Proactively “From the Sea”; an agent of change leveraging the littoral best practices for a paradigm breaking six-sigma best business case to synergize a consistent design in the global commons, rightsizing the core values supporting our mission statement via the 5-vector model through cultural diversity.
OBAMA: You know, I've heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon -- supposed to have 39 men in a rifle platoon. Ended up being sent to Afghanistan with 24 because 15 of those soldiers had been sent to Iraq.
And as a consequence, they didn't have enough ammunition, they didn't have enough humvees. They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief.
Name please. OK - just his unit. Then again, I think finding that guy would be like trying to find Brian's Canadian girlfriend.
O'kie-DOH'kie. That is why I wear this too, Senator. The Navy Exchange almost never has a size 7-3/8 pis......I mean garrison cap.
More here and here. UPDATE:Tapper has more information on the "Captain," though we don't have any more specific information on him.
If we take what Tapper has at face value, which we should, it still doesn't change the core problem with Obama's comments. The context in which he used it, that the CINC is at fault for spare part problems and vehicle breakdowns, is just goofy. The,
"We should have had 4 up-armored humvees," he said. "We were supposed to. But at most we had three operable humvees, and it was usually just two."
...sounds like standard issue equipment challenges I experienced during Gulf War I, DESERT FOX and the post 911 deployments. That wasn't Bush 41's, Clinton, or Bush 43's fault. That is fighting wars supplied by the lowest bidder. Comes with the work permit.
Tapper gets in a snit at the end,
I might suggest those on the blogosphere upset about this story would be better suited directing their ire at those responsible for this problem, which is certainly not new. That is, if they actually care about the men and women bravely serving our country at home and abroad.
Sooooo ... if you challenge Obama's half-cocked misuse of a poorly researched and incorrectly referenced story during the debate you don't "...actually care about the men and women who are bravely serving our country ...", well Jake - kiss my a55.
The way Obama used his mis-told story was clunky and a load of BS. I quote the Senator again,
I've heard from an Army captain .... They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief.
...and the anon "Cpt",
The Captain has spoken to Sen. Obama, he says, but this anecdote was relayed to Obama through an Obama staffer.
"The purpose of going after the Taliban was not to get their weapons," he said, but on occasion they used Taliban weapons. Sometimes AK-47s, and they also mounted a Soviet-model DShK (or "Dishka") on one of their humvees instead of their 50 cal.
Stop spinning for the Obama team Jake, if you actually care about the men and women bravely serving our country at home and abroad.
Oh, and again, kiss my a55. Don't you dare imply anything about my motives about who I serve with.
Hat tip The Corner.UPDATE II: Electric Boogaloo. Via and email to a blog-buddie, I shared a couple of things with him I though would be good for all.
If, unlike Tapper, you are interested on the real challenges in Afghanistan, there are two reports that came out this month and represent some of the best open source information available on Afghanistan. I don't agree with all the commentary in them, but they are both very accurate and mostly spot on. I give it a 90%+ rating.
First the International Crisis Group report that came out 06 FEB of this year. George Soros is on the Executive Committee, so you know it isn't a right-wing flunky think tank.
Secondly, try the SENLIS report from this month as well.
There are lots of things about AFG and South Asia in general that are worth Sen. Obama's time - this tired AFG vs IRQ is very 2006, stale, not that accurate - and not worth the political capital.UPDATE III: My, my this has some feisty legs on it. Via Allah we see that Senator Warner has chimed in via a letter to Sen. Obama,,
What I need from you are the essential facts of when — the dates — the unit was deployed, to which brigade combat team, or other unit it was assigned, the name and current location of the captain, or other military personnel who shared the alleged facts with you, so that committee staff can debrief them.
Ace, of course, has managed to find the Captain (well, a Captain) in question, in the hills, facing a dangerous and primitive enemy, without the weapons he needs.
Discipline. Honor. Sacrifice - and steadfast leadership. Do you really know what they mean? How do you know you, as well as the men and women under your command, can do what is needed - and do it with cold firmness?
Are you ready for the Birkenhead Drill?
To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you’ve cover to ’and, an’ leave an’ likin’ to shout;
But to stand an’ be still to the Birken’ead drill is a damn tough bullet to chew,
An’ they done it, the Jollies—’Er Majesty’s Jollies—soldier an’ sailor too!
Their work was done when it ’adn’t begun; they was younger nor me an’ you;
Their choice it was plain between drownin’ in ’eaps an’ bein’ mopped by the screw,
So they stood an’ was still to the Birken’ead drill,2 soldier an’ sailor too!
At 2 a.m. the following morning, the Birkenhead struck an uncharted rock at 34°38′42″S 19°17′9″E / -34.645, 19.28583 near Danger Point (today near Gansbaai, Western Cape). The barely submerged rock is clearly visible in rough seas, however it is not immediately apparent in calmer conditions. The initial impact ripped open the forward watertight compartment between the engine room and the fore peak, immediately flooding it and drowning over 100 soldiers in their hammocks. A second impact ripped open the bilge in the engine room, resulting in the two largest watertight compartments in the vessel being been flooded.
