[JohnHuang2]

Tuesday, April 2, 2002

Quote of the Day by liberalism=failure 4/1/02

[JohnHuang2]

Col. Hackworth heads up...

[Russell Scott]

Hopefully having a Commander-in-Chief who actually is fit, and not a guy who jogs for 5 minutes before heading to McDonald's, and then serves an intern his happy meal, will motivate the troops.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Every week, fewer American flags are flying from cars and homes.
And it becomes easier to rationalize Sept. 11 as a terrible tragedy that happened to the folks in some other town rather than the ongoing threat to our way of life that this century's Day of Infamy really represents."

Sad but true.
Personally I have flown the flag daily and/or had at least had a flag decal on a window wherever I have lived.
Same with any vehicle (decal) I have owned.
Why people would stop now is beyond my comprehension.
The flag is a symbol of our Freedom.
And our Freedom is in danger, yet many Americans would rather show continual support for their favorite sports club.

[Quila]

I'll be the first to admit that my basic training in the 80s was far easier than I expected it to be. I was actually disappointed.

And the stories I hear from ex-drill sergeants about today's training are quite pathetic.

[Solid Oak]

This is the result of over a decade of feminizing the military and turning leading NCO's and CPO into social workers rather than leaders of a fighting force. The only thing that has saved our bacon thus far is that, for the most part, the serious fighting has been done by our most elite forces.

[Jethro Tull]

"...many of these boys and girls – some of whom could barely do two push-ups when they first reported to the Army Reception Station – wouldn't make it in battle."

*********

Dear Col. Hackworth:

I find your assessment of the condition of the United States military somewhat extreme.

So what if Suzie and Johnny can't do more than two pushups? Isn't it enough for a Neanderthal like youself that our military is now more ethnically and sexually diverse that ever before?

I think your comments have earned you a "time out." Our girls and boys might not be the grizzled men of Iwo Jima, but their self-esteem has never been higher. Don't believe me? Well then, just ask them yourself.

Good day Mr. Hackworth, and please contain any future criticism of our military to the VFW halls.

Signed,

Col. "Biff" Fontelroy

[Deadeye Division]

bump

[crystalk]

Too many effing Women! Should be home mekking Bebbies, not War.

[Uncle George]

My daughter spent two years in the military a few years ago and she told me if she can make basic we are in poor fighting shape as a fighting army. Something has to change in powder puff military basic training.

[Governor StrangeReno]

Its a matter of the times post depression people could be immediately thrown into mud covered with razor wire and rotting sheep entrails and get shot at by live ammunition,eventually many these days get to that level but you have to start with the concept,'this is mud' i.e the current generation has to be taught what can be put up with before actually having to do it.From the administative side however the Clinton PC era hasn't helped,obviously with the special forces casualties in Afghanistan they're as good if not better trained and equipped than their predecessors,im talking cannon fodder.

[RetiredArmy]

Last week, I made several posts on another thread concerning many of the items that Hack discusses here.

I specifically spoke of the poorness of the training of the Army basic training, the co-ed training and such. I received two or three angry posts from posters IDing themselves as "officers" in the Army. They did not like me saying things like this about people on active duty today.

Like I am suppose to just ignore it or something. Well, Colonel Hack says the same thing. This sergeant says the same thing. I said the same thing. Of course, the officers who posted here against me do not think that. Of course, Hack also addresses them in this article just as I also did in my post last week. The senior officer corps needs to decide if they are for the defense of the nation or trying to make rank. They need to change the training. If someone who finishes basic and advanced training AND airborne school cannot pass the minimum PT test requirements, then how in the HELL did they get out of those training environments with a passing PT score?

I am a 51 year old retired Army senior noncommissioned officer. Last night I pounded my thread mill for 13:30 minute miles for 45 minutes. I may not be able to max an Army PT test, but it sounds like I could beat some of the 18, 19 and 20 year olds who are getting out of basic and AIT today.

So, I am sure Colonel Hack, who wrote this article, has his ear much closer to the barracks doors than I do any longer, agrees. The Army needs to separate the men and women training (that is the Fort Leonard Wood item the sergeant was speaking of), and get down to hard and dirty training for the soldiers who war fight. They need to put more time in on getting people properly trained and physically fit to hump in the boonies and up those mountains. It seems Hack has hit the nail on the head here, once again!

I further think that the pay schedules should be changed to reflect support jobs from war fighter jobs. The military (through our giving Congress) gives overseas pay or combat pay, but that does not equal out to a grunt or chopper crew going into a hot LZ as it does to someone working at the finance office. The people who put their lives on the line each and every day, the combat MOS' and the direct combat support types deserve something above and beyond what the admin types draw. I was infantry until wounded in Vietnam. Because of those injuries I had to change to JAG as a legal NCO. So, I have seen both sides of that page. I still think the war fighters deserve something more in the time of combat. Maybe the combat pay should double their normal pay when they are in the combat zone. It busts my butt to think that a Navy Seal gave his life for $30,000 a year while over-paid congress assholes make six figures in salary and more in perks!

[StopGlobalWhining]

From Bill Garner of the Washington Times, April 1997: