re: "A sure sign the wars are ending..."

The Armorer at Castle Argghhh! has observed signs of increased garrisonification within the U.S. Army.

Money quote(s):

"A sure sign the wars are ending... ...is the Sergeant Major of the Army glowering menacingly from the cover of the Army Times saying "Lose weight or get out!""

&

"Heh. Anybody remember the challenges to discharges under AR 600-9, when the pencil-necked sunken-chested generals and their puppeteers the Sergeants Major solemnly intoned "Soldiers must be fit and able to fight on a moment's notice. It is crucial we have this tool to remove the unfit and protect the readiness of the force, which must be able to go to war from a standing start." Or words to that effect."

&

"What was about the first thing the Army did on September 12, 2001? Suspend discharges under AR600-9. But wait - I thought widebodies were a liability in an Army that has to go to war from a standing start...

Can't up the PT standards too much. We'd start losing pretty people, while the stout (not the obese, just the stout ones) would breeze by. Can't have that. Because we're far more concerned about looking pretty as we start our return to a garrison mentality, and it's emphasis on the appearance of discipline." (Emphasis in original text. - CAA.)

The side with the prettiest uniforms always loses. That's a military axiom.

There should probably be a corollary to that regarding soldiers who look pretty.

Bottom line: War isn't about running in unit formation with guidons flapping in the breeze. While fitness is certainly an issue, there's always going to be a need for some beefy guys who can pick up and move some heavy stuff. War stuff. Stuff like heavy machine guns, vehicle parts, and ammunition.

Because there's no such thing as too much ammunition.

"You'll know it's really on if they go back to smooth leather boots.

Courtney Massengale is stirring, brushing the lint off his nicely tailored, neatly pressed (and lightly starched) uniform, getting ready to assert himself as Sam Damon gets shoved into advisory duty somewhere."

No extra credit for those who get the "Once An Eagle" references; it's not like it hasn't been on the Army's reading lists for years.

11/22

S&S - Sergeant major in Europe faces sexual assault trial

From my archive of press clippings:

Stars and Stripes

Sergeant major in Europe faces sexual assault trial


By Nancy Montgomery, Stars and Stripes


European edition, Friday, March 5, 2010


HEIDELBERG, Germany — One of U.S. Army Europe’s highest-ranking sergeants will be court-martialed on charges of aggravated sexual assault and maltreatment of a young specialist, according to military officials.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The case of Sgt. Maj. Garry Tull was referred on Wednesday to a general court-martial by the V Corps commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Ryan, a month after the sergeant major’s Article 32 hearing, according to public affairs officials. Article 32 hearings are held to determine whether enough evidence exists to prosecute a case."

&

"According to the charge sheet in the case, Tull caused the specialist to “engage in sexual intercourse … by abusing his military position, rank and authority to affect the military career” of the woman."