Hard to imagine any sane person would want to move to the DC area to work in the Pentagon. I dunno, maybe if you could wrangle working from home, or forward deployed to a nice Pacific island with good internet and drinkable water. A decent per diem too. I'd want to be sure my shot card didn't include anything COVID related.
When I was Chief I had a Detailer friend, an E-8 who was well-connected. I had about 12 years in and hadn't been to shore duty yet. He said he could hook me up with some plum assignment in D.C. that'd get me promoted. I considered the cost of living, the traffic and that it was East Coast. I was a West Coast sailor. I took a pass and went to Neutral Duty at FTG Pearl Harbor instead. Things worked out well for me. 5 years later I was driving an FFG as a CWO/LDO.
I was stationed in Hawaii for 7½ years, on a Frigate, at FTG and on CINCPACFLT staff. Loved the place. I became one best kine no ka oi Kamaaina homeboy. I lived in Navy housing outside of Nimitz Gate on a big corner lot. Had banana & papaya trees and a big garden.
Pete. Let me retract that boorish comment about sane people would/should not want to work in DC. The place needs good, sane, solid people, which you and many others surely are.
No, no, no. Sal would need to spend all of his time hopping from island to island, country to country, making up for the decades of malignant neglect by State and DoD. Zoom calls back to DC. If you twisted my arm, I might, just might, consider coming out of retirement to be Sal’s aide. 😉
We have friends in Vanuatu, and the Chinese interest in obtaining a port and/or a military base there is significant. China's efforts across the region are staggering.
Excellent piece. Note that Amazon Prime has an excellent video series on the entire island chain. Time to now consider visiting as a tourist and seeking a travel consultant with expert knowledge related to a visit plan.
A little bit of people and money would go a lot further in Palau than more of the same in Europe. Probably make a great base for a squadron or two of missile boats and tenders.
It kept food shortages from becoming famines, thereby decreasing people's incentives to leave home and go elsewhere, thereby making our immigration issues less bad than they would have been otherwise.
You all are going to learn the hard way that when you replace soft power with hard power, you replace the “M” on the price tag with a “B” or “T.” Prepare your children and grandchildren for the war with China.
USAID in Palau focuses on strengthening community resilience, particularly in the face of climate change and natural disasters, as well as promoting sustainable fisheries and economic growth. Key initiatives include improving climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, supporting network resilience through internet infrastructure development, and combating illegal fishing. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here's a more detailed look at some of the specific USAID initiatives in Palau: [3, 4]
• Climate Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness: USAID works to strengthen community resilience to climate change and natural disasters, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. This involves improving evacuation shelters, training community leaders, conducting response exercises, and pre-positioning emergency relief commodities. [3, 4]
• Disaster Response: USAID provides training and equipment to frontline health workers and has trained Palau's first Emergency Medical Teams to respond to localized emergencies. [4, 5]
• Sustainable Fisheries: USAID works to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which negatively impacts local livelihoods, food stability, and maritime security. The "OurFish OurFuture" activity focuses on the social and ecological drivers of IUU fishing and aims to improve sustainable coastal fisheries management. [3]
• Economic Growth: USAID supports Palau's economic growth through initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Opportunity Program (IPOP), which aims to facilitate economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region. [6]
• Network Resilience: USAID is supporting a trilateral effort with Australia and Japan to connect Palau to a transpacific internet cable, enhancing the country's network resilience. [2, 3]
• Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plans (MSP): USAID is supporting the development of climate-resilient marine spatial plans, which can help Palau manage its marine resources more effectively in the face of climate change. [1]
• Other Support: USAID also provides Compacts of Free Association payments, technical assistance grants, and maintenance assistance to Palau. [1]
Since initial award the Potential End Date has been extended from 05/22/22 to 05/22/26 and the Potential Award value has increased 547% from $161,980 to $1,048,744.
You still haven't figured out what "soft power" is or how it supports the accomplishment of US national security interests. You need to go touch grass and learn a little about how the world works. You're just a bombthrower with bad vision and bad takes.
