AMERICAN VETERANS
Seeds Of Success In Iraq: The Combined Action Program (CAP)
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This Is How One State Repays Veterans.
POLL:: Will You Be Voting On Election Day - November 6, 2012
Is The Political-Left Planning To Drop "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Criticizing Obama Is Disobedience
Support America's PTSD Vets
VA bans the word 'God'
Please give these American veterans a stronger voice.
GOD AND THE SOLDIER AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN
After Americans leave village, terrorists turn 2,000 homes into ashtray
America's Most Decorated Soldier
Decorated Vet Mocked For His PTSD
UNITED STATES MARINES IN VIETNAM
Veterans Affairs (VA) bans the word 'God'
Disabled Vet Battles Corrupt Law Firm: Evidence Firms Contact, Invoices, Supreme Count Documents
Lost Pearl Harbor 1941 Pictures
MAP OF THE FAR EAST: Korea, China, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia,
WHAT IS PTSD
** Americans Working Together **
Troops in Vietnam: Reached a peak of 543,000 in the last year (1968) of the Johnson Administration
Audie Murphy (American Hero)
Command Chronology - Marine Amphibious Force - III MAF - Vietnam
~ "The Thousand-Yard-Stare" ~
Veterans Affairs (VA) Statistics: Average of 18 vets commit suicide each and every day
~ ** Pearl Harbor USS ARIZONA Memorial Needs Your Support
OPEN LETTERS TO VIETNAM VETERANS: Dear Hero / Dear Vietnam Veteran
** My Lai Massacre **
"I was exceptionally proud of that Marine," says Gunnery Sgt. Scott Guise.
It became a symbol of the Iraq conflict
webmaster Jack Cunningham
* AS THE PLAINTIFF AGAINST A CORRUPT LAW FIRM, HONORABLE VETERAN MOCKED IN COURT FOR HAVING PTSD *
Veteran PTSD Discrimination: VA doctor wants veteran to enter a 28 day PTSD program at a VA hospital
Military Affairs and Veterans' Committee PTSD Bill passed unanimously...
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission
Is this Government Cover-up a State Crime or Federal or Both
National Disgrace
IS THIS WHAT PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON MEANT HOW VETERANS SHOULD BE TREATED...
"No Shame In Cryin" dedicated to America's new veterans suffering from PTSD
PTSD Awareness Day
Beautiful Women Soldiers from around the world
AMERICANS WHO SAY, "FUCK OUR TROOPS."
Congressman had accused United States Marines of killing 'in cold blood'
Which Political Party Supports Veterans Rights The Most...
Why the evident lack of concern in this blatant State Government Disabled Vet Discrimination
War experiences of a combat veteran
Should a veterans rights be marginalized because he or she has PTSD
Vets Forced to patrol Vietnam memorial
Photos That Make Teabaggers S@#$ Blood
The disgraceful treatment of our veterans
Thank Your Military / Here's to the Heroes: A Military Tribute
Father's War Became Daughter's Nightmare
Senate grants Social Security to Illegals, yet planned to cut disabled veterans' SSD
~ WHY DO THESE TWO MARINES LOOK DRUNK... ~
U.S. Navy releases Al Qaeda Terrorist - I can't believe it!!!!!
American Patriots are watching what happens...
Not Your Father's America: Pearl Harbor Day erased! Instead Happy Islamic New Year
Is it time for a realistic, pro-American Military television series
FINALLY RESTING PLACE FOR AN HONORABLE VETERAN
What's going to happen in 2010
Obama gives Soldiers His Famous Crotch Salute
I am afraid (Of Today's America)
Honorably discharged vet mocked in Supreme Court documents for having PTSD
It's unimaginable to me that such a Veteran would be denied justice in the land he promised his life
Veteran PTSD Discrimination Is Real. One Vet Fights Back
Democrat U.S. Senator calls for hearings on End-of-Life Care Guide for Veterans
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is NOT like any Marine that I know.............
Governor states vets deserve utmost respect, yet refuses to answer disabled vet's letters for years
State Senator is a true advocate for disabled veterans
Don't Piss Off a PTSD Disabled Veteran
The slaps were audible from across the cemetery. The story about Navy Petty Officer Mike Monsoor
Will This New Rule Of Combat Lead To More American Deaths In Afghanistan
** the little guy can win **
PROUD father of an American Soldier
PTSD Disabled Veteran Is Nearing The Impossible...
~~ ** MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN WASHINGTON DC ** ~~
A Young Marine's Dream Job - Training Afghans As Bullets Fly
If you served on an U.S. Navy ship...
You be the Judge: A decorated, disabled vet denied justice, due to a Clerical Error or Part of a
FEDERAL COURT: "Trumps the law designed to protect the rights of veterans."
Republicans Trash Family of Veterans
Protecting their own reputation...
~ HOW CONGRESS VOTES ON VETERANS ISSUES... VOTING RECORDS
AMERICANS WORKING TOGETHER
EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE (Commentary by Mathias Dapfner CEO, Axel Springer, AG)
A formal rendition of Taps
Those Goddamn American Marines
Come be part of American history
* 90 percent say it is a conflict of interest. What do you say...? *
Troubled Homecoming for America's Military Veterans
Huge Patriotic Rock in rural America
Marine guard snaps to attention, Salutes, and says to President Obama
Actor Val Kilmer Says most Vietnam Vets were borderline criminals or poor
Disabled Vet Battles Corrupt Law Firm: Evidence Firms Contact, Invoices, Supreme Count Documents
Senators slam Obama's plan for wounded vets
The open attack on Veterans Health Care
~ WATCH YOUR ASS, MARINE... ~
Veterans and PTSD
REVEILLE: For two old vets
Government official spits in disabled vet's face
A Marine's Last Will and Testament
Back on September 30, 1999, the New York TIMES Predicted Our Current Financial Crisis
Young Voters Are Going To Pay For Barack Obama's Global Poverty Act
PROUD HONORABLE VIETNAM VETERANS
Narcissistic ruthlessness moves to next stage
PTSD vets need the American Public to become advocates for them.
What combat feels like...
VETERANS HEALTH
Actor Gary Sinise Tackles Media on Iraq
VA CAUGHT SHREDDING VETS CLAIMS
I reported It To The Secret Service And FBI
PTSD in a Veteran Tied to Successful Insanity Defense
Rate George Bush's presidency on a 1 to 5 scale.
Disabled vet battles corrupt lawyers
Marines take care of Marines. As you may know, Marines are like that.
Video of Al Qaeda combatants gunned down by an AC-130 Gunship
Young veterans face financial battles
Is Yellowstone National Park About To Blow
You heard of medical malpractice. Here's an example of clear Legal Malpractice
Does congress deserve a pay raise...
Audie Murphy (American Hero) sufferred from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
State of emergency
Veterans Affairs Slammed: Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs (VA)
Anniversary celebrates America's response to Japan's surprise attack
** SURRENDER WAS NEVER AN OPTION **
Disabled Vet Needs Five Minutes Of Your Time
Military Bases brace for surge in stress-related disorders
** WHAT IS PTSD **
** My Fallen Brothers **
139 WWII Marines entombed on Tarawa Atoll FOUND
Should The Government Offset VA Disability Compensation by Social Security when the veteran ages 65
Col. John Ripley, Marine, Who Halted An Enemy Two Hundred Tank, 20,000 Troop Attack, Dies
The United States Senate And The House Are Trying To Discriminate Against Disabled Veterans
DISABLED VETERAN NEEDS YOUR HELP...
** My Fallen Brothers **
** MEMORANDUM TO ALL VIETNAM VETERANS **
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON WEBMASTER AND VIETNAM VET JACK CUNNINGHAM AND HIS U.S. MARINE BUDDY
** SURRENDER WAS NEVER AN OPTION **
Code Pink calls all United States Marines and all US military men and women war criminals.
I may be soon forced to remove my websites from the internet.
The Last Two Months, We Had 404,663 Visitors And 3,446,781 Hits.
Obama Gives Vets and Military Families the Middle Finger, Stands With CODE PINK
How Our Active Military Men And Women Are Voting For Barack Obama And McCain
Obama's Special 845 BILLION DOLLAR World TAX For American Workers
Disabled Veteran Hospitalized After Attacked By County Employees
VA Busted Again Over Poor Diagnosis and Mistreatment of PTSD Vets
THIS IS NOT HOW WAR VETERANS SHOULD BE TREATED BY OUR GOVERNMENT
Vet with PTSD harassed, intimidated and laughed at by county officials for his disability.
Iraq War Disabled Veteran Beaten By Police, While The Veteran IS Hand-cuffed.
American Military Men And Women Are Voting 68% For McCain 23% For Obama
WHICH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE REFUSES TO SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG OR SAY THE PLEDGE
The #1 reason to vote for John McCain
Obama Wants 845 BILLION DOLLARS Added to What America Already Gives The United Nations
George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years.
** Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Shreds 'New' Veterans Claims **
PTSD Vet, His Friends And Email Readers Helped Save The USS ARIZONA Marine Remembrance Pearl Harbor
~ * Great American Military Non-combat Pictures * ~
** HEAR The Dear Vietnam Veteran Letter, Love America **
The Marine Corps hymn by Jerry Lee Lewis. a.k.a. The Killer
** What Is A Vet **
Disabled Vet Battles Corrupt Law Firm: Evidence Firms Contact, Invoices, Supreme Count Documents
** CLERIC: PAUL (McCARTNEY) IS DEAD **
Veterans Day Parade NYC - come join us! Tuesday November 11th, 2008.
