by SGT Strike | Sep 11, 2016 | Veterans, Vision Strike Wear Blog Categories, Vision-Strike-Coins.Com
The word hero is one that is overused in society. Too may times we hear that this person is a hero or that person is a hero, and normally these people are just doing the right thing or doing their job. On the anniversary of 9/11 I think we should sit back, take a moment, and remember what the word hero really means. We should also honor all of the heroes that lost their lives that terrible day so that others could go home to their families. The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers who ran toward danger as everyone else was running away. The brave passengers aboard flight 93 who sacrificed their own lives so that another target would not be destroyed by the terrorists who threatened our nation and our way of life on that day.
Remembering 9/11 and our country immediately following that horrific day makes me think about the state of our country today. As you listen to the news regardless of which news agency you prefer, almost all of the rhetoric is focused on how to divide our country. We hear that Black Lives Matter, Police Lives Matter, the rich are suppressing the poor, trans genders are being discriminated against in some way, Republican vs. Democrats, and no matter what your political or personal beliefs on these things are you have to admit that these are all ways to divide the people of our country into separate groups. On 9/11/2001 and for the period directly following, the only group that people identified as was American. This was an act of war that threatened everything we have come to know and love in this country. No one cared if you were black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, or anything else under the sun. Americans only cared that you were an American which meant you were on the same side of this new war on terror.
I will start this by personally thanking all those who have fought for me and this country in one way or another. This includes my brothers and sisters in arms, police officers, fire fighters, EMT’s, and everyone else who has an occupation that puts them in danger so the people of America can enjoy waking up and knowing that they are free and safe. I want to thank all of those heroes who run towards the dangers that others are running away from. Regardless of your occupation or situation I want to thank you for your actions, service, or duties. I invite everyone to take a moment on this day and be thankful for the fact that our country is filled with so many of these people. Remember that the division that the media promotes will never result in anything but anger and chaos. Remember that we are all Americans and that means something.
The coins below were designed to honor our fallen heroes.
by SGT Strike | Aug 16, 2016 | Active Duty, Commentary, Everything Else, Military News & Press, Veterans, Vision Strike Wear, Vision Strike Wear Blog Categories
So you have just learned that you will be stationed in the illustrious Fort Campbell Kentucky and are on your way to the 101st Airborne decision. The first thing that runs through your head is great, I’m definitely going to have to go to Air Assault school and I’m in for a ton of running on the post that borders Tennessee and Kentucky.
What you don’t know is that you are about to become a member of one of the most decorated and proud units that the United States Army has. The birthday of this proud unit is approaching and I thought it only fitting that we discuss their current operations, and rich history on this day of celebration.
The 101st was not initially concentrated on the Air Assault missions. The Screaming Eagles as they are still known as today would conduct operations and jump into enemy territory, many times behind enemy lines to give the US military a strategic advantage in battle. They were involved in D-Day and the beaches of Normandy and performed exceptionally in the famous Battle of the Bulge. They have continued to participate in every major conflict or war since WWII Receiving numerous unit awards and citations in the process. Here is a current list of those citations:
* [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY only)
* Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AN NAJAF (1st Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010 (3rd Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965–1966 (1st Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2003–2004 (1st Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
* French Croix de guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Belgian Croix de guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only);
* Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Belgian [[Fourragère]] 1944 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
* Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966–1967 (1st Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2d Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968–1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968–1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)
* Navy/Marine Unit Commendation (Army) for Iraq 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
* [[Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation]] for Afghanistan 2008–2009 (5–101 AVN only) Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Haiti Operation Uphold Democracy (101st MP CO only)
Today the 101st Screaming Eagles have been re-organized and have a similar but very different mission. The division has ditched the classic means of entering enemy territory and no longer utilizes planes as its primary aircraft. The Screaming Eagles can insert up to 4,000 troops 150 kilometers into enemy territory utilizing rotary aircraft (helicopters for civilians). They continue to answer the calls of our Army, and our nation and we should all wish them a very happy birthday.
by SGT Strike | Aug 15, 2016 | Everything Else, Vision Strike Wear, Vision Strike Wear Blog Categories
I would personally like to wish a happy birthday to one of the most historic and decorated units in our Armed Forces. The 82nd Airborne’s motto of “death from above” is extremely fitting for the only infantry unit that continues to stand ready to drop into enemy territory via parachute. Let us all think about the type of soldier that it takes to do this for a moment. The first thing to realize is that all of them are willing to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. That sounds crazy enough right, but the second thing is that they don’t train to drop into some secure drop zone somewhere, they actually train to drop into enemy controlled territory and bring the fight from above.
This light infantry units training is rigorous, and the unit is located in FT Bragg, NC. They all must attend airborne training in FT Benning, GA to be qualified for their tasks. This school is a grueling 3 week course that will test the soles of your boots as well as your patience. One you have graduating and make it to FT Bragg you must jump at least once every 3 months to maintain your airborne status and these jumps take a toll on the body. There are plenty of soldiers with busted knees and backs due to the impact of all the jumps performed throughout a career. I have witnessed soldiers who have literally lost inches in their height presumably due to the compression of their spine throughout their careers. They do all of this to stay sharp and call themselves a member of the prestigious 82nd Airborne division.
The units nickname of the All American division is displayed on the flag as well as the unit patch that is proudly displayed by the soldiers who have deployed and served under them, as well as the current members of the unit. What many of those soldiers may not be aware of is that in the early days of the unit’s operations there were two distinctly different airborne soldiers. The first type were the traditional airborne soldiers of today who provide death from above, but another group of soldiers dropped in via military glider, and they had a distinctly different badge that was worn for this skill. The unit no longer has gliders but a photo of this distinctive badge can be seen below.
