Yepper it’s July!

13. July 2010 by Andy.

Wow…I’ve way planning and anticipating to write on the 11^th this month, but I’ve been snowballed by events around here!So a little back-tracking…In May, I took my mom on a journey across southern Utah to visit the National Parks before her hip surgery in June.  But first I had to fly home to accompany mom to Salt Lake City – she doesn’t like flying much anymore let alone making her way through airports. 

First stop was Bryce Canyon NP.  It seemed that God put a divider across the mountain range then poured water down one side eroding away the rock & dirt to create an awesome view of layered rock formations!  We rode along the top of the mountain range looking down into rock formations.  Next we tried to get into Cedar Breaks NP (National Park) but they were closed due to the four feet of snow still on the roads!  So we just headed down to Zion NP.  This time we were in the canyon looking up at the rock formations!  Mom rode the bus around and back to the hotel while I ventured off on different trails to see some of the sites.  I hiked back in on one over a mile in to see this water fall, but alas I ended up finding it within 100 yards of the bus stop!  Yea the hike was nice, but I was on a time schedule to get back with mom.

Anyway, next day we woke to travel over to the Lake Powell Resort.  Yepper, the same lake area we used to fly into while navigating IR-126 into Red Flag…aaaah the days of low level flying in the canyons!  We took a 5 hour cruise to get to Rainbow Bridge NM (National Monument).  The only way to see this natural bridge is by boat, horseback riding, hiking, or 4-wheeling.  I guess you could even parachute in, but you would have to hike out.

Then we headed to Hovenweep NM – protects six prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa tops.  It was a god thing we had a Ford Explorer to get back into some of those dwellings.  Then over to Natural Bridges NM to see three incredible rock bridges that were carved out by the wind, rain and river (once upon a time) before calling ti a day.Up early again to visit Canyonlands NP.  The Colorado & Green River plus their tributaries divide the park into four districts: the Needles, the Island in the Sky, the Maze and the rivers themselves.  We were able to see the Needles & the Island in the Sky.  The Maze is only accessible by hiking or horseback.  We called it quits just outside Moab, UT.  That way the next day we could see Arches NP.

If you can remember your John Wayne trivia, the Arches NP should sound familiar.  The Duke and many other Western movies were shot in this area.  What impressed mom and I was that each area had its on geology and was very different from the others!  The beauty was just fabulous along with the weather…it was very accommodating during the whole trip.

Then, June rolled in.  I journey back to Montana to be with mom while she had her left hip replaced.  I stayed for a few weeks to make sure mom could get around and be comfortable being back in her own home.  The surgery went well, but it took a few extra days for mom to recover and be allowed home.  She has therapy folks coming to the house three times a week and she is already making plans for next year…she wants to go to San Francisco to visit a Teddy Bear lady and of course see some more National Parks there in California.Anyway, this has been long, so I save some for next month…until then – fly safe!

   

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | No Comments »

June 11th Ponch Post

14. June 2010 by Ponch.

All,

 Time to post and update you all to what’s up on the west coast.  I am now a qualified Global Hawk pilot.  I passed my check ride last week…hoo-ray!  I am now filling our paperwork to get a german pilot’s licence.  Yup german,  the company has plans to send us to Germany next summer to start flight test on the Euro-hawk.  Also this fall I will be TDY to Vandenburg AFB to do some testing on new software for the GH.  The Air Force is planning on opening a squadron of GH’s on Guam and we need to train the Hawk to land on a slopped runway.  Those of you that have Castle AFB time will remember that VAFB has a pretty good slopped runway.  Also for those who like it cold, the Air Force is putting a GH squadron at Grand Forks!  There should be some employment for people that want to live in ND…yuck!!! 

On the home front,  we finally got the mirror for our telescope completed ( the 22 inch scope we started two and a half years ago).  I was getting worried that the mirror maker had taken my money and ski-daddled.  However it turned out that the extra time waiting for the mirror was well worth it.  We had our first full night testing the optics with a large group of both professional and amatuer astronomers this week end.  everyone was completly blown away by the views into deep space through this monster telescope!!  Aslo my son had his first scientific paper published on research he did on double star positions.  We are working on another project and plan to publish this summer.

