Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 00:09:25 (ZULU)
You hear about that minister in Alabama who tried to get prohibition passed on a town ballot (Foxnews covered it last week).
yep...his name was Ken Gooch.
Thought about ya I did!
Good to hear you are doing great and good things...stay on it mang!
Joe M
Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 00:09:25 (ZULU)
I think this is damn good advice and a rather conspicuous sign of your individual integrity. You have my admiration.
my response to your suggestion....
I get a new crop of young men every year that join the local fire company. Many of them are aggressive, free thinking individualists that will not accept any more 'advice' about staying in school and towing the line as the way to make their way in the world. They are often on a path to destruction.
I give them a difficult, dangerous job to do and drive them hard to meet almost impossible standards. (sound familiar <g>)
Roughly 90% of them rise to the challenge, exceeding my expectations in the short term. Once they have achieved excellence and can stand proud of their individual accomplishment, I introduce concepts like civic leadership, the duties of citizenship and honor as a way of life. The rest seems to follow....many of them eventually leave the fire company to follow successful careers or advanced education.
I think the keys to success are....
1-show them, don't tell them...if they want advice, they'll ask for it.
2-once they achieve success, treat them as peers. They will value this status and work hard to maintain what they've earned.
I've been doing this for 23 years and have really good friends all over this nation and Europe as a result. I find this pursuit highly rewarding and will quit when I'm dead and not before.
medicjim
Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 14:53:12 (ZULU)
So, those kids with ya---they look like trick-or-treaters dressed up as firemen. Surely not old enough to be real firemen...
or is it that we got that old somehow?
Joe M
Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 19:39:40 (ZULU)
Gooch
Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 20:37:25 (ZULU)
This fellow really drew the short straw.
Click my name for a newspaper story.
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 22:11:34 (ZULU)
Outa here on Sunday to hunting camp in Wyo. for Sept and Oct.....So...
outa here
markwell
the Alleghenies, WV, - Friday, August 24, 2007, at 03:01:46 (ZULU)
Got any opinions on the Carbon-15? Would I bet better off with a regular AR or one of the new minis? I can't afford the Sig 556 I want, and I have too many on layaway right now, but saw that carbon 15 the other day that seemed reasonably priced. (I've been told to make my Christmas list) Also, which Chrony to buy? I know you guys told me a while back, but I can't find it.
Also, are there any gunleather items you guys would like to see, but can't find? I'm still trying to get the leather business going. No fucking reason holsters should cost over $70, without tooling.
To all you OLD guys; Dr. Good News tells me I have Burcitis in my hip. I'm only 30, but I've been telling doctors for years that my left hip was fucked up. Any of you know anything about this condition, best ways to treat it, treatments to avoid, etc. ?
Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., USA - Friday, August 24, 2007, at 10:39:30 (ZULU)
Hell, if I woke up and didn't feel pain, I would check my pulse.
When you get old, you pay for all the fun you had as a young man.
Damn, I had a ball.
Semper Fi,
Finger
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Friday, August 24, 2007, at 15:23:35 (ZULU)
A few years ago, I purchased one of those Dillon bushing wrenches, made of plastic (non-marring). Not thrilled with it, want to replace it with something more substantial. Do any of you have a favorite flavor of bushing wrench (Brownell's, etc.) that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance.
Duman
Friday, August 24, 2007, at 15:54:53 (ZULU)
A good friend has a Carbon 15.
He really bragged about when he first got it, and it looked really slick. But the glow in his eyes is gone, and the list of stuff that has gone wrong would fill a roll of toilet paper.
For Chronographs, go with the CED -
>"I'm only 30, but... "<
Just wait til you are 60 ;))))
Like Finger, I get reminded of all my early fun, every day :(((
-
'lito
CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, August 24, 2007, at 17:57:13 (ZULU)
I got this from Sahara Bradey.
Note the typo's... not acceptable for a national e-mailing.
And it's our old friend "Da' Rev Jackson"...
... aka "Gimme da donation money and da blacks won't picket your business."
-
We know you share our dream of a safer, saner America. We also know this dream must be supported by action.
That is why the Brady Campaign is supporting the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's National Day of Protest — against corrupt gun dealers and the scourge of illegal gun trafficking in our country — on Tuesday, August 28, the anniverary of Martin Luther King's March on Washington. We ask that you support this day in any way you can: by joining us at one of the protests or by giving a gift in honor of the day.
