The Army Mascot

Hmm.. it looks fierce...

to read more about how the army got the mascot of a mule, click here.

To see a video about the two rival mascots, click here



The Navy Mascot
to read on how the navy got a goat as a mascot, click hereBTW, the goats' name is "Bill" and the navy is on number XXXII and XXXIII

The New and Improved Dolphin.............

This picture I got off of the Navy News Stand of the Dolphin all gussied up for their COC er., Change of Command which happened sometime in November. Looks the same on the outside, wonder what it looks like on the inside?



Thanks bubblehead for beating me to the post. At least I have a few pictures up my sleeve! ARRRGH!
UPDATE
As I said before, I have a few pictures up my sleeve... hehe
So, here's some from Frank Toon at submarinesailor.com when the Dolphin was up in Coo's Bay, Oregon.
Enjoy the view and I'll be back with some more!


Still looking for shipmates to exchange stories here.. :-)

Sailors, Away with ya!

May 21, 2002

I recall that day. 12 ft waves, flooding, the cry of "ALL HANDS ABANDON SHIP!" - oh yes, I recall that day.

The Dolphin was my home away from home. OH how I loved to go on away missions. But all of that changed after May 21, 2002.

After the accident, we were drydocked for a while. Now - about 3 1/2 years later, the Dolphin is going back to
sea.

The San Diego Times Tribune has a good article about the Dolphin.

Will share stories later.

David

Veterans Day is Today!

Hope everyone has a memorable Veterans Day.

Adrian Camacho on Trial, Finally!

There's no doubt that Adrian Camacho, a mexican citizen, documented gang member and a recidivist (he keeps coming back to the US illegally) killed Officer Tony Zeppetella in the parking lot of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Oceanside on June 13, 2003.

The defense is trying to play the "slightly innocent" card by saying he was not in his right mind. We'll keep you informed about this outcome.

UPDATE

Adrian Camacho was found guilty on November 14th, 2005 of first degree murder with special circumstances in the shooting of Tony Zeppetella, an Oceanside Police Officer. There were seven women and five men on the jury. The penalty phase will be conducted on November 28th. In this trial, the jury will decide whether he should be sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole.

UPDATE

Adrian, I'm so sorry dude. The people vs adrian camacho - the people of the jury have decided for the death penalty. May god have mercy on your soul. amen

UPDATE 1/6/06

A stretch of State Route 76 in Oceanside has been dedicated to Tony Zeppetella. For more on the dedication, go to NCTimes.com's webpage.

UPDATE 2/7/06

Adrian Camacho sentenced to death. Judge said while she can forgive him, she cannot forgive his actions. Camacho will be on death row (along with others) until his execution.





At one point in time, Officer Zeppetella was in the Navy.

Watch out Military Bloggers! The DOD is watching

You heard correct. The DOD is watching the content of certain types of blogs.
So, as a guideline, the DOD has posted a website on what is appropriate and not.

Here is an exerpt from an article on Military.Com's website:

October 4th, 2005


WASHINGTON — Army officials this week issued new warnings to soldiers
about posting personal stories from combat zones on the Internet and
taking photos at overseas bases, saying those actions could jeopardize troops’ security.

The list of prohibited activities includes taking photos of Defense Department facilities, posting any official Defense Department information and releasing information detailing job responsibilities.

“Whether it is a family Web page or a personal blog, safety and
security measures must be strictly observed,” the message said.
“Sensitive DOD information must not be divulged to the public at
large for national security reasons.”

The message also notes that even some unclassified information “may
not be appropriate for use on the Web” and directs all other
questions related to prohibited activities to security managers.

Army spokesman Paul Boyce said the goal isn’t to prevent soldiers
from writing about their time in a combat zone, and said he knew of
no discussions considering shutting down blog sites or banning the
use of personal cameras.

But Boyce said soldiers need to know that simply taking photos could
threaten operational security.

“We’re just re-emphasizing the danger here,” he said. “We have warned
soldiers to please be extremely careful of any photography,
especially street scenes, because they could be useful to the enemy.”

Boyce said shots of the aftermath of insurgent attacks or roadside
bombs are especially dangerous, because insurgents could use them to
gauge the effectiveness of their attacks.

Officials said the new guidelines were designed to be a reminder to
troops and were not prompted by news this week of a Web site offering
free access to pornography in exchange for gruesome war photos.


Some guidelines

There are new OPSEC guidelines which have been put forth by DOD and the Army regarding internet safety. Whether it is a family Web page or a personal blog, safety and security measures must be strictly observed. Sensitive DOD information must not be divulged to the public at large for national security reasons.

Below are some facts regarding security and important links to sites which provide valuable and timely information regarding this important topic.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the posting or dissemination of certain information, do not hesitate to contact your security or OPSEC manager.
Photography is prohibited in most DOD facilities. Do NOT post any photographs on any Web sites.
Be careful never to divulge information regarding official DOD information. Even if DOD information is unclassified, it may not be appropriate for use of the Web.
Do not give information regarding the job you do for DOD. Log on to AKO to see an important message from the Chief of Staff of the Army regarding OPSEC Security.
Source: The Pentagon OPSEC Working Group

Just a reminder from "Big Brother" that he's out there watching.

