Excerpt from Soldiers for the Truth
 

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 23:40:47 +0000, Butch Davis wrote:

OMG!!! Another dirty rotten Republican trick!!! You think the Commanding
General is trying to hide the truth from the troops so they'll all vote
Republican by absentee ballot? That's gotta be it..... what else could
explain such a rotton dirty loss of prime time entertainment for our good
soldiers.

I was thinking stupidity, not conspiracy, when I read the following, but
who knows. One would think (and hope) the Pentagon would be able to run a
secure website.

http://www.iht.com/articles/539597.html

thunder wrote:
On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 23:40:47 +0000, Butch Davis wrote:

OMG!!! Another dirty rotten Republican trick!!! You think the Commanding
General is trying to hide the truth from the troops so they'll all vote
Republican by absentee ballot? That's gotta be it..... what else could
explain such a rotton dirty loss of prime time entertainment for our good
soldiers.

I was thinking stupidity, not conspiracy, when I read the following, but
who knows. One would think (and hope) the Pentagon would be able to run a
secure website.

http://www.iht.com/articles/539597.html

Why would you think that?



--
We today have a president of the United States who looks like he is the
son of Howdy Doody or Alfred E. Newman, who isn't smarter than either of
them, who is arrogant about his ignorance, who is reckless and
incompetent, and whose backers are turning the United States into a pariah.

What, me worry?

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 17:29:44 GMT, "Taco Heaven"
wrote:

Doug,
I do not disagree with anything you have said in this posts.

Now is it possible that someone who makes up titles that don't exist "Most
decorated soldier in the army's history" be interested in using his web page
as a means of selling books? Is it possible that someone who would lie
about two awards that he said he had received, be more interested in self
promotion than in reporting the truth?

In Hack's defense, time has passed him by. He wants to relive the
time when important people listened to him and asked for his opinions.

Somebody needs to tell him to sit back, light up a cigar and live the
rest of what's left.

Later,

Tom

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 18:19:52 +0000, Doug Kanter wrote:

Yes. Apparently, he wants to make a living. Meanwhile, how about tearing
apart the web site's content and telling us what you feel is incorrect,
other than his awards, with which I'm not familiar and not interested.

Perhaps you should be. They are impressive.

Individual Decorations & Service Medals:

* Distinguished Service Cross (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Silver Star (with nine Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device & seven Oak Leaf Clusters)(Seven of the awards for heroism)
* Purple Heart (with seven Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Air Medal (with "V" Device & Numeral 34)(One for heroism and 33 for aerial achievement)
* Army Commendation Medal (w/ "V" Device & 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Good Conduct Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany and Japan Clasps)
* National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star)
* Korean Service Medal (with Service Stars for eight campaigns)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal (2 Silver Service Stars = 10 campaigns)
* Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Unit Awards:

* Presidential Unit Citation
* Valorous Unit Award (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation

Badges & Tabs:

* Combat Infantryman Badge (w/ one Star; representing 2 awards)
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Army General Staff Identification Badge

Foreign Awards:

* United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Gold Stars)
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Silver Stars)
* Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class)
* Vietnam Staff Service Medal (1st Class)
* Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class
* Vietnam Parachutist Badge (Master Level)
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with three Palm oak leaf clusters)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation (with one Palm oak leaf cluster)

World War II Merchant Marine Awards:

* Pacific War Zone Bar
* Victory Medal

Doug Kanter wrote:
Yes. Apparently, he wants to make a living. Meanwhile, how about tearing
apart the web site's content and telling us what you feel is incorrect,
other than his awards, with which I'm not familiar and not interested.


Well, if Hackworth's "most decorated soldier" title is given to show his
expertise on national defense and/or military matters, then it's
relevant. However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such
title" proves even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


thunder wrote:
Perhaps you should be. They are impressive.

Yes they are. Anybody interested in the Army, in the Viet Nam war, or in
national defense generally, could do a lot worse than read his book
"About Face" which covers much of his tremendous Army career. It's very
interesting, a wealth of detail, he supports his unorthodox opinions
very well.

OTOH, how many of the resident fascists whackos would bother to actually
read a book?

