You Took The Words Right Outta My...

How we doing hard-chargers!

So we got a few words from a former Army Soldier, who was blessed to see both sides of the playing field. I give you a few good words from retired Sergeant Micheal Thorin.                          (I thank you for your sacrifice to this great country my good sir.)

I believe that "balanced" rivalry is good. 

If I had to say one branch actually believed themselves superior, it would be the Marines. Sadly, having come from the Army, I would have to bow down and give credit where credit is due.I've seen more fit Marines than soldiers, which is pretty amazing considering the Army has and enlistment size of 541,291 compared to the Marines who have only 195,338.   Hence the few the proud...

From the outside looking in, it appears the Marines go more "by the book" when it comes to physical fitness standards, also Marines have an individual drive to maintain fitness and uniform standards.

Here is one exception that I may add; infantry units and combat arms units in the Army, have soldiers are mostly fit and ready.                                 

I attribute this to self preservation. When I was a medic assigned to a medical company, we did PT, but it was not the "get your but up and drive on!!!!" kind of PT.

We were never really driven to excel...

Now let me add that Infantry units and combat arms all "live and die by the sword". Meaning that their ability to constantly push themselves in order to ensure that they are not only fit enough to ensure their survival, but also fit enough for their brothers, and now sisters in arms, and their equipment as well.

Meaning if a soldier goes down during an engagement, you may have to pull that soldier out. If your 70 pounds overweight and your last meal was a Coke and a bag of barbecue pork rinds, you are going to have a less than stellar performance.

Now, all of this is dependent on whether or not you have a strong chain of command with a great desire for integrity; i.e. Instead of pencil whipping PT scores and "pencil/pen" weapons qualifications to keep the numbers up, a chain of command that doesn't want to guarantee troop strengths by the power of the pen.

Rather instead keeps troop strengths up by assuring PT, weapons qualifications, height/weight, and uniform are enforced daily so that when all of these are done for record, thereby maintaining troop strength by ensuring compliance daily. This is so soldiers do not have a chance to not simply go with the motion, but to be the force that drives the motion.
Another thing I had noticed was the difference in services. In basic training we were told everyone's primary MOS was 11B. I did not see many of our support companies live by this belief. 

However, you look at the Marines, and they say that every Marine's primary MOS is 0311 Rifleman, and the majority of all MOS's in the Marines life is this belief.
Again, I am not intending to offend anyone, but 11B and combat arms (19D, etc), more closely matches to the Marines.

I know there are officers who not only require that the standards be met, but also led by example, and lived out the standards.

Just my take, and I may be completely off. I pray that my fellow Army Soldiers, Airforce Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Navy Sailors do not get offended, because when it all comes down to it and rivalry becomes an issue, everyone better remember that the military is like human physiology, where if one system of the body shuts down or doesn't function properly, THE OTHER SYSTEMS WILL SUFFER.

                

It is the same way for the sum total of our military; when one suffers, we all suffer.

Always remember this and realize that rivalry can be fun and bring forth a sense of esprit de corps, however, if taken to an extreme, the body can suffer.

God bless, and may we continue to keep each and every branch of our military strong with a desire to make each branch strong and compliment each-other, as this was the original concept.

Your words are greatly appreciated here sir. I think even with the rivalry among branches, everyone has to remember that we're all brothers and sisters fighting for our gorgeous illustrious country.

Thank you to all who have made the sacrifice to serve America.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

In 'Mad-Dog' Mattis We Trust

Good day everyone, got some neat information about one of the most accomplished military figures of our time. Hard-Chargers, I give you the 26th and current United States Secretary of Defense James Norman Mattis.                                                                             

Mattis, is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 11th Commander of United States Central Command and was responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and Central Asia, from 2010 to 2013.                                                 

January 20, 2017, Mattis was confirmed as Secretary of Defense by the United States Senate. He had only been three years out of active duty despite US federal law requiring a seven year-year cool down period for retired personnel in order to be appointed Secretary of Defense.He was the first member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to be confirmed.Barack Obama appointed Mattis, to replace General David Petraeus in 2010, prior to that Mattis commanded United States Joint Forces Command from 2007-2010. 

