USO Girl Training- TSO v. Uncle J

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

 TSO from This Aint Hell and I are in Dallas fundraising for Warrior Legacy Foundation well actually on personal biz but I will have a post on the excellent fundraiser we went to yesterday soon. We were set against each other in the USO Girl training challenge at DFW and it was brutal.

The results were predictable in a contest of sales skills, however I would hate to go up against him on policies affecting the military, so it all works out.

ArlingFun BBQ Challenge

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Since Texas is renowned for it's beef BBQ (hush about the pork TB), it was necessary to do a little taste testing. So we started with a local chain Spring Creek.

But we really hit the jackpot at Bodacious. Killer brisket and deadly ribs.

Somehow we avoided the temptation to eat at Two Ho's Kitchen.

our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Continue reading "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor"

Military Motivator - Independence Day (Part 2)

Posted By Blackfive

Liberty and Patriots on the 4th of July

Posted By Mr Wolf

Uh, nope.  This won't be an entry like you're thinking about from the title above.

This one is about...cars.

Like my bio in the right-hand column states, I'm an avowed gearhead.  Motorhead.  Bleed Signal-orange 10-weight Valvoline.  Permanent grease under the fingernails.  It's the one diversion I have that doesn't involve semi-legal activity (depending on where you live, of course).  I can shop for cars the way women can shop shoes or clothes.  ALL DAY LONG.  Debating value or cost of a car purchase with a salesman is as much fun to me as an economic debate can be at Harvard or Yale.  Scrounging thru pick-n-pull yards is a true sport- I can spot and determine the car I need to pull parts from just by glimpsing a roof-line or part of a tail light. Drag racing for years (until moving to the altitude in Colorado) and a bit of street racing in my stupid days.

Continue reading "Liberty and Patriots on the 4th of July"

Morality, Counterinsurgency, and Wishful Thinking

Posted By Grim

Robert D. Kaplan examines the successful COIN effort by Sri Lanka and concludes that, yes, it "represented the culmination of a counterinsurgency campaign that the U.S. could only dream about," but that we should draw no lessons from it.

Why?  Because it was immoral.

The Sri Lankan government fought through human shields (which isn't necessarily immoral -- St. Thomas Aquinas' doctrine of double effect explores the question in depth).  They took aid from regimes that didn't mind their brutality.  They killed journalists who generated negative publicity.  America couldn't do that, he argues, and therefore we can't learn from the COIN campaign.

We can learn something, though. 

The great debate of our time is between nations that are based on consent, and nations that are based on authority.  Faced with new ways of organizing and communicating, like the internet, the authoritarian nations -- China, Iran, and others -- find themselves slipping more toward liberty. 

Free nations, however, are also slipping more toward authoritarianism:  Venezuela's elections are what brought Chavez to power, and the recent 'coup' in Hondouras was about an elected leader refusing to surrender power according to the law.  The United States government, traditionally the leader of the free world, is on the wrong side of all of this at the moment:  it is supporting the unconstitutional acts of the president of  Honduras, treating Chavez as if he were still a democrat, and giving the Iranian government room to suppress its internal debates.  Iran is moving according to the Tiananmen model, which is also a proven mode of counterinsurgency.

The argument that America cannot do these wicked things is fair enough:  it is America's business to be better, and there is a great power in being on the side of the right.  There is no weight, though, to the argument that these things are ineffective.  We have heard a great deal about how useless torture is; but Saddam Hussein, who was a master of it, was not removed by an insurgency in spite of several attempts. 

We have also heard that you cannot kill your way to victory in a COIN campaign, but that is simply not true.  It has been done often.

This is not an argument for undertaking torture, murder, or immorality in our wars.  It is an argument, though, for seeing these things as they are.  If we are making moral arguments, let us make moral arguments:  let us argue about what kind of people we are, and what kind of people we want to be.  With such clear moral principles, perhaps we can begin to see which acts our government ought to oppose and which it ought to support.

Let us not blind our eyes with wishful thinking, and hope that torture is worthless and brutality counterproductive.  Those who are truly brutal will march under cover of such illusions. 

