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 …
