U.S. Military is Coming for the Old Men and Women

U.S. Military is Coming for the Old Men and Women
U.S. Military is Coming for the Old Men and Women

U.S.A.-(Ammoland.com)- Military retirement came to me at the age of thirty-nine. There have been twenty-four years of not wearing the Air Force uniform on active duty. In my dreams, I have, however, put it on many a time.

There is this reoccurring dream where the Air Force recalls me back to active duty with plans to put me to work defending the nation. The interesting thing is in my dreams, I am usually the thirty-something major in my freshly starched and ironed battle dress uniform. The age is much younger and the weight is much lighter than real life.

Until the other night I was never my actual real age, but that has changed. In my latest dream, I was sixty-three years old putting on the Air Force’s current camouflage patterned uniform and sitting in on, in-processing briefings at the local air base, right along with new baby Airmen arriving at their first permanent duty assignment.

For fifteen years after I retired from the Air Force I continued to live on Air Force Bases as I followed my active duty wife to numerous new assignments. In my dreams being on the airbase was not that odd, just being there in the most recent one as an old man in uniform really got my attention.

The driving factor to this change in my dream paradigm came after I had a long conversation with a credible source who works for the US Army, and in the conversation, he advised me the Army is working up procedures for recalling old, and really old Army retirees. If the Army is openly thinking about this issue then you must consider the idea that all of the Department of Defense branches are planning for the same concept.

We recalled military retirees well beyond the age of sixty during WWII. They were not put on the front lines, but they served for the duration of the war just like the youngsters did. More than one sexagenarian died for his country in WWII. Remember General George Patton was sixty when he died during that war.

In 2018 we have a couple of issues that will affect our readiness for combat. Our ability to swiftly generate tens of thousands of new battle-ready troops after plucking them, only weeks before off the streets of American civilian life does not happen in a vacuum. None of this happens without seasoned leadership.

We have a draft, but our great nation stopped using it in 1973. We have three generations of Americans who have not feared the draft, and how being forced into the armed services would impact their “safe” lives back home. Of course, we have opened all military jobs and career fields to women, but they are somehow not subject to the draft.

Even if you send in the SWAT teams and rounded up all the eighteen-year-olds in the high schools, and ship them off to basic military training, you still need trained and experienced NCOs and officers to lead them. You can’t make master sergeants and majors overnight.

What you can do is force a bunch of old senior NCOs and officers who are enjoying their well-earned retirement, back into uniform.

We are going to be recalling the old men and women of the retired military. DOD is going to force those NCOs and officers currently on active duty to stay on active duty. They will not to be allowed to retire or separate from the military–this is coming.

The US has headed for a war that our nation is not ready for, and cannot even imagine what is potentially going to happen. China is running out of land. They have too many people and they have screwed up their own real estate so they want ours. China needs land to house its people, and land to generate food to feed it’s overpopulation.

China does not want Las Angeles or New York City, China wants Iowa and the surrounding states and Canadian provinces. There is a reason their current leader Xi Jinping studied in Muscatine, Iowa and speaks very good English. The Chinese eat corn and where does the corn grow tall in the US?

Xi Jinping is changing Chinese law that will allow him to remain in office after his second term is completed. For those of you old enough to remember President F.D. Roosevelt he was in his third term as president of the US at the start of WWII and was elected to an unheard of fourth term during the war. The alleged scare factor the Democrats sold our nation during a time of war was, the US could not handle a change of political regime in the middle of WWII. Of course, FDR was pretty much ineffective his last year and we still won the war after he died in office.

The point is China knows what is coming, Xi Jinping is a very effective leader and the Red Chinese leadership is gearing up for a major combat operation, so no, they do not want to change leaders any more than the 1943 Democrats.

Many of those last three generations of non-drafted Americans do not have a healthy fear of their government. They also do not necessarily have an understanding of what the 2nd Amendment is truly about. They do not fear a tyrannical government like I do. What they fear is their big government is not going to be able to save them from evil. Whether that evil is nukes coming from North Korea or mentally disturbed people shooting up a high school.

As an old retired policeman, I have asked the question many times “why do you think you have the right to expect I will risk my life to come and save you in time of crisis? What are you doing to mitigate your risk of injury and death when evil appears in your presence?

