Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Draft

Here's my 2 cents for what it is worth... the Draft is NOT a good idea.

I know why some numbnuts want to institute the Draft. They think that we would have a better cross section of society. The idea is that the military is filled with people who have no other choices and are forced to join the service or die. Either that or they are so pathetically stupid to know better. A Draft would ensure we have a military that is represented by all sectors of the popluace, rich, poor, smart, etc.

I have had my FILL of degrading comments about the military.

I do not think the Draft is a good idea. A draft works when everyone feels compelled to serve. Someone who is conscripted or forced into defending our nation is a far cry from the person with strong personal courage who wants to support and defend our nation.

As to comments made by our esteemed representatives concerning people who soldier because they have no other career options; I'd like to point out several people I know personally who chose to soldier over very lucrative career choices.

1. My brother-in-law. Graduated from Emory Medical school and served 3 years in the Navy. He loved it and would have continued but his wife asked him to become a civilian.

2. My father. Actually my step-father. He knew since he was in middle school he wanted to go to West Point and be a career Army officer. So he got a newspaper route and saved his money and put himself through a private high school. He knew that to get accepted to West Point, he needed an education that stood out from the crowd. He attended the only private high school on his island and got accepted to West Point. He served 26 years and retired as a full Colonel. He did not want to retire but my mom said "enough already". He is a financial wizard and could have made more money as a CPA, but devoted his life to the Army.

3. One of my first sweethearts. Pete was an Air Force brat. He played football in high school and college. He graduated and became a psychologist. He was very successful but felt something was lacking. He went on to become an officer in the Air Force.

4. One of my first commanders. He served in the Navy for one enlistment. He got out and became a California Highway Patrol or Chip. He served there for 6 years and missed serving his country. He went back and became an officer. He was a great leader.

I could go on and on. So many people who want nothing more than to give back. What a shame that there are so many narrow minded politicians that want nothing more than to take, they can't imagine anyone wanting anything else.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Veterans Day

I had a very nice Veterans Day. I spent time with my family. I went back to work on Monday. SGT F and I spent the day running down applicants and holding interveiws. At lunch we stopped at a Waffle House off the Bremen exit of I20. We came in and the waitress was very nice. I ordered breakfast and drank coffee as SGT F and I role played as recruiter and prospect. The coffee was good and the steak, eggs and grits was even better.

A few people wandered in and nodded a hello at us. A couple walked to the jukebox and slipped a few dollars in. As the selection played I drank my coffee. Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" always chokes me up if I begin to think about it so I concentrated on my food. Silence as the new selection begins. Toby Keith's familiar voice singing "American Soldier" floated through the restaurant. SGT F grew quiet. I remarked that it was such a great song and I cried through the whole video the first time I saw it. I reflected on the words that mean so much to me

I'm just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em, bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots

This may sound really strange.... I love my uniform. I feel a sense of pride as I lace up my boots. I make sure I am squared away and present a good image to the public. I don't want to give anyone a reason to look down on the Military. I feel that in a very small way I am representing those who are serving in combat.

The song continues...

I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay...

Ain't that the truth I chuckled to myslef.

I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's
my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be

There is quite a bit of pressure being a recruiter. I can see the condescending looks from school counselors. I notice the tone that says they think the Military is the last resort for most people. They don't understand WANTING to serve your country.

And I can't call in sick on Mondays
when the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long.

And my family pays the price too. Grace plays "recruiter" now. She stands in front of our desk with her Barbie phone saying "You need to be National Guard!" She plays with her Barbies and the Mama Barbie "Has to go to work. Don't cry! I be back soon."

You can bet that I stand ready
when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady,
hey, I'm true down to the core

Countless faces of soldiers cross my mind as I think of those serving in combat right now.

And I will always do my duty
no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost,
I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
but if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'cause freedom don't come free

Amen

I'm an American soldier,
an American beside my brothers
and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand

Tears start down my face

When Liberty's in jeopardy,
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American soldier

Sgt F shares about waiting to be reunited with his family after 12 months in Iraq. He is in a barracks and sees the video to this song. He gets choked up just sharing about it. "I remember thinking of my daughter and what it would be like to hold her again...." He shakes his head and stares out the window.

As the song ends we get up pay our bill and leave. We hear several shout "Thank you!" after us. Thank you, Lord, for those who appreciate what it means to serve. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to serve.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Cool clock

This clock is just too cool.

Friday, November 10, 2006

What happens TDY...

