31st MEU Marines live-fire new Expeditionary Fire Support System

I hope this clown's FitRep takes a hit after this stunt.

Really?

Really LT.?

How much did you have to drink before you put this vid up?  What makes you think this is a good idea?  How do you not think that this is NOT embarassing to the US Navy and to the Naval Aviation?

Your FitRep should take a big hit.  If for nothing else than for showing a distinct lack of maturity, bearing and respect for the uniform.  But the service chiefs have allowed the environment for shit like this to take place so I doubt that it'll happen.  But it should.

JLTV madness!

Thanks for the article Jonathan!

Check out this article from DefenseNews...read the whole thing but this tidbit has me ready to punch walls...

And these legacy systems have value into the future. It is noteworthy that the Marine Corps has elected to retain 2,600 MRAPs in its inventory as it prepares to reset its capabilities, along with Humvee rejuvenation and JLTV fielding planned for 2017. The Army has plans to preserve the capability, as well. However, the aforementioned researchers and authors who state that MRAPs were a waste of resources acknowledge none of this.
The timing of the article also raised our curiosity, coming precisely at a time when the services seek to reset their armored wheeled vehicle capabilities as the wars draw down. After all, the JLTV program is working diligently to synthesize the best qualities of MRAP protection with lighter, more agile vehicles in a full and open competition. The authors promoted Humvees but failed to note its JLTV successor.

The article is penned by Franz Gayl, science and technology adviser for Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

What I want to know is this.  What are they smoking at Headquarters Marine Corps?

First he states that the Marine Corps will retain 2600 MRAPs.  Then he states that the HUMVEE still has a role to play in the vehicle fleet of the future.  And lastly he states that the JLTV is needed.

What the fuck dude?

So instead of operating MRAPs (and that's assuming that the Marine Corps settles on one particular model to go into storage instead of at least 3 that are currently in service), along with uparmored HUMVEEs, we'll now have 3 and possible 6 different vehicles performing the same mission.

Uparmored HUMVEEs, JLTVs, and MRAPs.

We get that instead of going with the good enough and buying a good, workable HUMVEE and going with MRAPs if we get into IED territory again!

So instead of necking down vehicles in the Fleet Marine Forces we're going to be increasing the variety of them.

Say that out loud and see if it makes sense to you.  The Marine Corps is screwing the pooch on this one.  This is not how America's most frugal and cost effective fighting force does things.

Michelle Viscusi on Team Glock?

Blow up the pic and you can see her tatoo of the Military Police motto on her right inner forearm!

I never heard of this lady before but she's the newest member of Team Glock. 

Amazing.  I did a google search cause like I said I never heard of her.  The problem for Glock?  I didn't see her pictured with one of their weapons.  Regardless, she looks like she can handle big guns.  Reference Full Metal Jacket for the joke...and it is a joke.

An integrity test for Marine Leadership.

Now we'll see if Marine Leadership has any integrity or if they're just a bunch of politically correct lemmings.  via Marine Times.

The Marine Corps’ effort to evaluate whether more combat jobs should open to women marked another milestone last week when the second of two female volunteers washed out of infantry officer training.
A second lieutenant, she was dropped from the program Friday after failing to complete required training due to unspecified medical reasons, a Marine official told Marine Corps Times. It’s unclear whether she was injured or if she became ill.

The other volunteer, also a second lieutenant, dropped out Sept. 28 after she was unable to complete the program’s introductory combat endurance test. Nearly 30 men also washed out on the first day.

First.

No shame on the Marines.  Male or Female that washed out.  30 men washed out on the first day.  But that is as its suppose to be.

Second.

Shame on the SgtMajor of the Marine Corps.  He knows the real deal even if the Commandant doesn't.  He's spent his entire career in the Infantry.  He's a Marine Sniper by God!  He knows the pain that these women were about to be subjected to and he stood by and let it happen.

Last.

Now comes the integrity test.  Either the Marine Corps Leadership will MAN UP and tell the powers that be that its just not going to happen without lowering standards (and then when they decide to lower standards to submit resignations because it will get future Marines killed) and to let the program die as it should.

Clarification. Costa fights Zombies.

Ok.  Here goes.  On Friday I wrote this.

I don't know whats going on but every government around the globe seems to be gearing up for mass riots and social upheaval.  The latest being the Swiss...and now we have this vid from Costa.  When will life imitate art?

Oh and I first saw this on Soldier Systems but they took the vid down...wonder why?

I posted that with the above video and to be honest thought nothing more about it.  Well today I saw this in the comments of that vid and thought it needed to be highlighted.

I am the producer of the above project "Operation Z".

The word "zombie" is never mentioned directly in the production. If you see the "zombie" scenario as metaphor for something else, and you want your wife or family to understand the implications of that, please check out the project when it's released (soon).

 Cool.

Its not about Zombies.

But even if it was I'd have watched it.  I mean seriously producer guy, you have to admit that it has alot of the hallmarks of modern Zombie lore in that highlight.

