Palin's eldest son to guard top commanders in Iraq

[JonLP24]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The long and divisive war in Iraq is about to resonate with presidential candidates in a way not seen so far in the campaign: the sons of both vice presidential nominees are assigned to go there soon.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's eldest son, Track, will perform security duties for his brigade's top officers.

"He's just like any other infantry soldier here," said Army Col. Burt Thompson, who heads the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. "He tries to remain as anonymous as he possibly can."

Which is harder than it sounds. The British government decided earlier this year it had to pull Prince Harry from Afghanistan after news leaked he was fighting there. That sparked a debate about whether the children of powerful politicians are treated differently when they join the military.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gklG-DS9dhwcGUIY_Tk6...

[leftofthedial]

1. target, meet forehead

[Benhurst]

2. "That sparked a debate about whether the children

of powerful politicians are treated differently when they join the military."



Gosh, do you think?

[EFerrari]

21. And now, our high command is being guarded by this green guy?

Holy sh!t. That can't be good.

[LiberalFighter]

26. I wonder how secure Petraus and his buddies feel with that guy around.

[AZ Criminal JD]

32. He is guarding brigade officers

Not Petraus and officers at that level.

[onenote]

83. "high command"? hardly.

His brigade's officers. The top officer in the brigade is a colonel.

[jimshoes]

3. Didn't they used to have a word for those rear eschelon guys?

[TomInTib]

7. Goodness, there's your new rumor.

Muhfuggin' hilarious

[awoke_in_2003]

14. REMFs

Rear Eschelon Mother Fuckers

[jmowreader]

22. They STILL have that word

Yes, everyone in the military knows what REMF means.

Bad war story follows: One of my buddies in the sign business was an infantryman in 3rd Infantry Division in Germany in the late 1970s. He was in the field on an exercise and his platoon needed some stuff from the PX, so he grabbed a troop, got a vehicle and went to the rear. These guys are completely covered in mud, camo, axle grease, you name it, and the PX is full of nice clean troops who weren't on maneuvers that day.,,so naturally he and his troop are making jokes about all the REMFs they see. The woman ahead of him in line asked him what that word means, she's heard it so many times. He patiently and kindly explained that REMF stands for rear-echelon motherfucker, someone who never goes to the field hence isn't a real soldier.

Unfortunately for him, he had patiently and kindly explained it to the general's wife. (Fortunately for him, the general had a different war patch on every uniform and a sense of humor.)

[AZ Criminal JD]

29. He is guarding his brigade's top officers.

That is not rear eschelon. Your military ignorance is showing.

[tabasco]

51. No, your military ignorance is howing.

I spent many years in the infantry.

Anyone selected for brigade hq is a fucking remf.

They should put his fucking ass in a line unit with the rest of the grunts.

Anywhere the brigade TOC goes is secured by line units. Anywhere the brigade commander goes is secured by line units.

I've never heard of an enlisted infantry soldier going directly to HHC.

Brigade usually selects soldiers form line units to go to HHC.

But they want to protect Palin's little boy.

[AZ Criminal JD]

74. I don't know if you spent a minute in the military

But I was in Iraq 2003-4 and you don't know what you are talking about.

[onenote]

84. snap!

Thanks for posting this. I was talking about this the other day with a neighbor who was in iraq who said basically the same thing -- brigade officers -typically colonel's -- are hardly rear echelon. Go to iraqcasualties.com and see how many have died over in that stinkin hell hole.

[hack89]

34. Brigade HQ's are not rear echelon

Brigade COs are expected to out and about dealing directly with Iraqi officials and tribal leaders. They would be a prime target for IEDs since they spend a lot of time on the road.

[malletgirl02]

40. Plus

Isn't true that in Iraq there isn't really a true front to be behind. Pretty much everywhere is Iraq is dangerous.

