Ten Things I Love About the Army, Part II

Read Ten Things I Love about the Army, Part I

Contrary to popular belief, I was able to come up with ten things. Splitting the list was simply a nefarious marketing scheme to tease you into coming back. If you're reading this, it must have worked.

Without further ado, the rest of the things I love about the Army.

6. Bigness and Badness: So the Marine Corps may be first to fight, and the Navy has a fleet that can respond to any crisis, and of course the Air Force has devastating quick strike capabilities...but when we need raw manpower, it’s the Army that gets the call. It's the biggest force with the most firepower. We can take a piece of land and nobody can do a damn thing about it.


7. Respect for Civilian Authority: Ever since Washington resigned his commission to the Continental Congress, our Army has maintained that proud tradition of following our elected leaders. There has never been a serious thought about a military coup, and military leaders make it apparent by their deference to politicians that they have no interest in politics. Good stuff.

8. Physical Training and Hydration: Physical fitness is a virtue, and all efforts are made to encourage it. In addition to getting the troops to exercise, the Army keeps us healthy by getting us to drink tons of H2O. I love water, and I love that the Army loves me enough to make me drink lots of it. From cases of bottled water to the urine color charts, the Army does it darned best to keep the force hydrated.

9. The Army Strong Song. Listen to the full version and try to tell me it doesn't make you want to watch the Dirty Dozen or When We Were Soldiers again. You can download the mp3 and other songs at http://www.army.mil/fieldband/pages/listening/downloads.html

10.Camp Bondsteel DFAC Chocolate Chip Cookies: Army food is usually pretty good. Never mind the fact that it is rarely made by the Army, but...OK, OK, I almost forgot this is a positive posting. I have to keep reminding myself: things I love about the Army. The cookies are amazing.

The criticism resumes next week.

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Ten Things I Love About the Army, Part I

If you only knew me by reading this blog, you might get the impression that I dislike the Army. Well, I am here to set the record straight. Nine out of ten postings may be unabashed, searing criticism of the Army, but the exception that proves the rule is here!

In all seriousness, I am proud of the Army, and still wear the uniform with humble admiration for what it represents. In that spirit of reverence, I proudly present, the Ten Things I Love About the Army Part 1:

1. Drill and Ceremony/ Pomp and Circumstance: It is impossible to watch an Honor Guard, a tightly choreographed drill, or Soldiers salute their fallen comrades or a noble leader without being moved. The United States Army is one of the last bastions of a codified time-honored respect in our culture.

2. Uniforms: ACUs are just cool. The digital pattern implies progress and modernity. The cut says utility and versatility. And there are even three pen pockets on the sleeve! I don't know what that says, but it's handy. It's also nice to not have to worry about what you're going to wear to work.

3. Constant Training Mentality: The U.S. Army is in a transitional phase, to an "Objective Force." The future force, say the optimists, will have smarter and more adaptive Soldiers. There's a lot to get ready for, and in order to prepare, the force is always looking to learn new things.

4. Benefits: I have earned a little latitude for selfishness, I think, as have all volunteer Soldiers. Some of the benefits are wonderful, from tuition assistance and student-loan forgiveness, to commissary privileges and military flights. Many civilian merchants offer military discounts, and there are a plethora of fringe benefits, like online libraries, free software, and legal advice. My wife and I were once considering forking over $80 a month each for a gym membership when we realized there was a military station not five miles from our home, whose gym we could use 24 hours for free.

5. Diversity: Call me touchy-feely, but I appreciate the variety. It is nice to know that our Armed Forces are fairly a portrait of our wonderfully diverse nation. I have met Soldiers from every racial, religious, ethnic, and cultural background while in the Army, and we are all better for it.

Read Ten Things I Love about the Army, Part II

(DoD photo by Army SGT Teddy Wade)

Radio Talk Show Host Gives Love to Guard

Hugh Hewitt, nationally-syndicated radio talk show host, author of a dozen books, columnist, blogger, and all-around good guy, paid a visit to the troops at Camp Bondsteel. His trip wasn't for a photo-op, but to really find out what the men and women of the California National Guard are doing here.

His latest column at TownHall is a pretty good indicator of what he found:
http://townhall.com/columnists/HughHewitt/2009/07/17/kosovo_and_the_american_citizen_soldier_of_the_national_guard?page=full&comments=true