My Soapbox

Well, every day is a learning experience. In addition to getting better at my job, I'm enjoying the exposure to everyone else's specialties. All I can say is that while the hourse are worse and the conditions less ideal, this is much much better than working at the hub. The only thing the hub had on this was going home to my wife after work. And a more varried diet. Next time I'll pack her and a field stove.

By virtue of having a blog I feel the need to expound on things on occassion as if the world cares. It must be something in the narcisitic air of the blogosphere. That or the fact that since I can't do it in person, I'll type it instead. Between Stars and Stripes and AFN News (a compilation of service news and various shows from CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC) I get to sort of stay in touch with the world outside of work.
This week's buzzword, or buzz phrase if you will, is "military solution." Anybody who makes a statement along the lines of "there is no military solution, only a political solution" in reference to our current war, or wars if you choose to see what is happening globally as completely separate events at this stage, is a moron. It is at best a statement of the profoundly obvious, but mostly a statement that reflects either a lack of understanding of the link between defense and foreign policy or a deliberate mischaracterization of current events for some sad political gain.
Clausewitz gets overquoted in referring to war as a continuation of politics by other means, but the man was on to something. Granted, Sun Tzu wrote it in more flowery prose many years before, but because Clausewitz was Prussian, and we never hear about Prussians any more, we'll throw him a bone here. War is a means of achieving a political end. I'm not on new ground here.
An insurgency is essentially a violent political campaign. Why pay for ad time when you can blow something up and get it for free? You can just murder anyone whose teachings oppose yours or who represents another power base. To resolve an insurgency you generally need to address the legitimate, if any, political grievances that allowed it to gain support.
You also have to remove the irreconcilable groups from the picture and provide security to the population. The population has to be convinced that not only are their complaints being addressed but that the government can provide services and safety from attack. The insurgent wants to break the reliance or trust in the government and then fill the vacuum.
Security won't come from men in suits sitting across the table from each other. Nor will that deal with extremist elements. That's where the good guys with guns come in. But the guys in suits and the guys with guns have to have a coordinated approach to isolate the insurgents politically and physically. Those that can be reformed are brought in to government or at least mixed back in to society. Those that won't are captured or killed.
The political solution has no credibility without a military capable of supporting it. The military solution has no effect (well, short of genocide) if there is no supporting political action. They are inseperable.
None of that is really original thinking on my part. But then Gen Petraus's famed Counterinsurgency Manual isn't really original thinking. It is just codifying many years of lessons learned in blood around the world. Recodifying it really as most of it was readily available not only history books, but even in dated military manuals.
Insert cliche about not studying history here.
There should be a test or at least some mandatory reading list before someone can enter any elected office.

Oh, and clearing your name and standing on principle work better if they are not inspired by $4M book deals. It hurts credibility.

I just noticed that my next shift will take me in to May. Sweet. Shifts go by fast, weeks, less so. In some ways it seems like I've been here much longer than I actually have, though with the learning curve, I can still feel like I just arrived. As with anything else in the military, by the time I get good and comfortable with my job, it'll be time to go.

Now I get it...

