tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post8016935202287554324..comments2023-06-20T19:32:32.299+04:30Comments on Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure: Revenge On The Nerds (Exclusive Preview Of The New Movie Due Out Soon In A Theater Or News Show Near You)Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04340122322147987992noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-27086601573193590032009-02-18T01:43:00.000+04:302009-02-18T01:43:00.000+04:30This comment has been removed by the author.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02099808690177823190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-81006808813019892502009-02-17T15:03:00.000+04:302009-02-17T15:03:00.000+04:30Hey Blue,Excellent post and great points. I have ...Hey Blue,<BR/><BR/>Excellent post and great points. I have talked at great length with the HTT team covering the eastern region from the Jalalabad Airfield. Their knowledge of local tribes and the human fault lines inside Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan Provinces is impressive. Even more so given the operational constraints that they have to deal with.<BR/><BR/>The J-bad team campaigned constantly for greater freedom of movement and better access to bad guy websites which would allow them to gather even better situational awareness at the micro (district level.) They had some success but not as much as you or I would hope.<BR/><BR/>This change in pay and status is a disaster which does nothing to address the many identified shortcomings of the program. What it will do is drive all the talent out of the HT teams leaving behind the kind of individual who thinks working in Afghanistan for the same amount you could be easily earning in America is a good idea. One of the strengths of the HTT program prior to this change was the ability to keep quality people working the same region for years on end. The reason good contractors make the big bucks is the desire by companies to retain talent on the job for multiple tours. People who know their areas, know the people and customs, some of (at least)the local languages and the major area leaders are invaluable. <BR/><BR/>If they had doubled the old pay scale but moved the HTT's off the FOB's and into the cities living like the UN, NGO's, or US AID contractors the program would have been enhanced, the teams even more effective, and the costs reduced substantially. By cutting the wages 70% and leaving the program firmly embedded in the military it will cost more to find, train, deploy, feed, and look after HTT members than it would if they were allowed to live outside the FOB's. More money to produce less effective human terrain teams - that is big government at work. And people wonder why I become nauseated anytime the new "Stimulus Bill" comes up in conversation.<BR/><BR/>Tim sanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-2447246517859796282009-02-17T00:30:00.000+04:302009-02-17T00:30:00.000+04:30Hi Blue. Like Rex, above, I too would be intereste...Hi Blue. Like Rex, above, I too would be interested in any interaction with HTTs that you might have had.<BR/><BR/>In my quest to learn more I came upon an article for Men's Journal, by a guy called Robert Young Pelton, who seems to be his own one man show (Books, DVDs, ETC,) on "Danger Adventurism".<BR/>He sounds like a jerk to me, but maybe he was being sincere. His trip with an HTT takes him to Kapisa province and the Tag Ab. You might find it something to comment on. <BR/><BR/>http://www.mensjournal.com/new-war-for-hearts-and-minds <BR/><BR/>And the Army's response to RYP, who incidentally thoughtfully brought booze with him, is here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.mensjournal.com/armyresponse<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for keeping us informed.membrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01527550651850993396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-56539635869883702652009-02-16T18:12:00.000+04:302009-02-16T18:12:00.000+04:30I see bombings on the up against Shia in Iraq also...I see bombings on the up against Shia in Iraq also. Sounds like our new POTUS is still having amateur hour at the White House, unfortunately for the rest of us (and especially our servicemen).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-30500135638877292722009-02-15T05:49:00.000+04:302009-02-15T05:49:00.000+04:30Rosemary, I'm sure that Obama, or indeed the new A...Rosemary, I'm sure that Obama, or indeed the new Administration, had nothing to do with this—its entirely a self-made DoD screw up, probably because of concerns as to how Iraqi HTT members would otherwise be affected by the new Iraq SOFA (that at least is what the HTTs are being told, I believe).<BR/><BR/>Bill-and-Bob.. have you acted much with the HTTs? Seen much of their product? I hear a lot of conflicting things about the value of their output (perhaps because in the wide variation in the quality, composition, and utilization of their products)...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-2237202375517425042009-02-14T10:36:00.000+04:302009-02-14T10:36:00.000+04:30Happy Valentine's Day. ;)Happy Valentine's Day. ;)Rosemary Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14400569923078517570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070229262860530921.post-60458195258348417462009-02-14T10:34:00.000+04:302009-02-14T10:34:00.000+04:30Don't ya know? They're making too much money, so t...Don't ya know? They're making too much money, so to be fair Obama is taking what they earn and giving it to the welfare cheats and the unions. I am so p.o.'d. Yes, he has no idea of what he's doing, and he would not listen to Gen. Petraeus if HIS life depended on it. Grrrrrrr.Rosemary Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14400569923078517570noreply@blogger.com