More than 20 events are being organized in communities throughout the nation by the Brady Campaign's Million Mom March Chapters, state gun violence prevention groups, and individual activists.
Among the activities next Tuesday will be: (click on the links for more information about each event)
* Newark: a rally at a park near the school where the recent, tragic shootings took place
* Washington, D.C./District Heights, Md.: a protest at a gun store in Maryland that is responsible for the most crime guns found in D.C.
* Dallas: a march down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and rally at a local church
* Denver: a silence vigil to protest recent shootings
* Duluth, Minn.: a bell-ringing for gun violence victims at city hall
* Ewing, N.J.: a kick-off BBQ for Operation Ceasefire
* Houston: a "freeway blog" over a busy highway
* Minneapolis: an anti-violence coalition breakfast and Protest Easy Guns lie-in
* Philadelphia: Protest Easy Guns lie-in and community forum
* Phoenix: a candlelight vigil at the Arizona state capitol
* San Diego: community forum on illegal guns
* and Protest Easy Guns Lie-Ins in Seattle, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Portland (Maine), Minneapolis, St. Paul, Richmond/San Pablo (Calif.), and Springfield (Ill.)
In addition, a statewide letter writing campaign is being organized in California to build support for a crime-fighting "microstamping" bill being considered by the State Legislature.
The August 28 rallies will push leaders at all levels of government to crack down on corrupt gun dealers, take action against illegal gun trafficking, and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
If you cannot join us at one of the rallies above, please consider a gift in honor of these events so that we can make our dream of a safe America a reality. Thank you.
Learn more:
* Visit and bookmark our August 28 webpage.
* Read the Brady Campaign press release supporting the national day of protest.
* Click here for more information about our Campaign Against Illegal Guns.
We hope to see you at one of these events next Tuesday.
-
'lito
CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, August 24, 2007, at 18:26:22 (ZULU)
Finger, Lito, et al:
"When you get old, you pay for all the fun you had as a young man."
"Like Finger, I get reminded of all my early fun, every day :((("
I wonder why my dick don't hurt more? ;0P
I got to pondering on projects I can't afford for hunts I'll never go on.... Do you guys think one of the Taurus pumps in .45 Colt would take the beating if it were rechambered in .480 Ruger? That would be one bitchin' camp gun!
Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 02:00:21 (ZULU)
http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,146717,00.html?ESRC=dod.nl
Back to lurk mode and consideration of buying 2 Rem 40X 22lr bofe ov em with match sights.
Bolt out!
Bolt
Boiling Brain, NC, - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 02:08:19 (ZULU)
WR Moore
Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 03:50:33 (ZULU)
"As this is written, the KAC XM110 has dropped its experimental status and has been type classified as the M110 Sniper Rifle. As such it is slated to replace all 7.62mm NATO caliber sniper rifles in the system, both selfloading and bolt-action."
jc
jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 04:57:46 (ZULU)
The M-14/M1A is a great rifle, I have one of each. I didn't have the money for a SR-25 when you could buy them here, so I don't have any experience with it. The M-14 is 50 years old and technology moves on. Just as powder and bullet technology has improved, so has metallurgy and all the other things that go into firearms.
I did get to talk with the senior Marine officer in charge of procurement for the Marine Corps Sniper Program (sic) when we worked together in Afghanistan in 2005. They had just bought 250 each SR-25's for 'evaluation'. He liked it and the Marines were delighted with it.
One Marine in Iraq had the most confirmed kills in his platoon, more than the rest of the platoon combined. He had the only SR-25. He slept with the rifle chained to his bunk. But remember, it's not the equipment, it's the operator that makes the difference. Insurgents at Fallujah in 2004 complained about snipers so the Marines withdrew them from that fight. There were more complaints about long range hits. It turns out that Marine Infantry Riflemen with M16A2's and iron sights were practicing long range marksmanship at ranges over 700 yards.
The M-14 takes a lot of finicky work to accurize. Just reading how to unitize the front end of an M14 made my eyes cross. And scoping one is iffy. I never got the scope on my M-14 to work right. Inexperience on my part. The scope on my M1A went on the first time and works great. I guess I learned something here.
There are some other reasons for the SR-25.
It looks like an M16 so the sniper doesn't stand out from the rest of the team.
It's easier to train new snipers and armorers because they already know how an M-16 works.