First, I'd like to reassure all of my faithful and loyal readers (Hi Mom) that I am earning my paycheck. I hope my calls are right. I bet a Coke on one of them. Sure, the Coke is free, but it's the principle.
The other excitement of the evening is that had some power issues last night. Fighting a war without central air is so uncivilized. But we are hardcore so we get our job done anyway.
Now on to the meat...
Someone asked for my impressions of war. I'm not sure I have any. I work at a desk and am fairly removed from what you'd see on TV. Occassionally there have been alerts for mortars. Based on where I am relative to their firing positions, I chose to go back to sleep. I suppose time goes on and I get to observe more and be exposed to more, there will be more to write.
One of the more enlightening issues is the reason for much of the classification. In part I think it accounts for much of the disconnect between military people and the general public. I get to see reports from all over, but to release them would compromise sources and methods. It's the same reason the CIA is such an easy whipping boy for everyone. When they've screwed up, they've screwed up. But when they haven't, they can't defend themselves because to do so would destroy their ability to operate. It does create a bit of a PR paradox, but it doesn't help that we've been incompetent on that end anyway.
I do have some gripes with media coverage. One issue that is bothersome is the lack of context in some of the reporting. After seeing a report on a car bombing, I saw it covered on the news. The news simply listed it as a bomb that went of at a Coalition checkpoint, killing three. The report mentioned that a local national drove his car in to the path of the bomber's vehicle short of the checkpoint in order to stop him. Another local ran over to try and pull the bomber out of his car and prevent the attack. The bomb went off, but not as powerfully as intended and no one at the checkpoint was killed due to the heroics of those locals. Same bombing, two very different stories.
Both in Iraq and Afghanistan, bombings will get the coverage. Fine. Crime leads on the local news too. I guess if you are trying to keep score back home, look for context on targeting. Are Sunni groups targeting Sunnis or Shias? Are the attacks on Coalition Forces or local forces? Checkpoints? Market? Mosque? If it was stopped, was it stopped by locals or by Coalition Forces? Each of these are subtle indicators.
For example, if a Sunni group targets Sunnis, it probably means they are trying to intimidate the population into supporting them because they do not have the tacit support to operate amongst them. A preference for targeting local security forces, schools, etc. is indicative of attempts to undermine the government. Targeting us can mean that they are simply attacking the occupier or attacking whoever is supporting the government that they are trying to undermine. I didn't say it was easy and I'd be happier if there weren't enough attacks to use bombings as a metric. But since I don't see too many more reporters rushing out to be embeds and I don't see us solving our cranial rectal inversion with regards to PR (what we call Information Operations) anytime soon, it is something.
At least use another source than Harry Reid. You conclusions may be the same, but at least do some work before reaching them.
I am actually very impressed with the work being done worldwide and where I am in particular. I was admittedly skeptical before I got here. I do know that we won't be done here before I leave, but hopefully we'll be a little bit closer.
Damn, I might owe that Coke. That is not good.
Oh, and I asked for special MREs and they are looking in to it. Should know soon.

Oops

So, a few little growing pains here and there. We need to adjust our satellite twice a day. A few days in a row at the end of my shift I adjusted it as I left, but was always asked if I'd adjusted it upon my return. I was very confused. It's not a complicated process. But apparently it is very difficult if you are adjusting the wrong satellite. There were also a couple of other easily fixed mistakes. We'll call them learning opportunities.
On an unrelated note, in just the short time I've been near a TV, I think I've seen every cheesy Armed Forces Network commercial. Nothing is funnier than an anti-chewing tobacco commercial produced by the military. It's probably a greater irony than the "Truth" commercials being funded by the Tobacco industry.
My plan to only bring a couple of books and leave the laptop at home has worked very well. I work, eat, PT, and sleep. My boss did the same thing. Apparently there are people that bring DVD players and have their spouses ship them recordings of their favorite shows. If you work a desk, it is surprisingly easy to get fat when you go off to war.

It's a small war after all...

Sure there are hundreds of thousands of troops all over the world, but I seem to run in to people I know everywhere. It's fun. It's also fun when they don't recognize me until I'm right on top of them because my hair is shorter (no operaional need for it, just more convenient) and they aren't expecting to see me here.
One of the people I work with had a confirmed kill a few nights ago. We all saw it. It was only a chair, but as the story must be told, it was a terrorist chair. The base of the seat snapped in two. Their was a brief moment where the chair itself was perfectly balanced, enabling us all to wach as it fell over, depositing the hapless troop on the floor. To be fair, it was an old chair, not a fat troop.
Speaking of troops, it is an old cliche, but the enlisted folks I work with are a source knowledge and experience that is invaluable. It's nice to have them as a sanity check.
As far as work goes, I'm getting a good rhythm going. I'm feeling more confident in my skills due in part to the experiences I've had this past year, and to the foundation that was laid at my last Active Duty assignment. I may have hated that job, but some good came out of it. I mentioned to my boss here that one of the smartest people I have ever worked with was the man I credit with teaching me at that I unit. My boss knows that guy, worked with him in the past, and agreed with my assessment. I'm emailing that guy now to thank him.
I've opened up the comments section so that anyone who wishes can post something. Someone asked me to do it a little while ago. For some reason, the commands on the page are in English today and so I was able to figure out how to make the change.

Training Wheels are off...

