Historical records of wars are available for 4000 years. That is a pretty long time. However even a cursory reading of the campaigns of Hannibal and Alexander to those of Chengiz khan and Napoleon will show that no women soldiers were used or took part in any operation. There could be exceptions here and there like Joan of Arc or a Rani of Jhansi, but the underlying thread is that women have by and large never been soldiers.

However there are records to show that women did accompany soldiers and armies in a different capacity as ‘camp followers’ or ‘comfort women’. Their job was to comfort the soldier after the heat of battle. Women activists who propagate gender equality, must understand that something not in vogue or practiced for thousands of years cannot be negated at one stroke of a pen.

A deeper study will show that women as soldiers or officers cannot stand up to the rigors of the job due to their God given qualities. Firstly women are not as strong as men and secondly they have inherent biological cycles that cannot be obviated and certainly can be restrictive in the heat of combat. That is the reason even an enlightened nation like the USA does not use women for combat duties.

A few times the women were used as soldiers like during the first Iraq war the results were disastrous as an Iraqi attack took some women recruits as prisoners with disastrous results of sexual assault. Women’s equality with man certainly needs to be supported but women in the armed forces is not the best of things. Perhaps their role as non combatants can have some meaning as they will add a feminine and healing touch in a world that is certainly a mans world.

Being one of the military troops is one great example of sacrificing life and time. Think about the responsibility of all the military men, it is so great and very challenging. Once they are out in the battle, their hearts never stop pounding, their mind needs to be focused and their body is in deep pressure. It is the intense adrenaline rush that makes them so in to the battle for peace and prosperity.

It is not easy to become a part of the military most especially when you have a family and little kids to think about. The family that they have left behind also feels intense pressure every time their husband or their father is on a mission. The hearts of families never stop from beating fast too. They never stop from worrying and they even constantly think of what could have been going on every single minute. Family support, strength, courage and prayers are what every military soldier needs in order for them to face all of the hardships that they meet.

When an individual has a firm decision on becoming a military soldier, all out support from the family and significant others should be given. For those individuals who are willing to become a member of the military in their country, they must pass or qualify the requirements and the standards of the military academy.

One very important requirement is the age. Those who are willing to join the academy must be at least 17 years old but with parental consent or 18 years old without any parental consent. You need to be of legal age when you want to join due to the fact that this matter is very serious and it needs mature individuals in order to fully understand the procedures and issues that surround the academy and of course, the country. Age is definitely one of the criteria when talking about legal matters. Same goes too when you want to carry and use a self defense tazer or any forms of non lethal weapons.

The military academy also requires every applicant to be in good physical condition. Health is a requirement and as much as possible, they want their applicants to be mentally and emotionally fit as well. They will undergo screening and medical examinations to determine if there are underlying diseases and also if they are qualified or not. This is also a requirement when one decides to buy a stun gun for self defense.

Educational attainment is one requirement that almost any branch of military also requires. Applicants must have graduated from high school and can present a high school diploma and any other accepted credentials. In almost any type of work field, having a good educational background is a must.

Good moral character is another requirement in almost any military service. The recruiter will have to perform a serious background check in all of the applicants. This is to determine if the applicant has history of being imprisoned, use of illegal drugs and has committed serious crimes. Applicants having such can destroy the reputation of the military academy.

If you think you have what it takes to become a good military soldier, you can apply to any branch of military service. Just make sure that you have full support from your family and a strong will and determination to serve your nation.

As a Captain, you would serve as a company commander responsible for 100-200 soldiers.

As a Lieutenant Colonel, you would serve as a Battalion Commander, responsible for 400-700 soldiers.

As a Colonel, you would lead a Brigade and be responsible for 1,800-5,000 soldiers.

As a Major General, you could be a Division Commander in charge of 10,000 to 15,000 troops. Or, you could be the Adjutant General in charge of the entire state military department.

As you can see, there are many different types of commanders within the National Guard.

Most of these leaders are part-time, Citizen Soldiers. They maintain civilian jobs or businesses full-time and tend to their military duties part-time. Most commanders have a full-time AGR staff that handles day to day life within their unit.

As a commander, you can expect to drill one weekend a month minimum. In addition, you will probably visit your unit once per week or more. Also, you will attend meetings and phone conferences.

In essence, you have the same responsibility as an Active Duty Commander, but you have less time to complete your tasks. It is a challenge, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.

The biggest benefit is improving your leadership skills, serving your state and leading soldiers. It’s an experience I will never forget.

Pakistan Army offensives have thus far been successful, and are likely to cut off Swat from TTP reinforcements from the South. Bajaur-Malakand-Buner axis would leave the Pakistani Taliban in Swat dissected from their friends in Mohmand Agency. The Swat Valley has very few exits and is accessible mainly from the South and North, with limited access to Shangla to the East and Dir to the West. All of which can theoretically be closed by the Pakistan Army.

The TTP have underestimated the Pakistan Army and overestimated their position and moved towards more conventional ground holding operations over classic guerrilla too quickly. They are likely to pay the price in blood, and complete loss of their northern flank. The only silver lining for the TTP will be the use of massive American weaponry including borrowed choppers that are likely to be used in such an operation. This would equate the Pakistan Army=stooges of America.

The Pakistani game plan has been masterminded by General Kayani, who is now emerging as a seasoned chess-player and a veritable Pakistani Putin. He has deftly fixed the political crisis without directly interfering in the affairs of the state. “The Kayani Model”, a term coined by former Chief of Army Staff Jehangir Karamat, represents a new framework for the Pakistan Army. As Karamat puts it, – “invisible but around, fully informed and acting through well timed and effective influence”.