It's easier for other soldiers to pick up an X110 and use it when things get bad. I have heard several anecdotes where sniper teams using bolt gun got overrun. Let me know if this is wrong.
An experienced marksman can get good performance from an M16. David Tubman routinely out shoots 30 caliber shooters with an .233. Once the US Army Sniper community gets some experience with the gun, I think it will prove to be a winner.
CNC and ISO standards ensure true compatibility and interchange capability (I know - it's a bad idea to swap parts ). An average XM110 will be made to closer tolerances than a tight M14.
Bolt guns will still have a place on the battlefield. The XM110 is a step in the right direction.
Fight's on!!!
Trajan Aurelius
East Bay, Kalifornia, USA !!! - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 05:06:03 (ZULU)
If the XM110 is just an AR-10, how the fuck is it an improvement for a desert environment? Why not just start making more M-14's? Just put a pic rail on the reciever, ala Ruger's integral mounts, since it's proven, trusted, and it works ?!?!
Travis Morgan
Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 06:44:31 (ZULU)
Travis Morgan
Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 12:35:42 (ZULU)
"Why not just start making more M-14's?"
The M-14 is not a good chassis on which to base a sniper rifle.
Decades of experimentation have proven the M-14 is not the best choice.
The scope mount has always been one of the problems but that isn't the only problem with the M-14 when it comes to building a sniper rifle.
The gas system was designed to provide reliable operation in harsh environments. This system works for a battle rifle however it causes a bending moment to be placed on the barrel with each shot. Along with the handguard it places a vibrational node on the barrel.
Properly bedding the action to the stock is problematic and fragile.
Can M-14s be made to shoot well? Yes, but they don't maintain accuracy over time in a combat environment.
A Stoner based design has none of these fundamental issues.
A problem common to any semiautomatic sniper rifle is that it takes more skill to "drive" than does a bolt action. Experienced long range shooters have often declared a semiautomatic sniper rifle to be "inaccurate" because they were unaware of the need to handle it differently than a bolt gun.
Today with a large capacity detachable magazine a bolt action sniper rifle can stay in the fight and deliver rapid follow-up shots almost on a par with a semiautomatic. This fact, if recognized, makes the principle advantage of a semiautomatic moot.
One would think that this dead horse has been sufficiently beaten.
Kevin R. Mussack (Andy's Dad)
Clifton Springs, New York, US of A - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 12:50:51 (ZULU)
Welcome back. Always nice to see the "old guard" come home!
Cheers,
Doc
Doc Holloway
The rainy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 13:16:35 (ZULU)
S/F
Finger
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 23:57:21 (ZULU)
I never really had a problem with my M4 or any M16 jamming in the desert. I did clean most every day and I used axle grease on the bolt and carrier to keep it lubed. The hardest thing to keep clean were the sights. I usually kept a used foam ear plug in the barrel to keep the dust out. If anyone was bothered by it, they never mentioned it.
If the M16 is so prone to "jamming in the desert", why is the Israeli Defense Force still using them? Ditto with the M9.
I can remember four failures with the M4 I carried in OEF. Three were because of bad magazines, one was a bent round. Attention to detail during PMCS and Pre-Combat Inspection and I destroyed the bad magazines. No more problem. I still ended up with 16 magazine...
As the XM110 uses 7.62 ammo, brute force will overcome most environmental issues.
Trajan
Trajan Aurelius
East Bay, Kalifornya, USA !!! - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 01:53:05 (ZULU)
I've come across M16/AR16 muzzle caps. Don't know if they are available in US armed forces supply system(s). If not, why not the classic field-expedient condom over the end? Not high-speed/low-drag, but it would work. I would worry about a foam plug acting as a barrel obstruction.
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 05:11:46 (ZULU)
Carbon 15 are POS's, at least the two I've dealt with were.
The M14 as a sniper rifle issue has been around and around. I'm fully behind a good semi auto 7.62 rifle for snipers, but the M14 ain't it, and neither is the XM110. In the short term, I'd like to see a 18" suppressed, detachable mag carbon fiber A1 stocked M40 with the S&B and weighing about 11lbs loaded, if they can't get a decent semi auto working. And then you'll have a big brother 338LW and a bolt action 50cal for your sniper rifles.
