Mission Accomplish!!!

         
            During this semester I prepared this blog about my future career as a requirement of my English class in the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. In this activity I could develop my writing, thinking and reading skills in an environment of interaction with you, the people that visit my page. I enjoy this activity in many areas: first I shared information that I know about some areas of the U.S. Army. Second, I had the opportunity to talk about the Soldiers that suffer some segregation inside the Armed Forces. Third, I tried to motivate the ladies that work in the difference branches with the story of Capt. Higgins (the first lady in the Blue Angels Team). Fourth, I could give my opinion about the new technology use it and the new Disable Soldiers Memorial in Washington D.C. Fifth, I had the opportunity of talk about the soldiers that went to fight with honor and put the name of Puerto Rico on the map, The Borinqueneers. As a “puertorrican” soldier I feel a high respect and honor to this unit and I think that every soldier of Puerto Rico should keep in mind this sacrifice and finish the work of the Borinqueneers. This blog ends for class reasons, but it will open to all the people that want comment or follow the information of this page. Thanks for the opportunity of share with you information of my career and respect my opinion. We have good soldiers and they need our support in home, so if you can help one, please do it. It’s the best form of express our gratitude of their sacrifice. Thanks everybody and continue your participation on the page.

SHARP Program

           Hi everyone!! Today is the last of the ten posts for my University work. This week I want to talk about one serious situation that the U.S. Army has and affect U.S troops around the world. The problem is the sexual harassment and sexual assault and the program that the U.S. Army created is named Sexual Harassment/ Assault Respond & Prevention (SHARP). I know that if you are a soldier you should take a lot of presentation and courses about this situation. Today I want dedicate this post to civilian people that don’t know about this program and the things that it offers for personal or some friend can uses.

            In February 6, 2004 a task force reviewed Army policies on reporting and addressing allegations of sexual assault. The information that this team prepare let to the Army create Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program. When the sexual harassment is looked as a potential precursor to assault, the SARP office is restructured and integrated to POSH forming the Army’s SHARP program. This program offers orientation and gives information to all military personnel around the world to avoid and reduce the sexual problems in the U.S. Army duties. The first thing that they explain you is what is sexual harassment? Well, the U.S. Army understands that sexual harassment “is a form of gender discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature between the same or opposite genders.” The types could be: Hostile Environment and the other is Quid pro quo (this for that).  Also the categories are: verbal, nonverbal and unwelcomed physical contact. Everybody could be affected by this situation not only females. The other point is the sexual assault and the Army describes it as “Intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (including unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts.” Also affected both gender!! I repeat these words because sometime we think that this problem affects only females, but while women suffer more this situation, men also suffer it.

            The program is a good tool to decrease this behavior that put low the moral and the image of our soldiers. The high level leaders give strong orders of act and resolve these cases before something bad occur. For example weeks ago I went to ROTC training and the words of our Battalion Commander were “If any of you practice discriminates or sexual harassment, I will put you out of the program”. These words show us the important of this situation in the Army. Some high rank soldier had been put out of the Army because not resolve situation in their units or practice a sexual behavior with their elements. Sometime we hate the SHARP orientation because are the same information one and another time, but while this problem continue we will continue to take this training constantly. Let’s put the name of the Army high!!!

Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) (2015). U.S. Army. May 6, 2015, complied from: http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/index.cfm

US Army SHARP Program (Sept.14,2014) SHARP Brigade Video Contest. May 6, 2015, complied from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ThbwjMz3FE

                    

Drones Technology and The New Problem

     Hello everyone, Welcome to the post ten of this blog. Last week I saw the horrible news of the death of two aid workers, by U.S airstrikes. These civilians were hostage of Al Qaeda group in Pakistan. The news said that the U.S intelligence informed “no civilians” in the area and the government decided begins the attack. Regrettably, intelligence was wrong and Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto were killed in friendly fire. This was an error that began a debate in The New York Times Room of Debates where they got the idea of create a court that control the use of drones to attack point of interest. The people began to comment and talk about the situation and now I want give my opinion.

