From The EditorMay 29 2006
   
 

General Orders No. 11

The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or other decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way, arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#order
Gary Jackson
President
Blackwater

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
   
  The perfect bureaucrat everywhere is the man who manages to make no decisions and escape all responsibility.
Brooks Atkinson (1894 - 1984

PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES, EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS
   
 

Common Fraud Schemes

This is still happening everyday. Read about what is being reported to the FBI; from the Nigerian millionaire letter to fake Jury Duty.
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

The Deadliest War In The World


Simmering conflict in Congo has killed 4 million people since 1998. TIME looks at a forgotten nation - and what's needed to prevent the deaths of millions more
Sitting on a bed in a refugee camp in Katanga, a cursed province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre), Mukeya Ulumba, 28, recounts the epic losses she has suffered in recent months. Several of her relatives and neighbors were killed when antigovernment rebels stormed their village last November, moving from house to house in a murder spree that lasted for hours. Ulumba and her husband managed to flee with their four children, leaving behind their life's possessions, a ravaged community of torched houses and the bloodied corpses of family members and friends. Now Ulumba is struggling to save another..
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1198921,00.html

When Should the Government Use Contractors to Support Military Operations?

Military contractors are currently assisting militar­ies around the world with missions that range from training and supply chain management to fighting in battles. Military contractors are seen as having inher­ent advantages over militaries in resource constraints, manpower, and flexibility. Yet relying on military con­tractors has its share of risks, including potential shortfalls in mission success, concerns over the safety of contractors, loss of resources because a capability is outsourced, loss of total force management, and problems of compliance with administrative law.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/bg1938.cfm
BREAKING NEWS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
   
 

Guard Soldiers May Go to Border Next Week

The first wave of about 800 National Guard soldiers will head to the U.S-Mexico border as early as next week, including planners and leadership personnel who will stay longer than the planned 21-day missions, the National Guard chief told lawmakers Wednesday.
Lt. Gen. Steven Blum said 200 soldiers are preparing to go to each of the four border states _ California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico _ around June 1. He said the initial troops will be part of a longer- term force of project managers who will stay on the job over time to provide continuity in the new border program.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/05/24/D8HQDOT00.html

Riot over deadly traffic accident spreads

A deadly traffic accident involving U.S. troops sparked a riot Monday in the Afghan capital, with gunfire heard near the U.S. Embassy.
At least three people died in the accident and a fourth person was reportedly killed by gunfire, police said. Rioters broke into shops and stole household items, and a reporter for The Associated Press said he saw several demonstrators pull a man from a civilian vehicle and beat him. The man escaped and ran to a line of police, who fired shots over the heads of the demonstrators
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/05/29/1603591-ap.html

Bush Turns to Big Military Contractors for Border Control

The quick fix may involve sending in the National Guard. But to really patch up the broken border, President Bush is preparing to turn to a familiar administration partner: the nation's giant military contractors.
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, three of the largest, are among the companies that said they would submit bids within two weeks for a multibillion-dollar federal contract to build what the administration calls a "virtual fence" along the nation's land borders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/washington/18border.html?ex=1305604800&en=992b6fb4a7a4ed61&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Pentagon pressing for new rapid-strike weapon: report

The Pentagon is seeking congressional approval for development of a new weapon able to strike distant targets an hour after they are detected, a newspaper reported on Monday.
The International Herald Tribune said the weapon would be a non-nuclear version of the submarine-launched Trident-2 missile and be part of a president's arsenal when considering a pre-emptive attack.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-05-28T234408Z_01_L28699462_RTRUKOC_0_US-ARMS-USA-WEAPON.xml&src=rss&rpc=22

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
   
  TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME AND DD-214 CLICK HERE

SECURITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
   
 

Saddam Witnesses Defend 148 Shiite Deaths

Defense witnesses in the trial of Saddam Hussein argued Monday that a court which sentenced 148 Shiites to death following a 1980s assassination attempt on the former Iraqi leader was fair and gave the defendants a proper defense.
Saddam and seven former members of his regime are on trial on charges of crimes against humanity for killings, torture and the imprisonment of families during the crackdown launched after a 1982 assassination attempt against Saddam in the Shiite town of Dujail. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060529/D8HTCK4O0.html

Iraq Poised to Become Main Iranian Ally

To Iran's west lies a natural ally and perhaps its most potent weapon in the international fray over its nuclear program. While Iran and Iraq were arch enemies during the rule of Saddam Hussein, all signs point to an increasingly robust relationship now that Shiites have achieved a dominant role in the Iraqi leadership.
It's a bond that has yet to reach its potential - in large part because the U.S.-led invasion is responsible for Iraqi Shiites being at the top of the political heap for the first time in modern history. Iraqi Shiites are not looking the gift horse in the mouth.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060529/D8HTARGG1.html

