
In a world where every aberrant act, every self-inflicted malady, and every vice is considered an epidemic, we most certainly need to add to this list the act of prostrating oneself and, by extension, his country for every single assumed
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),24 Feb 2012, 6:13 AM PST0

While I understand that only a fraction of the population of this nation is directly affected by what you are about to read, I would never-the-less like to remind you that the remainder of the population is affected coincidentally. While
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),11 Feb 2012, 3:14 PM PST0
While I understand that only a fraction of the population of this nation is directly affected by what you are about to read, I would never-the-less like to remind you that the remainder of the population is affected coincidentally. While
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),6 Feb 2012, 5:01 AM PST0
After ten years of nearly constant derision, complacency toward force protection, and convenient ignorance of policies that have caused death and injury to thousands of American Servicemen, The New York Times took the time to write about the loss of
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),2 Feb 2012, 2:35 PM PST0
During an exchange with a Senatorial Aide, I received from him the link to a piece written by a Colonel Tony Pfaff, USA. The piece is entitled, ‘RISK, MILITARY ETHICS AND IRREGULAR WARFARE’. In this piece the Colonel details the
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),29 Jan 2012, 12:44 PM PST0
Herschel Smith and I have had some lengthy conversations about this current war, the disposition of the enemy, their relationship with the civilian populations amongst whom they operate, and the substance of the religion they all claim to adhere to.
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),29 Dec 2011, 5:23 PM PST0
This week, STRATFOR reported that secret talks between US officials and the Taliban, which have purportedly been underway for sometime, have now reached a critical juncture. According to the story, tentative agreements about the disposition of EPW Taliban at the
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),23 Dec 2011, 12:00 PM PST0
Does anyone still remember when the proponents of the “Arab Spring” erupted with glee over the prospect of a “blossoming democracy” in the midst of tyranny in Egypt? How about the thunderous applause and shrieks of adulation when the “rebels”
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),8 Dec 2011, 11:07 AM PST0
It has taken two years and two months for an investigation to determine that the dereliction of duty on the part of at least one Officer led to the deaths of four Service members at Ganjgal. For those not familiar
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),26 Nov 2011, 9:33 AM PST0
For well over two years now I and others, have been questioning the wisdom of conducting a Counter Insurgency effort in the center of an ideologically monolithic society. The problem with COIN is that it assumes a much flatter playing
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),26 Oct 2011, 9:16 AM PST0
There are many things for which President Obama will be held accountable in the 2012 election. He initiated, approved of and presided over many decisions which have been and will be injurious to the economy of this country and it’s
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),4 Oct 2011, 11:40 AM PST0
In the war of ideologies, there is no more frustrating battle than the battle for truth. In the battle for truth, there is no more frustrating effort than trying to enlighten the hard-headed. Our enemy has been telling us for
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),29 Sep 2011, 12:41 PM PST0
There is barely a day that passes without the drone-like reminder that the world we now live in is riddled with the carnage left by the blood lusting and demonically influenced hordes in our midst. One would think that after
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),21 Sep 2011, 12:33 PM PST0
( I was asked to deliver some comments to a crowd that will gathering to memorialize the events of 9/11/2001. Unfortunately I will not be present to deliver them but I wanted to get these out in advance of the
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),11 Sep 2011, 3:17 AM PST0
The fruit of our “compassionate support” for the “oppressed” Islamic peoples of the world is now starting to show. In the past two weeks, both the United States and France have reached out to the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC)
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),6 Sep 2011, 2:05 PM PST0
My family and I attended the annual “Run For The Fallen” event in Ogunquit, Maine this past weekend. This is the fourth year for the event which honors those who fell combating the more evil elements of Islam in Iraq
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),26 Aug 2011, 3:36 AM PST0
The “Islam is a religion of peace” and the “world peace” crowds have been spouting about the beauty and hope of the “Arab Spring” phenomenon for months now. Even after the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt went back on their word
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),21 Aug 2011, 2:06 PM PST0
Monday morning quarterbacking combat from the operational vantage point continues to be the preferred parlor game for those without prior service or specific experience in combat operations – anywhere, or anytime. There have been many stories and even more commentators
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),9 Aug 2011, 9:03 AM PST0
The latest attempt by a self described, pious member of Islam has brought out the usual bevy of experts not only in psychology, but in religion as well. Typically, these “experts” have little to no actual experience in any religion
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),31 Jul 2011, 5:43 AM PST0
Those who know me well enough, know I bleed red blood cells branded with United States Marine Corps emblems. It also follows that as a Marine, I take my Oath very seriously. I have only taken two Oaths; one to
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),22 Jul 2011, 11:16 AM PST0
Juxtaposition is a literary expression of the side-by-side positioning of incongruent terms or ideas. Politics and culture seem to do this as a matter of the normal transaction of day to day business; suggesting that certain ideas or arguments make
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),20 Jul 2011, 12:23 PM PST0
Part III The Message, Apathy and Malfeasance The Message: The message in Coughlin’s thesis, “To Our Great Detriment”, is principally that ignoring so major a doctrine based ideology as Islam and refusing to consider it’s potential for motivating it’s followers
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),27 Jun 2011, 2:50 PM PST0
Part II The Cast of Characters The Mole: Hesham Islam was born in Cairo in 1959. He was raised in Alexandria where he remained until his parents moved the family to Basra during his teenage years. It was in Saddam
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),20 Jun 2011, 2:25 PM PST0
NOTE: This Entry will be released through this over three days. It is lengthy but I implore all of you to take the time to read it and pass it on to all you know and most especially to your
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),15 Jun 2011, 8:24 AM PST0
It is a universal truth that some are won over by love and others through fear. Those without a natural malice toward others are naturally drawn by acts of love and charity. Those who harbor ill-will and whose natural tendency
by John Bernard, 1st Sgt. USMC (ret.),17 May 2011, 6:01 AM PST0