     In my opinion I don’t agree with the idea of create a court of drones. The use and control of this equipment is part of the duties of the Armed Forces and the President of the U.S. as commander and chief. I understand that civilian casualties are a negative situation for the nation and its image, but this is the cost of war. We are in war with many groups around the world and this use has decreased the number of soldiers on ground in different battlefields. Some positive points that have this technology are: fewer soldiers on ground, less soldiers casualties, More faster missions, missions more secure, good equipment for Military Intelligence. This technology helps us to find Osama Bin Laden, kill other Al Qaeda VIP personnel and support the Iraqi Army against ISIS. I understand that the U.S. should be more carefully in the moment of give the order and we should learn of these errors, but the form of resolve this problem isn’t with a court. In the court the people that will work with these cases will be civilians that maybe don’t understand the military situations and maybe their decision could be a bigger mistake. Also the decision in courts take a lot of time and a lot of military activities are against the clock. If you have to go to the court with a lot of information and wait for their decision, maybe you lost the real position of the enemy or the place of interest. The most important point here is learning of the error of the past. President Obama, on behalf of the United States and as Commander and Chief, presented to the families of the deceased deepest apologies for this actions.

 

 

     This mistake of the death of this two hostages teach us that we need extra careful when we use the drones in the battlefield, but is a good war technology that help us to reduce the number of soldier and military casualties. War is bad, cruel and always a lot of people die, drones keep out a lot of soldiers of this danger. This is my humble opinion about this situation that affects the heart of a lot of American people. For these two families, I want give you my most heartfelt condolences for the loss of their loved ones.  Thanks everybody, feel free to comment and give your opinion.    

 

President Obama: I profoundly regret what happened (April 23, 2015) CNN, Youtube. April 27, 2015, compiled from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztWiZwnkm60.

Should a Court Approve All Drone Strikes? (April 24, 2015) New York Time, Room of Debates. April 26, 2015, compiled from: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/04/24/should-a-court-approve-all-drone-strikes

 

African- American Soldiers

Good day everyone!! Welcome to this JBerrios Career post. As many of you know, I’m from Puerto Rico and a lot of time we had been part of the segregation that existed in the U.S. Army for many reasons. In this blog I talked about others groups that were part of this action of divide people for skin color, gender and culture. Last week I shared with you the information of the females inside the U.S. Army and the achievements that they have today. Also we talked about The Borinqueneers that was the great battalion of puertorrican soldiers in some wars and are the last segregate unit in the U.S. Army. Today I want to talk about the other team most commonly segregate in the Army, the African- American soldiers.

Everybody in this country knows that the African- American have suffered too much in the U.S. history without exception in the Army.  Black soldiers didn't have the same rights of the white soldiers. The white people created many rules very stupid and simple like: black people eat in the back of the dining room, or they should sit in the back of the bus, really?  Thanks God and the act of African-Americans soldiers this history change. We have documents that show us the high commitment, valor and honor of these troops on the field. I would talk about every one of these heroes, but is impossible because the African-American troops are very good soldier and have too many achievements, so I select one of the most recognized unit. The 99^th Fighter Squadron or their common name the Tuskegee Pilots are a good example of the commitment and excellent work that black soldiers did and do it in the U.S. Army.  In the beginning the Army didn't have black pilots in their program. In 1941 the U.S. Congress forces the Army to create a combat unit of pilots that everybody was blacks.  In March, 1941 over 250 enlisted men were trained in aircraft ground support trades and this group was the core of the other black squadrons formed at Tuskegee and Maxwell fields in Alabama.  During their training some groups in the U.S. want eliminated this program that they call “experiment”.  The University of Texas prepared a report where they said that Negroes were low intelligence and incapable of handling complex situations.  Finally the 99^th was ready for combat in the North Africa and their first combat mission was attack a small island in the Mediterranean Sea before the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. During one year fought with old planes and equipment, until July 1944 when finally they received the airplanes that everybody recognizes P-51 Mustang.  After many glorious missions the 99^th had the opportunity of escort heavy bombers, racked up an impressive combat record.  They never lost a bomber in a mission, for this great job and theirs red paint in the vertical stabilizers the Allies called the Airmen “Red Tails” or “Red Angels”. Few bomber crew members knew at the time that the Red Tails were Black.  Some of the awards of this unit were:  two Distinguished Unit Citation, some Silver Stars, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Stars and 744 Air Medals. In Tuskegee were trained 992 pilots from 1940 to 1946, 445 deployed overseas, and 150 Red Tails lost their lives in training or combat.  