One thing that is nice about long travel followed by working nights is that jet lag is a non issue. I was eager to get started and although it took a little time to get spun up, I'm ready and working now. It is definitely a unique work environment.
I'm learning quickly that travel and MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation are the great equalizers). Flying here, people of all ranks were sleeping side by side on the aircraft floor. Here on the MWR computers it is the same. Makes for great people watching when you have time.
It is surprisingly tricky to post without saying anything about what I'm doing.
One thing that is amusing is how far removed the news seems from here. I'm not entirely sure whether the world I'm living in now or the world I've caught glimpses of in the news is the real one, but they are clearly not the same.
My living quarters are actually pretty comfortable. I have air conditioning, my own room, and a closet. I forgot to bring a pillow and an alarm clock. Maybe I should get a camping pillow... (only my wife and one other person will get that joke). Lesson learned for next time. For now, my poncho liner folded up makes a fine pillow and I managed to borrow someone else's extra alarm clock. My watch alarm was able to wake me up, but may as well be safe.
Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be able to make it from my room to work and back without getting lost. Everything looks different in daylight. The office is kind of like a Vegas Casino in that without a watch or clock, you'd never know what time it is.
That's it for now. No profound insights or rants.

The fun begins

PLEASE DO NOT POST MY NAME OR ANY SIMILAR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN COMMENTS. THIS IS AN OPEN SOURCE THAT ANYONE CAN SEE. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE BLOGGING PRIVILEGES. THANK YOU.

The most hazardous thing I may have done on this trip was climb over the mass of sleeping bodies and cargo to get to the bathroom on the aircraft. I made it, but only using fancy rock climbing moves I learned from my wife. I did it in flip-flops no less, because after many hours it seemed like a good idea to air out my socks and boots.
Footcare is important.
This season's most important tacti-cool accessory is... the iPod. But I'm old-school so I don't have one.
The other importanct accessory is a carribeaner. Many uses, such as attaching bags to cargo nets so that they are out of the way. The MOST important accessory is the inflatable thermarest. Lay it on the aircraft floor and you are warm and comfortable. I didn't have one, and I slept fine, but I'm funny that way.

Once I got here, I got the grand tour, dropped my stuff in my room, got some chow (made a tuna wrap), and went to work. The sooner I'm spun up and working, the sooner we win. That's what I told my boss. He was amused. In any case, I was wide awake and wanted to get started and used to my shift hours.

And I checked. There are kettlebells in the gym here. Outstanding.

Travel

The USO is a wonderful organization. Free coffee. Free internet. And they are in more places than Chabad. Send them money. It is probably tax deductible, but you'll need a receipt.
Leaving was incredibly easy. Show up for manifest, a quick attendance call, and then on the bus to our plane. Take-off was on time. I did not need to check my knife, leatherman, lights, etc. This is the way to travel.
I like working in a world of "big-boy rules."
So we have a layover in another country. We deplane (I like the word "deplane"), clear customs, and get to hang out in the terminal for a little bit. This leg wasn't bad. The meal and drink service was subpar, but I was allowed to lie down on the floor. To be fair, there actually were boxed meals. Not much I could eat, but it was there.
I slept the whole time anyway. Put it some earplugs, layed a towel on the floor to protect me from the cold metal, my jacket for a pillow, and a poncho-liner for a blanket. We all crammed ourselves in between cargo pallets and troops seats and pretty much everyone slept like babies. No Ambien needed.
This may sound silly and naive, but it is awe-inspiring to touch down in another country and see the ramp full of our aircraft. It really brings meaning to the idea that we have personnel in over 180 countries at any given time and what it takes to sustain that. For you military folks reading this from overseas, feel free to laugh at my minor revelation, and thanks.

Oh, and before I sign off, I must mention that while killing time before I had to leave, I saw some guys leaving the gym with a kettlebell. So if you are, say, my wife, or my parents, or my wife's parents... HA! They are real and other people use them too. Nate Morrison, the guy who rights the fitness articles for the Military Times papers (this week's topic: Ruck Marching) is a kettlebell instructor and many of his articles recommend either kettlebell or adapted kettlebell exercises.

And my wife thinks it is funny that she is referred to as my wife. Sorry wife. Wife. Wife. Maybe we'll need an appropriate pseudonymn for my wife. My wife would like that. If my wife were here, she would hit me. My wife's eye's will roll so far back into her head when she reads this that she'll have to walk backwards for the rest of her life. I hope that makes sense. Sorry...

And I'm off

I'm leaving soon. My bags are loaded. My head is shaved. All that is left is to kill some time, put on my uniform, and board the plane.
See y'all on the other side.

FYI, I do work in a great community. That retired guy I met at the airport hooked me up with some extra equipment. I guess it is one of those pay it forward deals. I will.

