Feral Jundi

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Books: Gifts Of War–Once Upon A Rice Paddy, By Dan Roach

This is cool. Every once in awhile I get a heads up from a reader about a book they wrote. This particular book is about the author’s experiences in Vietnam. What is cool though is that this book has appeal to all types of veterans, and the leadership lessons learned are priceless.

Those lessons and the blood, sweat, and tears of war, are the ‘gifts’ of memory that I believe the author is referring too. They are the memories and experiences that veterans will always cherish–the good and the bad. And lucky for us, Dan has taken the time to put those memories into a book and share that with the world. A gift indeed.

At this time, the book is being distributed through Author House, so follow the links below if you are interested in checking it out. If you are a Ranger or 101st Airborne from that era, you are really in for a treat with this book. Like Dan says, ‘you’ll laugh, you’ll cry but most of all you will be treated to a gift of understanding’. –Matt

 

GIFTS of WAR, Once Upon A Rice Paddy
By Dan Roach
Like many that have experienced the bitter taste of war; I understand the need for war and warriors. Yet, I am now a reluctant warrior. This book is an invitation for you to be embedded with a young lieutenant as he experiences an incredible journey as a combat platoon leader. You will experience the daily social, psychological, emotional, ethical and moral dilemmas presented by war. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry but most of all you will be treated to a gift of understanding. I believe you will be awe inspired at what our nation asked of these young warriors and how they responded. You will be pleasantly surprised at the gifts of war received by this warrior. Vietnam was the stage and we were the players in a life and death drama.
About the author.
After graduating from college with a B.S. Degree in Forestry, Dan Roach faced one of the biggest decisions of his life; enlist or be drafted during time of war. He chose enlistment hoping to have more control over his destiny. On May 10, 1966 he enlisted in the Army and was off to FT. Jackson, SC to attend Basic and AIT (Advanced Infantry Training). After AIT he reported to Infantry OCS (Officer Candidate School) at Ft. Benning, GA. On March 27, 1967 he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant and went directly into RANGER School. After RANGER School he was assigned as an instructor in the Mountain Phase of RANGER Training at Dahlonega, GA. As a RANGER he was sent to Airborne School at FT. Benning, on 17 July 1967.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Vietnam: Securitas Enters The Security Services Market In Vietnam

Filed under: Industry Talk,Vietnam — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 6:30 AM

   You never hear any security related news coming out of Vietnam, so when this came across my screen, I thought this would be cool to add to the archive.  Long Hai Security sounds like a pretty big group in Vietnam and hopefully the transition is smooth.

   Most of the time, these companies really don’t change much in the transition, unless there are blatant deficiencies. Stuff that needs to be addressed in order to make the newly purchased company profitable and sound.  Other than that, I really don’t have much more to add, and hopefully some readers can chime in about the market there. –Matt

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Securitas enters the security services market in Vietnam

December 29, 2009

Following the strategy to expand in Asia, Securitas has agreed to acquire 49 percent of the Vietnamese security services company Long Hai Security. Purchase price is approximately MSEK 35 (MVND 88,000).

Long Hai Security has annual sales of approximately MSEK 53 (MVND 134,000) and approximately 2,500 employees. The company is the market leader in the Vietnamese security services market and operates throughout Vietnam, with its largest branches being in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Long Hai Security provides mainly guarding services, but has also operations protecting its customers’ property in secure cash transportation, executive protection and alarm monitoring services.

Long Hai Security is consolidated in Securitas AB as of January 1, 2010.

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Pakistan: Is Pakistan the New ‘Laos’ of this War?

Filed under: Laos,Pakistan,Vietnam — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 10:24 PM

     I am not going to give much attention to the latest attack in Lahore, Pakistan. It is tragic, but what was more tragic is that the defense and security of crucial institutions over there, is given so little attention. And how much money have we given this country over the course of the war? Billions, and this little police academy does not have any weapons or security set up? pffft. How many wake up calls will it take there Pakistan?  

    Lahore is the target, and the enemy will do all they can to destabilize it. So far, they are doing pretty damned good.  Maybe along with this money and US oversight, the Pakistanis can insure that police stations and training facilities are actually protected and armed?  Just a thought, seeing how the police are crucial to maintaining stability and they are the first responders to attacks like this.

     The other aspect of this that I would be very curious about, is the possible contracts that might come out of this latest funding? Obama has said, no US troops in Pakistan. But he did not mention anything about contractors.  I know there are US advisors there, but in no real substantial numbers.  Perhaps, and I am just furthering the Vietnam analogy, maybe Pakistan will become our new Laos?  

    During the Vietnam war, we also fought a war in Laos, and contractors were a huge component of that war.(Air America comes to mind)  If that were the case, things could become kind of interesting over the years, and I will keep my eyes open.  I just keep thinking, how the heck are we supposed to depend on the Pakistanis to destroy Al Qaeda?  Are we going to keep throwing drones and money at the problem, to destroy the enemy, because that certainly has not worked.   –Matt

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 Air America Bell 205’s in Long Tieng, Laos. 

 

Obama to Propose $2.8 Billion in Military Aid to Pakistan

That money would be in addition to the civilian aid — $1.5 billion a year for five years — that the president called for Friday. 

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