Papa Penguin Pontificates

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Jeff Bezos just gave Admiral McRaven $50 million for charity that’s sure to go exclusively to the SOF community. I wonder if he’s going to make a condolence payment to SSGT Melgar’s family? Meanwhile the conventional forces who constituted the bulk of the folks who fought in America’s longest war for more than 3 months at a stretch get the privilege of raw dogging life after without book deals, speaking gigs, or reliable medical care. But for $149,000 you can have your own quiet professional come speak about the importance of making your bed. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/mcraven-award-bezos/ https://www.celebritytalent.net/sampletalent/15954/adm.-william-h.-mcraven-(ret.)/ https://news.usni.org/2021/01/24/seal-sentenced-to-10-years-in-death-of-green-beret-logan-melgar The Marine Corps and Navy have been on a firing spree. The Navy is up to its 3rd skipper shit canned in 7 months and the Marine Corps is close behind with 2. Which reminds me, someday I’ll have to tell you guys about the time all the E5s and below in our battalion had a riot on Camp Hansen. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/14/two-commanders-marine-corps-west-coast-infantry-school-fired-same-day.html https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/14/navy-fires-commander-of-uss-ohio-3rd-submarine-skipper-relieved-7-months.html What do our Afghani allies and veterans have in common? We are both fucked over by the America’s elected officals. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/14/visas-afghans-who-helped-us-military-running-low-amid-congressional-gridlock.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Hollywood is not the place to look for morality or leadership lessons. But every once in a while they unintentionally vomit a nugget of truth. “Makers of men, creators of leaders, be careful what of what kind of leaders you are producing here” West Point has decided to remove the words duty, honor and country from their mission statement. It’s to be replaced with the malleable phrase “Army Values”. That’s just what we want, leaders who are loyal to the institution above all else. No room for duty, honor or country there. Admiral General Aladeen approves. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/03/13/west-point-removes-duty-honor-country-from-its-mission-statement/ The Navy has made a long overdue and simple change to vastly improve the physical condition of Sailors. Gyms will now be open 24/7. The service has always struggled with physical readiness. Unlike other branches, PT isn’t baked into the work day. This sends an institutional message that physical readiness isn’t a priority. Making base gyms open 24/7 will hopefully change that. Bravo Zulu to leadership for a smart change. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/14/sailors-will-now-get-24-7-access-all-base-gyms-under-navys-new-policy.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. The Air Force is once again looking at the missileer and missileer adjacent communities for cancer. They are evaluating DoD medical records for 84,000 airmen but have not looked at the VA or private medical records. Why would anyone want a complete data set when conducting research? The service says it has started clean up of a number of facilities that tested positive for PCBs and that clean up is ongoing. I know there are at least of couple of you missileers that listen, so this piece of information is for you: Go check out the EPAs guidance on cleaning PCB spills. The link is in the description. Verify the cleaning method they are using matches the EPA guidance. Random sampling patterns can tell you if they are gaming the system. If they’re avoiding known areas of contamination, that’s a big indicator. Lastly, make sure you get this exposure in recorded in your medical record. If you can get that exposure on command letterhead so much the better. Good luck Airmen. Let’s hope the brass does the right thing here. . EPA PCB guidance https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/policy-guidance-manuals-cleanups-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs-spills https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/policy-and-guidance-polychlorinated-biphenyl https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/13/air-force-finds-elevated-cancer-rates-initial-results-of-study-looking-health-risks-missile-bases.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Men, the Pentagon has managed to come up with an extra $300 million in cost savings from contracts. How should we spend the money? Smith: Uh, sir…that’s not extra money. It reduced cost for stuff we already bought. Gen: Dammit smith, I asked for solutions not observational fact. Jones: How about we fix some of the deferred maintenance issues on the barracks? I know there’s a huge backlog but this would be a good start. Gen: What the hell Jones? You are supposed to be helping me out here. What do substandard barracks have to do with anything? Garvin, what do you have? Garvin: Sir, I say we convert it to singles and spread it around to the young single mothers working their way through college by dancing on a pole at the fine institutions off post! Gen: You know, that’s a good start Smith. I think I’ve got it. We’ll send it to Ukraine. Smith: Isn’t that the same thing? That’s right,we’re sending $300 million more to Ukraine despite our munition stockpiles being depleted to the tune of $10 billion. They’re chopping staffing for the Army and the Air Force because they couldn’t recruit enough bodies. And the zoomies are dropping 250 aircraft on top of that. The Marine Corps is getting rid of tanks and artillery. What do we need $10 billion in munitions for? The old Charlotte Keys slogan “Suppose they gave a war and nobody came” may become an actual terrifying reality. Oh well. Onward to AI weapons! That’ll work out better. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-divest-fleet-2025/#:~:text=The%20Air%20Force%20plans%20to,request%2C%20released%20on%20March%2011. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/12/pentagon-give-ukraine-300-million-weapons-even-it-lacks-funds-replenish-us-stockpile.html https://www.genekeyes.com/CHET/Suppose-1.jpg