Plastic muzzle covers were widely available USMC side in Iraq, they shoot off with no problems. S/F....Ken M
Ken M
Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 09:02:08 (ZULU)
We had muzzle covers, but if we lost them in the field, or blew them off, it was much easier to put an ear plug in the muzzle. The ear plugs also stayed in when the equipment was rough handled. We had enough stuff to carry that muzzle covers were way low on the list of things to pack. Every helicopter carries a box of ear plugs and most Soldiers got a new set whenever we flew. As a Warrant Officer, I didn't have to abuse my body or equipment like the Infantrymen, but my M4 was pretty beat up I left and my feet still hurt.
Condoms were available but they tear easily and rotor wash blows them off. The ear plug is a field expedient and works for me.
Trajan
Trajan Aurelius
East Bay, Kalifornia, USA!!! - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 17:31:15 (ZULU)
Now, that being said.... I had a student in a LE Sniper class some years ago with a Olympic Arms AR15 that was driving tacks all week. On qual morning he went UNQ. His one shot for record was out of the required target. He forgot to remove the snap-on plastic muzzle cap. It was about 5 inches off at 100 yards. I am guessing the bullet got to strike that hard snap-on cap and turned the BC of that bullet to zelch point shit.
Anybody else play with this?
Semper Fi,
Finger
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 19:46:52 (ZULU)
Muzzle caps: yeah, they do fly right off. We had a crunch on them in mid 2003. Bruce Robinson's Goodies for Grunts' program sent in thousands of them...
To my benefactor of the MILDOTs Tee; thanks! I wear that in honor of the above mentioned fella. BTW, Geoff M commented on the AR tee last week. He's a blackrifle fan in a major way!
When I look at the M110 program, I see the pattern of "we're going with this one....but we have to go thru the motions of testing on open bids to make it look like we're being fair..." Christ, having participated in a few tests and evaluations over the years, it is hard not to suspect political and/ or corrupt criteria rules the day. DUI vs. Viking Drysuits is but one example. Ken described DPMS's entry for his "wish" rifle---one that would have come in far cheaper to the taxpayer at that. The M9, the XM/ G36 clone (thank god that got derailed--for now at least), Stuart-Stevens, the OH58 vs. the OH6; the lists go on and on. BTW, any savings on the OH58 initially were spent 25 times over during the ensuing 25 years in trying to upgrade the 58 to what the '6 was off the shelf:))
Part of it is "grass is greener" on the unobtanium side of the fence--we want more and better, and if we don't have something, we think it is more and better. I know that a soldier is happiest when bitching---but to see the process in motion will leave you wondering. It's like the dragon armor vs. the OBV--the testing was set for the dragonskin with blatant push to failure. The concept is political: There was significant controversy about soldier protection and fielding of the newer systems in our rush to war (You do go to war with the army you got--and Clinton wasn't spending money on this kind of stuff). A bunch of people civ and mil painted themselves into a corner claiming the "best" was given to our soldiers. I really do not know about scientific testing, but the guys who had the dragonskin had a handful of 7.62 stops in places where the bullet woulda blown right thru an OBV/OTV vest. Plus, that 'skin is supple---it doesn't jack your chin up when riding around in an uparmor. Comfort and total rifle protection is worth looking at. Also, i loved the way the 'skin did not dig into my shoulders....Ahhhh, this got into a rant mode.
One last thing: The "old boy network" gave me a job offer for a major truck manufacturer (while still in uniform). They did not want any skills I may have in that industry---they wanted my known contacts in the maintenance and contracting field---in short, hiring a buddy-buddy insider to push products. Ha! I declined only because it would be extensive travel; I got out to stay home for a while. I do not blame the manufactures...I blame the system. The only person in the process that has meaningful restrictions on post service employement is the contract officer that inks the deal in the end. All other players have token waiting periods--if at all.
The process of equiping our military does sometimes work as advertised. Usualy when we "rapid field" before the lobbyists can get to a congressman:))
Yeah...I have a bad attitude towards procurement.
Joe M
Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 19:55:01 (ZULU)
S/F
Finger
CSM Richard Burnell passed through friendly lines this morning into the Big Ranger's Base Camp.
He had been on dialysis for several months and passed away in Fayetteville, NC. from complications from heart disease, diabetes, and kidney failure.
He was more than a legend at Ranger School, where he served as Tactical NCO. While all who went through there as students knew him as the meanest, baddest Ranger we ever encountered, he was in fact a man who truly loved his job and the Ranger students. His "mail calls" were unforgettable.
He was a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, and he willl be sorely missed. RIP, Uncle Burney.
