I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine the other day. He is middle aged and in fairly good shape from what I can tell. Anyway, he was telling me that he wants to join something called the "state defense force" to become a soldier. Now, I have never heard of those organizations so I said why not join the Army, Army Reserves, National Guard or some other branch of service (if qualified) if you want to be in the military just like the rest of us have done. He gave me something about not wanting to deploy overseas and the like. Then, he was telling me about the training they offer with the acronym B.E.L.T., B.L.A.S.T or something similar and about how in some states these groups are recognized and fall under the authority of the state Governor. He also stated that they augment FEMA and the National Guard in the case of state emergencies and receive FEMA training and military training.
Something just does not sit well with me regarding these groups. How can anyone who has never served in the US military at all receive training from a group (even if they are lead by veterans)called B.E.L.T., B.O.O.M or whatever the acronym and actually have the nerve to call themselves a soldier? Frankly, it sounds to me like these groups are made up of military has beens, wannabes, and rejects. Has anyone heard of these "state defense forces" or know what they are about? Are they legit and if so who provides the oversight if any? I've asked other friends of mine about them who like me, are also veterans and, just like me they have never heard of these groups. Its funny but for some reason I always get this picture in my head of Robin Williams in the movie "The Survivors" when I hear about these "State Defense Forces" though. lol
I have to give credit where I think credit is due. Throughout this election cycle I have constantly questioned John McCain's past decisions, his judgment, wisdom and other attributes regarding the issues facing America today. The way I saw it, John McCain just was not up to the task of being the President of the United States.
With that being said, I never questioned John McCain's loyalty to the nation or his overall patriotism. His concession speech last night was as gracious as it was honorable. It was one that I think we can all relate to and for that I have to tip my hat to a fellow American and veteran, John McCain. To me, McCain is and always has been a patriot or as he stated:
'Today I was candidate for the highest office of the country I love so much and tonight I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone.'
Juan Cole's recent commentary about McCain's military obectives and foreign policy makes sense. The troops and equipment McCain would need to pull those military objectives off simply do not exist at the current time given the amount of U.S. military commitments and every nation knows it. The only way McCain could back his rhetoric is with a draft or with a rapid increase in our all volunteer force which I just do not see happening any time soon. Besides, I just do not see how Congress would approve a draft so that leaves McCain's rhetoric as nothing more than hot air or is it? From Cole's commentary:
But McCain is not about the military status quo. He is ambitious for further conflicts. The current US military is too small to handle yet another front, and to maintain, as McCain insists they must, the current ones.
My friends, there is only one way for McCain to make good on his hawkish foreign policy and his virtual pledge of more wars.
McCain will need to institute a draft for young American men (and, given the times, maybe for women as well).
McCain, just like the recent Bush Administration's hawkish rhetoric has been proven by the Russian/Georgian conflict to be nothing more than a bluff. Sure, there was a lot of tough talk and fist shaking at the Russians but no real actions were taken against them either by the Bush Administration. I wonder if those young McCain supporters realize what they are asking for? I doubt it.
Can anyone with any sanity honestly say that they would be willing to put on a uniform again if Palin happens to become Commander in Chief at some point? I mean, seriously can anyone really say they would put their lives on the line knowing that Palin is completely clueless on foreign policy? If someone out there is willing to do it then you are a braver person than I am that is for sure.
Heavy fighting has been reported between U.S. backed Georgia and Russia which backs the South Ossetian separatists. Russian armor as well as warplanes have been reported being seen in Georgia by the Georgian military (see last article). I doubt there is very little the U.S. can do to help its ally in the area. The conflict appears to be heating up rapidly as Russia Today reports:
Further, the UN Security Council went into an emergency meeting when the breakout in fighting started:
Russian Forces Invade Georgia
MEGVREKISI, Georgia (Aug. 8) - Tensions over Georgia's rebel territory of South Ossetia exploded on Friday when Georgia tried to assert control over the region with tanks and rockets, and Russia sent forces to repel the assault.
Fighting between Georgian forces and Russian-backed separatists raged in and around Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, after Tbilisi sent troops to take back the territory, which broke away in the 1990s.
"The welcome mat for memoirs by veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom might never wear out so long as they write with the savvy of Brandon Friedman . . . Friedman's take is vivid, frank, precise and dramatic."--Military Times
"Add Brandon Friedman's The War I Always Wanted to the ranks of outstanding non-fiction produced by officers from elite combat units in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Always truthful, often excruciatingly so, The War I Always Wanted rises at numerous points to the level of literature."--Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire
"A Time To Lead confirms the rewarding benefits of military service at a time when such service is experiencing considerable strain. It also includes a comprehensive description of America's current national imperatives, which deserve serious consideration."--General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State
"This is a primer on leadership forged in battle and by decades of experience. . .This isn't just a book; it's a manual for leading people and living a good life."--Barry McCaffrey, General, USA (ret.)
"Whip smart, sassy, with a mouth as foul as a sailor's, 28-year-old Sergeant Kayla Williams. . .tells what it's like to be a female soldier in Iraq."--Booklist
". . .echoes military memoirists from Julius Caesar to Ernie Pyle."--Publishers Weekly
". . .a shocking, on-the-ground view of one military woman's experience in Iraq."--Bookmarks Magazine
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