Comments on: U.S. Observers Note Progress In Iraq Surge

Casualties Down In July; Some Critics Of War Strategy Find Reason For Encouragement

[randalds]

Posted by ArmySGT1 at 03:31 PM : Jul 31, 2007

Of course all wars are different, but I still reject the idea that I have to have served in Iraq to be able to knowingly criticize that war or the phony reasons we are there. Using that criteria no one would be able to object to a war before going in because since no one had yet fought there we wouldn't have "first hand knowledge" of what it would be like. It's certainly true that one of the min reasons the chimp led us into this debacle was that he didn't have any first hand knowledge of war in general, but he still should have been able to exhibit enough intelligence to keep us out.

[armysgt1]

j-whitman,

here is your story. make sure you read it completely.

Eligible categories for a seasonal bonus are:

%u2022 Non-prior service applicants who score in the upper half of the military entrance exam; who have a priority training seat, and who enlist for two to six years, regardless of MOS, are authorized a $20,000 bonus.

Applicants must complete enlistment processing within 30 days, and depart for active duty by Sept. 30.

%u2022 A $3,000 seasonal bonus is available for applicants who complete enlistment processing within one to 60 days, and depart for active duty by Sep. 30.

%u2022 Applicants who are in the Future Soldier Training Program (also called the delayed-entry program) are eligible for a $20,000 bonus if they ship by Aug. 27.

%u2022 Prior service soldiers and applicants from the Blue to Green program who separated from active duty more than 90 days ago, who enlist for three or more years in any MOS, are eligible for a $20,000 bonus if they ship within 30 days, or a $3,000 bonus if they ship within 31 to 60 days.

The bonuses are for new contracts only, and may not be combined with a regular Selective Re-enlistment Bonus or a Broken Service SRB.

%u2022Former members of the National Guard and Army Reserve who are not affiliated with a unit are authorized a seasonal bonus if otherwise qualified.

[armysgt1]

ArmySGT1,,, Right now MSNBC--- Sign up right now, get $20,000 & ship out in 30 days.... I would like to think it isn't true, but it is --- Keep up to date & stop playing politics with our troops.

YES, YOU SHIP OUT.......TO BASIC TRAINING.

[j-whitman]

ArmySGT1,,, Right now MSNBC--- Sign up right now, get $20,000 & ship out in 30 days.... I would like to think it isn't true, but it is --- Keep up to date & stop playing politics with our troops.

[armysgt1]

"ArmySGT1,,,, I'm retired military dipweed -- Don't come on here claiming to be army then say reduced training is good for our troops --- You will show every one who the friggin liar is... As far as you have shown, All I see is another poser ------ Reduced training kills troops & any military man understands that fact."

READ THE NEWS AGAIN. THE TRAINING IS NOT SHORTENED; THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN YOU SIGN UP AND WHEN YOU LEAVE FOR TRAINING IS SHORTENED IF YOU WANT MORE OF A BOUNS.

[armysgt1]

RandalDS,

To start with I did not criticize you. If you notice the post was directed at j-whitman. In addition I have served in two wars and that in no way gives me the knowledge to criticize or praise any other war. Yes you have a right to criticize what you want, but you do not have the first hand knowledge to know that what you are criticizing is the truth.

As you know each war or campaign is different and if you are not there then do you really do not know what happens? Or are you relying on a news agency that is out to make money to tell you what is happening? So many posters have never served and listen to people like j-whitman. He takes a news story and misleads the readers.

My comment was about j-whitman not being able to read. He heard the news that if you enlist and leave for basic within 30 days you can get 20k for a signing bonus. He then came on here and said that basic training is 30 days long. The issue I have is that too many people read something and take it for the truth without looking further.

[j-whitman]

ArmySGT1,,, Watch the friggin news

[j-whitman]

ArmySGT1,,,, I'm retired military dipweed -- Don't come on here claiming to be army then say reduced training is good for our troops --- You will show every one who the friggin liar is... As far as you have shown, All I see is another poser ------ Reduced training kills troops & any military man understands that fact.