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 20:24:47 (ZULU)
Irony: Our senators and reps opposed to Iraq have changed tactics: Now they are using the lack of political progress to criticize events. To review the bidding, the Iraqi parlament is expected to negotiate a highly complicated revenue sharing plan for the wealth of the entire nation, and then resolve a milenium's worth of inter-religious and ethnic animosities--all inside of two years. This from the same asshats who have failed to provide any meaningful border security some 20 after that issue was declared a crisis (leading to the first amnesty in the Reagan years).
Those who live in glass houses...
I wonder why this hasn't occurred to the editorialists yet?
Finger: I'd need to see a pic of our fallen ranger to see if I can place him. I remember Swackhammer the human push-up machine and Jimmy Owens (Florida NCOIC)--and of course, cheeseburger dreams and a couple of startlingly real hallucinations...but not Burney. Of course, I didn't get any mail since nobody loved me:))
edited to add:
Good article by mark steyn...click.
Burney was, alas, before my time. I graduated in '86. If he was there still, he was damned senior and didn't hang about with the riff-raff.
Joe M
Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 23:54:07 (ZULU)
S/F
Finger
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Sunday, August 26, 2007, at 23:58:23 (ZULU)
The Canadian Forces has sent out a request to highly experienced ex-military personnel to come back into the ranks as it tries to recruit enough soldiers for the future and deal with the fallout from the ongoing mission to Afghanistan.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=e0fac91e-0485-4009-a383-26ec245e61d2&p=1
or click my name
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 01:06:37 (ZULU)
On muzzle covers, years ago I made a device I called "The Muzzle Mitten" I took the 3" wide elastic and sewed it so it fit tightly over the muzzle. Then I attached a thin strip of elastic and tied to bipod or front swivel. Rick B. loves these and asks every now and then for some more. I dont market them anymore though. If you wnat a few let me know. If you forget to remove them the elastic gets blown to poop.
I have used 100MPH tape a bunch and never saw any real shift in impact. If you just use enough to cover to just over edge of bore it blows off. If you go too far up barrel it will put hole in tape. James J. taught me that.
Gooch good to see you still around and doing good.
Mike/Undude
Mike Miller
Ca, - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 03:23:37 (ZULU)
The speculation I've read suggests that the column of air in front of the projectile is pushed ahead of it on firing. If the front cover isn't too stout the air will push it aside before the projectile emerges. This scenario would probably have minimal effect on POI. If you're interested in acheiving consistent first-shot accuracy that's likely a good thing.
The classic hunting approach is to use a piece of electical tape over the front of the muzzle. It's also thin enough that it might even "burst" from the column of air as opposed to being perforated by the projectile. It's much simpler when dealing with a muzzle that dosn't have a front-attached assembly like a flash hider/compensator.
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 04:16:56 (ZULU)
1. The young captains directly and quite openly challenged the vice chief (these are the future generals);
2. Mention is made of the "combat experience" the youngsters are gaining over that of the cold-war era guys. (The senior dudes can be overly sensitive to this; if I had a buck for each time a COL and higher mentioned his 100 hours' of gulf, I'd buy a beach house)
3. An example of a RVN era vet who was something of a maveric re-wrote the army's operations manual---and turned the force upwards...
4. Many examples of young officers voicing the "can-do" attitude while acknowledging the poor tactics, strategies, manning and equipping issues...all things neatly noted and tucked away for future reference.
If I refrence the NYT much more--youz guys will think I'm turning commie or sumpfin'
Joe M
Monday, August 27, 2007, at 05:29:35 (ZULU)
Ken M
Monday, August 27, 2007, at 06:48:49 (ZULU)
LOL, "Whatcha gonna do, bite me with your gold tooth?"
Travis Morgan
Wichita, Kansas, - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 08:47:00 (ZULU)
I have found that the little 3/4" stickie dots sold in stationary stores in the labels department are great.
They comes in different colors, and they completely disappear into dust before the bullet gets to the muzzle...
... pink works best ;)
-
'lito
CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 10:17:26 (ZULU)
I like the Neon colors myself !
Regards,
Joisey Steve
Steven Dzupin
Ridgewood Village of, New Joisey, US of A - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 10:57:46 (ZULU)
Do you guys remember being told, "You should'a gone through back when it was really tough."?
I was told that in '77 by guys that went through in the '60s and they got the same shit from the guys before them.....
