Desperate???

Quick disclaimer - this is all via the 'rumour mill'...

Last Friday night some military friend(s) of mine got some news.  For them its either good or bad news, depending on their point of view.  A very few of them will see it as a chance to get closer to the "action".  But for most, and unfortunately, its a bit shocking.  As for me it's a little earth-shattering - especially since one of them was my replacement when I left the Navy.  Quick background... when I was in the military, I was an E-2C Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer.  That means I flew around in a radar equipped plane and directed the air-war.  That's a VERY watered down description, but it covers the basics.  My friends and others that got 'the news' are of varying but similar backgrounds.  As with several occupations in the military, they have some extensive EW training (Electronic Warfare).  Which sets the stage...

It seems that they all fall into a particular category at the moment - they're all on shore duty (after being on sea-duty for several years... it's called 'payback'), and they all have at least one year left at their current duty-station.  Life right now is supposed to be focused on family, training others to do what you've done already, and supporting those in the Navy that are currently at sea.  But on Friday night, some of them got a phone call - with a twist.

By and large, they're being ordered to supplement the Army and Marines on the ground in Iraq.  That in itself isn't that strange, since the current trend has been to try and give the forces that have been on multiple deployments a break by rotating  Air Force and Navy personnel into positions that could be easily 'substituted'.  But... here's the twist.  They're manning up a new unit - made up of a mix of personnel, to become field combat teams in charge of detecting IED's.  Improvised Explosive Devices.  WTF???

I will pledge loyalty to my Navy brethren - they are capable of doing the tasks they are trained for, and then some.  But to take a Naval Aviator, teach him in a couple of months how to fire a rifle and command Army or Marine troops on the ground, and much less put him in some experimental platform to detect and disarm IED's because the Army and Marine experts are tired and out of people??  That's like asking a surgeon to become the coach of an NFL Football team!!

In my book, that's called a "Desperate Administration in a Desperate Situation".

I wish I could prove it to you.  I wish I had documentation.  But I don't.  Not yet.

Somebody out there is going to say (like my naive friend at work - notice I still call him 'friend'), "well they're in the military it comes with the territory".  To those people I say:  "You don't know what the hell you're talking about".  The military is as specialized as a hospital - you don't go throwing people into positions that they're not trained or prepared for because the doctor is out to lunch.

I wish them luck, and wonder how long till people like me in the IRR get activated.  I also wonder how long till people like YOU get drafted.  You DO know that the minimum draft age is being changed to 40, don't you??

UPDATE:  Thanks to several readers who pointed out that I made a typo on the draft age.  I was referring to the MAXIMUM draft age.

Comments

[Gill Bates]

The situation over there is way more desparate than they want anyone at home to know.

If you have not heard of Depleted Uranium or DU then you might want to read up on it before heading over there for some adventure.

More than 1/2 of the surviving Gulf War 1 vets are ill because of their exposure to DU. Many returnees from the more recent conflict have become ill, have fathers disfigured kids or have contaminated their spouse with their radioactive sperm.

Studies have shown that the air over Britain has been impacted by DU particles.

The military does not want the people back at home to know just how bad it is over there. That's why so many are serving extra terms. Some of them will never come back.

[Olie]

This is no rumor...my fiance has just been sent for this reason...we should be praying for all the men this is happening to. Someone needs to speak up and say something...we are sending our loved ones to their death by being silent.

[Adam]

Regarding your non-information..how have you written a book that anyone would want to read. You garble until I lose the will to live and I am still no nearer your point.
Adam,Honours degree in English, post grad in journalism.

Matty Says: Adam, purveyor of bad grammar, punctuation, and inflammatory remarks. Dude... are you commenting on the right blog?

[Grand Moff Texan]

They've been doing stuff like this for some time.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2005/04/26/unready_for_combat?mode=PF
.

[Phil Timmons]

So they have y'all doing back up for the Army? Welcome to a whole new world of dumb. :) I am a has been Combat Engineer O-type. Since we are all swapping jobs, now, can I go fly a Navy plane? Makes as much sense as anything.

Tip for the day: Remember to laugh. It is a comedy. That is why the clowns are running the show.

[James]

Hope you guys don't mind being cannon fodder for Israeli ZioNAZIS, 'cause that's exactly what you are.