Seeds Of Success In Iraq: The Combined Action Program (CAP)
DISABLED PTSD VETERAN GOING AGAINST A CORRUPT POLITICAL MACHINE
** Star Spangled Banner ** Please press here for the story. **
A DISABLED VETERAN CAN REALLY USE A CARING FRIEND NOW...
"Cut Benefits for Vets." Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission Set Up By Leaders of Congress
Why is VA adversary, rather than advocate, of vets?
Barack Hussein Obama in upside DOWN American flag display for Democrat Convention
Suicide hotline got calls from 22,000 veterans
Pearl Harbor Marine Air Base was hit hard on the morning of December 7th
A Disabled Vet Battles For Reasonable 'LEGAL' Disability Accommodations From The Supreme Court
For all PTSD disabled Veterans, their families, their friends and their supporters ...IMPORTANT...
HELP PRESERVE: The Pearl Harbor Battlefields
War Protester Spits On Iraq War Vet at Santa Barbara Demonstration
SATELLITE PICTURES OF HUE CITY, PLEIKU, DA NANG, CAM RANH BAY, AN HOA, SAIGON, HOI AN
American Wounded Soldiers Left in Debt Because Of Their Wounds
** I am an American. **
Vietnam Veterans Day and calling on the American people to recognize such a day. * MARCH 29 *
Finding ways to help war vets experiencing traumatic stress
"SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTIVE ATTACK AGAINST THE (CIVILIAN) POPULATION"
Brief Video: Why Al-Qaeda Isn't Doing so Well
Did You Ever Have An INTENSE Day... ?
VA Vet Centers Coming to 39 Communities Around Nation: Provide counseling for all combat veterans
At Last the full History of the USMC at AN Hoa Combat Base (1966-89) is ready!
President George Bush & Members of Congress Ready Honors For Disabled Veterans
The New York Times, a U.S. Marine and The Bronx Zoo
** Soldier Dies For His Mortgage **
Superior Court Judge Believes PTSD Vet Over A High Level Supreme Court Official
~~ Try to understand a PTSD disabled veteran - Brief Poem ~~
** Eat Crow, Iraq War Skeptics **
Superior Court Judge Sides With PTSD Vet Over A High Level Supreme Court Official
** What We Owe Iraq War (and Warriors) **
National Group Offers Free Psychiatric Care to War Vets
** Post-traumatic stress soars in U.S. troops: IS THIS HOW THEY WILL BE TREATED **
** Post-traumatic stress soars in U.S. troops **
Read the Experiences of a US Marine Living and Serving (24/7) in a Peasant Village
VA psychologist to staff: don't diagnose PTSD in veterans
It was built out of respect for all those serving in Vietnam.
** MEMORIAL DAY 2008 **
MISTAKES OF THE VIETNAM WAR'S ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission: Panel: Boost Vet Benefits by 25 Percent
American soldiers in Vietnam were falsely accused of being a barbarian horde, rapists, murderer
Purple Heart urged for veterans with PTSD
Electrified the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with his passionate testimony against the War
ease the stigma of seeking help for combat stress
** Veterans benefits commission to focus on PTSD **
American Flag Desecration Project - University of Maine
** Pentagon easing security **
Combat Vets Mocked And Harassed By Military Superiors For Having PTSD
IWO JIMA: ~ FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
United States Veterans Facing 'Major Health Crisis'
William Ayers said that he regrets that he had not bombed more U.S. targets
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in America's Veterans
Recall New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Please press here for details.
On March 11, 2008, my wife and I went to the F.B.I. office in Newark, New Jersey.
McCain doesn't care about people because he was a Navy fighter pilot who dropped bombs
Read Some Of Jack Cunningham's Vietnam War Experiences, While He Lived (24/7) In A Peasant Village
A QUICK PULLOUT FROM IRAQ IS NOT THE ANSWER
Jane Fonda, the actress and ardent anti-Vietnam War advocate, endorses Barack Obama
March 29, 2008 marked the start of annual Vietnam Veterans Day
Military Losses, 1980 thru 2006
Coming Home from War on the Cheap ~ Shortchanging the Wounded
If you spent time in Southeast Asia and are having health issues...
SUPREME COURT OFFICIAL MOCKS A PTSD VETERAN FOR HIS DISABILITY
Jack Cunningham exposed himself to enemy fire to try and keep the Terrorists away from us.
Video: Al Qaeda Schoolyard Massacre In Progress (Not For Everyone)
** Eat Crow, Iraq War Skeptics **
Woman earns Silver Star in Afghan war
It's time for Congress To Protect America's Military Recruiters.
** LAWYERS GONE WILD AGAINST DISABLED VETERANS
OPEN LETTER TO VIETNAM VETERANS: Dear Hero / Dear Vietnam Veteran
The ongoing legal battle of one honorable veteran
IS PTSD HARASSMENT A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION
Berkeley, CA Police Department Supports CHAOS AND ANARCHY Against United States Marine Corps
Politicians are quick to praise veterans... Is It Real?
Group housing for vets raises concerns
** I'M NOT A VICTIM... I'M A SURVIVOR **
This draws sharp contrasts with honorable, professional attorneys.
What the hell is going on here?
ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE
After 63 years, death photo of famed American news war reporter surfaces
Disabled Vet's Identity Stolen From Lost VA Records. Garnished Disability Pay... You, a family me
VA Increases Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans
If you spent time in Southeast Asia and are having gastrointestinal issues for no apparent reason...
Petition making President Bush & Dick Cheney subject to arrest for crimes against the Constitution
A UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR VETERANS RIGHTS
** Law Students To Help Vets **
Free Trauma Treatments for Veterans
Free Counsel to America's Honorably Discharged Vets Dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs
Senate VA Committee To Examine Disability Benefits Commission Recommendations - Boost Vets Benefits
CHAINS ACROSS THE HUDSON: American Military History
How Swift Boat Veterans, POWs and the New Media Defeated John Kerry - To Set The Record Straight
Pictures From Iraq That Are Too Shocking & Too Graphic for The Mainstream Media
John Kerry was one of those dishonorably dismissed from the Navy for collaborating with Viet Cong
USAF fighter pilot with 212 combat missions.
China and the United States Came Close To War in the Taiwan Strait
American Celebrity Steps Forward To Help A Disabled Veteran
AMERICAN HISTORY: American Revolution Battle of Fort Montgomery, Hudson Valley, N Y (3 to 1 odds)
Hilton Hotels Corporation And Wounded Veterans
IWO JIMA: "A TALE OF SIX BOYS"
This picture is worth 10,000 words...! GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY.
AN ARTICLE ON WEBMASTER JACK CUNNINGHAM
`` ** We are positive... ** ~~
Watch Pentagon Tape of Iranian Boats Threatening U.S. Ships
** HOLLYWOOD RELEASING PATRIOTIC MOVIES **
* GREAT PICTURE OF NAVY SEALS *
DEAR VIETNAM VETERAN, LOVE AMERICA
Amazing Video - USMC Silent Drill Platoon
Self-Guided Tour Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina
22,000 Men And Women Purged From The Military After Serving During Times Of War
Being ordered to NOT wear your uniform for "fear" of being targeted by War Protesters.
Desecration of At Least EIGHT (8) Veterans Memorials Around The United States. Including the WALL
A searing snapshot into the soul of a combat veteran
WAR RELATED PTSD AND HEAD INJURIES
It Was Nicknamed "The Peace Corps Volunteers With Rifles."
BLUE STAR: We are mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military.
NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS PARADE DETAILS: NOVEMBER 10, 2007 - WASHINGTON DC
U.S. Senate Votes to Condemn MoveOn for Ad Attacking General Petraeus.
** OUR SUCCESS IN IRAQ IS TRUST **
American Vet Took On 100 Taliban To Save Unit
It is Veterans like THIS that make this country great...
Lighter-Side: What all good veterans wear, when their wives give them chores to do around the hous
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REFUSE TO PLAY POLITICS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR TROOPS AND AMERICA...
~ ** Ghosts of Vietnam ** ~
DEAR AMERICAN VETERAN, Sincerely yours, Grateful American Citizens
Desecration of At Least SEVEN Veterans Memorials Around The United States Since May 2007... Incl
Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation
HONORABLE VIETNAM VETERANS FACE OFF WITH SENATOR JOHN KERRY
New Jersey Federal Senator (Democrat) Robert Menendez High Level Staff Member Admits to Perjury... Y
MAJOR HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: DEMOCRATS SHOULD CONDEMN MOVEON
~An Ode to America~ from a Romanian Newspaper, Written Two Weeks After 9-11
Oliver Stone recruits Bruce Willis for My Lai massacre film
"Our troops have earned more time" By Brian Baird, US Congressman (D-WA)(Who voted against the Iraq
Vietnam War Vet Tribute
VA APPEALS PRO BONO SUPPORT
VA SUED BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VETERANS
CIRCUIT CITY FIRES MARINE RESERVE CAPTAIN OVER HIS MILITARY STATUS
MEMORANDUM TO ALL VIETNAM VETERANS
WELCOME HOME SONG
Udall: Review of benefits does harm to veterans
But we were elated to notice your media were definitely helping us. -General Giap, North Vietnam
GREAT LINKS FOR ALL VIETNAM VETERANS
REMEMBERING THE UNITED STATES LIBERTY
Help with Almost Every Military Family Problem
For All Veterans: Important VA Information Enrollment Priority Groups
