Great military blog? This from Michael Yon on his Facebook page:
“BLACKFIVE: Integrity Questioned
Though I am working on Afghanistan dispatches, during breaks over the next days I will address some those who took part in the blog lynch mob. Will start with BlackFive since it’s fairly famous and influential.
I will address only one or two important errors at the various blogs who took part, and kindly request their response.
Blackfive published:
“[Michael Yon] has claimed he was told there was no room for him to embed, well that is not what I heard. It appears he was again removed for violating the embed rules. At some point you need to own up to the fact that it’s not the rest of the world.....it’s you. That point is now.”
The author at Blackfive also published:
“Disclaimer: I have not embedded...ever. I am not going to embed because I don’t want to. I like being in the rear w/ the gear.”
—
Blackfive clearly stated that I was lying.
Here is an email from PAO ending my embed:
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO
Michael,
First, thanks for all the great work you’ve done since arriving in February. I hope the three months you’ve spent here was what you hoped for and that you’ve gotten all the support you’ve needed.
Unfortunately, we have an extremely long wait list of other professional journalists (81!) that we need to give an opportunity. We’d love for you to come back at some point and I wish you the best in your remaining time here and safe travels in the future.
Take care.
V/R
Brian DeSantis
MAJ, IN
Commander
Media Support Center
Regional Command South
Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan
brian.desantis@afghan.swa.army.mil
Okay, my name is cleared from Blackfive’s charge of lying.
Blackfive published, “...well that is not what I heard. It appears he was again removed for violating the embed rules.”
Blackfive is on thin ice, and it’s integrity is in question. Blackfive is kindly asked to provide hard evidence that it was told that I violated embed rules.
This is a moment of truth. Show your cards Blackfive.”
I learned about Michael Yon on Blackfive, and I've supported him and his efforts by donating to his continued ability to do his job.
It's up to each of us to check out suggested military blogs...some articles may appeal, and some may not.