500 Marines from the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion return home from Iraq. via:San Bernardino County Sun

The battalion is returning to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center here after seven months of duty and not one visit, which left them to spend most of the major holidays, and a few minor ones, in an unfamiliar place plagued by wartime conditions.
San Bernardino County Sun - News:

When 4 Star Marine Generals Blog: This is what they say...on Posting to his Command and Control Blog

Via: Sgt Stryker


“The metric is what the person has to contribute, not the person’s rank, age, or level of experience. If they have the answer, I want the answer. When I post a question on my blog, I expect the person with the answer to post back. I do not expect the person with the answer to run it through you, your OIC, the branch chief, the exec, the Division Chief and then get the garbled answer back before he or she posts it for me. The Napoleonic Code and Netcentric Collaboration cannot exist in the same space and time. It’s YOUR job to make sure I get my answers and then if they get it wrong or they could have got it righter, then you guide them toward a better way…but do not get in their way.”

JAMES E. CARTWRIGHT
General, USMC
Commander, USSTRATCOM

Awesome.

Osama bin Laden :Number One Thugmaster gets a two year free do-not-go-to-jail pass by our very own American Ambassador to Pakistan

"Ambassador Nancy Powell, America's representative in Pakistan refused to allow the distribution in Pakistan of wanted posters, matchbooks, and other items advertising America's $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Mr. bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders.according to Richard Miniter writing in the New York Sun, today. Ms. Powell, now serving at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters in Washington D.C., declined to comment directly."
How a Lone Diplomat Compromised the Hunt for Bin Laden

“Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,”

Maj. Mark Menotti, assistant head of the enlisted retention branch at Quantico says if you don't like the the reenlistment options you are offered don't sign up and send your concerns up the chain of command." “Don’'t take ‘no’ for an answer,"” Menotti said. “"We'’re willing to work for them in order to work something out"
.” Qualified Marines looking to reenlist don't need to play Texas hold them as the Corps needs Grunts to add muscle to the tip of the spear. The new re-enlistment options to grunts, intell, comm and War Pigs are of the restructuring plan by the Force Structure Review to kick thuggie butt according to the Marine Times, today. An additonal 7.5 million buckaroos have been added to the herd just to make sure your enlistment bonus package is exactly what your wife wants. Check it out before you walk. Some grunts might get as much as 35,000 yankee dollars, the article in the Marine Times stated, although the article was careful not to over play its hand by saying exactly which "retention-challenged infantry specialties" were the ringers. During the previous ice age when Delta-Mike was available for a re-enlistment bonus only computer nerds were given the $35,000 carrot! Today it's grunts!

Marine Corps Times - News - This Week's Marine Corps Times

The Good News is We are winning, American Media Clueless Iraqis Kicking Butt

Middle eastern intell reports thuggies are taking each other out as their plans to take over Iraq are falling apart, according to the Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Iraqi resistance begins to crack after elections
a Brit newspaper.
This is non-news to our American media dinosaurs still obsessed with defeating Dubya by refusing to write about any success in the war against thuggies. From the Aussies
we learn that the thuggies are killing each off as they begin to disagree on plans that will succeed against successful Iraqi dawn raids that scoop up hundreds of thuggies. Next week the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala will host the mourning ceremony of Arbain, an obivious target for thugs. This morning, Iraqi police busted 131 thugs and captured 3 tons of TNT. Last week Iraqi commando raided a training camp for thugs and killed 85. This good news is on top Iraqi citizens themselves busting thuggie chops after 8 of them bad boys showed up at their shops with AK's determined to demonstrate the lessons of thuggie power. Six thugs were killed and the rest escaped.

