Feral Jundi

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Tactical Thought Process: ‘A Message to Garcia’ and Accomplishing the Mission

Filed under: History,Tactical Thought Process — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 11:10 AM

     I want to thank Scott for sending me this.  I was never aware of this story, even though I was in the Marines and an NCO.  So this was a treat to get this in the mail the other day and read it.  In summary, it is a celebration of the man with the resolve to accomplish the mission–the soldier or grunt with the ‘can do’ attitude. 

     The other thing I want to mention is that good healthy dissent within a group is important in order for organizations to evolve and learn and be successful.  So I do not agree with companies using this type of story as a means to shut up their employees or something like that.  

     If anything, this story is about giving your people a mission and the freedom to accomplish that mission anyway they can.  Rowan was not told the how, he was just told to do, and he did.  

     This story is a celebration of accomplishing the mission, and doing what it takes to get it done.  It is also a celebration of the soldier or grunt who presses forward through thick and thin, using ingenuity and resolve to finish the job.  And like what was mentioned before in Boykin’s book called ‘Never Surrender’–resolve is a highly desired trait in a special forces soldier. Good stuff. –Head Jundi

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Rowan

The American officer that Hubbard referred to was Andrew Summers Rowan, a West Point graduate of 1881. 

1899

A Message to Garcia

By Elbert Hubbard

 

In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars at perihelion. When war broke out between Spain & the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the Insurgents. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain vastness of Cuba- no one knew where. No mail nor telegraph message could reach him. The President must secure his cooperation, and quickly.

What to do!

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

News: 9/11, and Our War Against the Mufsid Waging Hirabah

Filed under: Al Qaeda,News — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 3:32 PM

     I wanted to post this, because this was my answer to some questions someone asked me about my thoughts on 9/11.  Obviously the questions were intended to evoke a negative response.  But as you can see, I gave my response, and with good measure.  

     My heart goes out to the victims of 9/11, and today is a day of remembrance.  –Head Jundi

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Where were you during that event?

 

I was in a hotel breakfast room, watching it live on a big screen, in Carson City, Nevada. I was working as a smokejumper at the time.

 

What were your initial thoughts about what happened when you found out?

 

The first plane that hit, made me think an accident. The second one that hit, clued me into an act of war. I was angry and I was saddened for the victims. My thoughts were at the time is, who did this and why. Most of all, what will be our response in this new war.

 

Do you think security personnel are being more cautious today than other days because of the date?

 

I am one of those ‘security personnel’, having worked in Iraq and other places on 9/11, before in the past. To a security professional, this day is important, because the enemy likes to use anniversaries for attacks. 9/11 is a very significant date. So yes, guys and gals are a little bit more wary on this day. But really, in this business, you get paid to be on your game every day you are on the job.

 

Do you feel more secure with the changes in security that have taken place within your country?

 

Yes. We have not had a major attack on US soil since 9/11. Numerous planned attacks have been stopped by the hard work of law enforcement and gov. agencies. I am thankful for their efforts. And the security efforts at airports is necessary, and an adjustment that I don’t mind. I like the fact that someone cares.

 

Did this event inevitably change the way the international community looks at United States of America?

 

Of course it has. This event has also changed the way the international community looks at radical Islamic fundamentalists. War tends to piss off a whole range of folks out there. Our reaction to the 9/11 attack was to be expected, and the planners of that attack had succeeded in angering the people of the US and of the world. We had a similar reaction to an attack in our past, that led to even more devastating consequences. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led to the US eventually bombing Japan with atomic weaponry. We won, but the price in blood on both sides was devastating. Our response and the price in blood in this current war, pales in comparison.

 

And our war against the ‘mufsid’ waging ‘hirabah’ continues….

 

*Mufsid is an evil and corrupt person in arabic.  Mujahideen, means holy warrior.   

Hirabah is sinful warfare in arabic.  Jihad means striving for god’s will.

‘Jihad’ and ‘mujahideen’ does not describe what our enemy is.  

They are mufsid waging hirabah. Enough said.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Gear Review: Sniper Screen by Military Illustrations

Filed under: Gear Review — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 10:10 AM

  Doug found this gem of a site and brought it to my attention.  This group not only does the art thing (please note Talking Tactics by Lance Nelson)  but also makes sniper suits and three dimensional camouflaging equipment.  The kit that caught my eye was this Sniper Screen.

    I thought that this was an excellent solution to a common problem on the battlefield.  Camouflaging the hole that you are looking through, wether through a parapet while on a rooftop, or while looking through a wall or fence.  Plus this thing is packable and cheap.   Very cool, and I am sure a can of spray paint could dress up this screen into whatever color you want.  And I am sure you could make a home made one if you didn’t want to buy this thing.  –Head Jundi

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The Sniper Screen in action.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

News: Russia Takes Prisoners and More VSS Sniper Rifle Sightings

Filed under: Georgia(country),News,Russia — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 10:51 AM

     Hey, check this out(thanks to Scott and Doug for the heads up).  The Russians are not leaving, they are taking prisoners, and they are making a mockery of the ceasefire.  But what was interesting with this article, was another cameo of the VSS Sniper Rifle in the photo that accompanied this article.  This weapon is the perfect tool for operating during this so-called ‘ceasefire’.  

 

     And this latest move was to get some prisoner currency.  Supposedly the Georgians captured some Russians during this war, and both countries have agreed to an exchange.  It has been reported that the trade was 15 Georgians for 5 Russians.

 

     Also, the US vehicles were at the port and were in the process of being shipped out when the war started. –Head Jundi 

 

 

Russian Soldier armed with VSS Sniper Rifle, with prisoners. 

 

Russian soldiers take prisoners in Georgia port 

 

By DMITRY LOVETSKY and CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA – 3 hours ago

 

RUISI, Georgia (AP) — Russian soldiers took 20 Georgian troops prisoner at a key port in western Georgia on Tuesday and commandeered American Humvees awaiting shipment back to the United States after taking part in earlier U.S.-Georgian military exercises.

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Film: Outside the Wire Series, by JD Johannes

Filed under: Film,Iraq — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:25 PM

     I love stuff like this, because it is the anti-Hollywood version of the war.  If you are tired of all the negative films and documentaries about the troops and the war like I am, then you will be glad to know that this series is very pro-troops and gives a very different view on the war.  Lots of excellent footage of our guys doing a tough job over there and kicking ass.  Thanks to Doug for bringing this series to my attention.  –Head Jundi

Outside the Wire

 About the Documentary Series (from the website) 

The ‘Outside the Wire’ series of four documentaries about Iraq started when JD Johannes went to Iraq with his old Marine Corps unit in 2005 to produce syndicated television news reports. 

Johannes returned to Iraq in 2007 to see ‘The Surge’ and the ‘Anbar Awakening’ first hand. 

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