DSK


Individual Decorations & Service Medals:

* Distinguished Service Cross (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Silver Star (with nine Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device & seven Oak Leaf Clusters)(Seven of the awards for heroism)
* Purple Heart (with seven Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Air Medal (with "V" Device & Numeral 34)(One for heroism and 33 for aerial achievement)
* Army Commendation Medal (w/ "V" Device & 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
* Good Conduct Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany and Japan Clasps)
* National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star)
* Korean Service Medal (with Service Stars for eight campaigns)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal (2 Silver Service Stars = 10 campaigns)
* Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Unit Awards:

* Presidential Unit Citation
* Valorous Unit Award (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation

Badges & Tabs:

* Combat Infantryman Badge (w/ one Star; representing 2 awards)
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Army General Staff Identification Badge

Foreign Awards:

* United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Gold Stars)
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Silver Stars)
* Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class)
* Vietnam Staff Service Medal (1st Class)
* Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class
* Vietnam Parachutist Badge (Master Level)
* Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with three Palm oak leaf clusters)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation (with one Palm oak leaf cluster)

World War II Merchant Marine Awards:

* Pacific War Zone Bar
* Victory Medal

"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 18:19:52 +0000, Doug Kanter wrote:

Yes. Apparently, he wants to make a living. Meanwhile, how about tearing
apart the web site's content and telling us what you feel is incorrect,
other than his awards, with which I'm not familiar and not interested.

Perhaps you should be. They are impressive.

I'm not saying they're not impressive - they certainly are. But, it's
obvious that this discussion is about to become a ****ing contest about the
DETAILS of his awards, rather than the goals and content of his site.

On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 20:30:58 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 18:19:52 +0000, Doug Kanter wrote:

Yes. Apparently, he wants to make a living. Meanwhile, how about tearing
apart the web site's content and telling us what you feel is incorrect,
other than his awards, with which I'm not familiar and not interested.

Perhaps you should be. They are impressive.

I'm not saying they're not impressive - they certainly are. But, it's
obvious that this discussion is about to become a ****ing contest about the
DETAILS of his awards, rather than the goals and content of his site.

~~ snicker ~~

Doug said ****ing contest...

~~ snicker ~~

Later,

Tom

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Doug Kanter wrote:
Yes. Apparently, he wants to make a living. Meanwhile, how about tearing
apart the web site's content and telling us what you feel is incorrect,
other than his awards, with which I'm not familiar and not interested.


Well, if Hackworth's "most decorated soldier" title is given to show his
expertise on national defense and/or military matters, then it's relevant.
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title" proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.

That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

But, it's
obvious that this discussion is about to become a ****ing contest about the
DETAILS of his awards, rather than the goals and content of his site.

But of course. He dares to criticize the AWOL prez, so discussion must now turn
to whether Hack was "wounded badly enough" to qualify for this purple heart or
that, "heroic enough" to deserve this citation or that............yawn. Same
old crap from the same old side......

Gould,

No it is not a matter if he qualified for a purple heart or any other
citation. He claimed he had received two citations that he did not receive,
when question by CNN and Dan Rather (by no means are they right wing news
organization) he admitted that he never completed Ranger training and should
not include that on his resume. He also told CNN he found that the Army had
given him two Distinguished Flying Cross medals, when he had only earned
one.

CNN asked him these question because in a column written shortly after the
Admirals Boorda's death
Hackworth said: "It is simply unthinkable an experienced officer would wear
decorations he is not entitled to, awards that others bled for. There is no
greater disgrace," he wrote. Adm. Boorda committed suicide for wearing 2
valor awards (2 small bronze V's) he had not earned.

Using Hackworth's own criteria "there is no greater disgrace".

So if you have a problem with this, you need to bring it up with Hackworth.

Just because Hackworth is a very well decorated retired military man, does
not make immune from those who think he is extremely biased in his
reporting. When I read his web site, it was full of unsubatiated rumors and
accusations. After you challenged my statement, it appears that this is
opinion of many others highly decorated military men. The man has made a
very successful career writing books, columns and lecture tours highlighting
his success military career (which is undisputed) and finding fault with
everything the military has done since he retired. His web site is one of
his venues for selling those books and lecture circuit.





