Basic Training in the Military Can be Very Tough and Yet Very Rewarding.

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Military news…

Russian strike on Ukraine’s Odesa badly damages landmark Orthodox cathedral; 1 dead, many wounded

Four children were among those wounded in the blasts, which severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

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WWII veteran and legendary singer Tony Bennett dies at 96
Before Tony Bennett had an impressive singing career, he served his country in WWII.

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North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles after US submarine arrives in South Korea

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, according to South Korea’s military, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the U.S. sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.

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Moscow, Crimea hit by Ukrainian drones while Russian forces bombard Ukraine’s south

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow early Monday that saw one of the aircraft fall near the Defense Ministry’s main headquarters, while the Russian military unleashed new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

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US Sending More Warships, Marines to Gulf to Counter Iran’s Efforts to Seize Commercial Ships

The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security after attempts to seize commercial ships there.

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Many of us have stories about our drill sergeants in basic training. I am no different.

I enlisted in 1959, and was sent to Ft Ord California, which is now closed. I enlisted with two buddies and we were in Basic together.

My first adventure with my drill Sgt, Sgt MacDonald was in the first week. He came barking into our barracks yelling us to attention. He was looking possessed! He stop in front of every soldier and screamed. He tore beds apart. He called guys names.

After he left we all felt dumbfounded.

That was just the beginning. He marched us and marched us for hours. He sent many guys to KP, and clean-up duty.

My personal dealing with him was brutal at first. He ordered me out of the barracks one night, and told me to dig a hole. When I was done, he threw a cigarette in it and told me to cover it up. When I was finished he told me to dig it up again.

I never got angry our upset. I knew he was just training me to be tough.

He sent me to KP more times than I can remember.

Towards the end of basic. He let up a little. Then he even named me soldier of the month. Later he nominated me for the honor guard.

I finally asked him why he was treating me so good. He said, “You never once looked upset or angry. I like that in a good soldier.”

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I am in the process of interviewing a submariner. Not just any submariner, but a nuclear submariner. Incredible interview. This should be enough to buy my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the trenches of life.

I also talked to a Vietnam veteran who is deciding if he will allow me to interview him. He has an amazing story. (He had a bayonet go through both legs in an one on one fight.

Keep coming back to find what new interviews I may be having.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Military suicides rose in 1st quarter of 2023 compared to same time last year.

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know

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Military suicides rose in 1st quarter of 2023 compared to same time last year, Pentagon report says
The Army had the greatest increase in suicide deaths, from 37 to 49. The Marine Corps increased from eight to 14. The Air Force had one additional suicide compared to 2022 and there was no change for the Navy or Space Force, the Defense Department report states.

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South Korea warns North not to release dam water without giving notice

South Korea is calling on the North to provide notice before discharging its dam water to prepare for possible flooding near the border.

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NATO readies military plans to defend against bruised but unbowed Russia

Russia’s armed forces are bruised but by no means beaten in the war in Ukraine, a top NATO military officer said Monday, as he laid out the biggest revamp to the organization’s military plans since the Cold War should Moscow dare to widen the conflict.

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Secret Service investigating suspected cocaine found in White House

A preliminary field test indicated a white powder found inside the White House was cocaine. Authorities sent the sample to a lab for further testing.

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White House announces $3.1 billion to address homelessness, including among veterans
The new measure is “the largest-ever, single-year investment … to help communities address homelessness,” the Biden administration said in a statement.

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How easy it is to forget. We should never forget the disaster in Afghanistan. It was a huge embarrassment for the US. Lost American lives. Thousands of Afghan people stranded. Hundreds of Americans left high and dry.

It couldn’t have gotten much worse, and it seems the White House may have successfully covered it up.

NEVER FORGET!!

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As an old warrior, I am feeling my age. However, my love for my country has never wavered.

For those who do not love our country, I suggest you move to China, Iran, or North Korea.

You choose!

