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Army Lineage: Where the National Guard Always Wins
October 22, 2011
By: Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bratten
I believe most military personnel would agree when I say that competition is at the heart of the American military. We love it. Just look at the Army-Navy football game every year and you get a slight taste of it. Each arm of the services tries to outdo the other. Every branch of the Army competes vigorously for bragging rights. When I was in the Infantry, I was told that the pecking order went Special Forces, Rangers, Infantry, and then...read more
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Task Force Maine: Mainers in the Green Mountains
September 22, 2011
By: Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bratten
When Tropical Storm Irene blew through New England, I was driving back to Maine from Canada. That should already show the faith I have that the weather forecasts will always be wrong. Aside from the gusts of wind that took a few power lines down in the road and the torrential downpour that we hit in northern Maine, the trip was fairly uneventful. By the time we reached Portland, the rain had stopped and the storm showed signs of leaving for good. I...read more
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Last week MTV Tre3s did a shoot for the campaign Agentes de Cambio or Agents of Change. What a great experience! I was very honored to be considered for this role but I didnt know really what I was being interviewed for. They told me CPT Gomez you are an agent of change you give young people opportunities they didnt have before. My jaw dropped, I was truly humbled. MTF....MORE TO FOLLOW
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No system is perfect, but Army evaluations primarily reward short-term success. Instituting or continuing programs and practices that promote the long-term health of our Army just does not get rewarded, unless it fits neatly into a rating period. The exception to this rule is self-satisfaction and the gratitude of our Soldiers. It takes a lot of effort (usually unrecognized) to provide quality, rather than just amass a laundry list of “check the block” in the areas of...read more
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The Army's Comic-Con: The Conference of Army Historians
August 1, 2011
By: Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bratten
As thousands of comic book and fantasy fans were flocking to the annual Comic-Con Convention in California this month, a much smaller, but perhaps more devoted, crowd headed to Arlington, Virginia for the annual Conference of Army Historians. Like their counterparts in California, attendees of the CAH talked shop, debated hot topics (Pontiac's War in 1763: rebellion or insurgency?), and drank large quantities of coffee. Many of the attendees were...read more
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When people ask me, "Why did you join the Army?" I find that the only response is, "Please pull up a chair, this is going to take a while." Because there is no short answer for joining the military. Every person has their own reasons. For many, including myself, 9/11 was a big factor. Others see it as a way to advance themselves, give themselves discipline, or gain financial stability. As for me, it was a combination of all...read more
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Yesterday I was privileged to be a part of the 2011 LULAC Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had the opportunity to inform young adults and parents about what ROTC can provide to a college student while they are obtaining there degree, whether that be an undergraduate or graduate degree. I was able to meet various organizational leaders within the Latin American Community as well as the Commanding General from US Army Cadet Command, Major General Mark McDonald. I look forward to the next three...read more
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Just a few days ago I received the following message that really made me feel proud. "Drill sergeant macdougall! I never got the chance to thank you after graduation for being such a great instructor and leader! I know I wasn't the best in basic but I am here at Fort Bragg now and just keepin after it and team leaders and such say that I'm one of the best in the platoon and they wish they could have at least one squad full of guys like me.....and I tell them its cuz of 2...read more
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We Own this Month: Petition to Rename June "The Army's Month."
June 5, 2011
By: Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bratten
OK, so I lied. There is no petition. If there were, who would it go to? I doubt whether the naming of months falls under Congress's enumerated powers given by the Constitution. But now that I have your attention, I would like to persuade you of the validity of my argument. June is a month full of milestones for the Army. The month of July seems to always be lauded as that month where...read more
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For Everything there is a Season: Memorial Day, 2011
June 4, 2011
By: Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bratten
As I write this, it is almost a week since Memorial Day. It has taken me this long to be able to put into words the way that Memorial Day now effects me. I am torn between wanting everyone to stop and remember those who were lost or to instead go about their holiday, enjoying their lives for those who cannot. For myself, I had to work this past Memorial Day and so could not really do either of those. I instead chose to spend the day remembering...read more
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