Photo by Fort Rucker

What is an Emu?

I have always been particularly intrigued by films whose beginnings contrast with their endings in terms of both tone and themes. If there is a genre that I have explored the least thus far, it is war, but Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is much more than a war film; it presents themes which illustrate the psychological anguish that comes with serving in the military.

World War One is a period of time that doesn't receive a lot of attention in the movie industry. Maybe it is because the powers that be got involved for less-than-noble reasons, so it wouldn't seem right to try and make a film on the matter. But for the hundreds of thousands of everyman soldiers that thought and died in battle, this was just them following orders, even if they didn't always agree with them.

My torn coat flaps in the vicious breeze as I walk slowly back home, my four year old brother running and skipping ahead, oblivious to our suffering. Pain shoots through my empty belly as I jolt and shake with each jagged step. My skin feels burnt, despite the cold, as I stride to what I humbly call my home. Disappointment reddens my face every time I walk the broken garden path to my front door. The door is dull and weathered, the lock all but broken. My sunken eyes blur as I notice the torn curtains and empty closets. I check for letters then hurry inside to start dinner for my little brother. My father is in the army. He will not be back for supper. I pour water into an iron pot and open the pantry door. I stare at the same thing I stare at every day. Nothing. I stifle a sob, not wanting the carefree nature of my brother to be corrupted by my hopelessness. My mother is dead. She was shot protecting the daughter of two complete strangers. The fruits of a country too long at war. She will not be home for supper.

On 6th June, 1944, allied forces undertook what became the biggest seaborne invasion in history. In what was known at the time as "Operation Neptune," 160,000 American, British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and other allied soldiers stormed a 50 mile stretch of heavily-fortified coastline in Normandy, in Nazi-occupied France, landing in amphibious craft and immediately coming under heavy fire. The operation has been re-imagined in countless movies, TV shows and video games—perhaps most famously in Steven Spielberg's 1998 film Saving Private Ryan.

I have been working with ex military vets who have kindly shared their horrific war stories with me. As Soldiers... We soldier on. This was a repeated phrase used by many of our heroes. I have been connecting with soldiers and turning their stories into monologues working with a company called Iconic enterprise. With the stories, I have written them into performance pieces for our event to bring awareness to these outstanding people. I have shared three of my monologues below to help bring awareness of the pain and suffering our soldiers are put through, many suffering from PTSD.

The Corps probably has—it probably had long before I’d gotten there, too—I don’t know what punishments the cadets inflict upon themselves today, but in 2002 the approved method of masochism were area tours, colloquially referred to as “walking hours.” An Area Tour was the most common punishment for both minor and major infractions; the severity of punishment rose in accordance with the egregiousness of the crime. The punishment was to spend time, reflecting on your misdeeds, walking back and forth across the center of the campus. You hefted your rifle upon your shoulder, walked about one hundred paces, switched shoulders, faced about, and repeated the exercise for as many hours as your sins warranted. Being late to class garnered you five hours or so, or missing formation ten, or something like that (it seemed arbitrary to me at the time).

The tale, as far as I know it, started in 1979. It started with Saddam Hussein. It started with conflict, with war, with struggle, hostility, bloodshed. It started with death. My grandfather, then 25 years old, was in combat for six years. He was married and left behind six beautiful young children. I talked to him the other day about the Iranian Iraqi war and he had told me that he had fought in the defensive position and shot down Iranian fighter aircrafts to protect his base. He had told me that at some point during the war, the Iranian military had surrounded his base, and that for three days, they were left to starve. The soldiers had to resort to eating grass and drinking muddy water.

On January 6th, 2020, the tensions between the United States and Iran continued to escalate when the United States decided to send B-52 bombers to help with tightness in Iran. To be more specific, the United States sent B-52 bombers to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia is a British Indian Ocean Territory located near the Maldives and the Seychelles, south of India, and Sri Lanka. All of this means that they were not sent anywhere near Iran, but let’s put all of that aside. Many things can make someone scratch their head and ask, “is all of this really necessary?” It is people and questions like these that make it very important to keep in mind the B-52 bomber and what they are and what they are capable of.

"That Others May Live" that is the motto of the United States Air Force Pararescue Team. These guys are bad MFs who won't stop until the mission is done and lives have been saved. They are without a doubt the most elite Special Forces Unit in the Nation and perhaps the world.

NOVEMBER 11

The amount of sexual assaults and unwanted advances should be nil around the world. Especially, these ill actions ought to cease on military installations. And an even more focused amount of scrutiny ought to be placed on military academies. With numbers of reports that surpass the double digits for women and a little over two percent in men, these numbers ought to be knocked down and eliminated. But why is this disparity so prevalent? Why do women report more cases of sexual abuse than men? Why are the men either reporting less or experiencing it less altogether? The answer may lie in male-female relations and the fact that women remain a minority amongst their counterparts in training for the United States Armed Forces.

