First and foremost I don’t have the honor of being a U.S. Marine, but I had the honor of working beside them being a worker for the DOD. We have to stop letting the U.S. politicians control our military. There was a meeting that took place in the Pentagon in the late 60’s with a certain General and Four Star fleet admirals of the US Navy and five star generals of the US Airforce. They stated in the meeting in exactly 18 months we could be done with the war in southeast Asia, Vietnam. The stupid arrogant men of congress insisted on taking the wheel and driving the bus hence the disaster of the fall of Saigon in 1975. The same thing has taken place again in this disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. We as a nation are better than this and if we continue in this line of thought and practice we will be carrying the caskets and remains of our comrades for years to come. In the words of General George S. Patton “Military leaders lead, follow, or move the hell out of the way.”. May the souls and bodies of 13 Marines and one Navy corpsmen rest in peace. May their families find true closure.
Sgt. Dave D. Wines
Badge 603 DB Kelly Security
The US evacuated about 120,000 people in 14 days and you call that a disaster! I think you have to get your head on straight!
Yes, it was in fact a disaster. An embarrassment to to say the least.
If we would have left the correct way we wouldn’t have had to evacuate in 14 days leaving people behind Americans and Agfans that helped us. I call that a Disaster. They are better armed now than they ever were. I don’t call that successful arming your enemy. WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. 18 Months Vietnam 12th and 11th Marines
So Harvey… let me get this straight… we cut and run in the middle of the night, don’t tell any of our allies, leave tens of thousands of vehicles, firearms, ammunition, tactical equipment, uniforms, and aircraft for the taliban, abandon a fortified base, and enable the release of hundreds of enemy combatants. Then we attempt (but fail) the evacuations of all Americans and SIV allies (many are still in country). Further, we entrust security of the airport to the taliban, resulting in 13 Americans being killed. But we did evacuate 120,000 unvetted Afghans and some Americans. And you focus only on the escapees, calling it a success. This is like saying “other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play”. This had been a monumental catastrophe by any measure. You need to expand whatever sources you use for news. It seems to me that it is you that needs to get his head on straight.
Hi, Steve!
You and I were in complete agreement last week, just as we are this week!
Semper fidelis!
Hey right back at you Gary! Not too hard to tell the truth… some just don’t get it (or refuse to get it).
HOO RAH !
I just wish I could have said this as good as you did SEMPER FI BROTHER
No one should have been left behind. Who needs to get their head on straight.
VN vet – career USN/USMC-med. Served from E-1 to O-6 (for credibility purposes not horn tooting). It appears to me that the current military leadership has been promoted more based on their political perspective and agreeing with the Presidential than with essential military skills.
It appears that the players in the star chamber are beholden to the President and will cover their butts rather than be good military leaders. The individual who is SecDef was one of them before he retired and then received a waiver to join them in the political process that is now our military leadership.
The Marine LCOL who sacrificed his career is more of a leader than Miley, Mckenzie, Thomas could ever dream of being
Tell it like it is Doc. Well said.
USMC, 2111, Beirut, 82-83
Concur Doc!
Dwight David Eisenhower warned us about the “Military/Industrial” complex. Our wars seem to be predicated on using billions of dollars worth of weapons. Generals need wars to advance in rank. Our politicians are more than willing to involve us in conflicts all over the globe. We can’t let them lead us into another Vietnam/Afghanistan.
Army FDC – Vietnam – 1970 1971
The only 5-star general in the USAF was Hap Arnold. He died in 1950.
Uh, I agree with your sentiment. However, you better clean up part of your story so it will have a little more credit. There were no “Five Star Generals” in the Air Force or any other branch at that time. This is the kind of mistake that makes people stop reading.
To old navy doc
Right on
clear concise reality response
thank you,primo :usmc,usmcr,mcl
Hi, Dave!
Great story–except there were no 5 stars in the 60’s.
Most of Congress does not have military experience. Old,rich, Republicans. Lie down, and give up.
Hey Harvey,
It was an ABSOLUTE disaster.
Let me share this with you all.
American Aircraft, Equipment & Armored Vehicles
2,000 Armored Vehicles Including Humvees and MRAPs
75,989 Total Vehicles: FMTV, M35, Ford Rangers, Ford F350, Ford Vans, Toyota Pickups, Armored Security Vehicles etc.
45 UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters
50 MD530G Scout Attack Helicopters
ScanEagle Military Drones
30 Military Version Cessnas
4 C-130s
29 Brazilian made A-29 Super Tucano Ground Attack Aircraft
Heavy Equipment, Including Bull Dozers, Backhoes, Dump Trucks, Excavators
61,000 M203 Rounds
20,040 Grenades
Howitzers
Mortars +1,000’s of Rounds
162,000 pieces of Encrypted Military Communications Gear
16,000+ Night Vision Goggles
Newest Technology Night Vision Scopes
Thermal Scopes and Thermal Mono Googles
10,000 2.75 inch Air to Ground Rockets
Reconnaissance Equipment (ISR)
Laser Aiming Units
Explosives Ordnance C-4, Semtex, Detonators, Shaped Charges, Thermite, Incendiaries, AP/API/APIT
2,520 Bombs
Administration Encrypted Cell Phones and Laptops ALL operational
Pallets with Millions of Dollars in US Currency
Millions of Rounds of Ammunition including but not limited to 20,150,600 rounds of 7.62mm, 9,000,000 rounds of 50.caliber
Large Stockpile of Plate Carriers and Body Armor
US Military HIIDE, for Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment Biometrics
But more important to me that was lost is OUR fighting men and women.
This administration should be ashamed of themselves. But that would require honor, which they have NONE of.
SF
To sum it up. “CLUSTER F##K”!! Harry 1371
I do not doubt your statements Cal. If they are correct they should be published in every newspaper, hard copy and online, in the country. This should be a catalyst for voters to question their political representatives and now as well as in the future. I am proud of everyone who puts on a uniform and answers the call to serve. One life lost due to political grandstanding or ignorance is one too many. God bless our Country, Corps and all our fine service people. Gary Erwin Sgt 83-88
doc foxtrot 2/9
i cant get over that the political appointee advising Gen Milley on WOKE culture is a woman??? who used to play football on the same team as the General . who is pitching and who is catching I served with line companies and specials for 3 years HOORAH