Rebuilding Afghanistan

OS119 · 23-04-2009 9:29am

iceage wrote: »

Just got to watch those Manic moran, thanks. 12 month deployment with US forces FFS and in some cases an extention to 15 months! It seems that this is to become the norm with US forces overseas and with other forces as well, Leadership you might be able to cast light on this for me, my understanding was that all UK forces say, deployed to oversea theatre for no longer than a 6 month period, is this to change?

the tour is 6 months, but with build-up, OPTAG and then post tour 'decompression' and leave you're getting towards a 10 month 'package'.

there's some (informal, 'bar-stool') argument for a 12 month tour with the attendant increase in time between tours, but while many regulars might welcome it the TA are going nuts. i think that almost regardless of legislation if a TA soldier was away from his employer for 16 months he'd be out of a job.

good luck MM, have a really good time with PRT, its a fantastic job - just grow that beard boy!

iceage · 23-04-2009 6:26pm

Cheers for that OS119. As I thought.

Manic Moran · 23-04-2009 7:00pm

OS119 wrote: »

there's some (informal, 'bar-stool') argument for a 12 month tour with the attendant increase in time between tours,

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

G3-Nut · 23-04-2009 8:21pm

Manic Moran wrote: »

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

Hows the weather over there bud? il be there in a few months myself!

good luck.

goldie fish · 24-04-2009 9:02am

Manic Moran wrote: »

No, that's the Squadron Commander. He's almost my height, wears the same colour cav hat.
Guy in suit is governor.
NTM

You wear a kilgore hat nowdays?

OS119 · 24-04-2009 9:30am

Manic Moran wrote: »

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

yeah, thats the argument - its a very attractive one in operational terms, the concern here is whether (after our tradition of 6 month tours, especially with the TA) you'd have much of an army left to exploit the advantages!

i fear the long-haired generals might get a little upset at the prospect of 16 months babysitting...

Manic Moran · 24-04-2009 1:40pm

I think the US Army has pretty much come to terms with 12-month-tours as the 'standard' so there isn't so much of a lash against that. Bear in mind that wars used to be 'for the duration', so even that isn't too much of a burden compared to that our grandfathers bore. It's the lack of 'dewll time' in between tours that's annoying people. They can live with a year away, if they get two or three years at home. For a while it was '15 months away, less than a year at home' which was causing the problem.

il be there in a few months myself!

Doing what?

NTM

G3-Nut · 24-04-2009 2:25pm

Manic Moran wrote: »

I think the US Army has pretty much come to terms with 12-month-tours as the 'standard' so there isn't so much of a lash against that. Bear in mind that wars used to be 'for the duration', so even that isn't too much of a burden compared to that our grandfathers bore. It's the lack of 'dewll time' in between tours that's annoying people. They can live with a year away, if they get two or three years at home. For a while it was '15 months away, less than a year at home' which was causing the problem.

Doing what?

NTM

I will be one of the 1000 extra turkish troops being sent over.

Manic Moran · 24-04-2009 7:49pm

A Turkish soldier... in Carlow?

What accent do you have?

(You realise that as I'm half Greek, I'm morally obliged to shoot you should I meet you, right? Of course, since only half Greek, a simple wounding will suffice)

NTM

Poccington · 24-04-2009 7:50pm

Best of luck over there Manic, keep your head on a swivel and tell the Afghans that you're Irish, apparently everyone likes Irish people. :pac:

G3-Nut · 24-04-2009 8:00pm

Manic Moran wrote: »

A Turkish soldier... in Carlow?

What accent do you have?

(You realise that as I'm half Greek, I'm morally obliged to shoot you should I meet you, right? Of course, since only half Greek, a simple wounding will suffice)

NTM

been living in Ireland since 1997, so im equipped with a carlow accent haha. in 3 weeks im flying back home to start training:eek:

Lmao do yourself a favour and have a chat with the greek guy Niko who owns a coffee shop across the street from my auntys flat in istanbul, he will enlighten you on how in real life greeks and turks dont argue that bad in the civvie world, as for the internet, its a bunch of 12 year old turks, arguing with a bunch of 12 year old greeks what do you expect:rolleyes:

BEst of luck over there mate, are yu going over with the greeks or the US?