In a parallel development, a new consensus appears to be emerging, that can be called the “Zaid Hamid Consensus” that charts out a broad policy of independence from the US and an Islamic state in the philosophical lineage of Allama Iqbal rather than a Taliban/Salafi style interpretation. This consensus, if it can gain critical mass, could prove to be an antidote to both foreign designs against the country as well as the internal threat of the Salafists and terrorists.

The Americans are also in the game. The American game plan is represented by a rehash of the “Sunni Awakening” strategy in Iraq under the brand name of “Sunni Tahreek” a so-called Deobandi outfit. This is perhaps the biggest danger for Pakistan, as it will in the long-term move the battle from far flung and remote areas to the city centers of the country in a rehash of Iraq post US conquest, with the violence, militias and terror that it accompanied. With the political government’s cooperation and US funding, this could easily turn very nasty.

Careers in Information Technology

Nothing is hotter right now than Information Technology and Computer System Analysis. And there is no place to get better training in these areas than the service. What other opportunity is available to get paid while you learn, then walk into a career with unlimited potential?

It is certainly possible to get a good education in Information Technology in a civilian college, but you won’t get the hands on application opportunities and true work experience you can find in the Army. By serving, you enjoy GI benefits — meaning you won’t be starting your career in debt with massive school loans.

Cutting Edge Technology

People in the Army are always working with the most up to date technological and computer equipment, and frequently set up networks and undertake complicated trouble-shooting. You will gain experience in the Army National Guard that would take you years to achieve in a civilian position. Civilian companies love Army National Guard veterans because they know these professionals have received the best training possible, and they know what hard work and dedication mean.

Networking is second nature to Army veterans who have worked in systems analysis or other areas of information technology in the service. You can almost do it in your sleep. And the pressure of work deadlines is nothing to the skilled men and women with Army National Guard service behind them. You will learn how to stay focused on the job and work at your optimal performance no matter what’s going on around you with Army training under your belt.

Companies know the prize they’re getting when they hire former Army recruits. There’s no worry about choosing someone with a poor work ethic or someone who is difficult to supervise. After time working as part of a skilled team with respect for authority and everyone’s individual responsibility you’re an employee to rely on. You’re the first person to come to mind when an advancement opportunity is available because as an Army National Guard veteran you’re a known commodity and a proven leader.

So where exactly is it you can get a military loan from? You can actually pretty much get them anywhere. But probably the best place to look is online. But if you want you could also meet up with a financial advisor for the USAF, USMC or Army base and they will be able to assist you. These advisors are able to get in touch with the right institution in order to help secure a US military loan for forces personnel.

Also these types of loans can also not just help the armed forces personnel but their families as well. As once you have secured the loan you can get the money sent to whomever they want it to be sent to. So say for example a guy based in Germany gets a loan which he then arranges for the money to be sent back to his wife in say Ohio and she can then get the house fixed after it got flooded. Such loans are not only quick to complete but they are also quick at ensuring the money gets to the recipient as soon as possible. Also should you be on active service and are unable to apply for a loan yourself then power of attorney people can actually apply for the loan on your behalf.

So as you can see the US military loan is a great way for members of the US armed forces to sort out any financial situation or emergency as quickly as possible.

The War on Terrorism

Prior to the devastating effect of 9/11 on our country units of the Army National Guard were required to serve only one year cumulative active duty with no more than half of that time served overseas. This worked well to meet peacetime military needs. The effect of the horrible September day changed the world forever, and immediately and dramatically increased our demands on our Armed Forces. Active duty personnel were stretched thin following these attacks however and it became necessary to increase mobilization time for those in the Reserves.

Today Army National Guard units may serve up to two years (twenty four months) of active duty during a six year enlistment period. One weekend a month, two weeks a year used to be the standard for Guards. That’s no longer true, however. In 2008 more than one quarter of our deployed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq are Guardsmen. These troops are now an essential part of our national safety.

Presence on the Home Front

When crises strike at home the National Guard is there. In the event of a hostile invasion our safety will depend on these highly skilled soldiers to protect our interests and repel enemy forces. But the threats to our safety don’t always come from outside our borders. Natural disasters require a quickly deployable, highly dependable, and capable force to protect our citizens. The Army National Guard is just right for the job.

The military offers training in teamwork, problem solving, and crisis intervention unsurpassed by anything offered in the private sector. Army careers have changed exponentially in the last few decades. Military careers were once thought to consist mostly of hand to hand combat skills but reserve and active service positions today include highly skilled, technical and professional career choices always on the cutting edge of technology.

While looking at airplanes for defence purposes, one finds that many of the aircraft are multi-functional. For instance, the F-4 Phantom is not only a fighter-bomber. It is also used for the purpose of reconnaissance. It also plays the additional roles of CAS and ECM. Moreover, if such an aircraft seems to fall too expensive, there are several other military aircraft to bolster a nation’s defences. For instance, the American F/A-18 Hornet is great as a fighter plane and also as a striker.

There are a few basic categories of military aircraft. These include fighter planes, ground attack aircraft, tankers, bombers, and trainers. Apart from this, aircraft are also used for transport, observation, and surveillance. Fighter aircraft are designed to attack. As a result, they are speedy and easily-manoeuvrable. In the modern world, air superiority is the factor that decides the fate of military conflicts. Thus, most nations invest in fighter planes because their ability to win wars is well-known.

Other military aircraft include bombers, tankers, and trainers. Bombers, as the name suggests, are designed to drop bombs on ground targets. The A-10 Thunderbolt is an example of a bomber that attacks tactical targets. Tankers are used to refuel other aircraft when their fuel gets exhausted. There are also a number of aircraft known as trainers. These are used to teach pilots about flying, navigating, and aiming their weapons.