With the Iraq War ending, we are expecting an influx of military veterans coming to an end of their service term, unwilling to reenlist for any number of reasons, and then adding to increasing our unemployment numbers. For soldiers and their families, this is a scary possibility. Fortunately for them, there is a solution for some service members.
Australia is hiring! They are especially looking for soldiers with experience in special forces, intelligence, and subs, but are accepting veterans with a broad range of military experiences. According to this article, we are expecting to lose over 7,000 Army jobs by October. Marines are looking to drop 16,000 positions, while the Navy has already cut 50,000 with plans to drop another 3,000. Unexpectedly, the Air Force plans to add jobs, to a tune of a few hundred.
U.S. and Australia has dual citizenship so this is a good prospect for soldiers looking at ending their military careers over the next year. Check the link above to the article to find out more information on this opportunity.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Showing posts with label soldiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soldiers. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday Salute: Two Christmas Poems
I decided to share two holiday military poems for today's Saturday Salute. The links are in the titles. Have a wonderful holiday. Stay warm and safe with your family and friends. I have presents to finish wrapping and a Christmas morning to plan so I will leave you with the poems.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday Salute: The War In Iraq is Over
The 15th of December marked the official end of the Iraq War. We spent 9 years in Iraq, starting March 20, 2003 under the name Operation Iraqi Freedom. Former President George Bush Jr., with the help of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, launched the attack with the intention of finding weapons of mass destruction. They did not find any WMD in 2003, with an American survey group concluding that Iraq ended their nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons production in 1991 but warned that President Saddam Hussein planned to resume production immediately after sanctions against such lifted.
Saddam was captured December 13, 2003 and executed November 5, 2006.
The UK pulled their troops April 30, 2009.
The United States has cased the colors and the flag (along with most of the soldiers) is on its way home. According to this article, about 4,000 soldiers remain in Iraq, though President Obama has said multiple times that all soldiers will be recalled by the end of the year.
We lost some 4,500 soldiers. The UK lost the next highest amount, but only about 4% of what we lost: 179. Iraq lost near 100,000 soldiers and civilians.
Yes, Saddam was gone, and I don't think many can argue that he was not a bad guy. Even without proof that he supported al-Qaeda, evidence shows he participated heavily in the genocide of Kurds between 1986 and 1989, resulting in the death of over 200,000 civilians. He invaded Kuwait. He tortured and imprisoned his own people and killed as many as a million during his rule. Yeah, he was a bad guy.
But regardless of how many pictures they show of little kids celebrating the arrival of US troops, women crying as they receive water and rice, and old men playing checkers with allied soldiers, I still go back to this and articles like it. These people didn't want us there and they are very glad we are gone. Maybe some benefited from our occupation of Iraq. But I can't help but think that 4,500 families will be without their loved ones this holiday season because Bush Jr. wanted to have a pissing contest with his daddy's rival Saddam. And it makes me very sad.
That being said, I am very happy the troops are coming home. I hope the 4,000 still in Iraq will make it before the holidays are over. Today is a great day to thank a veteran for their service if you know any. Give them a call, swing by with a plate of cookies. Visit the veteran's home and say thank you for their service, their sacrifices, and their dedication.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Saddam was captured December 13, 2003 and executed November 5, 2006.
The UK pulled their troops April 30, 2009.
The United States has cased the colors and the flag (along with most of the soldiers) is on its way home. According to this article, about 4,000 soldiers remain in Iraq, though President Obama has said multiple times that all soldiers will be recalled by the end of the year.
We lost some 4,500 soldiers. The UK lost the next highest amount, but only about 4% of what we lost: 179. Iraq lost near 100,000 soldiers and civilians.
Yes, Saddam was gone, and I don't think many can argue that he was not a bad guy. Even without proof that he supported al-Qaeda, evidence shows he participated heavily in the genocide of Kurds between 1986 and 1989, resulting in the death of over 200,000 civilians. He invaded Kuwait. He tortured and imprisoned his own people and killed as many as a million during his rule. Yeah, he was a bad guy.
But regardless of how many pictures they show of little kids celebrating the arrival of US troops, women crying as they receive water and rice, and old men playing checkers with allied soldiers, I still go back to this and articles like it. These people didn't want us there and they are very glad we are gone. Maybe some benefited from our occupation of Iraq. But I can't help but think that 4,500 families will be without their loved ones this holiday season because Bush Jr. wanted to have a pissing contest with his daddy's rival Saddam. And it makes me very sad.
That being said, I am very happy the troops are coming home. I hope the 4,000 still in Iraq will make it before the holidays are over. Today is a great day to thank a veteran for their service if you know any. Give them a call, swing by with a plate of cookies. Visit the veteran's home and say thank you for their service, their sacrifices, and their dedication.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Saturday Salute: Honoring a Pledge
This is a very short Saturday Salute. Kids are going crazy right now. :)
I want to recognize the veterans and active duty military that have come out to support the Occupy protesters. When enlisting in the military, soldiers take an oath to protect and serve United States Constitution and obey the orders of the President and officers. However, if you ask most soldiers, they will say they made a promise to protect U.S. Citizens and our Country. And some of those same soldiers are taking that promise to protect to heart. They have joined ranks to provide support and protection for the 99% protesters across the nation.
From the Veterans for Peace to groups of Occupy [Military], soldiers are coming forward (along with members of the police BRAVO!) to continue protecting us even after they have returned from war. It hasn't come without some issues. Former Marine Scott Olsen was critically injured at a raid against Occupy Oakland. Sargent Shamar Thomas verbally abraded NYC police; dissidents immediately went to work to tear him down via the Internet for daring to stand up for his beliefs.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you soldiers, for your service at home and abroad. You are exemplary of why I resolutely support the troops!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
I want to recognize the veterans and active duty military that have come out to support the Occupy protesters. When enlisting in the military, soldiers take an oath to protect and serve United States Constitution and obey the orders of the President and officers. However, if you ask most soldiers, they will say they made a promise to protect U.S. Citizens and our Country. And some of those same soldiers are taking that promise to protect to heart. They have joined ranks to provide support and protection for the 99% protesters across the nation.
From the Veterans for Peace to groups of Occupy [Military], soldiers are coming forward (along with members of the police BRAVO!) to continue protecting us even after they have returned from war. It hasn't come without some issues. Former Marine Scott Olsen was critically injured at a raid against Occupy Oakland. Sargent Shamar Thomas verbally abraded NYC police; dissidents immediately went to work to tear him down via the Internet for daring to stand up for his beliefs.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you soldiers, for your service at home and abroad. You are exemplary of why I resolutely support the troops!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
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