United States Army

“ More than 250,000 Bedouins roam the desert fringes in Syria with their herds of camels and huge flocks of sheep searching for pasture. You'll be able to recognize the Bedouin by his flowing robes, his long head scarf and, frequently, by his long side curls. ”

“ But I gave my all, and made them happen. It doesn't take a genius to become an Army pilot. It takes time and effort. Now, every time I put my helmet on, I feel like I'm dreaming. And I can't imagine doing anything else. ”

“ One of the ways to beat the Axis in Syria, and in other parts of the Moslem world, is to convince the people that the United Nations are their friends. From the outbreak of this war, Axis nations have tried, through their propaganda machines, to kindle a religious war of Moslems against Christians. They hoped to spread a fire of hate from Turkey and Arabia all the way across the North African coast. Their plans have failed because the Moslems, deeply religious, know that the Nazi return to heathenism is a threat to their religion, as well as to others. ”

“ Thus the Big Lie came to Bulgaria. Poland: "Union and friendship with the Soviet Union has brought the Polish people freedom and independence." Thus the Big Lie came to Poland. Romania: "The Soviet government does not pursue the aim of altering the existing social structure of Romania." Thus the Big Lie came to Romania. North Korea: "The Korean people themselves must be allowed to settle their internal affairs." Thus the Big Lie came to North Korea. Red China: "The great Chinese people are not alone. They can and will rely more and more on the Soviet Union." Thus the Big Lie came to China. ”

“ You can usually tell a Christian village from a Moslem village by the simple method of observing whether the village possesses a church or a mosque. A mosque always has a minaret or tower from which prayers are called.
If you find both a mosque and a church in a village, you will know that the community is composed of both Christians and Moslems. In all probability, each group has its own section of the village. If you find yourself in one of these communities, be careful not to favor one group more that the other. If you buy goods, for instance, be sure to patronize both groups. ”

“ You might think you were just sparring and knock a man down or even injure him. They would be certain to misunderstand it and word would spread rapidly, as it does among people who don't read and who rely on gossip for information, that Americans hit people on the jaw. Besides, it is dangerous. Syrians, like most people of this desert world, know how to use knives. Never get angry at these people. It is one thing to issue orders and get them carried out; it is another to rub the people the wrong way. ”

“ WE ARE AN ARMY AT WAR AND INCREASING LEVELS OF ATTRITION OF FIRST-TERM ENLISTED SOLDIERS IN BOTH THE TRAINING BASE AND UNITS IS A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN. WE NEED YOUR CONCERTED EFFORT TO REVERSE THE RECENT NEGATIVE TREND IN FIRST-TERM ATTRITION. BY REDUCING ATTRITION ONE PERCENT, THE ARMY CAN SAVE UP TO 3,000 INITIAL-TERM SOLDIERS THAT'S 3,000 MORE SOLDIERS IN OUR FORMATIONS. EACH SOLDIER RETAINED REDUCES THE STRAIN ON RECRUITING COMMAND AND OUR RETENTION PROGRAM, WHICH MUST REPLACE EVERY SOLDIER WHO DEPARTS THE ARMY EARLY.
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“ Sure, I'd spent my life around inspiring women, but what had I really achieved on my own? One of my sorority sisters was studying abroad in Italy. Another was climbing Mount Everest. I needed my own adventures, my own challenge. ”

“ I grew up in an Army family. My dad, uncles, and both of my grandfathers served. So as soon as I turned seventeen, I asked for my dad's blessing to enlist. But, having served in the Army during the Vietnam era, responding to civil unrest, he said no. ”

“ In a strategic way, the desert is perhaps the most important part of Syria to the United Nations, because across it run the great pipelines from the oil fields of Iraq to the Mediterranean, and also because of its position as the gateway to Persia and India beyond. ”

“ On the evening of 26 February 1991 TF 4-32 Armor's Scout Platoon encountered an Iraqi T-72 tank with mounted and dismounted infantry. The scout platoon was conducting a screen of the task force's left front and flank, with the task force in a hasty defence, During the action, an M3 cavalry fighting vehicle was hit by 25mm fire and the T-72 was destroyed by a TOW missile. ”

“ In fact, at the end of the last war, Syria sought to be placed under American mandate protection. And, too, many Syrians have been educated at the American University at Beirut. So, you are in a friendly country and you won't have much trouble making friends, if you use ordinary horse sense in your dealings with the people of this land. But, with the best intentions in the world, you're likely to make serious mistakes, if you don't learn a little something about Syrians and their ways of doing things. ”

