I’ve explained my deep connection to the power of the pooch to you all in a prior post. Here is an organization that I urge you to support. They are donating service dogs to veterans. It will cost you nothing to support their efforts. Here is their press release:

Dog Bless You Launches Social Media Challenge Grant to Pair Service Dogs with Military Vets in Need 

Philanthropic Dog Community to Donate a Service Dog for Every 1,000 Follows to its Facebook, Tumblr or Pinterest Pages through the end of July;

Offers People a Way to Support Troops without Opening Wallet   

Santa Monica, CA- Dog Bless You, a philanthropic community created to champion the selfless acts of dogs and celebrate the unique role they play in improving the human condition, issued a challenge grant today that will pair service and … Read More »

The Army is a results-oriented organization:

How many pushups can you do in two minutes?

Fix that truck. We need it for mission.

Secure that supply route.

Do whatever it takes to take that hill.

Rebuild that police station.

Rebuild the Afghanistan National Army.

I can only assume that many civilian organizations are results-oriented as well.

I think sometimes folks get caught up in the results and forget what is important: the people that get you these results.

An incredibly smart man once told me, “Kevin, the Army will chew you up and spit you out.  It will forget about you the day you leave.  You’re replaceable and your accomplishments will be outdone by someone else eventually and thus forgotten.”

I was befuddled by the words spoken by a man from whom I deeply respected and thought was a career professional officer.

I asked, “What do you mean, Sir?”

He smiled and … Read More »

Hmmm, who do you think is doing more work? This was taken during the grueling Iron Dog portion of the DOD K9 competition, on Day 3, of TSgt Larry Brown and MWD Ooakley (a puppy program dog!), representing the 341st itself! Check out this Mal’s mouth. It really goes allll the way back. It’s part of the reason Malinois are referred to as mailigators. A classic photo by my fabulous photog, Robin Jerstad. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

No one quit, no matter how hard it got. Many were completely exhausted, many had to stop and catch a few breaths, but thanks to grit, determination, and encouragement, everyone stayed in the game. What an inspiration for all of us who have far easier tasks in life. I’m so proud of these teams! I want to use some of these photos as … Read More »

In my first post on the women in combat subject Women Shouldn’t Be in Combat Units!, I received an outpouring of “hate” mail and tweets. As I sorted through them, I attempted to understand why folks believe women shouldn’t be in combat. I am honestly interested in everyone’s thoughts.

I put together a list of reasons provided to me and followed up with a second post, Reasons Why Women Shouldn’t Be in Combat Units.  Very quickly I received another volley of reasons why I was wrong about this—why women REALLY should not be in combat units.

Really?    

I’m good with admitting I’m wrong when I am, but you have yet to convince me on this subject. So let’s take a look at what else folks have told me is their reasoning is for excluding women in combat units.

“I don’t want … Read More »