A U.S. Marine from Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines fires his weapon at Taliban fighters in Marjah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan on February 22, 2010

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

From Marine Corps Times:

More than 50 AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) concessions serving U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be closed within 90 days under an order issued Feb. 5 by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in that war zone.  These include popular fast-food outlets like Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell, as well as jewelry stores, souvenir stores and new car sales outlets.

“MWR (morale, welfare and recreation) programs across the theater should be limited in scope and tailored for an expeditionary force,” McChrystal said in his order. “MWR should never be the distracter that changes the focus of the mission.”

Solomon from SNAFU! and I, discussed this a bit, and here is his last comment:

I don’t think its the General trying to punish anyone, I just think he’s trying to make sure that the guys in the rear face a little of the hardships that the guys in the boonies face during a whole tour.

I decided I would post my response below, here on my blog:

I know what you are saying Solomon.  I just think you gotta give these guys something to look forward to when they get back to base.  If you make being on base equally as uncomfortable as outside the wire (except for being shot at), It seems to me that morale will suffer greatly, not improve.  I can’t help but feel guilty back here at home, knowing that soldiers are getting even more taken away from them, when they already have very little.

They are already far away from their friends, family, and all the comforts of home.  Risking their lives on a daily basis for surprisingly little pay, and they can’t even enjoy a burger or some fried chicken during their down time?

I understand the possibility of getting “Fat and happy” exists, like you said in your article.  But why punish the soldiers that don’t abuse their privileges?

If you ask me, those guys already sacrifice enough.  We need to do everything possible to keep them motivated.

From talking to you before in email, I know your background enables you to speak with a lot more authority on this topic than myself.  I am interested to hear what you have to say back to my response.

Marine Corps Times Article – HERE

Solomon’s original post on his military blog SNAFU! – HERE

At the end of a convoy in which he received and returned fire with his 50 calibre machine gun, U.S. Marine turret gunner Cpl. Ian Bole, of Port Royal, South Carolina, wearing a face mask with a skull design, breathes steam on a cold day inside an armored vehicle in the Pech Valley, Kunar province, northeastern Afghanistan on Thursday Jan. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

When I saw the face armor from MTEK Weapon Systems my initial thought was

“That’s a blank canvas, if I’ve ever seen one!”

Then I came across this the other day:

I bet once more soldiers get ahold of this type of armor, there will be some more creative and artistic designs.

Marine LCpl. James Harris of Michigan from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines “Warlords” guards a position as sheep pass by during a meeting of the Marines, local government officials, and villagers in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

Tycoon, Contractor, Soldier, Spy

Source: Vanity Fair (Nigel Parry)

Erik Prince, recently outed as a participant in a C.I.A. assassination program, has gained notoriety as head of the military-contracting juggernaut Blackwater, a company dogged by a grand-jury investigation, bribery accusations, and the voluntary-manslaughter trial of five ex-employees, set for next month. Lashing back at his critics, the wealthy former navy seal takes the author inside his operation in the U.S. and Afghanistan, revealing the role he’s been playing in America’s war on terror.

A very interesting read.

Full Article At Vanity Fair – HERE

U.S. soldier PV2 John MacIntosh takes cover in farm field and scans the ridge line as Taliban fighters ambush U.S soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during a patrol in the Pech Valley of Afghanistan’s Kunar province on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

Black Labrador “Sabi” was recovered by a US Soldier at an isolated patrol base in Oruzgan Province, after going missing in the same September 2008 battle during which Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC earned his Victoria Cross.

An Australian Special Forces explosive detection dog has been found alive and well more than a year after she went missing in action in Afghanistan.

Considering she was missing for over a year, it would be awesome if she could provide any valuable Intel (scooby doo style) to the SAS.

Full Story – HERE

From the ArmyTimes:

According to the latest Pentagon figures, a full 35 percent, or more than one-third, of the roughly 31.2 million Americans aged 17 to 24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues. And, said Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon’s director of accessions, “the major component of this is obesity. We have an obesity crisis in the country. There’s no question about it.”

Full Article – HERE

So, since that established that not everyone can do the job… WHY are the guys that are doing it, not getting paid more?

During a firefight with Taliban militants U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Christie, of Washington, Ind. with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 5th Marines sprints down an irrigation canal to a location to launch his rocket in Nawa district, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Taliban militants attacked the Marines on patrol using assault rifles, medium machine guns, and snipers. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

If you have been watching the news or reading any of the online forums lately, it would have been hard to miss all the talk about the M4 carbine and its “failure” in Afghanistan.

I had a number of thoughts on this topic and had a draft written up for an article I was going to post, then I saw a new post on the topic at Vuurwapen Blog which I will quote a few lines from ( because I agree 100% with them ):

I’m always a little suspicious when I see claims of M4s going down in combat.

One of the biggest problems is when Soldiers and Marines try to use their rifle in a manner other than that which was originally intended.

Unfortunately, an incorrect thought process persists among many officers and senior enlisted – that the rifles should be scrubbed clean as often as possible, and that oil should not be added to the weapon, for it will “attract dust and dirt”. Soldiers and Marines have been dying because of this absolute garbage since the introduction of the Garand in combat operations in the Pacific during WWII. Proper lubrication is vital for any semiautomatic or automatic weapon.

Check out the full article at Vuurwapen Blog – HERE

Some vivid and shocking photos from around the world

More HERE at The Boston Globe

Initial distribution of the Corps’ new Deployment Bag, a 10-pound footlocker on wheels, began in September and will continue for the next year, according to Marine Corps Systems Command. Manufactured by California-based ForceProtector Gear, the new bag can haul up to 75 pounds and is a significant upgrade from the service’s standard green duffel, which has remained largely unchanged for the past 25 years, officials said.

Talk about a big improvement to the old “sea bag”:

The Corps agreed to pay Atlantic Diving Supply, the bag’s distributor, $18 million for about 60,000 bags, according to SysCom.

They means that they are getting the bags for $300 each

Full article at MarineCorpsTimes – HERE

You can buy one for $420 right now at forceprotector.com – HERE

A dust devil whirls past as a soldier from the 1st Company, 4th Rapid Brigade of ISAF Czech contingent based in Tabor, Czech Republic, proceeds to check the targets after completing a shooting exercise at the range in Camp Altimur in Logar province, some 140 km (87 miles) southeast of the capital Kabul, September 25, 2009. (REUTERS/Nikola Solic) wbc9a8tq2h

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE

Awesome documentary on ECHO Company of the 2nd battalion 8th Marines:

As President Obama approaches a decision point on Afghanistan strategy and whether to increase troop levels, a 24-minute rough cut of the first act of Obama’s War.

Republican candidate Dean Allen held a “Machine Gun Social” at Allen Arms in Grenville S.C. to raise money for his campaign.  He wants to be the next adjutant general, the person who oversees the state’s defense forces.

For $25 donors to his campaign got BBQ, and a chance to fire a machine gun of their choice.  There was also a draw for an AK-47 ( worth around $700 ) to be given away to one of the supporters in attendance.

He chose the venue because it reflects his emphasis on 2nd amendment rights.

Allen wants to increase funding for the National Guard, and bring the National Guard home from Afghanistan to defend the borders against illegal immigration.  Makes sense to me!

Source: Huffington Post – HERE