Sadly, yet another Marine gave the ultimate sacrifice on Thursday morning.

A Marine standing guard to protect his area of responsibility aboard Camp Fallujah was shot at about 10 times and soon died of his wounds.  The enemy once again showed their cowardice and disrespect for the Law of war.

The Law of War defines rules of engagement (ROE) and escalation of force (EOF) procedures.  A goal of the Law of War is to protect life & property and minimize/prevent unnecessary suffering.

One figure that comes to mind when I think about the Law of War is General Edwin Rommel (Germany) and General George Patton (United States).  On the battlefield these men demanded quick, accurate, and decisively devastating blows to adversaries.  However, they were also known as gentlemen soldiers who cared for the protection of captured enemy troops.  Both worked vigorously to ensure the captured were not abused.  In fact there is many a story of how Rommel even executed his own soldiers who were found guilty of prisoners of war.

Marines are continually taught about the Law of War.  In fact I was just in another class speaking about it the other day.  Please know too that our military has more then a few Marine in jail today for violations.  President George Bush has set very high standards for us and no unnecessary suffering or taking of like, unless it’s an accident, will be tolerated.

Three of the most important procedures stressed with the Law of War include:

• Do you have positive ID?
• Is the target showing hostile intent?
• Do you know what lies behind your target?

Bottom Line:  If you answer no to any of those questions you cannot shoot.  Period.

What did that savage do last night?

• Yes the Jihadist had positive ID
• Did the Marine show hostile intent?  No.  The Marine was standing their in protection of his base and Marines.
• Did the Jihadist know what lied behind the Marine?  By throwing at least 10 round down range he was just spraying the area indiscriminately.  No care for what other damage he would create so that too is a violation.

Jihadists are not men of honor or men of religion.  The idea of being a gentleman soldier is beyond their limited mental capacity.  They are murders, rapists, extortionist, and thieves.  They have no concern for life.  They are just simply savages.

Will any of the Muslim faith speak out against these thugs today?

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 79% [?]

If you have not heard about this knucklehead, Lee Whitnum, running for congress in CT you can check her out here http://leewhitnum2008.com/index.html.

Platforms built of racism, anti-Semitism, and a desire for defeat in the Global War on Terror should be condemned and fought against.

Good morals must precede good government.  Bottom line.

To send her a message condemning her “Blame America First” and anti-Semitic platform. http://leewhitnum2008.com/Joinus.html.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonatha Jenkins

Popularity: 56% [?]

A couple days ago another Marine lost his life here in Iraq.

I apologize for not being able to let you know earlier but out of respect to the families it’s not the right thing to do.  When we know the families have been contacted then I will release whatever information I can.

Because of where this Marine was and doing I will not going into specifics either.  I will tell you however that there are a lot of dead bad guys with only one of the Jihadist surviving.  You know he is going to have a lot of fun being interrogated these next few days.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 64% [?]

October 15th is a milestone date that citizens of Pennsylvania should become familiar with.

Moms birthday - she turns (edited to protect the old innocent).

For me, it marks the 15th anniversary of my graduation from the land that God forgot (Parris Island) and became a Marine.

Most importantly, this October 15th will mark the third anniversary of when Iraq further solidified their escape from tyranny by holding a Constitutional Referendum.

The Constitutional Referendum essentially was the national referendum held on the new permanent constitution.  Despite the intimidation campaigns from terrorist and thugs with even less ideology then the terrorist 70% (9.8 million) of Iraqis eligible to vote headed to the polls.

Of particular note, the referendum established how the government was to actually be formed.  It set the basis for what was known as the Council of Representatives (CoR) Election.  Once completed, the Iraqis would then be set to go to the polls just 2 months later to elect a representative government.

Geez Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania continues to drift away from good governance.  Pennsylvania is held captive by socialist czar governor Fast Eddie and a state assembly now considered by most to be the most corrupt state government in the union.

A state assembly where millions of tax dollars have not only been stolen to re-elect themselves but to defend the few who have thus far been arrested too.

