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This was why many Army officers were excited when Petraeus was appointed to chair this year's promotion board. Rarely, if ever, had a combat commander been called back from an ongoing war to assume that role. It almost certainly meant that McMaster would get his due. (Some referred to the panel as "the McMaster promotion board.") McMaster did get his star—but so did many others of his ilk. That's what makes this list an eyebrow-raiser. Among the 40 newly named one-star generals are Sean MacFarland, commander of the unit that brought order to Ramadi; Steve Townsend, who cleared and held...

A rookie cop - the son of a highly respected New York City detective - has been stripped of his badge and gun after being caught on video viciously attacking a bicyclist who was part of a Times Square demonstration.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Christian Stephenson has bided his time as a finance noncommissioned officer. Stephenson, who has been in the Army for eight years, was promoted to sergeant four years ago and became promotable to staff sergeant three years ago. “I’ve had 720 (promotion) points for a long time, in five years (the points to staff sergeant) have never gone below 775,” said Stephenson, from Emerald Isle, N.C. “It was frustrating working so hard to get those points but never making the cutoff. It had been at least six months since I’d even checked the scores when...

I don't care how many pens, pencils, t-shirts or whatever you give to a Democrat with your Republican campaign logo on it ... the truth is, if they're a die-hard Dem, they aren't going to vote for you. Problem is, when you're walking a parade route or working a fair booth, you don't know who's a Republican and who's not. And if your list totally sucks you don't know the dem houses from the Republican houses. (In which case you need a list guy that can create effective walk lists for you.) So you end up wasting your money on...

On Oct. 23, the day of FEMA's now infamous phony news conference, the agency's former external affairs chief, Pat Philbin, announced plans to promote a number of people in the shop as part of an effort to build a "new FEMA." Cindy Taylor, deputy director of public affairs, was to become head of a new Private Sector Office, Philbin said in his e-mail to staff members. And Mike Widomski would move up to replace Taylor as deputy director of public affairs. Loop Fans might recall that both of them, posing as reporters, asked questions of acting Deputy Administrator Harvey Johnson....

So you think your boss is inept, arrogant or just plain lazy? You're not alone. A recent Gallup Poll found that a bad relationship with the boss was the No. 1 reason people gave for leaving their jobs. But if you want to keep moving up the corporate rungs, you better make nice. Having an antagonistic relationship with your supervisor is a career killer, says Cynthia Shapiro, author of the book "Corporate Confidential." "No matter how skilled you are, if you don't have a good relationship with your boss, your job is not secure," warns Shapiro... ...So how can you...

Bad bosses get promoted, not punished Fri 03 Aug, 2007 04:32 By Rachel Breitman NEW YORK (Reuters) - How do people get ahead in the workplace? One way seems to be by making their subordinates miserable, according to a study released on Friday. In the study to be presented at a conference on management this weekend, almost two-thirds of the 240 participants in an online survey said the local workplace tyrant was either never censured or was promoted for domineering ways. "The fact that 64.2 percent of the respondents indicated that either nothing at all or something positive happened to...

Haagen-Dazs treats guests to concert in bed to promote new ice cream People relax on beds and listen to music while tasting ice cream during the event in Tokyo. About 80 people relaxed on expensive beds to enjoy a classical music concert and ice cream promotion event organized by Haagen-Dazs Japan at Laforet Harajuku's museum in downtown Tokyo.The major ice cream company held the event on May 8 to celebrate its new product, "Dolce."Guests relaxed on expensive beds -- that costs about 330,000 yen each -- while listening to classical music performed by internationally known violinist Mariko Senju. (Mainichi)...

My grandson made Sgt. in jr ROTC. I reminded him that he had a great uncle who made sgt. 9 times.

Spc. Craig A. Wayman promoted his mother, CWO4 Wendy A. Wayman to her current rank, then she turned around and promoted her son to specialist. Wendy serves with the Multi-National Corps-Iraq; Craig is assigned to Troop C, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, also in Iraq. Photo by Cpl. Jessica Kent More Images CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 12, 2006) - On Dec. 9, Pfc. Craig A. Wayman was enroute via helicopter from Forward Operating Base Prosperity to Camp Victory to acquire additional medical training. Little did he know what was in store for him. When his boots hit...

The captain of the USS Cole, who saved his ship from sinking after an al-Qa'eda suicide attack by speedboat, has lashed out at senior Pentagon staff blocking his promotion because of allegations that he could have done more to protect the ship. Commander Kirk Lippold, who now serves behind a desk at the Pentagon, accused the head of the navy, Admiral Mike Mullen, and the navy secretary of "over-riding the judgment" of officers who had recommended his promotion. He complained he was the only officer being held to account for the attack in Aden harbour six years ago. The Cole...

