Israel and Iran

The gap between SOF and non-SOF/support is pretty wide, as it should be. In the Marines and Army (conventional), where the gap is more narrow and "every Marine a rifleman" (presumably soldier, too) this is just another Tuesday.

I don't say this to diminish what they did, merely to point out my continued amazement of the warrior spirit throughout the service and remain thankful that the branches have meat-eaters throughout the spectrum.
 
This was a common denominator with top tier operators, if you watch enough of it because the ones you follow put solid information out that they always are humbled by and giving praise to the ones who supported them in CS and CSS MOS's.

Kyle Lamb was the first who instantly comes to mind when he mentions the support people doing a very thankless job that has no glory but to those whom they serve with and are assigned to support.
 
Box said:
The initial reporting was three because La David Johnson was missing for a couple days before they found him.

I enjoy absolutely PRAISING these dudes - especially the two support guys - men that often get overlooked because the story is about "Special Forces Soldiers ambushed in Niger" - support dudes never expect to be fighting for their lives against a well set ambush executed by "trained" enemy fighters.
But we are talking about AMERICAN support guys - not fucking savages.

The average American hears "four killed" as some unfathomable number of American deaths - but the average Americana also has no reference point to understand what a small unit being ambushed by over a hundred savages looks or sounds like. A better way of describing the incident would be by saying, after a brutal gunfight in which they were horrifically outnumbered, is ONLY four Americans were killed.
...five times as many Jihadists got cloroxed out of the human gene pool that day

What happened to the two support guys was not their primary job - but when it came time to show up for the main event those men rotated their selector switches from safe to semi - and brought it.
Mother fuck the bad guys - the ISGS threw more than 100 "trained fighters" armed not just with small arms but with with crew served weapons and mortars - all aimed at a small contingent of American Soldiers.
...and those prick fucks got their asses handed to them.

La David Johnson enlisted in the Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and when shit hit the fan, he showed "Jihadists" what an ass whipping looked like. SGT Johnson was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for the EPIC ass whipping that he laid on the fucking Jihadis before they eventually overran his position. When the ambushed kicked off, he jumped on the 240 to provide suppressive and supporting fires and he stayed on it until the gun went down. Then he fought back with a rifle - continuing to fight off the savages. It took these "trained" savages a truck mounted machine gun before they could silence his position.


The average American knows SHIT about foreign policy. The average American knows SHIT about the REAL consequences of years of bullshit left leaning foreign policy that focuses on optics and three-martini-diplomacy because its easier to just "protest" military force.

The world is FULL of mother fuckers that need killing. The world is full of mother fuckers that contribute nothing but fear and violence and the sad truth is that most Americans walk into the mall while service members walk into combat.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile..."

The world is FULL of mother fuckers that sympathize with Islamofascists, terrorists, and communists that would rather see Americans face down in a pool of their own blood than actually "coexist peacefully" with anyone that doesn't agree tolerate accept celebrate and kowtow to their evil horse hit. All they want to do is posture and squeal "orangemanbad" even though it is far from the Orangeman that got us into this. We are in this shit storm because of 50 years of cowardly democratic left wing failed foreign policy that has put us in our current position with Iran.

The left has become void of any real decency or patriotism - and would rather throw stones than actually "help" make life in America good for "everyone"
...nope
...you are going to submit to the narrative
...or else

We would not die in some false patriots company that fears their fellowship to die with us.
...and CITIZENS in America now a-bed...
...think themselves exalted that they were not here,
...but I hold their false patriotism cheap whiles any speaks



Just my opinion - I could be wrong.
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This support guy approves (and appreciates) this message ^
 
Cookie_ said:
Those two dudes brought it so much they were both made Honorary Green Berets.

Tongo Tongo was something I constantly reminded my guys of when training. The enemy gets a vote, and they don't care if you're a GB or a cook/mechanic/admin/fueler/etc.
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The thing is, most of their leaders in those fields are plant eaters commissioned, enlisted, or warrants. It's a real problem.
 
Devildoc said:
The gap between SOF and non-SOF/support is pretty wide, as it should be. In the Marines and Army (conventional), where the gap is more narrow and "every Marine a rifleman" (presumably soldier, too) this is just another Tuesday.

I don't say this to diminish what they did, merely to point out my continued amazement of the warrior spirit throughout the service and remain thankful that the branches have meat-eaters throughout the spectrum.
Click to expand...
I think the distinction is different based on organizational culture. DD--I know you've heard me say this many times in the past; I'm posting it for the new people.

I served in 5th Group, the 160th, and JSOC, in that order. In units that have a screening, assessment, and selection progam have, in my experience, a great deal more appreciation for (and get a lot more from) the support side than those that don't.

I went from being treated like a "red-hat support bitch" in 5th Group to being a full-on Night Stalker in the 160th. Support-side assignments in Group were (and probably still are) needs-of-the-Army, with no consistent screening process across the board. No investment in screening, No selection process whatever. Little to no investment in training or retention on the support side.