Manic Moran · 27-04-2009 4:17pm

Life continues. Had the pleasure of watching some Navy and Air Force types (we're a mixed bag) going through their equipment issue, and trying to figure out the tactical sling and drop-leg holster. Eventually "Why don't you ask one of the Army guys how to put that stuff together...?"

Am walking around with just a sidearm. We've got so many volunteers to come on this mission with us that we don't have enough rifles for everyone, I had to turn my rifle in for reassignment. We're seriously overstrength. Hopefully we will get a refill.

NTM

Manic Moran · 03-05-2009 1:36am

Just found out today that there are at least nine sibling pairs in our unit (incl one set of twins) and at least one father-son pairing.

Interesting.

NTM

minidazzler · 03-05-2009 1:39am

Manic Moran wrote: »

Just found out today that there are at least nine sibling pairs in our unit (incl one set of twins) and at least one father-son pairing.

Interesting.

NTM

Please tell me that the Son is a higher rank than the father!!!

Are they Identical twins? I would hate to be the enemy staring down them. "Hey didn't I just get you?"

Manic Moran · 15-05-2009 6:13pm

Had a crack at the HMMWV rollover trainer the other day.

Kindof a fun ride, except for that minute or so that you're upside down with half the weight on your neck as you're trying to resist the weight of the body armour breaking it. The inability to bend is also a bit annoying when trying to reorient yourself in the small space after undoing the seat belt and falling to the ceiling. I did better than our S-2, who had his airway blocked and had to be rescued. Both times.

You really do have to take a bit of a pause after you're righted yourself though. I spent a couple of seconds wondering why the door was so far away from me, and how the hell the TC got between me and it.

Manic Moran · 05-06-2009 9:45am

The focus of training here is on the PRTs, Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The 'ground-owning' units are something of an afterthought at this particular mobilisation station. (This isn't a surprise, our primary purpose for mobilising is to work with the PRTs). However, it does mean that we're not much of a priority for training, and those of us who drive desks have even less to do for now.

Got out and about the last couple of days though, on the convoy lanes. Fired what will probably be the only ten rounds of ball ammo for this mobilisation outside of confirming my zero.

It's amusing, though, to see the difference between 'schoolhouse' and 'real world.' We've already noted a few differences, and I had great pleasure in watching an instructor's reaction when an officer who's home on leave from Afghanistan commented that they do precisely the opposite of what's taught...

NTM

Manic Moran · 05-06-2009 6:39pm

Taking a long weekend, flew back to California. I should travel in uniform more often, US Airways bumped me to 1st Class both legs.

NTM

iceage · 05-06-2009 10:20pm

Bonus! I see nothin wrong with that, thoroughly earned and deserved....its the way it should be:) up there with all the totty n celebs, in the words of a wise man, Rock on Tommy!

minidazzler · 06-06-2009 4:29am

Manic Moran wrote: »

Taking a long weekend, flew back to California. I should travel in uniform more often, US Airways bumped me to 1st Class both legs.

NTM

Very nice!!!! And well deserved I must add! Hope you are enjoying the training!!!

(Also, I have to say, I am delighted I finally know what NTM stands for!!! I though it was Not The Momma for a long time(don't ask!!!) Now I know what it stands for!!! Except the "T", but I assume that stands for Tiberius, just for cool factor, and please don't correct me, I prefer it this way!!)

Manic Moran · 10-06-2009 2:53pm

Flew back again. Delta, this time. No class upgrade, but did get a round of applause on the first flight, and moved to an exit row on the second (Plus a free $2 headset...)

Someone seems to have low expectations. From the local Fox news affiliate...

NTM

Victor · 11-06-2009 11:06pm

Manic Moran wrote: »

Flew back again. Delta, this time. No class upgrade, but did get a round of applause on the first flight, and moved to an exit row on the second (Plus a free $2 headset...)

Someone seems to have low expectations. From the local Fox news affiliate...

NTM

Hell, some guy building a casino went bust for the sake of eight hundred dollars.