The state assembly continues to force people from their homes because of property taxes.  In some instances taxes have gone up over 500% with a few nearing 1000%.  What have we come to when upon retirement your government says that house you lived in for 40 or 50 years, raised children in, and paid property taxes for those 50 years is now to be taken away just because its value increased.

With no incentives for businesses, the middle class continues their exodus while companies run to set up shop in neighboring states.

Good Going Iraq
The Government of Iraq (GoI) continues to have a public affairs campaign to have those who have left the country (middle class) to come home.  They have even started a program to have families return to the houses that were rightfully theirs when they had to flee.

The GoI is building schools, hospitals, and countless other public works through the country and without taxation to its populace.

Iraqis are continually recognizing that only with transparency in government and expulsion of corrupt elected officials can they prosper as a nation.  Only then will other countries and businesses invest.

And speaking of businesses, new businesses are encouraged at every level of government.  From loans to a more robust infrastructure Iraq understands what they need to do as a nation to lift them from what Saddam had taken.

Can Pennsylvanians Take Back Their Government?
In Pennsylvania a growing number of reformers and even some state assembly like my friend Representative Curt Schroeder are trying to call for what is known as a Citizens Constitutional Convention.  By the way, check out Curts website http://www.Vote4Curt.com.

Pennsylvania needs true reform.  It’s too big, truly socialist in many forms, and too costly.  Sadly we cannot count on “reform” candidates as the extreme majority has turned out to be other then what they promised.  Too easily influenced by party leadership and lacking moral courage to stand up for what is in the best interest of the citizens.

It’s Not All the Elected Officials Fault
Don’t blame it all on the elected officials however.  Blame must also rest on those who don’t get involved with the process.

Can you name your state rep, state senator, and congressman?  No?  Tisk-tisk.

If you complain about your paycheck or taxes but don’t vote you are part of the problem.

If you don’t wish to “rock the boat” as a committee person or elected official and just go along to get along then yes you are part of the problem too.

Bad things happen when good people don’t take action.

Things I Know and Don’t Know
I know it’s embarrassing that with over 200 more years more experience, Pennsylvania seems to trail the GoI when its comes to good governance.

I don’t if a Constitutional Convention will be successful because most citizens don’t seem to recognize the power of their voice and vote.

I do know that when I go around meeting Pennsylvanians talking about good governance they understand what I am blathering about.  They crave a candidate that will remove government from their lives.  Someone that will side with personal responsibility vice a government program.  A true representative that will work to empower the people and not himself or the legislature.

I don’t know if the political parties can see past their thinking of party first vice Pennsylvania first.

I do know that we need change.

Ok I am Finished with My Rant
Maybe it’s the Marine in me for seeing things simply as they need to be.  Without emotion or playing favorites just execute the mission without regard to self.  Just seems so clear. 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 100% [?]

The other day my friend and patriot, Bob Guzzardi, forward me an article that he found interesting and asked for my opinion.

The article, titled Winning Isn’t News, was published in the Investors Business Daily with the online version being found here http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=300324023809577.

In my opinion it is a good article that exposes how the main stream media continues to fail in reporting to the world that only a few Al Qaeda (AQI) members are in Iraq and that the other yahoos who are not dead or in prison are up against the wall waiting to be killed or captured.

Reading the article and my participation in the effort here in Iraq has led me to concur with just about everything written.  My only differences of opinion are with the time table and the number of AQI operatives.

The Government of Iraq has the right man for this moment in time as Prime Minster, Nouri al-Maliki.  However, the best man for the job of defeating a counter insurgency and jihadism is General David Petraeus.  Of course don’t ask Obama or his MoveOn.org types instead ask those who have been on the field.

Time Table
Iraq and al-Maliki may make mention of a timetable and even discuss operationally how it should work but at the end of the day it will be the decision of General Petraeus.  You will not even hear our government explicitly say this but thousands of inferences are there.

President George Bush’s primary reason sending us over here was to kill or capture bad guys to prevent attacks like 9/11 again not the liberation of Iraq.  Eerily similar to what John McCain is saying right?  Country First.