He served with as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and also 1st Marine Expeditionary Force US Marine Forces Central Command and 1st Marine Division during the Iraq War.James Norman Mattis was born September 8, 1950 in Pullman, Washington. He is the son of Mrs. Lucille Mattis and also Mr. John West Mattis who was a merchant mariner. His mother immigrated from Canada to the U.S. as an infant and worked in Army Intelligence in South Africa during World War II.

Mattis earned his Bachelors of Arts in history from Central Washington University in 1971.He also earned his Masters of Arts in international security affairs from the National War College in 1994.James Mattis, initially enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969. He was a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1972. During his years in service, Mattis was seen and considered to be an intellectual among upper ranks.

He’s even been described as one of the most urbane and polished men in the military. It is said that he carried a personal copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius throughout his deployments.Mattis was a lieutenant/platoon commander in a rifle/weapons company in 3rd Marine Division. As a captain he was assigned to the Naval Academy Preparatory school, which was composed of enlisted midshipman candidates with company officers and enlisted staff. He was also a major at a Recruiting Station Portland Oregon.

He’s known for his intellectualism and interest in the study of military history and also world history. He has a personal library that is said to include over 7,000 volumes and a penchant for required reading list for Marines under his command.

In Marines he instills risk management asking of his Marines to be well cultured pertaining to the regions where they deploy and also has his Marines undergo cultural sensitivity training.As Colonel, Mattis commanded 7th Marine Regiment. He led the 1st expeditionary brigade as its commanding officer upon promotion to brigadier general.

Mattis gets an extreme amount of respect from Marines, not because of the ranking. This is due to what we Marines consider real leadership, Officer Nathaniel Fick, gave an example of this after he spotted Mattis in a fighting hole conversing with a sergeant and a lance corporal. He was in the freezing night-cold in Afghanistan, out on the lines with his Marines when he could have been in a warm hooch.

President Donald Trump, met with Mattis for a little over an hour November 2016. He later stated General ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis was going to be considered for Secretary of Defense as he was very impressed. He considered him a General’s General!       Mattis is a very decorated Marine…

1st Row: Defensive Distinguished Service Medal w/ one Oak Leaf Cluster ** Navy Distinguished Service Medal ** Defense Superior Service Medal

2nd Row: Legion of Merit ** Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat “V” ** Meritorious Service Medal w/ two Gold Stars ** Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal

3rd Row: Combat Action Ribbon ** Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation ** Joint Meritorious Unit Award ** Joint Meritorious Unit Award ** Navy Unit Commendation

4th Row: Navy & Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation ** Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal ** National Defense Service Medal two Bronze Stars ** Southwest Asia Service Medal two Bronze Stars

5th Row: Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ one Bronze Star ** Iraq Campaign Medal w/ one Bronze Star ** Global Was on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ one Bronze Star ** Global Was on Terrorism Service Medal

6th Row: Humanitarian Service Medal ** Sea Service Ribbon w/ one Silver Star two Bronze Stars ** Marine Corps Recruiting Service Ribbon w/ one Bronze Star ** Polish Army Medal (Gold)

7th Row: NATO Meritorious Service Medal ** NATO Medal ISAF ** Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ** Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Rifle Expert Badge (4th Award)  *****  Pistol Expert Badge (2nd Award)

Mattis is also a lifelong bachelor who has never been married nor does he have any children. His nickname is “The Warrior Monk” because of his bachelor life and his lifelong devotion to the studying the art of war.I think I speak for most when I say thank you for your service in the Marine Corps. As well as your continued devoted service to our country.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Imagine A Nuclear Holocaust...

Good day everyone, hope your easter was well.

Today we're going to talk about a nuclear holocaust. I mean just what if this was to happen...First off the word "holocaust", originates from the Greek term "holokaustos" meaning "extremely/completely burnt", with a great deal of destruction and loss of life, especially by fire.A nuclear holocaust or apocalypse is a scenario in which there would be a widespread of destruction and radioactive fallout, thus causing the collapse of civilization through the use of nuclear weapons.

Obviously there would be great destruction and carnage. Think about the firestorms, as well as a possible nuclear winter, radiation sickness and most importantly the loss of modern technology due to electromagnetic pulses.