It is tempting to think:  "We shall not worry about Iran's show trials, or Honduras' slip from liberty, because such wickedness will provide its own punishment."  The truth is that brutality is the normal condition of the world, in part because it is so highly effective.  If we want a less brutal world, we will have to bend our will to making it; and where we have made it, to defending it. 

Military Motivator - Independence Day (Part 1)

Posted By Blackfive

freefly- independence day w/ kev in iraqistan

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

for the many kev fans who have been asking for updates.

(lack of caps per his demented request)

kev is celebrating independence day by showing his independence from my editing. he has learned himself how to edit video with titles, music and credits. It's been too long since we had a freefly so here is kev solo on many topics. feel free to note how buff he has become, he is quite vain. oh and he is not juicing, just has nothing better to do than lift weights.

Hopey Changey and The Strike of Our Sword...

Posted By Deebow

NEWSFLASH:  Mother Green and her Killing Machine are loose in the South of Afghanistan...

NAWA, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines hiked through searing heat and took fire from small pockets of militants Thursday after landing in this Taliban-controlled southern region of tree-lined fields, mud homes and crisscrossing waterways in the first major operation under President Barack Obama's strategy to stabilize Afghanistan.

They moved into Helmand sometime in the last 48 hours and have been on the move since they hit the ground.  The operation is called "Khanjar" or "Strike of the Sword

But as I read the article, something struck me about how some of the changes in how we are fighting may be contributing to the lengthening of this conflict.

Asmall force of Afghan soldiers accompanying the Camp Pendleton-based Marines got into several scraps with an insurgent force of about 20 fighters. The fire came from a mud-brick compound, and the Marines, the Afghan soldiers and their British advisers surrounded the compound on the east and the south.

Before the mission, Schoenmaker, the company commander, said he would practice "tactical patience" as a way to avoid civilian casualties— an issue newly arrived Gen. Stanley McChrystal has underscored in recent weeks. Though troops in many similar circumstances have called in airstrikes on such a militant-controlled compound, Schoenmaker did not.

"We made the decision to isolate the compound and not destroy it because we couldn't confirm if civilians were inside," he said. The militants were believed to have escaped out the back.

It had all the elements we are looking for: Afghan participation, adherence to the command guidance and bringing enough "stick" to the fight, except I am not sure about the level of "isolation" as the Marines were foiled by the dreaded "back door" escape move...

It sure didn't take long to see if the Taliban would run into a building, hoping that we would not level the building and you know what, they were right.

But they obviously knew that wouldn't last long...

Continue reading "Hopey Changey and The Strike of Our Sword..."

Fundraiser for SGT Shelton's Wounded Warrior Ranch Retreat

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

I had the privilege of attending an event last night in Dallas for the SGT Shelton Wounded Warrior Ranch Retreat. Billy Shelton served in Special Forces in Vietnam and trained Marcus and Morgan Luttrell before they went to SEAL training. This event launched his efforts to build a ranch in South Texas where wounded troops and their families and can re-connect and decompress from battle mode. It is a wonderful idea and Warrior Legacy Foundation is partnering with Billy and his friends to help make it reality.

The event last night had both Marcus and his twin brother Morgan there and Marcus talked about how much Billiy helped them make it through BUDS and survive combat. Gov. Rick Perry even left a special session of the legislature to fly over from Austin and offer his support. This was the first event of many to support this noble cause and we will keep you all informed of the progress. I will say this was a great first step and many commitments were offered.

Here is a video of these folks discussing the ranch.Thanks to Abacus for hosting the event and to Dody Dise and Heather Liebbe for making it happen.

Billy Shelton pointing some things out to Marcus and Gov. Perry

Independence Day Message...

Posted By Blackfive

...from John in Arabia in 2005 - serving in Iraq.  It's an annual repost:

...The cynical among you may call me an idealist; but if I am, then I am in fair company. The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were idealists, and the country they built has stood as a light and inspiration for millions over the centuries; to call me such is an honor I will gladly accept, while bearing any burden to keep it so...