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. NCIS recently took down diaper sniffer disguised as a Marine. They investigated and got a conviction for Staff Sgt. Jawan T. Hale on 13 charges. This disgusting piece of filth was targeting single mothers to gain access to their children. No need to elaborate. He got 30 years, a dishonorable discharge and reduction in rank to private. Those kids and their mothers got life sentences. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/11/kaneohe-marine-gets-30-years-sexually-assaulting-children.html The country of Haiti has been extra spicy of late. Gangs are battling it out with the government for control of the country resulting in the US evacuating some Americans and beefing up security at the embassy. Likely with Marines from FAST company or MSAU. It’s not Palestine or Israel, so nobody cares. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/11/us-forces-fly-beef-security-embassy-haiti-and-evacuate-nonessential-personnel.html Defense contractor Boeing hit more turbulence in the form of a whistleblower. John Barnett, a 32 year employee, alleged the company was cutting safety corners for money. He conveniently self deleted in a hotel parking lot via a GSW to the head. https://www.denver7.com/boeing-whistleblower-found-dead-days-after-testifying-against-company https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/boeing-whistleblower-john-barnett-found-dead-from-selfinflicted-wound/news-story/056b2ac1a15b903f28f99c1af2b0ea4d And that’s your military minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your breaking Military Minute. Keep a lookout for this waste of protoplasm, Dejan Belnavis. He is wanted for the murder of Chasity Nunez and her 11 year old daughter Zella. Chastity was serving in the National Guards 142nd Medical Company. They’ve collared the first turd involved and now need your assistance to flush this floater. He needs to see the inside of a jail. Keep in mind he may have changed his looks by dying his hair, shaving his head or even gotten face tattoos. Please circulate his photo to everyone you know. There are links to the articles in the description. Let’s make him famous. He’s gotta go. He’s armed and dangerous so give the police a call if you’ve seen him. Don’t chance tangling with this animal. He’s alleged to have murdered a mother and her child, so he’s capable of anything. Besides, convicts tend to sort these types out in ways the justice system can’t or won't. There’s currently a $10,000 reward from the US Marshall’s for this guy and I hope someone collects. And that’s your breaking military minute. https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/destined-success-mom-killed-worcester-was-decorated-national-guard-member-healthcare-pro/77YIVEGK3FEFDMOQ24NGOGOKVU/ https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/search-dejan-belnavis-new-photos-suspect-double-killing

