Tag Archives: Military

Former DoD IG Warns on Chaplain Vetting

Former Department of Defense Inspector General Joseph Schmitz has reportedly written a letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein (Chair of the Intelligence Committee) highlighting concerns with Chaplain-vetting in the US military.  He particularly emphasized the Islamic Society of North America and Louay Safi, whose direct role with the US military has been discussed here before.  (The investigation of Safi by NCIS was apparently handed to the Army, who dropped it because he was a civilian.)

Interestingly, this is not the first time this issue has been raised.  In fact, the Army’s report on the Fort Hood massacre made similar implications.

Via the Army Chaplaincy blog and FoxNews.

National Christmas Tree, Menorah Grace Capital

Despite the decision by some government organizations to have “holiday” trees, the National Christmas tree lit in the Nation’s capital each year remains precisely that — a Christmas tree.  This year the US Coast Guard Band was the primary musical backdrop for the event; as is often tradition, the band stood for the Christmas prayer offered by the Rev. Darrell D. Morton.  Some bowed their heads; some did not.

The President’s remarks included a call for prayer for the military:  Read more

DADT Roundup: News and Updates

Summary of recent articles/news on the potential change to the law banning homosexuals from serving in the US military.  Below:

  • Oliver North on “who they are” vs “what they do.”
  • North again asking will DADT repeal improve the military?
  • The “no effect” of repeal compared with gender integration: A Navy commander fired.
  • Secretary Gates addresses the possibility of de facto repeal of DADT within the military.
  • CSM Marvin Hill, Petraeus’ top enlisted Soldier, reportedly “pushes” against the law.
  • Congress prioritizes DADT repeal higher than the parent Defense Authorization Act
  • Calls for Senator McCain to do the “right” thing…but how do you define “right?”

Read more

JSF Faces Logistical Hurdles

As any aircraft design enthusiast knows, when someone creates a new aircraft design they do far more than consider the range, speed, or weapons capability.  Far more prosaic issues are also important:  How hard is it for the crew chief to change a tire?  How quickly can it be gassed and reloaded?

How hard is it to get spare parts?

Apparently, the JSF engine, when enclosed in its Read more

Chaplain Goetz Remembered by Colleagues

An article at the LA Times documents an interview with Christy Goetz, wife of Chaplain (Capt) Dale Goetz — the first Chaplain killed in combat since Vietnam.

Salient quotes:

His soldiers say the chaplain died doing what he loved — talking to them, praying with them, helping counsel them through long days and nights of fear and dread. He had been carrying CDs for them to record personal messages to their families.

“Chaplains don’t sit around the big bases waiting for Read more

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2010

A surprise attack by Japan on the Hawaiian Islands (which were not yet the 50th state) awoke the “sleeping giant” 69 years ago today, bringing the United States into World War II.  Millions had already perished in a war that had consumed the world, though the US had largely stood by.  They would do so no longer, and the world would be better for it.

The United States did not engage in war in the 1940s merely to avenge an attack or remove a threat.  It sought a decisive and just end to conflict in uncompromising terms — it defended an “absolute right” in the face of a continuing wrong.

Those who recall the date that “lives in infamy” are becoming fewer in number.

As an aside, it is interesting to note the attack on Pearl Harbor lasted approximately 2 hours, and resulted in 15 Medals of Honor — 5 to living recipients — among other citations.  By contrast, the 9-year conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in 4, one to a living recipient.

X-37B Returns to Vandenberg

The unmanned X-37B space vehicle (or “Orbital Test Vehicle 1”), originally launched in April, returned to Vandenberg AFB after a seven-month mission described in only the vaguest terms by the Air Force:

The X-37B is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

The vehicle and its mission remain a high point of speculation, particularly since its orbit — and its orbital changes — were widely visible.

The craft was reportedly “successful” in its test mission, and suffered only a few dents from space debris and a blown tire on its autonomous landing.

DADT Repeal Plan Covers Religion, Chaplains, Transsexuals

While much discussion has occurred over the Department of Defense’s report on DADT, many seem to have missed the completely separate (and substantial) report written on how to implement repeal within the military.

Much of the “Support Plan for Implementation” (PDF, 1.9MB) is at least alluded to in the original report, and much is administrative (like suggesting the use of “gay and lesbian,” as opposed to “homosexual”).  Still, there are some interesting specifics.  For example, while the plan reiterates that average servicemembers will not be allowed to separate for moral reasons, it gives a “suggestion” to Chaplains on how they can get out of the military if they so choose:  Read more

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