National Medical War Memorial and Youth Education Center Project
Read the Experiences of a US Marine Living and Serving (24/7) in a Vietnamese Peasant Village
WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS
Again, Cindy Sheehan Cowers to Gathering of Eagles (GOE)
To ALL Marines, Their Families, Their Friends And Everyone, Who Appreciates Marines... PRESS HERE.
Read What It Was Like Serving And Living In A Vietnamese Peasant-Farming Village (24/7)
America's PTSD disabled veterans are asking for your support
AMERICAN LEGION
MILITARY PTSD: Top officials in the Bush administration and on Capitol Hill said yesterday
HOW ONE WOMAN GIVES BACK TO OUR SOLDIERS AND AMERICA.
FINALLY RESTING PLACE FOR A HONORABLE VIETNAM VETERAN
9/11 Families for a Secure America / VIETNAM VETERANS FOR ACADEMIC REFORM
GREAT MEMORIAL VIDEO TO WORLD WAR I VETERANS
WHY THEY FIGHT: As The Homefront Sours On War, Marines Pull Together
DID YOU KNOW THIS PATRIOTIC EVENT TOOK PLACE...?
ROLLING THUNDER AND GATHERING OF EAGLES: MEMORIAL DAY WASHINGTON DC
To the Shores of Tripoli by Fred Thompson
Only Concerned About The Lives of America's Troops
2008 will mark start of annual Vietnam Veterans Day
Six Islamic Militants Captured Who Were Planning To Kill At Fort Dix In New Jersey
According to Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) estimates, there are over 98,000 new PTSD Vets
Iraq Is Next, Followed By The Other Nations Of The Region
Which set of pictures fits your beliefs in America?
"The Wall" as their starting point of their Anti-War March on March 17th.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR GATHERING OF EAGLES
EVIDENCE: DISABLED VETERAN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY STATE GOVERNMENT
HELP THE VIETNAM VETERANS LEGACY FOUNDATION
PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY: The bloodiest single day battle in U.S. history
~~ ** CALLING ALL MARINES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ** ~~
Veteran Battles Corrupt Law Firm Evidence Firm's Own Contact, Invoices, Supreme Count Certifications
~ ** Pearl Harbor USS ARIZONA Memorial Needs Your Support
PEARL HARBOR FROM A RECENT SATELLITE PICTURE FROM 2,000 FEET
PEARL HARBOR VISITOR CENTER
ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS ATTACKED VETERANS MEMORIAL
Attention Veterans or Surviving Family Members
Webmaster and American Veteran Jack Cunningham Asks For Your Support
"Not so fast, Fonda"
VETERAN MEMORIALS IN SONG
VETERAN PTSD DISCRIMINATION
~ ** SOME DOMAINS WHO VISIT OUR WEBSITE ** ~
Treason against the United States
WARNING TO ALL VETERANS ~( BOTH YOUNG AND OLDER VETERANS )~
Vietnam Veterans Win One After 33 Plus Years...
AN ELEVEN YEAR OLD, MARRIED GIRL IS ABLE TO ESCAPE TO SAFETY...
Experiences Of Jack Cunningham Living And Serving In His Peasant-Farming Village For July 17, 1970.
MARCH / PROTEST AGAINST THE CONGRESSIONAL VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFIT COMMISSION
Carrie Underwood heading to Persian Gulf
Our message is reaching some people: attorneygeneral.gov, uscourts.gov, usdoj.gov, senate.gov, house
12-9- 2006 WOMAN SPITS IN SOLDIER'S FACE
AMERICAN SHIP WINS ITS WAR FOR FREEDOM
How Can A Superior Court Transcript Mysteriously Go Missing Before It Could Be Typed For a Veteran..
~ * PRESS HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE ALL-TOO-OFTEN FORGOTTEN GROUP OF VETERANS. * ~
THE UNKNOWN PART OF THE VIETNAM WAR
Americans Who Support PTSD Veterans
AMERICAN CIVIL ACTIONS IN VIETNAM
The State of New Jersey Denies an Honorable PTSD Veteran His Due Process in a Legal Malpractice Case
A COMBAT VETERANS WAR EXPERIENCES
LAWYER COMES UNPREPARED FOR DIVORCE ARBITRATION FORCING A PTSD VETERAN TO REPRESENT HIMSELF
HONORABLE VETERAN MOCKED FOR HIS PTSD
A PTSD VET'S LETTER-PETITION TO GOVERNOR JON CORZINE OF NEW JERSEY
~ HEAR "ECHO" TAPS - Turn On Your Speakers
~ A LONG OVERDUE HONOR ~
~ SMOKIN ~
"I was exceptionally proud of that Marine,"
~ VETERANS DAY 2006 IN MEDIA ~
Watch the 10/30/2006 video of John Kerry insulting today's men and women in uniform.
THE MARINE
TO KEEP A VILLAGE FREE
FORTY YEARS AGO-VIETNAM
An honorable, PTSD disabled Vietnam Veteran needs your opinion!
DURING ELECTIONS, AMERICAN POLITICIANS ARE QUICK TO PRAISE OUR MILITARY AND VETERANS...
Bush Administration Out in Full Force, Thanking Veterans, Setting Sighting Sights On The Future
Center for war-related brain injuries faces budget cut
Code Pink harasses families visiting wounded service men and women at Walter Reed Hospital
FIGHT CODE PINK AND ITS SUPPORTERS
A Vietnam Veteran Memorial Dedicated 1968 on Memorial Day
The liberal, anti-war, anti-national defense Left knows if John Murtha is defeated in Pennsylvania
NEGATIVE IMAGES AND IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICAN SERVICEMEN
US Marine accused in Haditha case sues Murtha
~ PRESS HERE TO LEARN: THE 9-11 RESCUE WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR FRIENDS AND THE
CONGRESSWOMAN TO REPLACE CONGRESSMAN JACK MURTHA
BOMBSHELL COURT RULING ON VETERANS WITH MORE THAN ONE ISSUE PENDING
Murtha is considering a run for House Majority Leader.
THE STRESS OF COMBAT ARTICLE
VETERANS SCREWED AGAIN
PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND DO WHAT YOU CAN.
I Can Still Sure Use YOUR Help!
*** Homelessness a threat for Iraq vets ***
VA worker had OK for data later stolen
Mother's Child Died In Service To America: A FILM IN HONOR OF GOLD STAR MOTHERS
My dear sister recently met a Vietnam Vet ...
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN UNITED STATES COMBAT MARINE
AMERICAN & POW FLAGS VANDALIZED
MAYOR CLOSES ACCESS TO VETERANS MEMORIAL TO MAKE A PRIVATE PLAY AREA FOR HIS NEIGHBORS
SPONSORS FOR THIS WEBSITE
American Political Leaders Come Forward Against the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission
An update on the recent vote by the Commission to decide whether or not to collect Social Security D
Reagan's Navy secretary (James Webb) takes on Senate. Webb "saw more bloodshed and death than most
AMERICANS WORKING TOGETHER
OPERATION STAND DOWN 2006
The photo of the 'Marlboro Man' in Fallujah became a symbol of the Iraq conflict.
THESE QUESTIONS HAVE STILL NOT BEEN ANSWERED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Thieves Steal Personal Data of 26.5 Million Vets From The Federal Department of Veterans Affairs
LARRY SCOTT FOLLOWS THE TRAIL OF THE DISABLED VETERANS BENEFITS COMMISSION
APPRECIATIVE AMERICANS, VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS... ~IT IS ALL UP TO YOU.
HOMELESS AMERICAN VETERANS
UPDATE ON THE DISABLED VETERANS BENEFITS COMMISSION - SOME LITTLE PROGRESS
CURRENT VETERANS' DISABILITY BENEFITS COMMISSION RELEASE MAY 23, 2006
HERE'S WHAT VETERANS HAVE TO DO...
DEAR VIETNAM VETERAN, LOVE AMERICA....
AMERICAN VETERANS SHOULD GET BEHIND THE PUSH TO REMOVE THESE FEDERAL POLITICIANS
"Stripping benefits earned by blood and sweat of honorable citizens and disabled veterans."
Disabled American Veterans DAV Over 1,000,000 Vets - Veterans Disability Benefits Commission
AMERICAN LEGION (2.7 million vets) vows fight in commission attempt to tap social security benefits
The U.S. Congress Is Ready To Put America's Most Disabled Veterans Below The Poverty Level.
HILTON HOTELS / HILTON FAMILY CLOSED THE WOUNDED VETERANS STEAKHOUSE...
A Navy Chaplain, a USAF Doctor & a Marine "JAG" officer (Lawyer) were in a boat near an island...
Soldiers Back From Iraq, Unable to Get Help They Need
VA CLAIMS PROCESS
APRIL 2006 VETERAN REUNION IN FLORIDA
THE WAR WITHIN
The Legacy Of Lt. Colonel And Medical Doctor Benjamin Tusten
National Medical War Memorial and Youth Education Center Project
THE STRESS OF COMBAT ARTICLE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BEIRUT MEMORIAL
DEDICATED TO THE U.S.S. LIBERTY AND ITS CREW.
In Memory 2006: Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 17 at 10:00 a.m.
APRIL 25, 26 2006 VETERANS MARCH/EVENTS IN WASHINGTON D C
PBS's National Memorial Day Concert Remembers the Sacrifices of America's Veterans
CNN PRESENTS: WOUNDED WARRIORS (airing Memorial Day weekend May 27th & 28th)
MEMORIAL OF HONOR
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE COMBINED ACTION PROGRAM (CAP)
HOW ONE STATE TREATS IT'S PTSD VETERANS
U.S. Congressman; the Honorable Mike Rogers: On-Line Petition Supports Ban on Funeral Protests
INTREPID HONORS ALL VETERANS Saturday, May 27, 2006
OUR TROOPS DESERVE...
National Medical War Memorial and Youth Education Center Project
HELP FOR PTSD
AGENT ORANGE - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WHAT IS TREASON
AN HONORABLE VET SHEDS HIS BLOOD FOR AMERICA AND HIS STATE REPAYS HIM
JANE FONDA AND JOHN KERRY WORKING FOR AMERICA'S ENEMY TOGETHER
VIETNAM VET AND POW's COMMENTS ON JANE FONDA
WHAT DID JANE FONDA REALLY DO
LATEST UPDATE: DISABLED VETERAN VS. THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Since 2002, An American Community College Displays The Flag of the Viet Cong (VC) Terrorists
Harold and Alice Kolm of Rosedale
THE MAN WHO PREDICTED 9-11
SEEDS OF SUCCESS IN IRAQ
WE LOST OUR IRAQI WAR VET 5 WEEKS AGO...
I want to thank all those who helped...
PRO SE, PTSD DISABLED COMBAT VETERAN WINS SUPERIOR COURT LEGAL MALPRACTICE CASE
LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A PTSD DISABLED VETERAN
National Medical War Memorial and Youth Education Center Project
 