[hack89]

42. Very true. nt

[JonLP24]

60. Not so much

If you're inside a large fob you're safe, you don't even have to wear gear. if anyone wants to attack they have to go through several layers of security and it is rare someone infiltrates a fob. The small bases are dangerous because of mortar rounds. If only I knew what base he'll be attached to is when I can tell you whether how safe he'll be.

[douglas9]

44. REMF

[alfredo]

72. Rich kids got invited to blanket parties in our company. It taught

them humility.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Why would they announce his specific unit and duties? Seems unnecessary.

More of Palin's exploitation of her own children. She disgusts me.

[NorthCarolina]

11. Because none of these GOP in charge folks are "military minded"

the ones in charge were all miraculously blessed with multiple deferments so they have no idea that it's not wise/safe to announce unit/duties of a high visibility troop.

[ohio2007]

65. because the media would never find out on their own ?

[TomInTib]

5. Skating

That's a plum gig, because top brass are rarely at risk.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. You are correct

but it does make a little sense. Let's say she makes office, and he is killed or captured. How will she and the president react? Might get even uglier. When I say that, I mean the use of the new smaller tactical nukes we now have. Remember, you would have a grieving VP with a hot headed president.

[hack89]

35. Wrong

Brigades are given areas of responsibilities and the brigade commanders are expected to be out and about dealing with government officials and tribal leaders. They are prime targets for attacks and IEDs since they are on the road so much.

[Arctic Dave]

6. Does the word REMF mean anything.

I bet first tour infantry doesn't usually get a cush job like this one. Especially when we're paying Blackwater by the truckload to do this already.

[superconnected]

27. There's been many reports in the news that first tour infantry unfairly

gets put on the front lines over people that have been in a while.

[liberalhistorian]

8. Oh, really?

My, isn't that convenient. Makes me wonder what kind of assignment Beau Biden will get in Iraq when he leaves shortly.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Beau is a JAG officer, I believe. He's a whole different can of worms altogether.

[ohio2007]

63. Green Zone

in the basement of the new embassy pushing papers

[AZ Criminal JD]

28. He will not be in combat

He is a lawyer.

[liberalhistorian]

49. That doesn't mean he won't be in

any danger at all, not by a long shot. Just as Track Palin won't be at all free from danger just 'cause he's guarding upper-level officers. Anything can happen at any time over there. There is no such thing as a totally safe, cushy job there. Only jobs that are more dangerous than others.

[JonLP24]

57. That is not true

Generally if you are on a large foward operating base and never have to leave out the front gates you are generally safe. I don't know what REMF means but certainly he'll be a "fobbit" On smaller bases in Iraq it is dangerous because of mortars. I know I've been to Iraq, you can take off all your gear when you're inside a base, it is considerably safe. I know because I've been too many fobs in Iraq.

[ohio2007]

66. "Generally speaking a large FOB is safe " ?

Wait till "the freedom fighter" #3's in charge spread the word alla sent them about the two crusaders Palin and Biden

mortar attacks on us base. north from baghdad

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=789_1185497826


IED on US armored vehicle Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades (Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades)

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c62_1188294443

Insurgent Rocket And Mortar Attack Stopped By C-RAM(Counter-Rocket,Artillery,Mortar)

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=27b_1218838922
they only have to get lucky once
Basra Palace under mortar attack - Iraq
Mature, Featured - Reply by quick capture - Reply by uploading content
"Filmed by a British Reporter"
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e15_1197647722

[JonLP24]

75. Taji is VERY large

I've been inside there probaly 2 times. You don't understand, there is so much I can say over the internet but that area for 2006-2007, however on base you can take off your gear, it is large so the chances are small. Compared to most places it is the most dangerous. However, shit happens. We had 7 people in Arizona die on freeways this weekend. You can consider them most dangerous. Take my word for it, in all military bases(a few were definately shady) I, ME PERSONALLY felt safe. It was MUCH safer compared to being on the Iraqi roads which are the most dangerous roads in the world.

