottawa Convention or the UN’s ban on landmine treaty) on June 27th US Ambassador Griffiths stated the US promised not to produce or buy anti-personnel landmines.  September 23rd the administration announced the US would destroy US anti-personnel mines not …

Didn’t make a big splash in the news which is no surprise but until very recently troops deployed to fight ISIS in the current no end date “No Name” operations in Iraq and Syria were not authorized recognition for their service.  The Iraq Campaign Medal is limited to troops that served there from 2003 to …

I attended the Maneuver Conference at Ft. Benning about a week ago and wanted to share some of the highlights.  Sadly sequestration is having an impact on the joint Infantry/ Armor Conference at Ft. Benning.  Many of the government organizations that attend these events weren’t present.  Most notable was Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, the …

In Part I of this essay I laid out the path that led to the current situation in Iraq.   I discussed the most commonly mentioned intervention approaches i.e. having partners fight ISIS and/or expanded use of airstrikes and how neither is likely to be successful.  Most importantly, I explained that without a very clear and …

UPDATED 21:02 EST 4 Sep ’14 I’ve been searching for a quality micro red dot for my AR15 and just couldn’t justify spending around $600 for the outstanding and battle proven Aimpoint Micro H-1 red dot sight.  I discovered the Holosun PARALOW HS403A Red Dot Sight and after two weeks of kicking the tires I …

We will be sending troops into ground combat in Iraq.  It’s just a matter of when.  I predicted long ago on Military.com that after our withdrawal from Iraq we would return just like MacArthur did to the Philippines.  Unlike the Philippines, it would be to a less friendly Iraq with less friendly Iraqis, in a …

In an uncharacteristic and incredibly coincidental revelation, the US government acknowledged it attempted to rescue the subsequently beheaded American journalist James Foley.  The government’s justification for acknowledging the raid is that it was about to be reported by several news organizations.  Huh?  Whatever happened to “neither can confirm nor deny”?   Instead of potentially vague …

Russia is going to invade Ukraine.  The only question is when.  Not that Russia needs it, but Russia has orchestrated a number of incidents designed to intimidate the US. Reuters reported that Russian news cited an unnamed Russian Navy Main Staff spokesman as stating a supposedly U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarine, was detected in the Barents …

I read in FoxtrotAlpha.jalopnik.com an essay on Israel’s first combat employment of the Trophy active protection system (APS).  This immediately caught my eye because of my experience modeling the system in 2003.  The system is mounted on Israeli Merkava 4 tanks and Namer infantry carriers.  It consists of fixed array radar to pick up incoming …

Essay by Yankee Papa and published for him on GRUNTSandCo (All rights Reserved) Corporal Antonio Pessoa* stepped out of his bunker into the snow.  While the American uniforms were excellent, none of the men of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) ever felt really warm in the mountains.  When the Force was first discussed it was …

There’s been a flurry of news lately about the potential demise of the Army’s M9 9mm pistol.  It’s a bit premature.  The Army recently concluded the Individual Carbine Competition to evaluate potential replacements for the M4 carbine.  It concluded without a clear winner or Army decision to replace the M4 though the Army has decided …

CNN is reporting Bowe Bergdahl is returning to duty.  The investigation into his alleged desertion continues and while most will be drawn into a discussion of his reintegration into civilization or the correctness of Bergdahl being assigned duties (seems inefficient to have to assign two supervisors to a soldier returning to duty) or getting $350k …

Political cronyism seems to be the cause of much of the lost Iraqi combat capability as Prime Minister Maliki’s administration replaced many competent officers with politically reliable ones since US military force left Iraq.  Recent reports tell of soldiers finding themselves under attack by ISIS learn that commanders at higher headquarters have fled.  The immediate …

On June 14 1775  the Continental Congress called for the formation of ten companies of expert rifleman.   These riflemen came from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia and comprised the 1st Continental Regiment.  Their standard weapon was the rifled long rifle also known as the Kentucky rifle.   The longer range and marksmanship of the 1st Continental …

70 years ago today 150 thousand troops were flung across the English Channel in an extremely risky operation to land on the continent, open a second front and rid the world of Nazisim.  There are a myriad of great books and movies out there.  “The Longest Day”, the “Band of Brothers” miniseries and excerpts of …

As we enjoy our long weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer and some really great sales opportunities I just wanted to remind everyone to take a moment and meditate on what the holiday is really about. Memorial Day, is a specific United States federal holiday formerly known as Decoration Day. Unlike Veteran’s Day which celebrates …

Next month the Army will be testing potential vehicles at Ft. Bragg to fit the Ultra Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV) concept.  This is an old (and good) idea that is new again.  The concept is for a light vehicle that can be chopped to Airborne and Light Infantry units to enhance their mobility.  After a …