When the Twin Towers fell in New York on 9-11, I was teaching high school. I tried to explain the US draft system to my students. One of my allegedly tough-guy freshman, who prior to 9-11 kept telling the class he was going to join the Marines after high school, stood on his desk and yelled: “they cannot make me go in the Army”. He told us “it is a free county, and they cannot make me fight”.

The US has headed for a war that our nation is not ready for, and cannot even imagine what is potentially going to happen.
The US has headed for a war that our nation is not ready for, and cannot even imagine what is potentially going to happen.

Those who are not old, and currently do not harbor a fear of their government will most assuredly develop a new found understanding of the power of politics, and just how little the individual can really do to resist if they disagree.

Now, to be honest, us old American veterans could develop a heightened sense of political awareness when that official government letter arrives telling us to report to the nearest military base. We would be expected to show up, and be ready to assume our old leadership roles. We would also be expected to understand without question our country is headed for another shooting war that will consume a lot of Americans, young and old.

Should all the above come about, there will be combat destruction on US soil and that will lead to a break down in our society. Our power grid will be one of the first targets to come under in-country attack. Those who do not believe you should own a firearm will be sucking hind lady cow parts real quick.

Turn off the electricity and you turn off the money. When the electronic money stops working, life gets real unpleasant overnight.

I hope in the future my dreams go back to me being a good-looking, thin, young major, in a fresh uniform and spit-shined jump boots. Because, if I have to go back on active duty at my age the world will be a very ugly place.

The word safe, and the term “safe-spaces” will be a dream found only in your fox-hole when you pass out from combat exhaustion.

If you believe the new trade tariffs that President Trump is imposing is in fact about fair trade you would be wrong. This is about forcing our steel industry back in the high capacity production game. You cannot fight a war without steel, and you cannot buy steel from your enemy.

The Red Chinese, the Russians and the Iranians will come together like the Axis force of 1941. I do not know if the conflict will start in Korea, against NATO or an attack on Israel, but it will come and then it will morph into a three-front war. The US cannot fight a two-front war, how the heck do we fight and win a three front war?

Life is not fair and the Red Chinese are fixing to give the world an up-close demonstration of just how unfair things can get.


About Major Van Harl USAF Ret.:Major Van Harl USAF Ret Winter 2014

Major Van E. Harl USAF Ret., a career Police Officer in the U.S. Air Force was born in Burlington, Iowa, USA, in 1955. He was the Deputy Chief of police at two Air Force Bases and the Commander of Law Enforcement Operations at another. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School.  A retired Colorado Ranger and currently is an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Cudahy PD in Milwaukee County, WI.  His efforts now are directed at church campus safely and security training.  He believes “evil hates organization.”  [email protected]

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Jason

I’m pending retirement but realize that could be put on hold or could even be recalled once I am retired. As service members our oath has no experation date except for when we die. That being said either way it would be an honor to continue to serve this great country especially with President Trump as the CIC. I did two tours in Iraq but these kids today don’t know what real combat is like and know everything and claim to be so tough, I wonder how tough they would be with someone coming at them with a bayonet. I… Read more »

Crash

I’v got my to go ready call me up anytime 24-7 God I love this country

R Lynch

I am 75 years old and I was in the USAF-Reserves. If they would let me fly an A-10, I wouldn’t hesitate to re-enlist. No problem!

dug

I also have dreams of my military times and have always said I would go back if they needed me,. But I was also born in 1955 and I know I don’t have the strength I used to.. The stamina is still there, sometimes 77 hrs a week, not bad for part time. For my children and grandchildren. If they asked , I would come.

McRod

Iowa?? Really??? For corn? You can grow that pretty much anywhere!!!

Your hillarious.

LocalHero

This is utterly hilarious.

“..China wants Iowa..”

Comedy GOLD! Keep ’em coming!

Nottinghill

I love what many patriots have had to say. All would benefit by viewing. Revelation The Movie @https://revelationmovies.com/

cabe

Great! Vietnam, a manufactured war; Clinton murdering Serbian civilians; GW(not George Washington) manufacturing the Iraq war;(actually his father also.) They made a ton of $$$ on the war. How dare those people be allowed to actually live in their own countries! Now stirring things up with Putin.They poke the Bear, they might get a big fat Fxxxxxg surprise! As my 30 year, POW friend said: they chew you up and spit you out.On the plus side he did get $68,000 a year retirement!