[ohio2007]

64. IED's observe no combat "front line"

all are at a measurable risk

[ohio2007]

62. Track Palin and Beau Biden have received no special considerations, the Army said. Nor will they.

Track Palin and Beau Biden have received no special considerations, the Army said. Nor will they.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gklG-DS9dhwcGUIY_Tk6...



yeah, sure
and there is no such thing as a champaign squadron either

[Diane R]

10. Let's hear why he joined the military. Let's hear about whether he graduated from high school

[JonLP24]

12. You need atleast a GED to enlist

I don't think it's a big deal if he didn't and opted for a GED. It doesn't mean at all he wasn't smart enough for high school. I have a GED. I don't know anything about his personal life though.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Heard it was because he couldn't play hockey in college--grades too shitty.

[orleans]

17. i heard he robbed a liquor store, vandalized a school bus and

was given the choice of army or jail.

i don't know when he lived in michigan for a year, but he dropped out of high school, moved to michigan, (came home?) got his diploma and ... the rest is history? (track got off on the wrong track)

[jakem]

67. i heard the bus, but the robbery? really?

[Xenotime]

69. No shit?!? This needs to come out...

This will really hurt the pugs cause.

[Duer 157099]

19. I heard it's because he knocked someone up n/t

[Duer 157099]

30. Yes, he apparently graduated from high school

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/05/25/news/ne...