"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
But, it's
obvious that this discussion is about to become a ****ing contest about
the
DETAILS of his awards, rather than the goals and content of his site.

But of course. He dares to criticize the AWOL prez, so discussion must now
turn
to whether Hack was "wounded badly enough" to qualify for this purple
heart or
that, "heroic enough" to deserve this citation or that............yawn.
Same
old crap from the same old side......

However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title" proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

As a guy who soldiered for 35+ years I'll wade in on this issue.

COL Hackworth was a great combat soldier and a real example to all of us. I
was disappointed by the Ranger Tab issue but it takes nothing from his
proven bravery in battle.

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of COL
indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it came to
important attributes required of senior leaders.

I deeply respect COL Hackworth for his military accomplishments. However
his ability as a journalist leaves me unimpressed.

Butch
"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title" proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self promotion
than the truth.



"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title" proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:18:41 +0000, Butch Davis wrote:

As a guy who soldiered for 35+ years I'll wade in on this issue.

COL Hackworth was a great combat soldier and a real example to all of us.
I was disappointed by the Ranger Tab issue but it takes nothing from his
proven bravery in battle.

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of
COL indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it
came to important attributes required of senior leaders.

But he did rise to that rank rather quickly, especially considering his
start as an enlisted man (at 15 years old). The Army must have felt
he had some important attributes.

I deeply respect COL Hackworth for his military accomplishments. However
his ability as a journalist leaves me unimpressed.

I wouldn't dispute that, but I will stop and listen to anyone with his
experience and accomplishments.

That's silly. If a Lexus commercial contains mechanical facts about the car
AND suggests you'll lead a happier life and get more girls if you buy the
car, does the hype necessarily negate the mechanical facts?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:BSy6d.137784$D%.75698@attbi_s51...
DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self promotion
than the truth.



"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title" proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:35:29 +0000, Taco Heaven wrote:

DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self
promotion than the truth.

Of course the Army knows who has the most decorations. They don't use the
term "most decorated" because they don't want to get into comparing
decorations. Is the Medal of Honor worth two Silver Stars, three ...?

WaIIy wrote:
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:18:41 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

As a guy who soldiered for 35+ years I'll wade in on this issue.

COL Hackworth was a great combat soldier and a real example to all of us. I
was disappointed by the Ranger Tab issue but it takes nothing from his
proven bravery in battle.

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of COL
indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it came to
important attributes required of senior leaders.

Audie Murphy didn't either.

Combat effectiveness doesn't necessarily translate into
administrative/planning leadership.

Of course, a full bird colonel isn't chump change.

What was your rank?


Absolutely...

Further, there are billets that are almost a guarantee to lock you out
of a star or a flag. Not many sub captains become admirals.


--
We today have a president of the United States who looks like he is the
son of Howdy Doody or Alfred E. Newman, who isn't smarter than either of
them, who is arrogant about his ignorance, who is reckless and
incompetent, and whose backers are turning the United States into a pariah.

What, me worry?

Doug,
This is a discussion that neither one of us will win. What we do agree on
is that Hack was very success in his chosen field of being a soldier.
Beside that we will have to agree on disagreeing.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
That's silly. If a Lexus commercial contains mechanical facts about the
car
AND suggests you'll lead a happier life and get more girls if you buy the
car, does the hype necessarily negate the mechanical facts?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:BSy6d.137784$D%.75698@attbi_s51...
DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self
promotion
than the truth.



"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title"
proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

You might be correct, but the army says you are incorrect.

According to an Army memo, "It has been a long-standing and unwritten policy
of the Army that no single soldier or veteran is ever named officially as
the most decorated person in a conflict or in a particular period of time."
The Army did not even keep a central medal database until the mid-1970s. It
has never searched through its millions of individual records to find top
medal winners.






"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:35:29 +0000, Taco Heaven wrote:

DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self
promotion than the truth.

Of course the Army knows who has the most decorations. They don't use the
term "most decorated" because they don't want to get into comparing
decorations. Is the Medal of Honor worth two Silver Stars, three ...?