I have dim memories of a CSM that had one foot that could run everybody into the ground.....or was that a dream?
Kevin R. Mussack (Andy's Dad)
Clifton Springs, New York, US of A - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 11:13:53 (ZULU)
My memories of Ranger School mostly consist of starving to death, and being wet and cold in Florida in December. Oh yeah, and somebody found out I was a diver, so guess who got to get naked and swin the rope during river crossings. Talk about cold water and a small package :)
S/F
Finger
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 13:05:01 (ZULU)
If you're really twisted, get the "happy faces" :-)
http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?M=TEACHER-CREATED-RESOURCES&ID=1062958&ref=GB
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 22:18:53 (ZULU)
How cold was it?
Oh, about this big...
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, August 27, 2007, at 22:20:36 (ZULU)
https://www.infantry.army.mil/rtb/photo.htm
Just pick your class number and click.
Hmmm. I was a goofy kid then. Class 1-87, three rows up, second in from the left. Looks like mohawk...but it was a shaggy high-n-tight:))
Finger---our classes numbered differently--but we had the same time of year. I never thought a swamp in Florida could be so miserable cold.
(yes, this is a reposting of this link)
Joe M
Monday, August 27, 2007, at 23:51:46 (ZULU)
CSM Burnell was my battalion CSM in 1/325th in the 80s and likely a chief reason why I got a slot for Ranger school (2-87).
Affectionately called gimpy by the troops (never to his face) due to the pronounced limp he had as a result of his injuries. He was NCO to the bone, truly believed in NCO business and took care of the troops. He was one a kind.
For those interested, his photo is in book "The Eyes of the Eagle: F Company LRPs in Vietnam, 1968"
Finger, Joe, Kevin: Cold, wet, tired and hungry? Yup, sums up Ranger School. I got so tired of people telling me about how hard it was back then, I started telling them mine was the first easy class.
Pat II
Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 03:33:24 (ZULU)
Pat II
Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 03:41:13 (ZULU)
I think Stiner had the 'duece (there's that word again) in those days...I'm tryin' to remember his CSM up at that level---a guy who spent YEARS in place. McBride? Was that it? The guy was like an emperor for life...
My favorite quote from today's reading pile:
"I'm mediocre. All Generals are mediocre. If you're too good, your peers -- competitors, really -- will kill you on the way up."
reinforces my critique of the clintoon era drawdown and zero-defect' promotion selections (more like massacres). We ingrained risk aversion in what is now our senior leaders. It shows...
Anyone not yet read Yingling's controversial article? Click...
Joe M
Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 05:08:42 (ZULU)
That founder's intention for that civilian leadership - was to fill that civilian side with 'competent' leadership... Unfortunately - we've fallen short of that int the current day. Too many back end deals, too many personal agendas....
There's only one - and I mean one agenda regarding our enemies - remove them (and their descendents if available) - permanently from existence - period.
Yes - that's abit harsh... but - that's my way...
Take care all .....
Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 12:26:02 (ZULU)
medicjim
Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 18:37:36 (ZULU)
Great article. I like the passage:
"Neither the executive branch nor the services themselves are likely to remedy the shortcomings in America's general officer corps. Indeed, the tendency of the executive branch to seek out mild-mannered team players to serve as senior generals is part of the problem. The services themselves are equally to blame. The system that produces our generals does little to reward creativity and moral courage. Officers rise to flag rank by following remarkably similar career patterns. Senior generals, both active and retired, are the most important figures in determining an officer's potential for flag rank. The views of subordinates and peers play no role in an officer's advancement; to move up he must only please his superiors. In a system in which senior officers select for promotion those like themselves, there are powerful incentives for conformity. It is unreasonable to expect that an officer who spends 25 years conforming to institutional expectations will emerge as an innovator in his late forties."
That pretty much describes most large organizations. IBM, HP, GM, CIA, FBI, .................
Duman
Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 22:33:17 (ZULU)
Duman: Ever heard of McMaster? He's the point CO at 73 Easting AND the RCO of the 3rd ACR in Tal Afar (may have to read up on THAT one). Well, he wrote a little book called "Dereliction of Duty" and later got some additional great press (even in the dreaded NYT) and multiple silver stars for "tossing out the current tactics and, unlike everywhere else, and making a real difference." He is also one of a few I call "freakin' brilliant." This designation is for those whose intellect is so intimidating that I whisper a "thank you god, for letting this guy be on my team" when I stumble across them.