Clint Hilbert

Well said, Major Harl! I do believe the seeds for a major global conflict have already been planted.

Peter

I agree 100 % , left the Army 10 years ago (not retired) got tired of combat with kids that where expected to be very well trained under pressure . I was in service before the war so the Army had time to train me and others . So when the war came we where ready but yes still scared of the unknown . After 2 years only 2 years , the Army was spitting out soldiers like coka cola with there soda . It was not fair for me and other soldiers of my time . The recruits we… Read more »

LT

I’m retired and would be happy if Uncle Sam called me up I love my country and flag it would be the highest honor to serve my country especially with President Trump as commander and chief when I took the oath it was forever God bless America

Alexander Stephens Sr

I am a retired light col. with Army Ranger training as well as anti terror taskforce training. I did 2 tours in the last conflict we lost (Viet Nam) due to political ineptitude. I’ll put on my BDU’s again any time my country needs me in a heartbeat. I understand that which is inevitable, and I am as prepared as one man can be. I hope against all hope that our country will listen to us old dawgs and wise up – but I doubt it. I know how to adapt and survive, but until a war could be fought… Read more »

Old Dawg - USAF-Res. '66-'72

I am only 74. I could still teach these “Young Whipper-Snappers” a thing or two, about flying a plane! If they would let me strap on an A-10 Warthog and pull the chocks for me, I would sign up again, today! Getting personal, down low and slow, is my kind of flying! Besides, I feel sure that there would be a bunch of my old Marine friends, down in the mud that could use my help!

Jimbo66

Thank you for your service Old Dawg. I’m sure I’ll be one of those in the mud needing your services so I’m really glad you’ll be back. To all of our serving or retired military people, thank you for your service and yes, when we took it we knew what we were swearing to. Thank you all.

Steven, Wasilla, Alaska

I appreciate what others have said here. I too would stand in that breach if it comes to it. The oath is forever. The problem is that our border and our sovereignty is being violated daily. The obstructionist in the Congress are intentionally letting our ship sink, because they see it as a way to gather and maintain their power. The southern boder is constantly in the news, but we have the same issues on the northern border as well. Congress won’t fund the southern wall, which is desperately needed. What can the Presedent do about it? This last omnibus… Read more »

E. Bryan Hoover

From your lips to God’s ear.

E. Bryan Hoover

From your lips to God’s ear.

E. Bryan Hoover

Jimbo66

Amen to everything you said.

E. Bryan Hoover

David in Fairfax appears to be very, very confused about what this article is about and what the meaning of the statements of fact he is making are. This article is about calling up retired military, mainly for training purposes. Military training not technical training. The young, technically competent Senior NCOs and Officers are needed for technical training and front line combat leadership. Involuntary call up, NOT VOLUNTARY. Thus the title of the article: “U.S. Military is Coming for the Old Men and Women”. And, from the article: “What you can do is force a bunch of old senior NCOs… Read more »

E. Bryan Hoover

It is interesting to listen to people who have never been in the military make statements of fact about something they no nothing about, the war that may come (in fact nobody does).

The difference between these people, and retired military people, is that the retired military people know that not knowing is normal — and you must adapt and overcome — the side who make the fewest mistakes, has the best equipment, and has enough equipment wins …

Dave in Fairfax

The gist of this article is that the Major sees the government planning to restart our industries in case of an inevitable war. My point is that if that happens, the war should not be another meat grinder. I can’t see the future, but I, like any other person, can look around and say what they think is a likely outcome. We can all be right or wrong. The best equipment is not what we or the Russians were fighting against in any war for the last half century. Politics have had far greater sway over the outcomes than materiel.… Read more »

E. Bryan Hoover

David in Fairfax appears to be very, very confused about what this article is about and what the meaning of the statements of fact he is making are. This article is about calling up retired military, mainly for training purposes. Military training not technical training. The young, technically competent Senior NCOs and Officers are needed for technical training and front line combat leadership. Involuntary call up, NOT VOLUNTARY. Thus the title of the article: “U.S. Military is Coming for the Old Men and Women”. And, from the article: “What you can do is force a bunch of old senior NCOs… Read more »

Wild Bill

@EBH, Thank you for your service, and insights. Dave has obviously never heard of TRADOC. What an ugly thought being assigned to TRADOC, but if that is what the country needs…
On the other end of the spectrum, if we needed to revolt against a socialist federal government, then we would have to form our own version of TRADOC and provide all of the logistics.