Now with the clarification I can see its tilted more towards survival after societal collapse.

Still gonna watch it....but I wonder why the Zombie meme is being shot down when it definitely gives out that vibe?  Either way I'm still a Costa fan.  I still cringe at the CHE (Costa Haley Effect).  And I still hate the blurring of the lines between Combat Shooting, 3 Gun Matches, Pistol/Rifle Competitions, Civilian Self Defense and Law Enforcement Shooting.

Now that we have that cleared up I hope I'm on the mailing list for new Costa gear.  I missed out on that leg platform.  

The Lockheed Martin Havoc. What do they mean by "modularity"?

I'm gearing up for the interview with the folks over at Lockheed Martin and in doing my research I keep coming back to one unanswered question.

What is modularity when it comes to the Havoc?

From my reading S. Africa will have the most versions of the vehicle.  A Tank Destroyer, Command, Mortar Carrier, Fire Support and Infantry Carrier.

Unfortunately that still doesn't answer the question because Patria has shown that the vehicle can mount several different type turrets...so all those functions can be carried out by simply swapping out the basic setup.  I looked hard but was unable to find the Command version.  I think that will be most telling in how that vehicle is equipped and set up..is it a module swap or is it a distinct version.

Another major issue in the interview will be weight.  The Polish version of the HAVOC, the Wolverine is the heaviest version so far fielded.  The Marine Corps version will be just as heavy yet will be required to swim.  Indications are that the Poles gave up the swim requirement because of the weight gained with making the Wolverine anti-IED capable.  Seeing how Lockheed Martin and Patria achieved the same type protection yet maintained the swim requirement is something I can't wait to ask.

The thing is happening Thursday so if you have any questions to hit them with send them my way.

Nice try Hillary. I ain't buying it!

via CNN.

I take responsibility" for what happened on September 11, Clinton said in an interview with CNN's Elise Labott soon after arriving in Lima, Peru, for a visit. The interview, one of a series given to U.S. television networks Monday night, was the first she has given about the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Clinton insisted President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are not involved in security decisions.

"I want to avoid some kind of political gotcha," she added, noting that it is close to the election.

The attack killed Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans at the consulate.

I've seen leadership like this before.

A piss poor Commander that decides to saddle a subordinate with blame when everyone knows that its the Commander that set the conditions for the break down to occur.

If Hillary thinks she's being loyal then I need to inform her that she isn't.  If this thing is thoroughly investigated the truth will come out.  And instead of being viewed as a good soldier she'll simply be labeled as one of the persons covering it up.

UFC 153. Not much to talk about.

Silva toying with Bonnar.  He dodges the kick and then walks back to the spot he was standing on. Bonnar looks dazed and confused already.  The guy was beat before he stepped in the ring.

The finish.  Angle 1.

The finish.  Angle 2.

I just don't know.

Dana has got to get a better grip on these fights.  Maybe fewer pay per view shows, but he has got to get a grip.  If Silva only fights twice a year then so be it as long as he's fighting worthy competition.  Seriously!  Everything I feared for Bonnar came true in this fight.

Its time for him to hang it up.  Silva?  I still like him, but he's starting to seriously rub me the wrong way.  I would just like to see someone really push him hard.  If Sonnen can stop talking and work hard for a couple of months and then get a good ring strategist then maybe it could be him.  But I don't think he wants anymore of Silva either.

Bad times for the UFC unless they can mix it up a bit.

M27 IAR review...

Want a good review of the M27?

Check out the article by SMALL ARMS DEFENSE JOURNAL.  The Marine Corps continues to fail to explain the whys behind the decision to field the M27.  The concept seems at best shallow and at worst a waste of money.  SMALL ARMS DEFENSE JOURNAL is at least beginning to fill in the missing pieces.  I haven't been a reader but I think I might start if this is the type of writing they do!

Violent females. How do you respond as a man?

Forget all the stupidity you see in this video.

Concentrate on a few things.

1.  It appears that the female strikes the male first.  Supposedly she also spit on him.

2.  The male retaliated by launching a vicious upper cut.

3.  The reaction from the crowd and the female that struck the male was that "hey! she's a female!"

Consider those few things and then think that if a woman has an object she could brain a male considerably larger than her.  Consider that women are placing themselves in occupations where they will meet men in physical confrontations (in the instance  of this post Women in the Infantry).  Consider that even though everyone still screams about women and men being equal...even when it comes to physicality (I support this except when it comes to women being physically equal), yet these same people that are fully indoctrinated in that ideal still scream "she's a female when a male retaliates after being struck"...and lastly consider that laws in our society are  edged toward women when it comes to physical confrontations....

And I ask you.  How is a guy suppose to react if he is assaulted by a woman?  If you say that if he isn't hurt he's to walk away then I ask how can you define pain in someone else?  Is he suppose to simply report it?  Aren't we developing a society where women can behave badly with little consequence?

