(JP, MILBLOGGING.COM) The appeal to milblog for me while on deployment to Afghanistan during OEF V, was to breakup the boredom in between missions. I wanted to share stories about my experience with family, friends, and readers back home to assure them I was okay (Non Op Sec stuff, like the time my Gunner climbed into his sleeping bag headfirst). 

I also wanted to write home and tell my family about the losses our unit suffered when two soldiers from my Battalion were killed only three weeks in country by a roadside bomb - or tell them about a buddy who killed himself with less than two months in country - or explain that my buddies and I were okay, but that 18 Americans were killed just outside our wire when a Chinook crashed during a dust storm.  I wanted to say so much and more, but instead, I coped with my deployment by writing stories about care packages, about my 4-year old son, and about my battle buddies.

Everyone milblogs for different reasons.  These men and women still blogging from the frontlines, are offering firsthand accounts of war that won't be told by the MSM. 

Last week, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Matt, the Miltary Blogger Blackfive - in my first of many interviews with military bloggers.

This is a transcript of the interview that has NOT been edited.

JP, MILBLOGGING.COM HOST: You have started a milblog that has gathered a Survivor-like following on the internet.  Why did you start milblogging?

MATT, MILITARY BLOGGER BLACKFIVE:  A good friend of mine, Major Mathew Schram, was killed on Memorial Day, 2003.  In fighting his way out of an ambush, he saved the life of a Newsweek reporter who never wrote a story about Mat.

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/05/one_year.html

Newsweek really pissed me off and I started blogging about the good, the bad, the humorous and the ugly of military life because most MSM outlets like Newsweek weren't.  If it didn't fit the template of "Bush sucks, the war sucks, the military is failing", then it didn't get published by most of the MSM.

Soon after the start of Blackfive, there was a distinct void of
coverage of what was actually happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.  My friends were sending emails that were contradicting what I was reading in the NYTimes and the WashPo.  So I started posting those.

JP: Milblog, milblogger, milblogging - these aren't words you'll find in Webster's Dictionary.  I did find it on Urban Dictionary.  And I quote, "We don't need more sissy reporters at the front. Just tell those pansies in the mainstream media to copy/paste from the milblogs."  What is your definition of a milblog?

MATT:  Well, right now, the term "milblog" has a very wide description. Basically, anyone connected to the military – active, reservists and guardsmen, veterans, retirees (sort of a veteran+), spouses, and supporters.  That's probably too wide.  When you have a blog like mine (I'm a vet) that wins awards as a milblog, I wonder about the efficacy of the award because I will no longer be put in harm's way.

There ought to be a tighter definition for those bloggers posting from a combat zone.  They deserve more focus – of course, many of them would prefer not to have the spotlight shone on their blogs because of the latest OPSEC guidelines.

JP:  How much longer do you think the MSM will be around?

MATT: Forever.  Much like the world's oldest profession.

JP: There are "personal-blogs" "tech-blogs" even "pet-blogs".  Are you surprised by the popularity of milblogs?

MATT: I still don't think that they're that popular, yet.  I'm surprised that Blackfive is where it is.  It was never meant to be what it is.

JP:  What is going on in the milblogging world right now?

MATT:  Well, the OPSEC guidelines have restricted a lot of the blogging from Iraq and Afghanistan.  It's needed, but it's also unfortunate because there were some really great stories coming out of those men and women.  Some just shut down to avoid hassles – even if their commanders approved their content.

JP:  How has your life changed by milblogging? Talk shows? Radio? Your own action flick? Bling? Can you tell us a little bit about your forthcoming Anthology on Milbloggers?

MATT:  It has affected my life quite a bit.  Luckily, my wife supports me keeping Blackfive running. 

I've been on MSNBC's Connected thanks to Buzz Patterson – who, by the way, is a huge supporter of us all.  That was just surreal. 

Done lots of radio.  Much easier and I enjoy it more.  Got a face for radio. 

The media attention brought lots of (book publishing) agents my way.  They all sucked.  Then, this one agent wrote an email about what  MilBlogs were all about.  He got it, understood why you all are so damned important.  So I actually called him and we discussed the possibilities.  Voila!   Book deal.  My/our agent rocks. 

The MilBlog book is going to be published by Simon & Schuster.  Our editor is one of the best in the entire publishing business.  We got very lucky. 

The book will be published next August or September.  No title yet. 

I wrote a 26,000 word proposal and this is the post/mini proposal about it http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/10/_in_the_past_th.html

The book will be along the lines of the "letters home" History books. An oral history told by bloggers in the war and the families left behind.  Essentially, I didn't want all of the great posts about the people fighting the war to disappear.

JP:  What about yourself? Mary-Kate or Ashley?  Country Captain
Chicken or Cheese Tortellini?  Seriously, can you tell me why you joined the military?

MATT:  The Olsen twins need a sandwich or a hundred.  And I think that Pirates are way cooler than Ninjas.  Have you ever seen a Ninja drinking or having fun?  See?

Why join?  I grew up in a place where a lot of my friends were going nowhere.  I wanted to get out and do something with my life. 