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The Combined Action Platoon
Seeds Of Success In Iraq

By Capt. Matthew Danner, USMC


Because guerrilla warfare basically derives from the masses and is supported by them, it can neither exist nor flourish if it separates itself from their sympathies and co-operation….The moment that this war of resistance dissociates itself from the masses of the people is the precise moment that it dissociates itself from hope of ultimate victory…

-Mao Tse-Tung

The Combined Action Platoon: Seeds Of Success In Iraq

It is past time for the United States to re-examine its strategy for supporting the new government in Iraq and helping to eliminate the terrorist and criminal elements in that country. The current strategy is not working. We are engaged in a war of attrition that has the potential to completely erode our national will to continue the fight. A more widespread use of the Combined Action Platoon (CAP) program would enable us to successfully eliminate the insurgent threat and restore stability in Iraq by neutralizing the enemy's key strength-popular support.

Currently, there is little real progress being made in Iraq. Local successes are heartening and are well publicized to further the belief that progress is being made. However, while it must be understood that progress made against a guerilla insurgency will be measured in feet and not miles, these small successes do nothing to dispel the specters of a steadily mounting casualty rate, an increasingly disenchanted indigenous population, and regular flair-ups in key locations previously deemed clear of enemy presence.

The enemy in Iraq is not at all unique. As in any conflict, our enemy employs various, rapidly changing techniques against us that are often unlike anything we have faced before. However, the insurgents in Iraq can be compared to other guerilla forces from America's history; the forces led by Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter in the Carolinas during our Revolution, Aguinaldo's Filipino guerillas, the Nicaraguan Sandanistas, the Maoist Chinese, the Viet Cong, and the Afghan Mujahideen.

