I don't know how you fix this. Troops all over the world are into social media and the Army just praised some Master Sgt or something about how he was future because he was on Tik-Tok. Amazing, but the world we live in. I so wish I could be an operator on one of the E-8's (or whatever airplane snoops on cell phones in the war zone) just monitoring all the idiocy. I'm sure they get a peek at all kinds of silly shit.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Unclassified info is now being withheld from the public.
This is my baseless speculation and opinion.
I personally believe the Joint Chiefs and SecDef are overwhelmed/feckless/confused.
I believe that the entire enterprise is spirling. They are having to meet the challenge of two potentially hostile powers, numerous smaller threats and trying to do that during a time when the country is divided, technology is rapidly changing and the very fabric of military discipline/life/culture is under attack.
The latest (a reader brought this up in open comments and I was gonna post about it Sunday) news is stunning.
On Thursday, the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation published the public version of its annual report, and for the first time ever, a version with “controlled unclassified information” was also made available to Defense Department personnel and Congress — out of sight of taxpayers who foot the bill for the multi-million dollar programs.
In December, Raymond O’Toole, then the acting head of the DOT&E office, explained the decision to release a controlled version of the report, saying that some of the unclassified information “shouldn’t wind up in our adversaries’ hands.” He said the services would ultimately determine what information is considered CUI for each weapons system.
But for the experts at think tanks and journalists who rely on DOT&E’s report for an independent assessment of whether a program is meeting requirements, the 2021 report is missing much of the detail provided in previous years — especially regarding specific technical flaws that could hamper a weapon’s ability to perform in combat.
Dan Grazier, a fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, raised alarms over the current state of the report, saying that the decision to conceal unclassified details in a CUI version has grave implications to the future of independent operational testing.
“It is concerning to see the leaders of DOT&E bending to pressure from the services on their anti-transparency push,” Grazier wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense.
Transformation isn't working and we've been seeing substandard systems being introduced for over a decade now because of it.
What's worse is that DOT&E is just plain lying.
China, Russia, France, the UK and anyone else that is trying to get a peek at our systems has us so thoroughly penetrated that its a joke.
The only people that won't know this info is the general public.
The reality?
The Pentagon has taken a MASSIVE public relations hit. Confidence in our military is falling like a rock. News of wasteful spending and weapon systems that don't work will not help the cause.
Additionally recruiting is in the toilet.
The Army is giving 50K bonuses? That's telling. Additionally recruiting in the other services is getting even more difficult (and that doesn't even touch on the fact that many that are interested are obese, have criminal records and other things that make them ineligible).
Long story short?
The Pentagon is a storm of its own making (along with Congress...too many cocktail parties and hanging out too long in the beltway has jaded too many) and I don't see a way out anytime soon.
Hiding information (unclassified info at that) from the general public is an indication that they no longer have the courage/moral fortitude to be honest with the people they have sworn to protect.
That type of weakness is disgusting and fills my nostrils.
Gonna try this. I'm intrigued and it looks kinda tasty & perhaps even healthy
Sip on these for a refreshing taste, while also getting your veggies in easily!
— Tasty (@tasty) January 29, 2022
Shop the recipe! https://t.co/v6iLqY08H4 pic.twitter.com/Tu15X40OIm
An old woman leaving her home with just a portrait of her husband and rugs. Russian soldiers gave her just 5 minutes to pack her bags and leave before they destroyed her home and everything in it. Her sons and husband were already dead. She had lost everything. May 1995, Grozny
via History Porn
I am beyond questioning the rationale for war. I do state without a doubt that it is brutal and that thanks to the media in my country (America) its been sanatized to such a degree that many think its a game. It isn't. It's brutal. Women and children are usually savaged (praise given to the Russian soldiers that allowed her to leave...the fighting was horrific in that city and atrocities took place on a daily basis), and while the body might survive, many are mentally broken.
Gonna post more pics about the reality of WW2. Many call it a good war. There is no such thing. Gonna post more about the reality of war. Too many glamorize something that shouldn't be.
