Just Blogging

Max Bellamy asked:




How are military insignia patches formed and modified, are an interesting story? An example of this can be witnessed in the way the Fifth Special Forces Group was formed for the Vietnam War, in 1962. The United States Special Forces, Vietnam (Provisional) was formed from members drawn from the First Group, the Fifth Group, and the Seventh Groups. The soldiers operated in small units and created several insignia patch designs for their identification. The Fifth Special Forces Group used the insignia of the beret fish that combined the yellow from the first group, red from the seventh, and black from the Fifth that was incorporated with bend lets that represented the flag of Vietnam.

Insignia are available hand-sewn and machine-sewn, as well as in several other variants. This is largely because many of the insignia for the US army personnel were remade elsewhere in different countries or within the country when new arrivals came or when new recon teams were put together.

A plethora of designs of military insignia patches has seen the emergence of several hundred private vendors who offer comprehensive solutions. These vendors offer customized solutions for the military, the police, business, uniform suppliers, teams and government agencies. They can virtually manufacture patches of any shape and size and in any color.

The military insignia was used on different items in the US. Initially, in the early years, the patches served as an insignia for the Army. This was later practiced in the Navy and the Air force used them. The Marine Corps also used patches during the Second World War but discontinued their use immediately after the war. The US Navy was never partial to shoulder sleeve insignia, and had its own traditions with respect to the use of the insignia. There were very limited cases where naval personnel wore insignia in the fashion of shoulder sleeve insignia.

Gabriel J. Adams asked:




Those men and women who choose to serve their country in the military unfortunately run a higher risk of incurring a traumatic brain injury (TBI) than those civilians who might be exposed to less risk. One reason for this is that military personnel are under a high risk for being involved in car accidents, which are the most common cause of all TBIs. In addition, military personnel are consistently at risk of being injured by powerful munitions, which can also cause a brain injury through concussive force. Though military service does exposed personnel to the risk of a penetrative brain injury, such as caused by a bullet or shrapnel, an even greater risk exists for a TBI caused by a concussive blast wave as a result of an explosive. The high occurrence of explosions due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in combat theaters such as Iraq and Afghanistan means American troops in the field are at a high risk of incurring a TBI.

Afghanistan, Iraq Conflicts a Major Risk Factor for Traumatic Brain Injury

We now know those who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq are at a much higher risk of TBI than combat veterans from previous wars. In the Vietnam War, 14 to 18 percent of all veterans had a brain injury. Today, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center says 31 percent of those admitted between January 2003 and May 2005 had some kind of brain injury. A 2005 study in the New England Journal of Medicine attributed these higher numbers in part to advancements in munitions, especially improvised explosive devices, and in part to improvements in body armor, which protects soldiers from what would previously have been a fatal penetrative wound, but not from a nonfatal blast injury.

Misdiagnosed/Undiagnosed Traumatic Brain Injury in Soldiers

Because the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury often do not appear until weeks after the injury is sustained, it is not uncommon for a TBI to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This is especially true when the symptoms of a TBI are subtle, such as a personality change or emotional problems, which are easy for strangers to miss. There does exist some evidence that such symptoms may occasionally be misdiagnosed as pure psychological, or even a result of a soldier’s malingering, partly due to the lack of resources and traumatic brain injury expertise that combat doctors might be forced to deal with.

And as Commander James Dunne, lead trauma surgeon at the National Naval Medical Center, observed at a 2006 summit of military physicians, the long-term consequences of an undiagnosed TBI can be devastating. Those servicemen and women with an undiagnosed brain injury can lose all-too-important treatment time, which can prolong recovery time and possibly cause serious personal complications and setbacks. Because side effects of a traumatic brain injury include behavioral and emotional problems, especially depression, TBIs can hold discharged soldiers back from reintegrating into civilian society or even from continued success in the armed services.