On a more personel note, my Mom is in the proccess of dying from both cardiac heart failure and altztimers.  I took her to the Ceaders-Sinai hospital friday to see what they can do for her heart valve that has calcified to the point it’s causing her heart to fail.  They offered a procedure that involves putting a balloon into the heart valve to expand the opening to allow more blood to flow and relieve some of her symptoms.  This is all well and good, however my idiot sisters are putting up road-blocks becuase they think it’s better to let her die from heart failure rather then deal with the alztimers.  I had to remind them, sternly, of their Christian duty to honor human life and protect the weak and infirm …although I don’t think that appeal works with most people these days, my sisters included.  Our society has become so selfish and self centered, that duty honor and self sacrifice are words for fools and zelots. Most people attend church, some pay attention and learn a few facts about Christianity,  even fewer folks actually put these values to the test in their lives.  My sisters fall into the first catigory. Either way I will find a way to prevail,  If I have learned anything in life it’s been a trust in values and examples of the right way to do things that I saw  while living and sharing time with you all.   All our conversations on alert and in and around the office and on this blog help keep me grounded in reality…thank you all.

 Cheers

 Reed “Ponch”

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | 1 Comment »

Louisiana Calling

27. May 2010 by Britt.

Hello to all my Brothers,

I do not post often but always read about your exploits. I am looking for employment at Barksdale. I have exhausted the Retired Rated Recall Program (cut funding), the reserves do not call back and I am tired of beating my head with the F-35 Program. Bomber credibility in a Fighter world. Let me mention that, “I was right” but not until it became my Boss’ idea. So, I have applied for 2 Program Analyst jobs in GSC, nothing yet. I am starting to think that I need to know someone (or do they know me?). Well, I know you guys. If anyone is hiring, pls let me know. larsoninla@aol.com is still my email. Thanks, Britt

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | 4 Comments »

11 April 2010 - The Chuck

11. April 2010 by The Chuck.

Great turmoil for me and my family here.  Things pretty much under control for now, but it’s going to be shaky for a while.

Some of you know I’ve had problems with my middle daughter for years. On 1 April, she drifted into some kind of deep delusion and starting seeing dragons, hearing voices, and thought she was some magic player in a great battle of some new Golden Age.

She emailed me to come get the twins “NOW” early in the morning.  I don’t always check my email before work, but this time I did.  The first thing I thought of was that she was going to hurt them if I didn’t go there immediately.

To make a long story short–she was about as out of it as anyone I’ve ever seen.  I tried to lead the discussion to real things with no success.   Eventually Cindy came over, and later that day we drove over to our house.  My daughter was expecting an invisible friend to spirit her away at sunset, but when he didn’t show, I tried to get her to go to the VA because they have a mental health doctor in their emergency room.

She refused and eventually started doing the Linda Blair routine from the Exorcist.  If she could have green-pea souped me, she would have.  Sounds funny, but it is quite alarming when someone does that to you.  We had a neighbor come over to witness the event, and she was talking to her priest on the phone with things turned worse.  Before the night ended my daughter was arrested.  At the time, I considered it the worse night of my life, some of you might have read my facebook posts at the time.

The next morning I tried to get her involuntarily committed to no-avail, as she hadn’t physically hurt anyone or tried to commit suicide or said to me that she planned to do either.  In spite of being told by several people to leave her in jail, I bailed her out and successfully convinced her to come with me the VA.  After an intense few hours, she was seen by a doctor, but they kept me out of the room–people got rights you know–who let her walk after less than an hour.  My stress level was quite high by then.

However, she came out acting calm, a faux normal.  What else could I do?  I brought her home, our 20 year old daughter was there with Cindy and the three boys.  Things seemed fine, I wondered if the doctor talking to her had somehow helped–hard to understand this stuff–so I took a chance on going to work for Friday afternoon.

As I got home from work a few hours later, she was attacking Cindy.  She was arrested again.

The 1 year-old’s father came over the picked up the baby.  He also wanted the car we’d given my daughter a few months ago.  The car’s in her name, she’s been living with the guy, he has driven the car to work–I didn’t have any legal option to prevent him from taking it.  So he took the car.

He said he loves the baby and wants to care for it.  As far as I understand this process, the father’s rights trump the grandfather’s right in this state.

But the twins don’t have that option–if I don’t protect them, there’s nobody else.

Cindy has a temporary restraining order against Amanda.  And I filed a restraining order to keep her away from the twins, which also gave me temporary custody of them.  In addition, Child Protective Service has started an investigation.

We have our first of many court dates in less than two weeks.

She was in Bossier Max until last night. According to the bondsman who called me this morning, she pledged the car we’d given her a few months ago as collateral for the bond.

This has been a long ugly story.  Stemming when she ran away from home, two-weeks before her 18th birthday while I was Saudi and up to the attack on Cindy.

Even with your children, you have to drawn the line somewhere.