Manic Moran · 14-06-2009 1:05pm

Couple of more videos from Fox about our mob. No, I'm not in them.

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19710118/index.html

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19727052/index.html

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19742943/

NTM

mysterious · 15-06-2009 7:07am

The thread title buggs the poo outta me.

It should be renamed, "Americanising Afghanistan.

Japen
Iraq
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Vietnam
Israel.

Have I missed anymore countries that they rebuilt, I mean Americanised.

lmao at this thread.:rolleyes::D Delusional society at its best.

The other one is we are making peace they by invading it. ROFL... Why do people A watch T.v, B listen to bull**** and C follow the bull****.I really think the thread title is inappropriate and insulting.

toiletduck · 15-06-2009 12:30pm

mysterious wrote: »

Have I missed anymore countries that they rebuilt, I mean Americanised.

There's a fair few here

Fratton Fred · 15-06-2009 1:05pm

mysterious wrote: »

The thread title buggs the poo outta me.

It should be renamed, "Americanising Afghanistan.

Japen
Iraq
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Vietnam
Israel.

Have I missed anymore countries that they rebuilt, I mean Americanised.

lmao at this thread.:rolleyes::D Delusional society at its best.

The other one is we are making peace they by invading it. ROFL... Why do people A watch T.v, B listen to bull**** and C follow the bull****.I really think the thread title is inappropriate and insulting.

Everyone brings joy to this forum. some when they enter, others when they leave.

Feel free to decide which category you fall into.

EvilMonkey · 15-06-2009 1:37pm

mysterious wrote: »

The thread title buggs the poo outta me.

It should be renamed, "Americanising Afghanistan.

Japen
Iraq
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Vietnam
Israel.

Have I missed anymore countries that they rebuilt, I mean Americanised.

lmao at this thread.:rolleyes::D Delusional society at its best.

The other one is we are making peace they by invading it. ROFL... Why do people A watch T.v, B listen to bull**** and C follow the bull****.I really think the thread title is inappropriate and insulting.

How many Afghan people have you spoken too?

Duffers · 15-06-2009 2:00pm

Suggestion: Don't respond to Mysterious on this thread. If you just ignore him, he will eventually go away.

Manic, are your unit mainly working alongside Americans, or are there other ISAF bods about?

mysterious · 15-06-2009 8:46pm

EvilMonkey wrote: »

How many Afghan people have you spoken too?

I've talked a few in person.
Friends with two pakistanis that I work with. They live near the border of Afghanistan. They tell me what goes on in these countries. This mean's it's not biased. It's my job as human being. I question reality. I talk to people from every culture. I don't talk about ronaldo and britney spears to strangers. I talk about realism. I ask people the conflict in their regions. Another thing I do, everyime I talk to someone foreign I ask about their country in their opeion. I talk to many Eastern taxi drivers about these topics. So am I to believe in realism, or the bull**** on this thread? "rebuilding" Afghanistan, when thousands are going to die, for greed. What does rebuilding mean in this context. I find it insulting and derogetory.

I talk to many people online from their. I do my research:) I make sure I look at the overall situation of any particular situation.I I study this in the best of my own abilities. Thus meaning not relying on the media. I'm going to Dubai this year too. I think it's very dangerous to read titles on such threads as this and follow the mainstream media interpretation of what goes on in other countries.

It's like the American who ask's us down south about how we put up with the war here. You mean the bombs in Belfast. They don't get it. They watch T.V and believe it as real. This is thread is a classic example. Guess people haven't learned even still in 2009

mysterious · 15-06-2009 9:03pm

Duffers wrote: »

Suggestion: Don't respond to Mysterious on this thread. If you just ignore him, he will eventually go away.

Manic, are your unit mainly working alongside Americans, or are there other ISAF bods about?

So we just blindly accept the delusion.

And ignorantly believe that we are in Afghanistan to liberate it.
Seriously I would like to know.

I see you ignore reality already.

Poccington · 15-06-2009 9:11pm

I'm very quickly running out of patience with the constant ramblings from certain people in this forum.

It stops now or people are going on holiday.

Rebuilding Afghanistan

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