Military - December 2007

question for the uscg

2007-12-12 07:05:35 · 5 answers · asked by lisa j 3

Merry Christmas, My Friend


By James M. Schmidt, a Marine Lance Corporal
stationed in Washington, D.C., in 1986
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.


I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live


As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.


With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.


I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.


He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?


His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.


Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.


I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.


He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."


With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.


I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.


I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

2007-12-12 06:54:44 · 12 answers · asked by brians girl 4

Do you provide some kind of food (doughnuts, sandwiches) and drinks to your movers? We never did but the last time we moved here in Hawaii the movers seemed very annoyed and even asked us for food and water (which we didn't have).

Coincidentally (I think not) alot of our furniture was damaged during that move.

2007-12-12 06:47:26 · 13 answers · asked by sunflowers 4

I can not speak for others, but in my case, I am not inclined to believe it when some king, shah, president, chancellor, prime minister, emperor, or grand poobah, tells me that it is my patriotic, or religious duty to sacrifice my life to advance his ambitions.

What are your feelings on this?

2007-12-12 06:00:07 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

and after you retire from the air force,, do you have to go to pilot school to become a commercial pilot?

2007-12-12 05:48:50 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/06/iraq/main3584247.shtml

2007-12-12 05:33:50 · 7 answers · asked by David K 4

My husband has been reffered for med board by his unit and doctor, for ptsd.. he has a consistent pickle score of 81 out of 85, and his doctor has commented on the severity of his ptsd. I was wondering how the disability works and what we should expect money wise, as I have a feeling finding a job won't be the easiest course. Also, his chain of command has told him he will be out of the army by next block leave...(june/july 2008) and if thats possible, I have heard of people being in the process for up to 2 years. I dont think prolonging this is in the best interest of my husband.

2007-12-12 05:07:16 · 11 answers · asked by caralooo 2

2007-12-12 05:03:45 · 8 answers · asked by American citizen and taxpayer 7

I am writing a letter to a soldier who is stationed overseas and I would like to know if anyone has any suggestion about what to put in a the letter. If you have any ideas or anything that you would like me to include then please answer.

2007-12-12 04:57:45 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Ok, it has been 2 weeks since i have gotten a letter from him. he graduates from Parris Island Jan.18th, 2008, he is in PLT 1000 BN 1 Aco.

Well he was talking about going into rifle training, and im worried b/c i havent gotten a letter from him and i dont know if he dont have time or what.

and also, do boys and girls interact with each other in basic or are they seperated?

2007-12-12 04:46:56 · 16 answers · asked by Kimi 2

I am considering joining the Air Force after I graduate college because I am told that you are an officer right from the beginning, and there are many benefits including helping me with graduate school. I keep hearing all these good things, but I want to know the real side of it, and not from some recruiter because they are notorious for saying what I want to hear just to sign me up, it happened to an ex of mine who enlisted in the Coast Guard. Does anyone have any good information on joining and if it is a good opportunity for someone who works hard but does not know exactly what they want for a career. I will have a degree in Sociology by next fall. Thanks for the help.

2007-12-12 04:23:57 · 9 answers · asked by Tim C 2

guy claim to be both?. For some reason this person likes to humiliate themselves on-line in this Yahoo forum. So Far this person has managed to deduce I served 18 years Army (NOT in US) and am no longer Active but a reservist, he posted this question on-line and 7 out of 7 answers told him, yes you can be retired from active and be a reservist, now is it because this person only managed to hack it for 4 years and is jealous of someone with 18 (possible it might be added to shortly) or is it because this person never left the US can not be a member of VFW because he never served in a foreign War, he feels so insignificant that he feels he has a right to email real vets and demand they prove to him their service. My only conclusion is because he must feel so insignificant that he humiliates himself so much, what do you think?

2007-12-12 03:38:23 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071211/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_afghanistan_6
QUOTE "WASHINGTON - The U.S. military's top officer acknowledged on Tuesday that for all the importance of preventing Afghanistan from again harboring al-Qaida terrorists, Washington's first priority is Iraq.
"In Afghanistan, we do what we can," said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "In Iraq, we do what we must."....His statement, delivered with emphasis in a prepared opening statement to the House Armed Services Committee, prompted some Democrats to say it showed what they have argued for years: that the Bush administration has become so bogged down in Iraq that it cannot make more effort in Afghanistan. I find it troubling that our ongoing commitment in Iraq prevents us from dedicating resources in Afghanistan beyond what is necessary to prevent setbacks, as opposed to what is required to realize success," Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the committee, said after the hearing."...??

