Military readiness

[PizzaSnake]

Hmm. These young people have clearly been spoiled by critical thinking education.

‘While some Republicans blame the COVID-19 vaccine or “wokeness” for the Army's recruiting woes, the military service says the bigger hurdles are more traditional ones: Young people don’t want to die or get injured, deal with the stress of Army life and put their lives on hold.

Seems like a pretty rational position.

They “just don’t see the Army as something that’s relevant,” said Maj. Gen. Alex Fink, head of Army marketing. “They see us as revered, but not relevant, in their lives.”‘

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/wir ... e-97065047

[Farfromgeneva]

Hmm. These young people have clearly been spoiled by critical thinking education.

‘While some Republicans blame the COVID-19 vaccine or “wokeness” for the Army's recruiting woes, the military service says the bigger hurdles are more traditional ones: Young people don’t want to die or get injured, deal with the stress of Army life and put their lives on hold.

Seems like a pretty rational position.

They “just don’t see the Army as something that’s relevant,” said Maj. Gen. Alex Fink, head of Army marketing. “They see us as revered, but not relevant, in their lives.”‘

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/wir ... e-97065047

When all civil servants and civic mindedness has been thrown out otherwise it’s logical the idea of serving the country’s defense is dying or dead as well. No way they can be immune to a massive cultural shift since the 90s

[PizzaSnake]

Hmm. These young people have clearly been spoiled by critical thinking education.

‘While some Republicans blame the COVID-19 vaccine or “wokeness” for the Army's recruiting woes, the military service says the bigger hurdles are more traditional ones: Young people don’t want to die or get injured, deal with the stress of Army life and put their lives on hold.

Seems like a pretty rational position.

They “just don’t see the Army as something that’s relevant,” said Maj. Gen. Alex Fink, head of Army marketing. “They see us as revered, but not relevant, in their lives.”‘

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/wir ... e-97065047

When all civil servants and civic mindedness has been thrown out otherwise it’s logical the idea of serving the country’s defense is dying or dead as well. No way they can be immune to a massive cultural shift since the 90s

Well, in light of the probably future they face, what utility would they see in serving the common weal? Most humans are constantly weighing what they see as the benefit or utility in their actions in relation to the larger society.

We can argue the relative merit of a STEM vs. a STEAM curriculum, but in any case, the increasing fragmentation in the common experience Horace Mann advocated is showing in the divisions in the polity.

Question is, if it IS possible to close this fissure, how might one approach the challenge? Institute a month of social media "blackout" in the interest of withdrawing the citizenry from their self-reinforcing redoubts of "reality" constructed from and by various "steering" algorithms (which are going to get really interesting with the widespread adoption of AI-influenced "search")? I guess the Q-balls will find it even harder to "do their own research"...

Speaking of "steering," are we now like direction-less balloons, "floating" high above the surface of human interaction and discourse, moved by currents of forces beyond our ken?

[Brooklyn]

involuntarily losing your virginity may possibly explain why so many guys frown upon the idea of a military career:


https://www.google.com/search?q=male+ga ... e&ie=UTF-8

[Farfromgeneva]

Hmm. These young people have clearly been spoiled by critical thinking education.

‘While some Republicans blame the COVID-19 vaccine or “wokeness” for the Army's recruiting woes, the military service says the bigger hurdles are more traditional ones: Young people don’t want to die or get injured, deal with the stress of Army life and put their lives on hold.

Seems like a pretty rational position.

They “just don’t see the Army as something that’s relevant,” said Maj. Gen. Alex Fink, head of Army marketing. “They see us as revered, but not relevant, in their lives.”‘

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/wir ... e-97065047

When all civil servants and civic mindedness has been thrown out otherwise it’s logical the idea of serving the country’s defense is dying or dead as well. No way they can be immune to a massive cultural shift since the 90s

Well, in light of the probably future they face, what utility would they see in serving the common weal? Most humans are constantly weighing what they see as the benefit or utility in their actions in relation to the larger society.

We can argue the relative merit of a STEM vs. a STEAM curriculum, but in any case, the increasing fragmentation in the common experience Horace Mann advocated is showing in the divisions in the polity.

Question is, if it IS possible to close this fissure, how might one approach the challenge? Institute a month of social media "blackout" in the interest of withdrawing the citizenry from their self-reinforcing redoubts of "reality" constructed from and by various "steering" algorithms (which are going to get really interesting with the widespread adoption of AI-influenced "search")? I guess the Q-balls will find it even harder to "do their own research"...