The Red Tails was a good example that shows us no matter what is the skin color of the soldier, if they receive a good training they can do an excellent job.  Few bombers knew that information and the requested their support. Today this racist belief was removed and thanks to the Red Tails and other units of the past, we have great soldiers standing out in different areas inside the Armed Forces.  Not only like enlisted or simple soldiers, we have generals that command a lot of soldiers and they do good job.  We are a family in the Army, we work together for a mission and one purpose, and we can’t accept that something of color skin affect our mission. Thanks to all American- African soldier that do their job everyday sometimes under racist moments. Thanks for your service!!!

The Tuskegee Airmen Heritage(n.d). Red Tail Reborn. April 21, 2015, complied from: http://www.redtailreborn.com/Red_Tail_Reborn/History.html

Women inside the U.S Army

Hello people, welcome to JBerrios Career post. I selected this week to talk about a group inside the U.S. Army that sometimes people see it rare. This group has been part of the U.S. Army in numerous wars, conflicts and moments and sometimes we don’t recognize their work. Sometimes people think that they are the weaker sex and they can’t do the same work of the men. Other people think that the Army is not for them and underestimate or doubt theirs skills. This post is dedicated to all women inside the U.S. Army and the important contribution that they do every year in the Armed Forces.

The participation of the women inside the U.S. Army began in 1775 with the creation of this U.S. Armed Forces branch. In the beginning they aren’t part of the Army, but they worked as nurse, seamstresses and cooks for the soldiers on the field. During years they had orders of help in important activities to the Army, but outside of it. In 1941 was created the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC) where the women receive the basic training and the specialization was limited to company administration, supply and mess management. Also in 1942 was created the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and participated 25 ladies in this program. She must also pass physical exams and complete navigation, meteorology, radio and Morse code, use of firearms, military courtesy and discipline, military law and instrument training. The mission of these women was deliver planes from the factory to military bases inside U.S.  In one year increase the number of women pilots to approximately 1,074. In the World War II 160 members of the WAAC died in non-combat causes and more than 639 medals awarded including Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Stars, Air Medal, Purple heard and received three Presidential Citations. The enlistment of women increase years to years and now is very different of the segregation that existed in those years. Today the women in the Army train with men together in some Army bases. Until last year the army didn’t accept women in infantry, artillery or other combat specialization or MOS, but now is a reality. President Obama signed an order to approve the participation of ladies inside combat MOS and now we have some women qualified for Rangers school. Also we have ladies in airborne school and other that are airborne already. Yesterday I saw news where talk about the Marines Captain Katie Higgins that is the new Blue Angels pilot. I know that she isn’t part of the U.S. Army, but She is part of the U.S. Armed Forces and she is a good example of the things that females can do inside the Army. The Blue Angels is a team that make airshows across the world with the best pilots of the U.S. Navy and the point of this lady is part of this team is very significant to all female that want do a military career. If Captain Higgins did, you can do it in your area of interest.  

As you can see in this post, the females have been important part in the Armed Forces during the creation of it. They passed for discrimination and segregation of the people, because think that they can’t do the job. Now we can see the opposite of this belief with the act of strong women that joint to the Army and do an excellent work as enlisted, warrant officer and officers. The only thing that they needed was the opportunity of show us their skills. To all ladies that read this post, thanks for your service inside the U.S. Army, for leave your friends, family and your children behind for your mission and your country.  