Matty Says: I've removed the rest of your comment, James. For those who didn't see it, it's more of the above - which I don't care to see on my site.

[Doug]

Sounds like they're starting to do with officers what they've done with enlisted since time immemorial. Don't officers still have the option of resigning their commission and getting out or has that part of the military's caste system also been done away with?

There seems to be quite a lot of disbelief in the natural and expected reaction of the Iraqi people to the occupation and puppet government. What part of occupying other people's land, stealing their natural resources and controlling their political system did you think was going to be easy?

If Arab troops were occupying the US, had placed friendly politicians in charge of our government and were desecrating our churches, stealing our lumber and mineral wealth and making our lives miserable, what would you do? Would you be a collaborator or would you fight with every dirty trick you could think of?

What kind of arrogant, ignorant racism makes anyone think the Iraqi people would, or should, do any differently?

Matty Says: Doug, the standard committment for a pilot or NFO when I joined was 8 & 6 years after 'winging', respectively. I don't know the exact time requirement now, but I believe its been raised. You don't just 'up and quit' if you don't like it anymore.

[steve expat]

If Bush wants to keep the troops in Iraq, he should have a draft.

[dyspeptic grad student]

Don't officers still have the option of resigning their commission and getting out or has that part of the military's caste system also been done away with?

AFAIK, this is only possible if the officer has fulfilled all obligated time that is required in exchange for acquiring the military's specialized training - like flight school, for example, or attending one of the military academies. These sorts of things come with obligations attached - the officer must commit to serve a certain number of years after his or her training is completed.

So yeah, some officers can quit, if they've been in long enough. Most JO's won't be able to do this, especially if they've just recently got out of the Academy or flight school.

[John Hulsey]

I saw a link to your blog and read the post about the IED task force. My friend, a Naval Weapons Officer, received the same call on Tuesday evening. He has been ordered to Iraq - in country, not aboard his ship - for 365 days. And to answer a question posted above, this is definitely NOT a volunteer post for him.

As a former active duty Marine, I share your concerns about using the "right tool for the job." And my friend? Not at all happy with this billet. Serving in this war is something he understands and accepts. Serving in this capacity, though? No.

[Grunt]

You will note "Nate" the "Artillery NCO" AKA disinfo drone. Nice "backstory" too. Its crafted to convey an air of respectability and authority. Also justifying the gov't perspective.

Too bad it utterly ignores the *true* question. How badly has the military policy degraded when Navy sailors are tossed into Army slots?

I would ask two other questions of "Nate".

1) Why are YOU not in Iraq, if you recognise the lack of qualified troops?

2) What is your MOS, "Nate"? Dont bother answering, as you will simply do more "market research" and whip up some more fluffy "backstory".

FBI Cointelpro, anyone?

"Second, there was psychological warfare from the outside. They planted false media stories and published bogus leaflets and other publications in the name of targeted groups. They forged correspondence, sent anonymous letters, and made anonymous telephone calls. They spread misinformation about meetings and events, set up pseudo movement groups run by agents, and manipulated or strong-armed parents, employers, landlords, school officials and others to cause trouble for activists."

http://www.monitor.net/monitor/9905a/jbcointelpro.html

[IED SME]

The fact that there are officers being called up for this assignement tells me that they are short of Electronic Warfare Team leaders ... this means the Army EW units operating field, mobile IED-D gear are reaching their burn out point. This is not about using Navy EW people as Combat Engineers or Explosive Ordnance Disposal but as human IED Jammer operators ... again the important portion of this report is the fact that we are sooooo stretched thin in Iraq that the Army and Marines have to call up Navy and Air Force EW personnel ... This is a real sign of desperation.

[jawbone]

Uh, can't they follow Dear Leader's example and take some time to work on a candiate's campaign? Then just not show up? Then go to graduate school?

Isn't that how it's done in Bush's Bizarro World?

Oh. You have a Daddy high up in government. Oh. You have to be a trust fund baby.

Oh.