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of
COL indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it
came to important attributes required of senior leaders.

Unless Hackworth has experienced a major personality change in the last few
years, he probably did not rise above Colonel because he was too outspoken.
In many organizations, you only rise so high unless you are willing to toe the
company line.

The point is that just because he's trying to sell books and make a living,
it doesn't mean that the information he presents is necessarily erroneous.
Conversely, would you be more comfortable with a writer who worked for free?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:mMA6d.137986$D%.29521@attbi_s51...
Doug,
This is a discussion that neither one of us will win. What we do agree on
is that Hack was very success in his chosen field of being a soldier.
Beside that we will have to agree on disagreeing.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
That's silly. If a Lexus commercial contains mechanical facts about the
car
AND suggests you'll lead a happier life and get more girls if you buy
the
car, does the hype necessarily negate the mechanical facts?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:BSy6d.137784$D%.75698@attbi_s51...
DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper
columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as
"America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self
promotion
than the truth.



"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title"
proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the
DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

Doug,
You are correct, but just because he is a highly decorated soldier does not
necessarily make any of the information he posts is the truth. If you visit
his web site he has very inflammatory headlines and then asks his audience
to let him know if it is true. Yet I could not find any area where he
either verifies or denies the allegations.

If he really wanted to know the truth, he would do a little follow up on his
own before publishing email with inflammatory headlines. A honest
journalist would never do what he is doing At the very least they would
ask for a rebuttal from those he is accusing. Any respectable journalist
would take the anonymous email and use that as the beginning of their
investigation.

He follows the rules of journalism that the National Enquire and The Star
use.






"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
The point is that just because he's trying to sell books and make a
living,
it doesn't mean that the information he presents is necessarily erroneous.
Conversely, would you be more comfortable with a writer who worked for
free?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:mMA6d.137986$D%.29521@attbi_s51...
Doug,
This is a discussion that neither one of us will win. What we do agree
on
is that Hack was very success in his chosen field of being a soldier.
Beside that we will have to agree on disagreeing.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
That's silly. If a Lexus commercial contains mechanical facts about the
car
AND suggests you'll lead a happier life and get more girls if you buy
the
car, does the hype necessarily negate the mechanical facts?

"Taco Heaven" wrote in message
news:BSy6d.137784$D%.75698@attbi_s51...
DSK,

I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper
columns,
and his lecture circuit. The fact that he promotes himself as
"America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the
most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self
promotion
than the truth.



"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
However, Taco Heaver's sneering that "there ain't no such title"
proves
even less that Hackworth's list of medals.


Taco Heaver wrote:
That is not my comment, it is the comment of the US Army and the
DOD.

And does that make it any more relevant?

DSK

Taco Heaven wrote:
I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit.

Yes, that's pretty obvious to most of us. What clued you in?

Why should he not try to make a living? Are you a Communist, do you
think that Hackworth should somehow work for free?


... The fact that he promotes himself as "America's
most decorated living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the most
decorated soldier, does show that he is more interested in self promotion
than the truth.

On the contrary, it shows that you will sieze any pretext to try and
discredit him. Can you demonstrate that he is *not* America's most
decorated living soldier? For that matter, which U.S. military personnel
(living or dead) have ever earned more decorations than him? If you
cannot answer that question, then basically you are just yapping like a
toy poodle.

Is this what happens when you don't have a Rush Limbaugh key phrase to
repeat?

DSK

DSK,
The headlines in his web site read like the National Enquirer, scare
headlines with no substance. If you think he is someone you should read to
get your information, so be it. Keep up the good work.


"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Taco Heaven wrote:
I made the statement that Hack's main purpose in his web site was self
promotion in an effort to sell books, his magazine and newspaper columns,
and his lecture circuit.

Yes, that's pretty obvious to most of us. What clued you in?

Why should he not try to make a living? Are you a Communist, do you think
that Hackworth should somehow work for free?


... The fact that he promotes himself as "America's most decorated
living soldier" when the US Army has no idea who is the most decorated
soldier, does show that he is more interested in self promotion than the
truth.