The Army’s new infantry assault buggy is a useless garbage pile This thing is absolute dog shit. via Task&Purpose!
Read the whole story here but this part stood out...
“The rifle company equipped with the ISVs did not successfully avoid enemy detection, ambushes, and engagements during a majority of their missions,” according to the report. “In order to traverse cross country routes and wooded terrain, the unit was forced to reduce their speed, resulting in slowed movement, or maneuvered on improved routes, negating any element of surprise.”
“During missions, the unit experienced numerous casualties, delaying mission accomplishment and degrading its combat power for follow-on missions,” the report said.
The ISV proved so ineffective at providing rapid mobility capabilities to the squad during testing that the unit “concealed their ISVs and drivers close to the objective and dismounted eight soldiers per vehicle to accomplish missions before recovering their [vehicles],” basically ditching their rides in favor of a dismounted engagement.
“This action reduced their combat force, exposed the ISVs and drivers to opposing force attacks, and increased the risk of additional combat losses,” according to the report.
The military should just give up on the idea of a ISV. Just buy some off the shelf Polaris, paint them green or coyote brown...add equipment and weapons mounts and call it a freaking day.
Gold plated solutions in this role just ain't gonna cut it.
You need (at least for US forces) expendable equipment that you can easily repair and/or replace.
A super Colorado pickup with the doors yanked off and roll cages added ain't getting it done.
Shuttlecraft Challenger Myths...
via NBCNews
Myth #3: The crew died instantly
The flight, and the astronauts’ lives, did not end at that point, 73 seconds after launch. After Challenger was torn apart, the pieces continued upward from their own momentum, reaching a peak altitude of 65,000 feet before arching back down into the water. The cabin hit the surface 2 minutes and 45 seconds after breakup, and all investigations indicate the crew was still alive until then.
What's less clear is whether they were conscious. If the cabin depressurized (as seems likely), the crew would have had difficulty breathing. In the words of the final report by fellow astronauts, the crew “possibly but not certainly lost consciousness,” even though a few of the emergency air bottles (designed for escape from a smoking vehicle on the ground) had been activated.
Another look back at the Challenger mishap (refuse to call it an accident...more like engineering malpractice) and this part always gets me.
Those astronauts could have been alive for those almost 3 minutes that they fell back to earth.
How absolutely horrifying that must have been.
What some call the height of American power wasn't good for all...
Note. This is hard times. Imagine selling your children! Make no mistake about it either. Child molesters have existed since the dawn of man. Hopefully those children were taken in by good people but I am not confident. I would love to find out what happened to them.
 |
| Mrs. Lucille Chalifoux turns her head from camera above while her children stare wonderingly. On the top step are Lana, 6, and Rae, 5. Below are Milton, 4, and Sue Ellen, 2. (1948) |
The Members of The Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (SKOJ), Captured in Occupied Zagreb. Defiantly Smile in front of their Grave moments before their Execution at the Hands of the Fascists. Zagreb, Yugoslavia
via Reddit.
Note. Two things. First this is bravery beyond my comprehension. Everyone talks about smiling and death when it faces you but these girls did it. Second. Fascists, Communist, Socialist..whatever its still politics. To think what humans have done to other humans over something as simple as belief system is a mind fuck.
Joint free-fall operations...by Sgt. Kallahan Morris
U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, conduct free-fall operations at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Jan. 26, 2022. The Marines Corps, Army, and Air Force conducted joint reconnaissance operations to prepare the battlespace for follow-on actions. The training, conducted concurrently with Keen Edge 22, demonstrates the joint force’s ability to integrate command and control, expand battlefield awareness, and conduct long-range precision strikes as an enduring, stand-in-force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Kallahan Morris)
Friday, January 28, 2022
K-2NO in the snow (need a Norwegian speaker!)
Thanks to Leetwin for the vid!
I would love to know what that officer is saying. I'm sure its diplomatic and doesn't take sides in the contest but I'm extremely curious. Additionally I can't quite put my finger on it but the K-2 looks a bit more agile than the Leopard. That I find interesting. One of the Leopards big selling points was its mobility but next to the K-2 it seems downright plodding.
