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Training the Afghan National Police – DoD Roundtable
With the US Attorney General Eric Holder in Afghanistan this morning conducting high level talks about their legal systems it was very appropriate that we met with Col. Chadwick W. Clark, deputy commander for Combined Training Advisory Group Police (CTAG-P) during a Department of Defense Roundtable to continue our discussion of the Afghan National Police (ANP) training programs. The critical nature of the ANP training efforts and how it fits into the overall war effort to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people was a great topic. The Afghan and NATO men and women with boots on the ground in Afghanistan will be the ones deciding if this…
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Menu Monday: Pigs- and Cows-in-a-blanket
Ah Summer! We no longer pack lunches for school in the morning but fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants at lunch time. Frozen pizzas cooked in the toaster oven, PB-and-J, cheese sandwiches… all favorites around here! But this weekend when I was grocery shopping I picked up a few packs of refrigerated croissant rolls. YUM! So much diversity in one little package of raw dough. A fun and perfect summery lunch in my kids’ eyes is what we have dubbed ‘Pigs-in-a-Blanket’ and ‘Cows-in-a-Blanket’. The “pigs” are half a cold hot dog rolled in one raw-croissant roll. The “cows” are half a cheese stick rolled in a raw-croissant roll. After you have them rolled up stick…
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101 Ways to celebrate the 4th of July!
Stationed in the DC Area? Plan a picnic; Sit on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial and watch the fireworks above. Find a friend with a boat and sit in a lake so you can see the reflection of the fireworks! Invite an elderly veteran to your picnic and thank them for their service (our WWII veterans will not be with us much longer). Study the 50 States. Fifty States… do you know 50 State capitals? Plant a garden with Red (Petunias, geraniums, salvia, impatience, bleeding hearts to name a few) White (alyssum, geraniums, petunias, asters, daisies) and Blue (delphiniums, pansies, irisies) flowers. Write a Letter to a soldier stationed…
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New Car Shopping
Well we did it.We took the plunge.Our Mazda 5 was a great “mini-mini van”. It held four of us very comfortably and when there were five of us it still did the job! (It can hold up to six but with the back row not stowed there is NO trunk space.) The thought of fitting six of us (with BabyBoy on the way next month) just kind of made us chuckle and cringe in the same moment so we knew we needed to find something a bit bigger then our mini-mini van. I did some research. Figured out exactly what I wanted and we headed to the dealership. I drove it. I loved it. I…
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Medical Care in Afghanistan – DoD Roundtable
This DoD Roundtable was perfectly timed for me! We were scheduled to participate and talk with U.S. Air Force Col. Schuyler K. Geller, command surgeon and commander, Medical Training Advisory Group at Camp Eggers, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. But earlier in the week I had to have some last minute, unscheduled foot surgery and did not know if I could attend. But the schedule did work out and after my very recent personal experience while being treated, I talked to Col Geller with an up to date appreciation for the wonderful abilities of our medical team in the United States (and medications to help reduce pain as well)!…
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“A Question of Honor”* – The Afghan National Police – DoD Roundtable
Maj. Gen. Mike Ward, deputy commander-police, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan met with the DoD Bloggers Roundtable to discuss the progress within the Afghan National Police (ANP) force that may be the most critical link to success in the war in their country. With no police staff college for approximately 40 years for the ANP, the NATO allies recognized a need to develop mid level leadership. Many of the police force issues such as retention, recruitment, pay and equipment have been addressed with varying success rates. The training offered by NATO should create a more professional force that creates a positive public image and respect from the Afghan citizens. Previously, many of…
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What are You doing to help your soldier? Get involved with the PDHRA!
What can you do to help your soldier, marine, airmen, coastie or sailor’s mental and physical health? We read headlines and are bombarded with some tough stories about our veterans daily on all of the media – written, internet, tv, national and local. We often say to ourselves: What happened? Why? Were their families available? Friends? What did the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard do or not do? Are we still waiting for help from the VA, the politicians, additional funding for programs, etc, etc.? The suicide rate is going up, homelessness is going up, the number of veterans with disabilities is going up and we sometimes just…
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Wordless Wednesday: Summer Safety
Find these images, as well as videos, articles and much more at https://safety.army.mil/Related Articles on MilitaryAvenue.com: THINK weapons safety this summer Out of the blue: Summer weather can turn deadly in seconds Home safe home: Workplace risk management techniques good for home use too Sun safe: Moderation, coverage, hydration keys to safe sun exposure Click It or Ticket is saving lives: Enforcement blitz buckling down on those not buckled up Cycle smarts Drinking and most things don’t mix Take a walk on the safe side this summer Be a buddy: Swim safe this summer by teaming up Ooh! Ahh! Ow?: Common sense keeps fireworks risk at bay byLeanneonWednesday, June 23,…
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Bar-B-Que Pork Loin
Tasty Tuesday: Bar-B-Que Pork with crispy peroghies as a side dish. This is zest, protein and comfort food! Bring on summer.We visited the folks in Florida. And as usual, when family comes together, there is always room for more with more than enough food to go around. This is especially true when my super cook of a mother in law is involved! Sweet and tender pork loin chops grilled to perfection by my super chef of a husband were complimented by crispy peroghies. If you have never had them… treat yourself. This is comfort food waiting to help you relax, savor and come away from the table feeling full! Peroghies…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Cooking with the kids
It is summer time! School is out and the kids are thinking AHHHH a break from learning. HA! Little do they know that there is learning-opportunities in the every day 🙂 One of the boys ‘Summer Jobs’ options each week is to help Mom make dinner. It is usually one of the first chores chosen but little do they know what I have up my sleeve. They read the recipe to me They measure the ingredients. Just to make it fun sometimes if a recipe calls for a cup of something we figure out how to get up to a cup (without using the actual 1-cup measurer) … 2 half cups,…
