I am sure the following quote by you will make everyone forget about Aristotle: Just out of curiousity, oh genius of geniuses, what "logic" do you bring to the table supporting your ascertainment that a unwillingness to fight the (largely Sunni) insurgency would be an indicator that a pro-Iranian Shiite government would be tilting *towards* Shiite Iran? *Please clarify these "crossed arrows" of strategic thought. It's okay. You forget about that one. << I'm still waiting for an answer, Braddock. How does a failure to vigorously carry out counter-insurgency operations against Sunni insurgents indicate a preference for Shiite Iran? Please clarify. A failure by whom? Have you not seen the countless public statements by Iraqi Shiite officials articulating their intentions forge stronger ties with Iran. These same officials have stated their intentions to let Iranian forces train their soldiers upon a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. I am of the opinion that the Sunni insurgency is being controlled in order to force the smaller secular Shiite bloc into compliance with the initiatives of the majority seat holding Shiites. By refusing to decisively disarm, capture and kill the Sunni insurgents, many of whom were responsible for the countless atrocities against Iraqi citizens over the past 15 years, suggest that a covert and unholy alliance has been forged between the Shiite, Sunni and Al Qaeda insurgents operating in Iraq. This is a paradigm shift of huge proportions that pose severe risks to our strategic interests in Iraq and the Middle East. For that matter, while I'm waiting for actual answers from you, why don't we resurrect the fact that I'm *still* waiting to hear from you about the glorious merits of a translator per platoon in facilitating infantry SERE training and why such training would be beneficial for a line infantry unit. That's easy. Stay tuned.

Braddock, Bellvue has a nice rubber room for you with lots of Haldol!

"Old Grunt I have no problem with the 18x contract as long as there is no reduction in rank." -- Brad ---- "Reduction"? As I recall from past comments you do not have any rank. Are you active duty, active reserve or NG, or retired? If not, you have no rank. So now are you saying you won't re-enlist unless they take you at E-6 (or whatever rank you were when you left military service)?" Displacedjim Exactly. This is not a new concept. It is standard practice for soldiers with critical mos distinction.

>>Exactly. This is not a new concept. It is standard practice for soldiers with critical mos distinction. << Yeah, but you don't have a critical MOS if you come in for the 18 series pipeline. You *may* earn one, but you aren't special just for showing up. Sounds like you're squirming for an excuse not show up at all, though.

Bradock, Do you really expect the average reader to trudge through your nonesense? Shorten it down to a paragraph or two and you may regain what little credibility you had. Troll!

Hey Shek, you are supposed to be capable of responding off the top of your head. That is indicative of one who is truly knowledgeable of the facultative elements of war. However, by taking your time, you are admitting that you have much to learn. I respect your humility Braddock you say this to Shek but for Horsesoldiers Question you say. Thats easy stay tuned.

Before his inglorious exit from the ARNG, Mr Jones was a buck Sgt, so any place on a team would be an almost instantaneous promotion for him.

"Before his inglorious exit from the ARNG, Mr Jones was a buck Sgt, so any place on a team would be an almost instantaneous promotion for him." -- stbretnco ---- Really? Are virtually all or even literally all "team" (at least A-Team?) members E-6 and above? Then they are all experienced soldiers, as well as incredibly trained and fit. Maybe the biggest advantage there might be the maturity level and cooler reaction/thought processes under stress, both in battle and in dealing with the locals? My brother-in-law spent a tour supporting special forces, including some time in/around Bosnia in the late '90s as an E-5. I think he was on/attached/whatever to a "B-Team." Displacedjim

>>Really? Are virtually all or even literally all "team" (at least A-Team?) members E-6 and above?<< The junior weapons/common/medic/engineer slots on each team are E-6 slots, but the guys filling those slots may be E-5s or even E-4s in some circumstances (for instance a guy straight out of the Q course). >>Then they are all experienced soldiers, as well as incredibly trained and fit. Maybe the biggest advantage there might be the maturity level and cooler reaction/thought processes under stress, both in battle and in dealing with the locals?<< Depends, especially with the 18 X-ray program. There are some very young SF E-6s running around out there -- but, even if they are in their early 20s they have been filtered through the SF selection and training process. >>My brother-in-law spent a tour supporting special forces, including some time in/around Bosnia in the late '90s as an E-5. I think he was on/attached/whatever to a "B-Team."<< Yeah -- the ODB has a couple non-tab slots organic to it. More if a support slice is pushed forward from the battalion on a semi-permanent sort of basis.

Hey Shek, you are supposed to be capable of responding off the top of your head. That is indicative of one who is truly knowledgeable of the facultative elements of war. However, by taking your time, you are admitting that you have much to learn. I respect your humility Braddock you say this to Shek but for Horsesoldiers Question you say. Thats easy stay tuned *Who said that?! make your accusations public. I have already explained the quick action term concept, yet, horsesoldier refuses to entertain the concept. He refuses any concept that reduces the qualitative and quantitative gap between conventional soldiers and SOF soldiers. Many of you hate me to your own detriment, as I have only tried to show you what can be accomplished when you set your goals beyond D "stars." Theatre realities in multiple regions across the globe demand that we adopt this reciprocal commitment to excellence between our conventional and Special Operations Forces. "Before his inglorious exit from the ARNG, Mr Jones was a buck Sgt, so any place on a team would be an almost instantaneous promotion for him." *Trust me, these are not the words of soldiers who witnessed my words and actions. Braddock D Great