Free Republic

Every Wednesday evening in Columbia, SC a group of "peace activists" (traiterous cowards) protest US involvement in Iraq. They hold up signs that denegrate the efforts of our troops. Calling it a "war for oil" and demanding that we "end the occupation" ( They obviously never looked up the definition of that word.) They do this near the foot of the capital steps 5-6 pm. Columbia is home of Fort Jackson which is one of the largest initial entry training posts in the army. It is also located near Sumter -home of Shaw Air Force Base. As a military wife,...

FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Navy sailors are trading sea legs for land combat as the U.S. Army is opening its largest training base to help them survive when sent into Afghanistan or Iraq. The Navy is sending thousands of men and women to support Army units in those regions and wants its sailors to hone their fighting skills. "Hit the ground and brace yourself with your weapon!" senior drill instructor Warren Brown yelled at a dozen trainees slithering across a mud-soaked field. "Look around, pick yourself up and go! You're under fire!" After struggling up from the mud with her...

It’s sunrise at Fort Jackson, and the soldiers are up for P.T. In the thick of the group is Brig. Gen. Abraham Turner. He runs, does push-ups, sit-ups and chin-ups with soldiers half his age — all with an infectious smile and a laugh. To the 49-year-old Turner, taking physical training with the troops is all about leadership, setting an example and showing them he cares. Besides, he’s having the time of his life. Every day is special to Turner now that he’s back home in South Carolina and in charge of the Army’s largest training center. “I love training...

Nothing is more basic than Basic Combat Training. Basic to the ways of war. Basic to national security. Basic to the very survival of the United States. So how come Fort Jackson, the single largest producer of Basic grunts, male and female, is under the command of a general who piled up more friendly fire casualties than anyone else in Desert Storm?The Victory Tower looms up like a gallows, its timbers and planks cutting off the sun. It's a huge thing, three stories high, girdled with ropes and rope bridges, and fitted out with ladders. Next to it rises an...