2007-12-12 03:33:00 · 13 answers · asked by Hello 3

2007-12-12 03:26:18 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-12-12 03:17:33 · 9 answers · asked by ANA 1

if you upgraded our current 16in shells for the USS Wisconsin and the USS Iowa by replacing the explosive inside thier warhead with HMX or RDX from TNT, how much explosive force in pounds would you get since:
1. HMX has a 9,100 m/s explosive force.

2. RDX uses 8,750 m/s explosive force.

3. TNT uses 6,900 m/s explosive force.

And TNT in the 16in projectile currently has a 145lb explosive force

2007-12-12 02:54:42 · 4 answers · asked by Combos 2

If you shot a 16in (in diameter), 2240lb projectile at a 45 degree angle, Using larger PBXN-5 powder pags to push the projectile,

How far would it go?

2007-12-12 02:47:52 · 1 answers · asked by Combos 2

Also, can I be accepted to OCS without passing my APFT, then pass it before I ship?

2007-12-12 02:47:20 · 4 answers · asked by tynerboy2_nc28358 1

are there any swimming exercises in bmt? how many pull-ups do the females do? is it true at the end of the obstacles you have to climb the rope.

2007-12-12 02:21:09 · 13 answers · asked by sakswildcat 2

I'm a reservist that drill in new york. I have ask same question to many people, they have different answers for me. I'm knid of confuse now. Some people say reservist are more likely or have same % of chance as active that will get deploy. Some said reservist will be hard to get deploy. ( all the people i have asked are the NCOs in Marine Corps).

And how long will be the deployment last for? Some Marine tell me will be about 7 months, but some said it will be 13 months for reservist. I'm very confuse now. Could any one help?

2007-12-12 02:09:46 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Hello. I'm active duty in the U.S. Army. I'll be moving in Italy next Febraury. If I bring my official order with me do I still need a passport or can I just use my Military I.D.?
Thanks!

2007-12-12 02:00:15 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

plus points if you write it in a narrative way.
any examples you know of of military uprising in the Philippines?

2007-12-12 01:40:33 · 1 answers · asked by Anon 1

The French, Germans and others are in Afghanistan but they won't fight. They stay in the safe areas while the brave troops from the U.S., Britain, Canada and the Netherlands fight to stop the Taliban from enslaving the Afghan people. Do you think that NATO can survive this inaction by so many of its member states?

2007-12-12 01:31:24 · 8 answers · asked by typre50 3

My husband graduated boot camp Dec. 7th and now is heading into A-School. Does anyone know how leave time works, like when he can come off base, or stay over night, how long? Things like that. Im trying to debate if i should move up there while he is in school or not. Its only for 10 weeks and then he will get his orders and will probably go somewhere else. So if anyone has had the experience or is a sailor can you please help me? Thanks..

2007-12-12 01:26:21 · 7 answers · asked by !*navy wife*! 2

My stepson is getting booted out of the Army after the first of the year under an other than honorable discharge but his commanding officer said that if he doesn't behave in the next 3-4 weeks before his out of there that he will give my stepson a court martial. If he gets a court martial will that mean he will part ways with the service with a dishonorable discharge?

2007-12-12 00:59:40 · 16 answers · asked by mrskerlin 4

Someone said it was a bad idea, are the benefits for going to school not all what they are suppose to be. The recruiter told me almost 100% could be paid if i joined the national guard. Thats one of the main reasons of joining. And which would have better benefits to pay for school, Active or Guards?

2007-12-12 00:49:41 · 12 answers · asked by April 3

the civilized western world?

2007-12-12 00:48:10 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

I worked in a Navy command that was probably 3/4 Mustangs out of 20 officers. The CO said he preferred experience over education.

2007-12-12 00:24:13 · 6 answers · asked by Radman 3

Since they refuse to stick with us, and constatntly criticize our policies

2007-12-11 23:59:27 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

I'm writing a book covering the time I was married to an officer (now retired) in the military. Although it's about my life - it's my life as a military wife. Will I need to seek some sort of approval from the goverment before I seek to publish? Sense it's real life -an autobio kinda of ,and not fiction , this thought came to mind. Any input about this will be helpful! Thanks~

2007-12-11 22:46:15 · 12 answers · asked by abanana 1