Where We Stand

Exit Polls (0.00 / 0)

Not sure how I feel about them...but it shows that McCain got 54% of the military vote and Obama had 45%.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/20...

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America. -Barack Obama

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by: NavyBlueWife @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:03:35 AM CST

I think that is pretty good (4.00 / 1)

From the looks of those numbers, I think that is pretty good especially if one considers that the military is constantly being bombarded with the likes of Rush Limbaugh and others.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

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by: mettycat @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:38:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That was low (4.00 / 1)

I believe Bush had more.

Also, "ever served" is a large net.

Support amongst currently serving US Army Soldiers is probably half that amount.

While US Navy support is higher.

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:40:28 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Thank you to Brandon!!! (4.00 / 2)

and his team for all their efforts in the election.

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:41:11 AM CST

Laundry List (4.00 / 4)

First, Obama on day one needs to broom out all the assistant secrateries as they will muck things up. There are plenty of full time civilians who can step into the breach until someone is appointed.

Second, Obama's first act must be to put a halt IMMEDIATELY on IRR recalls and stop loss. We need to push that and push that.

Third, the idea of an operational reserve needs to be abolished. Again, we must go back to by Executive Order the policy that once a reservist served 24 months for a given emergency, cumulative, then you are done.

Fourth, missions need to be right sized to the force and structure we have. We must never again take on more mission than the force is designed to take.

Fifth, because it will also help the civilian economy, we need to go on a crash course of re-equiping all units!

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:48:37 AM CST

I'll second that (4.00 / 2)

I'll second every mission on that list.  They should be Obama's top priorities.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

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by: mettycat @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:52:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You Should (0.00 / 0)

Send your Resume Post Haste!!

Idea's needed and making sure the house is cleaned out by the partison political hires of the cabal!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

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by: jimstaro @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:05:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

In addition (4.00 / 2)

I think that is only part of the equation.  What we may see is a larger influx of recruits into the military since Obama has been confirmed as the next President.  In the past I've spoken to many young people who were previously turned off to military service due to the Bush Administration's actions.  They weren't pursuaded by those large monetary bonuses or other incentives offered.  Now, they may reconsider serving they feel that an Obama Administration won't throw them or the rest of the military into a conflict based upon White House lies and cherry picked intelligence.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

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by: mettycat @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:49:57 AM CST

very interesting point... (4.00 / 2)

Obama has made public service, including military service, a main point of his campaign.

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America. -Barack Obama

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by: NavyBlueWife @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 13:35:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Even with both theaters (4.00 / 1)

Still engaged, there may be an uptick of African Americans and even Hispanic Recruits as long as they are treated justly, many stayed away e3ven with a bad job market because of the whittle cowboy and company.

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

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by: jimstaro @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:08:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

In addition (0.00 / 0)

I think that is only part of the equation.  What we may see is a larger influx of recruits into the military since Obama has been confirmed as the next President.  In the past I've spoken to many young people who were previously turned off to military service due to the Bush Administration's actions.  They weren't pursuaded by those large monetary bonuses or other incentives offered.  Now, they may reconsider serving they feel that an Obama Administration won't throw them or the rest of the military into a conflict based upon White House lies and cherry picked intelligence.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

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by: mettycat @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:49:58 AM CST

On Iraq, (4.00 / 2)

the Iraqi government needs to be placed on notice that if they want us, they need to re-imburse 110% of actual cost on a monthly basis.

They got a $2 Trillion freebie, no more.

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:50:17 AM CST

I'm not on board with this ... (4.00 / 2)

Never mind that they don't want us there.  :)  

Sorry, but we didn't have to destroy a country to take out Saddam ... even allowing for the fantasy alternate universe where he were actually a threat to us and we weren't there to prove George had a bigger dick than his pops, with the added bonuses that go along with disaster capitalism (so not everything worked like they planned in regard to selling off the national resource -- oopsie).

Given it may be hard to grasp the notion of someone invading and destroying our country to take out George and expecting us to foot the bill for the occupation, you'd be okay with paying someone who broke into your house, trashed it and squatted?  Truly?  :)    

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by: Fxston @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 12:11:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm With You (0.00 / 0)

We Destroyed, We Re-Build, it's called Responsibility and many of us were saying exactly what was to happen well before 'shock and awe' and especially on that first weekend, in DC at American University, of said 'shock and awe'!!