From these examples, it is clear that the United States, and in particular the Marine Corps, has experience in conducting, sponsoring, or countering guerilla warfare. In fact, the Marine Corps "wrote the book," the Small Wars Manual. A few sections on animal husbandry notwithstanding, this comprehensive document is as applicable today as it was when it was written more than a half century ago. Unfortunately, we do not seem to be applying our hard-earned experience in the current conflict.

The principles of conducting and countering guerilla warfare have been studied and analyzed by numerous persons, many of whom participated in this type of warfare. The principles are taught at the professional schools for our armed forces. While military history offers many examples of poor decisions based on solid precedent, it is equally true that we ignore past experience at our peril.

The methods for countering guerilla tactics are simple in theory. Briefly, guerilla units must be countered by a force that has both the ability to mass and maintain control of key terrain and the simultaneous ability to field and control highly mobile and decentralized units to support indigenous forces in denying the enemy control of those areas not occupied by larger forces. This strategy has its parallel in the process for political reformation. There must be strong support at the core, and also supplementary support at each level to facilitate the establishment of a new bureaucracy. Ideally, the new government and the assisting power work in concert, with the former gradually taking responsibility for each function of government, similar to the way military units conduct a relief in place.

The United States has the ability to accomplish these things. The question as to whether we have sufficient forces committed to the mission is still being debated. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that we do not. Numerous texts on counter-guerilla strategy agree that a 10:1 ratio is required to completely eliminate an insurgency. The Iraqi Intelligence Ministry estimates that the insurgents have approximately "40,000 full-time fighters plus another 160,000 part-time helpers and fighters." Although this is significantly larger than previous estimates, it is not unreasonable given a total population of more than 22 million. By this estimate, Coalition Forces need at least 400,000 troops to defeat the insurgency. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) could make up some of this number. The quality of these forces, however, varies widely by region.

Materially, at least, the United States is capable of this mission. Again, volume could be an issue, but the command and control, logistics, and other assets exist to effectively execute an effective counter-guerilla strategy, including the widespread employment of CAP.

The question is not whether we could execute this strategy, but why we haven't, given that our political and military leaders are aware of it. We have identified that the enemy's strength lies in the will of the people, but we have not adequately addressed that strength. We have experimented with this strategy, but it has not been fully developed. Our forces have fortified key locations, and we have employed mobile assets to cover the areas between these nodes. Politically, we have provided tremendous support, both moral and material, to the new government in Baghdad, and in each region military leaders have established working relationships with the local leadership.

Some reasons for this deficiency lie in the political realm, such as our inability to enlist the active support of neighboring countries. Convincing the rest of the Middle East that a stable Iraq is actually as much or more in their interests than ours has proven to be surprisingly difficult.

Otherwise, the answer lies in military strategy, which I will discuss in three parts: decentralization, intelligence gathering, and consistency. Each of these areas can be addressed through greater employment of the CAP program.

Currently, forces in Iraq are too centralized to effectively support the ISF in suppressing the insurgency. Periodic patrols, especially mounted patrols that sweep through an area without ever really interacting with the populace, do little to discourage the enemy or instill a sense of confidence in the citizens we are ostensibly protecting. It is not necessary to garrison each village throughout Iraq, but permanent forces that retain an offensive capability, which are able to easily coordinate with adjacent forces, and which work closely with the ISF must be stationed throughout each province. Supporting the ISF in this way allows them to work at enforcing the rule of law and stabilizing the new government, and limits the areas in which new insurgency cells can take root.

Decentralized forces also increase our intelligence gathering capability, specifically human intelligence (HUMINT). Increased contact with both ISF and the indigenous population will yield more of the information vital to disrupting guerilla activity throughout the country.

In order for either of these goals to be met, however, CAP must be pursued with consistency. Currently, the rapid rotation of units to and from Iraq, as well as the frequent movement of units within the country, does not allow for consistency of support for and interaction with the ISF. Every effort should be made to ensure that units assigned to a particular population center are kept in place for the duration of their tour, which should be one year long. Relief by incoming units must be thorough, and it must include participation by the ISF being supported, since the purpose is to instill confidence in the ISF, local government, and the population that we are dedicated to supporting them.

Consistency does not mean uniformity of application throughout the country. One size does not fit all. The Combined Action Platoon, much like the guerilla force it is meant to counter, must be employed as a complement to regular forces in the field in order to succeed. The incoming unit should take its cues from the unit being relieved, bearing in mind the Commander's assessment of that unit's success. Demographic, geographic, economic, and political factors will vary at each location. As will be seen from the following case study, these factors are of vital importance to CAP success.

3/4's CAP

During Operation Iraqi Freedom II, while serving with 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, I led the Battalion's Combined Action Platoon. This unit of 16 Enlisted Marines, 1 Sailor, and myself, lived and worked with the Iraqi Police in the city of Haditha, in Al-Anbar Province, north of Ramadi. On a daily basis we trained and worked with the Haditha Police force, as well as other local security forces. These included the Facilities Protection Service (FPS) (guards for the water pumping station, hospital, and other infrastructure), the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC), now called Iraqi National Guard (ING) (responsible for the MSRs), and the security forces employed by the Ministry of Oil (Task Force Shield). The total population of Haditha is approximately 75,000. The various security forces added up to just over 700 men. Some had prior military or police experience, but the majority did not.

This mission came on order of the Commanding General, 1st MARDIV, then-Major General Mattis, that each Battalion organize and train a CAP for possible employment in theater. Although every Battalion organized such a unit and participated in Division training, to my knowledge there were only a few other Battalions that employed their CAPs. Those that did, however, achieved results similar to ours. 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, for example, achieved outstanding success in the nearby town of Hit during the same time period.

CAP has lived, died, and been resurrected in various forms several times in the past century. It has origins in the Banana Wars. Throughout this period, in addition to conventional forces, small groups of Marines were assigned to train and lead the indigenous police and military forces of Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. During the Vietnam War, this strategy was reinstated, formalized, and given its current name. In Somalia, the United States and its allies pursued a highly decentralized strategy that paired local chiefs with small forces from each of the member nations.

In each of these cases, CAP-like units (whatever the name) had varying degrees of success, depending on several factors. The greatest attention has been directed to the CAPs of the Vietnam era, and opinions vary widely on their success when weighed against the risk involved. The most prominent opinion seems to be that in many places where it worked, it wasn't needed, and where it didn't work, it never would have. This leads one to believe that success in employing CAP is completely unpredictable, and is the result of factors not under our control, which is not an acceptable answer.

My experience during OIF II was an infantry officer's dream. I was sent to Haditha with instructions to "find a way to interact with and support the local Iraqi police force." My orders were handwritten by the Battalion Operations Officer and handed to me at Camp Al-Asad minutes before departing with my platoon. The written order required two things: (1) I was to report at least daily, submitting the standard 24-48-72 intentions report to the S-3; (2) I was required to get approval directly from the Commanding Officer prior to occupying the police station. This was to ensure that we had "approval" of the city's mayor and police chief (i.e., we would not be actively opposed), and that my defense and contingency planning was sufficient to mitigate the risks, specifically from Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devise (VBIED) and direct fire attack.

This is not to imply that either the Battalion or I was unprepared to execute the CAP mission. I had prepared for the previous two months, mostly by reading everything I could find on the use of CAP in Vietnam. Even aboard Camp Schwab (the Battalion spent six weeks there prior to deploying to Iraq), I was able to get my hands on a significant portion of the mountain of sources on CAP. I also studied Iraqi culture and the Arabic language. Probably the single most useful source for information on how to conduct this type of mission, however, was the Small Wars Manual.

The CAP employed by 3/4 in Iraq served multiple functions. First, it established direct liaison between the local ISF, as well as the local citizens, and yielded much good intelligence.

Second, we provided support and training to the ISF, enhancing their ability to provide for themselves.