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. It the UAE’s rush to get supplies to civilians in Gaza they recreated the turkey drop episode of WKRP in Cincinnati with tragic results. While the civilians in Gaza need food and medicine, they don’t need it delivered at terminal velocity. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/uae-c17-deadly-airdrop/ Speaking of consequences from not thinking things out beforehand. Various state governors have activated their respective national guards to deal with monumentally bad political decisions. More than a dozen governors have sent National Guard troops to help deal with the mess at the border. https://www.voanews.com/a/republicans-governors-national-guard-and-the-texas-border-what-to-know-/7467727.html The Governor of New York has their Guard conducting searches on citizens riding subways to find weapons. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/new-york-national-guard-called-up-to-patrol-nyc-subways/ And lets not forget Guardsmen from at least 27 states were activated to deal with the COVID fiasco. https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/2118561/national-guard-ramping-up-covid-19-response/ We’ve created an environment where folks are fleeing public service jobs in droves, forcing governors to use the National Guard to plug those holes while they’re facing recruiting shortages. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/10/13/big-bonuses-relaxed-policies-new-slogan-none-of-it-saved-military-recruiting-crisis-2023.html#:~:text=The%20Army%20National%20Guard%20missed,data%20reviewed%20by%20Military.com. https://www.armytimes.com/news/recruiting/2023/06/22/national-guard-closes-end-strength-gap-but-recruitment-woes-persist/#:~:text=The%20National%20Guard%20is%20still,authorized%20end%2Dstrength%20by%20Sept. 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year indeed. And that’s your military minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Let me regale you with the story of Sterling Robert Cale. Initially on shore duty in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked he quickly made his way greenside where he fought on Guadalcanal. Not content with surface action he continued the fight under the sea on subs. Running out of enemies on and in the sea he transferred to the Army and fought in his 2nd war, Korea. He tacked on a 3rd war, Vietnam, because why not? Just to keep things interesting, since he had the war part down, he learned French and Vietnamese. Cale was finally put out to pasture as a SGT MAJ. (insert you’ve killed them all gif) Not done, he completed his degree and horror of horrors, worked at the officer’s club aboard Schofield Barracks. This man amongst men made his final formation on 20 January 2024 at the age of 102 years old. He left behind a loving family and a collective sigh of relief from America’s enemies that registered 4.2 on the Richter scale. When the Grim Reaper finally screwed up enough courage to come take him, it was a pleading request and not a command. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/08/hawaiis-last-pearl-harbor-survivor-laid-rest.html https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/02/15/hawaii-news/pearl-harbor-survivor-sterling-robert-cale-served-in-3-wars/ https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/03/08/hawaii-news/hawaiis-last-pearl-harbor-survivor-laid-to-rest/

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Steve Nikoui, father of a Marine KIA during the CF of a withdrawal from Afghanistan, was invited to the State of Union address by Brian Mast, one of Florida’s Congressional Representatives. Steve not only lost his son Kareem, his other son took his own life in 2022. This father had a hard earned outburst which resulted in him being arrested. Damn Biden and the brass for evacuating Afghanistan in the stupidest way possible. Damn Brian Mast for trotting out a grieving father to score political points. And FU to those officers for arresting this man. Officer discretion, ever heard of it? Still think anyone in DC cares about the average American? https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/08/father-of-marine-killed-afghanistan-withdrawal-arrested-after-interrupting-bidens-state-of-union.html The Pentagon just released a study declaring there is no evidence UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin. There is also no evidence the Pentagon will ever pass an audit, fully fund maintenance of barracks, or remove toxins in missile silos. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/08/pentagon-study-finds-no-sign-of-alien-life-reported-ufo-sightings-going-back-decades.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. “We believe that there is not sufficient evidence to consider the possibility of a cancer clustering to justify further investigation” isn’t a phrase out a history book. It’s the Air Force denying that their missile silo crews are working in environments swimming with HAZMAT. Clusters of young healthy airmen developing cancer while working in contaminated missile silos warrants a closer look….right? First the horror story of Robert Frost. He was a sheet metal worker who got sick while working at Area 51. His doctors knew it was from some sort of hazmat exposure but didn’t know what exactly. When asked for the information, the government invoked the state secrets privilege and refused to answer. Robert Frost died at the age of 51. https://www.aclu.org/documents/background-state-secrets-privilege#:~:text=The%20state%20secrets%20privilege%2C%20when,cause%20harm%20to%20national%20security. (insert this in text: permits the government to block the release of ANY information in a lawsuit that could cause harm to national security) And you thought qualified immunity was bad. The smart money is on the Air Force stalling until enough of their own have died to make extending benefits a fiscally sound idea. And it’s anybody's guess if they’ll ever get around to cleaning up this mess. Maybe the motto for Air Force Missileers should be changed to “Mission first, cancer always” And that’s your Military Minute. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/07/they-stood-sentry-over-americas-nuclear-missile-arsenal-many-worry-it-gave-them-cancer.html https://www.pogo.org/analysis/government-confirms-area-51-but-answers-still-secret

