In case you missed it:

My Aunt sent this video. Thought I'd share it, in case you didn't see it the first time around...

Recent email from my Squadron:

I received the following email from one of my Chiefs back home. I don't mean to imply that my family and friends back home are SHEEP, necessarily, but post this more as a reflection of MY personality and willingness to be here. That being said, please don't be offended by this analogy.


Sir, just thinking of you during the holidays and thought you might enjoy this email someone sent to me. I hope your Christmas and New Year are uneventful and you stay safe.
Happy Holidays, AWC Johnson

A simple way to look at what we do in life, that so many others can look at it a different way.
Yes it is a long story but well worth reading.

In what category do you belong?, or what category do you desire to be? You have a choice to make !!!!!!!

Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs

This letter was written by Charles Grennel and his comrades, veterans of the Global War On Terror. Grennel is an Army Reservist who spent two years in Iraq and was a principal in putting together the first Iraq elections in January 2005. It was written to Jill Edwards, student at the University of Washington, who did not want to honor Medal of Honor winner USMC Colonel Greg Boyington. Ms. Edwards and other students and faculty do not think those who serve in the U.S. Armed Services are good role models.

To: Jill Edwards, Student, University of Washington

Subject: Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs

Miss Edwards, I read of your student activity regarding the proposed memorial to Colonel Greg Boyington, USMC and a Medal of Honor winner. I suspect you will receive many angry emails from conservative people like me. You may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations of servicemen and servicewomen, on whose shoulders you and your fellow students stand. I forgive you for the untutored ways of youth and your naiveté. It may be that you are simply a sheep. There's no dishonor in being a sheep, as long as you know and accept what you are.

William J. Bennett, in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997 said, "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident. We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people, not capable of hurting each other except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

Then there are the wolves who feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

Then there are sheepdogs and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence and you are a healthy productive citizen, you are a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the unchartered path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kid's schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard. So they choose the path of denial.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours. Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go Baa. That is, until the wolf shows up, and then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough, know-it-all high school students, and under ordinary circumstances would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them.

This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door. Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be.

Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter. He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones. Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." You want to be able to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that would destroy 98 percent of the population.

Research was conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said they specifically targeted victims by body language: Slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.

Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs. Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When they learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd and the other passengers confronted the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers - athletes, business people and parents - from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

Edmund Burke said "There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." Here is the point I want to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They don't have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision. If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you.

If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.

This business of being a sheep or a sheepdog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously.

Its OK to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheepdog. Indeed, the sheepdog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from "baa" to "thanks."

We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. Just like the sheepdog, we in the military just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep.

And, when our number is called by The Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.


Let me finish by first saying that I am sad and dissappointed that actions carried out at MY Alma Mater are what prompted this letter. I have great sorrow and disgust that their are Americans that cannot or will not respect and honor those that have given their lives in our defense. You may not AGREE with the Government and the issues behind this war, but we, the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines do not make the policy - we just do our best to protect and defend, and obey the orders handed down by our elected officials. Our Government may not be perfect, but there's no other I'd rather serve.

I would also like to say that the above letter reminds me of how I felt as a kid. I was never a Sheep, cuz I KNEW there were bad things in this world. But, when my Father was around I felt safe - like nothing in the world could touch me - because I knew my Father would protect me. That he would do ANYTHING to protect his family, that he would lay down his life for us. He was my Sheepdog.

I have no intention of being a Martyr, of dying for "the cause," but I am here to protect the things I love: my Family, my Friends, my Country and our way of life, and I would proudly give my life in their defense.

So thanks, Dad, but it's my turn now.

Email From a friend:

If you read some of my earlier BLOGs and wondered why I have such distain for our media - just keep reading:

The following email was forwarded to me just the other day:

Just as we suspected--this confirms what many military had thought...

General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Giap's memoirs... (Gen. Giap was a very famous and knowledgeable General in the North Vietnamese Army.) General Giap has published his memoirs and confirmed what most Americans knew. The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam-- it was lost at home. The exact same slippery slope, sponsored by the Dems and the US media, is currently well underway. It exposes the enormous power of a biased media (the Dems could never do it alone) to cut out the heart and will of the American public.