Ten Kentucky reservists take on a 34 thuggie ambush and kick tuckus up the Kudzoo River

VIA the Times Leader Online
The high price of setting an ambush for fat and loaded 18 wheelers was paid by 35 thuggies who thought they were going for easy pickings off a supposedly defenseless convoy of truckers high balling down an a dusty road in Iraq, today. The thuggies, who are now settling accounts with their maker, sprang the ambush with light arms and RPG fire unaware the convoy was being shadowed from the rear by ten Kentucky reservists in three armored Humvees. The Kentucky back up threw themselves in between the thuggies and the convoy allowing the convoy escape the kill zone. The reservist then found the thug's escape route closed it and after a 45 minute fire fight killed 27, wounded 6 and captured 1. None were allowed to escaped.

Also ..."seized a large weapons cache, confiscating 22 AK-47 light machine guns, 13 RPKs (Russian-made light machine guns), 123 full AK-47 ammunition magazines, 52 empty AK-47 magazines, one full AK-47 ammunition drum, about 200 loose AK-47 rounds, 2,500 belted ammunition rounds and 40 hand grenades."

The Times Leader Online - Princeton, Kentucky

Time to Saddle Up the War Pigs?

The graybeards at Ankara, Turkey are considering granting a request by the US to use the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey as a base of operations for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan according to Defense News

Inquiring minds want to know Por Qua? When the Turkeys would not let the 4th ID thru at a critical time in the war how come now they wannabenice?
DefenseNews.com - Turkey To Let U.S. Use Base as Logistical Hub: Officials - 03/24/05 11:32

Thuggies want to Plead "Uncle"

Sunni Arab thuggies are looking for a manly way to say they give up w/out having to say they are sorry according FT.Com In exchange for the keys to the democratic nation of arab citizens the thuggies want assurances their noodnicks won't be cut off at the check point.

"Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein, who heads Iraq's main monarchist movement and is in contact with guerrilla leaders, said many insurgents including former officials of the ruling Ba'ath party, army officers, and Islamists have been searching for a way to end their campaign against US troops and Iraqi government forces since the January 30 election.

“Firstly, they want to ensure their own security,” says Sharif Ali, who last week hosted a pan-Sunni conference attended by tribal sheikhs and other local leaders speaking on behalf of the insurgents.

Insurgent leaders fear coming out into the open to talk for fear of being targeted by US military or Iraqi security forces' raids, he said."

Come on in, thuggies, the water is fine! I think I can safely reassure all thuggies their nuggies are safe from harm on the part of US forces, I mean, the idea of harming a thuggie after he has decided to become a democrat is counterproductive, isn't it, and who wants to discourage all the undecided thuggies hiding out in back of the cave.

Thugmaster's Plan to Take Over the US of A VIA: The Jamestown Foundation

The Center of Islamic Studies and Research (AKA al-qaeda) has a new book out on how to cage the American Eagle and send all your War Pigs to the Happy Pig Home for the retired. Its a beaut. Appropriately titled "The Management of Barbarism". Keep up with your war education. Apparently, the thuggies " don't believe this big dog will fight when you rattle his cage or put a boot up your ass...it's the American way."

"By "Management of Barbarism" the author refers to the period just after the collapse of a superpower, the period of "savage chaos". It appears pointedly to be a method of not repeating the experience of Afghanistan prior to the rule of the Taliban, and of improving controls over the periods experienced, for instance, in Somalia after the fall of Siad Barre.

Contents

After ample prolegomena on Middle East history and the causes of the rise and fall of superpowers, the book substantially falls into five broad themes:

1) Definition of ‘Management of Barbarism'
2) The Path of Empowerment
3) The Most Important Principles and Policies
4) The Most Pressing Difficulties and Obstacles
5) Conclusion – demonstrating jihad as the ideal solution

Jihadi strategy

The ‘Path of Empowerment' theme constitutes the strategy of the mujahideen. In this the author further sub-divides into three distinct phases:

1) The Disruption and Exhaustion phase
2) The Management of Barbarism phase
3) The Empowerment phase

In the first "Disruption and Exhaustion" phase, the mujahideen are to a) exhaust the enemy's forces by stretching them through dispersal of targets and b) "attract the youth through exemplary targeting such as occurred at Bali, Al-Muhayya and Djerba."

