[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited the Iraq-bound 82nd Soldiers for two hours just prior to their departure via two C-17 aircraft. Four additional flights took the remainder of the brigade Jan. 16.

“Over the next two months, 250,000 Soldiers will be on the move in and out of Iraq -- the biggest Army movement since World War II,” Brownlee said. “To minimize the danger, we need somebody who already has combat experience. Sorry you got picked on again. When you are really good, you get picked on.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                     Ping!

[BushisTheMan]

For Spc. Jason Wheeler, an infantryman with the brigade?s Company C, 2/505th Infantry Battalion and who is also making his second deployment in two years with the 82nd, going to Iraq is what he enlisted for.

I admire this soldier and his attitude. And thank him for his service.

[68skylark]

Sgt. George Stultz

How many Hogan's Heroes jokes do you think this guy has heard?

[68skylark]

I think there may be a deeper story here. If so, I wonder if anyone has more info.

I've heard that this brigade from the 82d has been ordered to Iraq partly because at least one of the 3 National Guard combat brigades going to Iraq has been found to need an extra month or two of training before they deploy.

Now I know there are people in the active-duty side of the house who don't like the Guard much -- so I realize this story may be true or it may just be an untrue rumor to put down the Guard.

Does anyone have more information?

(I've been in the Guard in the past. I'm now applying to re-join and I've volunteered for deployment. I'm a believer in the National Gurad concept. So I have a personal interest.)