An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. Such an interference is known to have a very disruptive or damaging effect to electronic equipment. If a single nuclear weapon designed to emit EMP was detonated even 500 miles over the U.S.It would disable the electronics in the entire country...

Many scientist have speculated that a thermonuclear war could result in the end of modern civilization on earth due to the long lasting nuclear winter. Temperatures following a full on thermonuclear war would fall for several years by at least 6 to 7 degrees Celsius and this is on average.

There have been studies that show billions of humans would survive the immediate effects of a nuclear blast and radiation after a global thermonuclear warfare. Many argue that the nuclear war could indirectly cause human extinction as far as secondary effects go.This includes environmental consequences, such as societal breakdowns and economic collapse. Perhaps even a small-scaled nuclear transfer involving not more than 80 Hiroshima like weapons could cause a nuclear winter and kill upwards of a billion people.

As of now there are about 15,000 nuclear weapons that we know of... thousands of which are on what is referred to as 'hair trigger alert' meaning a military policy that enables the rapid launch of nuclear weapons.Every nuclear country is currently undergoing modernization of its nuclear arsenal. Could modernization subsequently increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, nuclear terrorism and even accidental nuclear war?????.

It's been estimated that the probability of complete human extinction by nuclear weapons is not even 1% within the century. Also the probability of 1 billion dead are lower than 10%.

Scientist have had much discourse over the years pertaining to the fact that even small-scale nuclear war between as little as two countries could have devastating global consequences. Scientist also believe that local conflicts are more likely than full-scale nuclear war.

There have been great scholars who have put forth as a basis of argument that global nuclear war could possibly lead to human extinction. This became more-so plausible after nuclear winter was conceptualized in 1983.

There have since then been models brought to our attention that show extinction is very unlikely and many feel parts of the world would actually remain very habitable.Then again the risk of societal collapse following a nuclear war could make humanity more vulnerable. It's likely that the primary effect would be global famine, wherein a mass starvation would occur due to disrupted agricultural production and distribution.There would be agricultural outputs that would be significantly reduced for years by climatic changes driven by nuclear wars. The reduction of food supply will be further exacerbated by rising food prices, thus affecting hundreds of millions of vulnerable people, especially in the poorest nations of the world.

Hey don't start freaking out my dear hard-chargers, I'm merely just thinking outside the proverbial box here.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

WE DROP BOWS ON EM!!! ----->(MOAB)

How we doing hard-chargers!?! :)

So I'm sure you've heard about the 21,600lb bomb we dropped on an ISIS target right??? No??? Ok well lemme give you a better explanation thereof...

Thursday, U.S. forces dropped the largest conventional bomb in its depository on an ISIS tunnel complex in Nangahar province, which is eastern Afghanistan. 

The proper nomenclature is  the GUB-43 Massive Ordinance Air Blast. aka ----> "Mother Of All Bombs" or "MOAB" which is 21,600lbs and it was developed in 2003 during our Iraq campaign.The explosion of this beast is equivalent to 11 tons of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and is capable of a one mile blast radius in every direction. 

It is said to be the largest guided bomb in the history of the world with extraordinary impact and detonation. This would be the first time of its usage in combat and serves as a reminder that this war has lasted 15 plus years since we as the US first invaded Afghanistan.The strike was designed to minimize the risk of Afghan and U.S. Forces conducting clearing operations in the area while maximizing the destruction of ISIS-K fighters and facilities. MOAB is intended for soft to medium surface targets covering extended areas, so this would be targets contained in an environment. (i.e.) Caves, Canyons, clearing extensive mine fields' and for psychological effects.

As of now ISIS fighters are using bunkers and tunnels to thicken their defenses. So this would be the correct munition to reduce these obstacles and maintain the momentum of our defensive against these savages.

According to US officials the number of ISIS fighters in eastern Afghanistan is estimated to be around 600-800 which is a major decrease in numbers from an estimated 3000 in late 2015.The U.S. military has been conducting operations against ISIS in Afghanistan for the past year. Specifically in southern Nangahar, since March, and have reduced the threat to a smaller area by two thirds. This was the first time that the U.S. encountered an extensive obstacle to its progress.

