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: 47% [?]

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: 54% [?]

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: 96% [?]

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% [?]

Just went rolling through a few towns the other day but when getting to Ramadi I was surprised how trashed that place still is.  Actually worse then what I saw of Baghdad.

Ramadi was a key location for the Ba’ath party and assorted other loyal Saddam goofs so the coalition forces did some re-decorating via at the outset of the war.  But still, it’s been how many years now?  Clean it up already as you and your children live there.

I was up there to take a look at a few places that we suspected as potential problem areas for movement.  In hindsight I think the whole place is a problem area.

Getting out of the MRAP I certainly gained a better understanding of their hardship but was also trying to reason why they didn’t rise up against Saddam.  Knowing that they are above pre-war levels in all the basic needs (water, sewage, communication, electricity, health, etc…) and recognizing it to still be a complete dump one can only imagine how bad it was under that yahoo.

Trash in the street.  Wires running like spider webs barely over the streets.  Metal objects sticking out of the ground everywhere.  Other then one soccer field I didn’t see anywhere the kids can play safely.

The populace is certainly much more used to use rolling through certain cities and areas and that showed the other day.  As soon as I got out to take pictures people to start coming out of their “homes” and seeing what was going on.  This is a pain because not only do you have to scan the area for IEDs as you walk and all the vantage points for possible yahoos but now you have to continually scan the crowd as you try to do your job.  Basically, you are looking for anyone in the crowd with a possible weapon, cell phone, camera, or just watching too intently to what we are doing.

All in all it was a success. I got the information I needed and the engineers got the information they needed to collect.

Below is a picture of an MRAP in case you didn’t know what they look like as well as some pictures from one of the streets we rolled down.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 89% [?]

As you know from a blog entry last week, I went to Saddam’s house to see if he was in.  While he wasn’t there I of course slithered in to check it out and got to meet General David Petraeus instead.  Much better don’t you agree?

The General is doing an awesome job.  After spending more time listening in on the morning briefs and talking to others he “gets it”.

He understands Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations and knows when and how to deal with them militaristically as well as economically.  Most of what he does is help push along common sense ideas and approaches.  However, he also has an innate ability to recognize when to extend the olive branch to groups to resolve concerns or current issues.

Congress would do the right thing for America is they do not pressure him for timetables and results.  Just with my limited exposure to this man I feel its in the best interest to allow him to run CENTCOM as he seems fit.

John McCain has bought into the Petraeus philosophies but unfortunately Obama repeated states that his policies and actions are failures meaning the General is a failure.  I do not feel its appropriate for a Presidential candidate should be siding with MoveOn.org and Code Pink when all the facts say otherwise.

General David Petraeus, a leader we can trust in.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 60% [?]

How We Got Here
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is Americas forced response to the jihadist networks that have killed, maimed, and tortured Americans for years.  For too long, America’s lack of leadership has emboldened jihadist and rouge nations.  This “acceptance” paved the way for September 11th.

Under President Clinton the jihadist networks thrived.  Clinton sat on the sidelines and watched jihadist literally get away with murder.  His lack of action allowed jihadist networks to grow in size, scope, and capabilities.  Allowing the jihadist networks to blossom resulted in the fall of some countries and government infiltration within many more.

New Sheriff in Town
Let’s be honest, on September 11th most Americans knew they made the right choice by electing George Bush over Al Gore.  America was sick of inaction and complacency.  America was craving a real leader and justice.  President Bush would take action to chase down and punish the terrorist versus being part of the “blame America first crowd”.

Since taking the fight to the enemy, jihadists have sustained huge setbacks.  Driven from power in Africa and the Middle East, remnants of jihadist networks remain but are severely degraded.  Their ability to communicate and operate freely, other than on a very small scale, is non-existent. 

The policies of the Bush administration to stop the money flow and infiltrate their communication networks has hampered them to the point where those who haven’t been killed or captured have resorted to either walking off the battlefield or forced into remote areas with little or no resources to put up an effective fight.

Presidential Candidates
In respect to the GWOT, this is the 2004 Presidential race all over again.  The two leading Presidential candidates are miles apart in wisdom, philosophy, and military prowess.

One will protect America while the other will blame her.  One will continue to eradicate jihadist and fulfill a promise to our friends in Africa and the Middle East, while the other shows moral cowardice by immediately leaving Iraq thus succumbing to anti-American groups such as MoveOn.org and Code Pink.

Putting political affiliation and all other issues aside, one can only reason that it is Senator John McCain who is best qualified to be commander-in-chief.

Sacrifice and Maturity
We all know John McCain as a warrior at heart.  His journey took him from the Naval Academy to becoming a Navy pilot, to eventually being taken as a POW for 5 years.  When offered a chance to be released before others McCain rejected the offer.  He understood duty, honor, and sacrifice.  McCain doesn’t wish to place fellow military members in harms way, but understands the necessity and sacrifices that must be made.

One cannot reject the fact that Obama lacks the understanding and wisdom of the capabilities and needs of a military.  As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he chairs a subcommittee on European relations that includes, of course, NATO and therefore involvement in Afghanistan.  Hillary Clinton and Obama are both on record stating that no substantive meetings have been held.  His lack of participation demonstrates his lack of appreciation for Americans sacrificing their lives in Afghanistan.  To not hold even one meeting about oversight in Afghanistan shows a lack of wisdom and duty.

Cost of the War
Have you noticed since the war began that Obama predominantly talks about the cost of the war? 

Americans need a president to envision an endstate that brings peace to the Middle East and the United States.  They need a President with the wisdom to look at the cost of not winning this war.  They need a President that believes in General David Petraeus and fully supports the great inroads paved, not only by the surge, but shared economic investment too.