Comments of a Coward?

Here's an exerpt of an article provided by defensewatch that military.com had on their website on or about September 23, 2005. Sorry I'm late with the information.


"..On September 23, 2005, a small, select group of U.S. Navy officers is scheduled to have an opportunity to help make a very important decision that will potentially affect the good order and discipline in the ranks of all our military Services...

On December 6, 2004, Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes showed up at the San Diego pier where his amphibious assault ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was scheduled to deploy to the Persian Gulf, in a black tee-shirt with white letters that read, "Like a Cabinet Member, I resign." At Paredes' request, there were many media representatives at the pier to report his actions.

Paredes refused to board the ship, thereby missing his scheduled six month deployment, which is a violation of Article 87 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): "Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court martial may direct."

"I'm going to throw my ID in the water and say that I'm no longer part of the military," said Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes, 23. "I want to make a statement, and I want it to be heard."

Paredes was tried and convicted at a Special Court Martial on May 11, 2005. Paredes was sentenced to a reduction to the lowest rank, two months' restriction to a navy base, and three months of hard labor. The sentence fell short of the government prosecutors' recommendation of nine months' confinement, a bad-conduct discharge, reduction to seaman recruit, and forfeiture of pay and benefits. The maximum punishment for violating Article 87 of the UCMJ is a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for two years..."

Yes Pablo, they did hear you.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, this was a slap on the wrist.

To see what others said about Pablo, please go to the indepunditand soldiers for the truth
If you want to see where he should have spent the rest of the 20 months of service, go here

USS DOLPHIN unclassifed scp "ships control panel"

USS DOLPHIN is a non-combative ship and it's SCP (ships control panel) is not classified. The exeception is the covered area on the top left of the "scp". It is believed that USS DOLPHIN's "scp" will be for the public to view in a museum after 2010.

Did you know that USS DOLPHIN operates with a "lone helmsman"? He is the stern planesman and helmsman all in one. AGSS-555 does not have bow planes nor fairwater planes. A hard concept to accept at first, but it's true. Being the deepest diving sub in the world, it was decided to minimize the number of hull openings, therefore no bow planes or fairwater planes.

USNS Mercy Heading ?

Heard on the television that the USNS MERCY" was headed toward the hurricane ravaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi to help the locals. They will depart around September 7th.On the local NBC news affiiate, they also mentioned that the Mercy was/is drydocked in San Francisco. Depending on their readiness status, it would take the minimum of a day and a half to get out of drydock - about 36 hours. According to sources, it would take approximately 5 to 7 days (we're not being exact here) to get to the Gulf. If they are in San Francisco, tack on another day to that estimation.

So, if there is any relief in site, it will be in mid september (a guestimation). Just hoping for the best. But there is good news - her sister ship, the USNS Comfort is also heading in the same direction. Here's the link to The Gazette for more information on the USNS Comfort's deployment.

Update: September 2

Ah ha. The press isn't always correct in their information. Shame on them for not researching and shame on me for listening to them! The Comfort will be deployed while the Mercy will not. This is coming from the Military Sealift Command or MSC. Sure hope they have all the supplies and other stuff they need, its gonna be a long journey for everyone. God Speed you guys.

Update: September 7

Well, just for verification purposes, I contacted MSC via email and recieved this response:
"Actually it is USNS Comfort that will be deployed (to learn more, visit http://www.msc.navy.mil/comfort/katrina/).

USNS Mercy is berthed in San Diego and has not been ordered to activate. USNS Mercy deployed to Southeast Asia last January in response to the Dec. 26 tsunami for a six-month humanitarian relief mission..."

Looking forward to updating on the relief efforts soon...

UPDATE

USNS COMFORT returned to Baltimore on October 13th, 2005. To read the additional press release go here.

Power of Persuasion

While surfing through www.nara.gov website, found some interesting posters from WWII.
Came across this one that was worth more than I could say.

more posters

Read this article on your day off.

Looks like Jeff Edwards of "Military.com" has posted some dry but interesting readings. I believe that there is evidence of WMD, but Saddam was very good in hiding it. Mass graves are discovered in Iraq from time to time and eventually a cache of WMD. Beyond the WMD is a long list of reasons why we should be in Iraq. Hats off to the Americans that see how important it is to be in Iraq.







The picture is a rare one ( really) so sub photo collectors be sure to cut/copy this one.

Here is the USS DOLPHIN AGSS-555 coming in to it's special pier at "SPAWAR" or to some of you retired folk, "NRAD". Next to the "Dolphin" pier is where US Navy seals get their mammal dolphins trained for underwater bomb and mine detection. David

USS DOLPHIN SAILORS AGSS 555 (version 2)

This posting is to replace the missing posting which is the first posting which went UA. I don't know, it sounds kinda creepy if ya think about it. In the meantime, here's another beautiful view of the dolphin underway. Enjoy.