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Author Jenn Rafael
It used to be that the only people who really intimidated me were Special Forces personnel, mostly because they could kill me. I would cross the street to avoid one of them walking toward me, if ships had streets to cross. Since they didn’t, I would usually look down and avoid eye contact, hoping he didn’t jab a shiv into my side as he passed by. Once I left active duty, I believed my worrying days were over. The SEALs I have met since then seem comfortable enough in their own skins. They are usually friendly and humble, relaxed in…
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Earlier this week I posted an article about Ms. Veteran America. By all accounts, it appeared to be a dignified and fun way to honor female vets. Good for them. Because not all beauty contests are that way. Back in the day, things were different on ships. Not better, but different. There was no internet. Ships were all but isolated from the outside world when they were out to sea. Hazing was tolerated. And women were not allowed to serve on combatants. Consequently, when a ship crossed over the equator, instead of marking the event with the more civilized celebrations…
It was early in the morning thirty years ago, on October 23, 1983. Two trucks laden with high explosives drove into separate buildings and exploded with a combined force of more than 20,000 pounds of TNT. The first was detonated in the lobby of the barracks housing U.S. military personnel (most of them Marines). The second blew up just outside the French barracks. In both cases, the buildings collapsed. 241 U.S. Servicemen were killed that day, and 58 French paratroopers died in the second blast. Since then, an additional twenty-nine military personnel have died as a result of their injuries.…
Allaina Guitron, Ms. Veteran America 2013 My buddy and fellow Navy veteran Michael alerted me to the Ms. Veteran America contest that took place this month. It was the second such competition ever, and although it pains me to say it, an Army veteran won. According to the website, “The purpose of this event is to showcase ‘The Woman Beyond the Uniform’. As women, some of our femininity becomes lost when we wear the uniform; because we have to blend in with the boys. Our grace, poise, beauty and talents become camouflaged during our military service. “Along with being Soldiers,…
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I have shown this video before, but just the other day my old Skipper sent it to me and it really made my day. The fellow in the video is Matt Harding, and I hope to meet the guy someday, because I love his spirit. Here it is again (published in 2012): [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwe-pA6TaZk[/youtube] In reading his website, I discovered that the 2012 version is actually his fourth video. There were three earlier ones. The first was done on a lark, while traveling in 2003-2004, and posted in 2005. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WmMcqp670s[/youtube] The video got some attention, and a chewing gum company hired…
Admiral David Dixon Porter Watching the American League Championship Series, it is tough to get past all the facial hair. My wife says it reminds her of watching a Civil War movie. She doesn’t understand. Beards are a man’s way of bonding with other males, without getting too close. It is the body hair equivalent of chest bumping. It hails back to caveman days, I think, when the amount of fur on your face indicated where you sat on the evolutionary scale. Lots of hair: Mammoth hunter. Not much hair: Liberace. You tell me which one you would rather be.…