US troops could deploy to Ukraine to assist in an evacuation of US citizens if Russia invades? Now we know why the 101st got put on alert...
At least we know why the 101st got put on alert.
Can you imagine what a shit show that would be? Can you imagine how EVERY Russian anti-air system operator will be itching like he has a rash to shoot down one of those helos?
Can you imagine how absolutely fucked up it would be to try to corral civilians onboard military aircraft while you're being mortared to hell....much less if they decide to turn loose a couple of batteries of MLRS?
Sometimes I think Pentagon planners read too much Tom Clancy!
Regardless its not gonna happen. The 101st is HEAVY! Moving them to theater is gonna take more than a few fast transport ships. If invasion was imminent then they'd need to be floating now to do the do.
Once there they can make things happen because of their tactical mobility and hopefully if called to actually pull off that mission from hell they'd work it out diplomatically so they wouldn't end up filling body bags.
But to think that they're actually considering it...that the CJCS actually mentioned it is a MIND FUCK!
God save us.
God save our Soldiers.
What if? What if Russia decided they were gonna to annex ALL of Ukraine?
Helluva what if huh?
What do you think would be the fallout? I think (just my opinion can't wait to hear yours) that at first the whole world would sit back and say WTF!
Then you'd see some tepid attempts at sanctions. You'd see Finland join NATO poste haste. I think you'd see all kinds of military activity in Africa and the Middle East.
Immigration would explode.
The stock market would crumble.
The world might be on the verge of a great depression but the MIC would be smiling all the way to the bank (worldwide...American, European, Asian...all military corporations would profit like crazy).
Oil prices would go sky high.
Cold War 2.0 on steroids as everyone takes a hardline against Russia except China and the rest of the usual suspects.
I think you would see a solid line between east and west, north and south globally.
Globalization would finally die a well deserved death but confidence in US leadership would fall to an all time low, the US military (wrongfully) will take a public relations hit and it would be the end of the Biden Admin in all but holding office. Any chance at a new agenda would be over.
Right wing movements all over the world would be on the rise as people rush to seek security in a world gone crazy.
It would be a mess like we haven't seen in my lifetime I think.
Interesting.
I have never understood why Ukraine would turn into a high stakes game but we played in that pit and now we might get bit.
If Putin does invade.
If even half of my scenario plays out could anyone say that Ukraine is worth it?
I don't think so.
But I'm in the camp of solving America's problems first before we start trying to save the world.
Marine Corps Nears 400 Separations Over COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal
via USNI News
Nearly 400 Marines have been separated due to continued refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the service announced Thursday.
The Marine Corps separated 65 Marines in the past week, bringing the total number of separations to 399. The service’s weekly update does not clarify if the Marines are active-duty or in the reserves.
As of Jan. 26, 95 percent of the active-duty force is fully vaccinated, which did not change from the previous week, according to Thursday’s update. However, the percentage of Marines who are at least partially vaccinated — which includes those who are both partially and fully vaccinated — increased from 96 percent to 97 percent.
There were no changes for the reserve Marines, which remains 87 percent fully vaccinated and 88 percent at least partially vaccinated. The percentage of partially vaccinated reservists also includes those who are fully vaccinated.
The Marine Corps has approved 627 medical or administrative exemptions, as well as three religious exemptions. The Marine Corps is the only branch to approve religious exemptions so far.
The service received 3,428 requests for religious exemptions, with 3,377 adjudicated. All but the three were denied.
The Marine Corps is also the branch that has separated the most of its personnel. The Army has not involuntarily separated any soldiers, according to its COVID-19 update released Thursday.
Wow.
This covid thing is a opportunity for HQMC. They were able to make a stealth cut without making a stealth cut in force.
Don't be fooled either. The nearly 400 number has to be added to the 630 medical and religious exemptions.
That means you just saw a cut of over 1000 Marines. The medical and religious exemptions will be denied further service at the very least, are definitely highlighted, can kiss promotions or schools goodbye and God forbid they need to deploy they're absolutely useless to the service.
This covid thing is a blessing and a curse for Force Design 2030.
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