Wasilla high school

class of 2007

Alicia J. Adams, Keelan S. Ahern, Cyrus Frank Aldeman, Elissa Dawn Alderman, Laura Elizabeth Anderson, Julie Marie Andrews, Lisa Eleanor Apangalook, Kristopher Shane Artz, Chelsea M. Bahn, Justin Bailey, Alexis Ann Baker, Alan Thomas Bartelli, John PL Bates, Jesse James Bean, Aaron Wayne Bean, Gabrielle Maria Becker, Kyle J. Beckham, Brionne Bentz, Nicole Leanne Betti, Brooke Angel Beus, Kelsey C. Beus, Michelle Erin Beus, Heather L. Black, Holly J. Blake, William Edward Bocast, Nathan D. Boegel, Amy Marie Bohmbach, Eric John Bonnes, Nicole Amber Braman, Carl Ross Brent, Justine N. Breshears, Benjamin Briceland, Ashley Diane Briggs, Ayla Marie Brown, Howdice L. Brown III, Michael Edward Brown, Shana L. Bruns, Tiffany M. Bruns, Todd J. Buckmeier II, Austin Richard Bulawa, Walker S. Burgett, Harry Parker Caldwell, Jr., Jorge R. Camargo, Joseph L. Campbell, Joshua S. Campbell, Duane S. Carpenter, Jessica LeAnn Carter, Sarah P. Casey, Danielle M. Caswell, Jeffrie L. Champion, Harriet A. Chilton, Octavia L. Christensen-Vavila, Jillian Marie Clayton, Cory Jacob Clump, Ian T. Collins, Jeremiah Dillon Collins, Joshua Jeffrey Michael Collins, Krystina M. Collins, Sarah A. Collins, Kendal Roy Copping, Derek Arthur Cottle, Corey Daniel Cowgill, Kip Eric Craig, Ashley A. Cronk, Vladimir Alexander Dahl, Mackenzie Wade Deiman, Melissa A. Derr, Andrea L. Deuster, Nicholas Adam Dewan, Zachary J. Dolechek, Nicole D. Duque, Cody E. Eastgate, Heather Renee Eggleston, Christopher M. England, Sandra Michelle Evan, Wilfred Fernandez III, Saundra Lynn Fife, Zachary Michael Force, Stacey Malinda Foster, Alyssa G. Fredrick, Westley Edward Gagnon, Christina Breanne Gallagher, Kailey Roark Gamble, Nathan E. Garcia, Haley E. George, Randy Makoto George, Clayton L. Glenn, Erik Greene, Ashley Mae Gregory, Samantha Maria Gregory, Danielle M. Haley, Amber M. Halsey, Lisa L. Hampton, Bret Thomas Hamrick, Jr., Justin R. Hansen, Britta Lee Hanson, Jill LaBelle Hanson, Kevin A. Harless, Casey M. Hart, Lynnsey Nichole Hays, Lindsay Faye Hermanns, Sasha R. Hermans, Nathan P. Herold, Charles K. Hesselbach, Erin Hooley, Katherine Lee Howes, Benjamin G. Hughes, Skye Lynn Hulke, Holy Lee Hunt, Courtnie Marie Husmann, Chantel Bonae Hutchinson, Jordan Christopher Ingalls, Heather Renea Jackson, Hal C. James, Alisha M. Jennings, Jonathan R. Jensen, Eli Michael Johnson, Tara Jean Johnson, Michelle L. Kanosh, David Aleksander Kellner-Rode, Cory P. Kilbourne, Douglas W. Knecht, James Cody Knighten, Michael Robert Knutson, Ivan Kolomeychuk, Beverly R. Koso, Matthew P. Koss, Marina Y. Kovalenko, Abby Josephine Krueger, Quincey Lee Kysar, Jerett B. Laird, Anthony Michael Lamb, Kaela Larson, Csesalie Danielle Lease, Kristal L. Leonard, Andrea Yvonne Lettow, Jaimee Nicole Lettow, Chelsea R. Lewis, Ashley Nicole Lindberg, Drew Nicholaus Litwack, Aurora Leigh Loeffler, Alexander R. Lowe, Chad D. Lyles, Frances J. Lynch, Michael T. Maestas, Jesse W. Manchester, Shaeli J. Marley, Patrick Richard Marshall, Tommy D. Marshall, Michael G. Martin, Candice Marie McCollum, Paul G. McCone, Emily Bingham McCorkell, Stephen Harold McElroy, Samantha A. McLeod, Melissa S. McLin , Gary I. McLinn, Megan Cherie Metcalf, Lindsey Raven Miller, Robin L. Miller, Zachariah M. Miller, Anne Louise Moeller, Katie E. Montanelli, Diana Jadira Moreira-Saltos, Mayerly Andrea Morse, Justin A. Mulkey, Jessica M. Munholland, Dmitry A. Muzechuk, Brock Kenneth Nelson, Cassidy Albert Nelson, Clayton Nelson, Jack Josiah Nelson, Olga Mikhaylovna Netsvetayeva, Katherine E. Noble, Kaitlyn E. Norris, Nicole D. O'Brien, Jeremy L. O'Donnell, John P. Ohmann, Bonnie K. Oldham, Casey Constance Orbeck, John S. Pahkala, Track CJ Palin, Brooks B. Patton, Ashley Renee Payne, Aron Lawrence Peet, Daniel Errol Pelletier, Dara Lynn Peltier, Caitlin Elizabeth Pendergrast, Elizabeth M. Perkins, Kelsey K. Peterson, Titus William Peterson, Bryce David Pilny, Makiah Alyshia Podbielski, Sasha R. Pohwat, Heather Pollock, Michael R. Porreca, Ariel Rebecca-Ley Powell, Eldon Mark Prater, Cody Daniel Prater-Cox, Arianna Nicole Presley, Hillarie Helen Putnam, Samantha A. Ramsey, Christopher S. Rathbun, Andrew M. Reeves, Hunter Scott Rhoades, Jared Clayton Ricker, Rickie JT Richardson, Aubrey A. Robison, Dylan L. Rosevear, Schuyler Gene Roskam, Ashley Marie Sandoval, Leonard N. Savage, Christopher D. Sawyer, Stacey Christine Sawyer, Norman J. Sbrusch, Andrew J. Schirack, Hunter L. Scholtz, Rene Jean Schwarz, Heather A. Seils, Jody Christian Serrano, Roman Shevchuk, Nathan J. Skinner, Selena K. Sletten, Bethany K. Sliwa, Natalie Slowik, Daniel P. Smith, Jessi F. Speer, Joshua E. Stamm, Cody A. Stanley, Aleigh Jean Stauffer, Ashley M. Steinbeck, Melissa Renee' Stella, Deanna Brae-Lynn Stevens, Chauncey Lee Stigen, Shawn Allen Strain, Justin C. Sutton, Molly K. Swanson, James R. Switzer, Ashley A. Sydow, Zackery Brian Tackett, Aaron Joseph Thomas, Jenny A. Thomas, Samuel C. Thomas, Jack Cole Troshynski, Gabriella Alexandra Valladares, Kati Arlene Vance, Alla Vodlenshchuk, Christel Ryann Wagle, Megan N. Walker, Ronald Morgan Walker, Yvonne J. Warner, Tara Lynn Webb, Stephen Patrick Wehe, Micah David Weinstein II, Anne Elizabeth Wesser, Nicholas Whitney, Kenneth Carl Widmer Jr, Brett Alexander Willett, Logan Boone Williams, Otis LT Williams, Ronald Carey Williamson Jr, Amber M. Wilson, Ashley Kathryn Lynn Woolley, Bradford W. Wright, Casey Michael Wright, Oksana Viktorovna Zagorodnyaya; and Foreign Exchange students Andreas Baltes, Sebastian Chavez Campuzano, Janina Enachescu, Clarissa Simon Factum, Da Som Jeong, Kathrine Foss Lillelund, Nyakeh Sam Suale.