I was either going to be a paratrooper or a missionary pilot.  Once I found out that in missionary pilot school, there were no girls, no beer, and no wild times allowed, I immediately enlisted in the US Army when I was seventeen.  Eventually, the Army offered me a chance to attend the Military Academy (West Point). Almost seized that opportunity…until I found out that there were no girls (mostly), no beer, and no wild times.  Instead, I went to the University of Illinois where there were lots of pretty girls, tons of beer, and many, many wild times (and, amazingly, I did learn something).  I received a Regular Army Commission no matter the trouble I caused at school and served in Cavalry, Infantry, Special Forces and other units until getting the mandatory lobotomy upon entering Military Intelligence.

Spent time in Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Korea, Okinawa, Europe, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, etc.

JP:  What are some of your favorite milblogs (let's start at # 2,
since we know # 1. Joking. Well, half-joking)?

MATT:  Here's a list – http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/05/milblogs.html

I think Greyhawk of Mudville is probably one of the best writers out there – I mean in the whole blogosphere, not just milblogs.  If and when he gets out of the military, I think a very influential force will be unleashed.

Milbloggers.  At first, there weren't very many of us.  It started
with Greyhawk, Sgt. Hook, Smash, Argghhh!, DocInTheBox, etc. (all are favorites of mine).  Now, as you know, there's hundreds.

Sometimes, I like the stuff that's uncommon so military spouses like ArmyWifeToddlerMom and Trying to Grok, chaplains like
TrainingForEternity and nurses/doctor blogs like Magic in the Baghdad Café are interesting to me.  Chuck's recovery from his wounds at TCOverride is unique.

And then of course, there are the guys doing the fighting:

Danjel Bout's 365 and a Wakeup is awesome.  Soul of a poet in a
soldier's guise.  The epitome of the reluctant warrior.  Good guy,
leader, soldier, etc.  And he's got a great use of language.

Rusten Currie is another warrior that is very serious.  Big heart.
Badass.  Watching him lose of some of his idealism in Iraq has been tough.

Neil Prakash's Armor Geddon is great.  Soul of a tobasco-chugging, HEAT-firing tanker, Neil writes some of the best combat action experience pieces that I've ever read.  And he writes about his men and how hilarious they are…Every time that I read Neil's writing, I really miss leading my first Cav Scout platoon.

Xavier's Life in X Minor is good.  So is Dadmanly, American Soldier, and many others.

Oh yeah, I think Risawn rocks.  She's in Kosovo.

These are all people that I'd follow.  I guess that's how I judge
folks – including bloggers.

JP:  Do any other bloggers influence you?

MATT:  Not really influenced by…maybe inspired.  A few years ago, I was reading Bill Whittle at EjectEjectEject, Frank J. at IMAO, Stephen Den Beste at USS Clueless, and James Lileks before I decided to start blogging.  Frank was very cool and gave me my first link.

I owe a lot to Hugh Hewitt, Michelle Malkin, Buzz Patterson and Glenn Reynolds for supporting milblogs.

JP:  For the ladies, I must ask - what about your love life? Is there a Blacksix?  Are there little Black-fractions running around?

MATT:  There is a beautiful Mrs. Blackfive and two kids.  Little Blackfive is 4.5 and Pinkfive is 1.375.  I'm surrounded by friends and family a lot of the time.  I'm the luckiest SOB you ever met.

Not kidding.

JP:  What is the significance of Blackfive?

MATT:  As many of you know, Blackfive is the generic callsign for the XO – the second in command.  Decades ago, I was "promoted" from platoon leader to a Company Excecutive Officer in the Spartan Brigade, 3rd ID.  I thought I'd hate that job having been a Scout Platoon Leader.  I fought the transfer but ended up having to take it. 

But I ended up being pretty good at making things happen behind the
scenes, making the commander and company look and fight better, taking care of soldiers, working with the platoon sergeants, hq sergeants, and other stuff.  Became good friends with the First Sergeant, Sergeant Major and Battalion Staff.  I was able to use my mustang status a lot more in that role, too.  I loved being the XO.  Weird, huh?

I learned that you can make any job more than what it is…That's
probably one of the most important lessons that I learned from the military.

Appropriately, the last job I had in the military was as XO of an
Intel unit working at the DIA.  That was also a good job.

So, I think Blackfive.net is a lot like Blackfive the XO.  Just trying
to make things happen.  Sometimes, the only way I can do that is through my voice, but mostly I just draw attention where it's needed to be focused.

JP:  I used to think blogging was for people who talked to plants.  And here I am running Milblogging.com after writing a milblog in Afghanistan.  Did you ever think you'd be blogging?

MATT:  Never.  Never thought I'd be interviewed about Blackfive.  Never thought I'd be writing and editing a book.  Never thought I'd help Soldiers' Angels raise hundreds of thousands for wounded troops or armor for humvees.  Never thought my blog would get the traffic it gets, the hundreds of emails per day, the hatemail.  Never thought I'd meet so many great people.

JP: How do you stay fresh?

MATT:  I shower every day.  And of course, as you probably know (Grunt knowledge), Zeasorb is the best foot powder…ever.

Eh?  Oh, you mean the blog!  I get so many suggestions and material sent everyday that I probably could do three blogs.  The challenge is choosing what to use rather than finding what to use.

JP:  Do you remember your first comment on your milblog?

MATT:  Unfortunately, no.  I had a blogspot blog for a few months before Blackfive's numbers were enough to convince me to pay for hosting at Typepad.