Great place! A long time ago I used to fly Navy EOD bubbas from Atsugi to Palau to conduct clean-ups of old Japanese WWII ordnance. On one occasion the ranking US rep (no ambassador at that time) had the aircrew and EOD guys over for a beer and barbecue (fish). An EOD senior chief was walking around the lovely grounds and strolled back to chat with the LT OIC, who came over to me and said "sir, we need to evacuate now, we've got some UXO in the flower garden). So over to the US rep I stroll and tell him, and I emphasized the precautionary nature, and no, we weren't about to get blown up. The Sr Chief and a 2nd class dug up the shell from a Type 94 90mm mortar and cordoned off the area. Back to the hotel for a change of clothes and they came back and removed the shell for disposal. The LT told the US rep "there is still tons of this stuff let so be careful"!!
The fishing was great, the diving was even better. We need to do whatever it takes to keep them firmly aligned with us.
Perhaps it's an opportune time to perform an analysis of local issues caused by the BRI and then reach out to the less corrupt nations. There might be multiple opportunities here.
As resident and employee of Koror in the late 90’s the size you note was always evident but not the bravery. What was evident then was the waning influence of USA and the growing commercial influence of CCP. It’s good to know the current leadership understands that by creating closer ties to Taiwan they thereby strengthen ties to USA that should never have been loosened.
Palau approached U.S. officials and requested help with investments, and offered defense cooperation. It is my understanding that surveys have been conducted, and some construction is already underway. Exercises have been held in the region, and the USCG. Google AI report follows:
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has a significant presence and partnership with the Republic of Palau, particularly through USCG Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. This partnership is rooted in the Compact of Free Association (COFA), a unique agreement that strengthens ties and supports Palau's sovereignty and maritime security.
Key aspects of the USCG presence in Palau:
Maritime Safety and Security:
The USCG works to ensure maritime safety, security, and prosperity in the region, supporting U.S. national interests and regional stability.
Law Enforcement:
USCG personnel are involved in enforcing maritime laws, including those related to illegal fishing and other illicit activities.
Search and Rescue:
The USCG provides search and rescue capabilities in the event of maritime emergencies.
Maritime Domain Awareness:
The USCG enhances Palau's maritime domain awareness through joint operations and information sharing.
Capacity Building:
The USCG conducts training and workshops to build Palauan capacity in maritime safety and security.
Bilateral Agreements:
The US and Palau have a bilateral agreement focusing on cooperation to suppress illicit maritime activities, demonstrating a strong commitment to regional security.
Joint Committee Meetings:
Regular joint committee meetings between the US and Palau reinforce the partnership and address emerging priorities, including illegal fishing, aid-to-navigation, and disaster preparedness.
Shiprider Program:
The USCG's shiprider program allows Palauan law enforcement officers to participate in maritime operations with USCG vessels, enhancing their experience and collaboration.
Aerial Surveillance:
USCG aircraft, such as Hercules, conduct aerial patrols to monitor maritime activities and identify potential illegal fishing activities, contributing to maritime domain awareness and enforcement efforts.
Part of Plan Salamander, I'm sure, would be buying Shinmaywa US-2's and basing at least some of them in Palau to do air-sea rescue and fisheries enforcement. Good training.
PRC now has what it takes to recapture Taiwan, which was part of China when Chiang kai-Shek fled there, WITH China's national Treasury. I think the year was like, 1949. All of that wealth on a fully-populated, sizable island was bound to attract attention of corporate investors, and of course, it did.
Today the population is thoroughly divided into two classes, the very rich and the very poor. Products made there are not made by a middle class, because there isn't one.
Multinational corporations want us to protect their plum from the PRC.
Taiwan has a population of 20 million plus. It seems to me it could call up an army of one million armed people in the event of an invasion which would make it almost impossible for an amphibious or airborne force to land.
Peleliu and Iwo Jima had defending generals who understood how to make us pay the utmost price for taking the islands. Both were horrible, horrible fights.
“While the U.S. Marines are rebuilding 80-year-old airstrips in places like Peleliu," I hope the airstrip won't be needed. Most of the land belongs to private families and clans, some of whom have not consented to the U.S. taking or building on it. Small nations like Palau often bear the burden of larger powers' actions, both in war and peace, even 80 years apart.
Excellent piece.
