I read this at Black Five, and thought about the new anti-war left mantra that the army is broken, or on the way to being broken. I don't know, but this doesn't sound broken to me....

"Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army) were pretty sh*t hot..... was I ever wrong!....The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom that it is almost embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier....don't get me wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much better.....they are complete at what they do, how they do it and their attitude is awesome....they don't complain they just get on with the job and they do it right.

“I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I am not real worried about a confrontation but I tell you I feel safer just knowing that the US Marines are close by....If we got into trouble I know that our boys would come running and we could deal with it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers. No questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us and for us because that is their nature, to protect those in need of protection.

I saw a similar reaction back in 1979, when I was living in France in the Lorraine department. I was invited to attend a memorial service at a nearby American military cemetery (American military cemeteries are something to behold...). French troops marched and stood at attention, and then a squad of rifleman got off of the bus to perform the 21 gun salute.

You had to see these guys to believe it. Chrome helmets, shoes so shiny it hurt to look at them. Uniforms perfectly pressed. They double-timed it in perfect unison, came to attention in perfect unison, shouldered their rifles in perfect unison, and fired three shots, which sounded like three shots in spite of the fact that seven men were firing at the same time. My French companions were duly impressed, and a little embarrassed of their own troops, who made a poor contrast.

The situation was different, but the principle was the same--the training and esprit du corps of the American military not only bolsters their own morale, but the confidence of everyone who serves or observes them. The transformation of the Iraqi army, from deserters-in-waiting, to effective fighting force is no doubt a result, in large part, of the example of the American troops and the desire of Iraqis to merit that kind of respect--by the self, or others.

High standards--no wonder the liberal-left hate the military.