Number of AQI Operatives
The only other item I would not fully concur with is the estimate of AQI operatives.  In my opinion, that number is much less.  While we cannot quantify the number of yahoos I can tell you that the daily observance indicates most are very small groups more bent being free of government so that they can develop a criminal enterprise.  Thugs if you will.

Another interesting fact that is being missed is Iraqi on Iraqi crimes are either for profit or personal reasons.  Attacks that have nothing to do with Al Qaeda, Muslim values, the CF being in Iraq, etc…  So be careful when you read about shootings and IEDs.  Pay attention to who was targeted and witness what wasn’t told to you by the media i.e. ‘The Why’.

Now, don’t misunderstand me though as there is still yahoos that have nothing to do so take up arms against the CF for a “job”.  They rob, kidnap, and kill for money to support their daily habits (drugs), to eat, and when possible buy weapons or weapon making material to go after Iraqi Police then the Iraqi Army and if bold then the CF.

AQI Frustrations
Lastly, let’s talk about AQI frustration and disruption.  It’s so bad for AQI that they rarely if ever do the grunt work anymore in Iraq.  We killed so many of them that they are primarily just planners who then solicit others to do the dirty work.  This is great because when we kill or capture the planner the group is unable to continue as a functional cell.  Often the existing yahoos turn themselves in, join another rag-tag group, or get murdered by a rival group.  Gang mentality no?

It’s so bad for AQI that they have focused effort away from the CF.  Instead they are trying to get back at the Muslims who are siding against Al Qaeda.  So beaten down they had to completely change their strategy.

Closing
Why are these easy to make observations not being expressed in the media?  I am not sure but I know it should.

America would serve itself well only if we stay focused on the prize.  Total defeat of Jihadism in every corner of the earth. 

Continue the Bush strategy to fight the enemy abroad rather then at home.

Give General Petraeus what he needs to win the war.

Country First.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 100% [?]

Last night we lost 2 more of our brethren. 

Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) were traveling just north of Karmah when one of their MRAPs rolled into a canal.

Two Marines died at the scene and another was Air CASEVAC’d here to TQ in hopes that the surgeons can save his life.

The surgeons are good men and completely trust in their commitment and desire to help Marines.  I say that because I personally know them.  I am with them in maybe 6 to 7 briefs a week and have helped them research many a subject.  Whoever this wounded Marine is he is with good men.

Often in the Marine Corps we say that success is our own worst enemy.  There has yet been a mission in Afghanistan or Iraq we have not successfully completed.  Because of this, the lack of men and vehicles mixed with a short timeline do not prevent us from rogering up.

Marines are for fighting.  Marines are expeditionary by nature.  It is the Army that is designed to be the land-based sustainment force.  It is not in the Marine Corps doctrine or mindset but here we are fulfilling what should be the Army’s job because of their inability to do so.  Marines need to be in Afghanistan and the Army to assume overwatch and logistics for all of Iraq.

Last night these warriors rogered up for yet another mission.  They helped keep this country from being taken over by Al Qaeda and the insurgents.  They did what they liked doing and that is of course being Marines.

It’s horrible what their family and friends are now dealing with.  Being parents and siblings to Marines I am sure that though grieving they understand and respect the decision their love one made in coming to this place.

In respect of the Marines we have lost, its time to let the Army take full responsibility for Iraq and then let the Jarheads have card blanch in Afghanistan to kill or capture the remaining remnants of Al Qaeda and Taliban so we can call this war won and go home.

Pray for the family and loved ones so that they can more quickly cope.

Pray for the safe return of the other Marines.

Pray for those who just left us.

Semper Fi brothers,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 90% [?]

God bless me but sometimes I am just not bright.  Self-incriminating evidence below.

Since Monday early evening the top of my head was hurting.  I dismissed it figuring it was either caused by wearing my helmet so much or denting my head of the inside wall of the MRAP due to the bad roads causing us to bounce around so much.

It took idiot me until Tuesday afternoon to figure out it was because my head got sunburned while at Nukhayb.  I was only in the direct sun for 5-6 hours but that was enough.