In comparison, I had to try out for the 160th, and it was up in the air if I would make it or not until literally the last interview. I attended Green Platoon after I got selected, and went through everything the pilots did short of flying the helos (obviously). that gave me confindence, training, and credibility with the men I supported, because they knew I had to try out to be there, and I was one of them, but with a different job. The 160th invested in the support side, from start to finish. The 160th sent me to Pathfinder School; 5th Group balked at sending intel guys to Pathfinder database training. In the 160th, if I didn't perform I got sent back across the airfield. 5th Group was where we often sent support guys we bounced.

Similar thing with JSOC. I was a plankholder with the Joint Exploitation Squadron and the Joint Intel Brigade. I had to try out to get there, and I had to perform to stay. IMO, one of the things that makes JSOC so successful is that the **operators** who carry out the missions understand the importance of what the support side does. They invest heavily in support, and they demand--and get--great results.

The gap doesn't need to be wide. We're all part of the same team, and all want the same thing, We just have different roles in getting there.

Mature organizations and leaders recognize this and allocate resources accordingly.
 
Marauder06 said:
I think the distinction is different based on organizational culture. DD--I know you've heard me say this many times in the past; I'm posting it for the new people.

I served in 5th Group, the 160th, and JSOC, in that order. In units that have a screening, assessment, and selection progam have, in my experience, a great deal more appreciation for (and get a lot more from) the support side than those that don't.

I went from being treated like a "red-hat support bitch" in 5th Group to being a full-on Night Stalker in the 160th. Support-side assignments in Group were (and probably still are) needs-of-the-Army, with no consistent screening process across the board. No investment in screening, No selection process whatever. Little to no investment in training or retention on the support side.

In comparison, I had to try out for the 160th, and it was up in the air if I would make it or not until literally the last interview. I attended Green Platoon after I got selected, and went through everything the pilots did short of flying the helos (obviously). that gave me confindence, training, and credibility with the men I supported, because they knew I had to try out to be there, and I was one of them, but with a different job. The 160th invested in the support side, from start to finish. The 160th sent me to Pathfinder School; 5th Group balked at sending intel guys to Pathfinder database training. In the 160th, if I didn't perform I got sent back across the airfield. 5th Group was where we often sent support guys we bounced.

Similar thing with JSOC. I was a plankholder with the Joint Exploitation Squadron and the Joint Intel Brigade. I had to try out to get there, and I had to perform to stay. IMO, one of the things that makes JSOC so successful is that the **operators** who carry out the missions understand the importance of what the support side does. They invest heavily in support, and they demand--and get--great results.

The gap doesn't need to be wide. We're all part of the same team, and all want the same thing, We just have different roles in getting there.

Mature organizations and leaders recognize this and allocate resources accordingly.
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I agree; perhaps I should have worded my post a bit differently. I think you and I are saying the same things, just a bit differently. Having an A&S and pipeline does by its nature and design create a gap between SOF and non-SOF. You can appropriately speak to how the SOF utilize and integrate the non-SOF dudes (and by 'dudes', I also mean women) on a spectrum from not-at-all to fully. In non-SOF units, conventional units, I think there's still leadership that by unit decide how to do the same thing on a spectrum, but the gap between an infantryman and non-infantryman isn't quite as big as it is in SOF.

I have been in a similar world: doc, you do medical only; doc, you are a trigger-puller until you are not.
 
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The Quartermaster said:
This was a common denominator with top tier operators, if you watch enough of it because the ones you follow put solid information out that they always are humbled by and giving praise to the ones who supported them in CS and CSS MOS's.

Kyle Lamb was the first who instantly comes to mind when he mentions the support people doing a very thankless job that has no glory but to those whom they serve with and are assigned to support.
Click to expand...

JMU approves of this message 😀
 
Marauder06 said:
I think the distinction is different based on organizational culture. DD--I know you've heard me say this many times in the past; I'm posting it for the new people.

I served in 5th Group, the 160th, and JSOC, in that order. In units that have a screening, assessment, and selection progam have, in my experience, a great deal more appreciation for (and get a lot more from) the support side than those that don't.

I went from being treated like a "red-hat support bitch" in 5th Group to being a full-on Night Stalker in the 160th. Support-side assignments in Group were (and probably still are) needs-of-the-Army, with no consistent screening process across the board. No investment in screening, No selection process whatever. Little to no investment in training or retention on the support side.

In comparison, I had to try out for the 160th, and it was up in the air if I would make it or not until literally the last interview. I attended Green Platoon after I got selected, and went through everything the pilots did short of flying the helos (obviously). that gave me confindence, training, and credibility with the men I supported, because they knew I had to try out to be there, and I was one of them, but with a different job. The 160th invested in the support side, from start to finish. The 160th sent me to Pathfinder School; 5th Group balked at sending intel guys to Pathfinder database training. In the 160th, if I didn't perform I got sent back across the airfield. 5th Group was where we often sent support guys we bounced.

