Granddaughter's husband - Wow!

[kent]

Just found out he's likely (almost positively) going to get reassigned to a PSYOPS unit (Psychological Operations) in the very near future.  He has several well placed sponsors that want him pretty badly.  There's more to it but I'm not at liberty to expound.  I am so proud of this kid!

[thyme4change]

Is that modern speak for the Propaganda unit?  He is going to be brainwashing locals to love America!  Yeah America! 

Actually, I'm sure it is quite an honor.  And I have a tremendous amount of respect for our military and what they accomplish.  

[kittensaver]

We spend so much time bashing the next generation of lazy, entitled young 'uns on this board, so it's really nice to see a young, responsible adult get ahead .

[kent]

Apr 10, 2013 13:10:59 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Is that modern speak for the Propaganda unit?  He is going to be brainwashing locals to love America!  Yeah America! 

Actually, I'm sure it is quite an honor.  And I have a tremendous amount of respect for our military and what they accomplish.  

Using words like "propaganda" and "brainwashing" to tarnish, denigrate, intimate and/or diminish his role tell me in no uncertain terms you haven't got a clue relative to what this is all about.

As far as your "Yeah America" comment is concerned, that's more of the same so if you don't like it here, freaking move!  If your don't live here, stay where you're at.

And don't give me this passive-aggressive BS about "respect" for our troops - your post clearly indicates you have anything but respect for our troops or this country.  Your disingenuous rhetoric leaves me with no alternative but to question what your "problem" is.  All I can say is that I'll bet it's really hard to spell.

[kent]

Apr 10, 2013 13:32:10 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

We spend so much time bashing the next generation of lazy, entitled young 'uns on this board, so it's really nice to see a young, responsible adult get ahead .

Thank you Kitten! [img]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff155/JiminiChristmas/smileys/hug.gif[/img] 

[chiver78]

congrats to him, that's awesome! is this the guy that was taking all those classes in Japanese, among other things? very cool, I'm so happy for him.

let us know what you can, when you can. I'm excited just to hear about it!

[kent]

Apr 10, 2013 18:37:41 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

congrats to him, that's awesome! is this the guy that was taking all those classes in Japanese, among other things? very cool, I'm so happy for him.

let us know what you can, when you can. I'm excited just to hear about it!

Hi Chiver.  Actually it was arabic and cryptology.  Thank you for recognizing his efforts.  If/when I can share more info, I will. 

[chiver78]

ooh.....Japanese and Arabic aren't anywhere close to the same thing. my bad...    where did I get the idea it was Japanese? oops. I do remember the cryptology part, though. I'm not totally losing my mind lol...

will he be able to stay local, at least as a home base?

[mmhmm]

That's great, kent!  Congratulations to him ... and to you, hon.  I know you're proud as Punch!

[busymom]

Congrats Kent!  That young man is really going places. 


There are a lot of fine "young uns" in the next generation. 

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 19:58:58 GMT -5 busymom said:

Congrats Kent!  That young man is really going places. 


There are a lot of fine "young uns" in the next generation. 

[Jaguar]

Congratulations Kent to you and your family.

[thyme4change]

Sorry Kent.  I truly was kidding.  I have never heard of this unit, and I don't know what they actually do.  I'm sure it is a great honor.  And I'm sorry that I offended you.  I am very supportive of the military, even if I am completely ignorant.

[kent]

Apr 11, 2013 18:23:30 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Sorry Kent.  I truly was kidding.  I have never heard of this unit, and I don't know what they actually do.  I'm sure it is a great honor.  And I'm sorry that I offended you.  I am very supportive of the military, even if I am completely ignorant.

Well, you know what Thyme?  It didn't come across as kidding at the time and I'm very sensitive about our troops and what they do.  As a result, I had a very strong reaction.

So, apology accepted (thank you) and a truce has been officially enacted, OK?