Stays TDY. Or so I have heard. I have also heard that TDY stands for Temporary Divorce for You. Hmmm. Apparently quite a few people take that seriously. I won't throw ayone under the bus but I have to say...wow. The first night I was there I went down to the hotel lounge/restaurant, ordered a glass of wine, read my book while I waited for my to-go order to be filled. I got hit on by three different soldiers.

The second night I had dinner with another soldier and his wife and the girl that works in marketing. The CSM joined us and had a drink. We all left to go to a popular night spot and had a few drinks then returned to the hotel. I went to my room ALONE and before midnight. The NEXT day, the very next day my NCOIC SFC Ranger calls me, asks me how the conference is going, asks me if I am behaving "Like you aren't going out getting drunk with the CSM, right???" HUH?

I said "Weeeellllll, now that you mention it...." and I told him the real story. He chuckled and I was astonished. Dang news travels fast! I cornered him when I got back to find out about who was gossiping. He laughed and said he was just checking up on me. He said he knows I behaved.

I was awarded a Ka-Bar knife with my name engraved on it! Very nice. My husband was jealous.

I'll post more later but I am very tired.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Jon Carry is still a dum-ass

In on 'er of Jon Carry, meny of us MilBlogers (like hear, hear and hear) haf enstaled the Jon Carry add-onn spel cheker. Neet Huh?

Friday, November 03, 2006

Stupid is as Stupid DOES

I am still upset about Mr. John Kerry's comment. The thought has briefly crossed my mind to make a "I Luv Jon Carry" button. I have heard some people say that a big deal is being made about his comment, a proverbial mountain out of a molehill. Maybe.

His comment showed me what he thinks of the military men and women. We chose the Military because we had no better choice. His comment reminded me of comments made by a school counselor. I had gone on an appointment and found out my prospect couldn't read after he scored a TWO on the EST (practice ASVAB on recruiter's laptops). I tried to be encouraging and helpful but left the home depressed.

A few weeks roll by and I get a phone call from the counselor at his high school. Seems she got wind of his interest and wanted to be of "halp".

The counselor tried in a round about way to find out if I knew the kid was illiterate. I let her know up front I figured it out.

She then proceeds to say that if the Army can use him "Since he is Special Ed...and on an IEP....if he needed to have a diploma, well..." I could tell this was painful for her to admit, but I let her continue without relieving her agony.
I said "Well.....?"
Counselor "Well, I mean we have a lot of pull when it comes to his education."
Me "Oh yes, I understand...you need to provide him with whatever tools he needs to succeed."
Counselor "Well yes, there’s that, but also we write the requirements for his graduation."
Me "Meaning...?"
Counselor "Well, if he needs to have a diploma to get in the Army, we can give him one."
Me (steam rolling out of ears) "Well, ma'am...no disrespect, yes you are right..he *does* need a diploma to get into the Army or the National Guard or any military service..."
Counselor (gleefully happy) "Well we can give Aaron a diploma!"
Me "Yes Ma'am, again no disrespect intended, however maybe 60 years ago, or rather *maybe* a hundred years ago a man could get into the Military by signing a "X" next to his name on a piece of paper. But today? With all due respect, your school has failed Aaron. He is completely and utterly illiterate and a piece of paper with the word Diploma on it won't be enough."

I went on at great length about how great our military is and the kinds of weapons and equipment they use. I knew I had lost her though. Her comments continued to be degrading and unrelentingly condescending.

I am angry and sad. This is what the general liberal public thinks of me and other soldiers. We are unfortunate pukes who couldn't or wouldn't make the right education choices and are left no other choice for our future.

It would take only one generation of young men and women to NOT choose the Military for a career and we would be over run by all our enemies. I hope Kerry remembers that before he lies down to sleep at night. If, by his STUPID statement we lose a lot of our best and brightest, then he is the most ignorant of them all.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

John Kerry can Kiss my uneducated Ass!


Day late but D*mn! However this pic is absloutely HILARIOUS!!

I tell you what, every soldier-sailor-marine-airman I have ever met may not have had a lot of letters behind their names but they were a sight smarter than that jackass.

whoo hoo

I passed my PT test. I managed to do the most push-ups I ever have. I ran with 2 minutes to spare ( which is really GOOD for me) and did ok on sit-ups. The Sergeant Major, the Major and the BN Colonel were there to do PT with us. The Colonel did 120 push-ups in 2 minutes!!!! I kid you not. He mentioned that I probably could have done more sit-ups but I was wearing 10 pounds of bling on my hands. LOL. I like jewelry and wear my wedding band/engagement ring on one hand and a 2 carat pave diamond ring on the other. It is totally within regs, but....