I meant to a degree, but point taken. From the news I read several months after the war, it seemed like some serious tonnage of insurgent paraphenalia and personnel was being moved around the Iraqi deserts, and I was wondering if this was still going on or if the 'hot spots' were relatively isolated.

Sorry for not being clear.

Solid

Posted by The Reaper:

Why thank you, sir.....quite a compliment, hope to live up to that someday.


Posted by the Team Sergeant:

I have one question for you TS. Why do you think the AF has Security Forces?? Because once the base got established the Army move out, leaving it to the folks at the base to defend it themselves for the most part. So the AF had to train folks to actually do ABD to take the place of the soldiers that moved to foward posistions. If what you mean by ground combat is the kicking doors and actively patroling for bad guys, I totally agree. The SF guys should NEVER have to leave a base....PJ's are trained to do the rescue stuff. We need to soley cncentrate on total perimeter security. I felt like the patroling and building clearing we were taught we unnecessary. If you were working an SRT team or something of that nature, I could understand the building clearing.
We were told (who knows where this came from) that AFSF (cops) were originally there to move foward, take enemy bases under our control or to secure areas for landing and build up a base around the landing area. Thus the need to learn land nav and patrolling. I cannot imagine that we actually still do this???

Well, lookee what just popped up!

TR


Army to Recruit 'Downsized' Airmen, Sailors
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 09, 2004


WASHINGTON -- After they "Cross Into the Blue" or "Accelerate Their Life," the Army hopes service members leaving the Air Force or Navy will join the "Army of One."

A new program, Operation Blue to Green, seeks to recruit airmen and sailors leaving their service due to force reductions into the Army, which is temporarily increasing its ranks.

Plans call for the Air Force to reduce its numbers by 16,000 and the Navy, by 7,900 by the end of 2005, officials from the two services confirmed.

An Army spokesperson called Operation Blue to Green a win-win opportunity that "will definitely benefit the Department of Defense as well as these individuals."

Details of the program are still being worked out, but an Army Web site says the program tells potential recruits it "will allow you to continue to serve your country, to maintain the benefits of military service and to expand your horizons by gaining new training and trying new things."

Candidates for the program are airmen and sailors in grades E-5 and below who qualify for an honorable discharge from active duty. Participation in the Operation Blue to Green program, the Web site says, "is dependent upon your service's willingness to release you from your current active duty obligation."

Marines and Coast Guardsmen interested in the program must first complete their current active-duty service obligations before enlisting in the Army, the site advises.

New soldiers recruited under Operation Blue to Green will go through a four- week "warrior transition course" being developed by the Army Training and Doctrine Command. "This will further orient them in terms of what it means to be a soldier in the Army," the Army spokesperson said.

This new course in basic combat skills will substitute for the nine-week course currently used to train airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen enlisting in the Army, the Web site noted.

Bonuses will be offered to recruits for selected military occupational specialties, although details were not yet available.

While the Army finalizes details about the program, it's wasting no time getting the word out to potential candidates. An online information form encourages interested candidates to sign up for more information. However, the site notes, "Until formal policies have been approved, Army recruiters cannot accept applications, process paperwork or reserve training seats."

WOW!! Of course I went in when the Draft was still in effect but most of the men in blue were there to keep out of the Army. Even with modern recruiting, the Army means dirt, mud and pain to many.

This is similar to TR's article, but from the Navy perspective.
---------------------------------------------------
The Source for Navy News
www.news.navy.mil

New Program Allows Separating Sailors to Join Army
Story Number: NNS040715-13
7/15/2004

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy personnel officials are working side by side with their counterparts in the Army on a program designed to facilitate the transfer of qualified naval officers and Sailors to active duty in the Army.

The new program, called Operation Blue to Green, could offer financial bonuses and will include four weeks of extra training for those with skill sets most needed by the Army.

“Lots of details still need to be worked out,” said Cmdr. Carl Murphy, the Navy’s Blue to Green coordinator. “We see this as a very good option for someone separating from the Navy but still interested in continuing to serve the country on active duty.”

The Navy has already provided Army personnel officials the names and work addresses of some 8,000 Sailors with plans to separate over the next year. Information flow, stressed Murphy, will be key to the program’s success.

“We think Operation Blue to Green shows great promise, and we are working hard to support it,” he said. “That means making sure both the Army and our separating Sailors have enough information about each other to make good decisions. As with any major career move, the individual is in the driver’s seat.”

The Army is especially interested in Sailors with skills that translate easily to Army jobs, including cryptology, fire control, air traffic control and mechanics. A complete list of Navy ratings and Navy Enlisted Classification codes that are of interest to the Army is available on the Operation Blue to Green Web site at www.goarmy.com/btg/index.htm#benefits.

Under current policy, an enlisted Sailor interested in applying for the program must first be discharged from the Navy before reentering active service in the Army. Officers will be able to transition without broken service under existing rules for inter-service transfer.

Applicants in pay grades E-1 through E-4 will retain the same rank, as will officers. Second class petty officers will have their pay grade eligibility determined by the Army’s Human Resources Command.

Other requirements of the program include:
· Must be physically fit
· Must meet Army height and weight standards
· Eight-year service obligation still applies
· Minimum term of service is three years
· Must have approved DD Form 368

Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel are also being encouraged to apply.

For related news, visit the Chief of Naval Personnel Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnp.