Pete- I totally misused that word and you are correct to call that out. I meant "Zealot" as in fanatical and frankly I am going to not bother using any 'Z' word adjective again. Peace.
OK. But be careful, Even the term "zealot" can be confused with the ancient Jewish sect that fought the Romans to the death. I am alarmed at what I see going on in this country especially when a once serious journalist is demanding DNA tests.
I'm 4 + decades removed from Ft. Rucker (USAF helo training there back then) and U.S. Army uniforms. Can someone confirm for me that the hash marks on his right sleeve each indicate 6 months in a combat zone? That's a lot of years flying in that environment. Hope he heals well and gets back in the cockpit soon! Full Bore squared!
But he's been flying for 20 years, most of it with Special Ops and 160th SOAR, god only knows how many short deployments that has been and IDK how 30 day deployments count in a 6 month OSR world.
Let's agree that he has a lot of time in the sandbox.
note: he took 4 rounds of what was described as AP heavy MG fire. He's lucky to have a leg, credit to some surgeon on the LPH (or whatever was their base)
Note: He also has a DFC(V), which may be for a 2009 medical evac flight in 2009, where his Chinook took an RPG which did not explode and was disarmed after the wounded were delivered.
Even when you're the best and an operation is near "perfect" we are reminded that it is a dangerous profession. Someday I'd like to read more detail about this operation that was made to look easy, and was not.
The man brought great credit on himself, his unit, and his country
I am so disappointed in Mark Kelly. I thought he was a moderate Democrat not to mention Navy captain, astronaut and Merchant Marine Academy graduate. What has he done for the country, the Navy and his school? Nothing. All he did was make a fool out of himself with that video for which he deserves to be reduced in rank.
I loved this event from all sides. One, allowing myself and the US citizens to see a real American hero, not some clown with a million internet followers. Secondly, I love how this award was obviously expedited thru the chain of command instead of languishing for years by staffs, who often downgraded this award for reasons known only to themselves. Fullbore to the nth degree CWO5!
Definitely a rocket docket for this Award. I've never understood the ossified bureaucracy that takes years post-events to acknowledge meritorious service. Yes, they want "confirmation." Witnesses, even affidavits. And sometimes not so easy to accomplish. Then again, other awards at other times have languished, and the extra processing & review time served no good purpose.
The Army knows that a CWO-5 has twice the hours of any LTC, so ignoring the theory that flying officers are the leaders and WOs are the technicians, most of the 160th missions are led by CWO4 or 5s
I'd think the heavily motivated would gravitate towards special commands like that. From my admittedly out of date and limitedunderstanding, CWO5's generally fit that description.
CWO5 and looking at the fruit salad? The man has his twenty in. He needs to spend time getting fixed up, save some money on his fruit salad by just wearing his top three and retire with his 10% kicker in a year or so. He's gotta be good for $60K a year plus his TSP.
Fullbore indeed, and still alive to enjoy his family and the occasional well earned bourbon on the porch.
(BTW? What happens to the MoH 10% if you're 100% VA?)
About “Invasions” into Sovereign Nations, what’s that called … USA into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…
Bravery deserves Recognition! I applaud!
Enlisted man, Joe Pratt, USMC, was wounded in Chosen, South Korea. I give him my “Love” and to Patti, his devoted wife! Alcoholism is a Disease!
Colonialism, remember the Boston Tea Party? “No taxation without Representation”!
How about Pakistan and Afghanistan today, oh but! Why is UK holding on tight to their history in Pakistan? Why are the Western Nations blaming the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Why blame Iran?
Why deny Iran nuclear when I just learned by reading TASS, Pakistan has nuclear too?
Oh Fullbor Fridays are mighty in this “Man’s (and me too) Navy!
Because, what else are we going to talk about at the Joint Enlisted and Officers Club tonight Happy Hour…or at CDR Salamander’s Chart Room Briefing?
Do not drink one drop of Alcohol, save that, if you must, once you are safe in your own bed! Keep your legs together, your hands in your own pockets and your lips shut around your own tongue. That’s
Nurse Jane’s health lesson for today.
Stay in your lane, do not spy! Or you will be caught! God help you if you are detained. I’ll pray for you, just get the word to me. Follow your Military Orders. God Bless America! Stay safe!
Pete- I totally misused that word and you are correct to call that out. I meant "Zealot" as in fanatical and frankly I am going to not bother using any 'Z' word adjective again. Peace.
OK. But be careful, Even the term "zealot" can be confused with the ancient Jewish sect that fought the Romans to the death. I am alarmed at what I see going on in this country especially when a once serious journalist is demanding DNA tests.
I just deleted it just to be safe. Thank you for catching that and saving me further embarrassment.
I know an MH-47 can lift a lot of weight, but how did he fit his enormous brass balls into the cockpit?
Fullbore indeed.
TARDIS underwear?
I'm 4 + decades removed from Ft. Rucker (USAF helo training there back then) and U.S. Army uniforms. Can someone confirm for me that the hash marks on his right sleeve each indicate 6 months in a combat zone? That's a lot of years flying in that environment. Hope he heals well and gets back in the cockpit soon! Full Bore squared!