We still haven't fully compensated the Vietnamesse, but we don't have to worry about Blowback from them, back than till now or in the future.

We're in a different World now and have been for many years, long before 9/11, fences need to be mended and that still won't stop the few from retaliating, and it only takes a few, but it will help minimize as long as we also go after the cabal, government and behind the scenes civilians, for accountability!!  

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

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by: jimstaro @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:16:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I would (0.00 / 0)

hardly call this capitalism. It's more like corporatism. Then again, I personally see pretty much all forms of globalism as utter BS. Let us just leave already.    

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by: FredUSMC @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:19:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Heard on the news that Talibani would offer US permanent (0.00 / 0)

bases in Kurdistan if "Iraq" doesn't.

That sounds like a deal from Hell.

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by: deMeme @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 18:57:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wouldn't (0.00 / 0)

say we should do that.  We should probably just start leaving now.

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by: FredUSMC @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:08:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

More thoughts (4.00 / 3)

and this gets back to right sizing the mission. We must immediately go back to limiting multiple combat deployments and give the soldier the benefit of the doubt on all medical issues.

I too think enlistments and retention will be pretty good when the moral contract is re-established with the military.

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:52:51 AM CST

Brandon (4.00 / 1)

If you have not done anything on a unit, go through the IMA listings in Washington. You can make an impact in the rebuilding effort. You should be at DOD or DA.

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 11:55:51 AM CST

I'll definitely take a look. (0.00 / 0)

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by: Brandon Friedman @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 15:02:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

FW; From IAVA (4.00 / 1)

Dear President-elect Obama,

Congratulations on your victory. Both you and Senator McCain are true patriots, and you each ran a remarkable campaign. While I'm sure you're relieved that the election is over, now is the time to bring all Americans together, get to work, and focus on the next four years of governing.

 

As the nation's leading new veterans organization, it is crucial to IAVA that you keep Iraq and Afghanistan veterans high on your list of priorities. With aggressive action, you can send a strong message to America that as Commander-in-Chief, you are committed to truly honoring our nation's newest generation of heroes. Here's how we think you can best accomplish that:

1. Convene an urgent Presidential Summit of Leading Veterans
As you consider nominations for appointed positions within the VA, you should convene a leadership summit of leading veterans' groups from across the country, including IAVA. Candidates for appointed jobs within the VA should have a proven track record of innovation and reform, and should be ready to address the urgent needs of new veterans.

2. Advance-fund VA Healthcare
Year after year, the VA budget is passed late, forcing hundreds of veterans' hospitals and clinics to ration care. IAVA believes that veterans' health care should be funded one year in advance and we ask you to present to Congress an advance-funded VA budget that continues to match the Independent Budget recommendations made by leading Veterans Service Organizations.

3. Implement GI Bill Transferability
While the new GI Bill was passed several months ago, the Department of Defense has yet to release guidelines for the transferability of GI Bill benefits from servicemembers to their spouses or children. You should direct the Secretary of Defense to issue the appropriate guidelines, so that GI Bill transferability can be implemented by August 2009.

4. Issue a National Call for Mental  Health Professionals
The military and the VA need innovative strategies to recruit and retain more mental health professionals to combat the high rates of PTSD and major depression among returning troops. You should issue a national call, urging mental health professionals nationwide to serve our troops and veterans. Those who answer the call should receive incentives and benefits for serving this patriotic cause.

With more troops returning home from the wars everyday, you'll need to hit the ground running. IAVA is committed to serving as a resource for you and your administration going forward.
We look forward to working with you and the new Congress to support Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

Sincerely,

Paul Rieckhoff

Iraq Veteran

Executive Director and Founder

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

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by: jimstaro @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 14:51:13 PM CST

Obama-Biden were standing up for 'full funding of the VA', which (4.00 / 1)

I understood would take that actual funding of the VA out of the Budget process. That the VA would be 'fund' based on actual need much like Social Security with if you apply and are eligible you get the benefit.

But would hope that they iron out the 'disability' claims kinks...Stopping Deny, Delay, Defend and if all else fails SHRED.

FULL FUNDING would be preferable to the IAVA request.

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by: deMeme @ Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 19:18:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

WOW (0.00 / 0)

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by: Colonel "Joe" USAR @ Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 17:59:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]