STRAIGHT FROM THE FRONT:Images And Impressions From Afghanistan (pbs.org) ...In May and June, I spent nearly three weeks with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) in the Garmser District of Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province, near the border with Pakistan. This was actually the second time I'd been embedded with the 24th MEU. The first was in 2005 in the Iraqi city of Iskandariyah, about 25 miles south of Baghdad....
REPORT:Iraq Surge Over, Evaluation Period Begins (marinecorptimes.com) The military surge into Iraq that began more than 18 months ago has ended. But 150,000 U.S. troops remain, as many as 15,000 more than before the buildup began....
...The incident is an example of the role that Iraqi police can play as Kirkuk, like much of the country, appears to calm down. Americans are helping Iraqi police here make the transition from a paramilitary force to a community-minded organization focused on keeping up a dialogue with nearby residents, similar to law enforcement agencies in the States.....
REPORT:Reps Question Military Role In Africa Command (navytimes.com)
Lawmakers grilled the military leaders of Africa Command on Capitol Hill today questioning if the Defense Department was living up to its promise to integrate interagency civilians into the organization....
REPORT:Gates: U.S. Could Send More Troops To Afghanistan (stripes.com) "...I think that we are clearly working very hard to see if there are opportunities to send additional forces sooner rather than later," Gates said at a news conference. "No decisions have been made; no recommendations have been made...."
AUDIO COMMENTARY:Marine Veteran Compares Iraq, Afghan Wars (npr.org) ...Nathaniel C. Fick, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security, has served with the Marines in both countries. He says lessons from Iraq cannot be applied blindly in Afghanistan. (Audio - 07:45)
COLUMN:Team Black Rhino -- All Marines Are Infantrymen (salem-news.com) Unlike other military services, all Marines are trained as basic infantrymen, regardless of their military occupational specialty. This means that a general in charge of logistics, a military police Corporal trained in law enforcement, and others like communications specialists, pilots and Marines pushing papers in administrative services, are trained and qualified to grab an M-16 and instantly become a member of an infantry platoon....
...However admirable the military's attempts are to create ROE, they basically create an illusion of moral order where there is none. The Marines operate in chaos. It doesn't matter if a Marine is following orders and ROE, or disregarding them....
OPINION:Tricare Woes Demand Action From Congress (navytimes.com) “Health care costs are eating us alive,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates told House lawmakers Feb. 6. “We really need to work with the Congress.” To date, however, Congress hasn’t said much more than “no” to fee hikes. That’s like ignoring your credit card bill and hoping your bank won’t notice....
OPINION:Why The Military Should Intervene In Climate Talks (ethicalcorp.com) In the context of climate change, national defence forces stand accused of failing in their duty to protect. Either they have known about the extent of the risks from climate change and not done enough to change government policy, or their “cold war” radar has failed to pick up the damage that climate change seems likely to wreak....
Blast From The Past
Leatherneck Magazine, February 1936
"Sgt Shorty"
Submission Call: What Do You Do During Downtime?
We all are familiar with the recruiting commercials, but what Marines do during downtime can be pretty entertaining.
Send in what you do (or did) during downtime - it can be a small essay (100-150 words), photos, and/or a video.
Here's some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing:
Submit To Weekend Extra!
Do you like Weekend Extra but want to see more? Then send us your photos, videos, hotspot reviews, humor, and whatever else you can think of. Read more about what we're looking for and how you can submit.