It only takes sitting in on a few briefs with the General to recognize he continually asks who is paying for new projects or assuming responsibilities for its administration / execution.  His plan requiring Iraqi investment within their infrastructure has undeniably shown tremendous results.

With water, electricity, food, health care, etc… far exceeding pre-war levels, the civilian populace are now conditioned to a better life.  So much so that they are turning in the jihadist in their neighborhood in order to keep their creature comforts.  Other then Al Qaeda, jihadists recognize they just lose more support and credibility when attacking civilians and their infrastructure.

Yes, wars are costly, but there is a shared economic responsibility and the Government of Iraq now takes the lead for budgeting and spending with their own money.

We need a President who recognizes a strategy that is exceeding expectations and continues to support those executing it.  A President planning on running away now will show the world that America doesn’t have the stomach for war and will further embolden the terrorist.

Do we really want another 4 years of Clinton-esque foreign policies where terrorist run free and without repercussions?

Why I Support John McCain
The loss of Iraq will cause ripple effects thru most of the Middle East and large portions of Northern and Eastern Africa.  The loss of sovereign nations will provide havens for jihadist networks to rebuild and prosper.  The fight will then come to our shores with possible unspeakable consequences due to a weapon of mass destruction.

John McCain knows how to best decide when, where, and how to deploy the military.  He has no problem standing alone when it comes to his opinion on American security.  He leads from the front but will allow the conditions on the ground to dictate America’s success and pullout from Iraq.

Nothing else matters if we lose security and sovereignty.  That’s why I support John McCain.

Semper Fi,

Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 62% [?]

Who would have thought catching a donkey would be more difficult then catching bag guys?

Turn up your speakers, click on the link below, and learn who really is the “donkey”.

And before you ask, yes this is for real.  LOL

The Donkey Movie

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 55% [?]

Despite not being home we let ourselves in and wandered about Saddams home which is now the US Embassy.

It’s not as great as I had imagined.  Appears Saddam was a bit cheap too.  What he wanted you to believe was gold were instead brass.  Even marble is some spots is really a marble-looking stone.  The pool was a nice size but would have expected larger.

Very plain and dull colors.  Inconsistent types and looks and woods didn’t allow you to get an “oh wow look how impressive this room is” thought.  In hindsight I don’t remember seeing rugs or tapestries.

I also would have expected more paintings.  The ones I did see where about as cheesy as a velvet Elvis.  If you are into Soviet like images of rockets then maybe you’ll like it.  As for the pictures of Saddam they were covered up.

I guess with so many “girlfriends” wandering the palace he didn’t have the time to do the Martha Stewart thing.

Oh and what’s up with the unisex bathrooms?  Never thought I would see that in an Arabic country.

And come on Saddam, you are the “ruler” of an entire country but you go with oak over mahogany for your conference room?

I will give Saddam credit for the grass however.  There was more grass in the front courtyard then I have seen in ALL of Al Anbar thus far.

Rumors persist that there was a prison (more like cages) but when I asked about it no one seem to know.

One of the rooms that people gather in for meetings was the size of a small ballroom.  With a Green Bean Coffee shop, a library of books and DVDs, tables and chairs, an Internet Café, and chess tables this certainly would be my hangout.

Food is better in the palace then at the other chow halls.  Usually, when I travel, I don’t believe anyone when they say the food is better at one chow hall over another.  Same stuff – same quality.  The chow hall was much better and with more variety.

Security was great as I must have presented my ID and cleared my weapon every 10 feet.  Certainly no goofing around.

We tried to find a couple of the Saddam statues that used to sit upon town squares but the fellow giving us the guide said they recently have been moved and didn’t know where they were.  Grrrrr, do you have any idea what I could have gotten on eBay for one of them?

Soon the US will be handing the embassy back to the Iraqis and make home in a new building just down the street.  Be curious to see how the new Iraqi government changes the appearance to forget the demonic legacy of Saddam.

While I was unimpressed with the palace, this was a great experience of a very unique and interesting day.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 43% [?]

Sorry I haven’t written in a few days but I was busy running around Baghdad with meetings, doing the combat tourism thing, etc…

Great time but exhausting.  I left Sunday and got back about 4AM this morning.  I would have written this morning but between not eating for over a day and not sleeping for about twice that I just wanted to get out of my nasty cammies, get a shower, and catch a few hours of sleep.

Great thing about being out here by myself is that when I do go non-stop for a day or two I can crash when I want.  Well, for the most part.

Over the next couple days I will tell you more about my past few days of experiences.  Got to meet General David Petraeus for a picture, sit in Sodomy Hussein’s conference room (picture below), unofficially toured his old palace (now the official US embassy), and take my first ride in an MRAP and then a RHINO.

Great meetings too.  Met with a Dr. of Economics to discuss the developing Iraqi Banking System which in my opinion will have the same problems the US faces because of fractional-reserve banking.  I’ll get all geeky with you later about this problem that must be corrected for credit and the value of our money to have real worth.

Meet with a SSgt who is involved with the Iraqi elections and expect to have ongoing discussion with her and hope to personally take a role for the Al Anbar province.

Besides that met a few Colonels, Generals and Admirals for a meet and greet nothing specific.

Lastly, I will tell you about Lost Lake which is where the Hussein’s supposedly threw their chopped up victims in.  The nickname for Lost Lake is because many believe that’s where their loved ones now rest.

So again, I apologize for not writing sooner but expect to start doing so tomorrow morning.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 43% [?]