A 1996 medical study showed that a behavior-related discharge from the military was 1.8 times more likely for a TBI patient than for a soldier without a TBI. Trouble with motor skills, memory and the senses, some of the more common side effects of a TBI, can also severely hamper a veteran’s ability to find a job, care for family members, or perform other vital life tasks. And without a diagnosis, military TBI patients may be liable for tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of medical bills, on top of lost wages.

Proper helmets and body armor, particularly the newest Kevlar armor, remain the best way to prevent a traumatic brain injury among those who serve in the military. It is also important to have rapid diagnosis and quickly implemented treatment of a TBI to prevent secondary injuries due to the chemical and physical changes to the brain that can accompany a TBI, swelling for example. It can also minimize the cost, both personal and financial, of the injury to the soldier and his or her loved ones. If you believe that you or one of your loved ones might have an undiagnosed service-related TBI, an experienced brain injury attorney can help you get the help and compensation you deserve.

Anne Noonan asked:




Antique military telescopes are available to you as replicas, through several Web sites.

At these replica sites for antique military telescopes you can purchase great replicas of antique military telescopes that were used on ships and other military vehicles. You might find, for instance huge antique military telescopes that were used as port masters or small ones that were used as spyglasses.
In most cases, these replicas of antique military telescopes are not only attractive keepsakes but working telescopes as well.

The $44 spyglass telescope, for example, has a fine finish and a classic look. It is tiny enough to fit inside your pocket but when you unfold it it stretches to 14 inches. This smallest of the antique military telescopes has great optics. Its rosewood covering gives it an attractive look as well as comfortable grip. The lens on this spyglass telescope is protected from damage by a cap made of brass.

At the other end of the size spectrum of these antique military telescopes is the Port Master Telescope. Its cost is $385.

It’s massive (40 inches) but attractive, and stands on a gorgeous rosewood tripod. This antique military telescope is so tall that a taller than average adult can still view through it while standing.

The Port Master has a targeting telescope that expands and contracts and is mounted on top of its main tube. Once you have honed in on your celestial (or in this case naval) target, you’ll find a sharp clear image of even distant objects. The telescope’s positioning instruments bring you very exacting information about your target’s angle and its locking screws, which are adjustable, let this antique military telescope move easily. In contrast, it can also lock it in place.

The Port Master telescope weighs more than twenty pounds.

Katrina Eden asked:




Did you know you can program your body to burn more fat - not just when you’re active, but all day - and all night - long?

Increasing your metabolism (or fat-burning ability) really is simple once you know how …

Here’s what you need to know:

Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), more commonly referred to as your metabolism, is what dictates how many calories you burn each day just by being alive.

For the average person, about 60-70% of the calories they burn each day come about by doing precisely nothing. All you have to do is keep breathing. Most people burn an additional 20-30% of their calories through daily activity, including exercise, and the other 10% is through the thermal effects of absorbing and digesting your food.

The people who lose the most weight, and keep it off, are those who are not just willing to work hard on their body, but know how to be smart about it. And one of the smartest things you can do to maximise your weight loss is to build more lean muscle so that your body works FOR you rather than AGAINST you.

I’m not talking about bulking up or becoming a body-builder. Even a small increase in muscle mass can dramatically impact your BMR. You see, for every pound of muscle you gain, your body will burn an additional 50 calories per day - just by being alive. Sure, 50 calories isn’t much (about 12 M&Ms), but what if you were to build 5 pounds of extra muscle? Or 10? Keep in mind that 10 pounds of muscle would be equivalent in size to 4 tennis balls - spread out over your whole body - so it’s not as though you’d be physically bigger. In fact, if anything, you would look a lot leaner - I know I’d rather have 4 tennis balls worth of lean, toned muscle on my body than 4 footballs of pudge (the approximate size of 10 pounds of body fat).

Wouldn’t you?

Not to mention, that the extra 500 calories you’d burn would equate to around 110 M&Ms you could eat every day without affecting your weight! Or (crazy idea!) you could NOT eat them, and watch your body fat start to melt away as if by magic :

So how do you get to that magic place and start burning fat all day long - even while you’re sleeping?

