Month: November 2009

US Soldier Kills Comrades in Texas

Though there has been little official confirmation, multiple media outlets have reported that the Soldier who opened fire in a pre-deployment facility at Fort Hood, Texas, was Major Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist most recently stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

An undercurrent of religious association has already started, despite the fact that there is not yet any indication that Hasan acted for ideological reasons.  To this point, his story is one of contradiction.  Some news sources are reporting on his devout Islamic background, though others note his dog tags listed “No Religious Preference.”  He apparently hired a lawyer to try to get out of the Army, citing harassment for his religious faith, though he entered the Army Read more

Combat, Orders, and Pizza Hut

Though it is engaged in conflict across two regions, the US military makes an admirable effort to provide troops with the comforts of home.  Many bases across the region have banking facilities, military exchanges, and recognizable fast food restaurants; even Subway and Baskin Robbins grace US bases in the Middle Eastern desert.  Notably, these facilities are normally confined to the larger bases.  Forward operating bases and similar smaller locations often lack even basic facilities.

Apparently, General Stanley McChrystal, the American commander in Afghanistan, has decided that these facilities are detrimental to the warfighting spirit necessary for combat.  Read more

Naval Academy Graduates to be Non-Volunteered to Subs

There is frequently a heated debate over which are better: Air Force or Navy pilots, with the corollary comparison of whether the US Air Force Academy or the Naval Academy is the better place to go to become a pilot.

There are legitimate arguments for each side, of course.  One of the main points for those seeking to be fighter pilots is the obvious fact of numbers; there are simply more fighter aircraft in the Air Force than there are in the Navy.

Now there’s a new point: at least the Air Force doesn’t force its new officers into submarine duty.  Read more

Navy Officer is Pilot, Commander, Religious Leader

A unique and positive article by Alison Buckholtz covers the hardships associated with a US Navy pilot and the separation he must face from his family as he deploys overseas.  As is the case for many servicemembers, he is an aviator but is deploying to a ground job in support of the Army.

Interestingly titled “Onward Jewish Soldiers,” it celebrates the role of the Jewish faith, and Jewish servicemembers, in the US armed forces.  It also highlights the Read more

Prayer Luncheons Unite and Strengthen in Iraq

Gen. James C. Nixon, the deputy commanding general of operations for Multi-National Division – North, recently spoke at the final Task Force Lightning Prayer Luncheon.  The event was held at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Iraq.  According to the hosting Chaplains, General Nixon was able to “share his faith and tell people, ‘This is what God is doing for me. Consider these things as you live your life’.”

The prayer events have been part of the unit’s emphasis on spiritual fitness.

“Prayer luncheons are a good thing for many reasons Read more

Navy Identifies Fallen Pilot

The US Navy has identified the body of the pilot found after his T-34C went missing off the coast of Texas.  Lt. Bret Travis Miller was found in the Gulf following the disappearance of his aircraft.  Lt. John Joseph Houston remains missing, as does the aircraft.

At this point, there is still no information as to why the aircraft dropped off radar.  The T-34 does not have an ejection seat; pilots must bail out manually.  The Navy Times called both pilots instructors in the aircraft, which is used for primary training in the Navy.

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