Back in a world left long time ago
wondering what's next and where I will go
hurry up and wait for orders unknown
at least this time they treat us like we're grown
been a soldier for years inside my heart
thankful to God for this brand new start
Call me crazy if you don't understand
I say I'm a soldier with a mission to man
Man or woman we must have the drive
to go do our jobs and come home alive
deployments aren't easy for anyone involved
but we all cant come home until the problem is solved
so no matter your political affiliations or view
remember we go do our jobs to protect you
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
What are elite rowers?
Elite rowers are high performance athletes who compete at national and international level.
An elite rower can start competing as a junior (under 18) at national and international championships. To become a junior world champion, a junior rower must win a gold medal in his/her boat class at the World Rowing Junior Championships.
Reaching full potential as an elite rower takes years of hard training, and it is usually the athletes with longer experience who achieve the best results - rowing's most successful rower ever, Sir Steve Redgrave, obtained his fifth Olympic gold medal at 38 years of age. This is why the International Rowing Federation (FISA) have established a World Rowing Championship for Under 23 rowers, allowing them to further develop physically and technically to become competitive at senior level.
An elite rower works hard to become a world champion. The World Rowing Championships are held every non-Olympic year, and world champions are crowned in 14 men's events and 9 women's events.
The ultimate goal of a rowing athlete is to become an Olympic champion. The Olympic Regatta is held every four years during the Olympic Games.
I can't wait until Crew starts again. After almost 8 months out for military training, all I can do is dream of getting back on the water again. I want to feel the set, feel the slide, feel the force behind the stroke, and feel the perfect physics of motion defined by ones desire to overcome those physics and become the "elite".
An elite rower can start competing as a junior (under 18) at national and international championships. To become a junior world champion, a junior rower must win a gold medal in his/her boat class at the World Rowing Junior Championships.
Reaching full potential as an elite rower takes years of hard training, and it is usually the athletes with longer experience who achieve the best results - rowing's most successful rower ever, Sir Steve Redgrave, obtained his fifth Olympic gold medal at 38 years of age. This is why the International Rowing Federation (FISA) have established a World Rowing Championship for Under 23 rowers, allowing them to further develop physically and technically to become competitive at senior level.
An elite rower works hard to become a world champion. The World Rowing Championships are held every non-Olympic year, and world champions are crowned in 14 men's events and 9 women's events.
The ultimate goal of a rowing athlete is to become an Olympic champion. The Olympic Regatta is held every four years during the Olympic Games.
I can't wait until Crew starts again. After almost 8 months out for military training, all I can do is dream of getting back on the water again. I want to feel the set, feel the slide, feel the force behind the stroke, and feel the perfect physics of motion defined by ones desire to overcome those physics and become the "elite".
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
General who called gay sex 'immoral' to retire
WASHINGTON - Three months after the nation's top general called gay sex "immoral," he is headed for retirement.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will retire when his term ends in September. Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, who backs "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," will be nominated to replace him.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday the congressional confirmation needed before Pace could serve another term could have become "a very contentious process," dwelling "on the past, rather than the future."
Steve Ralls, a spokesman for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization that seeks to allow open military service for gays, said the "homophobic remarks" Pace made in March might have influenced the decision.
"Gen. Pace's remarks are still fresh in the memory of many of our troops," he said, "and no doubt still fresh in the memory of many senators, too."
Pace, who has long supported "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," reiterated his stance during an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," he said. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way."
Pace later acknowledged that he intertwined his personal and professional stances when he discussed the policy, but did not apologize.
"It is our hope that the next nominee for chairman will be respectful and value the service of every member of the military, including the over 60,000 GLBT troops currently on active duty," said Brad Luna, spokesperson for Human Rights Campaign.
Open to change?
Mullen, who will be recommended to succeed Pace, said April 3 at the Brookings Institution in Washington that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has "served us very well."
But he also said that he would be open to reconsidering the issue.
"If it's time to revisit that policy, the American people I believe - and we live in a country - the American people ought to raise that issue and we'll have the debate," he said according to a transcript.
"As a member of the Joint Chiefs and obviously the head of one of the services, I will contribute to that and give my best military advice based on what - the debate that's going on, and if it changes, it changes. I think that's the path right now."
Ralls said Servicemembers Legal Defense Network welcomes any opportunity for debate.
"Public opinion is soundly on the side of revisiting this law," he said. "Eight out of 10 Americans want to see it repealed. So we hope that Adm. Mullen will play a productive part of that public discussion."
By JOSHUA LYNSEN
Monday, June 11, 2007
Doublethink
"To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies, to hold simultaneously two opinions which cancelled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them, to use logic against logic, to repudiate morality while laying claim to it, to believe that democracy was impossible and that the Party was the guardian of democracy, to forget whatever it was necessary to forget, then to draw it back into memory again at the moment when it was needed, and then promptly to forget it again: and above all, to apply the same process to the process itself. That was the ultimate subtlety: consciously to induce unconsciousness, and then, once again, to become unconscious of the act of hypnosis you had just performed. Even to understand the word 'doublethink' involved the use of doublethink." -George Orwell, 1984
Did you know...