WAAC/WAC (2015) Women in the U.S. Army. April 15, 2015, complied from: http://www.army.mil/women/history/wac.html

The Blue Angels’ First Female Pilot is Showing Girls the Skies are the Limit in Striking Fashion (2015) Lawrence Bonk, IJReview. April 13, 2015, complied from: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/04/294024-blue-angels-pilot-took-flight-first-time-made-history/

Blue Angels’ first female pilot takes flight (April 10, 2015) Youtube. April 13,2015, complied from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYJFZOXWiM

The Borinqueneers, Puerto Rico Warriors

     Hello everybody, welcome to this week post. Well as you know I’m from Puerto Rico and today I want to talk about one of the highest contribution that Puerto Rico gave to the U.S. Army. First, lot of people don’t understand the political situation of this island, sometime people think that we aren’t part of the United States, other say that we are part of U.S. and here begin the debate. The true is that we are a rare political situation, but in short words we are an island that works under the laws and the supervision of U.S. Yes, we are U.S. citizens and we are part of the U.S. Army too. So today I want show you a good example of the “puertorrican” soldiers and the best form of show that are with the 65^th Infantry Regiment, the “Borinqueneers”.

     The Borinqueneers was a U.S. Army Infantry Regiment that has its beginning in 1899 in the American Colonial Army with the name of Porto Rico Regiment, U.S. Volunteer. The name changed constantly, but in 1908 the Regiment became be part of the U.S. Army. In 1917 with the Jones-Shafroth law the U.S. gave citizenship to Puerto Rico and with the declaration of war on Germany, Porto Rico Regiment was sent to Panama Canal until 1919. In 1920 was re-designated as 65^th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army. In 1944 (WWII) the Borinqueneers was deployed to North Africa, Italy, Corsica, France, and the Maritime Alps of Peira Cava, they had 47 casualties. In 1950 the Regiment was assigned to serve with the 3^rd Infantry Division in Korea war. In this war, the Borinqueneers converted in the last battalion- sized bayonet charge in the U.S. Army History. Also they fought in the bloody fighting for Hill 167, outpost Kelly and outpost Jackson Heights.  This is the most recognized war participation of the Borinqueneers where they had 750 killed and 2,400 wounded in action, making this war the bloodiest war in Puerto Rico history. The Regiment was inactivated in 1956 at Camp Losey, Puerto Rico.  In 1959 the 65^th Infantry was transferred to the Puerto Rico National Guard as the only unit from active-duty transferred to the National Guard or Reserve and still serves. Last year the 65^th Infantry received the Congressional Gold Medal with the signs of President Obama.

 

 

This great unit had good soldiers too, that fought in different fields and battles. The most decorated Puerto Rico soldier, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Modesto Cartagena served in the World War II (WWII) and Korea with this unit.  Some of the awards are: Distinguish Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with leaf cluster and “V” device, and Purple Heart. This fact shows us that Puerto Rico soldiers are good elements on the field and garrison. The cadets of the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey ROTC program are very proud and we recognize the SFC Cartagena glorious military life and his awards. He is a role model of soldier that we should be and develop in the U.S. Army. Thank you to all veterans of this great battalion, you made the difference!

 

65^th Infantry History (2014). Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance. April 8, 2015, complied from: http://www.borinqueneers.org/census.html#sthash.lcyW9N4o.dpbs

The Borinqueneers: 65^th Infantry Regiment(2013).  Daniel Ramos, Military History Online. April 7, 2015, complied from: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/general/articles/Borinqueneers.aspx

    

ISIS and U.S. Army Actions

Hello and welcome to the fifth post of JBerrios Career. Last year we began hearing about a terrorist group that is the responsible of a lot of cruel and hard activities in the Middle East, specifically in Iraq and Syria. If you are a soldier, maybe you has a lot knowledge about that, if you aren’t a soldier or don’t know about this group, this information can help you. In this blog I will try give you a simple summary about how this organization maintains their activities.