Well, he was passed over this year for BG---AFTER being hand selected by Patraeus to help change the strategy in Iraq.
To me, this bears out the "too good" aspect of my non-attributed quote.
McMasters would intellectually intimidate all but a small fraction of a percentile of mankind's entire history of smart guys!!!! Heheh....to "let him in the club" is like excusing yourself from your seat at the table. Many of my (ex) peers seem to think he will get in next time---but I really do not think so.
Man, has it ever rained lately!
You'll have to excuse me: I have to go await a man in a white beard. I expect he'll provide me with those Ark drawings I'll need before I begin building...
(Based on what I've seen in the news, I can use it to get to Oklahoma to help out with sniperquest)
Joe M
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at 00:02:19 (ZULU)
The first few months I downloaded opened as HTML files, and launched in my browser much like this page here. easy to read and scan for specifics.
Did I alter these files somehow---or are the older months/ years stuck in this format? Is there a way to macro-edit them into a more readable form?
Why am I even asking here? Ain't no real geeks on this board:))
Well...maybe Ken and few others have certain selected geek skills....but without the pocket protector and chronic lakkanookie, of course!
Joe M
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at 00:17:28 (ZULU)
My 3 yr old says: "Where's my welloo marb?"
I say "Wello whaaat?"
Her: "Nooooooo, I said WELLOOOO!"
Me: "What's wellooo?"
Her: "No, dammit daddy, wellooo like the sun!!!"
I consequently lost all dad-credibility by falling out laughing. Too cracked up to correct the naughty word.
Oh, yellow is wellooo. Ha. But "dammit?" She gets away with one...this time:))
Well, enough on Mr Mom; click my name for an excellent perspective on recent history.
Joe M
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at 01:34:00 (ZULU)
"Why am I even asking here? Ain't no real geeks on this board:))"
Well, now you've gone and pissed me off so I ain't gonna tell ya. ;-))
jc
jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at 05:16:30 (ZULU)
I got a few days off and on Saturday will be back for their convoy scenarios. Should be a blast.
Kudos to a great unit.
Jim Reifinger
Pearsall, TX, USA - Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 01:42:57 (ZULU)
It's good to know that we're still breeding winners like we had today. Even if the libs are trying to squelch it out of them, they are still strong, straight young men and women.
Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 03:47:36 (ZULU)
ASP file type defined:
http://www.fileinfo.net/extension/asp
I had a quick look around, a canned utility to text search .ASP
files didn't jump out at me.
I'll have to make some inquiries.
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 04:27:24 (ZULU)
When you double click your *.asp file... Windows accesses a table which lists the default application to use when viewing particular types of files. Apparently, your PC has an application other than your web browser as the default app for *.asp files . You could point the system back to using your browser to interpret *.asp files and the problem may resolve.
To manually check....instead of double clicking on the file you want to view...right mouse button click and look for the "open with" option. Select your internet browser.
medicjim
Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 13:53:20 (ZULU)
I was picking up some groceries for the labor day weekend at the local COSTCO (a bulk grocery entity common in NJ, similar to BJs or Sam's club). I wandered past the clothing bins and happened to notice a softshell jacket on display. The item is manufactured by Black Diamond and appears to be a solid, basic softshell jacket for $28 US...
I bought three.
medicjim
Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 20:15:38 (ZULU)
http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A301843
or click my name
rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 23:01:33 (ZULU)
http://www.thedissidentfrogman.com/blog/link/like-a-suppository-only-stronger
or click my name. A short lesson on how to fake the news.
Steve in Tucson
Tucson, AZ, USA - Friday, August 31, 2007, at 01:11:49 (ZULU)
Well, since medicjim went and told you how to view *.asp files I can only say he's right.
Right click on one of the .asp files and from the menu that pops up select "properities". Next to the "Opens With" Label click the "change" button and select Internet Explorer (or other browser) then click on "Apply"
Done.
jc
jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Friday, August 31, 2007, at 05:29:52 (ZULU)
Now that I've been discovered as a true 'operator' in the new cutting edge technology domain, I'm gonna update my LBE with the appropriate morale patch...
Which one do you think I should go with?
<click my name for patch display...scroll down>
Do you think the "Jedi Master" one is too 'over the top'?
medicjim
Friday, August 31, 2007, at 15:23:28 (ZULU)
