It’s a dirty job: Soldiers near bottom of ‘best jobs’ list
April 12th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by militaryonline
In an annual career survey, an online job bank ranked one of the nation’s toughest, proudest and most critical occupations as the third-worst job to have: soldier.
In fact, the CareerCast.com survey didn’t appear to appear to distinguish between the services; the category was named “enlisted military soldier.” Only lumberjack (first place) and dairy farmer (runner-up) edged out enlisted as the worst-of-the-worst. (To be sure, newspaper reporter was not far behind at fifth-worst.)
The survey, aimed at those considering different careers, arrived at these results by ranking each occupation across five categories, which seemed to be a mix of government statistics and subjective values. Behind the rating for enlisted troops was relatively low income (on average $36,000), high stress and physical demands, and lowered hiring prospects — likely referring to the coming drawdown, which centers on the Army and Marine Corps.
The list offers some curious comparisons. Attorney and vending machine repairman are ranked side by side as the 88th- and 89th-best jobs, respectively. Admiral (well, “Military General”) ranked 141st, besting garbage collector, but not bus driver (130th) or dental laboratory technician (135th). And plumber (75th) left all these in the dust.
“People looking for a safe, comfortable job in an air-conditioned office with a soft chair do not go into the military, where yes, the work environment varies, the physical demands are considerable and the stress can go all the way to extreme,” one reader commented below the enlisted ranking. “But did this study take into consideration any parameters like purpose, reward[s] other than financial, or concepts like duty and honor?”
So what do you think? Did they get it wrong?
Pentagon: No imminent Syria attack
February 8th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by militaryonline
The Pentagon is pushing back on a media report that it is looking into its options for a military strike in Syria if called upon by the president.
For months, Syria has been racked with violence as forces loyal to the government clash with anti-regime protesters.
President Obama has called upon Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, but he has also stressed the importance of resolving the issue through diplomacy instead of military intervention.
But on Tuesday, CNN reported that the U.S. military has begun a review of what capabilities it could bring to bear on Syria should the president order military action.
“One of the senior U.S. officials called the effort a ‘scoping exercise’ to see what capabilities are available given other U.S. military commitments in the region,” CNN reported.
However, a Pentagon spokesman sent an email to reporters Wednesday making clear that no U.S. military intervention in Syria is imminent.
“Our military plans for a variety of contingencies,” Marine Corps Maj. Chris Perrine said in an email. “That’s what we do. Our focus remains on diplomacy, which we believe is still possible.”
Royal watchers rejoice, Harry is coming to America [UPDATED]
August 25th, 2011 | Outside the wire | Posted by militaryonline
Capt. Henry Charles Albert David Windsor, better known as Great Britain’s Prince Harry, may be coming to an Air Force Base near you. You don’t have to be teenage girl to get excited about this heartthrob — although, ladies, he is single — because he’s not just another pretty face. He’s among world’s the most famous veterans of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. And he’s heading back.
The Telegraph reported earlier this summer that the prince, a captain in the British Army Air Corps, is heading back to the ‘Stan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot — no easy job. But not, the AP reports today, before he comes to the U.S. for a training.
[A spokeswoman for Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.] confirmed that the prince is taking part in the Apache Conversion to Role course in the United Kingdom. That course continues in Exercise Crimson Eagle in Arizona and California.
Exercise Crimson Eagle has been held previously at the Barry M. Goldwater U.S. Air Force Range in southwestern Arizona.
The exercise utilizes the Army’s AH-64D Apache.
If you need to be reminded, the Apache is a total badass of a helicopter. It often acts in a direct support role for troops in contact downrange. See this video for proof:
Whoops. A sharp-eyed commenter below notes that the following video depicts not an Apache, but a Black Hawk. We hope you enjoy it regardless. The connection to Prince Harry was tenuous anyway.