I’ve drawn the line at her physical attack on Cindy.

You can’t trust anyone who can switch from “normal” to explosively violent at the drop of a hat.

Hopefully, Amanda will seek the mental health help she needs, get well, then press on with her new life.

So, except for that, everything here is normal.

Oh, I’ve lost 20 pounds in the last week.  I call it the stress diet, but I don’t recommend it for anyone.  Good thing I started off so fat.

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | 8 Comments »

ABNA 2010 Quarter Finals

24. March 2010 by The Chuck.

The Dragoneers advanced to the 5% round on 23 March.  Even though my novel is much better than it has ever been, advancement is based on individual judges’ expertise and the strength of the overall field of entries.  The next round of eliminations will be between March 24 and April 27, which will reduce the field to 1%.

Amazon has made all the 250 quarter-finalists’ excerpts available online for no charge.  You can access the download page for a Kindle Edition of The Dragoneers excerpt here.  If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download free software in the same location for your PC to read Kindle books.

While you’re there, you can read whatever reviews have been posted and you can even post your own comments.  Most excerpts were given two reviews from the Amazon Reviewers, but for some unknown reason, The Dragoneers only received one, and if you read it, it’ll leave you wondering how the novel made it to the quarter-finals. At least it ended with some encouragement for me to keep trying to get better at writing and then recommended I read some books on writing.

The review may foreshadow what will happen to The Dragoneers as the quarter-finals come to an end.  Or maybe, not.

Either way, The Dragoneers will receive an updated Publishers Weekly review.  When I get it, I’ll share it here.

Posted in Writing, Band of Brothers | Print | 1 Comment »

Global Hawk AR … Cool

20. March 2010 by The Chuck.

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | 2 Comments »

March Maddness!

19. March 2010 by Ponch.

All,

Time to post.  First for those interested there is a very high paying flying job available here for a Government GS-14 level Global hawk Pilot.  This is a SWEET position with a cost of living bonus and flying privileges in C-12 as well as a GH.  The pay range is well into the 100K range.  Another Buff driver in GH would be huge. 

Chuck,  I never saw the pictures of the GH air-refueling.  I erred greatly by saying there is no AR capability in the GH.  NASA is modifying a couple of GHs to air refuel. There is a big test sometime next year to verify the capability.  The programming will then be transferred to the UCAS bomber.  Northrop is partnered with NASA to do the mod and testing, the Air Force does not want to ante up pilots for the project…so guess who get to go fly with NASA. Yup me!  SWEET!  We took a tour of the GH control facility yesterday.  OMG!  Talk about first class!  I almost wet myself over the displays (also I’m getting to that time in my life were diapers are becoming an issue;-).   As usual the Air Force spent minimal bucks for the Global Hawk control system.  The NASA system is so Cadillac it was unbelievable.  The AF version uses a Falcon View back bone with limited capability for moving map.  NASA uses Google Earth!!  The computers are so fast on the NASA system that you can mouse roll zoom the map from a total world outer space view (Google Earth start page) into 3 meter photo maps almost instantly!  It also uses FAA sectional maps and other stuff.  Also you can tilt the whole display (ala Google Earth) to show a 3D version of the Jet flying a climb or decent profile.  The PSD is right out of a 767 with all the bells and whistles, unlike the PSD in a AF block 20 that is more like a C-172 version of G-1000.  Plus the control room at NASA was just like you would imagine a NASA control room would be…everything new and clean and first class.  Way COOL!

Also another good deal…the company is planning on sending me to test pilot school either at Mojave or a course out of the U of Kansas.  The guys here say the U of K program is much better, but harder to get. I will probably end up at Mojave.  Either way COOL!!

On the telescope front things are getting way busy.  We took the wooden model down to INCA corp. in Los Angeles a few weeks back.  They have reduced the design into 3D cad cam modeling and are well along with construction on an aluminum version.  Inca’s plan is to produce the final version in 1, 1.5 and 2 meter sizes…contingent on our success at making the design work.  Dr genet just got back from Hawaii where the concept is raising all sorts of excitement amongst the professional and amateur astronomy world. Dr. Genet was at the French observatory on the Big Island and the director of the telescope approached him about the project.  Turns out the French telescope used Dr. Genet’s laws on robotic telescopes for their design.  We get daily suggestions from astronomers all over the world for exotic projects for the scopes.  The end intent for the scopes is to connect multiple one and two meters scopes into an array that will be able to resolve the surface features of near-by stars. COOL!  

Cheers

 

Ponch

Posted in employment, Band of Brothers | Print | 2 Comments »

It’s the 11th!