The Godspeed

My wife dubbed it "The Godspeed." It often but not always involves the phrase "godspeed," but generally involves a two-handed handshake and a somber expression. Apparently is the proper thing to do when sending someone off to war. I received a lot of them during my brief trip home last week.
I don't mean to be glib or unappreciative about it, it is just that the whole experience in somewhat surreal and I enjoy absurd and ironic moments too much. It really was an incredible show of support from family, friends, and aquaintances.
These last two weeks before leaving have been busy. We started with my wife's family, ended at my parent's house, back at my Guard unit, off to a staging point, and then soon off for real.
So many people made a special effort to see me before I left and I really can't thank them enough. Cousins came in from out of town, friends stopped by on their way to vacations, the house was constantly full.

So again, since those of you who stopped by are most likely among those reading this, thank you.

It's incredibly odd how different the civillian world and military worlds really are. My wife commented about it after spending an evening with my Guard unit and noticing the contrast with the family/friend environment in which we'd recently been immersed. With my Guard unit, what I'm doing is nothing particularly special or unusual. This is what we do. It doesn't make it easy, but it is a sacrifice we share and we all knowingly volunteered. Outside of out military cocoon, it seems crazy. I guess that is why I may seem so unnaturally calm about the whole thing to people on the outside.
The other funny thing I noticed is that I work in a small community within the military and we can smell our own. I was at the airport and this older guy and I were eyeballing each other. We'd never met, were not in uniform, but there was recognition just the same. We start chatting, talking around things, drop some names, and knew people in common, worked different aspects of the same issues, etc. He's now retired, works for an equipment manufacturer, and may be able to hook us up with free new toys.

New toys are fun.

I'll try and get on-line at least one more time before I leave. If not, then see you on the other side.

Alternate Reality

First, since this is all for posterity, I should mention that I did not actually vacuum the house. I made a valiant attempt that ended with our vacuum in flaming pieces. This resulted in us getting a new vacuum cleaner as a birthday present, which I did use to clean the cars, although it was my wife who did the actual vacuuming of the house.
On to the meat...
So I biked down to school to attend a symposium on Religion and Terrorism and the dichotomy between philosophy/theory and operationally relevant presentations was stark. To paraphrase one of the Psychology PhDs that spoke, he is very safe in the academe, sheltered from the potential that he ever bear responsiblity for the consequences of the ideas he presents. In contrast, the keynote centered his presentation on Sun Tzu's timeless admonition that if you know your enemy and know yourself, you will have nothing to fear in one hundred battles, along with detailed lists of the type of data that needs to be gathered and analyzed in the battle against Al Qaeda and it's ideological brethren. One man drifted between discussions of the philosophy of Rene Girard, the inadequacy of Greek Rationalism in understanding Radical Religous Terrorists, and the case for a first strike against the Iranian nuclear program under the doctrine of anticipatory self-defence as defined in current internaltional jurisprudence.
A representative from CAIR declared that groups such as Al Qaeda have no standing in Islam and therefore should not be labeled as Jihadists or Islamic because such terms both legitimate the claims of the groups and inflame opinion against us and for them. Personally, if the groups wrap themselves in the green banner of Islam, then there is an Islamic connection, but it does raise some interesting questions from an Information Operations perspective. Of course, he wanted to have it both ways in saying that if a group commits terrorist acts, then it is a terrorist group; but HAMAS and HEZBOLLAH are social welfare organizations. Still, the issue of words is an important one, and no matter how delusional I think much of the Arab world may be, framing our enemies in terms that do not play in to the preexisting concerns about our policies would probably be a good idea.
Maybe sticking with specifics is best? It goes back to the keynote speaker's discussion of knowing our enemies. Call them by name. Why group everyone under some cumbersome blanket term like Islamofacists, Jihadists, etc? Sure it was easy to call every enemy country during the Cold War communist, but it resulted in many missed divide and conquer opportunities. The Soviets and the Chinese were not one and the same, but it took almost thirty years to figure it out. Put in the context of a global counterinsurgency, each group may share an ideological base and be networked and related in many ways that are similar to the variety of leftist groups during the Cold War (the scene in the safehouse in Spielberg's Munich illustrated this very well with the PLO guys sharing a room with Mossad agents claiming to be in ETA, the Red Brigades, etc.), but each has it's own name and local goals. Global problem, local solutions. It's a common rant for me and I could expand upon it but won't here.
I am glad to see that after years of mistakes, these ideas are starting to be implemented in Iraq with early indicators of success. Ironically, recent carbombings provide an excellent metric for measuring how things are going. A reduction of such attacks would be ideal, but that Al Qaeda in Iraq is using car bombs to attack Sunni Mosques is a sign that that terrorist group is becoming isloted from its demographic base. Baby steps.