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Remember the recent brouhaha over the barracks? When i said blame would be assigned to junior service members for shitty barracks? Well, CMDMC Angelo Rappa of NAVSTA Norfolk has initiated operation dickhead. By the way, it’s pronounced Nor-fuk, not Nor-folk. As in, aw fuk, I have orders there? The MC has gone old school. If a Sailor fails room inspections they are locked out of their room until their chief or officer shows up. Now, let's ignore all the low hanging fruit. Like the $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance on this base. Why does it take locking Sailors out of their room to get their leadership involved in their living conditions? It takes the most ridiculous of headlines and a complete dickhead move by MC Rappa to make that happen. Where did they learn leadership? From capt crunch? It’s not just the barracks rooms that smell in this story. Leadership failure after leadership failure had to happen for us to end up here. I don’t know, maybe the goat locker and the officer’s mess aboard NAVSTA Norfolk don't identify as leaders. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-norfolk-room-inspections/

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. The 176th Maintenance Squadron, part of the Alaskan Air National Guard, achieved a command climate survey first. 100% of the women responding agree…they’ve been subject to harassment or discrimination. This football bat of an organization is also set up so troops don’t know who’s in charge. What? To top off this steaming pile of excrement the unit commander, Colonel Michael Cummings, was aware of an “endless stream of complaints” excused away. Pro tip to commanders, if you have an endless stream of complaints it’s an issue. It could be a squeaky wheel in the machine or the machine itself is defective. No matter the root cause, you are responsible. 176th, listen up Col Cummings-If you weren’t advised on this issue by your senior enlisted they failed you. If they did and you didn’t listen, step up and take your lumps. You’ve earned them. Senior enlisted-“shame”. You just let your commander get run over by a bus and your Airmen don’t know the chain of command? Fix yourself. junior enlisted and junior officers -Your command failed you. Squared away commands do exist. And that’s your military minute. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/29/alaska-air-guard-unit-found-have-rampant-pattern-of-discrimination.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. A recent op ed lamented the success of the VA’s community care program, which they describe as metastasizing. The concern is the VA will be put out of business by it. If a thing is failing at its intended purpose and can’t be fixed, why keep it? The important part of the Veterans Administration is the first part, Veterans. https://www.military.com/daily-news/opinions/2024/02/27/veterans-care-community-pushing-va-brink.html The Lance Corporal underground was tired of the Army making headlines for stupidity and sprung into action. LCPLs Pritchard and Delgado, stationed with Marine Barracks Washington, scrawled anti semitic and racist epithets on walls at the University of Maryland. While I’m sure the Corps is going to hammer these idiots flat, I would like to propose an alternative punishment. Give ‘em to a machine gun section at the start of a 96 with the instructions they have to be returned alive with all body parts present and no extra holes added. But hazing is back on the menu boys! Better life lessons there than anything the brig could teach ‘em. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/27/2-marines-charged-hate-related-crime-after-slurs-found-university-of-maryland-dorm.html And that's your Military Minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Update on the physician accused of groping patient no fly zones at JLBM. Major Michael Stockin has pled not guilty to 47 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing, involving 41 male victims. My crystal ball suggests the doctor's defense may include a version of patients misunderstanding things like the bulbocavernosus reflex. The Chewbacca defense is also being considered. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/26/army-doctor-charged-sexually-abusing-dozens-of-victims-appears-court-plans-plead-not-guilty.html UK MPs (that’s members of parliament for us Muricans and not military police) were informed the military would only be able to sustain a major war for 2 months. Recruiting, retention and logistics are cited as the problems So, everything. Everything is the problem. Maybe your politicians in the UK don’t have their heads as firmly up their 4th point of contact like ours do here and they’ll find a solution. We’ll trade you AOC or Ted Cruz for say Boris Johnson. Wonder if either of us could tell the difference? https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/04/british-army-would-exhaust-capabilities-after-two-months-of-war-mps-told