     

 What is ISIS? The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a terrorist group with high notoriety in this moment in Middle East that has more of the 60% of the territory of these two nations. Their ideal began in 1999 when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi founded a terrorist group called Tawhid wal-Jihad that was linked with Al Qaeda, but they disagreed with the tactic of fight with “far enemy” and preferred fight against rulers in the Islamic world. In 2006 al-Zarqawi was killed in an airstrike, but his idea, violent acts and tactics are following by ISIS.    

   

In March 2011, protests began in Syria against the government of Bashar al-Assad. In the following months, violence between demonstrators and security forces led to a gradual militarization of the conflict. In August Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS leader, began sending Syrian and Iraqi ISI members experienced in guerilla warfare across the border into Syria in order to establish an organization inside the country. Led by a Syrian Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, this group began to recruit fighters and establish cells throughout the country. Now they have a strong organization with a chain of command that they divide by councils that are responsible for sale of oil, internal communications, decisions to execute and etc. Also they have two deputies to oversee in Iraq and Syria and seven man cabinet where each member report directly to him and advise him on operational policy across the territory. 

In recent months some terrorist groups have joined ISIS for example: The New York Time reported that last month, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, one of the most violent militant groups in Egypt, pledged allegiance to ISIS. Al-Mujahidin in the Arabian Peninsula, Libya and Yemen also joined this November. Six Pakistani Taliban leaders reportedly swore allegiance to Isis in an audio message and Nusra Front make a deal and stop the fighting between them and now fight for the same ideal. This brings together the two most effective Sunni militant groups fighting in Syria.

What is the purpose of ISIS? Unlike other organizations such as Al Qaeda, ISIS has other purpose and goals. They want delete all the existing government inside Iraq and Syria and create their own government in the land already acquired. The problem of their acts is the violent form that they use. Besides invade different areas of Syria and Iraq, ISIS killed women, children and innocent people some to spread fear and others because they do not share the same religion or idea. Also they beheaded two journalists, Steven Sotloff and James Foley.   

 How they receive money? In the beginning, the ISIS militant economy depended on wealthy Persian Gulf donors to get money, people that believe and support their idea with money. During the fighting they acquired important areas and now ISIS has taken and controls up to 11 oil fields in both countries. The organization sells oil through smuggling networks in Jordan, Turkey and northern Iraq controlled by Kurds.  They have become a self-supplied financial giant, where winning more than $ 3 million per day from oil smuggling, human trafficking, theft and extortion.

Some month ago, President Barack Obama announced that the US will lead a "broad coalition" to "downgrade" and "destroy" the ISIS terrorist group operating in the border between Iraq and Syria. They only use an airstrikes over ISIS point of interest, but don’t put troops in ground. Today for the strong situation against ISIS, the U.S. Army will send 1,250 troops to Iraq for help with training the Iraqi Army. These troops are from the 10^th Mountain Division and they will replace soldiers from 3^rd BCT, 82^nd Airborne Division. The mission is, training, advising and assisting the Iraqi troops who are engaged in the fight against the Islamic State.

The participation of the U.S. soldiers in Iraq is very important. Last week CNN report that ISIS destroyed museums that contained hundreds of figures from ancient Mesopotamia, which represented the beginning of civilization. They come with all, they don’t matter anything existing and we need eliminate this actions with the U.S troops there. I hope that this summary help you to understand much better the ISIS history and their cruel goals and why is necessary the U.S. Army. For these troops that will go and the troops that will come back, thank you and good luck warriors!!!!

 

1,250 Fort Drum-based soldiers to deploy to Iraq. (March 30, 2015). By Andrew Tilghman and Michelle Tan, Army Times. April 1, 2015, complied from: http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/03/30/fort-drum-soldiers-iraq-deployment/70694944/   

Iraq P.M.: ISIS ‘barbarians’ will not destroy our history. (February 28, 2015). By Joshua Berlinger, CNN. March 31, 2015, complied from: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/28/middleeast/isis-museum-antiquities-vandalism/index.html

Obama ISIS Speech on 9/10/14: The Strategy Against ISIS| The New York Times. (Sep. 10, 2015) Youtube. April 1,2015, complied from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk5Sps0z27A