Category Archives: Commentary

The military take on a given situation. Be it current events or just a veteran explaining aspects of the military that civilians don’t know. The thoughts and opinions printed here represent the author and are not representative of the the U.S. government, the military or all other veterans.

Where Were You on 9/11? From Memorial Service to War

Posted on September 11, 2015 by psessum

By: Forrest Parks It was near the end of the day. We were all hanging out in the barracks waiting for the memorial service for one of our buddies that had been found dead in the barracks a few days … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged 9/11, 9/11/01, Army, current-events, Experiences, Germany, Sept 11, September 11, Soldier | Leave a comment

AAR of the Seattle VA After a Five Day Stay

Posted on August 4, 2015 by psessum

By: Peter Sessum The Department of Veterans Affairs, as an organization, gets a bad rap. Every time someone in their leadership does something stupid the entire organization gets attacked. As veteran I know what it is like to be punished … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Kicking Some Knowledge | Tagged Experiences, Geneva Conventions, Seattle VAMC, VAMC, Veterans Affairs | Leave a comment

When Hearts and Minds Fail: The Infamous Matchbooks

Posted on July 14, 2015 by psessum

By: Peter Sessum The hunt for Osama bin Laden took far longer than it should have. For years everyone was wondering how the most famous man in the world stayed hidden in Afghanistan with the might and resources of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, So There I Was | Tagged Afghan, Afghanistan, AK-47, al-Qaeda, Army, Combat Zone, Cultural Awareness, dogtag chronicles, Experiences, Kandahar, Leadership, Life Skills, matchbooks, Military, Military leadership, Mission, My Deployment, Osama bin Laden, Pashtun, Psychological Operations, PSYOP, PSYOP product, So There I Was, Soldier, Taliban, Urdu, Village | Leave a comment

Random Memory: Shark Attack

Posted on July 10, 2015 by psessum

By: Peter Sessum This week is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and what better way to celebrate than to talk about a real life shark attack. Unfortunately, I don’t have an underwater experience to share, but this should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Random Memories, So There I Was | Tagged 1/50, Army, Basic Training, Boot Camp, Cattle car, Charlie Company, dogtag chronicles, Experiences, Fort Benning, Grunt, Infantry, knife hand, Knifehand, Life Skills, Military, Pathfinders, privates, Shark Attack, So There I Was, Soldier, Training | 3 Comments

The Vet Fireworks Courtesy Compromise

Posted on July 3, 2015 by psessum

This comes up every year, but since 2015 seems to be the year of the butthurt it has blown way out of proportion. Some people are complaining that they are asked to not be American on the most American day … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Kicking Some Knowledge | Tagged Air Force, Army, Boom, current-events, Experiences, Fireworks, Fourth of July, July 4th, Life Skills, Marines, Military, Navy, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Veterans, Vets | Leave a comment

The flag is more than piece of cloth whether you like it or not

Posted on April 23, 2015 by psessum

By Peter Sessum The American flag has been in the news a lot lately. Last month, a photographer took a picture of a baby being cradled in an American flag being held by a person in a Navy uniform and … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Kicking Some Knowledge | Tagged Air Force, American Flag, Army, current-events, Enlisted, Flag Code, Military, Navy, politics, protest, Sailor, Soldier, UC Irvine, US Flag, Veterans, Vets | 2 Comments

Up The Hill

Posted on April 8, 2015 by scowilso

By: Scott Wilson If you are under the persuasion to join the US Marines, have a pair of testicles and live west of the Mississippi then you will have the privilege of going to boot camp in California. Colloquially you … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged California, Marines, Military, Racism, Seattle, USMC, Yesler, Yuppy | Leave a comment

Be Grateful for the Support or it Will Go Away

Posted on February 26, 2015 by psessum

By Peter Sessum In a recent New York Times (NYT) article veterans weighed in on how they felt about civilians thanking them for their service. I have talked to a number of vets about this and while we all agreed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged Afghanistan, Army, Blue Falcons, Civilians, Combat Zone, current-events, dogtag chronicles, Experiences, Marines, Military, politics, PSYOP, Service, Thank you, Veterans, Vets | 2 Comments

Nicholas Aaron Madrazo, USMC, Rest In Peace

Posted on September 30, 2014 by benwiselogle

Nic Madrazo was (is still) one of the best people I have ever known. He was funny, kind to those that could do nothing for him, a man of faith, a lover of life, the best wingman, and had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Never Forget, Real Heroes | Tagged IED, Marines, Military, Never Forget, Nic Madrazo, Remember the Fallen, USMC | Leave a comment

Stop Contributing to Post Traumatic Stress: Vets are not all crazy

Posted on August 15, 2014 by psessum

By: Peter Sessum Every veteran has heard this in some way, shape or form. Usually by some uninformed individual that is in no way qualified to make that diagnosis. One reason why it is one of the more powerful ways … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Kicking Some Knowledge | Tagged Afghan, Afghanistan, Army, Bully, Combat Zone, crazy, current-events, dogtag chronicles, Harassment, Infantry, Life Skills, Military, politics, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTS, PTSD, Shell Shock, stop contributing to post traumatic stress, Veterans, Vets | Leave a comment