The most effective way to build lean muscle is to train with weights. For beginner’s, even once each week will cause you to build muscle. For more advanced exerciser’s, I’d recommend 2-3 times per week. In my experience, multi-joint full body exercises are the best way to go. Remember - we’re not trying to be bodybuilder’s: no single-joint movements or split body routines necessary. In fact, this could even slow your progress down, unless you are an extremely conditioned and experienced exerciser.

This is not a quick fix! Building muscle is an ongoing process, and it takes some people longer than others. Those with a slight build can expect to gain around 0.7 pounds for every 12 weeks of training, while those with a solid build may build up to 3.5 pounds of muscle in the same time frame.

IMPORTANT! Women particularly - please do not worry about becoming ‘bigger’. Lean muscle will make you much smaller in size, although your weight on the scales may remain unchanged. Why? Just remember the tennis ball vs the football. If you need more reassurance, measure yourself around the belly button each week, or use a favorite pair of jeans as a size guide.

A final point before I leave you to go hit the weights room (I’m writing this from the café in my gym - gotta practice what I preach!). Even if you’re happy with the way you look right now, or still aren’t convinced on the weight-training front, remember that for every year that passes as a non-exercising adult, you lose approximately 0.5-2% percent of the muscle you had as a young adult. This decline begins around 25 on average, and is accelerated in those are very inactive.

Scary! And this explains why so many naturally thin people end up with a soft and droopy look in later years, or a sudden and unexpected surge in weight once they enter their thirties.

The moral of the story? Train with weights. Don’t forget to stay tuned for my next article - the best way to train weights for INCREDIBLE fat loss!

Peter Cox asked:




British war medals are highly collectible and can change hands for tens of thousands of pounds. The UK has no equivalent of the U.S. Stolen Valor Act of 2005 and so there is no limitation upon their sale and purchase by dealers and collectors. It is vital though for the novice collector to be aware of the substantive difference between service (or campaign) medals and gallantry medals.

Service medals, otherwise referred to as campaign medals, are awarded to every serviceman or woman who has taken part in a particular conflict or campaign. There is no requirement that the soldier, sailor or airman has behaved in a particular, simply that they were there. The most common and collectible are British service medals from World War One, usually sold in pairs, and easily identifiable from their ribbons, assuming, of course, that the correct ribbon has been attached!

Every soldier taking part in the Great War received a War Medal and a Victory Medal. The name, serial number and regiment of the recipient of each medal will be stamped on the side and it will be possible to research details of his war record via the British Public Record Office and/or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is even possible sometimes to trace the recipient’s living relatives!

Other service medals to look out for are the 1914 Mons Star, awarded to members of the original British Expeditionary Force, and the 1915 Star. For those interested in the ANZAC involvement in the Great War, the 1915 Gallipoli Star is also highly prized. Be aware though that the recipients of these medals were far fewer in number and, consequently, the medals become more expensive to acquire.

A pair of War and Victory medals will change hands for something in the region of $40 and the Mons Star perhaps for $80. Compare this to the $120,000 you will need to pay for a Victoria Cross and you will immediately appreciate the difference to the collector between service and gallantry medals.

The Victoria Cross is, of course, the highest award for gallantry in the British Armed Forces, equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor. It is rarely awarded and then, very often, posthumously. More often seen in a museum there are some very substantial collections of Victoria Crosses in private hands.

The award of British gallantry medals is also interesting in that a distinction is made between officers and other ranks. For the same act of bravery that would result in an officer receiving the Military Cross, a member of the ranks would receive the Military Medal. Similarly, in the Royal Air Force, where an officer might receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, a member of the other ranks would receive the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Collecting British War medals is a highly rewarding and interesting pastime and it is possible to build up a substantial collection of service medals. Collecting gallantry medals requires far greater resources and, very often, attendance at specialist auctions.