Oh but hey, look at this (another?!?!) happy coincidence in the Land of Palin:

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/031407/sta_20070314...

Still fresh: Gov. Sarah Palin, left, gives a tour of the Capitol to Britta Hanson, center, a Wasilla High School senior who will work as a page for the Legislature. Hanson holds hands with Piper Palin, 5, the governor's youngest daughter.

Don't know if this classmate of Track's is the daughter of the Hanson currently under inspection, but if so, looks like the families are still friendly.

[NoSheep]

78. let's hear when

[nichomachus]

16. Well, at least he's going -- unlike some other Repugs

And you don't get to choose your parents. So, I don't have anything against him.

[EFerrari]

25. The rumor is, he had a choice between jail and enlisting. n/t

[AZ Criminal JD]

31. If it is like the rumors you have posted in the past

It has no credibility.

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. She is one of the most respected and dependable DUers

What an outrageous accusation.

[AZ Criminal JD]

76. She posted all the "Sarah was not pregnant" rumors

Which backfired on Obama's campaign.

[nichomachus]

43. I wasn't aware judges do that any more -- sounds like a rumor

[JonLP24]

61. Only for misdeameanors

It is rare but I know fellow troops that had that kind of option. You have to pass a background check to join so no felonies and if you committed a misdemeanor you need a waiver.

[onenote]

53. operative word: rumor

[Ghost Dog]

18. Ok. Fair comparison:

Prince Harry of England = = Track Palin of Alaska.

Seriously.






BWAAAHAAAHAAA


edit: AP strikes again.

[Parmenion]

20. Come on guys!!

I wish people wouldn't let politics get in the way and force them to call him a Rear Echelon Muther F$cker or stuff like that. Fact is he enlisted, went through basic, and is going to serve in Iraq. That means a lot. He is an infantry soldier- and even if he was assigned to Logistics or Finance or some position that does not normally fight- fact is he is going to Iraq which is a hell-hole. Mitt Romney's sons deserve scorn for stating they were serving the nation by helping their father's campaign. Palin's son deserves our respect.

There are a lot of guys who got bad grades in high school or who simply did not know what to do with their lives and turned to their Army for discipline, guidance, and patriotism.

I for one feel that it admirable that the children of Biden, McCain and Palin will all serve in Iraq.

Hell, working for a contractor in Iraq in the Green Zone is not easy, let alone being a soldier in the U.S. Army.

I wish the best for her son and hope Palin thinks long and hard about Republican policies in Iraq and how they affect someone intimately close to her.