If anyone, I would say that my first comment was probably from Tammi of Tammi's World.  http://www.tammisworld.com/

JP: Thanks, Blackfive.

MATT:  Please, call me Matt.  Thank you for the interview.  Hey, you have time for a beer?  Shots?

Airborne!

------------------------------------------------------
Stay tuned each week for interviews with other influential milbloggers and bloggers! 

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Okay people, now, unless you haven't learned how to vote for your favorite milblogs, or you only have 1 favorite (like me with American Idol), then get out and vote for your favorite Afghanistan Frontlines milblogs by adding them to your Milblogging.com Favorites.  Remember, you can vote for as many milblogs as you'd like because there are several different categories.  And no, I'm not adding a new Milboggies category for "My friend's sister's cousin's Mom's brother who blogs".  Maybe next year..

Here's a list of milbloggers currently in Afghanistan.

1.  Firepower Forward (7 votes)
2.  Going Down Range (2 votes)
3.  Fortunate Son (1 vote)
4.  All Along the Watchtower (1 vote)
5.  Afghanistan Dave  (0 votes)
6.  Landlocked Sailor 2004 (0 votes)
7.  Life in X Minor (0 votes)
8.  My World (0 votes)
9.  Pound by LB (0 votes)
10.  The Siegrist Blogs (0 votes)
11.  Training for Eternity (0 votes)

If you get a chance, go say Thanks over at A Storm in Afghanistan.  SC Eagle just returned safely from deployment to Germany! Umm, that's why he's no longer in the running for the Afghanistan Frontlines milblogs. Cheers!

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Number of military blogs submitted to date: 773.  Number of countries: 21.  Number of registered users: 479.  Average number of visitors per day: 795 (counting my Mom).    Some days milblogging is interesting, hell, it’s even fun.  Check out some of these, errr, interesting military blog names from this latest batch: The Staff Monkey, Imbeddedboodist, PFC Calvin Klein (oh wait, that’s his real name), God Bless America, Flight of the Chickens, oh yes, the list goes on and on.  Anyway, lots of great milblogs in this latest batch: from Iraq, the United States, South Korea. And lots of Infantry soldiers in this latest batch. 

Part-Time Pundit , English, John Bambenek, United States, Political, social, and religious commentary by a… , 26 Nov 2005

The Staff Monkey , English, Staff Monkey, United States, An AF staff monkey (i.e. action officer) trying to... , 26 Nov 2005

God Bless America , English, Griz Flower, United States, Land that I love ......dedicated to our troops and... , 26 Nov 2005

GM's Corner , English, George Mann Roper, United States, I was born in Germany in 1946 to American parents.... , 26 Nov 2005

DSS Hubris , English, Blue, United States, DSS Hubris is a foreign policy and defense issues ... , 26 Nov 2005

Vote Churchill in 2006 , English, Michael R. Churchill, Iraq, A forum for future constituents, family, and frien... , 26 Nov 2005

What's Happening , English, Tom, United States, going to the 4th Brigade (Airborne) of the 25th In... , 26 Nov 2005

Ballinbaghdad , English, Matthew Loggins, Iraq, Occupation: Military , 26 Nov 2005

Serenity , English, Jason, Iraq, Occupation: Military , 26 Nov 2005

Imbeddedboodist's Journal , English, Imbeddedboodist, Iraq, Enlisted in the army, stationed in iraq, could be ... , 26 Nov 2005

PFC Calvin Klein , English, Kathy Cattani and Ranae, United States, Death from above... , 26 Nov 2005

Giving War a Chance , English, Fred Schoeneman, United States, Giving War a Chance , 26 Nov 2005

Stay Alert, Stay Alive , English, StayAlertStayAlive, United States, A Recount of my Experience at Fort Benning. , 26 Nov 2005

The Flight of the Chickens , English, Not Specified, United States, I suppose an intro is due. The Army has finally se... , 25 Nov 2005

SPC Ferdinand A Sampedro JR , English, Deborah Sampedro, United States, This blog is for my Son Anthony who is currently s... , 25 Nov 2005

PFC Justin C. Matlock , English, PFC Justin C. Matlock, United States, 82nd Airborne Division "All Americans" , 25 Nov 2005

CPL Zach DeArcos , English, CPL Zach DeArcos, Iraq, Army Reserve Unit. Fighting for our freedom. , 25 Nov 2005

Sean Robert Meehl , English, CPT Sean Robert Meehl, United States, Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psa... , 25 Nov 2005

Tyler Hernandez , English, 2LT Tyler Hernandez, Iraq, Now you know, and knowing is half the something. I... , 25 Nov 2005

SOTAMIES , English, Finncanuck, United States, vintage:53 Cigar waiving McMennamin's Brew Pub fan... , 25 Nov 2005

Spook's Musings , English, Jeff Blakely, United States, I was a "spook" for the Navy and the NSA for a bit... , 25 Nov 2005

Jeff's life in the army now , English, Jeff Molnar, United States, My name's Jeff. I marched in the Santa Clara Vangu... , 25 Nov 2005

Who told Scott he could be emo? , English, Matty d, South Korea, infantrydada , 25 Nov 2005

DOD Tool , English, Luke Renken, United States, I'm a member of the US Army stationed in Northern ... , 25 Nov 2005

My Bittersweet Symphony , English, Eric Lackey, United States, I'm an infantry cav scout in the military statione... , 25 Nov 2005

ArmyGrunt's Xanga , English, ArmyGrunt, United States, Rifle Platoon Leader U.S. Army Infantry "I w... , 25 Nov 2005

The Makaha Surf Report (Forward Deployed) , English, Caelestis, United States, My window on the Universe where politics, the war,... , 24 Nov 2005

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Well, it's the end of Week 1 in the 2005 MILBLOGGIES...