At the "Management of Barbarism phase", the mujahideen are to "establish internal security, ensure food and medical supplies, defend the zone from external attack, establish Shari'ah justice, an armed force, an intelligence service, provide economic sufficiency, defend against [public] hypocrisy and deviant opinions and ensure obedience, and the establishment of alliances with neighboring elements that are yet to give total conformity to the Management, and improve management structures."

The "Empowerment" phase is an extension of the above. The policy is to continue Disruption and Exhaustion activities, at the same time establishing logistic links with the various Management zones. A conspicuous example of this phase is the series of events leading up to the September 11 attacks on the United States, which "destroyed the peoples' awe of America and of the lesser ranking Apostate armies." The fall of Afghanistan, the author explains, was either planned to happen, or was due to happen even without the September 11 events, and had as the result the multiplication of jihadi groups bent on revenge.

As for future targeting, this should be variegated "in all parts of the Islamic world and beyond it. For instance, in striking at tourist resorts frequented by Crusaders, all tourist resorts will have to be secured," with all the dispersal of energy and costs this involves. The same goes for Crusader banks in Turkey employing interest, or petrol installations near Aden, which will subsequently oblige security hikes for refineries, pipelines and shipping. "If two apostate authors are simultaneously liquidated in two different countries, it will require the security for thousands of writers in the Islamic world."

An important feature of this phase is the attention to be given to media and propaganda strategy, both for winning support and recruitment, and for deterring opposition. The media strategy should ‘target in depth middle ranking officers in the armed forces [of Muslim nations] to push them to join the jihad.' It should ‘aim at every stage to justify operations to the populous legally and intellectually … given that, assuming that our long struggle will require half a million mujahideen, getting such a number from a nation of millions is easier than from the ranks of the Islamic movement.'

Jihadi Tactics

The third theme, "The Most Important Principles and Policies," gives details on tactics. After discussing the necessity of establishing a proper chain of command, in both the doctrinal and military fields, the author outlines important military principles ("striking with the heaviest force at the weakest point; a superior enemy is defeated by economic and military attrition"). He further suggests four major reference sources: "The Encyclopedia of Jihad (prepared by the mujahideen in Afghanistan); the al-Battar magazine; the writings of Abu Ubayd al-Qurashi in the al-Ansar magazine, along with other works on the al-Uswa website; general works on military science, particularly on guerrilla warfare, provided the student rectifies the errors in them respective to Islamic law."

In the sub-section "The Application of Vehemence" subtitled "The Policy of Paying the Price," Abu Bakr Naji warns against the dangers of anything other than maximum violence as a deterrent, or as a response, even if the response should take years. The response, the author states, "is best done by other groups and in other countries than those suffering the act of enmity … to give the enemy the sense of being surrounded and his interests exposed … and to confuse him." An example of this method would be, say, in response to the Egyptians' imprisonment of mujahideen, an attack by mujahideen upon an Egyptian embassy in the Arabian Peninsula or the Maghreb, or the kidnapping of Egyptian diplomats, who should be "liquidated horrifically" if the mujahideen's demands are not met.

Stress is then laid upon the need to understand how international politics work. In the sub-section "Understanding the Rules of the Political Game" Abu Bakr Naji highlights how mujahid groups that refused to soil their hands with profane political calculations paid the price. The difficulty of reconciling Islamic legal propriety with pragmatic military interest is resolved, in the author's eyes, by recourse to the example set by [the 14th century jurist] Ibn Qayyim, who set Prophetic precedent as a preference, but not an obligation.