Check it out.

Support Groups

Posted By Blackfive

Had to post this one.

Marine Veteran's flags burned - More Flag Stuff

Posted By Blackfive

Via Suzanne W., the Dallas Morning News has a story about some crazy people burning flags in a Dallas neighborhood:

When Ed Jordan hung two flags from his front porch, one for his country and one for the Marine Corps he once served in, he thought no one would take issue with his gesture to honor the troops during the Fourth of July.

He returned home from an errand Monday morning to find the flags burned, their cinders scattered amid his azaleas.
<...>

Jordan didn't hold out much hope that the culprit or culprits would be caught. He said he'll get another flag and fly it, as he has done for more than a decade.

"I'm not angry, just disappointed," he said. "I guess, more than anything, I feel sorry for them."

"Disappointed" was also the word Jordan's neighbor, Celeste Mele, used to describe her feelings after discovering her own flag had been burned, though she had a few others she said weren't printable...

The whole story here.

No better friend...

Posted By Blackfive

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Barry Klinger makes a friend in the village of Altimur in Logar province, Afghanistan, June 20, 2009. U.S. soldiers, Afghan policemen and Czech soldiers visited the village to assess local needs and inform them of upcoming artillery training operations they were scheduled to conduct in the area. Klinger is assigned to Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jaime DeLeon

Governor Sarah Palin - Flag Etiquette Training Required?

Posted By Blackfive

Over at Kiss My Gumbo, there is some concern for the use of the flag in a photo with Governor Sarah Palin in "Runner's World" (article about her here).  While this is not a huge deal (it's not on the floor, people) and she probably wasn't the one who set up the flag (producer or photog probably put it there), Governor Palin should know better...primarily out of respect, secondarily because it is fodder for the unhinged left.

You guys do notice the flag, right?  It's right there. 

The use of the flag in this manner violates the US Flag Code.  If the President can learn to salute (including putting his hand on his heart for the national anthem), Governor Palin should study up on the flag code.

End of story.

Military Motivator - Not on My Watch

Posted By Blackfive

Op Khanjar

Posted By Blackfive

Officials described the offensive as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's new phase and the biggest Marine assault since the one in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. It involves nearly 4,000 newly arrived Marines plus 650 Afghan forces. British forces last week led similar, but smaller, missions to clear out insurgents in Helmand and neighboring Kandahar province. - AP Report By JASON STRAZIUSO

---

A U.S. Marine checks his equipment before joining other Marines and about 650 Afghan soldiers and police officers as they prepare to board CH-53D Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters on Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philippe E. Chasse


U.S. Marines and about 650 Afghan soldiers and police officers prepare to board CH-53D Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters on Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The Marines and Afghan forces are partnered for a major operation in Helmand province to transition security responsibilities to the Afghan forces.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philippe E. Chasse

As seen through a night-vision device, U.S. Marines prepare to board a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter during the launching of Operation Khanjar on Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009. About 4,000 Marines and sailors, and about 650 Afghan soldiers and police officers are involved in the operation. The Marines boarding the helicopter are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Juan Vara

WTF is that?

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Since I already announced I am in Dallas for a couple of fundraisers we can't play Where in the world is Uncle J? But we can play WTF is that? Did Jerry Jones make a deal with Michael Bay and have a Transformer placed in Arlington, excuse me ArlingFun. We had a fundraiser for Billy Shelton's Wounded Warrior Ranch Retreat. This is our first big partnership for Warrior Legacy Foundation and it looks like a winner. Marcus & Morgan Luttrell were there and Gov. Rick Perry actually left a special session of the legislature to fly over and show his support. More on that once I finish the video. For now here is the new Dallas Cowpokes Decepticon Stadium. Don't forget Friday Grapevine, TX at the Tap-In 4-7 pm awesome fiesta.

 

And the USO Girls w/ Marcus Luttrell

Soldier Captured In Afghanistan

Posted By McQ

Some very disturbing news:

A U.S. soldier missing from his base in eastern Afghanistan since Tuesday is believed to have been captured by Taliban militants, the military said Thursday.

