Far East Cynic

The cycle of mistakes

I have been keeping in touch with friends in Japan, listening to them tell all about the complete stupidity of VADM Swift:   While the specific recommendations that were developed as part of the summit are reviewed, additional, temporary measures will remain in place in addition to the U.S. Forces

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Another of Uncle Vern’s mistakes to be corrected?

I hate the Aquaflage uniform. With a passion. I am so glad I did not have to wear it-having retired before they became mandatory. I do regret not getting to wear Service Dress Khakis however. Now it would appear that the Navy may be coming to its senses. Or may

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The bad idea fairy shows up when you least need it.

Bad ideas just never seem to die. It would seem the adage is alive and well in the US Navy these days-at least when I read this little tidbit on the Navy Times web site. The V-22 Osprey is making more and more appearances on Navy aircraft carriers, renewing discussion

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They said it would never come to this…..

But alas it has. When people were discussing the repeal of DADT, it was always pointed out that the aim was just to have things be "business as usual" and that the rather more overt things that cause older men like me to get all pissed off and cranky-would not

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Navy Times Fails Again.

The word for the day is: "pussification". It would seem Navy Times enjoys it. Other, more rational members among us-not so much. When I saw this cover, I wanted to just reach through the screen and strangle somebody.  Of course, as it turned out-the cover picture was nothing. What really

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Missing a golden opportunity-Navy Style.

To prove once and for all-that overseas basing does not require building an exchange, a commissary and a clinic. SINGAPORE — The Singapore military has agreed in-principle to allow the U.S. Navy to deploy up to four littoral combat ships to the city-state on a rotational basis. The announcement came

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The Pacific Century.

There will be no port visits to Pattaya or Phuket. Wanchai, Orchard Towers, Lucky Plaza, Geylang and pretty much any place fun in the Philippines-Will be off limits. Massagee in Ropppongi or the Honch? Forget it. Oh, and if you say you know what a soapie is? Stand by for NCIS to pay

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My advice is to start drinking heavily……..

As Sam Kinison once said, " These fucking bastards–GET OFF OF OUR BACKS!" The Navy will kick off its Breathalyzer beta test on Thursday at 13 commands. The tests, which include the U.S. Fleet Forces Command staff and 12 other units, were announced Wednesday. Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, FFC’s

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A red herring

There is a post up over at the USNI blog that really kind of made me angry. It's a good post, well written-but it's based on a flawed premise. Here I will set out to explain why. Ever since the Navy came out with its completely assinine policy about breathalyzers

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As Mr Lehman was saying……

And NO-we are not going down that rathole again. However, the former SECNAV did point out that while the Navy's material problems can be overcome-destroying a hard won culture, has a more lasting impact: CDR Jonathan Jackson was relieved of command in December for violating the Navy’s sexual harassment policies and for

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