I joinined the military again at age 38, I had to go through basic training again because it had just been under 10 years since I was in. I went through the combat medic course which is a lot tougher then a lot of the other MOS s. Because you have to be able to carry a soldier off the battle furies if their hurt.

"Safeties off, lads."

Here is the action of what you are about to read. If you are going to take the right step to your next successful adventure, then you need to find a supporting team. A team that values you as a Veteran and values you as a human being. If you feel like you are getting the cold shoulder, start looking for a new job. Don't wait around to be fired. You, as a Veteran, are valued, and people care about you. Your passion is not a disgrace, and your focus is not a problem. I am here to help you grow and realize your own potential. I want the best for you and those that you desire to be close too.

Okay, you’ve made the decision that it’s time to transition from military service and start a new adventure in the “civilian world,” but how do you translate your military career into a language and skill set that is clear and understandable to prospective employers?

When you leave the military, you may be worried about your transition to regular civilian jobs. However, there are civilian jobs similar to military life that won’t be too much of an uprooting for you. Before your job search, you need to know what you’d like to do. Plenty of employers would love to hire men and women who have had military experience because of how disciplined and hardworking they are.

This is for the Army Families that are going through the beginning of their journey and feel like they need some answers. Let me share my guidebook for going through it. Some tips that will help Army Spouses no matter where they're going.

My torn coat flaps in the vicious breeze as I walk slowly back home, my four year old brother running and skipping ahead, oblivious to our suffering. Pain shoots through my empty belly as I jolt and shake with each jagged step. My skin feels burnt, despite the cold, as I stride to what I humbly call my home. Disappointment reddens my face every time I walk the broken garden path to my front door. The door is dull and weathered, the lock all but broken. My sunken eyes blur as I notice the torn curtains and empty closets. I check for letters then hurry inside to start dinner for my little brother. My father is in the army. He will not be back for supper. I pour water into an iron pot and open the pantry door. I stare at the same thing I stare at every day. Nothing. I stifle a sob, not wanting the carefree nature of my brother to be corrupted by my hopelessness. My mother is dead. She was shot protecting the daughter of two complete strangers. The fruits of a country too long at war. She will not be home for supper.

Many people have a sort of love/hate relationship with all kinds of weapons in general. They do find them fascinating to look at from a distance, but to get them to touch or wield a sword or gun would be too much of a stretch. Additionally, a lot of us have this internal fear within ourselves that we may very well end up hurting ourselves, because we have no idea how to handle them. Given how many times that has happened to people, this fear is perfectly valid.

Anyone who has been watching the national budget getting passed can tell you that veteran care is grossly underfunded. For all the work veterans do, Uncle Sam simply doesn't want to take care of them once they are out of the service.

Whatever your situation is, whether you want to join the military, you're an active member of the military, or just in the market for survival gear, you'll want to look into the best possible equipment you get. Tactical folding knives are some of the popular pieces of tactical defense equipment and can be extremely important.

I carry with me a very heavy heart as I spill these saddening words out on to a page. As I type this story with my two-year-old daughter sitting close by smiling gleefully, oblivious to the corrupt world outside of our home, I feel a grieving pain in my chest.

In 1942, a British-Czech-Slovak joint operation successfully assassinated one of the most fearsome and high-ranking Nazis in the Third Reich. Regarded by many as the darkest figure in the Nazi elite, Reinhard Heydrich died due to injuries sustained in an ambush on his personal vehicle, which was struck by an explosive device on May 27 of that year.

There has been a few key moments in history where the world stands together in the name of peace and liberty. It is in these times that differences are forgotten and unity grows. In addition, there are also times when some nations are united and some are not, which allows the world to be broken and for its citizens to pick sides. World War II happened because of a cruel and harsh set of rules placed on one country, it was also one of the bloodiest wars that the world has seen and lastly, it caused the world to be even more defensive and build more destructive weapons.

A veteran is not your average person. They are people who heard the call to duty and stepped up to meet the challenge. Despite knowing that they may end up paying the ultimate price, they went ahead and fought the good fight anyway.

When a military family member returns home from a deployment cycle, it is understandable for everyone to be both anxious and excited. However, what family members may not realize is that when service members reintegrate into society after deployment, the soldier may be dealing with a lot more negative emotions that the family will not understand. Post traumatic stress is a very real disorder that many returning service members suffer from. Whether it’s their mental health they are struggling with or just normal adjustments back into civilian life, a healthy transition is the main goal for soldiers long term.

Simplifying your life and creating a routine can help you accomplish goals and get more done, which is something we could all benefit from. Well, it is no secret that the marine corps has special tips that can make your everyday tasks go by quicker. The military is known for being strict, but they also produce some of the best workers out there. Those who are in the military have their routine down to a science, and there are some military routines every civilian should do. Make your civilian life easier by following the simple tricks that the military uses on a daily basis.

A weapon that has not only engraved itself in the most prominent pages of history, but help create it, the ceaseless symbol of "Knighthood," "Kinship," "War," and "Chivalry"—the "Sword" is one of the world’s most ancient weapon technologies that paved the way for major breakthroughs in the historical timelines and metallurgy. Their existence in the lineage of history is so important; not merely because of the number of victories, but some of these "ancients" have been built so strong and sturdy, even modern science has failed to determine how they were made.