11. March 2010 by Andy.

Well it’s done!  After nine months with a 2two month delay waiting for the half-track model to be release we have the…” Sollum Höhe 208 (Sollum Height 208)”; a German 88mm Flak 36 artillery piece & Sd.kfz.7 8ton half-track assigned to the I.Flak-Regiment 33 (2 Batterie), Deutches Afrika Korps during the North African Campaign around April 1942. 

 

The Flak 36 was straight from Tamiya’s new 88mm GunFlak36 ‘North African Campaign” except I borrowed the bogies from their original Flak 36/37 kit.  Although the figures came directly from the kit, the radio operator was another kit, except I had to scratch build the antenna based on an image I had from a German WWII Panzers in the Desert reference book. 

    

The Sd.Kfz.7 8t Half-track Initial Production was Dagon’s new Smart Kit release that hit the street in October 2009!  I had to scratch-built a few items, the bustle rack on the very back to hold the jerry cans and the canvas roof in the stowed position.  Even though Eduard’s 8t tool boxes were designed for the Trumpeter kit, with a slight modification, they worked just fine for Dragon’s.  Eduard’s 8t engine PE kit provided the engine side panels covers.  The rifles, MG34, and MP40 came from Italeri’s Accessories II kit.  Since I needed Luftwaffe license plates for my project, I turned to Peddinghaus-decals to provide them.   Dragon provided five different German Army plates – no Air Force.  Archer dry transfers provided German helmet insignias, uniform patches, DAK palm trees, German tactical symbols, and Sd.Kfz.7 instrument panels and generic lettering.  Verlinden Productions provided ration boxes, wooded barrels, military provisions, stowage cargo & accessories, bottles, crates, and German food supplies.  The Luftwaffe Anti-Aircraft Badge is a reproduction from Landser Outfitters based in California.

   

As for the base work; I used CelluClay for the base along with folk-art paint.  I most have gone through seven different colors before hitting the right combination to give a desert color.  I spread the plaster over wax paper in a cookie sheet.  Once dry, I broke into pieces and stacked to make the wall.  A 50-50 water/glue solution was used to set the wall in place.  Again, once dry I used folk-art paints again to paint it.

As for other news, Jim Melvin & I decrease the duck population around Corpus Christi again.  Both sons could not make it due to one being sick and the other having to work.  We each bagged redheads, buffleheads, and pintails. 

Day 1: we bagged our redheads early in the morning.  I managed to drop two in the first pass and couldn’t hit anything afterwards – had a chance at one or two more birds, but no luck.  Jim got one in the first pass and another later – then he couldn’t hit them either.  So we packed up for the day. 

  

Day 2: we were out for buffleheads & pintails.  Went to a different area and the blind was out in the middle of no-where!  Water everywhere and the land was only visible on the horizon.  We got our buffleheads early, but mine was a hen.  So Jim holds off shooting until a drop a drake.  I soon drop another, but once more a hen.  Finally after much waiting I finally drop a drake.  Then some pintails circle and it takes a lot of calling to get them to attempt to land.  We each drop one, but mind lands further out from the blind.  The only sad thing is that pintail I knocked down was hurt just enough not to get airborne again.  I must have chased him for miles!  I was in water up to my knees while he was about 50 yards or more away.  Although he couldn’t fly, he sure could swim and paddle his feet he did…I could never gain on him and by the time I turned to see how far I was from the bind, the bind was just a speck on the horizon!

We stayed on our guides property and were fed – and what a feast!  There was no lack of food for each meal!  First night was a Texas BBQ with ribs, sausage, brisket & duck.  Next night, duck gumbo with all the trimming; corn bread, mash potatoes, green beans, etc.  Lunch times always had leftovers which there was plenty of.

O’well I’ve written too much…so see you next month

Chuck here’s some pitures of actually artillery range finders…

 

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | 3 Comments »

Jobs: Analyses and Assessments Professional (2)

8. March 2010 by The Chuck.

There are two of these positions for Macaulay-Brown at Barksdale, AFB in AFGSC.  If you’re interested, send me your resume and contact information via my email  and I’ll get it to the site lead.  Salary will be commensurate with experience.

 

Here’s the description:

 

1.5.2  Analyses and Assessments:  The contractor shall provide personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/qualification to accomplish the tasks specified in this PWS in the technical environment described below.  (A001, A002, A003, A005, A009)

 

1.5.2.1  Provide the expertise to serve as a MAJCOM level technical expert advising on matters concerning scientific work requiring the design, development, and adaptation of mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific methods and techniques providing advice and insight into the probable effects of alternative courses of action.

