Army Reserve May Take Over Civil Affairs

Found this article today on Military.com. They've been discussing doing this for a while. Most agree that its definitely going to happen sometime next year. Noone can agree on how this will change things, but one thing's for certain: It will definitely change things.

I do like what LTG Hemley is saying about the Reserves. He's pissed a lot of people off but its all true and needs to be said. The Reserves is not equiped to fight this war...but then, neither is the Active component. The military adapts slow, but I guess its better than no adaptation at all.

JBad PRT Team in Stars and Stripes

Our Civil Affairs team made the 20 March 2006 issue of Stars and Stripes. We had a reporter here with us for about a week. I was actually expecting more in depth reporting than this after a full week, but at least it makes us look good! (links to pdf)

A New and Worthy Project

Getting towards the end of my tour here, I find my thoughts drifting more and more towards home and resuming my long-lost life with my wife, dogs and extended family in Austin, TX. However, something has come up recently that has renewed my vigor and as crazy as it sounds has had me regretting that I have such a short time left! Well, to be more accurate, I'm regretting that I didn't meet these guys a year ago. Just last week I got a letter from a reader who turned me on to an ongoing film documentary project about Civil Affairs:

www.winninghearts.org

Interestingly enough, it was inspired by the writings of Rob Schultheis in his book Waging Peace that I had put up on my Recommended Readings section back in September! Mr. Schultheis is involved directly with the project as well. It inspired me to write to them, offering whatever assistance I could to help make their project a success and get the word out about the good work we do here every day. I got a prompt response back and we're in discussions as to how I might be able to help contribute to this effort.

And if you want to contribute, they have a "Donate" button at the bottom of their main page.

Remembering SSG Newman

I've been meaning to write this post for nearly a month now. SSG Clint Newman died north of Deh Rawod in central Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee on February 13th. The loss of SSG Newman has been the hardest so far for all of us. Having been with the 321st for several years, Clint was a close friend to many there and part of the core group that made the 321st what it was.

I remember my first day at the unit when I was still a pre-Basic recruit; an outsider who knew absolutely noone. Clint was the first person to speak to me, the first person to make me feel comfortable; to go out of his way to make me feel welcome. When I took a diagonstic fitness test (APFT) just before basic, and wasn't in the shape I am now, Clint ran the last two laps with me when I was starting to slow down. I remember being so struck by his quiet decency, grace and kindness that I asked him jokingly: "Were you a Boy Scout when you were a kid?" He was a good man, and a good friend who made every life better that he came in contact with.

His official Special Operations Command notice and biography can be found at the SOC website.

For anyone interested in doing something on behalf of SSG Clinton Newman, his family has suggested giving a donation in his name to the Fisher House. For those of you not familiar with the Fisher House, it is an organization that houses military families while their loved ones are in military hospitals. There are volunteers
that cook meals and help the families in any way they can. This really eases the burdens for the families as they care for their ill or wounded military family member.

The address to the Fisher House at Fort Sam is:
Manager
Fisher House
3623 George C. Beach Road
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234

Laptop and School Supply Donation

I donated my old laptop and a bunch of school supplies sent from home to the neighborhood elementary school today! What a way to start the day. It was just an old laptop to me I've had for years, but to them it was a really big deal. These are the moments that really make all the sacrafices worthwhile. They took me around to each classroom and I got to talk to little girls and boys about the importance of education, how they are the future of their country and of course, the most important thing: Exchanging hundreds of smiles. It sounds cheesy but these little connections are what people remember more than anything. I'm proud to be a positive representation for the United States. With as much abuse as we get in the world, some of it much deserved, we do a hell of a lot of good and I'm blessed to be a part of it.

New Operation Flintstone Post

All the supplies are in and I've posted a team photo with all the packages on the Operation Flintstone site. Check it out.