Don't laugh.  You could be minding your own business and get assaulted by some deranged female and have to consider your response to the attack.  Think about it before it happens!

NOTE:
I knew it would happen if I wrote this post.  Let me say again.  I am not anti-woman!  I know plenty of women that are much smarter than me, have better social skills and can teach me a thing or two about a thing or two.  But I'm not talking about brain power, this is a discussion of physicality.  Its about how a guy is to react to a woman if she is clearly wrong, yet decides to engage HIM in a physical confrontation.  Nothing more or less.

A whole new ball game.

I keep looking at how much different the jungle fight is from the desert fight and in one word its...IMMENSE!  When some of the younger Marines how hard the jungle is compared to the desert they will appreciate the WW2 Marines alot more.  Vietnam era Marines too.  More than jungles, more than arctic and more than desert the jungle will test a hard man...and many hard men will fail that test.

A requirement to build armored assault vehicles for the Marine Corps.

I was surfing the internet and ran across this vid.  It immediately brought to mind the AAV upgrade, Amphibious Combat Vehicle and the Marine Personnel Carrier Programs.

I don't necessarily want designers to have military experience.  You don't have to have served in the Marine Corps in particular...but you should have to spend a week with the boys out at Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch.

Ideally you would act as a fourth crewmember and would ride over to the School of Infantry and experience (just for that week) what its like to pile  30 Marines into the back of an AAV.  You should also experience rides over the toughest terrain at Camp Pendleton.  You should have to experience a swim out to a ship in bad water.  You should know what the vehicle IS that you're replacing or upgrading.

Its a pipe dream but it would help if the guys that are working on Marine Corps vehicles volunteered for that type of work experience.  I bet both the Marine Corps and the manufacturers would be the better for it.

Costa fights zombies??

I don't know whats going on but every government around the globe seems to be gearing up for mass riots and social upheaval.  The latest being the Swiss...and now we have this vid from Costa.  When will life imitate art?

Oh and I first saw this on Soldier Systems but they took the vid down...wonder why?

7th ID is back.

7th Infantry Division was quietly reactivated on Oct 1st.

Its serving as an Administrative unit and is detailed to care and equip elements of the 2nd ID located at Ft. Lewis.  If you know anything about the 7th ID then you'll know that they have a proud history and participated in the amphibious assaults during WW2, fought in Korea and Panama.  Most interesting to me is that they were once designated a Light Infantry Division and were some of the Army's Jungle Fighters.

Two things should happen.  First the 7th should be brought back as a regular, not administrative unit and two, they should be brought back as Light Infantry.

No worries though.  This is just part of the game.  The 7th ID will come back if for no other reason as to play the budget game with an Army marker.

A green on blue incident in the making...

Cultural misunderstandings are why Afghans are killing our guys?  If thats the case then the pic below is a green on blue incident in the making.  Ask someone if you don't get it but check out the look on the faces of the "precious" children!

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Serella, a narcotics patrol detector dog handler with the 3rd Infantry Division, takes time to bond with his dog, Nero, as local children look on during Operation Clean Sweep conducted in districts throughout Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Meister

They fight like animals, like they're not even human...

via Grunt.com

Pic of the day. 160th at sea.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 9, 2012) An Army MH-47G Chinook medium assault helicopter assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., conducts deck landing qualifications aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) following the ship's visit for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. This is the first time Makin Island has conducted flight operations with Army Chinooks. The U.S. Navy is reliable, flexible, and ready to respond worldwide on, above, and below the sea. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David McKee/Released) 121009-N-FH966-079

Are pelvic shots the new head shots?

Are pelvic shots the new head shots?

I keep reading more and more about how effective pelvic shots are.  If you get a hit you have a chance of severing the spine, breaking any number of bones and even rupturing an artery.  Additionally if you get a hit in this region you get an immediate mobility kill.  The guy might be inhaling bath salts, crack or high on meth but a shot to the groin will put down any rampaging idiot.

Additionally, bad guys are getting body armor.  Most body armor lacks protection for the pelvic region.

It was once two to the chest, the face gets the rest, but in light of body armor, the skull being a type of natural armor and the head moving so much, maybe pelvic shots are the wave of the future when it comes to gun fighting.

I'd love for the Marine or Army Marksmanship Units to study the issue, good data on this would be interesting.

Did you know? Scout Snipers were the original "Recon"!

via 1st Marine Division's History Page.

 The Division reactivated the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion on 8 June 2000 but the battalion was originally activated on 1 March 1937. It now calls the Margarita(33) Area home. Before 1944 Marine Recon was primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 a two company amphibious reconnaissance battalion was formed with the mission of conducting beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. Today the Battalion performs a wide variety of tactical and special operations in support of the Division.

So what I thought was a great new idea was actually a blast from the past.  Putting Scout/Snipers into the role of Battalion/MEU Recon would just be a return to the way that the real old skool Marines did things.

Interesting.  Surprising but interesting.