 

1.5.2.2  Provide the expertise to formulate unique analytical research proposals and studies that recommend alternative courses of action to senior Command officials. As an analytical expert, the contractor must be able to provide technical guidance and independently resolve problems and issues involving the development of mathematical models and computer programs to evaluate and predict the ability to support assigned missions, projects, studies, or problems. The uniqueness of the problems requires creativity, innovative use of techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies. As an expert, the contractor shall be capable of defining or further defining major/critical problems and for advising management of advantages or disadvantages of various alternatives.

 

1.5.2.3  Provide the expertise to support the implementation and clarification of policies, criteria and standards and recommending modification to USAF analytical criteria as needed, or modifications of such as needed for specific MAJCOM requirements. 

 

1.5.2.4  Provide the expertise to AFGSC/A9A for the creation and maintainance of data structures that provide a short notice, responsive analysis capability in addition to long-term studies.  Expertise in modeling and simulation and other analytical tools are required to support study objectives, create and maintain input data structures and files, run/modify the models, analyze model output, prepare output for presentations and assist in final documentation of analytical efforts.  Support will include, but is not limited to, future force structure analyses and future trade-off studies such as an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA).  

 

1.5.2.5  Assist in developing study plans that include the following: background, study team composition, purpose of study, scope/limitations, critical assumptions and constraints, measures of effectiveness (MOEs), study parameters and variables, methodology description, data requirements and schedule with deliverables.

 

1.5.2.6  Provide the expertise to create, update and manage data files with the source of all data and points of contact listed, providing a basis for determining the validity of study results.

 

1.5.2.7  Provide the expertise to use mathematical models and/or simulation tools to evaluate system performance and utility.

 

1.5.2.8  Provide the expertise to run specified AFGSC/A9A models, analyze outputs, prepare outputs for presentation/report, and document study results.  Documentation includes final report, associated data sources and points of contact, an in-depth explanation of critical assumptions, model methodology and scenarios, commentary on any unique assumptions necessary to derive the results, and a section on the lessons learned in conducting the study.  Studies may involve analysis of PPBE inputs and POM results to create decision submissions for senior leader consideration.

 

1.5.2.9  Preparation of data sources, including adaptation/modification of available databases, to meet the fidelity/completeness requirements for other modeling efforts within an AoA or other analysis efforts, and documentation of the results.

 

1.5.2.10  Coordinate model and scenario development with Air Force Studies and Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned (AF/A9) and other organizations, as required.

 

 

2.0  GENERAL INFORMATION

 

2.1  Personnel Qualifications: The contractor shall provide personnel with the necessary training, qualifications, and clearances to accomplish all requirements identified in this PWS.  In the event of contractor turnover of employees, qualification summaries shall be submitted through the Contracting Officer for verification of personnel skill sets.  The following paragraphs list the general qualifications for the skill sets described in paragraphs 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 as well as specific qualifications for the skill sets described in 1.5.1 and 1.5.2.   (A001, A002, A003, A005, A009)

 

2.1.1 General Knowledge Skills and Abilities

a)         Knowledge of a wide range of global strike concepts, principles, and practices relating to area of specialization.

 

b)        Knowledge of common budgetary practices, procedures, regulations, precedents, and guidelines.

 

c)         Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.

 

d)        Skill in written and oral communications to explain, justify, and clearly present ideas and findings of a variety of issues in a logical manner; also prepare presentations, analysis, and clear/concise reports complicated by short deadlines and limited information.

 

e)         Ability to communicate with decision makers and their immediate staffs as well as specialists, experts, and professionals in the same or related fields.

 

f)         Ability to participate in study teams; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.

g)         Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access)

h)        Ability to develop and utilize data collection techniques to conduct statistically sound analysis and data presentation.

 

2.1.3 Specific Knowledge Skills and Abilities required for the skill sets in Paragraph 1.5.2

a)         Experience in analysis of modern bomber aircraft, bomber aircraft systems or ICBM operations.

 

b)        Experience in ICBM, Bomber or Navy Nuclear Operations.

 

c)         Knowledge of a range of methods and techniques used in operations research studies and possession of analytical abilities.

 

d)        Knowledge of expert quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify, and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.

 

e)         Ability to design, build, and use models and simulation using software such as SAS and ARENA.

 

f)         Operational experience in combat aircraft to include knowledge of their performance, tactics, capabilities, and general employment in various roles/missions within a broad range of military operations

 

g)         Staff experience (MAJCOM-level or higher).

