Read the Whole Story

http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/02/miami-valedictorian-fighting-deportation/

I try my best to post these without too much personal input. 

However, there are a few things this article brings to mind...

One of them is this: Her brother is a citizen (presumably from the Dream Act or precursors) and serving in the US Military.  Fighting for US rights and freedoms, including deporting his sisters?

A complicated issue to say the least.

Trimming the Fat?

The Army Drawdown Begins March 1st!

Please read: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/02/army-drawdown-lowdown-9-things-you-need-to-know-021912w/

Key thought: “We are changing the program to ensure we retain an Army that is dominant, fully capable and composed of absolutely the very best; that re-enlistment is a privilege not afforded to all; and that we must shape our Army to meet future requirements,” [Sergeant Major of the Army] Chandler wrote.

Women in Combat - New Pentagon Policy

This issue has drawn some more attention...a quick Google search reveals several commentaries from all around the WWW. 

Some key passages from the article:
1. "Prior to these new changes, a woman serving as a communications or intelligence officer could formally be assigned to a brigade, but not to the smaller battalion. The military has gotten around those rules by "attaching" women in those jobs to battalions, which meant they could do the work but not get the credit for being in combat arms."

2. "While the new rules won't open up the Navy SEALs or the Army Delta Force to women, some defense officials have said the military may eventually be open to that. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates told North Carolina ROTC students in 2010 that at some point there would be careful steps in that direction."


This week, Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum indicated that the Pentagon's new direction may complicate the battlefield, as men may react emotionally when women are under fire. 

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) reacted strongly to Santorum's remarks.  Gov. McDonnell's daughter was a Platoon Leader in Iraq.

Articles below
New Pentagon Policy (AP via USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-02-08/war-women-pentagon/53017764/1

Gov. McDonnell story with links to Santorum comments (CNN)
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/13/mcdonnell-hits-santorum-over-emotions-remarks/

Same as Below

Here's the NYTimes article of below post.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/world/asia/army-colonel-challenges-pentagons-afghanistan-claims.html?pagewanted=1

Army Whistleblower?

This story has been reported several places since Sunday:  NYTimes, Army Times, Huffington Post, and several local papers via the Associated Press (AP) - Virginia, DC, Dallas, Houston, and more.

Give it a read...We've talked about this kind of thing quite a bit this year, including a recent Leadership class.

Here's the quote that ends the NYTimes article:
(from Martin L. Cook, Military Ethics Professor at the Naval War College)
"It may be an act of moral courage," [Cook] said. "But [Davis]'s gone outside channels, and he's taking his chances on what happens to him."

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/02/army-davis-afghanistan-report-020612w/

Pentagon Cuts

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/27/us/pentagon-budget-experts/

A Key section of the article:
"Under the cuts, the Pentagon would become an "agile and flexible military force we need for the future," Panetta said. For example, he said, the Army will save money by pulling two of its four brigades out of permanent bases in Europe to bases in the United States.
But at the same time, the Army will increase rotational deployments to bases so more units will have an opportunity to train with NATO allies."

Key words: AGILE - FLEXIBLE - FUTURE - OPPORTUNITY.  Nice messaging.

Also interesting to note:  In the picture, ALL the MARINES are WOMEN.?!

Thoughts?