Similar thing with JSOC. I was a plankholder with the Joint Exploitation Squadron and the Joint Intel Brigade. I had to try out to get there, and I had to perform to stay. IMO, one of the things that makes JSOC so successful is that the **operators** who carry out the missions understand the importance of what the support side does. They invest heavily in support, and they demand--and get--great results.

The gap doesn't need to be wide. We're all part of the same team, and all want the same thing, We just have different roles in getting there.

Mature organizations and leaders recognize this and allocate resources accordingly.
Click to expand...

When I first went to SOST we were under the operational support group of the 1st SOW with no selection or much say in who got to be there. Right after I transitioned to JMAU (JMU) they were brought into the 24th and everything changed. Better budget, equipment, utilization and the selection is legit-not indoc for sure but enough to make sure people really want to be there.

JMU has a long history of a selection process that has become more formal and, I would say, more difficult over the years. Hard to get into and harder to stay. Even with that it seemed we weren always held at arm length by the groups we supported until the shit hit the fan and we operated on their guys. Then it was “let me pour you a drink while we do our AAR” (paraphrasing). But I remind anyone looking to get a slot in SOST our JMU that while you will have a very important role in stuff that makes headlines, you aren’t the star of the show and won’t make the papers. Be good with that and be excellent at what you do.
 
SOSTCRNA said:
When I first went to SOST we were under the operational support group of the 1st SOW with no selection or much say in who got to be there. Right after I transitioned to JMAU (JMU) they were brought into the 24th and everything changed. Better budget, equipment, utilization and the selection is legit-not indoc for sure but enough to make sure people really want to be there.

JMU has a long history of a selection process that has become more formal and, I would say, more difficult over the years. Hard to get into and harder to stay. Even with that it seemed we weren always held at arm length by the groups we supported until the shit hit the fan and we operated on their guys. Then it was “let me pour you a drink while we do our AAR” (paraphrasing). But I remind anyone looking to get a slot in SOST our JMU that while you will have a very important role in stuff that makes headlines, you aren’t the star of the show and won’t make the papers. Be good with that and be excellent at what you do.
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Many clinicians from JMU do stuff locally at a lesser hospital at a university with a shitty basketball team, but we and they exchange resources so I've had an opportunity to get to know a bunch of folks. Good people. One dude did his trauma/critical care fellowship with us and I got to know him well, super guy.
 
Devildoc said:
Many clinicians from JMU do stuff locally at a lesser hospital at a university with a shitty basketball team, but we and they exchange resources so I've had an opportunity to get to know a bunch of folks. Good people. One dude did his trauma/critical care fellowship with us and I got to know him well, super guy.
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That’s great to hear
 
AWP said:
Where are the Houthis? For a group that targeted anything in the Red Sea, especially US warships, they've remained quiet. No missiles on Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Nada. Their benefactor is in a life-or-death struggle and the Houthis aren't playing?

Odd.
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To be fair, I haven't even thought of that. Good call out. More proof that Iran was responsible for so much evil that happened.
 
And notice we aren't striking them. They practically don't exist right now.

With Iran under attack the Houthis' logistical train is gone. Done. Do they suicide cult and blow through all of their munitions or possibly sit back and husband their resources either to defend or go out in a blaze of glory if we do attack? Maybe we aren't provoking them because we do not have the THAADs to defend against Iran and Yemen? Which if we don't, again why aren't the Houthis attacking?

And with Israel bombing Lebanon, there's no call to arms by Iran?

It does not follow their previous patterns of behavior.
 
AWP said:
And notice we aren't striking them. They practically don't exist right now.

With Iran under attack the Houthis' logistical train is gone. Done. Do they suicide cult and blow through all of their munitions or possibly sit back and husband their resources either to defend or go out in a blaze of glory if we do attack? Maybe we aren't provoking them because we do not have the THAADs to defend against Iran and Yemen? Which if we don't, again why aren't the Houthis attacking?

And with Israel bombing Lebanon, there's no call to arms by Iran?

It does not follow their previous patterns of behavior.
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That's the big thing that a lot of folks are missing about this war. Iran has their finger in sooooo many different places that are targeting our people and negatively affecting our interests. Ending Iran as it currently exists affects things all over the world, including our two biggest adversaries, China and Russia.
 
DA SWO said:
Flight RADAR 24 says plane #2 was AF Reserve based out of Beale, no idea if it was a Beale crew though.
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They now say the Beale plane was a KC-135RT , those are refuelable in the air, so I'm guessing the mid-air happened during refueling and that it probably was a Beale (Reserve) crew.

Photo's from Israel earlier showed a flight line full of Guard 135's, praying for the families.
 
Well.. the cat's out of the bag now. Iraq is walking a thin line, being the staging ground for attacks from Iranian backed militias, at the same time being the flight path for the war. Both ways.

A suicide boat drone just hit a tanker in Iraq's only port the other day. There was also a drone attack at Majnoon the biggest oil field. Mystery air strikes have been taking out Islamic Resistance (Iranian backed) affiliated militia leaders all over the place in the past couple weeks.
 

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