Two British soldiers killed, two injured in Iraq bomb attack

Two out of four British soldiers hit by a roadside bomb in southern Iraq were killed, Britain's Ministry of Defence said. The other two suffered minor injuries in the attack in the main southern city of Basra, where British forces are based.
"It was with profound sorrow that I heard of the tragic deaths last night of two British soldiers," Defence Minister Des Browne said Monday. "The incident took place in northwest Basra city and appears to be an improvised explosive device."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/middle_east/4770037.stm

Australia Sends Police to Help End East Timor Unrest

Australia sent a unit of police officers to East Timor to deal with lawlessness by gangs, as international peacekeepers tried to calm unrest by former soldiers that has claimed 12 lives.
A 2,200-strong peacekeeping force, including 1,300 soldiers from Australia, is in the capital, Dili. New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal have also sent service personnel. Other nations may contribute, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=ab4VI8GDPIV0&refer=asia

FRANKS REVIEW
   
 

Service Equipment Review

Warrior Wear Boots from BlackHawk

Every contemporary warrior has their own preference in a few pieces of equipment. Most of us will take what we can get in shelter; sleeping bags; gloves; bullets, etc. The few things I'm very picky about (and think probably most of today's warriors are too) are: my handgun; my rifle; my knife; my eye protection; and my boots. I've been wearing boots "on the job" since October of 1982 and have developed my own preferences. Some things, though, just seemed to make sense to me but no boot manufacturer ever designed those features into their boots. Things like: lace clamps; nylon lacing rings, but supported ones so that they're always open to the lace coming through; high heel and toe "caps"; scuff resistant heel cups and toes. Those are to name a few. BlackHawk Products Group has now issued such boots through it's new family of products: Warrior Wear.

The rest of the story: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/footwear/bhwarriorwear.htm



Recreational Equipment Review

UnderArmour Apparel For Play

Just a few short weeks ago, Blackwater USA held the grand opening of their new headquarters facility on their compound in Moyock, NC. Twice that day, as part of the festivities, the Blackwater Skydiving Team demonstrated their expertise. I had opportunity to chat with one of them after their second jump, and I noticed that he was wearing an UnderArmour t-shirt under his jumpsuit. When I asked him if it cut the wind any, he said that he hadn't really ever noticed the wind, but that if he wore cotton underwear he always ended up chaffed from the parachute harness. But if he wore the UnderArmour - which he referred to as a second skin - then he was always comfortable. It was the first time I'd discussed UnderArmour products with anyone and I could see his point. I've had my own various items of UnderArmour apparel for testing and this week's review is about how the pieces have performed in recreational settings.

The rest of the story: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/uarmor.htm
CHAPLAINS CORNER
   
 

Compassion

REMEMBERING CAN LEAD US TO GREATER RESULTS!..   because memory
will cause us to learn and correct.. to learn and to gain knowledge.. to learn and
apply knowledge and experience.. and finally gain wisdom.

A Norfolk, Va. officer, Senaca Darden, goes down from shots fired by a fellow
officer in a confusing crowd situation..
The pain journey begins for a family.. for the officer who fired the shots..
for every officer in the Norfolk PD.. and for all the rest of us in Homeland Peace
Keeping.. especially those of us close by the vicinity as we hear the news and
gather for the farewell..
A Vigil..  long lines of mourners.. an open, occupied casket containing the body of
a Brother in his blue uniform, lying in repose.. draped with our National Ensign.. 
a slow painful salute.. a blessing and a commending of a Minister of Rightness
back to the Commander-in-Chief.. a Celebration of Life that is so upbuilding as
this Peace Keeper/Police Officer's life is remembered and celebrated.. who he
was.. what he did.. how he lived his life and his duty..  military honors.. volleys
of shots of respect.. and finally taps mixed with tears.. and recommitment to the
values that put him where he was that Sunday night in the midst of that
disturbance..

For the rest of the story go here:
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2006/article/052906chaplain.htm
BUMPER STICKER
   
 

Stop global whining
LEGAL NOTICE
   
  Blackwater USA (the "Company"), provides this Newsletter as a source of diverse information to its readers. The Company does not warrant or endorse the products or services advertised in or reviewed in the Newsletter. The views and statements of the reviewers and commentators presented in the Newsletter are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Company or its affiliates. The Company does not monitor or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the material provided in this Newsletter or presented at any of the third-party websites to which links are provided in this Newsletter. WARNING: Use of certain of the products and services discussed or reviewed in this Newsletter can lead to personal injury or death. It is critical to follow manufacturers' instructions in using such products or services. The Company will not accept any liability for damages, injuries, or death resulting from the use or misuse of any such products or services.

 

  












Want to Advertise - click here!