An important feature of this game, Naji illustrates, is the manipulation of the international media, and ensuring that the message gets through to the target, in its widest sense, and not just to the minority elite. "We must therefore set up an association whose purpose is to ensure the communication of our demands to people, even if this should expose them to dangers akin to the perils of combat … such as the taking of a hostage. After raising the hullabaloo concerning him we demand that media correspondents publish our demands in full in return for his release … Our demand might be a statement of warning or justification for an operation." An effective response to government media's demonization of mujahid actions is to prepare the ground by first demonizing the target as something Islamically forbidden or serving the economic interests of the enemy. Naji then gives an imaginary scenario of an attempt to adjust oil prices in favor of the people where a deadline is issued and an oil engineer or manager or journalist is kidnapped to ensure that the demand is fully publicized."

Points of weakness

The fourth major theme in the work covers "The Most Pressing Difficulties and Obstacles" that will face the mujahideen. These are listed as the diminution in the numbers of believers as casualties in war, the lack of sufficiently trained administrators (and the relative social distance many of these have from the rank and file) and the problems caused by over-enthusiasm in the behavior of some. Naji also highlights the problems that will be faced with old loyalties to other Islamist groups impeding administration in the new Management phases, or the threat of schism.

Importance of the book

The Management of Barbarism is one of the few works of jihadi literature devoted specifically to strategy. Jihadi literature is rich in works of doctrine and exhortation on the one hand, and specific pamphlets on military technology on the other. Tactical studies tend toward providing doctrinal clearance for particular issues such as the killing of prisoners, the problem of civilian Muslim casualties or dealing with the infidel. Strategy is less well represented. Other than the papers by Yusuf al-Ayyiri on the Jihad method, the closest work to this is the Tuhfat al-Muwahhideen fi Bayan Tariq al-Tamkeen (Gift of the Monotheists on the Way to Empowerment) by the same author as this treatise, which indeed may be considered an extension of it.

The importance of this work lies in the mapping, in the eyes of a mujahid, of the stages of a strategic program towards empowerment. This process is construed with a broad enough perspective as to make of individual reverses — such as Afghanistan — of secondary importance. While Naji illustrates how, for the mujahid, matters of doctrinal propriety carry great weight, he also introduces realism to the subject in his defense of pragmatism over legal literalism in matters relating to dealings with the enemy and its politics. But perhaps the most interesting emphasis is the role of the media. As an admission of the failure of the Islamist groups to build massive support, ample space is given to methods of combating government and western media control of information delivery. The number of attacks and threats of attacks by mujahideen on media offices and individuals in Iraq, demonstrates that the value of this arm of the strategy is well understood, and indeed appears to be following the textbook.

The Jamestown Foundation

VIA:Democracy in Iraq--These two years

Democracy in Iraq: "t has been now two years since the United States, UK and other countries invaded our nation. It has been two years since Iraqis have had to live with daily violent attacks and rampant terrorism. It has been two years since our nation began being turned upside down. It has been two years since the road to democracy began.

It has been a very hard two years. So many people have died, so much has been destroyed, so many drops of tears and blood have been shed, so many have been robbed of loved ones, and so many words have been spoken about Iraq, it's future, and this war.

Two years...seems like yesterday that I was awoken by bombs going off in Baghdad, and the realisation that my life and that of my country was going to change. That very day I remember being scared that my house might be destroyed by a bomb, or that my relatives who were forcibly put into the Iraqi army might be killed.

Two years since Saddam came on TV, and pledged that Iraq would never fall. Little did he know, he surrendered like a rat in a whole only months later. Two years since my father had a heart.

Two years is about 730 days. In those days what have I seen. My eyes have seen more than I had ever hoped, more blood, more death and more pain, then I ever imagined or hoped I would have seen.

In those days I have seen the worst of humanity, the animal that lives in all humanity, the ability of humanity to destroy at will others, and rob the life given to others by God almight himself.

So you ask me, Husayn, was it worth it. What have you gotten? What has Iraq acheived? These are questions I get a lot.

