Army Waives Uniform Regs for Sikhs

The United States Army has granted case-by-case exceptions to three Sikh soldiers, allowing them to serve while wearing beards and turbans.

Obama’s Citizenship and the Chain of Command

Civilian control of the military means, oddly, that civilians control the military. And it means precisely that the military does not get to decide which civilians run the country.

Alan Simpson: Cut Veteran Disability Payments

Aging Vietnam vets are being treated for diabetes and other ailments unrelated to their service on the taxpayers’ dime. We can’t afford it.

Cowardly Hero

Geography and the American Military

The Army and its officer corps are becoming increasingly Southern and rural. Is this a bad thing? If so, what can we do about it?

Why Won’t Pentagon Help WikiLeaks?

Glenn Greenwald asks, “Why won’t the Pentagon help WikiLeaks redact documents?” For the same reason we don’t negotiate with terrorists.

Military Medal Myths

It has never been illegal to wear military medals and uniforms to costume parties or while portraying a soldier in a movie.

Stolen Valor Laws Unconstitutional

The 9th Circuit yesterday ruled that Stolen Valor laws violate the 1st Amendment and that there is a limited right to lie.

Gates Says He Wants To Leave Pentagon in 2011

Robert Gates says he wants to retire next year, but will the call of duty cause him to stay longer ?

Reflects Creditably on the House

The requirement that “members act at all times in a way that reflects creditably on the House” has a parallel in the UCMJ’s “conduct unbecoming” clause.

Barbara Boxer Compares Veterans, Congressmen

Barbara Boxer has offended some veterans again. This time, she’s right and they’re wrong.

WikiLeaks Documents A 21st Century Pentagon Papers ?

Will the Wikileaks document dump give even further impetus to the growing sentiment that the United States needs to leave Afghanistan ?

WikiLeaks Publishes 90,000 Stolen Classified Documents

The scumbags at WikiLeaks have published a huge trove of classified documents provided to them by one or more traitors in our military.

Not Every Soldier Is A “Hero”

Contrary to what you read on bumper stickers, retired Lt. Col William Astore argues that not every soldier is a hero. He’s right.

Pentagon Budget Cuts ? Yes, Why Not ?

With everyone concerned about the budget deficit, the idea of cutting military spending is finally gaining traction on Capitol Hill.

Support Our (German) Troops

Feldpost für unsere Soldaten is a campaign recognizing the sacrifices of German soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

Leading Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Protester Discharged From Army

Recently Lt. Dan Choi chained himself to the White House fence to protest Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Yesterday, he found out that he’d been discharged from the Army because he’s gay.

McChrystal’s Team America

Stan McChrystal’s boys had “Team America” patches made up.

Five Stars For Petraeus ?

Some people are saying that David Petraeus deserves promotion to a rank last held by Omar Bradley.

Ann Coulter Anti-War ?

Is Ann Coulter’s defense of Michael Steele’s Afghan War skepticism the beginning of conservative split, or just an attempt to pile on President Obama ?

Mattis to CENTCOM

General James Mattis, who some feel was snubbed for Marine Commandant last month, has landed in arguably a more important role: succeeding David Petraeus at CENTCOM.

Petraeus Hoo-ahh!

General Petraeus is in charge in Afghanistan! What exactly does this change?

Pentagon Tightens Media Access Rules

It’s going to be much harder for reporters to get access to the military thanks to new rules announced last night by the Pentagon.

McChrystal to Retire as Four-Star

Stanley McChrystal will be allowed to retire as a four-star general rather than suffer the indignity of being reduced to his permanent grade.

Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions Spar Over Harvard Military Recruiting Issue

The testiest exchange during today’s hearings in the Senate came when Jeff Sessions tried to confront Elena Kagan over military recruiting at Harvard Law School, and failed miserably.

What’s Next for Stanley McChrystal?

Is political office in Stan McChrystal’s future?

Endless War Causing Trouble At The Top ?

Are new war strategies putting too much strain on commanders in the field ?

Did Rolling Stone Violate Journalistic Ethics In McChrystal Interview ?

Does it matter if the controversial McChrystal comments were “off the record” ? No, it doesn’t.

Afghanistan Is Not Like Iraq, Even If The Same General Is In Charge

The odds that David Petraeus will be able to pull off a miracle in Afghanistan like he did in Iraq are very slim.

Petraeus Backs July 2011 Afghanistan Withdrawal Timetable

David Petraeus says he supports the President’s Afghanistan policy, including the withdrawal timetable, but that means less than most people think it does.

OTB Radio – Tonight at 5:30 Eastern

Retired Special Forces colonel and Defense Senior Executive Pat Lang joins us to talk about — well, you know damned well what we’ll be talking about.

Afghanistan Reboot Needed

Stanley McChrystal is being called to face Obama’s national security team this morning. They should take the opportunity to come up with coherent Afghanistan policy.

McChrystal ‘Stitched Up’ by Rolling Stone?

Are we making too much of Stanley McChrystal’s remarks?

The Real News From The McChrystal Interview: The Troops Aren’t Happy

Stanley McChrystal’s fate is the story of the day, but there’s a broader message in the Rolling Stone story, and it has broad implications for the future of the Afghan War.

Question Of The Day: Will He Stay Or Will He Go ?

There’s really only one story in Washington, D.C. today, and Stanley McChrystal is the star player.

McChrystal vs. Shinseki

Is there a double standard in play when generals criticize Democratic versus Republican presidents?

McChrystal Quotes Alcohol Fueled?

General McChrystal and company spilled their guts to Rolling Stone on a road trip during which they were imbibing steadily.

McChrystal Summoned to Washington

General Stanley McChrystal has not only likely ended his career but seriously damaged the already dimming chances of success in Afghanistan.

General McChrystal Crosses The Line

General Stanley McChrystal is opening his mouth again and, this time, it could cost him his job.