Candis Reade asked:




You have begun to climb the long mountain of acceptance. You have said goodbye to your loved one. You have gone through setting up the funeral, and it was much harder and more expensive than you ever dreamt it would be. You sat through the service, and dealt with the remains as they wanted them to be. You shook the hands of the people who came, pondered why the people who didn’t show never arrived, listened to the I’m sorry’s till you were tired of the words and they held little comfort, and you came back to the new world you never thought would come. But now there’s one more step - thank-you cards filled with funeral thank you verses.

When a person is done with the funeral, the funeral thank you verses is the last thing that crosses their mind. What do you say? Why have you never heard of this? The truth is, most people don’t talk about this part of the funeral. However, the rules of etiquette, even for funerals, say it’s polite and respectful to send a thank-you card to everyone that came or did something for the funeral. It shows that even in your time of grief, you are polite, well bred, and thankful that you have people who care around you. Funeral thank you verses also show that you still want a relationship with everyone who was there.

What should funeral thank you verses say? How are you suppose to sound sincere and elegant while crying your heart out and reevaluating your entire life? Here are few ideas that will help. As with all thank-you cards, address it directly to a person or persons, such as Dear Dan and Rose Bennet, rather than The Bennet family, or worse, The Bennets. Start off with a comment on how glad you were to see them. Then continue with thanking them for what they did or the mere fact they came, and how much it meant to you for them to be there: “It helped so much that you took the time to send those beautiful flowers. It helped me a lot “. For direct family members: mother, father, sister, brother, etc. , explain how wonderful the person was and some of the great memories you have of him or them: Phil loved when he spoke of you, and I know it meant a lot to him that you were there. Finally, invite them to come over, call, e-mail etc. Feel free to call or e-mail me, I’d love to reminisce or just talk.

Not only will the recipient of these funeral thank you verses feel warmed and thought of, it will help you with the healing. They will have a new respect for you and all that you have done. Not only that, they will also see how well you shine, even in this time of trouble. The type of warmth and happiness that a thank-you card brings, is exactly what everyone needs to overcome that sense of loss.

Omar Mazatleen asked:




Do you have a kid who likes to play with guns and war games on your PC? For sure you are bothered of the violence that these war elements give your kid. Well you should but not to the extent that you force your kid to stay away from it. Maybe your kid is starting to develop an eagerness of becoming a soldier someday. If this is the case you better support him and unleash that dream of your boy. You can give him a military cap or military inspired clothes or gears that resemble the real military tactical gears. The molding of a good soldier usually starts at younger age so better start it now with your kid.

Military tactical gear and camo gear are not only for the big boys, but for the kids too. The younger generations or should I say the future soldiers can now feel like the full-grown and real military men. The kids too can wear all the clothes, gear, and accessories that was once only for the big boys. The kids will no longer try to use the military jacket of their fathers that fits them as a coverall and almost runs down their feet. And the fathers who are rushing for an operation will never go crazy gaga looking for the headgear that the kid snatched from their closet. The kids can have their own that fits them well so they don’t have to borrow from their parents.

The military supplies and surplus shops do not only sell military issue and surplus equipments. They also specialize in sales of camo gear and military inspired kids clothing and accessories such as jackets, pants, coverall, and even patches or insignias. Sorry kids but no guns for sale. You can ask your father for a toy gun but the real gun is a big no no.

Nancy Fulton asked:




After World War II, returning GI’s were offered a series of benefits designed to make them a functional part of the US economy. Among the most important benefits of the GI Bill were funding for:

a full college education for returning vets and zero down payment home loans for vets and their widowed dependents

With 16 million military personnel deployed, and with so many taking advantage of these benefits, there may be more than strong family values and hard work to explain why the folks that fought in WWII are called the “greatest generation”. Those benefits, so widely distributed and so tightly targeted at the age group that has always been the “engine” of an economy, set the stage for some long term prosperity.