To may outsiders, like those who protested last year, who will protest today. This was a fools errand, it brought nothing but death and destruction. I am sheltered in Iraq, but I know how the world feels, how people have come to either love or hate Bush, as though heis the emobdiement of this war. As though this war is part of Bush, they forget the over twenty million Iraqis, they forget the Middle Easterners, they forget the average person on the street, the average man with the average dream.

Ask him if it was worth it. Ask him what is different. Ask him if he would go through it again, go ahead ask him, ask me, many of you have.

Now I answer you, I answer you on behalf of myself, and my countrymen. I dont care what your news tells you, what your television and newspapers say, this is how we feel. Despite all that has happened. Despite all the hurt, the pain, blood, sweat and tears. These two years have given us hope we never had."

Why Do we Need More Grunts?

Robert Scales, former Army grunt, Silver Star (Hamburger Hill) and retired Major General, has interesting insight into why Marine Tanks are being replaced by riflemen:"Scales thinks that the United States faces "generations" of smaller wars in the Mideast. And to fight them, it needs 100,000 more Army combat troops, 30,000 more Marines and 20,000 more Special Forces, plus a modernization of their equipment, a reorganization of their units and a much better training regime for small-scale urban combat and intimate contact with foreign cultures."....."Scales says, soldiers need better training, both military and cultural. As demonstrated by the recent mistaken shooting of an Italian journalist at a Baghdad checkpoint, he said, "tactical decisions made by sergeants and lieutenants can have as much strategic importance as those made by generals and admirals."

Attacks Down--Thugs Are Moving On

The C.O. of the First Marine Expeditonary Force, Lt Gen John F. Sattler, says thuggie attacks are down and their influence is sucking wind in this interview with the NYT.
The New York Times > International > Middle East > Insurgency Is Fading Fast, Top Marine in Iraq Says

8th Tank Battalion is History--New War Armored Reconnaissance Company To Saddle -Up in its place

“We need more trigger pullers is the bottom line. We need more guys with rifles,” said Major Mike Muller, 8th Tank Battalion.
The marines of Bravo company at Mattydale(New York) will find themselves attached to a light armored reconnaissance unit, based in California. They will continue to be headquartered here in Central New York. "

Via:Marine Corps Times -"Slap some BACON on that biscuit and lets Roll. We're burning daylight." John Wayne.

The CMC's wish list includes 104 million for 48 new, never been dented Wild War Pigs, 20 million for ammo and enough gear to saddle up two new infantry battalions as part of the new "don't- fight-your-daddy's-last-war" genetic code force structure changes to kill the thug-puppets.
Marine Corps Times - News - This Week's Marine Corps Times: "a request for $104 million to purchase 48 Light Armored Vehicles in various configurations to outfit two new Reserve light armored reconnaissance companies. It also would spend more than $20 million for ammunition to equip two new active-duty infantry battalions to be established as part of planned force structure changes to shape the Corps for the ongoing war on terrorism."

VIA Assumption of Command---WHO?!! is going to run your CheckPoint!

Mustang 23, an Army reserve C.O., has some good advice that cuts the BS on checkpoint engagement:

Assumption of Command: "First and foremost it is our job here to protect and defend ourselves and our fellow soldiers. The Iraqi population knows to stay far away from us while we are on the road. Most of the time, we don't even have to wave them away, they get out of the way on their own. On the road they don't want any part of us.
If you were in my shoes, I ask you this question:
If you know that the good people of Iraq know better than to charge their vehicle up to American checkpoints or convoys, who is the only people who would speed their vehicle at us?
If I feel my troops or my life is endangered, I will act appropriately and I expect my troops to do the same."


Roger. Copy.

