The testing you did when you first entered. That battery of tests…that probably were conducted in a large room with a few hundred other newbies.One of the reasons why about a month into basic of which I still don't know why I was singled out, was told to report to the CO's office and offered an opportunity to go to OCS. I turned down the offer because an older friend of mine who was at that time a Lt. in the Marines and was already in 'Nam let me know in terms that would get by the censors that there was an extreme shortage of O types over there and that the rate of KIA's for them was a lot higher than the enlisted in both services.
And besides, at that age, my priority was to hit the surf, charm the chicks and come what may.
I believe without a doubt in my mind that the KIA rate of Russian officers in Ukraine due to their being murdered by their own men must be much higher still given their culture featuring a brutal primitive style of leadership and a lack of consideration for their grunt level troops.
edit - added in second paragraph.
Russian serviceman/volunteer "Murz" points out that the officer who died in Moscow on 8 November, Colonel Yan Sukhanov, was Chief of Staff of the 810th Brigade, which is currently "firefighting" in Krynky. This in turn indicates the level of control Ukrainians have in the area if such a high-ranking officer, who wouldn't appear in trenches, was mortally wounded.Long post with other thoughts on the Krynky situation from Murz.
SourceGermany is going to double (!) the planned military help for Ukraine for the coming year. Instead of 4 billions of Euro, Germany will send 8 billions of Euro, making it by far the 2nd largest contributor of all military aid to Ukraine.
SourceBERLIN — Russia's invasion of Ukraine is forcing Germany to turn its military into a powerful and well-financed fighting force focused on defending the country and NATO allies, Germany's chancellor said on Friday.
"Today, nobody can seriously doubt what we in Germany have been avoiding for a long time, namely that we need a powerful Bundeswehr," Olaf Scholz said on the second day of a political-military conference presenting the deep change in Berlin's strategic thinking.
"Our peace order is in danger," he warned, also mentioning the war between Hamas and Israel and adding that Germany needs "a long-term, permanent change of course."
Another dead Russian colonel, no way. Took him six days to die too. No wonder it's common for commanders to keep themselves scarce; they don't want to get stomped or catch that 155mm football. I heard of lot of stories about fresh meat showing up and theres just no one to report to. Mobiks with no clue aren't briefed or given any intel and then sent into combat. "Go that way."
100+ colonels, like 12 generals and 1 admiral. What a shit show. Their army is almost as big a joke as their navy. It's only going to get worse for them too, man are they in for a rough winter.
The testing you did when you first entered. That battery of tests…that probably were conducted in a large room with a few hundred other newbies.
Remember going back late in the day to discover it was only you and a handful of others left?
That’s what got you selected…you tested out high enuf.
Similarly, I was summoned to the CO’s office in basic. Until that moment, one only went to see the CO if you were getting kicked out/ done f’d up big time somehow, or you wanted to quit.
Didn’t get offered OCS (that had been cut back by the time I went in—-Oct’72), nor Warrant Officer flight training (helicopter training—-but a congenital defect in my right eye curtailed that, dammit)…
Instead, the CO pushed a piece of paper to me to sign riiiight here….and after basic I’d get to attend West Point, class of ‘77.
I politely declined and for some reason, my basic training became a bit more difficult. Seems my Company Commander was a proud grad of West Point and took my declining “his” invitation rather personally.
In hindsight, probably should have taken the appointment. Oh well, an avenue unexplored. But I sure taught my dad a lesson! (He was Annapolis, ‘52).
it's not like they need leaders in those meatbag units. Their only job, as "Russian" meatbags, is to get kidnapped off the streets in any of those far eastern provences, loaded up with bathtub vodka carbonated with fucking batteries, dumped in the woods outside of Kherson, and forced into a minefield with a fucking Springfield rifle around your shoulder and barked at to run forward by the point of a gun.
That's all they do.
Maybe Russia is testing stories about Ukraine being low on shells. Maybe testing their drone supplies as well.The level of (Russian) carnage has picked up quite a bit in the videos coming out of the front lately. I assume another big push before it rains at the cost of what I can only guess is thousands of lives and an asston of equipment.
That's not food, it's hilarious conspiracy garbage. You need to improve your diet, young man, your brain is being affected!
Maybe Russia is testing stories about Ukraine being low on shells. Maybe testing their drone supplies as well.
From my understanding the Russians are testing Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Taking and keeping both would partially secure the Donbas. Then they would only have to secure Crimea and get peace negotiations underway. Possibly a way to secure Putin's rule while being able to walk away from the war.
Remember when you claimed all you wanted was peace?
Remember - you love peace.
I have no idea how well those things work but they get five stars for being badass looking. I'd paint a big yellow happy face on the center turret looking thing.US purchased 60 Cheetahs from Jordan which are being rehabbed in Germany. Ukraine to take delivery of 30 this year and another 30 by mid 2024.
I have no idea how well those things work but they get five stars for being badass looking. I'd paint a big yellow happy face on the center turret looking thing.
Hmm... strange tidings from Moscow about the Kherson left bank. Apparently two of the biggest news outlets in Russia reported of a retreat to a more advantageous position. And then the news disappeared, it was apparently a 'mistake'.
Source
Some talk about this 'mistaken news' from two outlets appears later in the thread above;
View attachment 88787
Seems Russia will continue its elastic defense, denying Ukraine a breakthrough.
And they didn’t crash?
That looks like something that goes on top of something starwars.US purchased 60 Cheetahs from Jordan which are being rehabbed in Germany. Ukraine to take delivery of 30 this year and another 30 by mid 2024.
That looks like something that goes on top of something starwars.