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. The Marine Corps isn’t only the first to fight, they are also the first branch to ever pass a complete financial audit! The smaller size of the Corps definitely made it easier to meet this mission but the fact it also required math skills beyond counting fingers shouldn’t be underestimated. Scuttlebutt is HQMC wants to create a Fields medal for the computational wizardry not even the Air Force can achieve. This success story has sent shockwaves throughout JSOC and the CIA. The new expectation of fiscal responsibility is a threat to black budgets everywhere. Semper pi Marines. That’s a math joke, I’m not calling the Corps fat. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/24/marine-corps-becomes-first-military-branch-pass-financial-audit.html A recent attack by the Houthi’s on a Belize-flagged ship forced the crew to abandon her, created an 18 mile long oil slick and risks spilling over 40,000 lbs of fertilizer into the sea. Environmental groups just stop oil and Greenpeace have to be outraged? Probably still stuck to whatever they glued themselves to last. And that’s your military minute. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/24/attack-cargo-ship-red-sea-has-caused-miles-long-oil-slick-things-could-get-worse.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. What does this red, white and blue ‘murican have in common with the godless Chinese heathens? We both hate Jody. A Chinese man whose name is spelled “Ma”, pronounced as Sum Dum Fuc, was recently given new living quarters by his government after playing hide the chopstick with a PLA soldier’s wife. Even he then commies hate Jody. https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2024/02/22/chinese-jody-hit-with-jail-time-after-stealing-military-spouse/ Joint Base Lewis McCord is back in the news for more stories about alleged creepy behavior. An Anesthesiologist, that’d be a doctor that knocks you out, faces investigation for more than 40 accusations of “abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing”. He must’ve thought he was a MEPS doctor. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-10-20/doctor-michael-stockin-jblm-sexual-abuse-11772677.html https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/02/23/army-doctor-faces-charges-he-sexually-assaulted-42-patients/ Stand by, this may shock you. I have something good to say about the VA. They opened a clinic for retirees onboard Fort Campbell, co-located with Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. There are plans to open up a baker’s dozen. Using existing infrastructure to position limited resources to reach high density retiree populations? This can’t be government run. And that’s your military minute.

I'm Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Another trio of stories. These ones may have started off bad but in the end it appears everything is coming out in the wash. We've got our 3rd Sailor turning traitor and selling information to our adversaries. I think it's time to bring back keel hauling. Next there's a Soldier sentenced to a couple of decades for his predatory behavior. Lastly we have China being the victim of a massive document dump of all sorts of intel. Not so funny when the shoe is on the other foot, is it China? The more I keep up with this stuff the more I realize the US military isn't nearly as incompetent and corrupt as some would lead you to believe. We've got our issues but our enemies are worserer. And that's your military minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute The rectangular shaped, sugar coated, gel filled, caloric delivery device known as the Pop Tart was invented by an Army Air Corps veteran that served in Japan after WWII. He created this MRE staple in the mid 60s for Kellogs and it has soldiered on ever since. William Post shuffled off this mortal coil on 10 February. Fair winds and following seas. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/02/14/william-post-military-veteran-who-invented-pop-tarts-dead-at-96/ The efforts to keep Trump off the ballot by hook or crook may result in absentee ballots from troops being tossed. New bumper sticker idea “We support the troops…..not having a say.” https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/02/13/legal-challenges-may-nullify-military-votes-for-trump-in-2-primaries/ Mexico’s President has discovered a new kind of working party, filling potholes. Responsibility for maintaining Mexican roads has been removed from their department of transportation and thrust on the Army. Good thing Gunny’s can’t read, otherwise inspiration would strike the marine corps and we would see silky clad cheeks wearing glow belts while filling potholes across Lejeune and Pendleton at zero dark 30. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexicos-president-army-civilian-role-filling-potholes-107378628 And that’s your military minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your MIlitary Minute. Here’s a new one. The outgoing Dutch PM, Mark Rutte, also the front runner for the next head of NATO said that Europeans needed to stop crying about Trump. He also added "It's up to the Americans. I'm not an American, I cannot vote in the U.S. We have to work with whoever is on the dance floor," https://www.foxnews.com/world/outgoing-dutch-pm-tells-europe-stop-whining-nagging-about-trump Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated Soldier, former SAS, Victoria Cross holder and all around badass has been embroiled in a defamation trial with newspapers accusing him of war crimes. The former trooper had no charges brought against him after an inquiry was compromised by investigators using “special coercive powers”. So let me get this straight. Despite investigators breaking the law, Australia's most decorated soldier was never found guilty of anything, and newspapers still ran stories accusing him of war crimes. I can’t imagine why the Australian military is struggling with recruitment. Make a guy into a national hero and then publicly drag him down without anything resembling honest evidence. Great marketing plan. I love the folks from the land down under but it appears their thinking may be upside down on this. And that’s your Military Minute. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/ben-roberts-smith-defamation-case-sas-soldier-war-crimes-allegations-australia-prisoner-fake-leg-claims https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Roberts-Smith https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/27/benjamin-roberts-smith