In a statement issued from U.S. military headquarters in Kabul, officials said "we are exhausting all available resources to ascertain his whereabouts and provide for his safe return."

Military officials in Afghanistan, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation, said the soldier appears to have walked off his base into an unsecured area. It was not clear why he had apparently done so.

Another report says he was captured along with 3 Afghan guards (that report has not been confirmed).

Prayers are appropriate.

US Coast Guard Rescues 33 people Near San Francisco Yesterday

Posted By Blackfive

B-roll of the U.S. Coast Guard rescuing 33 people from a vessel that is taking on water near Suisun Bay, San Francisco, California.
Video courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco.

Girls with Guns

Posted By Blackfive

StrategyPage has a piece about female roles in the war zones.

...The marines also noticed that the female troops were better at picking up useful information in general. This is something Western police forces noted, in the last few decades, as women were allowed to work in all areas of police work, including detectives and crime scene investigators. Iraqi men were also intimidated by female soldiers and marines. In the macho Arab world, an assertive female with an assault rifle is sort of a man's worst nightmare. So many otherwise reticent Iraqi men, opened up to the female troops, and provided information. Women also had an easier time detecting a lie (something husbands often learn the hard way.)...

[H/T to reader Mark G.]

Governor Sarah Palin Visits Alaska's Troops

Posted By Blackfive

"The characteristics that you all embody; your self-determination and self-sufficiency, combined with teamwork that is needed in order to get the job done. You embody that. You have that discipline and tenacity and that patriotism that I pray our younger generation will adopt. Our country will be better off if we have more of you out there serving something greater than self." - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Kosovo

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took time to pose for photos with military policeman at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. Palin traveled to Kosovo to visit Alaska Army National Guard troops stationed in the region as part of the Kosovo force peacekeeping mission.

Photo by Sgt. Adam-David Pepper, 69th Public Affairs Detachment

Continue reading "Governor Sarah Palin Visits Alaska's Troops"

Out of the Cities

Posted By Grim

"So, Grim, you're just back from Iraq... what does it mean that we're 'out of the cities?'"

It means that the ISF -- especially the Iraqi Army, and the National Police -- are the first line of defense for urban Iraqis.

"Will it work?"

No.  The ISF know what they have to do, but they don't want to do it yet.  They're a proud people, and though they've been well-trained, they believe they know their country better than we do.  So, they're going to be bullheaded at first, which will leave seams that AQI and others will exploit.

That means you should expect to see a spike in mass casualty attacks for a while.

"So this is all doomed?"

Not exactly.  The fact is that only the Iraqis themselves can "win" the counterinsurgency campaign.  We've taught them the techniques, but now they have to decide to do it. 

They need to fail to learn -- Thomas Barnett once said that our own army only learns when it fails, and that may well be true of any large organization.  Plus, whereas the IA are Shi'a-led, the NP are the only part of the apparatus that wasn't de-Baathified -- which means they need to learn to work together, and are likely to do it only under fire.

Expect to see them fail, because they have to fail to get over the next step.  The thing to watch is whether they learn.  They know what they have to do; the time has come to see if they will do it. 

My money's on them.  They just need a good whack to the head, now that they know the weight is on their shoulders.

20% off to Blackfive Readers at Ranger Up

Posted By Uber Pig

Nick from Ranger Up wanted me to let you know that he's offering a 20% discount to Blackfive readers on Ranger Up gear.  The discount is only valid between now and the 4th of July.  To get the discount, use the following coupon code:  July04.

Namaste,

-- Uber Pig

The Black Watch Air Assaults Into Taliban Stronghold

Posted By Blackfive

Soldiers from 1 Platoon, A Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, deploy from a Chinook helicopter at the start of a operation.
[Picture: Cpl Rupert Frere, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

The 3rd Battalion (The Black Watch) of the Royal Regiment of Scotland is on the move...

3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland Launch Massive Air Assault Into Taliban Stronghold
International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs
Date: 06.23.2009

KABUL, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force soldiers have launched an assault on one of the last Taliban strongholds in one of the largest air operations in modern times.