Ricker For Two LAR via Greenville Sun

Lance Cpl. Ricker Now In Iraq Photo Special to the Sun U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Justin Ricker, right, a Greene County native, posed for the photo above with his brother, Joshua Ricker, after his graduation from United States Marine Corps “boot camp” at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Paris Island, S.C., in Dec. 20003. His unit went to Iraq last month. Source: The Greeneville Sun 03-09-2005

---

VIA:Major K. Iraqi Police Rescue US Convoy

Major K,an Army blogger, posts on four IPs who, at the cost of their lives, went to the rescue of a US convoy whose drivers were too green to live and allowed the aggressive thug-puppet to insert his vehicle in between the rolling convoy trucks. The TP was a VBIED.

The other day, I was sitting in the conference room of our headquarters building during a meeting with the Executive Officer and the rest of the staff. When we heard a loud explosion that was strong enough and/or close enough to rattle our building. We all paused and looked at each other and remarked that “that one was pretty close.” We waited a moment to hear if there were going to be any more explosions or gunfire as this would indicate that an attack was underway as opposed to merely a large detonation of captured explosives by our EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team nearby or an IED just outside the FOB. If there were any additional noises like that, we would have to gear up and get ready to fight. As it was, there were no additional explosions or gunfire and we continued our meeting.

This is what had happened: A short distance from our FOB, A US convoy was driving down the road. As they headed to their destination a civilian vehicle pulled on from a side alley and attempted to get into the convoy. Apparently, the convoy gunners were too green or some how did not perceive the car to be a threat. They did not wave the car off, throw anything at him, cut him off, or shoot to try and stop him. A nearby IP (Iraqi Police) SUV witnessed the intruding vehicle and immediately intervened. It pulled up to the rear of the convoy and tried to force the intruding vehicle off the road. The IP’s had successfully put themselves between the vehicle and the US convoy. Unable to deter the vehicle from approaching the US convoy or make it pull over, the IP’s fired at the engine of the encroaching vehicle. At this point, the driver detonated the IED inside his vehicle. Yes, this was a classic VBIED.

This suicide bomber killed himself and the four IP’s in the vehicle holding him at bay. The device was so powerful that the bomber’s vehicle was literally obliterated. The engine block was thrown over 25 meters. The IP’s vehicle was nothing but a burned out shell. All four IP’s inside perished in the blast, but not a scratch was inflicted on the vehicles or personnel of the US convoy. Had it not been for the exceptional bravery, valor and situational awareness of these four Iraqi Patriots, that day would have been bloodier, and we probably would have had another communications blackout at the FOB.

Pundits and soldiers alike have talked a lot of trash about the ISF (Iraqi Security Forces). But if they are even half as good as these four were, the future of Iraq is very bright indeed. I hope they are decorated with the highest honors their country can bestow upon their fallen. Their actions were as heroic as it gets if you ask me.

Major K.

Exercising the War Pigs---16 rules

These are Bob Parson's Rules. Bob Parson? You saw the Super Bowl commercial of Nikki, the babeasaurous, whose bra halter strap breaks while testifying before the congressional committee. Yead, thats his company commerical for Go Daddy.com. Sells domain names. BobParson is a VN Marine Grunt. And a multimillionaire. Pay attention Number One. Of course, he didn't write them for especially War Pigs but they can fit just about everywhere. Anywhere where you are running nine hundred thousand dollar War Pigs, several hundred "employees" schedules, deadlines, goals, morale, supplies, maintenance, and getting your weekend goals accomplished inside the 48 hour window.

1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone. I believe that not much happens of any significance when we’re in our comfort zone. I hear people say, “But I’m concerned about security.” My response to that is simple: “Security is for cadavers.”

2. Never give up. Almost nothing works the first time it’s attempted. Just because what you’re doing does not seem to be working, doesn’t mean it won’t work. It just means that it might not work the way you’re doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn’t have an opportunity.

3. When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think. There’s an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”

4. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be. Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of “undefined consequences.” My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, “Well, Robert, if it doesn’t work, they can’t eat you.”

5. Focus on what you want to have happen. Remember that old saying, “As you think, so shall you be.”

6. Take things a day at a time. No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don’t look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time.

