Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
@ddottie.bsky.social
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
You want civilian control of the military in a democracy. Well, this is it. Elect better civilians.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
Real black pilled on the military. The oath means absolutely nothing at all, apparently. Happy to be praetorians, just as long as the check clears.
January 4, 2026 at 1:58 AM
You want civilian control of the military in a democracy. Well, this is it. Elect better civilians.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Year-end tally of Trump admin combat actions in 2025:
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
First-ever US airstrikes in Nigeria put the second Trump admin’s 2025 combat actions at:
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
January 2, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Year-end tally of Trump admin combat actions in 2025:
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Yes.
Three ships with the ARG/MEU. About 4,000 there.
Four ships with carrier group, including the Ford. That's about another 6,000.
Then the last four on the list, deployed independently and in addition to the two task forces.
Three ships with the ARG/MEU. About 4,000 there.
Four ships with carrier group, including the Ford. That's about another 6,000.
Then the last four on the list, deployed independently and in addition to the two task forces.
So this is the 22nd MEU and the Ford Strike Group. Which has to be thousands of Marines and Sailors?
Wow.
Wow.
December 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Yes.
Three ships with the ARG/MEU. About 4,000 there.
Four ships with carrier group, including the Ford. That's about another 6,000.
Then the last four on the list, deployed independently and in addition to the two task forces.
Three ships with the ARG/MEU. About 4,000 there.
Four ships with carrier group, including the Ford. That's about another 6,000.
Then the last four on the list, deployed independently and in addition to the two task forces.
You could join infantry or armor. You could become a cook or admin, take the hard road and apply to serious leadership courses like the Ranger course. Many have done it for 75 years. The NYT article is insufferable because the writers don’t get even a private would look at these people with contempt
December 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
You could join infantry or armor. You could become a cook or admin, take the hard road and apply to serious leadership courses like the Ranger course. Many have done it for 75 years. The NYT article is insufferable because the writers don’t get even a private would look at these people with contempt
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Willy T also has the best way of terminating annoying conversations:
“See the books. This is the conclusion of our correspondence, which I did not begin, and terminate with satisfaction.”
Sherman to Hood, Sept 14, 1864
“See the books. This is the conclusion of our correspondence, which I did not begin, and terminate with satisfaction.”
Sherman to Hood, Sept 14, 1864
This memoir I'm reading should be called William T. Sherman: Warrior Poster
"...the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, which can only be done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated in pride."
"...the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, which can only be done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated in pride."
Letter of William T. Sherman to James M. Calhoun, E.E. Rawson, and S.C. Wells, September 12, 1864 · Civil War Era NC
cwnc.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu
December 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Willy T also has the best way of terminating annoying conversations:
“See the books. This is the conclusion of our correspondence, which I did not begin, and terminate with satisfaction.”
Sherman to Hood, Sept 14, 1864
“See the books. This is the conclusion of our correspondence, which I did not begin, and terminate with satisfaction.”
Sherman to Hood, Sept 14, 1864
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution."
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
The Soldier in the Illiberal State is a Professional Dead End
The American political system today is indeed in crisis. Government function is in doubt, the administration has politicized and weaponized a previously
warontherocks.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution."
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
'Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization. Which is where the spirit cards come in'
November 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
'Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization. Which is where the spirit cards come in'
Came across this PBS/American Experience IG post yesterday on the anniv. of journo Seymour Hersh breaking the My Lai massacre story, and it’s still so wild that the public would’ve never known Calley died last year were it not for a law grad stumbling upon his death certificate in public records.
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Came across this PBS/American Experience IG post yesterday on the anniv. of journo Seymour Hersh breaking the My Lai massacre story, and it’s still so wild that the public would’ve never known Calley died last year were it not for a law grad stumbling upon his death certificate in public records.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Sometimes I think about the question someone put on the bad site, asking women how old they were the first time an adult man came on to them or made a sexually suggestive remark to them. I want to say the vast majority of us were between 11 and 13.
I've been thinking about it a lot today.
I've been thinking about it a lot today.
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Sometimes I think about the question someone put on the bad site, asking women how old they were the first time an adult man came on to them or made a sexually suggestive remark to them. I want to say the vast majority of us were between 11 and 13.
I've been thinking about it a lot today.
I've been thinking about it a lot today.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Too cute by half.
DoD on legality of the boat strikes:
"Military personnel are legally obligated to follow lawful orders and as such are not subject to prosecution for following lawful orders."
"Lawful orders" in this formulation being a function of what POTUS and his pliant OLC say.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
"Military personnel are legally obligated to follow lawful orders and as such are not subject to prosecution for following lawful orders."
"Lawful orders" in this formulation being a function of what POTUS and his pliant OLC say.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Military personnel seek legal advice on whether Trump-ordered missions are lawful
Military service personnel have been seeking outside legal advice about some of the missions the Trump administration has assigned them. The strikes against alleged drug traffickers and deployments to...
www.pbs.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Too cute by half.