Dave in Fairfax

I’ve been watching this thread for the last few days. I see a trend and a miscalculation. Bear with me on this. There is no doubt that there are a significant number of people, ex-military or not, who are willing, perhaps eager in some cases, to do their “bit” for the country they live in. This is good and proper. There are a few things wrong with the idea, however. The reality is that most of us are in no medical shape to do much more than push papers-now computers, and would need to learn entirely new systems and their… Read more »

Wild Bill

@Dave in Fairfax, No army throws young men at cannons. Where do you even come up with that? Do you know nothing of fire and maneuver? Please see FM7-7 and FM100-5.

Dave Perkins

Any conventional war fought in the future between major powers might start as a conventional one but will end with nukes as the loosing side gets desperate.

kal

Sorry to say I’m not a veteran but you had better believe I can fight like a savage, shoot about anything on the move and have survival skills to live just about anywhere. As Hank Williams said, a country boy can survive. C’mon commies, get field dressed while you’re alive.

recon29

I stated farther down in this post that we would need for the old draft to come back. The one used through the Vietnam war. We weren’t in perfect shape or weight but we were after training at boot/basic. We then went on to advanced infantry/individual training. I also said in another Ammoland post that I hoped we could take all the spirit being posted and form some type of updated group. Might require veteran organizations to merge. We need the resources and manpower to legally challenge any unlawful requirements/regulations or so-called new laws that violate the constitution. Remember the… Read more »

Dkent

@recon29 I agree! Great idea. I’ve started reading through the threads and both you & @Wild Bill have come up with some ideas that have merit, some gravitas, & not too much bluster, so to speak. I thank you guys for keeping this rolling. Maybe you guys & the Maj could knock around some ideas for a productive plan of action. I’m sure y’all have given this subject much thought through the years, many of us have. I think the great response to Maj’s words has shown how many veterans this subject strikes a chord in, and to mix metaphors… Read more »

Rokflyer

Evidently there are several of us here who have taken and still defend and honor our Constitutional Oath. Realistically I don’t think the solution is for us to be ready to hearken to the ” Saddle Up “, order. Even though I think we could, knee and Hip Replacements included. But we need to saturate our primaries and party line polls with candidates outside the box of the current status quo. I quite honestly think it’s not so much corruption on the part of conservatives as it is plain laziness, and fear of losing their place at the trough, filled… Read more »

Jimbo66

I agree about getting out and voting. We still have the problem of what was witnessed in Alabama not long ago and other elections since. People that are not supposed to be voting are. Illegals voting one county and moving on to another one to vote while getting a ride from the lying dems. There were people charged in the last year or so and you can bet there were a hellofalot that didn’t get caught. It would just be nice to be able to have the person the People really Wanted in office. I know the whole obama fiasco… Read more »

recon29

Does anyone know if Major Van has seen all of these responses? All of you responding have boosted my spirit. We need to somehow keep this going. Most service orgs have low attendance at meetings. My DAV chapter in Pt. Saint Lucie, Fl has 700 members. Only around 10-15 show up to meetings.( Even during the winter when our snowbirds are here ) So what can we do to bottle all of this spirit and use it as a political force? I’m not talking about Dems or Reps. I’m talking about an org that legally challenges unconstitutional laws. We need… Read more »

Wild Bill

@recon, The key is flooding the primary election polls, and voting for the “not favored by the party” candidate. The Repub (or Dem) primary will have a candidate favored by the party, we elect the other one and the party is stuck with him as a candidate. Flooding the primary election polls costs nothing, just a little effort. Hold nose, register with a party so that you can vote in the primary and go to the polls. If we get our friends, family, and fellow vets to do the same and vote for the same guy, we can send a… Read more »

Dave in Fairfax

You *could* ask him, his e-mail addy is at the bottom of the article, [email protected].
Just a thought.