The Ukraine is lost.  It’s no longer a question of if the Ukraine will lose its sovereignty but when.  The West doesn’t have the military capability to halt Russian aggression and more importantly, the will is absent.  When the US can’t send more than MRE’s any discussion of Ukraine standing against Russia is a short …

Late last year I wrote extensively here and on SOFREP.com on the Air Force Academy using cadet informants to expose other cadets involved in drug usage and sexual assault.  In the process, cadets were instructed to violate the cadet honor code and academy regulations with the promise they would be protected.  The Air Force’s Office …

by Yankee Papa   The SOG team was in Laos, awaiting extraction.  NVA “headhunter” units were narrowing down their search… It was only a matter of time…and it was running out for the team.  They had requested extraction, but FAC pilot was radioing information to them… asking odd questions… and the general drift seemed to …

In 1989 the Berlin Wall came down along with much of our common sense on our relationship with Russia.  A relatively recent rush of military-to-military training exercises with the Russians has likely helped Russia become more effective and likely even facilitated the invasion of Crimea. When the Soviet Union died the Soviet military fell into …

By now everyone has heard about the defense cuts leaked by Secretary of Defense Hagel’s staff to the New York Times.  To summarize, the Air Force is again offering up the much hated (by the Air Force establishment) A10 as its offering.  The Navy will cut back on the number of unsatisfactory and lightly armed …

The winter Olympics don’t particularly inspire me to think of similarities to the Infantry.  Sure the desire to win is there, there is the shooting in the biathlon and plenty of sports requiring high levels of physical fitness and endurance.  We really don’t train many troops to ski these days unlike WWII where we had …

Ft. Hood tore down the building where Nidal Hasan, an ex-Army officer and psychiatrist killed 14 and wounded 30 in 2009 while shouting “Allahu Akbar”.  Nidal used an FN Five Seven pistol to gun down unarmed soldiers in the former Soldier Readiness Processing Center.  Hasan fired 214 rounds and at least two soldiers and one …

Doing some research on the post Vietnam decision to go to one airborne division I came across this fascinating article by Charles S. Bloodworth.  I thought readers here would be interested.  It features some relatively unknown history about the development of the air assault badge and the Army’s transitioning of the 101st from an airborne …

Below is an essay written by Nick Palmisciano co-owner/ founder of Ranger Up.  A friend (YP) forwarded it to me and it inspired me, caused me to reflect, do a little research and repost it with some of my thoughts.  It has been incorrectly attributed to Gen. David Petraeus, General Norman Schwarzkopf and even “A …

Essay by Yankee Papa (all rights reserved) In June of 1866 700 men of the 18th Infantry Regiment were marching out of Fort Laramie heading up the new “Bozeman Trail…” This would save hundreds of miles from the old route to the mines in Montana. The weather was splendid and the troops were marching towards …

The Outpost by Jake Tapper is a must read for the student of war, the doctrine of counterinsurgency, those wishing to understand Afghanistan and why ultimately success has been elusive.  It is also the sad and ultimately tragic tale of Combat Outpost (COP) Keating from when it was first established in 2006 to the final …

My Buddy passed today.  Bradley was eleven years old Chow-Akita mix I adopted from the post pound as a puppy.  A “Chakita”, if you will and it always caused me an internal chuckle when folks “recognized” the breed.  He was a ball of fur that plowed along despite any obstacle either bowling them over or …

The government reversed itself and reported a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter was shot down by the Taliban in Afghanistan Dec. 17 2013.  Six soldiers were killed five from the 1st Infantry Div. and one from the 2nd Cav Regiment.  Initial reports were conflicted about enemy fire in the area but initially claimed enemy fired did not …

The Washington Post did a story on former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.  This story and the memoir will be causing news for weeks. The most important and damning excerpts from the story are that the President in regards to Afghanistan “doesn’t believe in his own strategy, and doesn’t consider the war to be his. …

There has been a rash of stories about the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS).  You can see some of the excitement here, hereand here and the military itself including SOCOM’s Admiral McCraven along with DoD are trying to fan the flames .  The suit is supposed to provide ballistic/shock/fire protection, increased situational awareness, potential …

We have much to be thankful for and want to single out those deployed from home this coming holiday.  I pray you are all home safe and soon.  I’d like to wish all of our readers a very special holiday and a Merry Christmas (no offense meant to those that don’t celebrate Christmas).  Shivering at …

The A-10 is the only US plane ever developed specifically to attack ground targets.  It has a distinguished history and is probably the most beloved fixed wing aircraft among the last several decades worth of grunts.   I was privileged to watch it do CAS firsthand two decades ago in Iraq.  MUCH has been written of …

