That’s the new slogan, which goes with this good video available at Black Five. The new words replace the older Army of One, which I thought was a nice improvement over Be All You Can Be, the butt of many anti-American slurs. But my favorite still is the one I saw on posters in the early 1960s: The New Action Army.
UPDATE It’s also a good counter for those who like to contend that the Army is broken.
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Tagged Army of One, Army Strong, Be All You Can Be, Black Five, The New Action Army
"Dr. Francis Harvey, Secretary of the Army…notes that recruitment is at a 9-year high and that reenlistment is very strong. Harvey talks about the Army’s strength levels, force structure, equipment maintenance loads, and general ability to withstand the stress of the Long War against terrorism. In particular, he responds rather forcefully to claims that the Army is lowering standards to make its recruitment numbers."
Instapundit’s Glenn and Helen "show." Radio, in essence, when you want it.
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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops
Tagged Army, Instapundit, Long War, Pajamas Media, recruitment, retention
"Farrell said the high attendance showed the community’s care and support. The motorcyclists set up a lengthy wall of flags on both sides of Route 309 to honor Hartman. Richard E. Marcks, Allentown, is a permanent ride captain for the Fifth Division of the Patriot Guard Riders, one of the groups that was represented. ‘When the family came to the funeral home and they saw the wall of flags, they broke down in tears,’ Marcks said."
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Posted in Obituaries, Troops
Two Air Force guys, both pararescueman–but one of them medically retired after being severely wounded in Iraq– are hiking the entire, 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia. In part to become two of the fewer than 500 people to do the whole thing, and also to publicize a fundraiser for disabled veterans. Pictures, a map and full details at the link. As of the 26th, they’d reached Staunton, Virginia.
Via Blackfive
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Posted in Troops
Tagged air force, Apalachian Trail, disabled veterans, Pararescue
For the men and women of the big cav unit up the road at Fort Hood, it’s back to Iraq.
"The division will uncase its colors later this fall when it takes over responsibility for Multinational Division Baghdad from Fort Hood’s 4th Infantry Division.
An email from the Reserve Officers Association making the rounds of Vietnam veterans has some interesting figures drawn from official statistics and census data for 1995 and 2000:
"9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975. Of them 2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam. Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation…
"1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August 1995 (census figures). During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.
"As of the current Census taken during August 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe—losing nearly 711,000 between ’95 and ’00. That’s 390 per day. During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not."
This reminds me of a young man I am encouraging to join the Army reserves on the strength of the statement that "this is your generation’s war." He is resisting, insisting that his generation did not start the war. Of course my generation didn’t start the Vietnam exercise, either, but some historians will forever think of it (and write of it) as our generation’s war.
No wonder there are wannabees.
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Posted in Troops
Tagged Reserve Officer's Association, Vietnam veterans, wannabees
It’s not all gloom and doom in Iraq, even in the bullet-torn city of Najaf. In fact, SPC Mary Robinson, driver of a Humvee gun truck, is leaving it almost peaceful.
“’I couldn’t ask for a better deployment,” said the 24-year-old from Monroe, La. ‘ We’ve lost a few guys, but for the most part it’s been pretty safe.’
"For most of the last year, Robinson’s unit — the 3rd Battalion of the 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division — has helped train Iraqi army soldiers and navigated the stormy and fractured world of Shiite politics in this city of more than 1 million."
And for those who didn’t come home physically unmarked, the wounded art of Warrant Officer Michael Fay. Via Op-For
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 