AFGus

I retired from the USAF in 1998 as a SMSgt after 21 years of service. My primary job designation was Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist. I maintained the weapons systems of Fighter and Bomber aircraft, as well as loaded everything from 5 pound practice bombs, all the way up to Nuclear weapons. The majority of my career was spent working on various blocks of the F-16 Falcon. There is not one doubt in my mind that I could walk on to a Flightline tomorrow and do the job that I haven’t done now for 20 years. I was a weapons loading… Read more »

Mike in TX

Retired in ‘91 after 20. Have several service connected disabilities. Would still be able to be/do: 1. Flight simulator instructor ( Flew Gunships in SEA, USAF fighters for a total of 18.5 yrs) 2. Academic instructor (Former USAF Fighter Weapons School Instructor) 3. Bombing range officer. 4. Any other desk bound boring jobs to allow younger guys to fly and flight. Sign me up, as long as for every one of us old farts who return, we get rid of every O-6 and above who sold their souls and dignity to remain in their comfy jobs under the idiot and… Read more »

GIJOE

As a 44 year old Operation Iraq Freedom veteran, the only problem I’d have is hiding the ginormous hard-on I’d grow at the opportunity to kill actual communists. I’d even supply my own rifle, pistol and body armor. I have 2 slipped disks and 2 bulging vertebrae from carrying 110 lbs of weapon and gear for a year in that shithole, but I’ll be damned if that’s gonna stop me from defending my country again. Just supply the ammo and food, point me in the direction I need to shoot, and stay the hell out of my way. But I… Read more »

Marc Disabled Vet

ATTENTION! ALL OLD FART VETS! NEW DIVISION FORMING IN U.S. MILITARY. IT’S CALLED The DIE HARD DIVISION. To Join Must be 59 or older Prior Service a must. 100% Volunteer (life expectancy not likely) No Retraining/No Boot camp, Pick Your Weapon. All Prior Military accepted (regardless of Health or Disability) Front line Duty Guaranteed, So grab your socks and Hold your coc#s. We Get to do it Right this time, on Our terms! No retreat, no surrender, No giving back ground we Bled for. (Y’all Know They Would never let us Loose like that Right) LCP. USMC 72-74 3bat. 4th… Read more »

DAVID

Why only 59 yrs Old and older..
We 50 year olds would like to join as well

Marc Disabled Vet

@ David
Just drew the line of who got screwed by politics .
59 up would be Viet Vets like myself . Most feel ,
Like we were not allowed to win that war !
Politics put us there, Politics brought some home .
Upon coming home we weren’t given a welcome,
like todays military. But I see your point,Hope it’s
all in jest ! God Bless the USA.

gmoc chambrelain

What other evidence is there that China is preparing for war? I know about the lifetime president, many new large troop carriers, buying old destroyers from other countries to remodel them to carry aircraft destroying missiles, building the islands with airports in the South china sea, signs in Chinese along our southern borders to point illegals to water, and intercepting ships full of young illegal Chinese men…anything else?

Wild Bill

@gmoc C, Intelligence work is not like gathering evidence for a criminal trial. Sometimes all you will ever get is a rumor or a whiff on an errant breeze. The evidence before you should be enough. Or we could just take them at their word many young officers in their military academy have written thesis about the conquest of North America. NA has assets and resources that are not being used, and has a small, foolish, and decadent population. Why not conquer NA?
Oh, and what does gmoc stand for?

gmoc

i’d be interested in hearing as much of the evidence as possible that China is heading for war. Troop carriers, life time leader, buying and rebuilding other countries’ old destroyers to carry missiles designed to take out air craft carriers, the islands they’re building in the China sea…what else?

Dennis

When John Bianchi was called out of retirement by Desert Storm, I asked my dad if they could do that. He said that if you retired a major, they owned you for life. He recalled that when he fought in WWII (B17 navigator, then B29 navigator during Korea), he heard of staff positions being filled by guys in their 70s so line positions could be filled by younger men.

Paul

I took an oath in 1968 to give my life in defense of this country and our Constitution. A few days later I was wondering what the hell made me sign up for this! But I got through the next 3 years, got my Honorable discharge, said FTA!! and never looked back. However, I can still operate most any kind of heavy equipment and I still have the weapons and the skill to be an effective sniper. Just let me know where and when.