A scandal brewing at the Air Force Academy has come full circle.  It features pathetic decision making, a lack of moral courage, leadership by coercion, abandoning of one’s troops, then silence, deny and counter accuse.  When the furor didn’t die down the leadership decided to take charge of what they weren’t aware of before, investigate …

Essay by Yankee Papa (all rights reserved) Someone asks you, “Why would anyone want an “assault rifle…?” The hysteria over “assault rifles” has swept a large segment of the population.  A senseless tragedy has been used by a hostile Administration as a propaganda “Reichstag Fire…” The constant drumbeat plays on the worst fears of those …

Yes, there was a plan!  The Navy and Marines presented Congress a concept in the 70’s to turn Iowa class battleships into heavy assault ships.  The Iowa class battleship was originally designed to accompany WWII carrier task forces.  Four of six planned ships were built and were the longest battleships ever built.  Coming into the …

Small Wars Journal ran an extremely interesting and well referenced article on this development There’s a “museum” in Mexico City open only to the Mexican government and used to train anti-drug forces.  The “Museo de Enervantes” as it’s called in Spanish features a “model” of the RPG-29 Vampir (Vampyre).   It’s called the RPG-29. The RPG-29 …

Gen Amos was cleared by the DoD IG of showing favoritism to Maj. James B. Conway the previous Marine Commandant’s son.  The officers of Maj Conway’s battalion were flagged after the marine urination incident in Afghanistan.  Officers were not allowed to be promoted and transferred except for Maj Conway who was subsequently promoted and assigned …

On 21 November the Marine Corps will likely graduate its first three Infantrywomen (one was hurt in the final week and complete a final PT test with the following class).  A huge congratulations is in order to the women who will complete the Marines’ enlisted basic Infantry course.  It is a significant personal accomplishment for …

Just posted!  Our latest reference section, Infantry Mission, Heraldry & Awards is loaded with tons of info.  The mission of the Infantry is pretty straight forward  but there’s tons of history to appreciate about the Infantry’s heraldry and awards.  Heraldry is the system by which coats of arms and other armorial bearings are devised, described, …

Last month the administration suspended $260mil in military aid and F16 deliveries.  This week the Egyptians are looking at a $1.7bil buy of Russian Mig 29 planes. When Anwar Sadat recovered Egyptian military honor in the ’73 war he had the strength and freedom to negotiate a peace treaty with Israel.  Part of the bargain …

Essay by Yankee Papa (all rights reserved)   What a difference a century makes: Springfield Daily News, 31 August 1967 –    “ARMY CONCEDES M16 GUNPOWDER TROUBLE. Washington (UPI) – The Army says the controversial M16 rifle – praised and damned by GI’s in Vietnam – has a minor bug* which is being corrected.  *(My …

Happy Veteran’s Day fellow Vets, all Americans and Allies! A veteran is an American who at one point or the other served in our armed forces during war or peace.  There are 22 million vets in America today, 7% of the US population.  Most are volunteers, some were draftees.  They all took an oath to …

As part of the effort to make GRUNTSandCo the premiere Infantry site on the web I’ve created the “GRUNTS” section.  It serves as the repository for references, history, culture and tradition items.  One of the Infantry’s weaknesses (especially the Army’s) is a failure to celebrate and commemorate its accomplishments.  That weakness is understandable because of …

I asked close friend and former Marine “YP” to write a birthday essay for his fellow Marines.  As always he delivers a routine message with style, little known anecdotes and a thoughtful message…       Was asked to say a few words about November 10th (Marine Corps birthday…)  For the Marines out there, not much …

I started Grunts & Co to commemorate and celebrate the Infantry and be the site for those who want to learn and immerse themselves in an infantryman’s perspective, what it means to be in the Infantry, its history, accomplishments, tradition and culture. The “Grunts” section will be where I preserve those essays, documents, presentations and …

Came across a story discussing the stationing of a unique 500 man Marine unit in the Mediterranean.  The unit has six V-22 Ospreys organized around a reinforced rifle company.  That gives the unit a pretty long reach and the capability to put Infantry on the ground.  This would have been especially useful in Benghazi but …

Well here’s the final installment of my coverage of the maneuver conference.  I selected the top three coolest, most relevant and high tech weapons I saw though there were plenty of honorable mentions if one has questions just ask.  Here are my selections.   The most impressive system I saw was the Extended Area Pro Survivability …

American Infantrymen have had nicknames since the nation’s founding.  Traditionally, they have almost always had their roots in derisive comments by our enemies or even fellow branches that have looked down on the “Queen of Battle”.  That term in itself seems insulting unless one is aware the Queen is actually the most powerful piece on …

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 …