Third, by living and working with the ISF we demonstrated our commitment to supporting them. In addition to material support in the form of weapons, vehicles, ammunition, uniforms, etc, Marines provided moral support for both civilian and military leadership. This was at least as important as the material support. Men of the ISF were not short on courage or willingness to do their duty. What they lacked was the conviction that the Coalition Forces were committed to maintaining security and rebuilding Iraq, and would stick around when the going got tough.

Fourth, the CAP served as an economy of force measure. By building up the police and Civil Defense forces, the CAP eliminated the need for other Marine presence in the city and enabled the Battalion to focus on other towns and vital MSRs.

Fifth, the CAP turned the police station into a safe haven for ISF or Coalition Forces in the city who needed support, and also served as a ready react, overwatch, and brushoff force for Battalion operations, such as raids, that entered the city. ("Brushoff" was term the Commanding Officer used for the unit that followed up on raids, supplying information for family members of detainees, collecting information for legal claims, and performing other tasks as assigned.)

Sixth, the CAP provided direct supervision on Civil Affairs projects that had been contracted in the city. These contracts were paid incrementally according to a schedule dictated by the Civil Affairs Officer attached to 3/4. The engineers who had been awarded these contracts would tell us when they had reached a certain goal. We could inspect, and then inform the Civil Affairs Officer. This helped to streamline the process and enabled the Civil Affairs Officer to focus on projects contracted in areas not permanently occupied.

Finally, embedding the CAP at the police station provided the people access to Coalition Forces at a place much less intimidating and more approachable than the firm bases. This facilitated contact with the civilian leadership as well as regular citizens. On many occasions, this enabled negotiations between our forces and potential enemies, defusing situations before they had an opportunity to develop into real problems. The CAP also served to deliver the Commander's message directly to the people, as opposed to relying on the frequently ineffective Information Operations (IO) campaign, or sporadic contact with local civilian leaders.

These functions bear a remarkable resemblance to the instructions laid out in FMFPAC Force Order 3121.4 of February 1967:

The combined action units are to be used in cleared and semi-cleared areas to provide security in villages and hamlets and to provide training for popular forces…Secondary missions are to conduct civic action and gather intelligence for combined action companies and other friendly forces in the area, and to provide other appropriate assistance to Vietnam and U.S. officials in furtherance of revolutionary development activity.

Appropriate tasks for the Combined Action Company are as follows:

  • Motivate, instill pride, patriotism, and aggressiveness in the PF soldier.
  • Conduct combined/coordinated day and night patrols and ambushes in assembly areas.
  • Conduct training in general military subjects, leadership, and language for all personnel of the CAC to increase the proficiency of PF elements so that Marine elements may ultimately be withdrawn and PF elements will continue to perform in an efficient manner.
  • Conduct combined/coordinated operations with U.S., ARVN, and FWMAF [Free World Military Assistance Forces] units in coordination with district chief in the CAC area of responsibility.
  • Marine squad leaders in individual CACs will function as U.S. Revolutionary Development representatives in the hamlets in which they serve.
  • Establish an intelligence apparatus in and about the hamlet in which located, in conjunction with local indigenous, ARVN, and civilian representatives. Insure [sic] that information gathered is made available promptly and on a regular basis to the intelligence center at the District level as well as to the headquarters to which responsible.

Each of these directly relates to a function carried out by 3/4's CAP in Haditha. Even (e), with its reference to U.S. Revolutionary Development, has its parallel with CAP efforts to support the Iraqi government in the face of significant resistance from groups attempting to undermine it.

Our CAP was successful in Haditha. Unfortunately, our mission was disrupted during the month of April when the Battalion was reassigned to 1st Marine Regiment at Falluja. However, we returned in May, and were able to successfully accomplish all of the missions listed above at a cost of three Marines, one Sailor, and two Iraqi police wounded in action. It is accurate to say that the security forces in and around Haditha were more effective and the citizens themselves were much less hostile toward Coalition Forces upon the Battalion's departure in July 2004, than they were when we assumed control of that region six months earlier. Upon our arrival in the area in February, the police did not patrol the city, attempt to arrest or eliminate any but the most serious criminals (those who attacked the police directly), or even work at night (only a handful of the bravest men remained at the station). The station itself had been attacked three times in the preceding four months, and six police had had been killed (including the Chief's son) and a dozen wounded. In one of the attacks, the attackers entered the station after firing only a few shots, released all prisoners, and took every weapon they could find, including the ones that the policemen were holding. Policemen who did attempt to enforce the law were thwarted by the judges, who unfailingly ordered the release of every prisoner within 24 hours. The police also had to defend against attacks on their families and homes. On the first several joint patrols, I could get only one particularly brave Captain to join us. We were also accompanied by three of his cousins, who were clearly there more to protect him than to assist us. The few remaining weapons the police had were filthy and barely functional, there was only one police car, and wearing a police uniform in town was a sure way to be attacked. The only communications equipment was six hand-held UHF radios, which had a range of approximately 1km in the city.

By the time we left in July, the police regularly patrolled the city, day and night, by vehicle and by foot. More than half of these patrols were Iraqi-pure, and none involved more than a fireteam of Marines. Each night, 3-4 policemen would share OP duty with a Marine fireteam on a hilltop near the station. On the nights that the CAP Marines were occupied with other duties the policemen manned the OP by themselves. A regular shift of 50-60 policemen was on duty at the station at all times, manning the Entry Control Points (ECPs) and serving as react for the patrols in town. Through the Civil Affairs attachment the police were provided six vehicles and bulletproof vests for each man on duty. The police received uniforms, which they individually maintained and wore with pride to and from their homes and on duty. Weapons captured during Battalion operations were inventoried and signed over to the station. The police cleaned and maintained these weapons after noticing the attention that the Marines paid to theirs on a daily basis. The Battalion provided funds for a radio system, and two police officers installed it at the station. Within three days of obtaining the funds, the police had sixty hand-held Motorolas with a range of 40km. These radios were shared with the ICDC Company to assist in coordination of effort. The jail at the station was typically full of criminals either awaiting trial or serving sentences for crimes ranging from vandalism and theft to assault. The city's judges were assigned 24-hour police bodyguards, which freed them to do their work.

Attacks on the station itself, which had occurred at a rate of three or more per week, were reduced to fewer than one a week, the majority ineffective indirect fire attacks (2-3 mortar rounds or rockets) or the occasional grenade tossed over the back wall. There were no ground assaults on the station during our time there, and neither the police nor the Marines took any casualties at the station or at the OP. Attacks on patrolling units, a common occurrence at the beginning of our tour, were reduced as well. In the final month, not a single CF or ISF unit was attacked on patrol in the city, though several IED and direct fire ambushes were spoiled due to intelligence gained from the townspeople. Also, the police were noticeably proud of the important role they played in the community, and were embarrassed by their counterparts in other Iraqi towns who were not as effective.

Much of this can be attributed to the CAP, and the lessons learned can be applied throughout Iraq. Despite this success, there is still considerable reluctance to employ CAP. The Battalion who replaced us left their CAP in place for only a few weeks before withdrawing it. In recent months, the station has been attacked repeatedly, and the police in particular are much less effective in Haditha. In speaking with my former comrades (the Iraqis), they cite this lack of presence and moral support as the single biggest reason for this diminished ability. While it is possible that this is an excuse to draw attention away from their own deficiencies, I don't think that is true. The men I worked with were honest about their lack of training and ability. While the CAP was working with them, they were never timid about performing their duties. This was true whether we actually accompanied them on the mission or not.

Keys To Employment

We have proven again, as in past wars, that CAP works. It will not work in every environment, or with every unit. The good news, however, is that there are some guiding principles to ensure CAP's success in future employment. These principles are based on experience and observations, not only in Iraq but also from Vietnam-era CAP veterans. They are also consistent with numerous written sources, including the Small Wars Manual.