Why hasn’t the Trump administration tapped CDR Sal for an important maritime position?
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs sounds like a good billet for Sal.
https://policy.defense.gov/ASDforAsianandPacificSecurityAffairs/
It's time to make Plan Salamander official.
Hard to imagine any sane person would want to move to the DC area to work in the Pentagon. I dunno, maybe if you could wrangle working from home, or forward deployed to a nice Pacific island with good internet and drinkable water. A decent per diem too. I'd want to be sure my shot card didn't include anything COVID related.
I spent a good chunk of my career in Dc. Your life is the Pentagon, the Hill and the WH. It’s all about money.
When I was Chief I had a Detailer friend, an E-8 who was well-connected. I had about 12 years in and hadn't been to shore duty yet. He said he could hook me up with some plum assignment in D.C. that'd get me promoted. I considered the cost of living, the traffic and that it was East Coast. I was a West Coast sailor. I took a pass and went to Neutral Duty at FTG Pearl Harbor instead. Things worked out well for me. 5 years later I was driving an FFG as a CWO/LDO.
I was at Camp Smith and Pearl Harbor.
It was wonderful.
But Honolulu is very expensive unless you are in the military, or you inherited property.
I was stationed in Hawaii for 7½ years, on a Frigate, at FTG and on CINCPACFLT staff. Loved the place. I became one best kine no ka oi Kamaaina homeboy. I lived in Navy housing outside of Nimitz Gate on a big corner lot. Had banana & papaya trees and a big garden.
Were you there in 95? Our cutter came from Guam to do TSTA in Hono that year.
Ended up staying a few extra months to fix a bent shaft in the rattiest old dry dock, over by Barber's Point.
Pete. Let me retract that boorish comment about sane people would/should not want to work in DC. The place needs good, sane, solid people, which you and many others surely are.
No offense taken.
No, no, no. Sal would need to spend all of his time hopping from island to island, country to country, making up for the decades of malignant neglect by State and DoD. Zoom calls back to DC. If you twisted my arm, I might, just might, consider coming out of retirement to be Sal’s aide. 😉
Me too. I always wanted to wear an aiguilette on my shoulder.
We have friends in Vanuatu, and the Chinese interest in obtaining a port and/or a military base there is significant. China's efforts across the region are staggering.
Excellent piece. Note that Amazon Prime has an excellent video series on the entire island chain. Time to now consider visiting as a tourist and seeking a travel consultant with expert knowledge related to a visit plan.
A little bit of people and money would go a lot further in Palau than more of the same in Europe. Probably make a great base for a squadron or two of missile boats and tenders.
That’s what USAID was for.
In theory, in practice it became a slush fund.
Not true, but regardless, was it better to just flush it down the toilet?
What did USAID ever accomplish that advanced our national interests? Nothing. It was a farm team and slush fund for the democrats.
It did all over the world exactly what we need in Palau: creating soft power
Soft power means what? Sounds like a meaningless slogan.
You ignore everything that Doge found.
It kept food shortages from becoming famines, thereby decreasing people's incentives to leave home and go elsewhere, thereby making our immigration issues less bad than they would have been otherwise.
Less bad? Our immigration problems are due to our open borders courtesy of the democrats.
Yes. Sometimes it's better just to scrap something and build a new one.
flushed USAID or our money down the toilet?
You all are going to learn the hard way that when you replace soft power with hard power, you replace the “M” on the price tag with a “B” or “T.” Prepare your children and grandchildren for the war with China.
That was going to come regardless of whether USAID was around or not.
Musk has shown that it was a slush fund.
You fucked up…you trusted the Muskrat. All the DOGE “savings” have turned out to be bullshit. So try shutting the fuck up with your bullshit.
Your language could use some improvement.
Where?
And I'm going to need more than "Out of a $50 billion budget, we found $50 million in ludicrous programs."
Over $2Billion savings from USAID alone. https://doge.gov/savings
You’re going to have to back that up with some specific examples. Paste the links here.