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Army has promoted Sgt. Keith “Matt” Maupin, the only U.S. soldier listed as captured in Iraq, for the third time since he went missing after his unit was ambushed April 9, 2004. Maupin, who is known as Matt because Keith is also his father’s name, was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant as of Aug. 3, 2006, according to an Army announcement released Tuesday.

Marine receives Time Square promotion Submitted by: New York City Public Affairs Story Identification #: 2006529181437 Story by Cpl. Lameen Witter NEW YORK (May 28, 2006) -- In the midst of Time Square’s bright lights and heavy traffic, a few Marines came together to celebrate what is said to be the best time in a Marine’s career May 28. Reserve Cpl. Jose A. Maldonado, was promoted to sergeant 9 months after he came off active-duty status. The New Jersey native said he wanted to have his ceremony in New York’s famed square in keeping with the spirit of Fleet Week,...

Movie Promotion Confused With Bomb in L.A. Saturday April 29, 2006 10:46 PM SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) - A newspaper promotion for Tom Cruise's upcoming ``Mission: Impossible III'' got off to an explosive start when a county arson squad blew up a news rack, thinking it contained a bomb. The confusion: the Los Angeles Times rack was fitted with a digital musical device designed to play the ``Mission: Impossible'' theme song when the door was opened. But in some cases, the red plastic boxes with protruding wires were jarred loose and dropped onto the stack of newspapers inside, alarming customers....

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 4, 2006) -- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Andras T.S. Eder carried protest signs denouncing the Operation Desert Shield in 1991. Fifteen years later, he was promoted for his performance in combat. The 36-year-old Hungarian immigrant was promoted at the beginning of the month for his performance under fire while serving alongside his Marines from C Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. It’s just one phase of a multi-faceted man who constantly reinvents himself, taking on the next great adventure in his life. “I try to be even-keeled,” Eder said. “It seems like...

Look! It's a Bird, It's a Plane…It's an LG Cell Phone? LG Electronics announced Thursday its plans for a "2006 European Balloon Tour" for its major business partners in Europe as part of its marketing aimed at the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) market in Europe. A large LG mobile phone-shaped air balloon floats along as part of the LG Electronics' "2006 European Balloon Tour" in Chateau d'Oex in Switzerland on Thursday./Yonhap LG Electronics will invite its major European business partners from Britain, France, Germany, and Switzerland and entice them with an array of perks including a catered...

MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION DENVER (Feb. 8, 2006) -- Making the transition from enlisted Marine to warrant officer is something that many Marines often dream of, but rarely act on. However, Chief Warrant Officer Thomas W. Walker, formerly a gunnery sergeant, has long established himself as a leader. He now looks forward to his next steps as an officer of Marines. “The Corps offers many bittersweet moments and this is one of them,” said Master Sgt. Al Matthews, assistant recruiter instructor for RS Denver. “I hate to see him go. He was an outstanding NCOIC and recruiter who, as a...

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Feb. 01, 2006) -- Surrounded by friends, coworkers and with his wife on the cell phone from North Carolina, Todd D. Nicodemus was promoted from gunnery sergeant to warrant officer during a ceremony at the USS Arizona Marine Corps Remembrance at Pearl Harbor, Feb. 1. Nicodemus chose the location of the ceremony in honor of the 73 Marines that gave their lives and the 15 who fought and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. “It is truly an honor to be promoted at the USS Arizona Marine...

AL ASAD, Iraq (Jan. 3, 2006) -- Master Sgt. James Silva, a Laguna, N.M., native, has served in the Marine Corps for 24 years, but New Year’s Day 2006, was a day like no other. The heavy equipment operator for the 8th Engineer Support Battalion has seen many Marines attain the rank of corporal, and become noncommissioned officers, but on Jan. 1 he pinned the chevrons of an NCO on his own daughter, Cpl. Melanie Silva. “Anytime you get promoted is a great thing,” said Gunnery Sgt. Keith Kulman, the crash chief for Marine Wing Support Squadron 272’s aircraft rescue...

I’m sure many of you have read or heard about recent news stories alleging a correlation between political contributions and promotions within state government. I am writing today to emphasize to all state employees that this is not how I do business, nor is it how I believe state government should do business. It has always been my strong belief that the best way to get ahead in your career is to work hard and do your job well. Let me also assure you that I have never told anyone in my administration to make sure that someone was promoted...

