Annapolis midshipmen: "Can't wait to go" (to Iraq)

[sabra]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/13294563.htm

Encouraged by president, midshipmen say they're eager

Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - As President Bush vowed to keep fighting in Iraq, midshipmen who are poised to graduate from academic life to combat said Wednesday they were reassured by the president's determination.

Despite debate about the direction of the war, the president refused to set a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops, a decision that was greeted with enthusiasm by midshipmen who are months from graduating.

"It's a great feeling knowing that you're going to be a part of freeing up Iraq," said midshipman Jason Copare, of Pittsgrove, N.J. "You have a direct impact on the freedom of another country. It's something that's bigger than you, and you feel privileged to be a part of it."

Copare said he could be on a ship in the Persian Gulf a month after graduating.

"Can't wait to go," he said.

:wtf:

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Huh. He might feel differently if he was gonna be on the ground.

[ComerPerro]

23. No shit

[EC]

2. What a dreamer...

another one void of reality...

[ewagner]

3. Easy, big guy,

that isn't going to get those "Ensign" bars off your collar any faster....you'll be a "jg" soon enough.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Dear (midshipman name here)...

Due to the increasing shortage of (live) qualified Marine officers in Iraq, we are reassigning your new tour of duty from the USS <ship name here> to the Marine convoy protection unit in <city name here>.

You enthusiasm for the President's mission is greatly appreciated...

[RobertSeattle]

6. Dear Mr. President

Regrettably, I am now realizing I have homosexual tendencies and must unfortunately submit my resignation.

Yours,

(midshipman name here)

[Junkdrawer]

11. Dear (midshipman name here)...

The "Don't ask, don't tell" regulations have been greatly liberalized and it is now no longer necessary (or permitted) to resign over your sexual preferences. However, given the nature of the enlisted men you will lead, you may want to keep these preferences to yourself. Your call.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Dear Mr. President

A lovely fellow named Jeff Gannon/Guckert has proposed to me, so because of possibly disrupting our marriage plans I will no longer be available for the Persian Gulf cruise, although it sounds like a fun time.

PS - Jeffy sends his very best.

[MidwestTransplant]

13. Probably not too far off from reality.

[RobertSeattle]

5. Exactly how dangerous is it to be on a ship in the Persian Gulf?

The midshipman should be requesting a cross service transfer to the Marines or Army.

[HawkerHurricane]

9. Midshipmen are Marines...

And Navy.
The Navy trains the Marines officers, and in training they wear the same uniforms and have the same rank and title. In fact, it's possible to switch between the two... more than one wannabe Navy Nuclear Engineer who couldn't pass math ended up commanding a Marine Infantry Platoon as a 2nd Lt.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

17. It's not exactly true that the Navy trains the Marine officers, only those

that come from the Naval Academy in Annapolis. It's true that the Annapolis ones wear the same uniform as the other Midshipmen and only wear Marine uniforms after choosing the Marines, graduating and becoming Marines.

The ones that come through ROTC, and train at The Basic School in Quantico, VA are Marine uniform all the way.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. "I want to burn down villages and eat charred bodies."

Or, something like that from "Alice's Restaurant".

Idiot.

[grytpype]

8. Not too many sailors have been killed in Iraq...

Only 32 according to icasulalties.org. Being on a ship in the Persian Gulf is pretty safe, let's hope Midshipman Copare doesn't wind up walking point in Ramadi.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

19. I'd be willing to bet that all of those are either SEALS or enlisted

Hospital Corpsmen (medics) who take care of and are assigned with Marine units.

Probably no Annapolis Grad shipboard officers, unless they slipped on the soap and cracked their noggin against the bulkhead.

[lpbk2713]

10. As a Navy vet I can say they are in for a rude awakening

when they report to their first duty assignment. They don't really have a grasp of it yet but they will soon find out that the only thing on earth any lower than an Ensign is whale shit. Sad but true.

[HawkerHurricane]

25. Navy Vet joke...

What's the difference between a Seaman Apprentice and a Ensign?

A Seaman Apprentice has been promoted once.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. "Oh shit. I thought Mr. Bush said Paris Golf Course a month after"

Cancel my trip.

[AlCzervik]

14. um did anyone really think a hand selected captive Bush audience would say

anything different?

[izzie]

15. You do know that their are people who like wars, I am sure you do

Having spent about 20 years in the middle of the service life I hate to tell you but a lot of men like to fight and shoot at things. You also know that is how rates are made in the service. Serve in wars is some thing those men will have to do.

[sabra]

18. Of course I do. One of my life decisions had to do with the military,

so I know what it's all about. I just don't want to see Copare's name on the DOD casualty report some day.

peace.

[MrTriumph]

20. Many did not applaud Bush today.

Against the backdrop of the dark uniforms (or "wardrobe" as RR called their clothes) it was easy to see many were NOT applauding Bush.

[NPBA900]

21. Navy Officers and Combat in Iraq

Of course Naval Academy Grad Officers (NAGO) want to go to Iraq. This is b/c the odds of Naval Officers in IRAQ seeing actual combat on the ground is slim too none.

Many NAGO will serve as rear echelon desk jocks/public affairs position, but garner all the glory and recognition and awards just for serving in the theater of Iraq or in the safety of the Green Zone.

The brunt of the fighting, Scariface, dying and wounding is done by the enlisted foot soldier. To prove my point, check out how many of over 2,100 casualties in Iraq have been officers! Furthermore how many of the over 16,000 maimed and crippled service members have been officers?

This war like all wars are fought by the expendable ground pounding enlisted soldiers. Simply put-----the officer corp is more valuable than the enlisted soldier. Always has been---Always will be.

[bvar22]

22. WOW. The enthusiasm for the War on the Iraq People is contagious.

Look at these eager midshipmen before the bush* propaganda photo op.

[Vinca]

24. Isn't it necessary for advancement in rank to have

"war" experience under the belt? Just wondering. Seems to me that's what holds many women back.

[HawkerHurricane]

26. It helps.

One of the problems in Vietnam was the 'ticket punch' officers, who would go there for a tour to get the 'been in combat box' checked on their promotion checklist.