Allen West “We need more of our retired Senior General and Flag Officers to stand up and speak out against the decimation of our fine fighting force”

Written by Allen West on October 24, 2013 for allenbwest.com

Cuts to the Marine Corps as mandated by sequestration are bringing the force to dangerously low levels. In 2011, the Marines announced they hoped to “right-size” the force after a decade of war from 202,000 to 186,800. But last month, Commandant General Jim Amos announced the Corps would need to reduce the Marine force to a “minimum acceptable” level of 174,000 as a result of sequestration budget cuts.

This week, while speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Major General Frank McKenzie addressed speculation that the force might have to be cut even deeper.

“Based on our review of the existing requirements today and our best-case projection for 2017, 150,000 would be an unviable number for the Marines,” McKenzie said.

While cuts to 150,000 are not likely, the reduction to 174,000 still means a cut to the fundamental unit of the Corps, the Marine Infantry Battalion. Since the Marines have already cut their end-strength (the maximum level of personnel authorized at the end of the fiscal year) from 202,000, which included some 27 infantry battalions, the 174,000 figure would require a reduction to 21 infantry battalions, as well as cuts to armor and towed artillery formations.

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Allen West “Who in God’s name will restore this Republic?”

Written by Allen West on October 24, 2013

At a time when our Army has only two trained and ready combat Brigades, and our US Marine Corps is about to lose additional combat infantry battalions, armor and towed artillery formations, we are yet reminded where the military priorities lie for President Obama: new hats for the Marines.

I am quite sure the possibility that Marines will have slick new unisex hats is sending chills down the spine of every Islamic terrorist across the globe. The fact that we are investing $8 million for new hats should just make every fashionable American beam with pride.

According to the New York Post:

Thanks to a plan by President Obama to create a “unisex” look for the Corps, officials are on the verge of swapping out the Marines’ iconic caps – known as “covers” — with a new version that some have derided as so “girly” that they would make the French blush.

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Related articles

• Obama pushes ‘unisex’ hats for Marines… (nypost.com)

Op-Ed Allen West Has the Courage and Backbone to Stand Behind His Beliefs – Digital Journal

By Burton Wiborg  Nov 22, 2012 for Digital Journal

Though straight-forward and rough around the edges, Lt. Col. and Congressman Allen West lives for patriotism and defending the Constitution of the United States.

Allen West has fought the good fight. He has dedicated his life for the good of this country and deserves some recognition for it.

Born February 7, 1961, Allen Bernard West was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Herman and Elizabeth West. His father and older brother were both military officers, his father serving in World War ll and his brother in the Vietnam War, while his mother was a civilian employee of the United States Marine Corps.

Although West’s parents were registered Democrats, they raised him to be conservative-minded, and to ‘scorn the thought of a handout’ he claims. His upbringing would be the result of his life long devotion to the preservation of liberty and freedom.

Throughout his life West has been actively engaged in military service for his country. On November 1, 1983, he entered active duty in the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he attended Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He then went to Fort Benning, Georgia for airborne training. His first assignment was an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325 Airborne Battalion Combat Team. He was promoted to Captain in 1987 and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course.

After his training, West commanded Bravo Battery in the 1st Infantry Division, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. During his 1st Infantry assignment he was deployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

After West’s tour in the Middle East, he served as an ROTC instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994. West was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Support Command in January 1995 as the Assistant Operations/Combat Plans Officer. He was promoted to Major during that time and selected for attendance to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College where he graduated in 1997. Later he became the Operations Officer of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, then an assignment as the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment. After completing these assignments, West was assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, chosen to serve as an Army exchange officer to this headquarters from 1999 to 2002.

West’s high point in his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division starting on June 6, 2002.

COMPLETE THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE: DIGITAL JOURNAL

Speaking To Seniors Oct 23 Rep Allen West “We did still issue bayonets” Read More

STUART, Fla. — Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) knows a thing or two about how the U.S. military uses bayonets, because he sent soldiers into battle with them in Iraq.

Speaking to about 100 senior citizens Tuesday afternoon in this golfing and retirement community, West joined legions of conservatives and Republicans criticizing President Obama’s performance during Monday night’s presidential debate on foreign policy and seized especially on the exchange between Obama and Republican Mitt Romney over the declining strength of the U.S. Navy.

“I can tell you that when I was a battalion commander, we did still issue bayonets to our troops when we deployed to Iraq in 2003. The second thing I will tell you is that in 2001, Special Forces soldiers were on horseback riding with the Northern Alliance to fight against the Taliban,” West said. “So obviously we have a president who does not understand the full capabilities and capacities and what we do in the United States military.”

During the debate, Obama responded to Romney’s concerns about U.S. naval power by noting that “we also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military’s changed.”

Obama never said that bayonets were nonexistent — only that they are far less prevalent than they used to be. Indeed, as The Post noted Monday night, the U.S. Marines still train with bayonets in boot camp.