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. A few weeks ago we covered the Marine recruiter who is alleged to have preyed upon an underaged poolee and then wrote a book about it. Well, the victim is now fighting back in the form of a lawsuit. Good for her. Meanwhile, NCIS is still investigating. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/15/former-poolee-files-legal-complaint-against-marine-corps-over-recruiters-alleged-sexual-assault-and.html The Army is looking to improve MRE fruits and vegetables. Instead of the foodstuffs being packaged with preservatives they will just dry them out using vacuum microwave drying. This is the same basic idea as freeze drying except cheaper. This is money well spent. An Army fights on its stomach. Until SkyNet gets deployed. https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2024/02/16/mre-fruits-and-veggies-to-get-major-upgrade-with-new-technology/ Germany’s defense minister is floating the idea of allowing non citizens to join the ranks. They, along with pretty much every developed nation in the world, are struggling with recruitment. It’s seems the entire West is looking at this option to combat recruiting woes . Mass inject people who don't’ have ties to your country into your military. What could go wrong? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/german-defence-minister-boris-pistorius-military-unfit-europe-problems And that’s your Military Minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Get out the brain bleach, this one is going to be rough. . We previously reported on LTCOL Sweatland who got away with a letter of reprimand for stashing a camera in a store catering to underaged girls and fighting with police. Well, he’s not alone in getting a sweetheart deal. LTCOL Mark Patterson got plead guilty to assault, sexual harassment and maltreatment. He also allegedly bragged that he had beaten multiple investigations. Letter of reprimand Oh yeah, he was an MP. LTCOL Johnny Gonzalez pled guilty to one count of conduct unbecoming. He lacked the ability to keep his mitts, and other body parts,off of Naval trainees. The piece de resistance of allegations, having oral sex in a public bathroom in front of a retiree. Letter of reprimand. The disgusting part. Since these officers just got a letter of reprimand, theoretically they could easily move onto a civilian contracting job get a 6 figure salary, a fancy title and work in the intel field. Or not. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/15/3-army-lieutenant-colonels-just-got-relatively-soft-punishments-sex-offenses.html https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-national-guard-assault-sexual-harassment-82523/44911847

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Ladies and Gentlemen, Hell has frozen over. Sailors can now put their hands in their pockets. Even the lone Sailor rejoices. Since it’s now within regulations Naval Special Warfare will no longer be allowing SEALs to put their hands in their pockets. No word from DEVGRU about the use of pockets. That tactic, technique and procedure is classified. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/14/navy-lifts-ban-sailors-putting-hands-pockets-rolls-out-various-new-uniform-changes.html In news that will shock noone, an investigation of the VA’s anti harassment office by the VA found the office was “replete with misconduct” but they were unable to “..identify individual misconduct…” I do not think the word replete means what they think it means. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/14/replete-misconduct-internal-va-investigation-finds-inappropriate-sexual-conduct-vas-anti-harassment.html Native American and Alaskan Native veterans have saved $2,5 million by the VA eliminating their co-pays. This is outstanding. While they're at it, If someone could explain to me how I still have copays even though I’m eligible for care at the VA, have Tri-Care, and private insurance I would appreciate it. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/14/native-american-alaska-native-veterans-saved-25-million-medical-costs-under-new-va-waiver-program.html They have finally acknowledged the longstanding discrimination problem minorities face seeking care through the VA. It’s about time. Now, when are they going to fix the same problem for the rest of us? https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/14/va-issues-road-map-address-inequities-health-care-and-benefits-minority-vets.html

