General May Increase U.S. Troop Levels in Baghdad

Assyrian International News Agency ^ | GMT 10-24-2006 15:21:38 | John O'Neil NYT

[P3pilotJAX]

"we don't need more troops if their mission remains the same - convoys, checkpoints, patrols. Either use acute US force, or don't add troops."

Also, do you guys realize what you pay an O-4 Navy pilot every year? If you send me to Iraq as a bullet sponge, I still get paid as an O-4 pilot. Makes more sense to give me a 15 year retirement package and hire 4 enlisted infantry guys to take my place who could do a much better job than this old goat.

[oceanview]

but they don't kill him - and its not like he is in hiding - he could be killed at any time, but isn't. he could be sent a message at any time by knocking off one of his "lieutenants" each and every day until he got the message, but that doesn't happen either.

and that tells you what the problem is.

[AmeriBrit]

If your that unhappy get out and become a commercial airline pilot if what your doing disrupts your family life that much. Both you and your wife should have known what could possibly happen when you got married and decided to have children.

BTW: What is it? 16 years or 19 years? Something else you seem to be at odds about.

For one who says they've been in for so long, you sure haven't learned much, and for you to say you're owed at least 18 months home duty, especially in a time of war, all I can say to that is you should have read the small print each time you re-enlisted by signing on the dotted line and taking the re-enlistment bonus.

[jmc1969]

The problem with using more force is political. The current Iraqi government won't let us attack Ramadi or go into Sadr City.

The time to go on the offensive was before we got ourself locked into a government where an attack on any faction threatens to collapse that government.

The appeal of the national salvation government idea is that the gloves could come off.

[boxerblues]

seems our pilot posted the same thing back in Aug

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1690518/posts?page=8#8

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now that's interesting!

[boxerblues]

but somewhere along the line he's lost 10 years of service in the Navy

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1486385/posts?page=19#19

[Pukin Dog]

What do I think?

Not much.

I will reserve total judgment until P3 explains to all of you what he is doing on a carrier, since P3s are landbased aircraft and do not fly from carriers at all.

I would imagine a 9yr old child to be suicidal if you switched their brand of morning cereal.

I repeat, I dont think much of it, accept that its a lot of bitching for a Navy man. A LOT.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Looks like ya' caught somebody in a lie,Didn't Ya',,?
OBTW,,,Great Sons You Got There...

[Wiseghy]

Pilot,

the politics underpinning the current political spin is complex, but basically the President IS applying pressure and setting deadlines, using the current political climate in the US as an excuse to pressure the reluctant Iraqi's to shape up or risk losing our support. The coming 10 days will reveal the new strategy in better detail.

Don't believe the doom and gloom in the press about "stay the course" inflexibility in the administration. This is total hogwash. The President knows that we're streched, but also wants the Iraqis to show they are willing and able to take control themselves, in the near term.

[Marine_Uncle]

"What do you think?"
I think I stand at attention and smartly salute your honorable service to your country, and then ask HE can do all things, to arrange for you to not have to go on that two year sea duty, and be able to spend more time with your family.
By arranging, I exclude the thoughts of injury,duty change due to misconduct, or less then high standards etc..
Keep the faith. Sometimes HE can set things up where it seems otherwise futile to hope.
I know. I've been there.

[Marine_Uncle]

HUMIT has a good handle on things.

[oceanview]

then let's go for the coup option. the current status quo cannot continue indefinitely, even the administration realizes that now I think.

[jmc1969]

Its best to give the Maliki government a few more months, if can can't do anything by Feb. or March then the situation will be bad enough that the Iraqi Army could carry off coup without too much trouble.

[P3pilotJAX]

"I will reserve total judgment until P3 explains to all of you what he is doing on a carrier, since P3s are landbased aircraft and do not fly from carriers at all."

P-3 Officers do a two year disassociated tour on a carrier after their JO shore tour. I was a TAO on a carrier for two years. I have been in the Navy since 1987. Enlisted first, then went to the Naval Academy on a Sec Nav nomination in 1990. Jo tour as a P-3 pilot, shore tour as a jet instructor pilot (T-45s)...yes I am Carrier qualed......Carrier tour and now DH tour. I am scheduled to go back to teaching jets this coming summer if I don't pick up an IA.......Oh everyone who tells me to go to the airlines.....#1 they aren't hiring #2 You start at a very low wage #3 My job is actually a lot of fun

Oh and pukin dog...if you really are an F-14 driver, you should have known about the disassociated thing, so don't accuse me of being a phony....send me mail and I will give you my phone number...I will talk to you anytime about the military.....

[P3pilotJAX]

BTW: What is it? 16 years or 19 years? Something else you seem to be at odds about.

For one who says they've been in for so long, you sure haven't learned much, and for you to say you're owed at least 18 months home duty, especially in a time of war, all I can say to that is you should have read the small print each time you re-enlisted by signing on the dotted line and taking the re-enlistment bonus.

First off, I am not enlisted(was early on)...second, I have been in the Navy since 1987(you do the math). Years at the academy do not count even though we are active duty. You guys are jerks on this forum. I was just trying to put out some info to discuss. Just because we are in the military does not mean we deserve to be on the front lines for infinity....I have done my share and how dare you accuse me of being stupid. You don't even know me and I assure you that I am smart enough to know what I got myself into. My point has been missed by you and several other people. We are not using our men and equipment in the most efficient manner. I will happily go to Iraq in the capacity I am trained.

[Liberty Valance]

This item on cnn gave me pause and your post made me wonder if they were somehow connected.

---

Monday, October 23, 2006
Active troops ask congress to end Iraqi occupation
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sixty five active duty service members are officially asking Congress to end the war in Iraq -- the first time active troops have done so since U.S. invasion began in 2003.

Three of the service members will hold a press conference Wednesday explaining their decision to send "Appeals for Redress" under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act to their members of Congress. Under the act, National Guard and Reservists can send communications about any subject to their member of Congress without punishment.


-CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Posted 10/23/2006 11:32:00 AM | Permalink
http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2006/10/active-troops-ask-congress-to-end.html

[Pukin Dog]

Sorry, if you were on the up and up, you would have responded immediately. Looks like you just went away and did some research. Was that 16 or 26 years, by the way? Don't answer, as I will be ignoring your posts anyway. Cheers.

[truth_seeker]

"We need to kick the crap out of those bastards or get the hell out and let them kill each other. What do you think?"

I think Bush bet on our ability to overcome centuries of Arab tribalism, and violence inherent in islam. He thought a taste of democracy would be a powerful incentive, and that (almost) all would rally to his vision.

Yet few, if any, examples can be found among these people of the kind of modern civilization we hoped to softly impose.

So I agree with you. Blast them down to the extent we did
Germany and Japan. Sort of like an alcoholic or addict hitting true bottom.

Or quit kidding ourselves, and let them grovel in their chosen misery. It is their culture. Like DNA.

[TheGunny]

Sad story is right....resign your commission and go the F*ck home! I am very depressed about it....well, get over to medical and get some Zoloft first. Shameful. Master Sergeant/Iraq