This week in American power projection: the map was wrong, the dorms were fine, and the travel card was for official purposes.
Story Roundup
Pentagon casualties, metric improvement, and Fat Leonard’s least dignified phase.
Situation Report
Free military brief. No CAC required.
Join thousands of troops, veterans, and defense insiders who read Duffel Blog before breakfast.
“A must-read for national security nerds.”
—The Daily Beast
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in American power projection: the map was wrong, the dorms were fine, and the travel card was for official purposes.
Story Roundup
Situation Report
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Last night at 2140 Afghan local time, outgoing ISAF Joint Command (IJC) leader Lt. Gen. Curtis Scapparotti announced to assembled press and senior military officials that the war in Afghanistan was over.
Amid streamers, fireworks, and an enormous MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner – reminiscent of President Bush's now infamous speech on the deck of an aircraft carrier shortly after the invasion of Iraq – the General smiled for the cameras and spoke of victory.
"I just gotta say, this is a great day for the US Military, and our country as a whole," said General Scapparotti.
Soldiers mobbed Dining Facilities (DFACs) across the war-torn nation in search of non-alcoholic beer to celebrate the historic event, while back on the home-front, millions of citizens took to the streets in thousands of impromptu "victory parties."
The cause for all of the celebration lies in the assessment slide at the center of the main briefing screen in the Kabul IJC -- headquarters for the entire war effort. It shows a map of Afghanistan, with a block next to each Province, indicating the progress in that particular region. For the first time in the history of the now 11 year war, all blocks are colored green.
The General was asked about his feelings on the slide after the press conference.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I thought we were pretty screwed here. I mean, we're losing one, maybe two soldiers every single day, spending almost a trillion dollars to keep the most corrupt government on earth in power, and indiscriminately killing civilians by the dozen," he says, shaking his head, as if trying to clear a bad memory.
A field desk of military mischief and useful bad ideas
You’re in
Your first brief lands soon. Supporter access opens the archive, Sunday Reader, comments, and Duffel Labs today.
Supporter access
Outgoing Company Commander: 'I hate you all'
Oct 5, 2022 · 3 min
Captain charged with manslaughter after leaving Lieutenant unattended in parked car
Oct 5, 2022 · 3 min
Sergeant major says no one is leaving Afghanistan until all the brass is picked up
Oct 5, 2022 · 2 min
Absolute psycho brought everything on the packing list
May 28, 2021 · 2 min
What To Do Next
Add more for free shipping.
✓ You qualify for free shipping!