General Giap was a brilliant, highly respected leader of the North Vietnam military. The following quote is from his memoirs currently found in theVietnam war memorial in Hanoi:

"What we still don't understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media was definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!"

A truism worthy of note: Do not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life. Fear the media far more, for they will destroy your honour.

The NEW job...

Well, I've been putting this off now for several days. Mostly cuz I only have a partial understanding of what it is that I'm supposed to be doing here. Let me see if I can "push the garnish aside" and really get down to the Meat and Potatoes...

Quick background of the situation: There has been a pretty significant shift in focus from the ANA (Afghan National Army) to the ANP (Police) and the ANSF (Nat'l Security Force) which essentially is the two working in conjunction. I guess the theory being that initially we were working with the ANA to establish a National force for security, but now the Taliban and al Queda, as well as the druglords and other criminal elements, have been forced into smaller pockets throughout the country; thus, we have begun working more on a local level to locate/erradicate these groups.

For example, we recently had several of our teams involved in a raid. There were 7 targets of opportunity in this particular village. The teams were supposed to strike simultaneously, so three teams departed first, the ones that had to travel the furthest, then the next two, and the last two left about 15 minutes prior to "attack."

The teams consisted of 9 ANP, 1 CID, another 10 ANA for "back-up" or perimeter watch and a single truck of 3 or 4 US members and thier TERP. Then there was a 30 man QRF (quick reaction force) in reserve at the main base in case of escape or resistance.

Two of the target houses were unidentifiable, but there was one HVT (high value target) and 3 or 4 other suspects taken as a result of the raids. I have not seen the final report and/or the AAR (after action report) - sort of a "lessons learned" for everyone to talk about what went right, what went wrong, ways to improve, etc.

So, that being said, MY new job is that of the Battle Captain for the RPAC (Regional Police Assistance Command). Sounds a HELL of a lot more sexy than it really is... Really I'm more of a REMF (Rear eschelon Mother F... I think you can figure the rest out...) that handles distribution of assignments, collects/consolidates/proofs and forwards reports to "higher."

We have about 15 or 16 PMTs (Police Mentor Teams) which cover 8 provinces. Most provinces have a Provincial Team and a District Team, although two provinces don't have DT, and one province has an additional DT because of it's geographic size. Confused? Me too. The Provincial Teams work with the Province Head Quarters that handle much of the administrative responsibilities, while the District Teams work at a distict level and focus primarily on actual law enforcement.

The teams work directly with the local Police stations or Head Quarters (HQs) to mentor them in all facets from Pay/Finance, Logistics, Personnel, Training, and Recruiting - to name a few. Now let me just talk about Personnel for a minute (or twelve...); Recently the MOI (Minister of Interior) put out a directive which describes the acceptable manpower for each location. For example, one of the Provincial Head Quarters is supposed to have 198 officers. Anyone wanna take a guess how many they reported on the books???

Well according to our original head count, they claimed 803... Yup, there were almost 600 additional officers on their books. Then there were locations that were REPORTING that they had 40 or 50 people, but when we did a head count they could only produce 35. Not such a big deal until you consider that they were receiving PAYROLL for 40-50... Amazingly enough, there was never money left over?!?! Have I mentioned that graft and corruption run rampant throughout Afghanistan???

Anyway, our teams are trying to "assist" the local offices to get an accurate head count, restructure as necessary to meet the MOI manpower document, audit payroll and financial schedules, etc. This is a current focus and we are heavily involved in Rank and Financial reform.

Part of my job is to take weekly updates from the teams on the progress their stations are making and consolidate the reports into a format or presentation to be passed up the chain. Unfortunately, this is still a work in progress. I also take orders/directives from the Commander of the RPAC and disseminate them out to the teams on a weekly basis.

Are you enjoying all the acronyms as much as I am?? In case you haven't noticed, the Army likes to make every possible title or group of words into an acronym. I thought the Navy had a lot of acronyms, but the Army has taken this to a new level.