Here's a list of current leaders/standings in each of the categories.  Remember, this contest runs until December 31st, so there's still time to get out and vote.  I mean sure, you can go out and vote on some other BlogAwards site for the best "Nick and Jessica" blog written by some 31-year old MTV crackhead (and yes, I'm still recovering from that news)...or, you can vote for the best military blog on the internet right here. 

Two new categories have been added (Hat-tip: Matt):Afghanistan Frontlines and Iraq Frontlines.  The only milblogs included in these categories are those milblogs written by troops currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.  This is what it's all about!  

Let's take a look below, then join me next week as we discuss the Week 2 standings.     And don't forget, if you're in the Milblogging.com database, promote the 2005 MILBLOGGIES on your site, which, ahem, is the inaugural year of the MILBLOGGIES, so your readers know.  

Afghanistan Frontlines
Firepower Forward (7 votes)
A Storm in Afghanistan (3 votes)
Going Down Range (2 votes)
All Along the Watchtower (1 vote)
Fortunate Son (1 vote)
View Complete Chart...

Iraq Frontlines
365 and a Wakeup (19 votes)
One Marine's View (9 votes)
Major K. (7 votes)
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (6 votes)
Assumption of Command (6 votes)
View Complete Chart...

Top 100
Blackfive - The Paratrooper of Love (38 votes)
Michael Yon: Online Magazine (30 votes)
A Soldier's Perspective (27 votes)
Ma Deuce Gunner (22 votes)
The Mudville Gazette (21 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Army
Blackfive - The Paratrooper of Love (38 votes)
A Soldier's Perspective (27 votes)
Ma Deuce Gunner (22 votes)
365 and a Wakeup (19 votes)
From My Position... On the way! (15 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Air Force
The Mudville Gazette (21 votes)
Dude, Where's the Beach? (15 votes)
Can I Have Some Whine With That Cheese? (6 votes)
SlagleRock's Slaughterhouse (4 votes)
Desert Odyssey (2 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Navy
The Indepundit (20 votes)
Froggy Ruminations (11 votes)
Ultraquiet No More (6 votes)
CDR Salamander (5 votes)
Four Knots to Nowhere (4 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Marine Corps
One Marine's View (9 votes)
The Gun Line (7 votes)
Hurl's BLOG (5 votes)
Akinoluna (3 votes)
Warrior Jason (2 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Military (Veteran)
Michael Yon: Online Magazine (30 votes)
PCS to LinkedInUSAF (9 votes)
Euphoric Reality (4 votes)
CHARMING, JUST CHARMING (4 votes)
The stupid shall be punished (4 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Civilian
Soldier's Angel - Holly Aho (5 votes)
Bear Creek Ledger (4 votes)
CaliValleyGirl (3 votes)
The Gunn Nutt (3 votes)
Yikes! (2 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Military (Spouse)
Air Force Family (11 votes)
Most Certainly Not (7 votes)
Andi's World (6 votes)
Great Googly Moogly (4 votes)
A Texan Abroad (4 votes)
View Complete Chart...

U.S. Military (Parent)
Soldier's Mom (11 votes)
Keep My Soldier Safe (3 votes)
You Betcha I'm a Proud Army Mom (3 votes)
Marine Corps Moms (2 votes)
Updates On My Soldier (2 votes)
View Complete Chart...

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This is just a Thanksgiving thing, otherwise, I'd write something witty about the latest batch of milblogs added to Milblogging.com. But I've got 16 months of drinking to make up this afternoon.  I love milblogs (hence, milblogging.com).  This latest batch includes milblogs from the United States, Iraq, Canada, South Korea, Germany, and even Singapore.  Singapore? Yes. Singapore.  Don't worry, it's written in English... There's even a Drill Sergeant in this batch.  Scary.

As one of my readers put it so well (HT: Karen), "Our prayers go out to the men and women who are not able to be home this year".  Happy Thanksgiving!

Lovex5's galleries , Donna, United States, We're a family of five and live in the grand state... , 24 Nov 2005

Sergeant Ski's Thoughts from Iraq , Sgt Ski, Iraq, Sergeant Ski's Thoughts from Iraq , 24 Nov 2005

Boots in Baghdad Films , Mark Partridge Miner, United States, ***ATTENTION*** These films are the property of Bo... , 24 Nov 2005

O6yea2's Xanga Site , Steve Osborne Jr., United States, Interests: Actually I am quite interested in teach... , 24 Nov 2005

H O O A H Hounds of Hell , Kenneth Smith, United States, I'm from Atlanta,Georgia. I am currently serving i... , 24 Nov 2005

Queen of battle , Ferdimonster! sabalatron, United States, student at Rutgers NB and an infantryman in the ar... , 24 Nov 2005