“ Being a first-generation immigrant, I was amazed by what was normal in the U.S. Simple things like well-kept grass and smooth roads were a huge deal. Seeing my parents succeed in this world was humbling, showing me that hard work and determination goes far. I didn't realize how far it would eventually get me.
JUNIOR RESERVE
OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
Rickie Plaisir
I initially joined Junior ROTC to get out of gym class, but it was much different than I expected. It was actually more physically demanding and disciplined than gym, and I even had to wear a uniform. ”

“ Both the Moslem and Christian groups are broken up into subdivisions or sects. One of the more important Moslem sects are the Druze. The Druze live in a semi-desert section in the south part of Syria called Jebel Druze. They keep very much to themselves, are a proud and reserved people, and are noted for their daring and bravery in warfare.
The Moslems follow the religion founded by Mohammed. Do not call it the Mohammedan religion, for they do not worship Mohammed as Christians worship Christ. Mohammed is not God. Allah is God, and Mohammed only His prophet. ”

“ But she tapped into my family's pride to get back on her feet, eventually standing at the altar to marry my other mom. With such powerful role models, I finished high school at the top of my class and then attended UC Davis, where I joined a sorority full of other strong women. ”

“ C. TERRAIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS—PRECIPITATION, DUST, SMOKE, LIGHT CONDITIONS, DATE, TIME, ETC: The terrain was generally flat desert with numerous wadis and some hills. The action took place in a rocky, hilly area at approximately 1910 during the hours of darkness. Smoke end dust were in the air, but did not obscure optics. Moonlight was 95%, but the sky was overcast with some ambient light.
D. DYNAMICS OF INTERACTION: A T-72 tank with infantry riding on top appeared suddenly from behind a small rise at a range of approximately 300 meters and drove directly toward two Scout M3's. ”

“ Questions regarding religion are as distasteful to Syrian Moslems as are questions regarding women. It is well to avoid any kind of religious discussion or argument.
Two-thirds of the Syrians are Moslems, and the remaining third are Christian. The Moslem community is more or less set off by itself and recognized by its veiled women, the sombre, dignified aspect of the men and by their mosques. The distribution of Moslems and Christians is roughly according to the boundaries of Syria and Lebanon. Lebanon is mostly Christian, while Syria is mostly Moslem. ”

“ Sold out - the people of satellite China. "Every day the working people of the Chinese People's Republic are expressing a fervent desire to master the Russian language - the language of Lenin and Stalin - in order to assimilate still more successfully, the very rich experience in socialist construction of the peoples of the USSR" Sold out. ”

“ J. CASUALTY DATA—WOUNDED, KILLED: Vehicle commander, killed while sitting in his turret seat. Gunner: wounded by —secondary explosions and spall while sitting in his turret seat. Observer: died of wounds received while sitting in left front seat. Loader: wounded while attempting to open the top hatch in order to reload TOW.
K. VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IN TERMS OF VULNERABILITY REDUCTION FEATURES WORKING AS DESIGNED (FIRE SUPPRESSION, BLAST PANELS, AMMO COMPARTMENT DOORS, SPALL LINERS, ETC) : No comment. ”

“ You'll see a lot of the cities and their people, but it's the desert and the desert folk that give flavor to the land.
THE desert Arab, or tribesman, has few necessities beyond coffee, sugar, and tobacco. Even on feast days he eats astonishingly little, and when no guest is present, bread and a bowl of camel's milk is about all he requires—and he can make long marches on that simple fare. It is said that the Bedouin (bed-win) is never without hunger. But when a notable guest is in camp, a sheep must be killed and a bountiful meal of mutton, curds, and flaps of bread is the order of the day. ”

“ On small, 10-foot platforms, in front of each dukkan sit the merchants, cross-legged. Coffee sellers pass up and down, offering their wares. Merchants furnish their customers with cigarettes and coffee free, and gossip is always going—on crops or politics or what not.
The great meeting place for the Moslems in Damascus is the famous Mosque—once a heathen temple, then a Christian church, and later held jointly by Moslem and Christian. ”

“ Never make advances to Syrian women or try to get their attention on the streets or other public places. The desert or village women may seem to have more freedom, but they do not. Any advances on your part are sure to mean trouble, and plenty of it. Syrians will immediately dislike you if you do not treat their women according to their standards and customs. ”