Army Toys: MRAPs

The Army has a new toy. Sporty, yet sleek. Designed to climb the highest peaks and trek the roughest roads, while having the ability to stay in tact with explosive devices. It's a bird...It's a plane...No, it's the M-ATV (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles) and the GTS (Global Tactical Systems) M-ATV. These vehicles are specifically designed for the rigorous, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. These are lighter, more mobile versions of the first-generation MRAPs, that can provide comparable protection from roadside bombs, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket propelled grenades when using appliqué armor.

Guess this is better than my idea of unleashing genetically recreated Velosoraptors on the Taliban. Butters asked how the Velosoraptors would be able to distinguish between the bad guys and the general population. So, there was a little kink in my plan that I have to iron out! These M-ATVs will do for now.

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PACMAN!!!

He has become the Pride of the Philippines. The ferocious Filipino Fighter who, some have dubbed, an "all-time great." Last night, the legacy of Manny Pacquiao as one of the world's premier boxers was cemented as he delivered blow by devastating blow to Britain's fearless brawler, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, two-time welterweight champion. The flurry of right hooks, jabs, and combinations from Pacquiao (aka "Pacman") gave Hatton no ability to respond and proved to be overwhelming, defeating Hatton at 2:59 in the second round. Next stop for Pacman....the newly unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr. MABUHAY PACQUIAO!!! (Filipino expression for "Long Live!")

Butters and I have made it a tradition to watch these big headliner Vegas fights. We've watched Pacquiao over the years at various relative's houses. He even made his now-famous Rotelle dip at the De La Hoya-Pacquiao match. This fight, neither Butters nor I were able to watch together on HBO. My relatives were watching it live in Vegas and Butters is in Georgia. So, we both caught the highlights on ESPN. 'Til the next Pacquiao fight and Butters' Rotelle dip!! MABUHAY BUTTERS!!!

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Ft. Benning, GA Bound!!

Butters has finished his chapter at Ft. Jackson. At 1400 (Eastern), he is off to Ft. Benning, GA for more refresher training. Fort Benning is the home of the United States Army Infantry School; where Butters first underwent infantry training. Here's a brief background on Ft. Benning and the Army Infantry School.

Ft. Benning is home to the United States Army Infantry School, as well as the Army's airborneparachuting) school. Fort Benning is the primary training installation for all U.S. Army infantry enlistees. Enlisted infantry soldiers undergo their Basic Combat Training, and Advanced Individual Training in a combined fourteen week course called One Station Unit Training (OSUT). The 198th Infantry Brigade, formerly the Infantry Training Brigade (ITB), has the mission of transforming civilians into disciplined infantrymen (11B) and indirect-fire infantrymen (11C) to become adaptive and flexible, ready to accomplish the mission of the Infantry.

As an infantryman, Butters specialized in Army mortars tactics. At Ft. Benning, he learned about tactical employment of the Infantry Mortar Platoon; Fire Support Planning; mechanical training and live fire exercises; forward observation procedures; fire direction center procedures maintenance; and survey techniques. He'll be getting refresher training once again upon arrival. Butters will be here for another couple of weeks. From here, we await to find out the next set of orders.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!! BE SAFE!! GO BUTTERS!!

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