[Otto the Orange]

PSYOPS is now called MISO

[kent]

Apr 12, 2013 8:05:29 GMT -5 Otto the Orange said:

PSYOPS is now called MISO

Thanks Bill.  Granddaughter just called it PSYOPS when we talked but a little research into what you've said revealed this:

By Col. Curtis Boyd
Originally published in the January-February 2011 edition of Special Warfare

In 2005, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asked whether the term psychological operations, or PSYOP, still had utility in the information age. His point was that the information age posed many branding challenges for PSYOP that adherence to the code of conduct and the Army values simply could not overcome. Earlier this year, absent any improvement in brand image, Admiral Eric Olson, commander of the United States Special Operations Command, directed that the term PSYOP be changed to military information-support operations, or MISO.1

But the simple name change can neither eliminate the association....

www.soc.mil/swcs/SWmag/archive/SW2401/SW2401TheFutureOfMISO.html

My guess is that the PSYOPS term is just one of those phrases that's "hanging on" a little longer?

She also said something about some sort of link to Special Ops but given the situation (clearance?) she may not know the complete story herself.


I don't know - I'm just a grandpa!   

[kent]

Not meaning to dredge up an old thread - it's a continuity thing and I'm very proud.  It's been since April 2013 so here's the latest update.

Granddaughter's husband, just complete Special Ops evaluation (one month program) last Friday

Now the Army wants him to consider another option - the Physician Assistant program (he has previous education as an EMT).  They've given him until December to make up his mind.  If he accepts, he would commence training in February 2014.  I don't know all the details at this juncture but there would be an extended enlistment involved. 

According to what I've seen on the Army website, it also looks like this could lead to a commission if all went well.  He's not all revved up over getting a commission so that's not of paramount importance to him , he just likes the medical field.  (of course, he may not have a choice - the "boss' is armed lol)

This link is 20 pages long if you're interested in reading more:

www.usarec.army.mil/downloads/armypa/AR601_20FY12MESSAGE.pdf

This guy is going to end up with a boat load of qualifications if he proceeds with what he (and granddaughter) consider a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[Jaguar]

That's fantastic news Kent, you must be so dang proud.

[Deleted]

well for saleable reasons, the PA program would be of much greater benefit later in life

those skills translate well into the civilian world....my dad was one

but either way, it sounds like he is one hell of a young man

did he do the language school in Monterrey? 

grats....and a lot to be proud of in either respect....

[mmhmm]

Military service and training as a PA is invaluable, kent.  If he likes the medical field, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime for him.  PAs and Nurse Practitioners are getting better and better placements and salaries have no place to go but up.  He'll do very well in a field he can really enjoy and in which he can truly contribute.  I hope he takes the opportunity, and you certainly have every reason to be proud as Punch! 

[The Captain]

It is so wonderful to hear a parent praising a DIL or SIL for a change, good for you and him!

[chiver78]

I'm not clicking a link that leads me to 20 pages of reading just as the first pitch goes out for what I hope will be the last game of the World Series.

that said, you've posted so many times about your SIL and how proud you are of him, this new news is just amazing. I love that you are so proud of him, and I hope whatever he and your DD decide is the best thing for them. I'm proud to have such a good person - by all your accounts - representing me and my country around the world. If I ask nothing else, please pass along my thanks to both your DD and SIL for their service to this country.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Kent, congrats to your GrS(on)IL - you've posted many times of his dedicated service to the country - and his accomplishments.

You have every right to be proud of him.

[Tennesseer]

Oct 30, 2013 19:02:42 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I'm not clicking a link that leads me to 20 pages of reading just as the first pitch goes out for what I hope will be the last game of the World Series.

that said, you've posted so many times about your SIL and how proud you are of him, this new news is just amazing. I love that you are so proud of him, and I hope whatever he and your DD decide is the best thing for them. I'm proud to have such a good person - by all your accounts - representing me and my country around the world. If I ask nothing else, please pass along my thanks to both your DD and SIL for their service to this country.

Go Boston!

[Phoenix84]

Thyme wasn't totally off base.  Though "brainwashing" people to love America is probably a gross over simplification.

The DOD defines psychological warfare as:

"The planned use of propaganda and other psychological actions having the primary purpose of influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of hostile forign groups in such a way as to support the achievment of national objectives."

So propaganda is involved, but it's only one method used to influence hostile groups in such a way as to benefit our forces and national goals.