Sure, from Google AI:
USAID in Palau focuses on strengthening community resilience, particularly in the face of climate change and natural disasters, as well as promoting sustainable fisheries and economic growth. Key initiatives include improving climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, supporting network resilience through internet infrastructure development, and combating illegal fishing. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here's a more detailed look at some of the specific USAID initiatives in Palau: [3, 4]
• Climate Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness: USAID works to strengthen community resilience to climate change and natural disasters, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. This involves improving evacuation shelters, training community leaders, conducting response exercises, and pre-positioning emergency relief commodities. [3, 4]
• Disaster Response: USAID provides training and equipment to frontline health workers and has trained Palau's first Emergency Medical Teams to respond to localized emergencies. [4, 5]
• Sustainable Fisheries: USAID works to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which negatively impacts local livelihoods, food stability, and maritime security. The "OurFish OurFuture" activity focuses on the social and ecological drivers of IUU fishing and aims to improve sustainable coastal fisheries management. [3]
• Economic Growth: USAID supports Palau's economic growth through initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Opportunity Program (IPOP), which aims to facilitate economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region. [6]
• Network Resilience: USAID is supporting a trilateral effort with Australia and Japan to connect Palau to a transpacific internet cable, enhancing the country's network resilience. [2, 3]
• Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plans (MSP): USAID is supporting the development of climate-resilient marine spatial plans, which can help Palau manage its marine resources more effectively in the face of climate change. [1]
• Other Support: USAID also provides Compacts of Free Association payments, technical assistance grants, and maintenance assistance to Palau. [1]
[1] https://foreignassistance.gov/cd/palau/[2] https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Big-in-Asia/Trump-policy-pivots-rattle-aid-reliant-Pacific-ally-Palau[3] https://2021-2025.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-palau/[4] https://pw.usembassy.gov/usaid/[5] https://twitter.com/usaidpacificisl/status/1848561561818042548[6] https://www.internationaldevelopmentgroup.com/countrycodes/pw/
Oops, no linkee.
Here's an example for you.
Since initial award the Potential End Date has been extended from 05/22/22 to 05/22/26 and the Potential Award value has increased 547% from $161,980 to $1,048,744.
https://www.highergov.com/contract/72049221S00004/
Nice words for a slush fund. Sounds like a prospectus from Bernie madoff.
You still haven't figured out what "soft power" is or how it supports the accomplishment of US national security interests. You need to go touch grass and learn a little about how the world works. You're just a bombthrower with bad vision and bad takes.
I think you are smoking grass.
Correction. That’s what USAID was *supposed* to be for.
Please send money, guns, and lawyers.
Great place! A long time ago I used to fly Navy EOD bubbas from Atsugi to Palau to conduct clean-ups of old Japanese WWII ordnance. On one occasion the ranking US rep (no ambassador at that time) had the aircrew and EOD guys over for a beer and barbecue (fish). An EOD senior chief was walking around the lovely grounds and strolled back to chat with the LT OIC, who came over to me and said "sir, we need to evacuate now, we've got some UXO in the flower garden). So over to the US rep I stroll and tell him, and I emphasized the precautionary nature, and no, we weren't about to get blown up. The Sr Chief and a 2nd class dug up the shell from a Type 94 90mm mortar and cordoned off the area. Back to the hotel for a change of clothes and they came back and removed the shell for disposal. The LT told the US rep "there is still tons of this stuff let so be careful"!!
The fishing was great, the diving was even better. We need to do whatever it takes to keep them firmly aligned with us.
Perhaps it's an opportune time to perform an analysis of local issues caused by the BRI and then reach out to the less corrupt nations. There might be multiple opportunities here.
As resident and employee of Koror in the late 90’s the size you note was always evident but not the bravery. What was evident then was the waning influence of USA and the growing commercial influence of CCP. It’s good to know the current leadership understands that by creating closer ties to Taiwan they thereby strengthen ties to USA that should never have been loosened.
I’ve begun to refer to that as malign neglect.
My dream is to dive there someday.
Coast Guard cutters have been working with Palau to help police fisheries.
Give them whatever they need.
Such a small investment for great ROI.
Indeed, yes.
Palau approached U.S. officials and requested help with investments, and offered defense cooperation. It is my understanding that surveys have been conducted, and some construction is already underway. Exercises have been held in the region, and the USCG. Google AI report follows:
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has a significant presence and partnership with the Republic of Palau, particularly through USCG Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. This partnership is rooted in the Compact of Free Association (COFA), a unique agreement that strengthens ties and supports Palau's sovereignty and maritime security.