10 OSR. yes, in theory 6 months each.
But he's been flying for 20 years, most of it with Special Ops and 160th SOAR, god only knows how many short deployments that has been and IDK how 30 day deployments count in a 6 month OSR world.
Let's agree that he has a lot of time in the sandbox.
note: he took 4 rounds of what was described as AP heavy MG fire. He's lucky to have a leg, credit to some surgeon on the LPH (or whatever was their base)
Note: He also has a DFC(V), which may be for a 2009 medical evac flight in 2009, where his Chinook took an RPG which did not explode and was disarmed after the wounded were delivered.
Note: only 1 PH, so he's led a charmed life.
Even when you're the best and an operation is near "perfect" we are reminded that it is a dangerous profession. Someday I'd like to read more detail about this operation that was made to look easy, and was not.
The man brought great credit on himself, his unit, and his country
Well said.
Great to see the DoW leadership overcome the useless admin butt slugs in P&R to make CWO5 Eric Slover’s award happen!
And Captain Mark Kelly would not stand for the four men who received medals that evening.
Yet more confirmation that he's a POS. How is it that he hasn't (won't) go to Mast?
Captain Kelly would probably have told the CWO5 that he didn’t have to follow the order to seize Maduro if he thought it was illegal.
He did!
In that video.
He was jealous.
The attention wasn't on him.
I am so disappointed in Mark Kelly. I thought he was a moderate Democrat not to mention Navy captain, astronaut and Merchant Marine Academy graduate. What has he done for the country, the Navy and his school? Nothing. All he did was make a fool out of himself with that video for which he deserves to be reduced in rank.
BZ
I loved this event from all sides. One, allowing myself and the US citizens to see a real American hero, not some clown with a million internet followers. Secondly, I love how this award was obviously expedited thru the chain of command instead of languishing for years by staffs, who often downgraded this award for reasons known only to themselves. Fullbore to the nth degree CWO5!
Definitely a rocket docket for this Award. I've never understood the ossified bureaucracy that takes years post-events to acknowledge meritorious service. Yes, they want "confirmation." Witnesses, even affidavits. And sometimes not so easy to accomplish. Then again, other awards at other times have languished, and the extra processing & review time served no good purpose.
Amen!
Seen a number of CWO-5's "in the wild" and privileged to know a few (they ARE rare).
The Army knows that a CWO-5 has twice the hours of any LTC, so ignoring the theory that flying officers are the leaders and WOs are the technicians, most of the 160th missions are led by CWO4 or 5s
I'd imagine the 160th is rather top heavy with the cream of the crop of an already small cadre.
top heavy in skills and balls, but not top heavy in rank.
Like Delta, performance is the only metric
don't know about SOAR,
but Delta is like SF.
They have 3 operational Squadrons (shooters), each commanded by an LTC with three Troops each, commanded by a CPT or MAJ. The rest are E-7 to E-9s
I'd think the heavily motivated would gravitate towards special commands like that. From my admittedly out of date and limitedunderstanding, CWO5's generally fit that description.
Best of the best!
OOOHHHraa and HHOOOAH!
CWO5 and looking at the fruit salad? The man has his twenty in. He needs to spend time getting fixed up, save some money on his fruit salad by just wearing his top three and retire with his 10% kicker in a year or so. He's gotta be good for $60K a year plus his TSP.
Fullbore indeed, and still alive to enjoy his family and the occasional well earned bourbon on the porch.
(BTW? What happens to the MoH 10% if you're 100% VA?)
Good Morning CDR & Shipmates,
About bravery and heroism and Alcoholism!
About “Conflicts” not called War: Korea
About “Invasions” into Sovereign Nations, what’s that called … USA into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…
Bravery deserves Recognition! I applaud!
Enlisted man, Joe Pratt, USMC, was wounded in Chosen, South Korea. I give him my “Love” and to Patti, his devoted wife! Alcoholism is a Disease!
Colonialism, remember the Boston Tea Party? “No taxation without Representation”!
How about Pakistan and Afghanistan today, oh but! Why is UK holding on tight to their history in Pakistan? Why are the Western Nations blaming the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Why blame Iran?
Why deny Iran nuclear when I just learned by reading TASS, Pakistan has nuclear too?
Oh Fullbor Fridays are mighty in this “Man’s (and me too) Navy!
Because, what else are we going to talk about at the Joint Enlisted and Officers Club tonight Happy Hour…or at CDR Salamander’s Chart Room Briefing?
Do not drink one drop of Alcohol, save that, if you must, once you are safe in your own bed! Keep your legs together, your hands in your own pockets and your lips shut around your own tongue. That’s
Nurse Jane’s health lesson for today.
Stay in your lane, do not spy! Or you will be caught! God help you if you are detained. I’ll pray for you, just get the word to me. Follow your Military Orders. God Bless America! Stay safe!
Thanks for sharing the citation. I hadn’t seen it quoted up until now.
They used coffee to bait him into the open. His cover is in his desk with his spare set of keys. Oh and he still isn’t going to PT. Ever.