7. Always be moving forward. Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.

8. Be quick to decide. Remember what the Union Civil War general, Tecumseh Sherman said: “A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”

9. Measure everything of significance. I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.

10. Anything that is not managed will deteriorate. If you want to uncover problems you don’t know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven’t examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there.

11. Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you’re doing. When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.

12. Never let anybody push you around. In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you’re doing as anyone else, provided that what you’re doing is legal.

13. Never expect life to be fair. Life isn’t fair. You make your own breaks. You’ll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (i.e., fare).

14. Solve your own problems. You’ll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you’ll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: “You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others.” There's also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: "A wise man keeps his own counsel."

15. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are.

16. There’s always a reason to smile. Find it. After all, you’re really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: “We’re not here for a long time; we’re here for a good time.”

A special word of thanks.
I owe a special thanks to Brian Dunn. When I first wrote these rules down and was thinking about compiling them into a book -- that book, like most books I suppose, has been half-done for a while ; -- Brian read them and suggested a title. His suggestion was, “They Can’t Eat You.” I like Brian’s suggestion for two reasons: 1. It reminds me of my Dad. I sure miss him; and 2. It’s true. No matter how difficult things get, you're going to be OK. It's very important to realize that. Thanks, Brian.

Republishing my rules
Should you care to include all or part of this article (or any article in my weblog for that matter) in one of your publications you have my permission to do so provided that you credit me for the material, mention where itl was obtained and also my copyright. A suggested form might be "The above (or following) article (or rules for survival) is included with the permission of Bob Parsons (http://www.bobparsons.com) and is Copyright 2005 by Bob Parsons. All rights reserved."

Copyright © 2004 - 2005 Bob Parsons All rights reserved.
Posted by Bob Parsons in Hot Points

Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion embarked on a six-hour night convoy

Four LAR War Pigs had their monthly opportunity to get away from honey dew lists, messy diapers and exercise in the clean fresh country air, recently. VIA: dcmilitary .com

"On Feb. 25 Marines from Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion embarked on a six-hour night convoy from the Pfc. Raymond Flair Reserve Center to Camp Dawson to conduct their monthly Reserve training. The peaceful serenity of Camp Dawson's snow-covered West Virginia countryside was disturbed by a tactical procession of Light Armored Vehicles, 7-ton trucks and Humvees............."Overall, the weekend at Camp Dawson provided a good opportunity for Bravo Company to get away from Flair and back into the fold of employing their many formidable weapon systems and motivated Marines in the field--a mission that they have proven they are exceptionally capable of performing."

Bravo Company trains in 'any clime and place':

Marine Capt. Armando Espinoza, FAC First LAR Gets DFC

"Espinoza, a helicopter pilot who flew five combat missions into Baghdad in April 2003, evacuating 28 wounded Marines and an Iraqi family of seven, has been awarded the military’s fourth highest combat award. The captain already has two Iraq tours under his belt. Last year, he returned to Iraq as the forward air controller for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. The “Red Dragons,” meanwhile, are wrapping up a second deployment to Iraq and are expected to return home later this month."
Marine Corps Times - News - More News

Sean Huze, Two LAR Writes War Pig Play

Alert Reader notes I missed Scott Peterson's story on the return of Charlie Co., First LAR. Too right, I did. I have goggle nets out to catch anything on War Pigs but sometimes I flat out go blind. But here's a make up: The play: "The Sand Storm: Stories from the Front," is a series of monologues by 10 Marine characters. The play is based on playwright Sean Huze's experience in the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, which fought pitched battles in Nasiriya, Kut, Baghdad and Tikrit, earning the nickname "Destroyers" from the Iraqis they fought.
The Sand Storm is being produced with backing from Operation Truth, an organization of veterans from the Iraq and Afghan wars. It will be performed March 18 through April 23 at the Elephant Asylum Theater in Santa Monica, Calif."


Play about Iraq war opening in California - (United Press International)