Happy Birthday USMC

Mike in the news again, EFP kit for MRAP's

Plan calls for more armor on new combat vehicles



This USA Today article details the MRAP (Mine Resistant Abush Protected) Task Force's solution to EFP's (explosively formed projectiles).

From the article:

The Pentagon's method for combating EFPs involves adding armor to the sides of MRAPs, Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan said in an interview with USA TODAY. The armor is a modified version of what the military calls Frag Kit 6, Brogan said."I have a solution for EFPs, and I'm going to put it on the trucks I've already bought," Brogan said.

The military tested the armor at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland by firing explosives at it. EFPs fire a slug of metal at high speeds that penetrate armor and spray pieces of shrapnel that can kill or injure the troops inside the vehicle.

Of course the article has to contain some negative comments from Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del), a democrat presidential hopeful. As if Biden has been right on top of the EFP issue for the last three years rather than being merely negative and critical of the war effort.

How much is a Marine General worth?

Update: The Winning bid comes in at $21.00. Way to go mom! Just kidding. Twenty one bucks. Not bad especially since I see the same guy is selling an autographed photo of Gen. James Mattis (among others) that's at $20.17 with a day left on the auction. Mattis is soon to be a Marine 4-star in command of United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM).



Apparently the bidding starts at $5.00. An autographed photo of Marine Corps Brigadier General Michael M. Brogan is being auctioned here on ebay bidding standing now at $5.00.

Yes, the last name is the same. As noted in a 7/27/2007 post Mike, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Systems Command, is my oldest brother.

So ya better hurry! As of this post only 3 days left on the auction.

Big brother Mike and MRAP's

Last week was also a big week for the extended Brogan family. Brother Mike had some face time at a Pentagon press briefing and before the House Armed Services committee. Mike is a USMC Brigadier General, Commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, the acquisition command for the Marines.

The briefing and congressional appearance had to do with an urgent request to shift defense money into acquiring MRAP’s (mine resistant ambush protected vehicles) for our warfighters in Iraq.

Mike handled himself well in front of both the press and the House committee.

Watching both events I can’t help but note the stark difference between the poise, demeanor and character of the men in uniform in comparison to the journalists and the politicians.

Needless to say we're especially proud of Mike and of all the men and women in uniform serving our country.


Mike (far right) at Pentagon briefing















The Pentagon MRAP site is here.