Thread for Mike

[Tom Yum]

Guys, we need to create a thread wishing Mike B a safe trip!

Mike,

Thanks for keeping our country safe! We hope you will return safely.

In the mean time, I've posted a pic to help keep your spirits high.

[Tant01]

From Jeff Cooper's Commentaries.

>>>I have put it forth before but I wish to say it again - the five essential elements of a soldier are: skill-at-arms, discipline, valor, hardihood, and pride. The soldier must fight well with whatever instrument he carries or operates. Fortunately this is something which can be taught. Second, the soldier must do what he is told - always and every time. There must be no question about obedience of orders. On our promotion examinations in high school ROTC, we were always given a freebie on the fill-in section that stated as follows: "Before the soldier can aspire to command, he must first learn to (blank)." The answer, of course, was "obey." In a 50-question examination you got that one for free.

Valor. A soldier must be brave enough to face death without flinching. This is pretty obvious, but it does bear repeating. Every man knows fear when he faces death. It is essential, however, that he not allow it to influence his action. Everyone knows that horrible hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach when he looks in the cannon's mouth, but he must not show it. Valor dictates his behavior. "Here we go!" Everybody who has been there knows how it feels. It may be that is why we have leaders. The leader is just as scared as the follower, but he goes forward anyway into the face of death. This is a commonplace sublimation, but we observe it.

A soldier must be physically tough. Military operations of all sorts involve hardship. If for no other reason, military operations inflict hardship for one's adversaries. I remember quite well being pushed to the point of total exhaustion, but I was able to keep my feet and keep my eyes open without artificial assistance. But it was my business to make the enemy endure more than I did. This sort of thing can be inculcated, and well trained troops know about it. It has been observed in various organizations of the world that if training does not result in at least one death per thousand, it is not tough enough. This may be a simplification, but it stands as the critical point. If you do not feel that training is really too hard for reasonable men to endure, you probably have not got the point.

And the soldier must be proud of being a soldier. He must be inspired by his picture in the mirror. There is a tendency to lose this notion in The Age of the Common Man. It should be fought. George Patton, among others, made a strong point of this and frequently exhorted men who looked like slobs to "stand up and look proud." George Patton was one of America's most distinguished soldiers. I think his example should be heeded.<<<



Press On (VA-165 "Boomers" Motto)

Look forward to reading more from you when you return! Stay safe!

[GQchris]

good luck Mike

[gregimotis]

Just joining the support thread and looking forward to pictures.

[Britt]

Looking forward to the pics.

[Britt]

On the personal end of the spectrum, we accomplished a lot while I was away. Tom, I got some materials and ideas for your adventure camp that you're not going to believe. This will be, by far, the most realistic camp yet my friend, so make sure you're ready for a thrill ride. I couldn't believe they were willing to let me use some of this stuff, but it's all clear.

Hints! Hints!