Carlsbad, Calif. — Nothing disturbs working women more than the statistics often mentioned on Labor Day showing that they are paid only 76 cents to men's dollar for the same work. If that were the whole story, it should disturb all of us; like many men, I have two daughters and a wife in the work force. When I was on the board of the National Organization for Women in New York City, I blamed discrimination for that gap. Then I asked myself, "If an employer has to pay a man one dollar for the same work a woman would...

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Task Force Baghdad Soldiers at Camp Taji are being given the opportunity to advance to sergeant or staff sergeant, even while deployed. The standard is the same here as it is back at home station: prospective noncommissioned officers must still appear before a promotion board. Prior to the board, however, a Soldier must get ready. Preparing good Soldiers for advancement is extremely important to Staff Sgt. Everick L. Moore, who is serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq. “If I send good Soldiers to the board, the Army will have good leaders,” said Moore, a...

8/18/2005 - ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- An Airman here recently gained the distinction of being addressed as both a staff sergeant and a lieutenant. Staff Sgt. Gregg Magi, a 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Fire Department City of New York via telephone during an Aug. 16 ceremony in New York. “It feels good to be promoted,” said Sergeant Magi, who is deployed from the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in public service.” During the ceremony, he and two of his...

CAMP AL QA’IM, Iraq (August 2, 2005) -- Lee D. Hale played with firecrackers when he was a young boy growing up in Huntington, W.Va., but little did he know that when he grew up he would be in Iraq using explosives as a part of his job as a combat engineer. Lance Cpl. Hale, 22, 4th Combat Engineers Battalion joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Huntington High School in 2001. Hale decided to join the Corps to help put himself through college at Marshall University, where he was studying business management prior to deploying. He decided to become...

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark meritoriously advanced the 2005 Sailors of the Year (SOY) to chief petty officer during a ceremony July 21 at the Pentagon. The advancement was Clark’s last official act before his retirement. CNO Shore SOY, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Shannon R. Dittlinger; Atlantic Sea SOY, Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Richard B. Rainer; Pacific Fleet Sea SOY, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW/SS/NAC) Matthew J. Waxenfelter; and Naval Reserve Force SOY, Utilitiesman 1st Class (SS) Thomas E. Mock each received a Navy Commendation Medal prior to receiving their anchors....

A Guthrie woman smiled through her tears Wednesday after a federal jury sided with her in a long-running dispute with Langston University. Debra Jenkins, a white woman who has worked at the historically black college since 1979, was awarded nearly $300,000 in damages in her racial discrimination and retaliation case. The eight-person jury deliberated for less than an hour Wednesday. "It's a great day," Jenkins said. "It's been a long time coming." Jenkins, 45, began her battle with the university in 2000, when she says she was passed over for a promotion to payroll supervisor in favor of a black...

BERLIN (Reuters) - Hollywood actor Tom Cruise not only battles creatures from outer space in his latest film "War of the Worlds," he also believes aliens exist, he told a German newspaper on Wednesday. Asked in an interview with the tabloid daily Bild if he believed in aliens, Cruise said: "Yes, of course. Are you really so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe? "Millions of stars, and we're supposed to be the only living creatures? No, there are many things out there, we just don't know," Cruise, 42, said in the interview published in German. Cruise...

The work ethic is alive and well among America's retirees, or at least the ones who bombarded me with letters after I suggested raising the retirement age for Social Security. They said they would be glad to keep working if I could find them a job. In theory, this shouldn't be a problem because employers ought to be clamoring for workers as baby boomers hit retirement age and the pool of younger workers shrinks. In reality, though, older workers face discrimination. While some companies are recruiting them, many employers are still leery, partly because of irrational prejudice against the old,...

/begin my translation China: a Female Police Chief, 15 Years in Prison for Taking Sexual Favors from 20 Male Cops [Yonhap News 2005-06-21] (Seoul, Yonhap News) Lee Sang-min -- Chinese authorities sentenced to 15 years in prison An Hui-jun(female, age:50), a former female police chief of Luohu, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, from taking sexual favors for about 20 young male cops, according to June 20th report of  TVBS TV.  Known as 'modern-day Zetian Wuhou,' named after the decadent empress Zetian Wuhou(reign: 690-705AD) of Tang Dynasty, the former police chief  forced young male cops to have sex with her, in exchange for their...

With Hollywood desperately trying to end its 14-week box office slump, the release of superstar Tom Cruise's newest summer blockbuster ought to guarantee a big payday. But the star's erratic behavior lately - including a love-struck appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" with new girlfriend Katie Holmes and his out-there promotion of the Church of Scientology - could backfire and turn off the huge potential audience for the costly science-fiction epic "War of the Worlds" being released June 29 by Paramount Pictures, industry experts said Thursday. "He just seems so outside himself and so bizarre," said brand and image consultant...