AnAmericanSoldier , Drill Sergeant R, United States, I'm a US Army Drill Sergeant. This is a place wher... , 24 Nov 2005

Through Great Sacrifice A Great Soldier One Day I Will Become , Anthony, United States, Sic Vis Pacem Para Bellum I am currently living in... , 24 Nov 2005

Full Battle Rattle , Brent Whitten, United States, 11B 4th ID Expertise: Using precise, deadly force... , 24 Nov 2005

Creed85's Xanga Site , Chuck Reed, United States, Im an 18 yr old graduate of Reed-Custer High Schoo... , 24 Nov 2005

My journey to becoming an USAF Airman , Francisco Martinez, United States, This is my own personal account of my journey to j... , 24 Nov 2005

NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence , Dr. D'Alessandro, United States, Naval Open Source Intelligence is a digital librar... , 23 Nov 2005

In a Sand Storm's Journal , In a Sand Storm, Iraq, Location: Iraq Bio: I'm lost in a sand storm. ... , 23 Nov 2005

Evan's boredom cure , Tooez8404, Iraq, Location: Fallujah, Does anyone actually know, Ira... , 23 Nov 2005

Zero bubble , Zero bubble, United States, one guy's do-it-yourself education in submarine hi... , 23 Nov 2005

Unconsidered Trifles , WillyShake, United States, Interests Shakespeare Walker Percy JRR Tolkien No... , 23 Nov 2005

Bubblehead: The Next Generation , Deepdiver, United States, I'm the son of Bubblehead, the submarine blogger a... , 23 Nov 2005

Gus Van Horn , Gus Van Horn, United States, I was once a submariner. I was an officer aboard a... , 23 Nov 2005

RMC's Navalcadetis Minorae , NCdt Frederik Genest, Canada, A blog about the day-to-day life and thoughts of a... , 23 Nov 2005

SaulGood in da neighborhood , SaulGood, South Korea, I'm an F-16 crew chief currently stationed in Sout... , 23 Nov 2005

Semper Fidelis , LCPL. Santino, Iraq, I am 19 years old, and I am a United States Marine... , 23 Nov 2005

Only Easy Day Was Yesterday , David_not_studd, United States, It's mind over matter... If you don't mind... Then... , 23 Nov 2005

Life As An Air Force Wife.... , Dharmagrl, United States, Life As An Air Force Wife.... , 23 Nov 2005

Army Of 8; A Loyal Armywife's daily Journal , Loyalarmywife, United States, A day to day account of an United State Army wife ... , 23 Nov 2005

Army Wife Talk Radio Cast , Tara Cooks, United States, Name: Tara Crooks Location: Richmond Hill, Geo... , 23 Nov 2005

The Drum and Cannon , Jack Ott, United States, Conservative blog dealing mostly with the War on T... , 22 Nov 2005

The Crusade , William Fisher, United States, Husband and Father of three, Born-Again Christian,... , 22 Nov 2005

From the good ol' boy perspective , Ray, Iraq, in iraq , 22 Nov 2005

Straight From the Llama's Mouth , Llama6, Iraq, Location: Sunni Triangle, Iraq , 22 Nov 2005

12 miles from the sun , Ryan Meeks, United States, The longest, hotest year of my life, the chronical... , 22 Nov 2005

The Michigan Partisan , Page W. H. Brousseau IV, United States, By a 2LT in the USAR. Concentration on local stat... , 22 Nov 2005

Complicated Marine Wife , Julie Huff, United States, Just my thoughts on many random things. , 22 Nov 2005

Warrior Jason , Jason, Iraq, The reincarnation of Warrior's Voice. Politics, th... , 22 Nov 2005

The Pea Patch , Sandy, Germany, A military wife writes about the trials and tribul... , 22 Nov 2005

Days Were The Those , Mr Miyagi et al, Singapore, Stories of National Service in Singapore. Contribu... , 22 Nov 2005

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This is my first time home for Thanksgiving in two years.  Hmmmmm, I think the Turkey dinner might have been better in Afghanistan than cooked by my wife (Bless her heart).  I mean, no wait, ahhh forget it, that's exactly what I mean. 

If you feel compelled to write someone in Iraq or Afghanistan and thank them for their service, Milblogging.com can help.  Check out all the troops currently deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tonight, ok, all day today, I will be celebrating 16 months of no drinking in Afghanistan (if you know what I mean). 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

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Welcome AOL readers.  Milblogs are once again in the spotlight.  Check out aol.com!  Along with other great milblogs, milblogging.com is linked as the insider's view.  Milblogging is becoming one of blogging's most recognizable terms.  Speaking of which:  I'm glad I cybersquatted on this domain while in Afghanistan (instead of my 3-page domain I used to use thenationalguardexperienceondeploymentinafghanistan.blogpot.
...user.profile.com/). 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Let's begin with an update on the 2005 MILBLOGGIES...

First off, THANKS to a suggestion by one of my loyal readers ARMY MOM 3 ID - I've added a new category for U.S. Military (Parent) to this year's MILBLOGGIES.  So, parents you have your own category now.  Soldier's Mom has pulled away in the lead with 5 votes, with You Betcha I'm a Proud Army Mom closing the gap quickly with 2 votes.  Things are just starting to heat up in this category! Can you feel it?  