Chris Mallory

“As an old retired policeman, I have asked the question many times “why do you think you have the right to expect I will risk my life to come and save you in time of crisis?”

I don’t need the cops to protect me. But the answer to this is paying your bloated salary, providing your platinum benefits and letting you retire before you hit the age of 72. If you don’t want the risk, find honest employment where you aren’t living off the sweat of my brow.

SezWho

You think Police have bloated salaries?!?! What planet are YOU from? And no, I’m not a cop, but I sure am glad they are out there! It’s the politicians salaries we pay that are bloated. Wake up man.

Chris Mallory

What are the Navy and Air Force going to be doing while the Chinese are landing all these troops? What is to keep us from using our nukes on any invasion fleet the second it crosses into the Western Hemisphere? Two oceans provide a whole lot of protection.

Dr. Michael Cox

I joined the AF in 1974. First in the SP squadron at Loring then around the garden spots of the world. I got out, finished nursing school and rejoined. Retired after 21 years. Now I’m an old fart (63) but I also have 30 years experience as a certified critical care and emergency nurse. It takes nurses years to become fully qualified in high level critical care. Would I go back? Yep, in a minute. To get those highly trained nurses you need even better trained nurses (e.g. me and those like me) to train them. I guess all this… Read more »

Wild Bill

@Dr. MC, What you write presumes that we know what is going on. The op fors can land a hell of a lot of troops in civi’s by commercial air, over a number of weeks in evert major airport in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Hell, for the appropriate bribe the Mexicans would probably help them.

oldmarine

OldMarine
A lot of today’s generation would rather die on their knees than standing up. I may be an old Marine but I’m even meaner than I was. I’m not afraid of death and would enjoy dispatching the countries enemies.I would love to get in the dirt and become an animal of destruction for my country. Although I’m 82 that is 82 years of knowledge and skill that can be use in defense of our way of life. >>> Old marine

Justin Burd

Youth and enthusiasm is no match for old age and treachery!
From a 44 year old Operation Iraqi Freedom vet;)

Wild Bill

@JB, Ok, put your treachery cap on and answer me this: how can we coordinate all this talent without the government finding out. The first one of us that says “Formation at my house, on April Fools Day, at 0dark30, bring your firearms!” is going straight to the Federal Pen. in Oakdale, La.
If you can figure out how, I got a spot on the S-3 staff waiting for you.

James Higginbotham

speaking as another Combat Marine Vet Vietnam.
i to would LOVE to get back in Marine Green and do what i can to PROTECT our nation.
i was mean enough as a active duty Marine, and have gotten even MEANER as an OLDER VERSION LOL.
Semper Fi.

Michael Rubin

It has been a deep honor, to hear so many courageous individuals among you, and I offer my earnest gratitude.

I do believe, gun control, is the intial first indication of our pillaging Congress has delivered on their promise to serve up our freedom for bribes from enemies.

recon29

A short but true story. I arrived in Nam June 1968. I came home from Nam in June 1972. Now age 24. In 1982 my first child was on the way. I married at 34 because I was working and putting myself through college under the old G.I. bill. Somehow, a 25 yo female decided I was husband and father material in 1980. Her friends and family were shocked. Because she changed who she had always found attractive. The huge biceps type. We married 1981. Now in 1982, with a baby due around the end of July, I decided to… Read more »

tomcat

How many kids do you see mowing the lawn, picking up sticks or any other work around the house they live in? There is none of that in the area where I live and I think it is a shame that parents run these kids to every sporting event available and they play video games till wee hours of the morning and look at their phones every two seconds while you are talking to them.I guess they are all going to grow up to be executives so they won’t ever have to do anything. It is about the parents dumbing… Read more »

Sandy

Hmmf…..well, I retired as a SEAL Officer in 2006 and have been a contractor since then. Having given my life to Christ in 2013, I am currently a Doctoral student in theology, and, I have queried each service about coming back in to be a Chaplain. NOPE..”you’re too old”…..I’m still in decent shape, 58 years old, willing to deploy, and they say “you’re too old”. Oh well….GOD Bless.

Brigit

Why are my posts not being posted?
No fowl language, no attacks, just stating opinion and facts.