Each color on the Gay Pride Rainbow Flag has a meaning:
Red: Life
Orange: Healing
Yellow: Sun
Green: Nature
Blue: Harmony
Purple: Spirit
My Job in the Army
MOS 25B: Informations Systems Operator - Analyst
Major duties. Information systems operator-analyst supervises, installs, operates and performs unit level maintenance on multi- functional/multi-user information processing systems, peripheral equipment, and associated devices in mobile and fixed facilities; performs analyst functions; constructs, edits, and tests computer system programs; conducts data system studies and prepares docu mentation and specifications for proposals; operates and performs Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) on assigned vehicles and power generators. Duties for MOS 74B at each level of skill are:
(1) Skill Level 1. Installs, operates, and performs unit maintenance on multi-functional/multi-user information processing systems and peripheral equipment and auxiliary devices. Performs input/ output data control and bulk data storage operations. Transfers data between information processing equipment and systems. Troubleshoots automation equipment and systems to the degree required for isolation of malfunctions to specific hardware or soft ware. Restores equipment to operation by replacement of line replaceable unit (LRU). Installs, operates, performs strapping, restrapping, PMCS and unit level maintenance on COMSEC de vices. Assists in the design, preparation, editing, and testing of computer programs. Drafts associated technical documentation for program reference and maintenance purposes. Modifies existing ap plication packages using application and operating system software and appropriate computer language commands and files.
(2) Skill Level 2. Configures information processing equipment into required operating configurations. Performs senior operator and systems administrator duties and unit level maintenance functions on assigned computer systems. Compiles production report data and quality control information. Assists less experienced soldiers in the installation, operation, and maintenance of information processing equipment. Writes, analyzes, edits, tests, and modifies computer programs. Drafts program operation manuals and technical program requirements documents. Troubleshoots software using established debugging procedures.
(3) Skill Level 3. Supervises the deployment, installation, oper ation, and unit level maintenance of multi-functional/multi-user in formation processing systems. Determines requirements, assigns duties, and coordinates activities of personnel engaged in informa tion system analysis and maintenance. Develops and admnisters on- site training programs. Compiles output reports in support of ADPE operations. Perfonms system studies using established techniques to develop new or revised system applications and programs. Writes final design programs, operational manals, procedures, and require ments documents. Analyzes telecommunications information man agement needs. Ensures that spare parts, supplies, and operating essentials are requisitioned and maintained. Supervises and performs maintenance management and administrative duties related to facil ity operations, maintenance, security, and personnel.
(4) Skill Level 4. Plans, supervises, coordinates, and provides technical assistance for the installation, operation, systems analyst functions, unit level maintenance, and management of multi-fune tional/ multi-user information processing systems in mobile and fixed facilities. Participates in development of the continuity of operations plan (COOP), information systems plans (ISP), informa tion management plan (IMP), and information management master plan (IMMP). Conducts quality assurance of ADPE operations. Controls production operations in support of command or agency priorities. Develops and enforces policy and procedures for facility management. Develops, directs, and supervises training programs to ensure soldier proficiency and career development. Organizes work schedules and ensures compliance with directives and policies on operations security (OPSEC), signal security (SIGSEC), communi cations security (COMSEC), and physical security. Writes unit or facility standing operating procedures (SOP). Arranges higher level or contractor support maintenance for assigned equipment. Prepares or supervises the preparation of technical studies, evaluations, reports, correspondence, and records pertaining to information sys tem operations. Directs high level programming projects. Briefs staff and operations personnel on matters pertaining to information systems.
Major duties. Information systems operator-analyst supervises, installs, operates and performs unit level maintenance on multi- functional/multi-user information processing systems, peripheral equipment, and associated devices in mobile and fixed facilities; performs analyst functions; constructs, edits, and tests computer system programs; conducts data system studies and prepares docu mentation and specifications for proposals; operates and performs Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) on assigned vehicles and power generators. Duties for MOS 74B at each level of skill are:
(1) Skill Level 1. Installs, operates, and performs unit maintenance on multi-functional/multi-user information processing systems and peripheral equipment and auxiliary devices. Performs input/ output data control and bulk data storage operations. Transfers data between information processing equipment and systems. Troubleshoots automation equipment and systems to the degree required for isolation of malfunctions to specific hardware or soft ware. Restores equipment to operation by replacement of line replaceable unit (LRU). Installs, operates, performs strapping, restrapping, PMCS and unit level maintenance on COMSEC de vices. Assists in the design, preparation, editing, and testing of computer programs. Drafts associated technical documentation for program reference and maintenance purposes. Modifies existing ap plication packages using application and operating system software and appropriate computer language commands and files.