Twelve Chinook helicopters, supported by 13 other aircraft including Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships, a Spectre gunship, Harrier jets and unmanned drones, dropped more than 350 troops from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, into Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah, just before midnight, June 19.

The aim of the operation, called Operation Panchai Palang, which means Panther's Claw, was to secure a number of canal and river crossings in order to establish a permanent ISAF presence in the area, which has previously been a Taliban stronghold.

The troops were quickly followed by another company of soldiers from the Black Watch arriving by Viking armored vehicle plus royal engineers and counter-improvised explosive device teams who have spent the last two days building a number of checkpoints on the main routes in and out of the area to stifle any movement by insurgents. In total more than 500 troops took part.

A soldier from 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland deployed on Operation TORA ARWA in the Zhari district of Kandahar province.
[Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

Over the last two days insurgents have launched a number of attacks against the Black Watch but each one has been repelled allowing the troops to secure three main crossing points: the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing, the Nahr-e-Burgha Canal and the Shamalan Canal.

In addition, on June 22 they also found 1.3 tons of poppy seed and a number of IED and anti-personnel mines before they could be laid.

Continue reading "The Black Watch Air Assaults Into Taliban Stronghold"

The Warriors Return

Posted By Blackfive

Left to right; U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Brown, Staff. Sgt., retired, Bradley Gruetzner and Sgt. Christopher A. Burrell, soldiers wounded in combat while deployed to Iraq, walk through “Hero’s Highway” at Air Force Theater Hospital before returning to Camp Victory after a visit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, June 25, 2009. Brown, Gruetzner, Burrell and four other soldiers had the opportunity to return to Iraq and to visit the places they once served. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour

US Troops Pull out of Iraqi Urban Centers

Posted By Blackfive

“It really is a sovereignty day. I agreed with Maliki. It is a very important day in our history. But we are still worried about security. We hope that our forces will be able to handle security. The way will be a long one.” - Balqis Eidan, a 30-year-old state employee

There's a lot of discussion around the US pull out of Iraqi cities today.  Iraqi President Maliki has declared today a day of celebration.  Iraqis, who haven't had much of a reason for national pride, might enjoy today.  Of course, insurgents who are very desperate to gain attention (and credibility from the media) will try to disrupt the "celebration". 

I believe that General Odierno does not get enough credit for the Surge and the way Iraq has changed over the last two years.  There are also a large number of strategic corporals and captains to thank for the progress.  I also think that there are a lot of Iraqis who deserve credit too.

That said, I did not agree that pulling out from all cities on the exact same day and time was a strategically sound idea.  I would have liked to have seen a phased approach.  The majority of the urban centers could have been turned over today without a problem and with a very reasonable assurance that the Iraqis could handle their own security.  But there are a few hot spots that might need our attention - Sadr City being just one. 

GEN Odierno might feel the same way, but he has his orders and he has his plans to enact.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all people who strive for a secure Iraq today.

Update:  Here's an Al Jazeera broadcast about today from an embed in Mosul.

Hugs for TSO, benefits to WLF

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

The USO Girls are scheming again and the victim is This Ain't Hell's TSO.

The official Huggin' and Kissin' Grandmas are going to be for the first time in history giving hugs for donations to the Warrior Legacy Foundation! These aren't your average grandma hug, their hugs simoltainiously fill you with joy and make you feel like the most special person in the world. Their hugging reputation spans the globe! So Friday for a $2 donation you will get a hug and kiss from each Grandma (and for an extra dollar they might even goose you!).

As many of you know TSO has an aversion to hugging, so if you are not able to attend our festivities this Friday let me encourage you to make a donation to the Warrior Legacy Foundation in the name of "Hugs for TSO." Not only will you be doing good for a wonderful foundation, but you will also be helping one of our own!

Party with a Purpose in Dallas

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Although it was already announced on the massively popular USO Girls site, I figger I should mention it here. There is a Warrior Legacy Foundation fundraiser party this Friday in the Big D, actually Grapevine.