OldJarhead

These days, a draft would not work. We can’t even get the “sanctuary cities” to get rid of clearly illegal invaders. Under what possible conditions would they help round up snowflakes? Aside from that, the draft was and is no more than legalized slavery. I enlisted and served with the last of the draftees, and was glad to see them go. Would I go back if called? Probably, although it would require a war that wasn’t something started by ginned up BS like all the current Russia, Russia, Russia nonsense. Remember the revelations about the Iraq “intelligence? The truth about… Read more »

Bruce Klem

After 30 years split between active, guard and reserves, I still can fire a 155 howitzer. Now at 70 I still tink I too can contribute. As a trained artillery officer the ability to serve is still alive.

Wild Bill

@HoosierSheepdog1954 Kiem, Thank you for your service. Fire mission, troops in the open… over.

Marc Disabled Vet

Trained My Family ALL How to Shoot, Effective !
With Rifles and Pistols ! My wife is Deadly with all !
1st Daughter 100% with rifle so so with pistol.
2nd Daughter so so with Rifle and 100% with pistol.
Strange form though– closes her eyes as she pulls the
trigger, But Holds a 4 inch grouping at 20 yrds ( at the b@lls )
But it works for her. They Know I won’t be around to protect them,
for ever . IF SHTF. I Know They Can Handle Themselves OK !

Clive Edwards

Don’t worry, lads, the Chinese are taking over Canada first. Alberta will be the battlefield where Chinese and U.S. forces fight. Prime Minister Turdeau will make sure Canadians don’t have the tools to fight back. Unfortunately, America (including Canada) have lost the moral high ground by indulging in imperialistic overseas wars, bombing people out of their homes and creating the refugees that everyone is whining about. The reason we fear most of the world is because we have bullied them (back through the British Empire) and sooner or later the bullied figure out that the only way to deal with… Read more »

DaveW

China, and other nations, have a big advantage over us. Our business model is set for 5 and 10 years ahead. Theirs are set 50, 100, and greater, years ahead. They are in no hurry to get there as long as in the end they have achieved their goal. Look at the USA and the internal struggle with progressivism, socialism, and communism. The reds don’t care how long it takes to overthrow our constitution, which so many of us took an oath to protect and defend. The left took a big leap of faith under the Clintons, and especially under… Read more »

Dkent

Very very well said. My children were born in ’87 thru 2001. I can see a big difference in attitudes even between those who actually lived as Army Brats & the last ones who are Army Brats only bc their dependent ID’s still tell them so – they think pure Millenial, and even my eldest sons, who still say they “will join the military, someday” told me they voted for Bernie! I asked them if they knew that he proudly claims to be or have been a member of the Communist Party that their Dad & I Served to defend… Read more »

Wild Bill

@Clive, All of your conclusions are wrong. Americans do not take the land and enslave the people where we fight. We rebuild the country and promote what ever form of democracy they choose. Therefore, Americans are not imperialists and our wars are not imperialist. You are confused because we prefer to fight on other peoples turf, rather than our own. Nor is moral high ground necessary to victory. We do not create refugees, we bring them to our country, unlike any nation before us. Americans fear many countries in the world because they are populated by greedy, ruthless, ignorant, and… Read more »

the White Rose

This article got me to consider all the varied focus on issues of war; tariffs; muslims; hispanics; the wall; immigration; school shootings; racial issues; the ‘me’ movement; Antifa; Bamm; bitcoin; the self-entitlement generation; no more guns mantra; Russia; China; Persia; Yemen; Syria; Iraq; Sudan; Saudia Arabia; Nigeria; Afghanistan; Turkey; the Kurds; and on and on…all of which caused me conclude that they are for the most part red herring issues, false arguments that feed one’s prejudices. While all those mentioned and more are real issues, I opine that the central issue is the demise of our capitalistic/corporate system, which has… Read more »

pjw

Let me pose a question, why would China fight an expensive war for corn? The trade imbalance with the United States would allow them all the corn they could eat. Our “ bread basket” mid west could feed China and our hunger
for cheap consumer goods will keep the wheels of commerce spinning for quite some time into the future. Any way
that’s my hope, the alternative will be too much to contemplate.