Next, I took out the U.S. Coast Guard category from this year's MILBLOGGIES.  To be honest, there's only one Coastie milblog in the Milblogging.com database.  With no competition, it's kind of like watching the USC Trojans of college football (it's just annoying how they keep winning).

Finally, I'd like to thank the staff at GX Magazine for helping to design this year's MILBLOGGIES banner.  And they're co-sponsoring this year's events along Beyonce, Bob Sagat (no wait, wrong list...)

This year's MILBLOGGIES are currently co-sponsored by (envelope, please): 

GX The Guard Experience (please hold your applause until I've read all the sponsors)

Omar, from Iraq the Model (winner of last year's 2004 Weblog Awards for best Middle East or Africa blog)

hold your applause....

Mad Ogre (he was 11B, like me. Infantry)

and of course...

Joe Katzman "The Town Founder of Winds of Change.net"

Now you may applause...

And yes, feel free to use the MILBLOGGIES banner and post it all over your site to help spread the word of the 2005 MILBLOGGIES.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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I'd like to hear from some of the milbloggers listed below as to what it takes to become a Submariner.  U-571?  One of the best movies of all time.  ALL-TIME. Remember the all-star cast? Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel. And of course, the Oscar-winning performance by Jon Bon Jovi (aka Lt. Pete Emmett, Chief Engineer).  What the hell was the casting director thinking when they made that decision?

Here's what a recent search on submarine returned in the Milblogging.com database (HAT TIP to Bubblehead for pointing out that I was missing a few).


1.  A Bubbleheads View of the World
2.  A geezer's corner
2.  Bubblehead a submarine veteran blog
4.  Hey Justin Cline, God Can't See Underwater!
5.  Hundreds of Fathoms
6.  Molten Eagle
6.  Right Bubbleheads
8.  Snapshot Tube 2
9.  Sound General Quarters!
10.  Submarine Brotherhood
11.  The Discomfort of Thought
12.  The Online Magazine Formerly Known As Rob's Blog
13.  The stupid shall be punished
14.  THE SUB REPORT
15.  Ultraquiet No More
16.  Chapomatic
17.  Gus Van Horn
18.  Unconsidered Trifles
19.  Bubblehead: The Next Generation
20.  zero bubble
21.  Seven tubes and still smokin'
22.  OK2B nought
23.  Four Knots to Nowhere

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Today, my Milblogging.com site appeared in Army Times.  You know? T-H-E Army Times. There are only a few EGREGIOUS inaccuracies that I will address here later this week. I've only included a brief excerpt from the web/print story which I like.  Two years of milblogging has taught me one thing: be careful what you say. After you read the Army Times story, go and read the latest Blogwatch section in Newsweek and take a look at last weekend's "This American Life" on NPR. It was a trifecta (Army Times, Blogwatch, and This American Life). 

Blogger builds index of military Web sites
By Kelly Kennedy
Times Staff Writer

Scattered throughout the blogosphere, the Paratrooper of Love lambastes the liberal media; The Military Vote works to get a wheelchair for an Iraqi interpreter and The Lonely Soldier posts pictures and praises of his girlfriend. Cyber-surfers wading through military blogs such as these and hundreds of others were forced to take their chances from site to site — on political outlook; on whether a page had been updated since Desert Storm; on whether they would find advertisements for online dating rather than updates on war news — until Oct. 31.

That’s when Army National Guard Spc. Jean-Paul Bordagathered more than 600 military-related blogs and sorted them into searchable categories on his new Web site, www.milblogging.com. 

“I realized there’s not an easy way to find military blogs,” Borda said. “I think it’s important. There are probably thousands of them out there.”

He’s included everything he could find, regardless of the blogger’s political persuasion or personal views.

Read the full story here.

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I just milblogged and boy are my fingers tired (laugh here).  Here’s a list of the milblogs added to the Milblogging.com database from Nov 16th through the 22nd.  Usually, I’d comment on the new batch of milblogs, but there were so many added, it’s just easier if you scroll and read.

Fun times in Iraq , Stacy pierce, Iraq, Location: Camp Anacoonda, Iraq , 22 Nov 2005

The Real Combat Medic Badge! , Combat Doc, United States, I am currently a medic assigned to an Infantry Bat... , 21 Nov 2005

Archive of a Mad Marine , Siliddar, Iraq, My name is LCpl Jason C. Myers, USMC. As I'm sure ... , 21 Nov 2005

Good Bad, I'm the Guy with the Gun , Firefox13a, Iraq, I'm a real life Imperial Stormtrooper in the land ... , 21 Nov 2005

I'm Not Who You Thought I Was, Am I? , A Loaded Gun Complex...Cock It and Pull It, Iraq, Location: Camp Al-Taqaddum, Iraq , 21 Nov 2005

Arkansas Online : Iraq Blog , Amy Schlesing, United States, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette staff writer Amy Schlesi... , 21 Nov 2005

Lainey's Photo Website , Lainey, United States, My name is Lainey and I have just returned from a ... , 21 Nov 2005

Passing thoughts... , Julie, United States, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter a sister.. A lov... , 21 Nov 2005

Missing my soldier , CrystalGail, United States, I love spending time with my family. My husband is... , 21 Nov 2005