Benefits provided to vets after military deployment have declined over the years. The more than one million military men and women who have been deployed since 9/11 do receive some benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but they are far less comprehensive than what WWII vets received.

Active Duty service members who give up $100 a month for their first year of deployment can receive a flat payment of up to $1101 a month for college for 36 months under the MGIB-AD program. Educational benefits for on the job training or apprenticeship programs are less. Qualifying for full benefits under this program requires that the vet have met a significant number of service and requirements. Selected reserve and national guard, though they may also have seen long deployments, are not guaranteed the same benefits.

The VA still guarantees loans for vets, allowing banks to make some loans available for now down payment. But “regular military” professionals must meet several eligibility requirements related to their length of active duty service in order to receive ACE certification. Selected Reserve and National Guard may be eligible for these benefits if they have complete six years of service or were discharged with a service-connected disability.

There are, as there always have been, additional benefits Vets can receive. The Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express makes it easier for vets to get a loan to start a new business. States sometimes provide business loans, unemployment and insurance benefits to vets. But these benefits are no replacement for the holistic support originally provided to vets under the GI bill.

The VA estimates that more than 200,000 vets are homeless on any given night, and 400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year. These vets have served in every war, but the majority have come from Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 47% of homeless vets are estimated to be from the Vietnam era.

Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan are already appearing on US streets. In some cases they are victims of slow or inadequate treatment for injuries (mental and physical) sustained in the war zone. In other cases they are simply unable to find employment which makes exercising home loan benefits or taking real advantage of piecemeal educational benefits unfeasible.

After World War II, a four year war, the US faced the problem of how to reintegrate military professionals into the economy head on. They developed the GI bill to support their educational and financial requirements soon after their return. The result was a generation of vets who were able to contribute to our society in almost every capacity.

Failure to meet the needs of vets returning from subsequent wars has resulted in an increasingly ill and desperate population of homeless vets. Perhaps the smartest investment we can make in the military is to remake the GI Bill for a new generation. It is the best way to insure, as the “Greatest Generation”would have wished, that this generation is “Greater Still”.

Leigh A. Matelas asked:




An attractive, inviting bedroom can play a big role in keeping the romance alive in your relationship. Whether you’re looking to completely redesign your bedroom or just add a few decorative touches, there are plenty of ways in which you can create a romantic haven where you and your other half can unwind after a busy day and rediscover your love and affection for each other.

If you want to keep the focus on romance in your bedroom, it’s important to eliminate other distractions. This means keeping the room clean and free of clutter. Links with the outside world such as telephones, TVs or computers should ideally be kept in another room or placed somewhere unobtrusive. Avoid bringing the stress of the workplace into your bedroom - keep office files and documents well out of sight!

You may not be able to change the size or location of your bedroom, but repositioning the furniture can dramatically change the appearance of your room. If your bedroom is smaller than you’d like, positioning the bed at an angle in a corner can make the room appear larger, while mirrors add depth. If your room looks bare, a plain wooden floor can be made more romantic with the addition of a richly patterned oriental rug or carpet.

Beds and romance

Your bed is obviously the key piece of furniture in your room when it comes to love and romance!

Certain styles of bed, such as four-poster, Victorian or canopy beds evoke old-fashioned romantic moods, while for some couples the playfulness and adventure of a waterbed does the trick. Generally speaking, large, soft, inviting beds of any type are romantic when everything else is right.

For a luxurious, sensual feel, sheets should be made of satin, silk or soft, high-quality cotton. Quilts and bedspreads decorated with lace or embroidered with floral designs are very romantic and feminine. Scattering a number of soft, fluffy pillows in different sizes and colours on your bed creates a charming effect. Curtains or valences with fringes, beads, or lace can complement the style of your bed and add detail and elegance to your windows.

Inspire romance using all the senses

The colour of the walls in a room is known to have an influence on our mood.