(2) Skill Level 2. Configures information processing equipment into required operating configurations. Performs senior operator and systems administrator duties and unit level maintenance functions on assigned computer systems. Compiles production report data and quality control information. Assists less experienced soldiers in the installation, operation, and maintenance of information processing equipment. Writes, analyzes, edits, tests, and modifies computer programs. Drafts program operation manuals and technical program requirements documents. Troubleshoots software using established debugging procedures.
(3) Skill Level 3. Supervises the deployment, installation, oper ation, and unit level maintenance of multi-functional/multi-user in formation processing systems. Determines requirements, assigns duties, and coordinates activities of personnel engaged in informa tion system analysis and maintenance. Develops and admnisters on- site training programs. Compiles output reports in support of ADPE operations. Perfonms system studies using established techniques to develop new or revised system applications and programs. Writes final design programs, operational manals, procedures, and require ments documents. Analyzes telecommunications information man agement needs. Ensures that spare parts, supplies, and operating essentials are requisitioned and maintained. Supervises and performs maintenance management and administrative duties related to facil ity operations, maintenance, security, and personnel.
(4) Skill Level 4. Plans, supervises, coordinates, and provides technical assistance for the installation, operation, systems analyst functions, unit level maintenance, and management of multi-fune tional/ multi-user information processing systems in mobile and fixed facilities. Participates in development of the continuity of operations plan (COOP), information systems plans (ISP), informa tion management plan (IMP), and information management master plan (IMMP). Conducts quality assurance of ADPE operations. Controls production operations in support of command or agency priorities. Develops and enforces policy and procedures for facility management. Develops, directs, and supervises training programs to ensure soldier proficiency and career development. Organizes work schedules and ensures compliance with directives and policies on operations security (OPSEC), signal security (SIGSEC), communi cations security (COMSEC), and physical security. Writes unit or facility standing operating procedures (SOP). Arranges higher level or contractor support maintenance for assigned equipment. Prepares or supervises the preparation of technical studies, evaluations, reports, correspondence, and records pertaining to information sys tem operations. Directs high level programming projects. Briefs staff and operations personnel on matters pertaining to information systems.
HRC launches national tour to repeal "don't ask"
HRC launches national tour to repeal "don't ask"
published Friday, June 8, 2007
The Human Rights Campaign has announced that A Legacy of Service, its national tour protesting the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, will kick off in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 12.
The organization hopes to raise awareness for the Iowa caucuses in January, the first step in the presidential nominating process.
The national tour is composed of a diverse group of veterans who have served under the military's antigay policy. The tour will feature former Marine staff sergeant Eric Alva, the first American soldier wounded in Iraq, along with several other military heroes to speak out against the policy.
"This national tour will show the faces of those who have served and sacrificed under this discriminatory policy," said HRC president Joe Solmonese in a press release.
"The American people have already overwhelmingly decided that our military should be about service and not about holding on to policies that dishonor our troops."
The start of the tour comes days after the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates debated the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on CNN. When asked to raise their hand if they support the repeal of the ban on LGBT soldiers serving openly in the military, every Democratic candidate raised their hand in favor. In stark contrast, not a single Republican candidate expressed their support.
"During the beginning of the 2008 presidential election, this tour will ensure that the debate around repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' is focused on the real issue at hand," continued Solmonese in the press release.
"Those candidates running to be the next commander in chief will have to decide if they believe the sexual orientation of an Arabic linguist is more important than their ability to potentially decode the next piece of intelligence that could finally capture Osama Bin Laden." (The Advocate)
published Friday, June 8, 2007
The Human Rights Campaign has announced that A Legacy of Service, its national tour protesting the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, will kick off in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 12.
The organization hopes to raise awareness for the Iowa caucuses in January, the first step in the presidential nominating process.
The national tour is composed of a diverse group of veterans who have served under the military's antigay policy. The tour will feature former Marine staff sergeant Eric Alva, the first American soldier wounded in Iraq, along with several other military heroes to speak out against the policy.
"This national tour will show the faces of those who have served and sacrificed under this discriminatory policy," said HRC president Joe Solmonese in a press release.
"The American people have already overwhelmingly decided that our military should be about service and not about holding on to policies that dishonor our troops."
The start of the tour comes days after the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates debated the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on CNN. When asked to raise their hand if they support the repeal of the ban on LGBT soldiers serving openly in the military, every Democratic candidate raised their hand in favor. In stark contrast, not a single Republican candidate expressed their support.
"During the beginning of the 2008 presidential election, this tour will ensure that the debate around repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' is focused on the real issue at hand," continued Solmonese in the press release.
"Those candidates running to be the next commander in chief will have to decide if they believe the sexual orientation of an Arabic linguist is more important than their ability to potentially decode the next piece of intelligence that could finally capture Osama Bin Laden." (The Advocate)
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