PERSONALITY

Personalities of both the CAP Marines and supported unit personnel are critical factors to CAP success. While the latter is totally beyond Marine Corps control, the Marines can be identified and selected by the commander. My leaders were extremely supportive and left the choices to me. Our CAP was comprised of Marines from the 81mm Mortar Platoon, the unit I led during OIF I. Much as I would like to believe that these were exceptional Marines, I must admit that, given the high caliber of Marine in our ranks today, they were probably average. The selection process was designed to exclude certain individuals, as opposed to building an elite unit. There were qualities that I sought out, however, and now, after the fact, I conclude that these were good qualities to seek:

  • Ability to get along with other people and work well as a member of a team. I rate this as important as military skills.
  • Lack of manifest prejudices against Arabs, in general, or Iraqis, in particular. This mission hinges on mutual respect.
  • Some talent or experience with foreign languages. Some Americans expect everyone to speak English and will act with disrespect toward those who do not. I deliberately selected some Marines who were immigrants to the U.S. and speak English as a second language, presuming that they would be more tolerant with language difficulties than others might be. This turned out to be a valid presumption.
Particular individuals were selected for their leadership ability. The Platoon was organized into four teams. For simplicity's sake, we referred to the CAP as a Section. The team leaders were each Lance Corporals, none with more than two years' service. Each of them, however, had demonstrated ability to lead whether placed in a formal billet or not. The Section leader, a Corporal, was my only NCO. He had been a Corporal for one month when the CAP was organized, but was specifically selected for his maturity and decision-making ability. He became the backbone of the unit, managing day-to-day operations while I focused on liaising with Iraqi civil and military leadership and the citizens themselves. The Marines selected for leadership positions were top-notch, capable of appropriate, independent action in the absence of specific orders. Fortunately, Marines like this are not difficult to find. They populate the ranks of every Marine unit, and I think that any leader will agree that Marines typically live up to the challenges and expectations with which they are presented.

I was leader of the CAP because I volunteered for the duty. My first hat was Executive Officer for Weapons Company. Not only did I anticipate that service as CAP Commander would be gratifying, I thought I would be good for this job. For 16 months, including OIF I, I led the 81mm Platoon, which helped me understand Battalion operations in a way that I never did as a Rifle Platoon Commander, and also to operate using Commander's Intent, in absence of specific orders.

I also have a personal interest in learning about and working with the Iraqi people. My experiences in OIF I sparked a desire to learn all I could about the history and culture of Iraq.

Finally, I volunteered for and actively pursued this assignment.

LOCATION

Another important factor in employing CAP is location. There are places where CAP can work, and there are some where it definitely will not, for reasons related to geography and demographics.

Haditha was a good location to employ CAP. First, it has a physical layout are more like that of a large town than a true city. It has 75,000 citizens, and it is organized into 8 distinct neighborhoods. The police force of nearly 400 men is appropriately sized, considering that it is augmented by other security forces. The police station is centrally located. The town, like most in Iraq, is relatively isolated from other population centers, surrounded by open desert, and has only four MSRs. Because of these factors, the CAP could, with the aid of the police, maintain control of the area once control was established by the Battalion.

A second factor that made Haditha ideal is cultural. Despite its size, the people of Haditha know each other more intimately than Americans in a similar sized town would. This is due to the Arab tradition of strong familial and tribal ties. Most of the time, this intimacy is an advantage. It ensures that outsiders are instantly recognized, and troublemakers well known. The hazard, however, is that we could easily have become involved in inter-tribal disputes, or, more disastrously, have given the impression that Coalition Forces were on one side of a dispute.

Haditha, at the time, was not a focus of enemy activity. Although there was insurgent activity, it was not a hot spot in the way that cities like Falluja, Ramadi, Mosul, and Baghdad have been. A CAP unit can prevent enemy influence from increasing in a particular area, but it is not large enough to expel a well-established or large enemy force.

A final factor was proximity to larger forces. Two Companies were located only 10km North of the Haditha Police Station. Also, CAS and assault support, out of Camp Al-Asad, were only 20-30 minutes away. These factors not only provided additional security for our small outpost, but also legitimized our claim to be a powerful force capable of reacting in a timely manner and providing genuine aid in any situation.

ACTIONS

Of course, the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of a CAP is its actions, both as a unit and as individuals. On a daily basis, we worked very hard to build relationships and establish the bond of trust necessary to accomplish the joint mission.

The extraordinary levels of trust and cooperation that developed were the product of continual demonstration that their (ISF, Iraqi people) concerns were ours, and that we had no ulterior motives. Operational security considerations notwithstanding, we were unfailingly honest with the men with whom we interacted. We had to overcome Iraqi distrust of Americans.

One factor that aided us significantly in this regard was the 1st Marine Division Ethos of "First, do no harm. No better friend, no worse enemy." These words had been preached to every Marine since before the initial invasion. Coupled with a propensity for judicious use of lethal fires, this attitude alone did much to distinguish us from the unit that preceded us, and to establish the necessary levels of trust and cooperation between the CAP and the ISF. It is important to note that all Marines in Al-Anbar Province operated under the parameters of this ethos. This is one way in which we were mutually supporting and able to provide some measure of consistency throughout the zone.

COMMAND INTEGRATION

During the Vietnam War, CAPs were under the control of the Combined Action Group rather than the unit responsible for the region in which the CAP was employed. Individual CAPs must remain an organic asset of the Battalion from which they are drawn. This will ensure that the CAP is integrated with the Battalion's scheme of maneuver, and it will enhance the utility of time-sensitive intelligence.

Many of these principles are supported by our experiences in Iraq and also those of joint operation units from the past, including combined units in the Banana Wars and many CAP units from the Vietnam War.

The risk assumed by placing small units among a population rife with insurgents can be mitigated through sensible planning and defensive measures. Ultimately, the best way to provide security is to disrupt the enemy, which this strategy can accomplish.

CAP is also a program that can be instituted with little opportunity cost in training. The skill set required is already included in training conducted by Marine infantry. While it's true that 3/4's CAP attended specialized training conducted by 1st Division Schools, this would no longer be necessary. The additional cultural training, intelligence gathering skills, and other specialized techniques we learned there are now incorporated into the SASO training that every Battalion receives prior to deployment. In short, every infantry Battalion already has the personnel to form one or more CAP units.

In summary, the widespread institution of a CAP program is the solution to many of our problems, not only in Iraq, but in future wars that will likely feature guerilla insurgency. It is the next logical step in more fully developing our strategy to support the new Iraqi government. Currently, our firm-base strategy does not allow for consistent, meaningful contact between our forces and ISF, which is necessary to provide support in eliminating the insurgent threat. Some Marine Battalions have already experimented with CAPs in their respective zones. However, this strategy must become more widely adopted. Since it is the best way to eliminate the enemy's key strength-popular support-it must become the main effort for U.S. forces.

The Marine Corps should take the lead in instituting this program, given our natural advantages. From the first day of training, all Marines are instilled with a propensity for action within the Commander's Intent, and we are comfortable with allowing decisions to be made on the lowest level. Additionally, we have a significant cultural heritage in just this type of action. It is time to take full advantage of the lessons we've learned, and the special skills we have.

COPY  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  AT:  http://capmarine.com/personal/iraq/danner.htm

"A man good enough to shed his blood for his country, is good enough to receive a square deal afterwards . . ."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
 
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."
 - George Washington
GOD  BLESS  OUR  VETERANS

 
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CAP 2-2-2  November 1970
webmaster PTSD vet Jack Cunningham, back row, 2nd from right
Webmaster Jack Cunningham, back row, 2nd on right
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A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The People of the United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including My life.'
Author Unknown
 
 
 

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See a larger copy of this picture and learn the story behind it at:    http://www.capveterans.com/american_veterans/id24.html
 
 
 
 
A real David and Goliath story
Eight year corruption battle against his State Government may finally come to light...
 
 
 
 
USS ARIZONA Marine Remembrance At Pearl Harbor
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UPDATE:    We saved the Marine Corps Rememberance Memorial in Pearl Harbor From The National Park Service.