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I have decided that I will keep the names of who are close friends on RallyPoint, and ask them to help in the sale of my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of life. Keep coming back to see the progress on that book. Better yet, go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

_______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:


You are never alone.


You are never forsaken.


You are never unloved.


And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

When You Serve Your Country in the Military, You Are A hero in My Eyes.

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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Military news…

Marine veteran killed by Russian missile strike on restaurant in Ukraine
More than a dozen Americans have died in Ukraine since February 2022.

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Satellite photos, reports suggest Belarus building army camp for Wagner fighters

Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press on Saturday showed what appeared to be a newly built military-style camp in Belarus, with statements from a Belarusian guerrilla group and officials suggesting it may be used to house fighters from the Wagner mercenary group.

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Russian attacks in Ukraine leave 3 killed, 17 wounded. Spain highlights European support for Kyiv
Ukrainian officials reported more civilian casualties from Russian shelling in the country’s east and south on Saturday, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez began a visit to Kyiv as a show of continuing support from Madrid and the European Union for Ukraine’s fight to dislodge invading Russian forces.

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Army combat veteran to take over key election security role working with state, local officials
An Army combat veteran with extensive cybersecurity and counterterrorism experience is taking over as one of the nation’s top election security officials, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency announced.

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Russia says it foiled Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow as Kyiv’s counteroffensive grinds on
Russian air defenses on Tuesday foiled a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow that prompted authorities to briefly close one of the city’s international airports, officials said.

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I have exciting news about my right hip. I was already in preop, and the next time I saw that doctor I would be on the operating table having surgery on my right hip.

Well, my primary doctor sent the orthopedic a note saying he wants me to try some pain management first.

I went to see the pain doctor and he gave me a startling request. He wanted me to cut back on my pain pills, and see what happens. I got home and decided to go all the way, and take no pain pills.

That was over a week ago and there is no pain. I mean none!

Now there could be two things that happened.

  1. The orthopedic doctor was just seeing dollar signs to get me to have an operation, and spend the money lavishly.
  2. God created a miracle. This is the one I think happened. I was in terrible pain, and knew I was going to have to have surgery. I fought going to a pain doctor. Thank God I did.
  3. The pain doctor found many other problems with my body as he inspected. So I am getting CT exams on several places on my body. (Getting older is not for sissies!)

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Does a soldier need to stay on duty if he is injured?

I had a not so fun thing happen to me while deployed to South Korea. I was a radio/teletype operator for the ASA military. ASA (Army Security Agency) is a unit that is used to monitor the airways for breaches in security. It is vital for the safety of our troops.

One day I was doing my thing monitoring the airways, when everything shut down. What I found out was the other shift did not refill the gas tank. Not a good thing.

I went out the the shed, got some gas and started filling up the generator. Half way through, I slipped. The only thing I could grab to soften my fall was the hot manifold.

I burned my hand severely. I was in great pain. I had a decision to make. Should I call down for a medic, or should I try to continue.

I decided to continue, because there was only one other operator, and he was fast asleep.

I put on Vaseline on my hand and wrapped in some bandages. I could only use one had, so it was good I didn’t need to use morse code.

I finished my shift and drove off of hill 468 with one hand, trying to shift. When got to camp I went to the medics and they doctored me up.

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Days come and days go, but it is how you use them that counts. As veterans we often fall into the darkside, and let past memories over take us. We wake up screaming with Vietnam nightmares.

Here is what I do when something like this happens:

  1. Clear out your mine of all of the negative things.
  2. Fill your mind with good thoughts.
  3. Repeat.

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Is it that simple? I think so. I know it is hard to eliminate some thoughts. They are embedded into your brain, but always keep trying to push them out and it will happen eventually. You are too important to others to let the darkside win.

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I have decided that I will keep the names of who are close friends on RallyPoint, and ask them to help in the sale of my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of life. Keep coming back to see the progress on that book. Better yet, go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

_______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:


You are never alone.


You are never forsaken.


You are never unloved.


And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.