Archived Military Matters
The About.com U.S. Military Newsletter
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MILITARY MATTERS
Newsletter #10
10/1/99
Howdy all, and welcome to the 10th edition of Military Matters, the weekly newsletter for About.com's U.S. Military Page. If you know anyone who is interested in military matters, please feel free to email them a copy of this newsletter.
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http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/pages/mmail.htm.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: East Timor -- Another Somalia in the Making? Are we getting ready to send Marine transport helicopters into a situation we're not ready for?
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa093099.htm
Last Poll: Should the Military take Jurisdiction for Crimes Committed off duty/off base? 64 Percent of you said "No!"
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=99.1
This Issue's Poll is about the "Military Matters Newsletter, itself: Would you like to see the Military Matters Newsletter: Once Per Week, Twice Per Week (as is currently), or Three Times Per Week?
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=114.1
NEWS AND COMMENTARY:
To read the full stories, click on the link below. If you are not a member of our Forum, and don't wish to join, you may still read the story by clicking on "Enter as a Guest" when you see the login screen. Members, of course may post responses to any of these story items.
THE QUIET WAR: DUBAI -- US and British warplanes patrolling no-fly zones in Iraq attacked military communications and radar sites in the south of the country on Monday and returned safely to base, the US Central Command said. "The strikes were in response to numerous incidents of Iraqi surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery fire directed at coalition aircraft yesterday (Sunday)," the command said in a statement from Macdill Air Force base in Florida, faxed to Reuters on Tuesday.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=110.1
KOREAN WAR MASSACRE? Early in the Korean War, villagers said, American soldiers machine-gunned hundreds of helpless civilians under a railroad bridge in the South Korean countryside. When the families spoke out, seeking redress, they met only rejection and denial, from the U.S. military and their own government in Seoul. Now a dozen ex-GIs have spoken, too, and support their story with haunting memories from a ''forgotten'' war.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=113.1
MORE REFUSE ANTHRAX VACCINE -- Top military commanders told Congress today that the mandatory program to inoculate soldiers with an anthrax vaccine is imperative because several nations are developing the biological weapon for use in battle. About 220 troops have refused to take it because of questions about its safety and efficacy. Symptoms reported after the shots have included fever, dizziness, blackouts and joint and muscle pain.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=112.1
WASHINGTON -- The Air Force appears to have been thwarted in its quest to get the first, combat-ready models of its prized F-22 stealth fighter as a House-Senate fight over the ultra-sophisticated warplane draws to a close. Congressional leaders were expected to announce as early as today that they have agreed to provide $1 billion for the Air Force to buy test models of the F-22. But production of final versions of the radar-evading aircraft would have to wait at least until 2001, said congressional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=111.1
OVERSEAS BASES MAY HAVE Y2K PROBLEMS: WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate's special committee investigating the Year 2000 problem recently released its 100-day report proclaiming the millennium bug will cause little more than isolated, minor inconveniences in the United States when Dec. 31 turns into Jan. 1, 2000. That's good news if you're a service or family member at a stateside installation. But what if you're overseas in Europe, the Middle East or the Far East? Does the same level of confidence exist in Germany, Kuwait or Korea?
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=109.1
TWO NEW GULF WAR DISEASE STUDIES: WASHINGTON -- The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are conducting two new studies on the possible treatment of illnesses reported by thousands of Gulf War veterans.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=107.1
GOVERNMENT WON'T RUN OUT OF MONEY: WASHINGTON -- Congress has passed a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government at fiscal 1999 rates through Oct. 21 while legislators continue work on fiscal 2000 appropriations bills.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=104.1
US TO INCREASE E. TIMOR PRESENCE: DARWIN, Australia -- The United States will expand its support to the international forces assembled to restore order in East Timor. Defense Secretary William Cohen announced increased U.S. participation in Operation Warden during a joint press conference here Sept. 29 with Australian Defense Minister John Moore. Australia is leading International Forces East Timor, with the United States and other regional countries in supporting roles.
http://forums.about.com/ab-usmilitary/messages/?msg=106.1
LINK OF THE WEEK: This isn't exactly a Military Link, but when I saw this page, I couldn't resist passing it on. This is a completely FREE Wake-up Service. Plug in the information, and the system will telephone you at any time to give you a Wake Up Call, or a Reminder Call. You can choose from several different messages, including messages you type in or record on your own!
http://www.mrwakeup.com/
MILITARY HUMOR:
There is no doubt at all in my military mind that, of all the Services, the Air Force has the most intelligent enlisted people. This is not just theory, it's provable fact:
Take the Army, for instance. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Army private wakes up from a bellow from the First Sergeant. He grabs a set of BDUs out of his foot locker, gets dressed, runs down to the chow-hall for a breakfast on the run, then jumps in his tank. Pretty soon, the Platoon Commander arrives, gives him a big salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, men."
Now take the Marines. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Marine recruit is kicked out of bed by his First Sergeant, puts on a muddy set of BDUs because he just got back in from the field three hours before. He gets no breakfast, but is told to feel free to chew on his boots. He runs out and forms up with his rifle. Pretty soon, his platoon commander comes out, a young Captain, Gives his Marines a Sharp Salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Marines!"
Now take the Navy. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Sailor is eating breakfast in the messroom.. He walks 20 feet to his battle station, stuffing extra pastries in his pocket as he goes. There he sits, in the middle of a steel target, with nowhere to run, when the Captain comes on the 1MC and says, "Give 'em Hell, Sailors! I salute you!"
Now the Air Force. When the stuff hits the fan, the Airman receives a phone call in his off-base quarters. He gets up, showers, shaves, and puts on a fresh uniform he had just picked up from the BX cleaners the day before. He jumps in his car, and stops at McDonalds for a McMuffin on his way into work. Once he arrives at work, he signs in on the duty roster and proceeds to his F-16. He spends 30 minutes pre-flighting it, signs off the forms. Pretty soon the Pilot, a young captain gets out and straps into the Plane. He starts the engines. Our Young Airman stands at attention, gives the Captain a sharp salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Sir!"
That's it for this issue. See you next time 'round.
Rod