Your choice of colours will be determined by your personal taste, but be aware that softer colours are more relaxing and tend to inspire serenity. Red and pink are associated with love and passion, however too much of these colours could be overpowering, so combine touches of red or pink with a neutral background colour such as white or cream. Whatever colour scheme you choose, make sure you keep it consistent, as introducing too many colours or styles creates disharmony in your room.

Flowers are always romantic and instantly brighten up a room. For a classic romantic gesture, red roses are the obvious choice, though daisies and tulips are popular alternatives.

The artwork you hang on your walls can also be used to inspire romance. Display your artistic taste with beautiful prints, watercolours or oil paintings, or for something more personal to your relationship, hang a series of photographs of the two of you, or other mementos that have special meaning. Surrounding yourself with personal memories can inspire your relationship like nothing else.

We all know soft lighting is crucial for creating a romantic atmosphere, whether it’s in a dimly lit restaurant or at home in your bedroom. Candles are indelibly linked with romance, so light as many as you like, in all sizes, colours and scents. You could also install lights that can be dimmed or make use of bedside lamps with shades in a soft colour. Don’t allow external light to spoil the mood - If there’s a harsh streetlight outside your window, block it with curtains.

Scent can also have a significant effect on our emotions. To set the mood with scent, use perfumed candles, essential oils burned in an oil burner, or simply a splash of your favourite perfume on your sheets. Choose calming or sensual scents such as jasmine, ylang ylang, rose or vanilla and don’t overdo scent to the point where it becomes overpowering. In addition, bear in mind any allergies or sensitivities to scents your partner may have.

Finally, soft music is a key element in setting a romantic mood. Place a stereo in your bedroom with the speakers away from the head of the bed, so the sound is not too intrusive. Make a CD with a collection of romantic songs or music (bearing in mind again your partner’s taste). Be creative, be inspired, and revitalise the romance in your life!

J Stone asked:




Around the world, organized military forces of governments have many different types of military uniforms that they wear. Clearly being one of the founding fathers of the uniform, the militaries of countries have contributed greatly towards what constitutes a good uniform today.

In addition to offering protective features from the elements or even enemy fire military uniforms are also worn to signify a specific job role within the military. After the early 1900’s, uniforms stopped being supplied in bright colors and instead, were supplied in more drab colors. Partially to aid in combat, these colors would often blend in with the surrounding areas on the battlefields. The dress uniforms, however, would continue to remain colorful and elaborate.

Uniforms have been designed to serve many purposes. Among these purposes are distinction, camouflage, logistics and psychological warfare. A brief description of each purpose follows:

Distinction:

One main reason for having uniforms is so that combatants can distinguish individuals protected by the laws of war and those who are allowed to carry weapons. Some individuals in war who carry weapons and fight back are often not protected by these laws. One other reason was to prevent army deserters from being able to modify their clothing to reflect more ordinary civilian clothing. The uniforms themselves were so distinct in design and style that these deserters could be easily identified.

Visibility & Camouflage:

The evolution of military uniforms from bright colors (to help in identification on a battle field) to more camouflaged ones (where they become virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape) is a clear indication of the purpose of a uniform. While previously important to find units in battle, the evolution of warfare has necessitated the more stealthier aspects of armies and hence more attention to camouflage.

Logistics:

During large wars, it is significantly easier to produce and equip armies with standard sized uniforms. This becomes a more economical way to outfit thousands of soldiers quickly and efficiently during a war.

Psychological Warfare:

In the past, uniforms were also used as a sort of psychological warfare. Form enhancing gear that make the soldiers appear larger and more formidable often strike fear into the opposing sides. Large caps, capes, specific colors all add to the psychological warfare of the military uniforms.

Modern day military uniforms are much more simpler. The US Army soldiers wear standard camouflage utilities for practically all purposes unless there is a dress parade or formal occasion where they will wear their full dress uniforms. Today, the tradition and reasons for wearing military uniforms still remain. It is unlikely that this tradition will change drastically in the future.