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. The Senate managed to push through a funding bill that includes more than $90 billion for Ukraine and Israel. You know how much they allotted for our Afghani allies that actually fought in America’s longest war? Zero. Hey Senate. Find Johnny Cash pic of the finger https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/13/senate-passes-953-billion-aid-package-ukraine-and-israel-fate-house-0 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/13/support-afghan-allies-sidelined-yet-again-despite-push-veterans.html Update on the private disguised as a SGTMAJ. SGTMAJ Jorge Garcia’s is currently charged with possession of 11 grams of meth with intent to distribute, unauthorized purchases on his travel card, promoting criminal activities online, and making false official statements. Go Army, beat meth. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/02/13/meth-gang-night-club-fort-liberty-leader-faces-multiple-charges/ And in yet another scratch your head moment for the Army, Fort Liberty is a pile of trash. The company responsible for emptying dumpsters allegedly has equipment issues so trash has been piling up for weeks. The Garrison Commander,Col Wilcox, and Deputy Garrison commander Dr. Kevin Greiss, are confused on how to solve the problem. It’s ok for troops to live next to literal piles of garbage but don’t let SGTMAJ Seymore observe them walking on the grass. And that’s your military minute. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/02/13/trash-at-fort-liberty-is-piling-up-faster-than-it-can-be-removed/ https://taskandpurpose.com/news/fort-liberty-trash-problem/

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. Dirty little secret, Marines aren’t the only soldiers of the sea. The US Army has been in the boat business for a while. The 5th transportation company just stood up in Yokohama, Japan. This new unit of the Army’s navy has 285 Sailors disguised as Soldiers and 13 boats the Army insists be called ships, 2 of which are tugboats…come on..boat is literally in the name! To my brown water cousins in the Army, may angels ride your yardarms. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/02/12/army-activates-first-overseas-watercraft-unit-in-decades/ The Marines are on a roll this week. First disaster relief in the PI and now recruiters saving lives. SSGT I’m not even going to attempt his name(Amilcar Marroquinsalinas) and SSGT Eric Kinglewis rendered lifesaving care to an injured motorcyclist outside of their recruiting office. Marines do more than arrange meetings between our enemies and their creator. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/02/12/2-marine-recruiters-save-motorcycle-crash-victims-life/ SECDEF Austin is back in the hospital for an “emergent bladder issue.” Since there is reporting on this it would seem his office finally figured out how email works. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/02/11/austin-back-in-the-hospital-with-emergent-bladder-issue/ And that’s your military minute.

I’m Papa Penguin and this is your Military Minute. From the Hall of Montezuma to the shores of Davo, Philippines the Marines come to the rescue. Leathernecks from VMGR-152 have delivered thousands of pounds of needed supplies to flood victims in the PI. See, the Marines do more than just kill people and break things. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/12/marines-transport-nearly-60000-pounds-of-humanitarian-relief-disaster-struck-philippines.html The 26th MEU has been extended on station, likely because of the mid east nuttiness. Having a mes float extended isn’t fun. On the plus side I did lose 130 lbs in the form of an ex wife during one, so they have that going for them. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/09/marines-navys-bataan-group-officially-get-extended-deployment-mediterranean-amid-middle-east-turmoil.html And speaking of unexpected life trajectories while afloat, the commodore for destroyer squadron 2 was cashiered over the weekend. While the Navy says it was for “loss of confidence” I’d be willing to bet it's one of 2 things: Alcohol Infidelity This is the 3rd CO the Navy has fired this year. And that’s your military minute.