The surviving officers and men assembled on deck, where Lieutenant-Colonel Seton of the 74th Regiment of Foot took charge of all military personnel and stressed the necessity of maintaining order and discipline to his officers.
Almost everybody kept silent, indeed nothing was heard, but the kicking of the horses and the orders of Salmon, all given in a clear firm voice.
Distress rockets were fired, but there was no assistance available. Sixty men were detailed to man the chain pumps, sixty more were assigned to the tackles of the lifeboats, while the rest were assembled on the poop deck, in order to raise the forward part of the ship.
Poor maintenance and paint on the winches resulted in only a few of the ship's lifeboats being launched, and the two large boats, with capacities of 150 men each, were not among them.
Eventually two cutters and a gig were launched, onto which all the women and children were placed and rowed away for safety. Only then did Captain Salmond order that those men who could swim should save themselves by swimming to the boats; Lt-Col Seton, however, recognizing that rushing the lifeboats would risk swamping them and endangering the women and children, ordered the men to stand fast.
The cavalry horses were freed and driven into the sea in the hope that they might be able to swim ashore. The soldiers did not move, even as the ship broke up barely twenty minutes after striking the rock.
Ponder that for a bit.
FYI, that is where the phrase "women and children first" originated.
Hey, everyone is allowed to take what ever position they want on anything, and all political sides need smart military experience helping them make the right decisions for the Nation. Therefore, no harm no foul for Nagl - however - I only think it is fair to give everyone proper Indications & Warnings about the why/what is behind Nagl, a Army superstar, plans to do when he punches out at 20. Nothing wrong with punching out at 20 - just a shame and as you will see below - not without reason, methinks.
Ever hear of the Center for a New American Security? Didn't think so. That is where he is headed once he finished TAP class and all. Heck, he is there right now - I think he should have waited until after he left Active Duty before going over to such an obviously partisan organization. Yes, partisan - and not what you might think.
The Honorable Dr. William J. Perry, Chairman of the Board Professor and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace Stanford University ---- And SECDEF for the first part of the Clinton Admin.
The Honorable Dr. Madeleine K. Albright Principal, The Albright Group LLC ---- And was SECSTATE for the second part of the Clinton Admin.
The Honorable Richard L. Armitage President, Armitage International ---- Who after he let other's hang out to dry for the scandal he caused has no place on the right left to go.
Norman R. Augustine Former Chairman, Executive Committee, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret.) Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command ---- And a multi-culti Diversity Bully.
The Honorable Dr. Richard J. Danzig Sam Nunn Prize Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies ---- SECNAV for Clinton.
The Honorable William J. Lynn Senior Vice President, Government Operations & Strategy, Raytheon Company ---- Under SECDEF (Comptroller) for Clinton.
The Honorable Dr. Leo S. Mackay, Jr. Vice President, Corporate Business Development, Lockheed Martin Corporation
LtGen Greg S. Newbold, USMC (Ret.) Managing Director, Torch Hill Capital ---- One of the Revolting Generals.
John D. Podesta President and CEO, Center for American Progress ---- Chief of Staff for President Clinton.
The Honorable Dr. Mitchell Reiss Vice Provost for International Affairs, College of William & Mary
I will let you do your own work on the Board of Advisors, if you want. One note though, note in addition to Armitage Actual above, there is another Armitage connection below. Armitage, in addition to having classic wannabe SEAL-lust, is a stalking horse for Colin Powell. Hint, hint.
Board of Advisors
Rand Beers National Security Network
Steve Biegun Vice President for International Governmental Affairs, Ford Motor Company
Dr. Hans Binnendijk Former Senior Director for Defense Policy, U.S. National Security Council
Dr. Ashton Carter Ford Foundation Professor of Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Dr. Peter Feaver Alexander F. Hehmeyer Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Duke University
Dr. Michael Green Senior Advisor and Japan Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Andrew Hoehn Vice President and Director, Project Air Force, RAND Corporation
Dr. Michael O'Hanlon Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
Dr. Susan Rice Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy and Governance Studies, The Brookings Institution
Randy Schriver Partner, Armitage International LLC
Sarah Sewall Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard University
Ambassador Wendy Sherman Principal, The Albright Group LLC
Gayle Smith Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
James Steinberg Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Edward (Ted) Warner III Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton
Yes, the CNAS is a Democrat holding pen. It even has ole Nate Fick, who has made me sad since he started hanging out with Wall of Shame founder Wesley Clark and other lost souls at the Lefty IAVA.
Like I said earlier, it is good that both sides have smarts working for them, but it is a little sad to see Nagl playing for the other team, but hey - best of luck with that - and have some fun at those parties.....
...errrrrr....that would be "Jack," AKA John S. McCain IV, otherwise known as MIDN McCain to you and me.That is him on the right giving his brother Jimmy a big brotherly hug before he heads out, as an Enlisted Marine, to a deployment to Iraq.I think it all speaks for itself, but head on over to GoMids for the interview.
More here and here.
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