Speaking of "steering," are we now like direction-less balloons, "floating" high above the surface of human interaction and discourse, moved by currents of forces beyond our ken?

My daughter is doing steam in her class and I find it incongruous.

Don’t know about you but I’ve felt like a directionless balloon for a long long time.

[PizzaSnake]

Well, by this measure Taiwan is already gone.

'One lesson is the importance of an adequate defense industrial base capable of providing the necessary equipment and supplies to satisfy the voracious appetite of large-scale, high-intensity warfare. The US, Russia, and Europe are already scrambling to ramp up production of artillery shells after letting their munitions stockpiles and factories run down after the Cold War.

"Production capacity remains vital, absolutely vital," Cavoli said. "A healthy and elastic defense industrial base is just as important" as the number of troops.

Cavoli also took aim at the belief — until recently touted by Germany and other countries — that soft power has become a substitute for military power.

I have developed quite an antipathy to the sleazy German burghers. Remind me of Rotarians on 'roids.

"Hard power is a reality," Cavoli said, adding that diplomacy, cyber-warfare, and economic strength are important, "but the great irreducible feature of warfare is hard power, and we have to be good at it."'

https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine ... oli-2023-2

In WWII, US soldiers ("doughboys") and equipment wasn't so great, but there sure was a lot of both.

[Kismet]

https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-REL ... pter-raid/

"ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria
TAMPA, Fla. – Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded. The targeted ISIS senior leader, Hamza al-Homsi, was killed. The U.S. servicemembers and working dog are receiving treatment in a U.S. medical facility in Iraq."

On the morning of 18 Feb, US and SDF forces conducted a helicopter raid in eastern Syria, capturing an ISIS official.

[cradleandshoot]

Well, by this measure Taiwan is already gone.

'One lesson is the importance of an adequate defense industrial base capable of providing the necessary equipment and supplies to satisfy the voracious appetite of large-scale, high-intensity warfare. The US, Russia, and Europe are already scrambling to ramp up production of artillery shells after letting their munitions stockpiles and factories run down after the Cold War.

"Production capacity remains vital, absolutely vital," Cavoli said. "A healthy and elastic defense industrial base is just as important" as the number of troops.

Cavoli also took aim at the belief — until recently touted by Germany and other countries — that soft power has become a substitute for military power.

I have developed quite an antipathy to the sleazy German burghers. Remind me of Rotarians on 'roids.

"Hard power is a reality," Cavoli said, adding that diplomacy, cyber-warfare, and economic strength are important, "but the great irreducible feature of warfare is hard power, and we have to be good at it."'

https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine ... oli-2023-2

In WWII, US soldiers ("doughboys") and equipment wasn't so great, but there sure was a lot of both.

Sorry to nitpick but " doughboys" was the nickname for WW1 soldiers. FTR at the start of WW2 many of our soldiers were practicing with wooden rifles. The M1903 Springfield was still the rifle GIs and Marines were training with. The M1 Garand, the Thompson submachine gun, the BAR and the M1 Carbine were the rifles that won the war, in Europe and the South Pacific.

[PizzaSnake]

Well, by this measure Taiwan is already gone.

'One lesson is the importance of an adequate defense industrial base capable of providing the necessary equipment and supplies to satisfy the voracious appetite of large-scale, high-intensity warfare. The US, Russia, and Europe are already scrambling to ramp up production of artillery shells after letting their munitions stockpiles and factories run down after the Cold War.

"Production capacity remains vital, absolutely vital," Cavoli said. "A healthy and elastic defense industrial base is just as important" as the number of troops.

Cavoli also took aim at the belief — until recently touted by Germany and other countries — that soft power has become a substitute for military power.

I have developed quite an antipathy to the sleazy German burghers. Remind me of Rotarians on 'roids.

"Hard power is a reality," Cavoli said, adding that diplomacy, cyber-warfare, and economic strength are important, "but the great irreducible feature of warfare is hard power, and we have to be good at it."'

https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine ... oli-2023-2

In WWII, US soldiers ("doughboys") and equipment wasn't so great, but there sure was a lot of both.

Sorry to nitpick but " doughboys" was the nickname for WW1 soldiers. FTR at the start of WW2 many of our soldiers were practicing with wooden rifles. The M1903 Springfield was still the rifle GIs and Marines were training with. The M1 Garand, the Thompson submachine gun, the BAR and the M1 Carbine were the rifles that won the war, in Europe and the South Pacific.