On the contrary, it shows that you will sieze any pretext to try and
discredit him. Can you demonstrate that he is *not* America's most
decorated living soldier? For that matter, which U.S. military personnel
(living or dead) have ever earned more decorations than him? If you cannot
answer that question, then basically you are just yapping like a toy
poodle.

Is this what happens when you don't have a Rush Limbaugh key phrase to
repeat?

DSK

Taco Heaven wrote:
The headlines in his web site read like the National Enquirer, scare
headlines with no substance.

Is this the best you can do? No university study to give a link to?


... If you think he is someone you should read to
get your information, so be it.

My point is that Col. David Hackworth knows a heck of a lot more about
the U.S. military than you do. Instead of learning, you **** & moan and
make a feeble effort to discredit him, then give up and call names.

I guess we now know how serious you are. Go join the other fascist
whacko peabrains over there on the bench.

DSK

DSK wrote:
Taco Heaven wrote:
The headlines in his web site read like the National Enquirer, scare
headlines with no substance.

Is this the best you can do? No university study to give a link to?


It's okay for Dickless Cheney to go around and preach doom and gloom,
and try to frighten people into voting for Bush, but strong headlines
are not ok on Hackworth's site?

Hypocritical, eh?

--
We today have a president of the United States who looks like he is the
son of Howdy Doody or Alfred E. Newman, who isn't smarter than either of
them, who is arrogant about his ignorance, who is reckless and
incompetent, and whose backers are turning the United States into a pariah.

What, me worry?

Wally,

I don't know for sure about Audie Murphy... but I believe he chose to leave
the Army following WW II. The "System" in the Army does a good job of
ensuring genuine combat heros move upward in rank with their peers. Murphy
would probably have had a highly sucessful career had he desired to remain
in the Army.

Certainly reaching the rank of Colonel is a significant accomplishment.
During COL Hackworth's era the typical rank held by an officer upon
retirement was Lt Col.

Not sure what my rank has to do with the discussion as I was never in "the
hunt". It's probably unwise of me to state my rank but as you seem to want
to know..... it's CWO5, USA (Ret).

Butch
"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:18:41 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

As a guy who soldiered for 35+ years I'll wade in on this issue.

COL Hackworth was a great combat soldier and a real example to all of us.
I
was disappointed by the Ranger Tab issue but it takes nothing from his
proven bravery in battle.

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of
COL
indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it came
to
important attributes required of senior leaders.

Audie Murphy didn't either.

Combat effectiveness doesn't necessarily translate into
administrative/planning leadership.

Of course, a full bird colonel isn't chump change.

What was your rank?

Harry,

The Army has no "billets" that are almost a guarantee to lock you out of a
star. There are branches of the Army with somewhat lower opportunites for
advancing to GO than others. Infantry is not one of them but perhaps
Finance Corps would qualify.

As I stated earlier, I deeply admire COL Hackworth's military
accomplishments...... I simply don't feel his journalistic attempts refelect
his soldiering abilities. I believe, Harry that even you will admit to
being a better writer than Hack?

Butch
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
WaIIy wrote:
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:18:41 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

As a guy who soldiered for 35+ years I'll wade in on this issue.

COL Hackworth was a great combat soldier and a real example to all of us.
I
was disappointed by the Ranger Tab issue but it takes nothing from his
proven bravery in battle.

That the "most decorated living soldier" did not rise above the rank of
COL
indicates that the Army felt he did not rank above his peers when it came
to
important attributes required of senior leaders.

Audie Murphy didn't either.

Combat effectiveness doesn't necessarily translate into
administrative/planning leadership.

Of course, a full bird colonel isn't chump change.

What was your rank?


Absolutely...

Further, there are billets that are almost a guarantee to lock you out
of a star or a flag. Not many sub captains become admirals.


--
We today have a president of the United States who looks like he is the
son of Howdy Doody or Alfred E. Newman, who isn't smarter than either of
them, who is arrogant about his ignorance, who is reckless and
incompetent, and whose backers are turning the United States into a
pariah.

What, me worry?