To everyone freaking out over this happening, the U.S. military's planning to use the MOAB goes back to the Obama administration. Therefore the Department of Defense officials were aware of the intent and plans to deploy this beast of a weapon.

                                                        

People seem to be a bit nervous with North Korea, preparing to conduct a nuclear test of their own. So many have questioned our commander in chief if this would send a message to the eastern aggressor.It is rumored that North Korea, led by dictator Kim Jong-Un, vowed to 'pulverize' US bases and South Korean capital Seoul if it was threatened by the US military, which is carrying out drills on the Korean peninsula. 

(Don't threatened my country...)
Trump stated “I don’t know if this sends a message. It doesn’t make any difference if it does or not. North Korea is a problem. The problem will be taken care of.”                         

The U.S. using this bomb again in the future depends on the tactical situation, the weapon was employed for a specific tactical solution to a military problem and that alone determines when and how one would operate on the battlefield.

As always hard-chargers, keep up with current events.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

NATO No Longer Obsolete

U.S. President Donald Trump stated "NATO is no longer obsolete" which was a HUGE reversal from a stance that got the attention of U.S. allies including one in a series of recent foreign policy changes.

During a joint press conference with NATO secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, stated Trump will continue to work closely with NATO allies specifically working together to fight against terrorism.

Trump stated he and the secretary general had a productive discussion on what more NATO could do in the fight against terrorism." Trump stated his concern about that matter prior to his presidency. Since then a change has been made to fight terrorism.

"I said it was obsolete, It is no longer obsolete."

 

Trump reversed and digressed from his campaign-trail rhetoric on other foreign policy issues. Trump also said via Wall Street Journal that he would not label China as a currency manipulator, and he would fill two vacancies on the Export-Import Bank, which he decried as a candidate.

 Just last week the administration flipped from the equivocation on regime change in Syria, to a U.S. airstrike against the regime's deadly chemical weapons attack and insistence that Syrian President Bashar Assad leave.

That in itself has fueled a row with Moscow that seemed to upend a staunchly goal for Trump. Trump expressed optimism after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow.

Trump Stated "It would be wonderful, as we were discussing if NATO and our country could get along with Russia. As of now we're not getting along with Russia at all, we may be at an all time low in terms of relationship with Russia. This has built for a long period of time, but we're going to see what happens. Putin is the leader of Russia, and Russia is a strong country. We are a very, very strong country, so we'll see how it works."

 

Foreign Ministry spokewoman, Maria Zakharova, said on "Nobody understands what they will do in the Middle East because it is a very complicated region. No-one understands what they will do with Iran, nor what they will do with Afghanistan."

As of late allies have been struggling to parse the administration's mixed signals. Rex Tillerson, confused European diplomats at a meeting in Italy when he said "Why should U.S. taxpayers be interested in Ukraine?"

This statement came after Tillerson, affirmed in a TV interview broadcast that the U.S. and Europe shouldn't lift the sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and its annexation of the Crimea region.

Trump has continuously stated that NATO must meet their financial obligations and pay what they owe. As of now all NATO countries have agreed to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic  product on their own defense by 2024, only a few of the member countries have met that goal.

Trump hopes NATO allies will take a larger role in supporting Iraq and that he is dispatching National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster to Afghanistan to find a way to make progress with Afghan and NATO allies.

Stoltenberg said NATO is increasing its readiness, and called for the ongoing deployment of four battle groups to Eastern Europe an adequate answer to Russia. He stated Trumps strong, clear message on member-nation defense spending has been helpful, as the alliance is on track to increase defense spending by 3.8 percent.

Trump is completely committed to the alliance, and has met with leaders of NATO allies U.K., Germany and Denmark.

The airstrike last week, was an indication that they are moving towards what used to be the center stripe, mainstream on foreign policy.

The reality is without NATO and our allies we cannot defend the current world order. If we fail to defend it, all bets are off.

Bashing NATO sounds great to disgruntled voters who see a crazy world but the reality is it would make things much worse for everyone but especially America and Europe.

Keep up with current events people, things are getting quite interesting.

 

Isaac J. Hall II

 

#SemperKill