Thanks, I stand corrected.

On a similar note, taken a look at American youth these days? That name might come back into fashion...

[HooDat]

Apparently our military stands ready to defend us from weather enthusiasts and model rocket clubs!?!



If it turns out that we have been spending $400k a pop to shoot down some small town kids science projects ..... I just don't know what!

[PizzaSnake]

Apparently our military stands ready to defend us from weather enthusiasts and model rocket clubs!?!



If it turns out that we have been spending $400k a pop to shoot down some small town kids science projects ..... I just don't know what!

Unflappable discernment costs extra.

[youthathletics]

Apparently our military stands ready to defend us from weather enthusiasts and model rocket clubs!?!



If it turns out that we have been spending $400k a pop to shoot down some small town kids science projects ..... I just don't know what!

Strangely, we happen to shoot things down, then can’t seem to figure out what those very things are we shut down. Even though we have them in our possession.

It’s probably Simulation proof we aren’t ready to accept.

[Kismet]

Apparently our military stands ready to defend us from weather enthusiasts and model rocket clubs!?!



If it turns out that we have been spending $400k a pop to shoot down some small town kids science projects ..... I just don't know what!

Strangely, we happen to shoot things down, then can’t seem to figure out what those very things are we shut down. Even though we have them in our possession.

It’s probably Simulation proof we aren’t ready to accept.

Well, so far the three items you reference are in very remote areas (including the bottom of Lake Huron which is 200 feet average depth and can be as deep at 700 feet), on Arctic Sea ice near the Arctic Circle and remote Wilderness in Yukon Territory. Not to mention locations with only about 4 hours of daylight at this time of the year.

Why not wait until some debris is recovered or for someone to own up to being the source of the objects before weighing in?

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

[HooDat]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

[youthathletics]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

your last comment hits on another level.

Kismet makes excuses to avoid addressing the real problem, to which you draw attention. There is zero reason we should not be be capable of capturing a damned object out of the sky with some degree of certainty.

[Kismet]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

your last comment hits on another level.

Kismet makes excuses to avoid addressing the real problem, to which you draw attention. There is zero reason we should not be be capable of capturing a damned object out of the sky with some degree of certainty.

As usual, you're full of it.

Do tell us how to "capture" and object in midair at ANY altitude, Einstein.

[Brooklyn]

Well, by this measure Taiwan is already gone.

The US [is] ... already scrambling to ramp up production of artillery shells after letting their munitions stockpiles and factories run down after the Cold War.

Run down? That's a lie. After all the US spent trillions in military industrial complex corporate welfare.

[youthathletics]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

your last comment hits on another level.

Kismet makes excuses to avoid addressing the real problem, to which you draw attention. There is zero reason we should not be be capable of capturing a damned object out of the sky with some degree of certainty.

As usual, you're full of it.

Do tell us how to "capture" and object in midair at ANY altitude, Einstein.

says the guy that pops in at every turn to tell everyone how wrong they are, seems YOU are the one could tell us how to do it.

[Kismet]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

your last comment hits on another level.

Kismet makes excuses to avoid addressing the real problem, to which you draw attention. There is zero reason we should not be be capable of capturing a damned object out of the sky with some degree of certainty.

As usual, you're full of it.

Do tell us how to "capture" and object in midair at ANY altitude, Einstein.

says the guy that pops in at every turn to tell everyone how wrong they are, seems YOU are the one could tell us how to do it.

Fat chance pal. Thanks for your usual diversion. Likely because you can't answer the question posed to you.
We'll likely never know as USA announced it will no longer pursue recovery of objects in Alaska and Lake Huron.

[PizzaSnake]

While we are at it, pending conformation, how do feel about amateurs/hobbyists operating craft with very little navigational ability at altitudes where commercial aircraft routinely fly?

oh, I think you are being generous to say those balloons have ANY navigational ability. I think half the point is they send them to an altitude and see where the air currents take them.

but I have no clue what kind of permits those clubs do or don't get - I am laughing so as not to cry at how badly every single freaking institution in the world has become completely inept.

your last comment hits on another level.

Kismet makes excuses to avoid addressing the real problem, to which you draw attention. There is zero reason we should not be be capable of capturing a damned object out of the sky with some degree of certainty.

As usual, you're full of it.

Do tell us how to "capture" and object in midair at ANY altitude, Einstein.

Well, the altitude certainly provides a challenge. How about a high-altitude directed dirigible with deployable "hooks" towed into position via a drone with a high operating ceiling?