 

Posted in employment | Print | No Comments »

Jobs: Lessons Learned Professional

8. March 2010 by The Chuck.

The position is with Macaulay-Brown at Barksdale AFB in AFGSC.  If you’re interested, send me your resume and contact information via my email  and I’ll get it to the site lead.  Salary will be commensurate with experience.

 

Here’s the description:

 

1.5.1  Lessons Learned: The contractor shall provide personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/qualification to accomplish the tasks specified in this PWS in the technical environment described below.  (A001, A002, A003, A005, A009)

 

1.5.1.1  Assist the integration of AFGSC-wide activities for the AF Lessons Learned Program.

 

1.5.1.2  Assist policy development to be implemented throughout AFGSC.  Assist development of goals and objectives to align Headquarters AF, AFGSC, 8AF, 20AF, and AFGSC Wing level lessons learned activities in accordance with AFI 90-1601, the Air Force Lessons Learned Program.

 

1.5.1.3  Identify and maintain lessons learned submissions and issues to be incorporated into key AF processes that influence improvements to DOTMLPF (Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities) and resource investment decisions.

 

1.5.1.4  Draft summaries of lessons learned activities that are presented to senior leadership, pushed to key functional offices, and posted to knowledge management databases.

 

1.5.1.5  Plan and host General Officer level meetings to present and discuss operational and strategic level lessons learned.

 

1.5.1.6  Assist development of solutions to eliminate work problems or barriers to mission accomplishment, balance workload and assist in providing overall direction and vision to other offices regarding the AF Lessons Learned Program and perform as an action officer at HQ AFGSC.

 

1.5.1.7  Assist AFGSC/A9 to collect, identify, track, integrate, and disseminate lessons learned and related issues from AEF operations, contingencies, and exercises.

 

1.5.1.8  The contractor shall coordinate with OPRs and monitor status of related projects, lead working groups in the assessment of lessons learned and facilitate the incorporation of solutions.

 

1.5.1.9  Provide the expertise to conduct research as necessary to support briefings and papers, answer requests for information, and produce analytical summaries for publication.

 

1.5.1.10  Prepare senior level staff briefings; prepare regular staff packages and respond to short notice tasks for papers and/or briefings.

 

1.5.1.11  Assist with development of media and content for conferences.  Provide the expertise to support the organization at various meetings. .

 

1.5.12  The contractor shall coordinate with HAF, NAF, and other representatives to discuss/resolve lessons learned processes and other issues of common interest, provide results of studies, analyses, and evaluations to counterpart agencies to share experiences and resolve controversial matters, promote interchange of information on requirements, capabilities, deficiencies, and technology applications in the area of specialization, provide the expertise to support the planning and scheduling of work for accomplishment by augmentees, recommend and review short‑term priorities and prepare schedules based on consideration of difficulty of requirement.

 

 

2.0  GENERAL INFORMATION

 

2.1  Personnel Qualifications: The contractor shall provide personnel with the necessary training, qualifications, and clearances to accomplish all requirements identified in this PWS.  In the event of contractor turnover of employees, qualification summaries shall be submitted through the Contracting Officer for verification of personnel skill sets.  The following paragraphs list the general qualifications for the skill sets described in paragraphs 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 as well as specific qualifications for the skill sets described in 1.5.1 and 1.5.2.   (A001, A002, A003, A005, A009)

 

2.1.1 General Knowledge Skills and Abilities

a)         Knowledge of a wide range of global strike concepts, principles, and practices relating to area of specialization.

 

b)        Knowledge of common budgetary practices, procedures, regulations, precedents, and guidelines.

 

c)         Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.

 

d)        Skill in written and oral communications to explain, justify, and clearly present ideas and findings of a variety of issues in a logical manner; also prepare presentations, analysis, and clear/concise reports complicated by short deadlines and limited information.

 

e)         Ability to communicate with decision makers and their immediate staffs as well as specialists, experts, and professionals in the same or related fields.

 

f)         Ability to participate in study teams; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.

g)         Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access)

h)        Ability to develop and utilize data collection techniques to conduct statistically sound analysis and data presentation.

 

2.1.2 Specific Knowledge Skills and Abilities required for the skill sets in Paragraph 1.5.1

a)         Experience in Air Force Aircraft Maintenance, Missile Maintenance, Civil Engineering or Communications career-field.