Suppose you could eliminate the factors often blamed for the shortage of women in high-paying jobs. Suppose that promotions and raises did not depend on pleasing sexist male bosses or putting in long nights and weekends away from home. Would women make as much as men? Economists recently tried to find out in an experiment in Pittsburgh by paying men and women to add up five numbers in their heads. At first they worked individually, doing as many sums as they could in five minutes and receiving 50 cents for each correct answer. Then they competed in four-person tournaments, with...

The reviews of the film The Interpreter have been extremely positive. "Two thumbs up," say Ebert & Roeper. Larry King calls it "spellbinding." Rolling Stone calls it "smart." We agree with that last characterization. As we noted in a column, the film is political propaganda designed to boost the image of the United Nations and make the U.S. look bad for opposing the International Criminal Court. It is one of the smartest pieces of political propaganda to come out of Hollywood. Meryl Gordon's article about U.N. boss Kofi Annan, in the May 2 edition of New York magazine, notes that...

The only Army soldier listed as missing and captured in Iraq was promoted this month to sergeant as Army officials vowed to keep searching for him. Sgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, was reported missing after his fuel-truck convoy was ambushed on April 9, 2004, in a western suburb of Baghdad. The attack killed another member of Maupin's reserve unit, the 724th Transportation Company from Bartonville, Ill., and three U.S. contractors. Another contractor was captured but later escaped.

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR Washington — AS the Senate begins confirmation hearings today for John D. Negroponte as director of national intelligence, it would do well to ask his opinion of President Bush's decision in November to have Porter Goss, the director of central intelligence, increase by 50 percent the number of clandestine officers at the C.I.A. Certainly, we need more and better spies. But as a former operations officer at the agency, I would argue that a mandate to beef up the clandestine service - also known as the directorate of operations - by a rather arbitrary percentage within a short...

A hard-up UK eBayer is offering his penis as permanent advertising space - for a starting bid of £3,000. The "genuine auction" vendor explains: "I will have my penis permanently tatooed for advertising your internet company logo," and adds: "If they wish, the winning company of the bid may film the Tattoo being created - this could be streamed live from their website as well as use the footage for later promotions."

McDonalds is hoping to lure US hip hop artists to name drop the Big Mac into lyrics, it was reported today. The fast-food chain will not pay money upfront but will instead offer rappers up to $US2.80 ($A3.63) every time their song is played on the radio, according to the Advertising Age magazine. Its goal is to have the signature sandwich featured in several songs by June, the US magazine said. McDonald's has reportedly hired marketing firm Maven Strategies to help encourage rappers artists to integrate the Big Mac into new tracks. Tony Rome, Maven president, said his aim was...

In a push to recruit older workers, Home Depot, the hardware chain, now offers "snowbird specials" - winter work in Florida and summers in Maine. Borders bookstores lure retired teachers to sales jobs with discounts and the promise of reading and discussion groups. Pitney Bowes, the business services company, pays tuition for courses in computer programming as well as spare-time skills like golf and flower arranging. After years of encouraging workers to take early retirement as a way to cut jobs, a growing number of companies are hunting for older workers because they have lower turnover rates and, in many...

Democrats have long feared the genius of Karl Rove during elections. Now all that the American left has to fear is Karl Rove's coordination in writing policy. Meet the new boss. The announcement was made Tuesday that the senior political adviser had been promoted to deputy chief of staff.That should make for some sleepless nights for the democrats. President Bush released this statement, "Karl Rove is a longtime adviser and trusted member of my team. His hard work and dedication have been invaluable. I appreciate Karl's willingness to continue to serve my administration in this new position." And Terry McAuliffe...

Breederville Imagine an old fashioned county fair, a wildly popular internet auction site, and Noah's Ark all rolled into one. Has there ever been a special animal you wanted to buy, sell or design? Now there is an internet community especially for you! Breederville.com

SUCCESS! Bush more prepared to lead war on terror One of the critical concerns for the American people is who will lead the war on terror. President Bush has been leading it and his record speaks for itself. There has not been a successful terrorist operation carried out in the USA since 9-11. Now John Kerry tells us that he will be the most effective leader in the war on terror. At the debates in Iowa this past January, Kerry was asked when he would approve a pre-emptive strike in the face of international disapproval. "Only when the U.S. is...

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Miller Brewing is celebrating the "50th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll" with eight commemorative beer cans that feature Rolling Stone cover shots of Elvis Presley, Blondie and others. What's missing, some say, is a black artist. Robert Thompson, a professor of pop culture at Syracuse University, called the absence "beyond conspicuous," because black artists often are credited with inventing rock 'n' roll. "It would be like doing a set of cans of six great Impressionist painters and not including any French people on it," he said. "It leaves out an enormous amount." The promotion, which ties rock's...

