Feral Jundi

Monday, September 7, 2009

Military News: Samurai Mind Training for Modern American Warriors

Filed under: Industry Talk,Medical,Military News — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 11:34 PM

     I got a kick out of this story, because it does have some application to our industry.  Call it meditation, call it visualization, call it ‘in the zone’, or whatever, guys have had to get into a frame of mind to deal with all sorts of activities.

     One of the things that I have practiced was visualization, both as a smokejumper and for shooting tests for contracts.  You visualize everything you need to do in order to execute the perfect parachuting operation or visualize all the actions for a specific shooting drill, all before you actually do it.  I find a quite place to think about it all, like in a hotel room or whatever, and go through the whole process in my mind.  It takes concentration and focus, and that is the whole point of visualization.  I learned the concept from sports psychology.

     As for the Warrior Mind Training program, I think it would be worth a shot trying it out.  I am for anything that gives you an edge, and if these techniques can help you to shoot better or deal with stress better, that that is great.  Hell, the techniques might actually get you a job, because you were able to calm yourself and get focused before vetting at schools and for shooting tests.

    Better yet, these techniques could help you deal with the stress of convoy and PSD work, and just winding down after ‘one of those days’. And contractors are up against the same deployment realities when they come home.  One day, they are running the roads and surviving as best they can, and the next day they are home and driving down the streets of their city.  We go through the same cultural and situational shock as the military, and anything to help guys continue to work a contract and not turn into walking burn outs, is alright in my book.-Matt

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Samurai Mind Training for Modern American Warriors

By BONNIE ROCHMAN Bonnie Rochman

Sep 7, 2009

Not long ago at Fort Bragg, N.C., the country’s largest military base, seven soldiers sat in a semi-circle, lights dimmed, eyes closed, two fingertips lightly pressed beneath their belly buttons to activate their “core.” Electronic music thumped as the soldiers tried to silence their thoughts, the key to Warrior Mind Training, a form of meditation slowly making inroads on military bases across the country. “This is mental push-ups,” Sarah Ernst told the weekly class she leads for soldiers at Fort Bragg. “There’s a certain burn. It’s a workout.”

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Sunday, September 6, 2009

Industry Talk: Five Contractors Awarded Iraq-Theatre Wide Internal Security Services TWISS II

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 12:36 AM

    I am familiar with most of these companies, except for PSI.  If any readers have any input about the TWISS 2 stuff or PSI, I am all ears.  I heard on Secure Aspects forums that medics no longer need security clearances for this contract. –Matt

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Theatre Wide Internal Security Services TWISS II.

Solicitation Number: W91GDW09R4011

Agency: Department of the Army

Office: Multi-National Forces Iraq, Joint Contracting Command Iraq

Location: JCCIA Theater-Wide Requirements Division (TWR)

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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Industry Talk: The Kabul Fiasco and Moving Forward

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 8:07 AM

   I don’t have much to say, because the acts of these individuals and the lack of leadership at Armour Group and DoS speak volumes. I guess the only thing not being said in this whole deal, is bravo to the whistleblowers for having the courage to do what is right.  That takes guts, to put it all on the line and call out your employer like that. You guys had the courage to do what is right.

   The other thing I want to applaud in this deal, is the outpouring of commentary and passion on the subject by our small community of security contractors and bloggers.  The media and public should take note that we do care about what you think, and that the acts of these few individuals, and the non-action of companies and governments, have disgusted us as well.

     We are also getting tired of being hated, and for those of you looking for the way forward, I highly suggest you develop your own personal plan on how to be the best you can be on your contract.  Your actions, could stop another incident like this.  Your act of outstanding leadership and professionalism, will motivate others, and bring honor and respect upon your crew and this industry.  Use the key elements of Jundism, and get your Kaizen on. –Matt

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Boys Gone Wild!!! The Kabul Edition, by Jake Allen

 

Is It Just Me?, by Eeben Barlow

 

Animal House: The Real Story, by Tim Lynch (This is an outstanding post, because of Tim’s experience at the Embassy)

 

Problems at the U.S. Embassy in A’stan, SOCNET Forum Thread

 

Career SEPPUKU: U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan Fires Lewd Guards, Tactical Forums Thread

 

WSI/Armor Group Afghanistan Embassy, Secure Aspects Forum Thread

 

Drank Vodka Poured Off Each Other’s Exposed Buttocks?, Lightfighter Forum Thread

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Project on Government Oversight

Sep 04, 2009

State Department Rescinds Two Resignations, Revokes Security Clearances

We’ve just received word about some of the ArmorGroup guards who have left the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.  Originally, two guards had resigned before news broke of the misconduct.  We’ve heard from sources on the ground that the State Department has rescinded the pair’s resignations, fired the guards, and revoked their security clearances, meaning they won’t be able to work again as a government contractor in a war zone.  In addition to the other eight dismissals that have been announced, this is a good step towards holding to account those responsible for the misconduct.We are concerned, however, that some of the dismissed contractors were younger guards coerced into the depravity.  So far we’ve seen good, swift action, but we should be careful not to punish those that may have been victimized.

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Thursday, September 3, 2009

Afghanistan: U.S. to Boost Combat Force in Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 9:28 AM

      Most of the dozens of combat outposts and outlying bases in Afghanistan have soldiers or Marines assigned to gates or guard towers. But the Pentagon official said those troops could be shifted to more valuable duty.”They just stare out from the tower. So let’s bring in contractors,” the Pentagon official said. “Now you can have a thousand more troops in the field.”

     Here we go guys and gals.  Despite the negative news about security contractors recently, the military still has a mission to accomplish, and we are an important part of that mission.  We are the ones that will be freeing up the combat forces, so that they can go out there and fight.

     What we have to work on, is ‘being the guys that do it right when no one is looking’ and ‘having the courage to do what is right’. Be a leader out there. –Matt

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U.S. to boost combat force in Afghanistan

Support units will be replaced by up to 14,000 ‘trigger-pullers,’ and noncombat posts will be contracted out, Defense officials say. The swap will allow the U.S. to keep its troop level unchanged.

By Julian E. Barnes

September 2, 2009

Reporting from Washington

U.S. officials are planning to add as many as 14,000 combat troops to the American force in Afghanistan by sending home support units and replacing them with “trigger-pullers,” Defense officials say.The move would beef up the combat force in the country without increasing the overall number of U.S. troops, a contentious issue as public support for the war slips. But many of the noncombat jobs are likely be filled by private contractors, who have proved to be a source of controversy in Iraq and a growing issue in Afghanistan.The plan represents a key step in the Obama administration’s drive to counter Taliban gains and demonstrate progress in the war nearly eight years after it began. (more…)

Iraq: The Remains of Security Contractor Handed Over to British Authorities

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 8:59 AM

   For the sake of the families, I am glad that the remains have been found and closure can happen.  Rest in peace. As for Peter Moore, if he is still alive, I hope to god that negotiators can get his release.  The chances are slim that he is alive, but you never know. –Matt

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UK says it has been given remains in Iraq

By DAVID STRINGER

LONDON — The remains of one of five British hostages have been handed over to British authorities in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said Wednesday. The British government said it had received remains but had yet to determine their identity.

In July, British authorities said that it feared that two security workers — Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan — had been killed by their captors.

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