A geezer's corner , Bothenook, United States, a submarine veteran's take on politics and the wor... , 21 Nov 2005

Life as Lou , Lou, United States, Mother of two, Air Force Wife, Uprooted North Dako... , 21 Nov 2005

Passionate Desire , Laura, United States, Marine wife... , 21 Nov 2005

Even a title even , Quietkidd, Iraq, i am a us marine(and a person)stationed in IRAQ. s... , 21 Nov 2005

Crazyfuckedupcool , Paul, Iraq, Location: Baghdad, Iraq , 21 Nov 2005

Outwit, Outblog, Outsnark , Stacy Lynch, United States, Television, pop culture, snark & an IRR officer's ... , 21 Nov 2005

Life on the Scott side , Smsmith, Iraq, Location: Classified, Up north in the shit, Iraq , 20 Nov 2005

An Ordinary Guy , Joe, Iraq, Man, I've been away from this for a while, we'll s... , 20 Nov 2005

Introducing the Slaughter Weekend , Skellyscribe, Iraq, I am an Army Reserve Soldier currently deployed in... , 20 Nov 2005

The life of mine... , Valandil Telrúnya, Iraq, I am in the national guard which currently has me ... , 20 Nov 2005

Once Upon A Time In Baghdad , Christopher, Iraq, Currently assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. ... , 20 Nov 2005

Only Watching My Life from a Distance , Toolman853, Iraq, Location: Iraq , 20 Nov 2005

A Normal Boy , SPC Salamanca, Iraq, I'm a soldier in the United States Army. Fresh out... , 20 Nov 2005

We Are All Volunteers in This Army , Pat Dev, United States, A site for writing about peace and war, and rumors... , 20 Nov 2005

Marketing in Iraq? , Mikal, United States, 23 yr old Internet Marketer from North Dakota bein... , 20 Nov 2005

The Counterterrorism Blog , Multiple Authors, United States, The first multi-expert blog dedicated solely to co... , 20 Nov 2005

Americans for Freedom... , JP, United States, Americans for Freedom...Afghanistan Iraq Lebanon E... , 20 Nov 2005

American Future , Marc Schulman, United States, American Future's exclusive focus is foreign and n... , 20 Nov 2005

Afghan Warrior , Waheed, Afghanistan, Afghan Warrior , 20 Nov 2005

Healing Iraq , Zeyad, Iraq, My name is Zeyad. I was born from Sunni Muslim par... , 20 Nov 2005

Free Iraqi , Ali, Iraq, I was not living before the 9th of April and now I... , 20 Nov 2005

SAILORS & MARINERS LEAGUE , Petty Officer Cruel Kev, United States, Petty Officer Cruel Kev's Blog to honor our Sailor... , 20 Nov 2005

RWO , RWO, United States, Retired warrant office, United States Navy , 20 Nov 2005

Voice of a Veteran , A Vet, United States, Support the Troops and Veterans With Actions......... , 20 Nov 2005

Iraqi Bloggers Central , Jeffrey, United States, An American Looks at Iraq and the Iraqi Bloggers , 20 Nov 2005

Hammorabi , Hammorabi, Iraq, Iraq - 'The Past, Present and Future of the Cradle... , 20 Nov 2005

Peace like a River , Jeff Kouba, United States, Dedicated to originality of observation, clarity o... , 20 Nov 2005

Hoorah the blog , Jason Lomberg, United States, One young man's journey from civilian to sailor. O... , 20 Nov 2005

A mobilized year , Themobilized, Iraq, mobilized soldier in iraq , 20 Nov 2005

So Far From Home , Elvis, Serbia, The daily life of a soldier deployed to the Balkan... , 20 Nov 2005

Florida Cracker , Florida Cracker, United States, Southern GWI Army Military Intelligence veteran , 20 Nov 2005

A trainwreck in Maxwell , Kurt P, United States, In a previous life I spent 9 years in the Navy Sea... , 20 Nov 2005

I am Under Saturn's Shadow , Exposure101, Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq , 20 Nov 2005

175 lbs. of Twisted Steel , Steelsoldier, Iraq, WHATS UP?!?! Yea Im in Iraq now, pullin duties tha... , 20 Nov 2005

My Turn , Spc_dobbs, Iraq, Grew up in Napa, California... Am now in the US Ar... , 20 Nov 2005

We will make it through , Ssgjoseph, Iraq, No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncomm... , 20 Nov 2005

Incoherent mumblings of some guy , Desertdarryl65, Iraq, I am an active duty Sailor serving with a Marine i... , 20 Nov 2005

From Holland to Kurdistan , Vladimir Poetin, Netherlands, Blog from a Dutchman about the brave Kurdish peopl... , 20 Nov 2005

KurdishMedia , Multiple Authors, Great Britain, News and information about Kurds and Kurdistan sin... , 20 Nov 2005

Dear Baghdad , Vahal Abdulrahman, United States, I am an Iraqi Kurd working and living in the Washi... , 20 Nov 2005

Afghanistan News.net , Multiple News Sources, Afghanistan, We provide links to major local Afghanistan news s... , 20 Nov 2005

Bear Creek Ledger , Toni, United States, Reporting on our troops and politics with my manag... , 20 Nov 2005