NEW YORK -- Sandwich chain Subway Restaurants today said it was ending a promotion at its German franchises that used an image of a fat Statue of Liberty. The promotion sparked outrage from a leader in the U.S. Congress. Subway spokesman Kevin Kane said the promotion, which ended today, may have been pulled ahead of schedule. "The staff over in Germany has been contacting us daily because they feel bad," Kane said. "They may have said 'OK let's wrap this up.'" At issue was a tray-liner at Subway's German franchises promoting the documentary "Super Size Me," which links the U.S....

A great suggestion was made to boycott Whoopi Goldberg for her hate filled, nasty, remarks about our President. Her actions are intolerable at a time when this nation should be rallying together to support or troops. It gives comfort to the enemy who seek to destroy our nation and our culture. It demoralizes our fighting men and women and the nation of Iraq which is taking small steps to a democratic form of government. Hit her in her pocketbook by hitting any company which supports her vitolic garbage. Right now she is the TV spokesperson for Slimfast products. A threat...

Jiang Zemin Promotes 15 New Generals Analysts say Move might be Aimed at Strengthening Power VOA Translation by The Epoch Times Jun 25, 2004 HONG KONG, CHINA: An officer of the Chinese People Liberation Army and subordinates in Hong Kong on 30 April 2004. (MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images) Jiang Zemin promoted 15 People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police officers to four-star generals, a move seen by some analysts as a way for Jiang Zemin to strengthen his power in the army. Current President, Hu Jingtao, announced the promotions, approved by Jiang Zemin, in a state televised ceremony held at the...

Pat Tillman, a former NFL player killed while serving as a Army Ranger in Afghanistan, was promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal, an Army spokesperson said Thursday.The US Army always notes that rank and promotion are not only a reward of what was done well, but a recognition that you have the potential to do more, said US Army spokeswoman Martha Rudd. 'This promotion is essentially saying he would have been a fine leader.' The promotion for Ranger Tillman was lateral, Rudd said, and will not affect any benefits his family recieves.Both ranks are E4, or the fourth rank available...

PORTUGAL-NAKED SHOPPING (Lisbon, Portugal-AP) -- It was a shopping free-for-all for those willing to bare all. A clothing store in Lisbon, Portugal, offered free designer duds to those who would shop in the nude. About 70 shoppers, mostly young men, lined up to take advantage of the raw deal. They were given white towels to protect their modesty while waiting, but they had to be bare before dashing into the store. The naked shoppers were allowed to keep all the clothes they managed to put on. But there was quite a scramble because only four racks of clothes were available

LISBON (AFP) - A youth-oriented clothing store located in the heart of the Portuguese capital plans to give away clothes on Wednesday to any customer who is willing to go shopping at the shop naked. "Those who come naked, will leave clothed," one of the managers of Yorn Store, Vera Guedes, told AFP. Participants at the clothing giveaway will be allowed to undress inside the shop and will then be given a towel to cover themselves while they wait in the busy downtown street outside the store for the event to begin. Once the signal is given, the shoppers will...

Actor's bare breast too much for health ministry 01 August 2003 The Health Ministry has pulled the plug on a World Breastfeeding Week promotion featuring the bare breast of actor Michael Hurst. Acting on the ministry's directive, Auckland-based Women's Health Action yesterday asked the Manawatu Standard newspaper not to use the image of Hurst, shirt unbuttoned, with a baby to his breast. The image invites people to consider whether it would be easier to breastfeed at work if men had to do it. Returning to work is one of the key reasons women give for stopping breastfeeding, according to a...

Regular readers may have noticed that, perhaps on an occasion or two, I’ve mentioned my lack of esteem for the Family Clinton. The popular appellation "trailer park trash" would appear to be too charitable. Having said that, I must admit that there’s at least one area, other than unashamed deception and perjury, in which the Clintons excel. That is self-promotion. New York’s junior senator has issued (written may not be the accurate word) a book about her trials and tribulations at the hands of the vast right wing conspiracy. Make that network. You may have heard about her tome. Not...

THE hero soldier who inspired the nation as his troops blazed a trail through Iraq has finally opened his heart about the war that changed his life. The News of the World was the only paper invited to be present as Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins left his beloved Royal Irish Regiment after being promoted to full colonel. "I look at Iraq and it's a bit like living in a street where there's a nice house," he said. "But every night you can see a father going home drunk and hearing his wife and children crying. "And finally some neighbours have...