I only have a minute here, so this will be brief. Claymore, I accept your pedigree. Too fucking many people post in these types of threads with no frame of reference. You have made certain we all know that you are a warrior. But I am going to say one thing to you, Brother. HE LOST HIS FUCKING FOOT!! HE MAINTAINED COMMAND UNTIL HIS TEAM WAS SAFE!!! What I hear from you is that old Navy envy that I here out of SOME Marines all the time. We can debate all fucking day about this Navy/Marine bullshit. And I agree that politics get into the fray more often than not. And I really agree that that young Marine deserved a Medal of Honor. But get off that load of shite about Kerry. You, a combat vet, should know better than the rest of these self proclaimed sages, what went on there. You should know that most of us did things that, in the air of 30 years reflection, and in the absence of the terror of the times, don't look very good. Neither did No Gun Ri. And there are others in every single war.

On to your general comments. While I don't disagree with some of your assessment, It is my opinion that you ignore role that lousy intel, usually gathered by non-military sources, plays in those actions. The Grenada operation was a complete goatf**k, and an inappropriate use of the teams. And for what?

We do have an area of agreement. I don't believe the Special Ops groups of today are the same as they were 30 years ago. You captured exactly what the mission should be. Todays specwarriors are, indeed, trained for missions that they will likely never see.

And no, Clay, we don't have a big conflict going. I just believe you are wrong with regard to Bob Kerry. And I believe you are absolutely right about politics getting in the way of that young Marine getting his just recognition. Want to start a campaign to write this wrong? I will do whatever it takes to help you. I MUST get my oversized arse to work.

All the best,

Mick