We are speeding up our military withdrawal from Iraq with 4,000 more troops coming home next month. This reduction in US troops in Iraq from 124,000 to 120,000 by the end of October – marks the latest US step in winding down the six-year war. The commander there, General Odierno say that this withdrawal will not sacrifice security. Our plans are to thin our lines across Iraq to reduce the risk to US personnel while the Iraqi security forces pick up the slack. This is an excellent plan—as long as we don’t rush it. This will be a very long phase down—if we want it to be effective.
Withdrawal from Iraq
September 30th, 2009Chow in combat
September 27th, 2009The paratroopers in the 3rd Bn, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fire Base Salerno in Afghanistan are supposed to be eating three MREs (Meal Ready to Eat—the newest version of C-rations) each day. But they’re eating hot meals everyday—if they’re not outside the wire at chow time. It seems that one of the troopers, Sp4 Bazar Adam, from the first platoon of Co C, is also a cook and has taken it upon himself to cook for all the troops every day—and they let him.br /br /Adam voluntarily begins each day at 0500 and doesn’t wrap up until after dinner is served at 1700. Then he’s back in the kitchen in the late evening to prep breakfast for the following day. He works the extra long hours because he likes to cook and likes to stay busy. To make an understatement, he’s well appreciated. You can always count on infantrymen to make the most out of any situation. Specialist Adam is a winner.
Rosh Hashanah in Afghanistan
September 26th, 2009While I suspect that Jewish holidays have been celebrated in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places our troops are stationed in the Mideast as our Jewish service people and chaplains practice their faith, this is the first time that this old, retired infantryman has realized it. I should be more aware; my mother was Jewish—that makes me Jewish—and I’m proud of my Jewish roots and have learned a lot from studying Jewish history.br /br /So I took notice when I read about a bunch of marines including Col. Kevin Vest, Lt. Col Scott Stimpson, and Sgt Dan Wavle gathering this past week to celebrate the Jewish New Year of 5770. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of a process of introspection and self repair—something we all can use. br /br /I wonder if we Americans appreciate just how much freedom we enjoy—freedom, like freedom of religion, that a great many in the world don’t celebrate.
Pete Miller
September 26th, 2009President Obama has selected one of my West Point classmates, Warren “Pete” Miller, Jr. to fill two posts that oversee two aspects of nuclear energy—the supply of the energy and the storing of its waste. Miller was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy, and about a week later, he was also chosen to serve as director of Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Industry folks think Miller’s latter role will involve carrying out Obama’s wishes to end the controversial project to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The Senate confimed Miller for the first position last month, but his confirmation for the radioactive waste role has been held up. Pete is a very bright guy and was one of very few African-Americans at West Point at the time we were there—49 years ago today we were plebes. I hope that portends the beginning of a major push to build new nuclear energy plants all over the US—but, I fear that we’re going to be going the other way.
Clean water–a great gift
September 24th, 2009Something as simple as clean water is easily be taken for granted here in the US. In Iraq, however, purified drinking water is a luxury not everyone enjoys. Earlier this month, US and Iraqi troops arrived in a very poor village. Then they went door to door and met with the people. Each person who answered the door received a water filter for the home—plus a reinforcement of the message that the US and Iraqi security forces are the good guys. The gift was the gift of health—and is properly seen as a very valuable one. br / My last real job was with a water purification company. I know very well how important clean water is to health. Too many people in the US are drinking water that the government says is good, but it’s really not. If it’s like that here, you can be sure it’s a problem in Iraq. I’m glad to see our troops addressing that real need.