Here's a brief sample:
ACF -> Anti-Coalition Forces
TIC -> Troops In Contact
POC -> Point Of Contact
CAS -> Close Air Support
IAW -> In Accordance With
IOT -> In Order To
ABP -> Afghan Border Police
APB -> Armor Piercing Bullet
NLT -> No Later Than
POO -> Point Of Origin
POI -> Point Of Interest
TOI -> Target of Interest

I don't even think I've scratched the surface here, but you'll have to commit these to memory, as I will be usuing them from now on in all of my future BLOGs. I guess I haven't done a very good job explaining my new position, but... I guess I haven't exactly "got my arms around it" just yet. I recently put out a FRAGO which I think means "fragmented order" which is a change or update to a previous OPORD (operational order). I'm supposed to send out a FRAGO weekly to update the teams on what exactly it is that they are supposed to be doing within the scope of the original OPORD which was put out. OPORDs are only put out occassionally when there is a significant shift in the mission.

Most of you will be happy to know that my new job, much like the last one, keeps me "inside the wire," stuck on a base, sitting at a desk, staring at a computer. The only Purple Heart I'm likely to receive is for stabbing my eyes out with a pencil after staring at spreadsheets for 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. But, rest assured, they've locked up all the pencils in the office... Guns and ammo everywhere, but try to get your hands on a pencil - you're out of luck, mister.

That's all for now.

MickMurphy, OUT.

Another email... This one is much better

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was Asleep, with her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard into a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door, just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold, and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled there in the cold.
A lone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.

It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here, like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram will always remember.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother...
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright.
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as much as you mattered to us."

Interesting email I rec'd this morning...

I just got the following email, and rather than forward it to everyone I just thought I would post it on here for consideration... My world (surroundings) and my role here are not nearly this extreme, but many of our forces do have to endure conditions such as these. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers during the holidays.



You stay up for 16 hours>
He stays up for days on end.>

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.>
He goes days or weeks without running water.>

You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick.>
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.>

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.>
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.>

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.>

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.>
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.>

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.>
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.>

You complain about how hot it is.>
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.>

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.>
He doesn't get to eat today.>

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.>
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.>

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.>
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.>

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.>
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.>

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.>
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.>

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.>
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.>

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.>
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.>

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.>
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting. >

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. >
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.>

You see only what the media wants you to see.> (my greatest complaint...)
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.>

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.>
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.>

You stay at home and watch TV.>
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.>

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.>
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.>

If you support your troops, send this to 7 people.>
If you don't support your troops well, then don't send this out. > You won't die in 7 days, your love life won't be affected , and you won't have the worst day ever. You don't have to email this. It's not like you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your rights. >


Mind you, I didn't write this. I'm not trying to "imply" or complain that people back home aren't supporting us or mindful of the sacrifices, but the fact that this email is circulating out here lends me to believe that there are those of us over here that feel otherwise...

New Address

I've recently moved to a new base. Don't worry, if you've sent something my way, I should still get it. However my new address is:

Michael Murphy
RPAC - N/Echo base
Mazar - e - Sharif
APO AE 09354

I have also rec'd multiple emails from family members informing me that the post office said that the zip code was "invalid." To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing wrong, invalid, or incorrect with this zip code. My only guess is that the "system" doesn't recognize the new zip codes for Iraq or Afghan destinations... You would think that after being over here for six years the US Post Office would "get it." I've been here over six months, and this is the first time that I've heard of any issues, so I'm also thinking that maybe there was a change-over in software or the computer systems so that the zip is not "recognized" when they enter it into the system... Just a guess, of course.

Rest assured, there is still plenty of time to get your packages in the mail... wink, wink. Hope you are all doing well and having a safe and happy holidays.

Michael

Is anybody reading this???

Okay, not one person wrote to me and asked me to forward the "Iraqi Challenge." I must say, that I still watch this a couple of times a day. Yes, it really is THAT funny. There is a line of about 12 or 15 Iraqi soldiers attempting to do jumping jacks for the first time. Only about three of them actually get the hang of it. The rest of them, well... you just have to see it for yourself!!

More to follow...

I guess I should explain: The internet connection I was using did not allow me to view the "Iraqi Challenge," so I tried a second time to post it - thus, there are two BLOGs with that video and my offer to email to anyone that wanted to see it. I wondered, since no one had written to request it, if anyone was still reading this... But I guess from the meager few comments and recent emails that there are still a handful of trusted readers out there, and for you it is my pleasure to press onward in my quest for humor, sarcasm, wit and all things obnoxiously common...

With love and moderate flatulence,
Michael