(Untitled)

[silk_noir]

In no particular order:

I miss haddayrTonight, running, I had to laugh (on the inside) as I looked like a Z-rate Baywatch rehearsal girl. Hair down, running in slow motion, I shit you not

Comments

[thelimbknitter]

It is possible to get a waiver for just about anything in the Army these days. The Guard and Reserve are especially prone to waivers. Of course the problem with the Guard and Reserve is that they are very much "Good Old Boy" and girl based networks. If you are in well with the chain of command then it can be great (my first year in the Guard for example) but if you are on the outs (my second year in the Guard) then it is "Welcome to Camp MotherFucker."

As for the troop increase, I fail to understand why it took so long to make a command decision on the matter. The current President stated clearly during the election that Afghanistan was the "Central Front" of the War on Terror. Taking his time did not impress me in the least, especially when he finally gave the Commanding General in the region more or less what he wanted.

Far from looking decisive, he looked rather weak to me. The only reason I can think of for dithering is that he had to appease the peace wing of his own base by appearing to ponder the cost. That said, those folks aren't going to be happy short of a total pullout.

Which, I might add, would be a mistake. Or look at it this way. Everyone keeps ducking out of Afghanistan throughout the course of the Modern Era from the Brits down to the Russians. Leaving the Afghanis alone obviously isn't working because the region remains unstable and gives rise to elements which are not content with the simple doctrine of live and let live. I suspect if we leave we'll have the same trouble again in very short order.

Best to stick it out. Anyone who thought Afghanistan was going to be a cakewalk was eating the special brownies.

Respects,
S. F. Murphy
On the Outer Marches