 

Posted in employment | Print | 1 Comment »

ABNA 2010

28. February 2010 by The Chuck.

I made the initial cut to 1000 for the 2010 contest.  Check out my latest data at http://thedragoneers.com

Posted in Band of Brothers | Print | No Comments »

PRESIDENTS DAY IT IS NOT

15. February 2010 by The Chuck.

I opened The Times this morning and noticed on the editorial page a section dedicated to “Presidents Day,” where three little darlings from a local first-grade displayed letters to Mr. Obama.  Their smiling faces accented their prose of acclamations for his awesomeness.  The editor’s note explained how in recognition of President’s Day, the little children were assessing the current occupant of the White House.  It’s a testament to the sad state of the education our nation’s children get from our tax-payer funded schools and of the press when there’s no such thing as a Presidents Day or a President’s Day, either in the official Federal or the Louisiana holidays.

Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees.

Louisiana Revised Statute 1:55 declares days of public rest and legal holidays for State employees.

The Louisiana and the Federal holiday observed on Feb 15, was Washington’s Birthday.  Though it shouldn’t be, it’s all a little confusing even for those of us not at the mercy of first-grade teachers.

The father of our country was born on 11 February 1732 of the once-used Julian calendar, but when England and her colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, George Washington birthday became the equivalent date of 22 February.

Later, George Washington led a small group of farmers, trappers, fishermen, and merchants to defeat the most powerful military on the planet at the time, which made it possible for the founder fathers to write the Constitution.  Then without seeking office, he became our first President.  Without George Washington, there would never have been an Abraham Lincoln, a Roosevelt, a Ronald Reagan, and certainly no Barrack Hussein Obama living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Washington was the greatest American, and excepting for a certain deity, arguably the greatest person that ever lived.

Certainly our great republic would desire honor such a life as his.  On 22 February 1832,  Congress adjourned in respect of his memory and in commemoration of his birth.   Thirty years later, the mayor of Philadelphia read aloud Washington’s Farewell Address to a group of citizens.  Eventually, it became a tradition in many places across America to read it aloud every year.

Every year since 1896, the Senate has observed Washington’s Birthday by selecting one of its members, alternating parties, to read the 7,641-word statement in legislative session.  Delivery generally takes about 45 minutes.  The extremes range from 39 minutes to  68 minutes.  In 1956, Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey wrote that every American should study this memorable message.  “It gives one a renewed sense of pride in our republic.  It arouses the wholesome and creative emotions of patriotism and love of country.”

Back in 1880, Washington’s Birthday was first a holiday for government offices in the District of Columbia, then expanded to all federal offices in 1885 as the first federal holiday to honor an American.  Back then they used his actual birthday, February 22.  In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moved it to the third Monday in February.

Then in 1971 a newspaper spoof reported President Richard Nixon proclaimed one federal holiday, President’s Day, to honor all past presidents.  Past presidents–interesting how in 1971 we were not so presumptuous as to suggest, even in jest, that we should have a day to honor our sitting president–that was something Americans avoided.  Thought it was common, even mandatory in places like the USSR, China, North Korea, and a hodgepodge of dictatorships around the lesser-developed nations of the world–it was not the America way, not even from Nixon. Nevertheless, some legislators have occasionally attempted to support federal law to make the changes, which were once attributed to Nixon, but none of it has ever managed to clear subcommittee.

I thought I’d provide a link to Washington’s memorable message, but then I reconsidered.  The chances of you going to another site to read a document for 45 minutes, are pretty slim.  And since it’s a document that is part of your heritage as an American, you should be offered the most easy access to it as possible.  I’ve posted it below my tag-line.  Feel free to read as much of it as you’d like, you won’t even have to click the mouse again.

If I’m on target maybe a first-grader will read it and learn what they should have learned in our tax-payer funded schools, or possibly even an editor from The Times, or else-where, might read this and then not make the same embarrassing error in future years.

But even if they don’t, at least you’ll get a chance to read the 7,641 words the father of our nation prayed would sustain us, as he was about to leave public office, 214 years ago.

It just makes sense.

---

WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL ADDRESS

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

I beg you at the same time to do me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country—and that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that in the present circumstances of our country you will not disapprove my determination to retire.

The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious in the outset of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself, and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

In looking forward to the moment which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me, still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise and as an instructive example in our annals that, under circumstances in which the passions agitated in every direction were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these states, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it.

Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger natural to that solicitude, urge me on an occasion like the present to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments which are the result of much reflection, of no in- considerable observation, and which appear to me all important to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you with the more freedom as you can only see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel. Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion.  Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.

For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts—of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.

But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the Union of the whole.

