Happy Veteran’s Day!
And thank you for your service if you’re a vet. The Doc did his time with Uncle Sam a while back, and wholeheartedly supports America’s veterans.
I’d just like to point out to you that the United States military is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, having responded to nearly every major disaster and humanitarian crisis around the globe in recent memory. After all, who else has the disciplined, well-trained people, supplies, equipment and global reach? That’s a rhetorical question. The answer is nobody else does.
This of course includes here at home, where the National Guard and Air National Guard are often called up to respond to disasters around the country. Make no mistake, the days of being a “weekend warrior” are gone. Today’s guard and reserve units are an inseparable part of the total U.S. military force structure, and frequently deploy alongside and supplement active duty units in every conceivable job, and with every deployment here and abroad.
Another thought, I was recently listening to some talking heads on some program on TV, or maybe it was the satellite radio; anyhow, they were talking about the military’s efforts to deal with climate change. The guest talking head called the U.S. military a “reality based organization” because they are dealing with the current and future impacts of climate change on global stability, U.S. security, and force readiness.
Pentagon: global warming will change how US military trains and goes to war
A nice summary from the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
U.S. Military Forges Ahead with Plans to Combat Climate Change
Talks about the military’s climate adaptation and energy use.
In fact, the military has been working on this for some time. They have also been at the forefront of sustainability by embracing “green” power. Although they aren’t doing it to be politically correct, to be “green”, or for any reason other than to be prepared. I think many military installations these days have solar and wind power in place, and the Air Force has come a long way in developing a bio-based jet fuel. This is all good, because despite denialist rants in some political circles, I definitely want my military to be “reality based” and ready for any eventuality.
How about you?
Cheers, Doc Goodwell
PS The last Ebola patient in the U.S., Dr. Craig Spencer, was discharged from a hospital in New York City today. He seems to have survived nicely. So the case Fatality rate in the U.S. remains at 11% (Being the optimistic sort, I had already counted him as a survivor in my previous post). Dr. Spencer had helped care for Ebola patients in Guinea, West Africa with Doctors Without Borders. Kaci Hickox, the nurse who was sequestered after returning from working helping Ebola patients in Sierra Leone with Doctor’s Without Borders, has cleared the 21 day mark and been released from quarantine. These folks are both big damn heroes — people like our service men and women who put their personal comfort and safety aside to do their duty, and to do what’s right. So kudos to them all!
More Info on US Military planning for climate change…
2014 Quadrennial Defense Review
Always a good in-depth, annual read about the state of U.S. defense
DOD Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, FY 2014
Gory detail about the U.S. military’s sustainability plans. Good stuff.
Up Next…
Still working on the link to Ebola and climate change (if any). So stay tuned for that.
Also, a more in-depth look at the U.S. military’s adaptation measures might make for a good post in the future. What say you, my faithful blog followers? (Hi mom!)