West is a freshman GOP lawmaker and former Army lieutenant colonel running for reelection in Florida’s 18th Congressional District. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 2004 amid questions about his handling of the interrogation of an Iraqi military official. Questions about his military service are dominating his reelection campaign (more on that here in 2chambers, tomorrow).

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Rep. Allen West “God Bless America” and Meeting Jake – The Patriots Press LLC Video

Published on Sep 27, 2012 by ThePatriotsPressLLC

Jake is the grandson of an old line Quartermaster in the USN…an anchor-clanker of the first water and a Vung Tau RVN veteran. Excellent forum and Jake will never forget this.  Jake stands well and looks like he’d make a “hand” in the USMC !  Semper Fi…Jake and Long Tom. OOOORAH ! – Michael Flick

 

 

 

Rep Allen West introduces Limited End Strength Reduction Act

Legislation assures military drawdown is safe and responsible 

(WASHINGTON)— Congressman Allen West (R-FL) today introduced the Limited End Strength Reduction Act of 2012, ensuring our Army and Marine Corps have the financial resources they need for a responsible drawdown in Afghanistan, while continuing to meet our National Security objectives. The bill slows the pace of the President’s end strength reductions by placing limits on the number of troops than can be eliminated annually.

“Our men and women in the Armed Forces do not need to continue to be the bill payer for fiscal irresponsibility,” West said. “We cannot ask our Army and Marines to fight these wars and not supply them with the resources they need to end these combat operations without undue risk.”

The bill requires the Army not be reduced by more than 15,000 members per year during fiscal years 2014 through 2017. The bill requires the Marine Corps not be reduced by more than 5,000 members per year during fiscal years 2014 through 2017.

“No one knows the perils of an insufficiently manned Army better than Allen West,” said United States House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA). “His combat experience and service to this nation, both in Congress and in the Army, give him unique expertise. This legislation helps us not only pave a path to security, it eases the strain on our heavily-stressed military. Mr. West’s bill has my full support.”

In addition, the Limited End Strength Reduction Act assures our military has the resources it needs to prevent overly burdensome or repeated deployments among our men and women serving, who have been at war now for more than ten years.

“Our men and women in uniform have paid a great price already, with years away from their families, serious injuries, both physical and emotional, and all too often, with their own lives,” West said. “We owe it to our military to continue to provide them the resources and support needed, and the Limited End Strength Reduction Act does just that.”

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 Related articles

• Republican and Democrat lawmakers alike urge US to ‘stick to plan’ in Afghanistan – Fox News (foxnews.com)
• Recruiting Stays on Track for Active Service Components (waronterrornews.typepad.com)

Rep Allen West asks “Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?”

Via an exclusive email to The Weekly Standard by Daniel Halper

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), a former Army lieutenant colonel, sends THE WEEKLY STANDARD an email commenting on the Marines’ video, and has given us permission to publish it.

“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”

READ MORE HERE: THE WEEKLY STANDARD

Allen West for Congress – Second Annual Toys for Tots – Please DONATE

It’s that time of year again!

Last year, thanks to you, we collected nearly 1,000 toys for needy children in our community through our Toys for Tots drive in conjunction with the Marine Corps.

But we’re sure we can do even better this year!

Please bring new, unwrapped toys to our Boca Raton headquarters, Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

We’ll start collecting toys the Monday after Thanksgiving all the way until Friday, December 16.

Allen West for Congress Campaign Headquarters
at the Fifth Avenue Shops
2108 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(877) 906-2010

Rep Allen West – Happy 236th Bday USMC & Remembering Our Veterans

by Retired LTC, Congressman Allen B. West – Florida Congressional District 22

Taken from Allen West for Congress E-Newsletter

There are two reasons I am writing today.

The first is that today is the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Since before the founding of our country, the Marines have valiantly served to keep us safe and free. Their courage under fire and unparalleled valor have made them admirable examples for every member of our armed services and true inspirations to all Americans.

I encourage you to join me in wishing the Marines a Happy 236th. I’m posting a message on my Facebook wall and hope you will do the same.

The second reason I am writing is that Veteran’s Day is tomorrow. And while some look at Veteran’s Day as a holiday or an extra day off, I think it’s important to remember those who have fought — and in many cases — lost their lives so we could be a free and safe country.

As you know I served in the Army. I’m proud of my service, but even more proud of the thousands who came before me and many who will serve in years to come.

I was recently honored to speak at a dinner honoring Rep. Buck McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, as he received the Center For Security Policy‘s Keeper Of The Flame Award. I won’t re-hash what I said here, but would encourage you to take a moment to watch this video and share it with your friends.

I hope you will take a moment this weekend to thank our veterans for all they have done.

Thank you again for all you do for our country.

Steadfast and loyal,

LTC(R) Allen B. West
Member of Congress