The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with the South, protected by the equal laws of a common government, finds in the productions of the latter great additional resources of maritime and commercial enterprise and precious materials of manufacturing industry. The South in the same intercourse, benefitting by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen of the North, it finds its particular navigation invigorated; and while it contributes, in different ways, to nourish and increase the general mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to the protection of a maritime strength to which itself is unequally adapted. The East, in a like intercourse with the West, already finds, and in the progressive improvement of interior communications by land and water will more and more find a valuable vent for the commodities which it brings from abroad or manufactures at home. The West derives from the East supplies requisite to its growth and comfort—and what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensable outlets for its own productions to the weight, influence, and the future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the Union, directed by an indissoluble community of interest as one nation. Any other tenure by which the West can hold this essential advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength or from an apostate and unnatural connection with any foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious.

While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations; and, what is of inestimable value! they must derive from union an exemption from those broils and wars between themselves which so frequently afflict neighboring countries not tied together by the same government, which their own rivalships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would stimulate and embitter. Hence likewise they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other.

These considerations speak a persuasive language to every reflecting and virtuous mind and exhibit the continuance of the Union as a primary object of patriotic desire. Is there a doubt whether a common government can embrace so large a sphere? Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal. We are authorized to hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of governments for the respective subdivisions, will afford a happy issue to the experiment. It is well worth a fair and full experiment. With such powerful and obvious motives to union affecting all parts of our country, while experience shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those who in any quarter may endeavor to weaken its bands.

In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations—northern and southern—Atlantic and western; whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations. They tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabitants of our western country have lately had a useful lesson on this head. They have seen in the negotiation by the executive—and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate—of the treaty with Spain, and in the universal satisfaction at that event throughout the United States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the suspicions propagated among them of a policy in the general government and in the Atlantic states unfriendly to their interests in regard to the Mississippi. They have been witnesses to the formation of two treaties, that with Great Britain and that with Spain, which secure to them everything they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, towards confirming their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the preservation of these advantages on the Union by which they were procured? Will they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their brethren and connect them with aliens?

To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a government for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, however strict, between the parts can be an adequate substitute. They must inevitably experience the infractions and interruptions which all alliances in all times have experienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay by the adoption of a Constitution of government better calculated than your former for an intimate Union and for the efficacious management of your common concerns. This government, the offspring of our own choice uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations under whatever plausible character with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction; to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils and modified by mutual interests. However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to be- come potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

Towards the preservation of your government and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect in the forms of the Constitution alterations which will impair the energy of the system and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, re- member that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions, that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country, that facility in changes upon the credit of mere hypotheses and opinion exposes to perpetual change from the endless variety of hypotheses and opinion; and re- member, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests in a country so ex- tensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is in- dispensable; liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is indeed little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits pre- scribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually in- cline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true— and in governments of a monarchical cast patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming it should consume.

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power and proneness to abuse it which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern, some of them in our country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.    The    precedent    must    always    greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit which the use can at any time yield.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the sup- position that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

Promote then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should cooperate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less in- convenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all; religion and morality enjoin this conduct, and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

In the execution of such a plan nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded and that in place of them just and amicable feelings to- wards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and in- jury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody con- tests. The nation, prompted by ill will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The government sometimes participates in the national propensity and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations has been the victim.

So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the for- mer into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions, by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a disposition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld. And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country without odium, sometimes even with popularity, gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.

As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils! Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of re- publican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence therefore it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest guided by justice shall counsel.

Why forgo the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rival- ship, interest, humor, or caprice?

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world—so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it, for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing in- fidelity to existing engagements (I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy)—I repeat it therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But in my opinion it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a respectably defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.

Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand: neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce but forcing nothing; establishing with powers so disposed—in order to give to trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable the government to support them—conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dictate; constantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors from another—that it must pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it may accept under that character—that by such acceptance it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish—that they will control the usual current of the passions or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But if I may even flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good, that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism—this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated.

How far in the discharge of my official duties I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April 1793 is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice and by that of your representatives in both houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me, uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it.

After deliberate examination with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take—and was bound in duty and interest to take—a neutral position. Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverence, and firmness.

The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe that, according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all.

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without anything more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations.

The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions and to progress without interruption to that degree of strength and consistency which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.

Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be con- signed to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations, I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize without alloy the sweet enjoyment of partaking in the midst of my fellow citizens the benign influence of good laws under a free government—the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
UNITED STATES
19th September 1796

Posted in National Nonsense, The Chuck's Comments | Print | No Comments »