3 women pass Marines infantry test

The three women who passed the 59 day test were the first three women to do so.  The three women met the same standards as men when completing the test.

The test includes a 12 mile march while wearing an 80 pound pack and multiple combat fitness tests. Some of these tests  include timed combat shuttle runs, timed ammunition container lifts and tests that simulate running under combat fire.

The ban of women serving combat jobs was lifted by the Pentagon earlier this year. Each branch has until January 2016 to open as many jobs for women in these areas. 14500 jobs in combat positions were opened to women last year most of which were in the Army.

Officials have said that the standards will not be lowered in order to bring women into combat jobs.

Iran Nuclear talks continue

Along with John Kerry, foreign ministers from France, Britain, and Germany will join negotiations in Geneva on friday to put limits on Iran's ability to make atomic weapons.

Kerry suggests that negotiators will try and get a commitment from the Iranians to stop expansion of nuclear activities. This would be a first step in the overall attempt to completely stop them from where they are as of now. Chinese and Russian foreign ministers are not expected to join others in Geneva.

Authors George Jahn and John Heilprin state "an initial accord would mark a breakthrough after nearly a decade of mostly inconclusive talks focused on limiting, if not eliminating, Iranian atomic programs that could be turned from producing energy into making weapons."

The sanctions that are already on Iran will remain in place. Any temporary relief would be more financial then technical.

Change to The Marine Corps Uniform

The Marine Corps is considering a change to the hats that are worn as part of uniform. The change would make the hats unisex which would be a change from the two different hats they have now.

The proposed change is not being met with high acceptance. Some people are even going as far as to say that the hats are too "girly". Most changes to uniforms through out all branches of the military are greeted with opposition. I happen to agree with critics and don't believe that the uniform should be changed. With something that has been around for a while and is iconic should not be changed. I do not know very much about the uniform and the design or history behind it but i believe that it should stay the same. I also happen to believe that the new style of hat is not very appeasing to look at.

If anyone has any comments or would like to share their opinion on the proposed change please leave a comment below.

Returning Home

I have personally never had a family member go to war. I do not know what it feels like to have a loved one thousands of miles away, never knowing what is happening to them. I can only fathom what that must feel like and because I've never had someone across seas i don't know what it feels like to have a loved one come back.
This video originally shown on ESPN during Sportscenter brought tears to my eyes and after watching I sat in my seat for a few minutes reflecting what my family means to me.

This was such a great piece produced by ESPN and I hope everyone who viewed it can appreciate it the same way that I did.

Changing of the Guard

Ever since i was younger my Father has taken me to Arlington National Cemetery to visit my grandparents grave. Every time that we go we also go to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Ive watched the changing of the guard so many times, but even if i would have only seen it once i would never forget the experience. So many thoughts flood my head as i sit here and write about the experience. I think about how uniform and precise that the actions of these men must be. I think about the how we honor these men who no one knows who they are. I think about how the families of these unknown men must feel knowing that their loved ones have died but on top of it they don't know how they died or even where they are. I have the utmost respect for the men who day in and day out stand guard to protect the men who fought for their country and can not be identified. Then after i watch the changing of the guard i go back to walk to my grandparents grave and the layout of the graves is endless lines. These graves are even so uniform and precise in the way they are laid out. As I would leave i was speechless. I hav'nt been in a few years and i know that next time i am at home for an extended period of time i'm going to ask my father to take me back. If anyone who happens to read this and has seen the changing of the guard or has just been to Arlington Cemetery please feel free to discuss or reflect on the experience.