Key aspects of the USCG presence in Palau:
Maritime Safety and Security:
The USCG works to ensure maritime safety, security, and prosperity in the region, supporting U.S. national interests and regional stability.
Law Enforcement:
USCG personnel are involved in enforcing maritime laws, including those related to illegal fishing and other illicit activities.
Search and Rescue:
The USCG provides search and rescue capabilities in the event of maritime emergencies.
Maritime Domain Awareness:
The USCG enhances Palau's maritime domain awareness through joint operations and information sharing.
Capacity Building:
The USCG conducts training and workshops to build Palauan capacity in maritime safety and security.
Bilateral Agreements:
The US and Palau have a bilateral agreement focusing on cooperation to suppress illicit maritime activities, demonstrating a strong commitment to regional security.
Joint Committee Meetings:
Regular joint committee meetings between the US and Palau reinforce the partnership and address emerging priorities, including illegal fishing, aid-to-navigation, and disaster preparedness.
Shiprider Program:
The USCG's shiprider program allows Palauan law enforcement officers to participate in maritime operations with USCG vessels, enhancing their experience and collaboration.
Aerial Surveillance:
USCG aircraft, such as Hercules, conduct aerial patrols to monitor maritime activities and identify potential illegal fishing activities, contributing to maritime domain awareness and enforcement efforts.
Part of Plan Salamander, I'm sure, would be buying Shinmaywa US-2's and basing at least some of them in Palau to do air-sea rescue and fisheries enforcement. Good training.
Here's a thought.
PRC now has what it takes to recapture Taiwan, which was part of China when Chiang kai-Shek fled there, WITH China's national Treasury. I think the year was like, 1949. All of that wealth on a fully-populated, sizable island was bound to attract attention of corporate investors, and of course, it did.
Today the population is thoroughly divided into two classes, the very rich and the very poor. Products made there are not made by a middle class, because there isn't one.
Multinational corporations want us to protect their plum from the PRC.
I say, not ONE DROP of American blood. Not One.
Taiwan has a population of 20 million plus. It seems to me it could call up an army of one million armed people in the event of an invasion which would make it almost impossible for an amphibious or airborne force to land.
And, why would they do that, in order to preserve their wealth, right? One million serfs?
Frankly I don't care at all what they do, as long as the US, goaded by multinational corporate interests, is uninvolved.
If you say we ARE involved, so it would appear. It is a stupid mistake.
A great-uncle on my father's side was a Seabee who was at Peleliu. He would never talk about it.
Peleliu and Iwo Jima had defending generals who understood how to make us pay the utmost price for taking the islands. Both were horrible, horrible fights.
Same with an uncle of mine (actually my mother's 1st cousin).
He had joined the Marines at 16 and first saw combat at Cape Gloucester, but Peleliu broke him.
He died when I was very young from cirrhosis . I just remember being told he had "Shell Shock".
https://external-preview.redd.it/tIxY1FMfvk6O9W9h7_HBIIv_HOzsB7AFgiCbB7SwUWE.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f6c747a47185027fd41fab9cf48c72da5f1a01f8
(FYI...just found a great "Then and Now" pic of one of the kids above...)
https://www.facebook.com/WW2Facts/posts/pfc-faris-bob-m-tuohy-born-1924-from-ohio-a-us-marine-with-the-3rd-battalion-22n/997976462356028/
I'm sorry for your loss and for your uncle's trouble.
A youtube of a remarkable conversation a gent overheard on Kosrae between some Chinese emissaries and local politicians.
It should get your attention...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shXCsemt-js&t=84s
I Overheard a Secret Chinese Meeting in Micronesia on Vacation
“While the U.S. Marines are rebuilding 80-year-old airstrips in places like Peleliu," I hope the airstrip won't be needed. Most of the land belongs to private families and clans, some of whom have not consented to the U.S. taking or building on it. Small nations like Palau often bear the burden of larger powers' actions, both in war and peace, even 80 years apart.
That’s been true since Athens and Sparta squared off.