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From:    Colonel John R. Bates USMC (ret)     jrbatesusmc@aol.com
 
UPDATE:   A couple of years ago, I was the Operations Officer for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, on the waterfront between the USS ARIZONA and the USS BOWFIN. The Commandant of the Marine Corps was the featured speaker at the dedication of the USS ARIZONA Marine Remembrance, 10 November 2006. The National Park Service, which administers the USS ARIZONA Memorial is renovating all of Halawa Landing, the site of the Marine Remembrance. The Regional Director of the Natl Park Service Western Region, Jon Jarvis, stated on the local TV news that the Marine Remembrance would be removed. I challenged him on that statement and convinced him that would not happen without a fight. I passed the word to (disabled vet and webmaster) Jack Cunningham (Americans Working Together), who in turn asked his readership to email Jarvis that the entire USMC would make every effort to have him relieved of his duties if he moved that monument. I was copied on many of the emails to him from Marines, their friends and their families that it nearly fried my computer. And...it worked. In order to save his job, Jarvis backed down. The Remembrance now belongs to the USMC and has its' rightful place in direct view of the USS ARIZONA.

 

COLONEL JOHN BATES

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From: John R. Bates [mailto: jrbatesusmc@aol.com ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:55 PM
To:
SENOROHO@NJLEG.ORG
Subject: John "Jack" Cunningham

SECOND REQUEST:


Dear Senator Oroho,

I'm writing this request (again) on behalf of Jack Cunningham, a former active duty Marine and Vietnam veteran.  Although I've never actually met him in person, simply the fact that he is a fellow Marine in need of justice, I offer to help him in any way I can.  As you may know, Marines are like that.  Marines take care of Marines.

Although I probably don't know all of the facts pertaining to his case against the State of New Jersey, I know enough to firmly believe that he should be heard in a public forum.  His charges are serious.  There are claims of abuse of power and cover-up at the highest level of the State government.  When such accusations are made, I believe the leadership has no other option than to investigate.  Until that is done, all that know of him and his charges will assume that there is indeed a cover-up.  Perception is a powerful thing.  Hopefully it won't be counter to the truth, whatever that may be.

If this is allowed to continue to fester, the results will be devastating on all involved.

If this issue is not addressed soon, my only other option is to forward this to every Marine website and public forum I can find.  That option is not a good one for any of us.

Please do the right thing and give Jack his "day in court."

Very Respectfully,   John R. Bates  


Colonel John R. Bates USMC (ret)     jrbatesusmc@aol.com
 

EVIDENCE  AND  DETAILS  AT:     http://www.americans-working-together.com/attorney_ethics/id73.html

 

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WHERE  DOES  YOUR  MEMBERS  OF  CONGRESS  STAND  ON  VETERANS'  ISSUES?   
Please call them and have your families and friends call them TODAY...   
Tell them their votes are being watched.

GOD BLESS AMERICA
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"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."
 - George Washington
 

 

 
DURING  THE  VIETNAM  WAR,  AMERICANS  LIVED  AND  SERVED  (24/7)  WITHIN  VIETNAMESE  VILLAGES.   FEW  AMERICANS  BACK  HOME  EVER  HEARD  OF  THESE  MILITARY  TEAMS,  BECAUSE  THE  AMERICAN  NEWS  MEDIA  WAS  NOT  INTO  TELLING  POSITIVE,  TRUTHFUL  STORIES  OF  THOSE  SERVING  HONORABLY  FOR  AMERICA.     IT'S  PRETTY  MUCH  THE  SAME  TODAY  WITH  THE  AMERICAN  NEWS  MEDIA.
 
BELOW  IS  AN  ARTICLE  ABOUT  ONE  OF  THESE  MILITARY  TEAMS  IN  VIETNAM.    THE  COMBINED  ACTION  PROGRAM  (CAP)  WAS  SUCH  A  SUCCESS  DURING  THE  VIETNAM  WAR,  THIS  UNITED  STATES  MARINE  CORPS'  UNIT  WAS  REACTIVATED  FOR  OUR  CURRENT  WAR  ON  TERRORISM.

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FACES  OF  THE  DUC  DUC  REFUGEE  VILLAGE
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In Vietnam, It Was Nicknamed "The Peace Corps Volunteers With Rifles."
 
Anyone familiar with the Combined Action Platoons of the Vietnam War will understand what's going on here (In Iraq today).  These Marines live, work, sleep, eat and bathe in the same neighborhoods they are helping to stabilize. In doing so, they're no longer driving in from a forward operating base, or FOB, outside the city and conducting patrols. Instead, they wake up in the morning, plan a patrol, then walk out into the neighborhood and greet the men and women sweeping their sidewalks or tending their shops. They're literally swarmed with children wanting a high five or a piece of chocolate. They visit schools, markets and local infrastructure projects to see how things are going. There are no interrogations or mean faces, just a neighborly walk through their district to check on the locals who sometimes know them by name.    
 
 
Below are two links to some articles about the Marine Corps' Civil Action Programs
http://www.capveterans.com/unknown_war                            http://home.earthlink.net/~life_magazine_67
 

I served on a CAP Team in the Duc Duc Refugee Village.  Sometimes, we only had four (4) Americans in a village of 2,000 homes.

We got pulled out from our village in August 1970, because of President Nixon's troop pullout.  In March 1971, the village was burned to the ground by communist terrorists and hundreds and hundreds of innocent men, women and children were killed, wounded and reported missing.    http://www.americans-working-together.com/id222.html
 

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Exposure to traumatic events~such as natural disasters, abuse, crime, accident, rape, war etc.~ millions of people develop PTSD with symptoms raging from nightmares to headaches, flashbacks, withdrawing from people, profound sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, fatigue, pessimism, sexual problems and emotional numbing. 
 
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VA  CAUGHT  SHREDDING  VETERANS  CLAIMS
Please make sure this information gets around to ALL veterans.
 

 
 

 

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The below picture is worth 10,000 words...!   GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY.   Please press the link below the picture to see a larger copy and the story behind it.
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Instead of the State of New Jersey giving me "reasonable disability accommodations" for my war-service-related PTSD, the State allowed Maynard & Truland's arrogant lawyers to mock my disability in New Jersey Supreme Court documents.

The corrupt law firm Maynard & Truland was the defendant in the case, and I was the Plaintiff in the ethics complaint.

http://www.americans-working-together.com/attorney_ethics/id21.html

 

 
F.B.I.  To  Investigate  Disabled  PTSD  Vet's  (Seven Years)  Of  Corruption  And  Civil  Rights  Violation  Charges
  Against  State  Of  New  Jersey
 
 
 

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Webmaster & Disabled PTSD Vet Jack Cunningham Battles A Corrupt Law Firm And The Powerful State Officials,
 Who Are Protecting Them:
The Veteran's Evidence  - The Law Firm's Own Contact, Invoices, Supreme Court & Superior Court Filed Documents, Statements, Letters, Certifications, etc.
 

 
WHY  DO  THESE  TWO  YOUNG  MARINES  LOOK  DRUNK?
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HOLLYWOOD NEWS:  Oliver Stone recruits Bruce Willis for My Lai massacre film
 

 
 
 
 
 

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CIRCUIT  CITY  SHORT  CIRCUITS  AMERICA'S  MILITARY
Learn the details at: 
 

 

 
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
 
 
 
Supporting our military and veterans is not about politics.
It's about respect, honor and appreciation.
The USO is a great organization.
Jack
 
USO World Headquarters
 
 

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----- Original Message -----
From:    ArmrdAngel@aol.com

 

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The United States Military taught us many things,
but never taught us how to give-up and quit.

 

 

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For another Update on this brave, Marine's story of PTSD, please press the below picture.

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Most decorated combat soldier of World War II 
 
Audie Murphy (American Hero) had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)... !
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An honorable, PTSD disabled Vietnam Veteran needs your opinion!   Please press the below link for the details.

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