And y’all better tip service workers no fewer than 20+% on that free food. Don’t embarrass us.
Happy Veterans Day to those of us who endured years of complete & utter nonsense interspersed with the occasional bit of Did I Almost Die. Enjoy your free food & have a beer.
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
And y’all better tip service workers no fewer than 20+% on that free food. Don’t embarrass us.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
You have no idea how many retirees living paycheck to paycheck in [checks map] woke states like TX, SC, NC, and GA depend on these commissaries.
Military officials tell troops 168 commissaries could close next month trib.al/3F3Ks58
Military officials tell troops 168 commissaries could close next month
Officials say commissaries will be open through Thanksgiving, but many stateside stores could close soon after due to the government shutdown.
trib.al
November 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
You have no idea how many retirees living paycheck to paycheck in [checks map] woke states like TX, SC, NC, and GA depend on these commissaries.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Albert Camus, born on this day in 1913 into one world war to live through another, on how to live whole in a broken world www.themarginalian.org/2024/06/22/a...
Albert Camus on How to Live Whole in a Broken World
Born into a World War to live through another, Albert Camus (November 7, 1913–January 4, 1960) died in a car crash with an unused train ticket to the same destination in his pocket. Just thre…
www.themarginalian.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Albert Camus, born on this day in 1913 into one world war to live through another, on how to live whole in a broken world www.themarginalian.org/2024/06/22/a...
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
I am begging some reporter for a large regional or national newspaper to go to their nearest military hospital or clinic and interview staff about how things are going. The bulk of military healthcare is provided by DoD civilians who haven't been paid in over a month. Physicians even longer.
November 4, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I am begging some reporter for a large regional or national newspaper to go to their nearest military hospital or clinic and interview staff about how things are going. The bulk of military healthcare is provided by DoD civilians who haven't been paid in over a month. Physicians even longer.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
we live in hell
November 4, 2025 at 12:13 AM
we live in hell
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
I don’t need a movie about Bruce Springsteen. I need a movie about what the hell happened to the chicken man.
October 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I don’t need a movie about Bruce Springsteen. I need a movie about what the hell happened to the chicken man.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
"Without the civilian workforce, commanders couldn’t move tanks to a maneuver location, manipulate targets on a range, provide fuel for the force, or food in the mess halls."
@markhertling.bsky.social on what shutdowns do to the military: www.thebulwark.com/p/for-the-mi...
@markhertling.bsky.social on what shutdowns do to the military: www.thebulwark.com/p/for-the-mi...
For the Military, a Shutdown Is About a Lot More Than Just Pay
It also affects many other people, institutions, and services necessary for readiness.
www.thebulwark.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Without the civilian workforce, commanders couldn’t move tanks to a maneuver location, manipulate targets on a range, provide fuel for the force, or food in the mess halls."
@markhertling.bsky.social on what shutdowns do to the military: www.thebulwark.com/p/for-the-mi...
@markhertling.bsky.social on what shutdowns do to the military: www.thebulwark.com/p/for-the-mi...
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Gents, how you respond to controversy — and other hard times — will stick with people much more than the precipitating event.
October 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Gents, how you respond to controversy — and other hard times — will stick with people much more than the precipitating event.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Like, I 99.99% know why there would've been a Croatian tattoo shop that had Nazi totenkopfen mingling with other flash on the walls in 2007, but that's still a reported feature story I would read
October 22, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Like, I 99.99% know why there would've been a Croatian tattoo shop that had Nazi totenkopfen mingling with other flash on the walls in 2007, but that's still a reported feature story I would read
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Significantly *more* live artillery rounds were launched over Interstate 5 during Friday’s rehearsal, defense officials said, with one estimating the number at 30.
NEW: Marines launch investigation of errant live-fire blast over California’s I-5
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Marines to investigate errant live-fire blast over California’s I-5
Artillery rounds also were launched over the freeway during a rehearsal for the demonstration attended by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Significantly *more* live artillery rounds were launched over Interstate 5 during Friday’s rehearsal, defense officials said, with one estimating the number at 30.
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
Not mentioned here — and it seems worthwhile to point out — is that with hindsight, he said he wouldn't have done it. That complicates things to an extent
I wrote about that here
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/05/c...
I wrote about that here
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/05/c...
October 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Not mentioned here — and it seems worthwhile to point out — is that with hindsight, he said he wouldn't have done it. That complicates things to an extent
I wrote about that here
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/05/c...
I wrote about that here
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/05/c...
Reposted by Maneuver Ghoul of Excellence
NPR's veteran defense reporter Tom Bowman: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon Pass
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
Opinion: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass
Tom Bowman has held his Pentagon press pass for 28 years. He says the Pentagon's new media policy makes it impossible to be a journalist, which means finding out what's really going on behind the scen...
www.npr.org
October 14, 2025 at 11:55 AM
NPR's veteran defense reporter Tom Bowman: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon Pass
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...