PLN 13

I read the article “Women to Serve on Subs” by Donna Miles, what matters is the Navy plans to repeal its ban on women serving on submarines, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said to Congress. Gates signed a letter Feb. 19 informing Congress of the Navy’s plan to lift the policy, which it intends to do through the phased-in assignment of women to submarines, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed today. Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and other Navy leaders have looked closely at the issues involved with integrating women into the submarine force, including close working conditions and accommodations, he said. No funds will be spent to reconfigure submarines to accommodate female crew members until the Navy Department presents the phased-approach plan to Congress. I think that it is good that the Navy is allowing women to serve on submarines considering that they will have to share bathrooms and bunks. The integration of women into the submarine force increases the talent pool and therefore, overall submarine readiness. “We know there are capable young women in the Navy and women who are interested in the Navy who have the talent and desire to succeed in the submarine force,” he said. “Enabling them to serve there is best for the submarine force and our Navy.”

PLN 12

In the article “Iwo Jima Vets Observe Battle’s 65th Anniversary” By Lisa Daniel, what matters is a lot of veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima and their families gathered at the National Museum of the Marine Corps here today to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the iconic World War II battle. The battle for Iwo Jima – the first U.S. attack on Japanese soil – is memorialized worldwide by the famous Joe Rosenthal photo of five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi. Three of the six later were killed in battle. It is a very good thing that we still care for our vetrens and have memorial reunions for and with them. It is good to know that the United States still care about its former soldiers. George Alden of Fort Worth, Texas, was a 20-year-old sergeant with 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, when he stormed the volcanic ash beach in the first wave of U.S. troops onto Iwo Jima. The Japanese -- who with 21,000 troops had nearly three times more men than Alden and his unit expected -- had terraced the beach, making for an arduous climb for the troops who had no alternative but to move forward on the eight-square-mile island.

PLN 11

In the article “Forces Uncover Multiple Weapons Caches in Afghanistan” By American Forces Press Service what matters is combined patrols of Afghan and international security forces uncovered multiple weapons caches during operations throughout Afghanistan. In Helmand province a security patrol found a large cache containing nearly 3,000 rounds of ammunition, three anti-aircraft weapons, 15 rocket-propelled grenades, 34 mortar rounds and other ammunition. Also, a patrol found a weapons cache in Balkh province yesterday containing 15 Russian 122mm projectiles. I think that countries should keep track of their weapons and stop rouge people from selling them out the backdoor. During a patrol in Kandahar last night, forces found a cache containing two artillery rounds, two grenades, an anti-tank mine, 400 rounds of ammunition and a radio. All caches were destroyed.

PLN 10

In the article “Assault on Taliban Stronghold Yields Early Progress” By John J. Kruzel what matters is NATO and Afghan forces have made early progress in an ongoing offensive on a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan, but have encountered some stiff resistance and may need another 25 to 30 days to secure the entire area. Despite dislocating the insurgency within 24 hours of landing in the region, fighting continues in Marja, which to date has claimed the lives of six allied troops, including four Americans. Some 15,000 NATO and Afghan forces are engaged in Operation Moshtarak, which in Pashto and Dari means Operation Together, including 8,000 to 10,000 ground troops. I think we should move all of the Allied forces into the area with the stronghold and see if we could scare them into surrendering instead of us having to fight them and if that doesn’t work to fight them with our full force. Marja, like other areas of Helmand, is a source of income for Taliban fighters, who cultivate poppy to yield opium and heroin for the lucrative drug market. The U.S. State Department calls Afghanistan the world’s largest producer of opium, and money.

PLN 8

In the article "Iran’s Nuke Program Puts Middle East at Risk" By Fred W. Baker III, what matters is Iran’s nuclear program continues to put security in the Middle East at risk. “Iran is in violation of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, and I think there is a very great worry that if Iran … proceeds with this program unconstrained, there is a very real danger of proliferation here in the region that would make it even more unstable and more unsafe for everyone,” Defense Secretary Gates said. I think we need to take action against this because if this continues it could lead to a nuclear war. The radiation effects of building the warheads could spread to cities and kill thousands on civilians. “They have done nothing to reassure the international community that they are prepared to comply with the NPT or stop their progress toward a nuclear weapon, Therefore, I think that various nations need to think about whether the time has come for a different tack,” Defense Secretary Gates said.

PLN 7

In the article "Wounded Warrior: Blind Soldier Becomes Company Commander" By Tommy Gilligan what matters is yesterday, the title of company commander was added to Smiley’s resume, as he became the first blind officer to lead a company as he assumed command of the Warrior Transition Unit at the U.S. Military Academy. Smiley was wounded and permanently lost his vision during his 2005 deployment to Iraq. He attributes his strength and drive during his recovery to his family, faith and friends. I think that it is a great thing that the US military is allowing wounded soilders to stay in the fight and not have to sit on the sidelines watching their friends die. Over the past six months, Smiley had been an instructor with the academy’s Behavioral Sciences and Leadership department, teaching a leadership course to third-year cadets. Smiley’s endurable spirit and character are traits that the cadets can just relate too. He has overcome so much, through his attitude and desire to excel in life. Scott is a great teacher.