Wild Bill

@pjw, The Chinese military has a national military academy, kind of like West Point. Many of their students (now high ranking officers) have written about taking over Canada, America, and Mexico because the North American continent is rich with mineral assets, good soil, huge forests and all the assets that create wealth; don’t use it; and are underpopulated to defend it. The Chinese land mass has been worn out, and over populated for centuries. Why would China fight an expensive war for corn? you ask. Because we have and don’t use what the Chinese want! It is not just corn,… Read more »

Rokflyer

@wildbill, I first became aware of these facts about Five years ago, (Chinese Officers Thesis on US takeover), while working in the chemical research industry. To say it brought me up short is not even close. It changed my whole perspective on defending the Homeland in modernity.

Wild Bill

@Rok, Yeah and it is something we’ll ever see in the press. Not that youngsters could wrap their minds around it.

Charlie

Thanks to you guys who posted comments here. I’ve had an idea for years similar to those here. The military has many troops, in all the services, in support roles….supply, motor-pool, food-service, clerical…..you know what they are. I believe there are many vets out there who would gladly volunteer to perform alot of these support functions to free-up the young guys for combat duty. The military could form an “auxiliary” service of former vets, with no age limits, to perform many support tasks. No pay…..just a few sets of BDUs !

DaveW

No pay? What will the commie unions say about that? For decades, long before I retired and Agent Orange struck me down, that our infrastructure needed work…. LOTS of work, and we have the worlds biggest construction company. Unfortunately, unionism, which originated with Karl Marx and the “guilds”, would fight against fixing the nations problems in favor of worker perks and pay. We should take lessons from some other countries with regard to how things are constructed. The Autobahn, for example receives immediate attention when there is a problem like a pothole. The Autobahn is better constructed than our freeways.… Read more »

Brigit

We need a leader with the balls to say (and be believed) that any country invading USA soil will be immediately annihilated.
And have the nukes to do it. Kennedy did it. Reagan did it. And it kept us safe.
Threat of mutual total destruction, the cold war again.
We have had puzzy leaders for too long.
Better get going on those shelters.

JimC

Right on, Brigit!

Brigit

We need a leader with the balls to say (and be believed) that any country invading USA soil will be immediately annihilated.
And have the nukes to do it. Kennedy did it. Reagan did it. And it kept us safe.
Threat of mutual total destruction, the cold war again.
We have had pussy leaders for too long.
Better get going on those shelters.

Wild Bill

@Brigit, I agree with what you write, but I would like to point out that if we wait until invasion of American soil, then it will be too late. We must safeguard American industry and Americans, for that is the raw material of war. I predict that the next world war will require the participation of two hundred million Americans in uniform. People will be raising gardens in their front and back yards. Ground beef will be one hundred dollars per lb. We will be gladly giving our center fire firearms to the DOD, while children practice with .22s. Every… Read more »

Chris Mallory

The total population of the US is only 350 million.

Dave in Fairfax

A bit older than the Major, but the rest fits fairly well. Seems there’s a consensus of dreams. That scares me more than MY dreams. I was willing to write them off as too much News or general anxiety about the State of Affairs, but it seems too many of us see the same outcomes. The thought of the snowflakes in Basic brings tears of laughter to my eyes. Can you imagine how they’d react to MACRO-aggressions? Early rising, actual pain? NO safe spaces and having to TOUCH GUNS! It’s almost be worth reporting for duty just to watch. Seriously… Read more »

Stephen Chota

I have been watching current events with much concern. The world is headed for serious times. My belief is that China will move north into Siberia to seize land. For all of Putin’s bluster Russia is weak in their east. They only have a population of about 235 million people and their young men are drinking themselves to death at an alarming rate. I am a veteran and if this nation is under attack by enemies foreign or domestic I am willing to bear arms in it’s defense, but it would be as a partisan guerilla. I have little confidence… Read more »

Tim Cox

I,ll take the hole next to you friend

Wild Bill

@SC, Thank you for your service. How does the scenario go from China seizing some of Siberia to someone attacking America. If China seized some of Siberia, then we are no longer the target.

Vanns40

I’m in that category of old, retired, fat cop. I couldn’t run 100 yards unless there was bacon involved BUT, the one thing I can and have done, for more than 40 years, is teach people safe firearms handling, how to shoot and tactical shooting, something these young kids would desperately need to know if war were to come to us. I’d volunteer in a heartbeat, to my last heartbeat. This country has given me every opportunity, it’s the least I could do.