Here is where it is my privilege to say HOAOH!

It's an interesting thought: that a generation will flag from service because the bond of national trust is being broken. I know in my heart that it was my father's WW II generation that struck fear in the hearts of Soviet and Russian leadership, and this is what today prevents Putin from thrusting into the Ukraine with abandon. He may yet, but his timidity in realizing greater goals comes from somewhere, and it ain't fear of Europe.

Don't believe me? How many carrier battle groups did Stalin broadcast into the Pacific?

That was easy to prove. It will take a lot more undoing to fully tarnish America's reputation. But, it will not completely happen on my watch.

Loyalty, faithfulness, dedication.
Loyalty to your comrades, faithfulness to essential founding principles, dedication to the task.
Three stubborn, stubby legs that support a nation.

Or, as the Creator of the backbone would say, "Give no crap, take no crap."
Proverbs 3:3 -- 'Lovingkindness and Truth will not abandon you; tie them around your neck, write them on the wall of your heart.'
Thus, if you try to turn your head away from the mission, or your heart is tempted to lesser things, you will always be reminded of the necessary.
Sermon over. No need to pass the plate, just don't make piss your fate.

Powerful. True.

I'm an old codger. When I graduated high school in 1950, there were only two paths. Go in the service now or get a college deferment and then go in. At both points of graduation the question was, "Do I take the draft and two years of service or enlist (getting a choice of specialty) for three years of service?" Both of my brothers and I chose enlistment. For two of us, it became a career. Was it a hardship? Yes and no. Our families suffered during the long deployments. We didn't make much money. But the life we lived and the feeling of being a part of something bigger than ourselves was repayment enough. Duty, honor, country - those words still send chills up my spine.

Glad I put that caveat in there @ Putin may invade yet. Turns out it is happening now. Just glad he didn't do it when I was actually in Russia last week.

Looks like Russia is trying to consolidate the Crimea, however I'd keep an eye on the road to Kiev. Scratch that; tear up the road to Kiev.

Strategic objectives? Ours should be to humiliate Putin. Light some of his Black Sea fleet on fire - nobody needs to know how this will have happened.

Move an armored division to Poland NOW. Place a Ranger battalion in Belarus or Romania. Cruise the Black Sea and the Baltic with big surface ships.

And, please. If I hear the phrase "boots on the ground" one more time from a statesman, I will wretch. Blithe vernacular in serious times does not cheer me.

Thanks very interesting blog!

I think I'm in love!

Powerful