To enhance my whining I paid a guy $3 to punch me on the top of my head.   I knew a haircut was not going to feel good but I felt like a hippy as it was probably grown out to an eighth of an inch or so.  Once my head goes from feeling like sandpaper to velvet it’s either put dreadlocks in or cut shave it.

What do you get for a $3 haircut?  Just what you expect and don’t expect. 

Don’t worry about looking in the mirror as it’s already too late to fix it.

Don’t worry about the guy massaging (really its punching) the top of your head for 20 seconds or so after the barber butchers your head.

Do worry about bald barbers.

Do worry about the goofs who wish to then massage your back (freaks).

Do worry about the barber with the ‘I ♥ Ba’thist t-shirt)

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 77% [?]

Geez I can not believe that I have to leave in just a little more then 2 months.  There is so much to still help out with.

Not knowing if the Marine following me will be as ambitious to get involved, I wish there was an opportunity to stay here for a year instead of this quick 6 months.  Then again, I am sure I will feel the same way when I year is up too.

I know this bothers some back home when I talk about staying.  However, I just love being involved and basically having card-blanch to go anywhere for a chance to help the cause.

The last two days, for instance, was spent at the southwest corner of Iraq where there was only 15 Marines.  Having the opportunity to talk with the Marines to learn about their mission and their challenges to be successful and then trying to help mitigate the concerns is very rewarding.   I will tell you more about COP (Combat Outpost) Nukhayb later this week, if not tomorrow.

With so much to still do before redeploying back to the states, I have decided to forego R&R to Qatar.

Those serving in OEF or OIF in the CENTCOM AOR for a year are given an opportunity to go on leave for 2 weeks.  Those serving just 6 to 7 months have an opportunity to get 4 days of leave (really ends up being about 7) to Qatar. 

Exploring countries is always a rewarding experience but I know I would regret missing of week of Iraq vice the Guinness in Qatar.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 74% [?]

Calling all farmers; legal and illegal.  I implore you, no I beg you,  please please please destroy your banana crop.

You folks burned me earlier this week and again this morning.  God help you if I ever get into a position of authority with the Department of Agriculture.

Banana Milk
The other day I took 2 small milks from the chow hall so that I can have it for my coffee (Can you sense another immature foody issue coming up?).

So I am scanning all the milks as I prefer just to have the low fat.  Seeing nothing but half & half (yuck) and heavy cream (double yuck) my eyes finally focus on the yellow boxes that don’t say half & half or heavy cream.  Inner Voice: Sweetttttttttt normal milk.

Walking back from the chow hall I keep wondering why the boxes were yellow.  Having a gut feeling something is wrong and being unable to live in denial, I look at them more closely to read Banana milk.  Inner Voice: What the ^&^%$@%%.

Don’t Violate My Pancake
‘Twas the day of the Sabbath, when all thro’ the camp.

Not a creature was stirring, not even little haji.

The M-16s were hung by the rack with great care.

In hopes the Al Qaeda would soon be shot dead there.

The Marines were nestled all snug in their huts.

While Jonathan had visions of coffee and pancakes in his gut.

And the general is his boonie cover and I in my cap.

Had just entered the chow hall thinking about this poorly written rap.

When watching the cook sloppily poor Banana batter.

I screamed in my head ‘Oh God please don’t let him violate my plain pancake batter’.

Away to the table I flew like a flash.

Guzzled my juice in hopes that I wouldn’t toss my cookies trying to eat this trash.

War is Hell
Banana smelling French toast.

Banana milk.

Pancake batter violations.

When will this war end?

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 59% [?]

The last couple of weeks neither the Marines in my workspace and I noticed new food as our shelves of goodies were not being replenished as often as they were a month or so ago.

However thanks to some of my family, the American Sheep Dogs (West Chester, PA), and new friend Cathy Bates (Collegeville, PA) we are back on track to indulgence.

Also need to thank fellow leatherneck Jim Doedderlein (U.S. Marine 1967-1970) who not only sent a hand written card but a small Marine Corps flag.  May sound odd to some but when the other warriors in the work space seen it they made mention of it.  Now we just need to find a place to hang it in here.

Please accept our gratitude for your generous donations.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 60% [?]