The unit has had many important leaders including General Omar Bradley throughout the years that have not only shaped the unit itself but have also shaped our Army and our military as a whole. They performed in exemplary fashion numerous times during WWII, and in all of the US Army’s conflicts that followed. They have a rich history and tradition that distinguishes them from other units in the Army. On this day I would like to recognize that distinction and wish them a very happy birthday. Current and former members may be interested in the coin below.
by SGT Strike | Aug 7, 2016 | Vision Strike Wear
Donald Trump was recently gifted a Purple Heart by a veteran who had earned one for his actions. Trump immediately responded that he had always wanted one (referring to the Purple Heart). Everyone who has heard this comment has rightfully vilified him for his comments doubting that he actually wanted to be wounded or killed in combat, or that any person for that matter would wish to be wounded or killed for their country.
While this may be true since it is the birth month of this prestigious award I think it is only fair that we review the history of the Purple Heart. It is after all the oldest award in our military and immediately identifiable by its purple color and the profile view of the bust of our first president General George Washington. This is extremely fitting considering the award’s origin. Originally known as the Badge of Merit and established by George Washington himself for, “not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way”. Washington himself only handed out 3 of these very prestigious awards himself. If Trump had been referring to the award as it was known during this period I feel that there would have been no backlash towards his comments, since injury or death was not a qualifying characteristic of the award.
http://www.vision-strike-wear.com/Purple-Heart-Available-To-All-Desired-By-None-Shirt.html 
So when did the criteria of being wounded and its current utilization come about? Well another great general in our United States Military made it his goal to revive the award. General MacArthur spearheaded the reviving of the award which was announced in 1932. A Soldier could request the award if at any time after 1917 they had been awarded both a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate and an Army wound ribbon. A soldier could also request the award if they had been authorized wound chevrons and not been awarded the Army Wound Ribbon. Once the new criteria had been established MacArthur himself was the first soldier to receive the award.
Regardless of the criteria the Purple Heart has always been a symbol of patriotism and valor to the American people, and for that reason I can understand why a politician like Trump may say that they have always wanted a Purple Heart. Not that for one second I believe that he or anyone else in their right mind would want to be wounded or die for their country in order to receive it, but they would like to be associated with an award and the thoughts that surround a symbol such as the Purple Heart. I know that personally I immediate have a certain level of respect that I give to someone who is driving a vehicle with a Purple Heart license plate. I know that the owner of that vehicle was put in a danger before the enemy and risked their life in some way defending our country, and our freedom. The soldier probably had a family, a mother, a father, wife, husband, or children that they were fighting for and they were wounded ensuring that those people would be safe even though they probably worried about his/her safety every night. The soldier more than likely had downplayed the danger that they were in so as not to worry the family waiting for them at home.
At the end of the day the current Purple Heart exemplifies a military member’s willingness to put the needs of others before their own and acknowledges that the recipient may have lived through the encounter but was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
by SGT Strike | Jul 22, 2016 | Vision Strike Wear
The Army’s Real War
The Army has been at a constant state of war or conflict since that despicable day on September 11th 2001. A day that a radicalized group decided to bring a war to America’s door step. The United States Army was then called into action in Afghanistan. Next there was a perceived threat from Iraq about weapons of mass destruction. Now my blog is not here to debate whether this threat was true or merely perceived, it is to simply state that the US Army and other armed services were again called into action to do what we have always done and that is to fight and win our nation’s wars.
We have now been fighting these wars for close to 15 years, and it is hard to remember a time that we were not at war, but at some point during those 15 years a new war has started to rage inside of our own beloved Army. This war is what I like to call the war on hurt feelings. You see apparently the Army must fight and win the nations wars so long as we also ensure that we don’t hurt any of the soldiers’ feelings while we do it.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s) are now in the business of winning our nations war on hurt feelings. When most soldiers raise there right hand and swear into our organization it seems as though someone has said that they will support and defend the Constitution of the United States so long as everyone’s feelings are considered. I didn’t observe that particular statement but you can read below to see if I am accurate. If you don’t believe me I challenge you to go into your ranks and observe how much time is spent on training soldiers and leaders how not to offend any other soldier and how all soldiers should be treated equally, then compare this to the amount of time actually spent on the training that they will need in a deployed environment. If a soldier or leader does something wrong, leaders must document it, counsel them (on paper), and ensure every instance of that infraction by every soldier is handled in the same manner. The days of leading are over! The days of looking at the individual soldier assessing their past performance, and who they are, and then coming up with an appropriate answer to the situation are over. There is no trust in the NCO corps to handle discipline in the unit and actually lead soldiers.
Go ask a few older NCO’s how things were handled in their day. Sure there was paperwork every once in a while if the infraction really called for it, but many times it was getting smoked until you couldn’t raise your arms to take a sip of water. Today that might hurt someone’s feelings, and NCO’s aren’t capable of making the discretionary decision about which form of discipline is the best for that particular soldier in that particular instance. There is actually a regulation that covers which exercises can be used as a form of discipline, although you can only use one exercise per instance at a moderate pace. The maximum number of push-ups for a given act is 5-4 count push-ups. What lesson is this teaching our soldiers? They do more than that for a warm-up at PT in the morning.
I for one am sick of the wussification of the military. We need to get back to the basics, treat soldiers like soldiers, and ensure they are ready to fight our nation’s wars. Because I assure you the enemy does not care about their feelings, and isn’t going to “put things on paper”. We are not a Fortune 500 company regardless of what others would like to think and we are not in the business protecting soldiers’ feelings. We are in the business of protecting the freedoms of the people of the United States and that is the mission we need to start concentrating on again. Anyone who is offended by this article please feel free to utilize the comment form below.