[Davol White]

With all the crimes and misdemeanors that would have got rid of Clinton before he ever got close to a second term, as well as many a Republican soul searching about Bush, its probably time to ask who's side is this train-wreck of an Administration on. We know now that the Russian/Afghanistan war was setup by covert American operations leading to the very creation of Bush's friend and helper Osama Bin Laden and AlQaeda. That same plan seems to be now set against our country and military to bring about a similar bankruptcy of Treasury and moral. They have mismanaged this war and got our troops fighting nothing like true American's are supposed to fight a war. He's been fighting this war like a not-see, and only the power of the people will fix this mess and replace that Congressional accomplice. America wins wars by becoming the envy of the enemy because our values blow most regimes away, but when our government becomes a tyranny and our soldiers no longer represent our American values then our enemy is emboldened. I guess my point is that maybe our military is being stretched to the point of breaking by the same interests that wanted to defeat the Soviet military machine. Should we continue to kid ourselves that these interests represent our American values or do they represent treason? These armchair warriors sure don't seem to know what they're doing, or how to now chew what they have bit off, thinking it would be a delicious "cake-walk".

[Oldman]

If you want to do something about this ...

American elections are 8 months away.

Do whatever you can until then to support candidates who seem to understand the futility and failure of the 'fully prepared' Bush administration.

And if you have none, find some.

And vote in November!

[Dave]

Here's a Navy Times link that should shed some light.

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1522388.php

[Aunty Ism]

Jawbone, what you said. My gratitude to all of you who serve in our military. May the current nightmare be over soon. I hope for regime change at home soon, starting in November. Impeach!

[Aunty Ism]

Oops, I meant Davol, but you too Jawbone.

[jurassicpork]

But you're getting this from the horse's mouth, right, Matt?

I found your place through AmericaBlog, btw.

[terrorists in uniform]

I know that this is a bit irrelevant, but since you seem to be familiar with EW, I was hoping you might be able to provide a rational theory as to why Lt. Col. Steve O'Brien of the Minnesotta Air National Guard was present in a gray C130 Electronic Warfare suite when flights 77 and 93 wnet down on 911.
I have read Steve O'Brien's explanation, and it simply doesn't add up.

cheers.

[SailorAunt]

My nephew, who recently enlisted in the Navy and is still in basic training, was originally told that he would NOT be going to Iraq and IF he eventually was ordered to the Middle East, he'd be on a ship and not within the confines of Iraq's borders. This was the main reason Bryan chose the Navy and not the Army or Marines. I did tell him before he left for Great Lakes that he shouldn't count on things working out as to what his recruiter "promised". (Yeah, he's going to Hawaii after boot camp)

I'll retype Tom's letter to his mother, dated Feb. 18, 2006

"Mom, Hey mommy!!! How are you?! Mom....I have some good news and some really bad news. I'll tell you the good news first. I will be getting paid a lot more than I thought I was. The bad news is.....seriously......brace yourself... The Navy is beginning to send their troops to Iraq on LAND. Do you remember how long my A-school was? 5 weeks. It's now 14 weeks long. They are training me to be a land based engine man, so I will be going to Iraq (most likely. It is not definite) and working on humvees, tanks and planes.

I went to classifications on Thursday, the 16th and they told me that my A-school had been extended to 14 weeks so I can learn how to shoot guns and land battle. It sucks a little bit to know that there is a good chance that I will go to Iraq, Mom...... I'm so scared that I'll go to Iraq and I know that no one can help me. Just write me and show your support and pray for me every night, as I do for you every night. Iraq is such a dangerous place and no, I'm not just blowing smoke. An actual Chaplain Admiral talked to me, personally, at the church and told me that the chances of me going to Iraq are 80% because they already changed my A-school to combat school.

I'm not trying to scare you but I just wanted to let you know. I love you mom. Your little sailor, Tom"

[Rove]

Notice that our coward Bush has never convinced his own children/nieces/nephews to serve in his war in Iraq.

[malclave]

"Anybody who voted for Chimpy is an IDIOT."

Aw, isn't it cute? More chickenshits think they're relevant...

[jon]

...and to top it off, the justification for it all is a fraud!

view the controlled demolitions of the WTC buildings on 9/11 here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848&q=LOOSE+CHANGE

and

read and view the controlled demolitions of the WTC buildings on 9/11 here:

http://www.911truestory.com/

now how mad are you?

[jon]

This above film shows direct connection between the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the United States government.

Evidence is derived from news footage, scientific fact, and most important, Americans who suffered through that tragic day.