[EFerrari]

23. Are you lost? This kid got preferential treatment.

It has nothing to do with service but with time serving in the public eye.

And unless this country goes completely insane, Caribou Barbie can think about Iraq all she wants while she figures out how to run her carwash.

[AZ Criminal JD]

33. What exactly is the "preferential treatment"?

It is obvious you have no clue what his job duties are.

[EFerrari]

37. Did you read the OP? n/t

[onenote]

54. tell us about your military experience and expertise

People who know more about this than you have pointed out that brigade commanders are often in the line of fire. Brigade COs are frequently Colonels. Do some research and you'll see that a lot of Colonels have died in this fucked up war.

[lonestarnot]

38. Of course he got preferential treatment. He's a pug's kid.

[cap]

41. his job is a good place to make connections

The top commanders are heavily guarded and are not placed in harm's way. AKA champagne unit just a bit closer to the front than GW's TANG. He's not gonna have much in the way of war story's unlike a Patrick Murphy

[Pastiche423]

36. Why does he deserve our respect?

He was too stupid to get into college, so he's going to fight in an illegitimate war.

What's to respect about that?

[brentspeak]

39. Your post sounds like the kind of thing...

...a Rush Limbaugh intern would come up with in order to parade online as "proof" of "liberal hatred of our troops".

[Thothmes]

50. Just like those thousands of others

that currently serve in Iraq and Afganistan. Are they stupid also.

[onenote]

55. I have more respect for him than for you after that nonsensical remark

Do have the same disdain for the hundreds of other young people who ended up dying in iraq because they were "too stupid to get into college"?

[Psephos]

77. Get lost permanently. He's already done more than you to deserve respect.

He's his own person, and deserves to be treated that way.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NoSheep]

80. You'd let YOUR kid fight for big oil?

[NoSheep]

82. Would you?

[clear eye]

68. Best I can say is at least he's not the usual R hypocrite

and if you politically support the occupation and you are fighting age, it's less offensive if you enlist. But the honorable thing at this point is to oppose this occupation politically and refuse to serve.

[glitch]

24. Jesus, the one place I would want meritocracy to rule over cronyism would be security.

Then again, I ain't a Republican.

[IndianaGreen]

45. How did Track managed to land such a cushy job in a combat zone?

Joe McCarthy's hatched man Roy Cohn used his influence to get special treatment for his former staffer Army Private David Schine. Do we have the same thing at play here?

[onenote]

56. if its so cushy, how come so many colonels have died in Iraq?

Brigade officers are typically colonels.

[JonLP24]

58. Even so Brigade commanders are not out there on the front lines

Like there battallions and company enlisted soldiers are. This soldier will not be out there like the rest of his fellow comrades will be out there virtually everyday on the battle lines while he gets to guard the BC who will only go out on a mission every once in awhile just to see how things are going. No one should bash him but he is getting a cushy job compared to most infantry soldiers.

[underpants]

46. He got palace duty

Wow there's a shocker....not

[progressivebydesign]

48. Is it typical for a guy right out of high school to land that type of gig??

Seems to be an assignment tailored for a governor's son.

[JonLP24]

59. It's normal, that HS shit doesn't matter

When our unit deployed a PFC got a job as the Battalion Commander's driver. He just drove him out to his meetings, etc. Only when on dangerous missions when the BC went out which was 2 times throughout a whole year, I did 23 missions and some of the high milers did as many as 35. It is possible his governer's position landed this type of job.

[Mz Pip]

52. He couldn't manage a 2.0

He's so lucky his Mom is a VP candidate.

[rocktivity]

70. I thought he was only 18 years old and joined the Army recently

Is he qualified for such an important position away from the trenches?


rocknation

[NoSheep]

81. WHY did he join "recently"? He's cannon fodder for her political career.

[Posteritatis]

71. Correction: Top commanders in Iraq to guard Palin's eldest son. (nt)

[rocktivity]

73. DUzy!

He got a pretty cushy job for a rookie--but then again, it runs in the family!


rocknation