[randalds]

You also might want to reconsider criticize a war that you are not part of. I have been to Iraq and still serve my country and my president.

Posted by ArmySGT1 at 01:12 PM : Jul 31, 2007

And I served in Vietnam AND criticized it before and after serving, so are you going to tell ME I haven't earned the right to criticize this or any other war?

[hungry1968]

You also might want to reconsider criticize a war that you are not part of. I have been to Iraq and still serve my country and my president.
Posted by ArmySGT1 at 01:12 PM : Jul 31, 2007


You and I, as an American citizens, have an obligation to criticize and / or change any part of the government that you feel is being misused or abused:

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." - The Declaration of Indepenence

I know that most of the right wingers here believe that the Constitution is supposed to be ignored by the president, or he can interpret it as he sees fit, so I'm sure they probably also snub their nose at the Declaration of Independence too. But I don't care if they like it or not - us liberals still hold it high and proud.

[armysgt1]

j-whitman,

How does it feel to be called out as a liar? You know very well that basic training is the same time frame, 63 days for the Army. Even if Basic Training was reduced it would have nothing to do with the surge that was started 6 months ago. The reduction of training would have to be done at least 18 months out. Basic Training start and end dates are scheduled out well over 6 months. If you want to try to call me out on this go ahead, but since I work for TRADOC you might want to rethink it. You also might want to reconsider criticize a war that you are not part of. I have been to Iraq and still serve my country and my president.

[j-whitman]

What can be said of these Bushies who would send your children to war ill prepared ???

[armysgt1]

j-whitman

"What does Bush do ??? Lowers the training standards to the lowest levels since the Civil War -- 30 days of training to prepare for war prior to shipping out plus a $20,000 signing bonus ---"

What are you talking about? Army basic training is still 9 weeks long. 9x7=63 not 30. Then you have your AIT or an extended basic training for combat arms. AIT can be up to a year long. You contine to spread lies and the bad part is many people believe you.

[j-whitman]

secundus2 --- Basic Training reduced from 8 weeks to 4 weeks is nothing short of Massive Failures of Bush's "Surge".

[secundus2]

What can be said about those on this list who would like more Americans to die so that they can belabor Pres. Bush about his "surge?"

Any evidence that the shift in strategy might work disappoints them, as does the news that civilian casualties are down by one-third. But low casualty figures are one of the most critical prerequisites for a withdrawal/drawdown.
If you really want most American forces out of Iraq, hope that casualties drop even more rapidly than from May (120+) to July (about 80 as of 7/30). Forget about what US politician benefits or loses.

Gen. Odierno seemed to be the most wise commentator: it is too soon to tell what the trend in Iraq is since the change in strategy

[j-whitman]

hungry1968,,,, I wish I was kidding, this is going to kill our troops ---- Bush & the entire White House should be jailed 1st then impeached.

[hungry1968]

30 days of Basic Training then Bush ships you out to war ----- Bush is Al Queda's greatest employee
Posted by j-whitman at 11:46 AM : Jul 31, 2007


J - is that true? They cut it down from 8 weeks to 30 days? I hope you're kidding...

[j-whitman]

Surge Progress ????
ROTFLOL - Bush has lowered Basic Training for our troops to 30 days of training ------ OBVIOULSY THE SURGE HAS FAILED ON A MAJOR SCALE

[j-whitman]

30 days of Basic Training then Bush ships you out to war ----- Bush is Al Queda's greatest employee

[j-whitman]

What does Bush do ??? Lowers the training standards to the lowest levels since the Civil War -- 30 days of training to prepare for war prior to shipping out plus a $20,000 signing bonus ---
- Bush Lovers, Enlist now's your chance for big money & little schooling, you can kill all the Shiites for the Sunni's e that have killed our troops.