Congressional meddling with military matters

It often surprises me how far from reality the people in charge are from the day to day reality of running the military. By the phrase "people in charge" I mean Congress and by "day to day reality" I mean the fact that the Army isn't doing so well in recruitment. Despite the known difficulty the Army is having recruiting new soldiers Congress wants to pass a law limiting the role of women in combat.
I take no stance on whether women should be allowed in combat (right now). What I am taking a stance on is the practical matter of having enough soldiers. Congress wants to exclude women from a host of "combat" roles and prevent women from being assigned to anything smaller than a brigade sized element (if my admittedly hasty reading of the news is correct). I get my news from week old newspapers so this calamity may have already come to pass but I want to everybody reading that women are mission critical tactical assets. The only way for us to have enough soldiers is if women shoulder a large portion of the load. Without getting into specific numbers on troop strength, suffice it to say that entire battalion sized elements (approximately 700 troops) would have to be drastically restructured.
The legislation must not be allowed to pass.
Besides we like having women around. Can you blame us?

Today is the day

The only way I could be more excited is if I was getting married. I go on leave today and I am practically on cloud nine.
I'll post an after picture for the 1000 crunch challenge ASAP. I did crunches with near religious fervor for twenty days, but I don't know if there is a visible difference. However, my abdomen is very strong now.
Happy trails!

3 Days...

If I don't leave this place soon, I think I shall go stark raving mad. I am excited, elated, and ebullient when I think of leave. I am also becoming increasingly desperate. Perhaps my state of mind is my own fault but it seems that the stress is almost always worse right before it is going to be relieved. I mentioned that "amazing things" were taking place here in Iraq. Well "amazing" work can cause stress.
I need a vacation. A year long vacation. 14 days will have to do.

I hate OPSEC

We are doing some really amazing things out here. And by "we" I mean other people while I stand by with my mouth agape watching. The problem is that I don't dare mention specifics now. I mean amazing things are happening and I don't even feel comfortable telling my Mom over the phone.