Join us for happy hour from 4pm - 7pm next Friday July 3rd, at the Tap In, on Main Street in Grapevine TX!
Stop by and see us next Friday, Jamie and I will be the two singing patriotic songs at the top of our lungs in the corner!

You are all cordially invited, so I hope to see some B5 readers there.

US Negotiates With Murderers?

Posted By Blackfive

Reader Dave G., suggests we comment on the decision to exchange (officials say "release") of Iranian Quds Force terrorists that executed American soldiers for British hostages...More from Bill Roggio at Long War Journal.

My opinion?  I'll just echo the father of one of the murdered US soldiers, Danny Chism, "Somebody needs to answer for it".

PVT Johnathon M. Millican
PFC Shawn P. Falter
SPC Johnathan Bryan Chism
1LT Jacob Fritz
CPT Brian S. Freeman

Remember them. 

Free Sergeant Nelson

Posted By Blackfive

"Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn't even be there, Eighty are just targets, Nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." - Hericletus, circa 500 BC

Sergeant Jermaine Nelson, far right, with his legal team and Sergeant Ryan Weemer

For background, here are the historical links from BlackFive:

RE:  Marine Jailed Over Memorial Day Weekend for Exercising 5th Amendment (May 28, 2008)
RE:  Update - Marine Jailed for Exercising 5th Amendment (June 17, 2008)
RE:  Marine Jailed For Refusing to Testify Against Squad Leader (June 25, 2008)
RE:  UPDATE - The Judicial Waterboarding of our Marines (July 2, 2008)
RE:  Judicial Waterboarding of Our Marines - UPDATE SGT Nazario Acquitted! (August 28, 2008)
RE:  Sergeant Ryan Weemer Acquitted! (April 9, 2009)

Sergeant Jermaine Nelson needs your help.  Sergeant Nelson is still awaiting trial and all signs point to the prosecution using unfair tactics against him.  We want Sergeant Nelson freed.

Capt Nicholas Gannon, a young, inexperienced J.A.G. prosecutor, has attempted to disadvantage Sgt Nelson's defense by retaining experts to testify on behalf of the prosecution against Sgt Nelson, but refusing to allow Sgt Nelson to present similarly experienced and qualified experts.

On two separate occasions Capt Gannon denied Sgt Nelson's defense team a forensic expert, despite the fact that the prosecution was presenting their own experts. In addition, Capt Gannon attempted to retain an international expert on P.T.S.D. to testify for the prosecution, while refusing to provide the defense team's request for a qualified P.T.S.D. expert of their choice. The judge presiding over the case ruled that the prosecutor's actions did in fact prejudice Sgt Nelson's defense and ordered the prosecution to provide qualified experts to the defense. As a direct result of the prosecution's improper actions, Sgt Nelson's trial has been delayed twice, causing him additional undue emotional and psychological stress.

The bottom line is that former Marine Sergeant Jose Nazario, Sergeant Ryan Weemer, and Sergeant Nelson were charged with the murder of prisoners during the Battle of Fallujah in November of 2004.  Jose Nazario and Sergeant Weemer have been acquitted of all charges. 

There is now a petition that is being sponsored by GI Wilson, a veteran of Al Anbar province and retired Marine, William McNulty, the Secretary of the Marine Corps Intelligence Association, and me, as Chairman of the Warrior Legacy Foundation.

Our mission is to build support and help Sgt Jermaine Nelson with the ultimate goal of having the charges against him dropped.

We are asking for everyone to sign the petition to drop the charges (hit that link for the online petition or download this PDF file - NELSON PETITION). There is also a Facebook page to Free Sergeant Nelson.

Please print it and pass it around your unit, neighborhood, friends, etc.  Then fax or email to Attorney Joseph Low.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Posted By Blackfive

Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Nyman and Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Bob Haines pause on their way up Mount McKinley, sometimes known as Denali, June 9, 2009. Haines was part of the team that supported Nyman and three other wounded warriors during their effort to ascend to the summit. U.S Army courtesy photo