Two Novice Gumshoes Charted The Capture Of Saddam Hussein

Wall Street Journal via Early Bird ^ | December 18,2003 | Farnaz Fassihi, Staff Reporter Of The Wall Street Journal

[cookcounty]

" A CPL is a Non-commissioned officer, an easy mistake for a dumb reporter."

Is an E-4 an NCO, now? When I was in (the '71-'73 dark ages), I was an E4, but they didn't consider us NCOs. When I visited an Air Force base, I was shocked to find I could go to the NCO club and everybody addressed me as "Sargeant."

[r9etb]

Sure beats the hell out of the mental midget officer material on these threads abusing Col West and spouting rules and regulations.

Actually, this is an excellent comparison. Unlike Lt. Col. West, these folks used their brains. And got much better results.

[Ispy4u]

The army has two E-4 Designations, Specialist which is not an NCO and CPL which is, the difference is usually the CPL has been to PLDC and usually has been boarded for E-5. Though some units will "promote" a Specialist to Corporal if they have any soldiers under them.

[LTCJ]

Gotta jab back. ; )

LOL

S2 BUMP. A job very well done.

[Tallguy]

What bothers me a bit about this article is that they released the actual names of those involved on the Intel side. Not a good idea in a guerilla-war. They are now potential targets for the other side.

Heck the Israelis don't even ackowledge the names of their combat pilots because of the fear of retribution.

And a final thought: regardless of their experience or preparation, this 1LT & CPL are now the resident experts. They'll be teaching this stuff when they get back to the States.

[Ispy4u]

Release of names is a concern, but the media can't give anyone 15 minutes of fame with out their names. You know how important the 15 mins is.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Looks like his CO recognized a valuable asset regardless of rank.

[Gritty]

This was a great job these analysts did. This was difficult, tedious work done well by inexperienced people. No fancy degrees or ivory -tower credentials - just a system, determination, and legwork. It just goes to show what Americans can do when they put their mind to it.

They deserve the congratulations of all Americans and indeed the World.

Well done!

[MindBender26]

Rank is a little tougher to come by now, than way back when I was in. I kept getting promoted because I had a pulse and didn't smoke dope.

Know what you mean. I was a 17 month E-6, acting E-7 in RVN, then OCS, then a 24 month (post commissioning) 0-3!

of course, I had more money in my pocket when I was a $93 a month E-1!

[MindBender26]

I would like to believe that your comment was not implying that these two were deficient in any manner.

Correct. Just wondering how one lives on E-4 money at 36?

Remember, the wind blows in Texas because Ft. Sill sucks!

Semper Gumby

[MindBender26]

Not an o-4. He was a 36 year old E-4 corporal!

Knew a fellow who was an E-8, busted to E-1 on a fatal DWI, "soldiered" his way out of Leavenworth, worked his arse off, retired as an E-8.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[stylin19a]

"ah....just one more thing....

[Britton J Wingfield]

I'm 33, and I just barely made E-5 (again).

Maybe she was prior-enlisted.

Whatever the case, they kicked ass!

[Maigrey]

I thought you might find this to be interesting reading.

[MAJ_C]

I believe the CPL said that he was a school teacher and joined after 9/11 .. I would assume that the LT was prior enlisted and went though OCS or such.

[elli1]

"Some prefer the enlisted life, the chance to be more "mission-oriented" rather than career-oriented."

I agree & thought the same thing, esp. about the Cpl. Given his old stodgy job as an English teacher & his being motivated by September 11, I think he sounds like a mission-oriented type of guy.

[elli1]

"Just wondering how one lives on E-4 money at 36?"

Probably a lot less painlessly than living on it at 20! Another thing to consider is that he can retire from military after 20 years at 54 YO. Return to teaching for another retirement check or on to something very well paid given his experience in Intel.

[TexasCowboy]

"I thought you might find this to be interesting reading."

VERY!

I love to see the little guys (and gals!) getting some credit!
Thanks!