With thousands upon thousands of men and women in the military fighting for the safety and freedom of the United States, we must stop and take the time to express gratitude for their sacrifices. Beyond taking time on days like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Veteran's Day to remember and thank service members, you may find yourself wishing to support active military troops and veterans in other ways.

There is no question that the military forces of the United States are the strongest in the world. It is a badge most Americans wear with honor, and that fact is especially true among those who are affiliated with service members. Considering the exception of military members themselves, some of the most proud are military spouses. They live a life that is opposite the same coin that their service member spouse have committed to, dealing with the stresses of everyday tasks without their support system close to home. As a friend, or even the soldier abroad, being there for them isn’t easy either; but it is important to find ways to do it anyway. That’s why a number of companies have created subscriptions boxes for military wives, husbands, or significant others at home, to help you support the loved one fighting the good fight at home.

Sand kicked up like Lucifer had commanded it to do so. Winds caused debris in the street to dance. The closing hour of the Declaration and Constitution of Iran became nigh. Misha sat down with President Maaz Taheri to have him sign the digital documents.

Marine generals Misha and Raquel saluted. Their service Alphas flapped in the breeze and their stars twinkled like the fenders of 1950’s American cars. Their hands seemed slower, more pronounced as they drew them to their brows. They then shook hands.

In a shop of Marine Corps officers, the work of lance corporals cleaning and polishing each surface allowed the senior Marines to conduct business. Or just chat before their own bosses appeared.

I have always been particularly intrigued by films whose beginnings contrast with their endings in terms of both tone and themes. If there is a genre that I have explored the least thus far, it is war, but Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is much more than a war film; it presents themes which illustrate the psychological anguish that comes with serving in the military.

Bravery. Bravery is courage. Bravery is doing something that scares you, but you do it anyway. We are all brave.

Many years ago, the Royal Navy was deemed to be the most formidable fighting force in the world with many ships in its arsenal ready to be mobilised.

Though there are tales as old as time, being in the military is one of those "you have to see to believe" life experiences. It's impossible to realistically imagine life in the Navy unless you've lived it yourself. The Navy is a family. Sailors are brothers and sisters. They have each others' backs. There are many things to consider when deciding whether to join the Navy so learn about what it's like to be a sailor. It's probably not at all what you think it is.

Joining the Navy is a huge decision for anyone to make. For most men and women making this choice, going through the enlistment process is their first experience as an adult after receiving their high school diploma. When you are getting ready to join the Navy, there are many requirements—mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you are joining the military, or if you specifically want to prepare for joining the Navy as an enlisted sailor, an officer, or even a Navy Seal, here’s a list of how to do so.

Attitude is the difference-maker. When life takes you down, who do you rely on for support? As stated by John Maxwell, "the remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day." I am targeting Veterans today that seem to feel like we are not accepted. True, we cannot change our past. And true, we are square pegs in a round world. We have to embrace our differences and see new possibilities. That doesn't mean that we're going to get along with everyone we interact with.

We seated ourselves at a booth: a big corner booth. We’re a big family.

People who have served in the military look for a veteran's attorney at some point in life. Everybody has a different reason to look for a veteran's attorney in the legal process.

Also, known as the Prince of the Brigade, Tommy Prince was a Native American who was born in Manitoba, Canada in 1914. Tommy at an early age was forced to drop out of elementary school to feed his 11 siblings, mother and father. Growing up he quickly learned from his father who was a hunter how to use a rifle and a knife to be able to hunt the nearby wildlife in the native reserve that he lived in himself. Now, does he not sound like a modern-day Mowgli? He became an extremely talented marksman and tracker from all the days he spent hunting and gathering food for his family. Years later he worked as a tree feller as well as joined the cadets during his teen years. Now think back, what did you do when you were 14 years old? Suddenly the Second World War began, and due to Tommy being an Aboriginal he was rejected several times from the Canadian army as discrimination was a widespread fact at the time. Eventually, he was accepted and was assigned to the first Field Park Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers. There he was trained to be a sapper, which was the first step to his impressive skill set. If you’re unsure of what a sapper is, they were essentially engineers with demolitions expertise. Two years later he became a sergeant with the Canadian Parachute Battalion, however, soon after he volunteered for the first Special Service Force also known as the Devil’s Brigade.

Many historians have said that out of his entire life time, his best military achievement in Gaul was winning the Battle of Alesia. What makes this feat extraordinary is the scale and determination of the battle’s two opposing sides, but in what way did Caesar describe the battle of Alesia? On the side of the Gallic armies, an Arverni man named Vercingetorix led a rebellion against Rome bringing many of the tribes of Gaul together in a united front. Being that Gaul was a Roman province and Julius Caesar was its governor Caesar had to quell another Gallic uprising. Gallic wars background. Who started the rebellion and why?