Great Googly Moogly , Rose, United States, Just a proud USAF wife who ain't afraid to speak h... , 20 Nov 2005

Mad Mikey's Blog , Mikey, United States, Mikey is a thirty-something U.S Navy veteran... , 20 Nov 2005

Wake Up U.S. , Anthony, United States, I am originally from New York, and am a U.S. Army ... , 20 Nov 2005

Zipcard2's Journal , Sandy, United States, Comments on current events. I am currently studyi... , 20 Nov 2005

The Old Guard , Stephen Kelly, United States, The Ongoing Saga of a NJ Army National Guard Sgt. ... , 20 Nov 2005

The Online Magazine Formerly Known As Rob's Blog , Rob, United States, I'm a 36 year old Navy submarine nuke, married wit... , 20 Nov 2005

OK2B nought , Geezernuke, United States, A wholesome spot in the blogosphere where matterin... , 20 Nov 2005

Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone , Kevin Sites, Iraq, As one of the world's most respected war correspon... , 19 Nov 2005

Killing for Peace is like Screwing for Virginity , Deploymentdog, United States, Noone digs a hole better than a betio bastard. As... , 19 Nov 2005

Retreat from reality , Tasaiomar, Iraq, What's to say? Enjoying a year of sun and fun in c... , 19 Nov 2005

Fibonoci , Fibonoci, United States, Military content without a hard edge towards over-... , 19 Nov 2005

Pinwheels and Orange Peels , Iangela, Guam, Hmmm. Let's see. I'm married to a wonderful woman ... , 19 Nov 2005

HomefrontSix , HomefrontSix, United States, The nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty details of life a... , 19 Nov 2005

Trying to grok , Sarah, Germany, My name is Sarah, and I am a 28-yr-old military wi... , 19 Nov 2005

A Navy Wife's Crazy Life , Ladychevy82, United States, About me huh? Let's see....I am a Navy Wife as me... , 19 Nov 2005

Updates from your Greent Beret , Sgtgreenberet, United States, Updates from your Greent Beret , 19 Nov 2005

Special Forces in Alabama , SGT Tim Thompson, United States, Hello everyone. My name is Tim Thompson. I live in... , 19 Nov 2005

Coast Guard bastard unwillingly turned sillyvilian , American Ex-Coastie, United States, Coast Guard bastard unwillingly turned sillyvilian , 19 Nov 2005

HQ Swiss Coast Guard , Paul Zimmerli, United States, A retired Minnesotan Air Force Tech Sergeant prize... , 19 Nov 2005

Army of 1 in 10 , Anonymous Soldier, United States, A gay soldier speaks out about life in the militar... , 18 Nov 2005

The Military Outpost , Multiple Authors, United States, THE MILITARY OUTPOST is a new SMASH production, fo... , 17 Nov 2005

Doc_newman's Journal , Doc Newman, Iraq, In Iraq... , 17 Nov 2005

Dude... , Doclittle, Iraq, my name is grant. i am a hospital corpsman in the ... , 17 Nov 2005

...SOLDIER , ...Soldier, Iraq, "from my head down to my boots" "I'm out here on ... , 17 Nov 2005

SGT Rossetter , Andrew Rossetter, Iraq, Location: Balad, Iraq , 17 Nov 2005

Shawn's (Highly) Motivated Life , SPC Shawn M. Perkins, US Cavalry, Iraq, Recon. Shoot to kill. Drive on. Hooah. Location... , 17 Nov 2005

The epic saga of a douche bag part 3: The Big Sand , Foul_nectar, Iraq, Location: Iraq , 17 Nov 2005

Media Lies , Antimedia, United States, Focused on media criticism, particularly as it con... , 17 Nov 2005

The Long Road , Cowboy Marine, United States, I am a United States Marine currently living with ... , 17 Nov 2005

THE SUB REPORT , Eric Ryle, United States, Your Daily Source for Submarine News and Events , 17 Nov 2005

Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck! , SGT PUEBLA, United States, The daily adventures and thoughts of a Roughneck a... , 17 Nov 2005

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I believe it's important to let you know whenever things happen on Milblogging.com.  So, I'll be posting a regular column called SITE UPGRADE.  Like most huge milblogs, I too, don't have a staff of writers, geeky techie people who can't interact like most humans, or assistants to get my latte or lick my feet - it's me.  One guy maintaining this site.  I know, you're probably thinking not only is he handsome (for those of you who have seen pictures of me in Uniform), but he's remarkably efficient (like a robot).

Let's discuss most critical site upgrades that have occurred this weekend, shall we...

1. I've published my sitemeter at the bottom of every page. If you know MILBLOGGING.COM, then you know how successful it is.  Now, you can see for yourself.  I'm still humble though. Although the site averages 8 readers a day (already) I still go to work everyday, brush my teeth like normal people, and even chit-chat with my neighbors. Read more here.

2.  I've added charts to the left sidebar called "Top Milblogs by Branch".  This is expressly intended for gambling and wagering purposes for the 2005 MILBLOGGIES. (laugh here).  But now you can track how the MILBLOGGIES are going on a daily basis.  Right now, A Texan Abroad and a Hooah Wife are battling out for first place in the U.S. Military (Spouse) category. Both have 2 votes. Stay tuned as the fierce competition heats up!  Remember, you can see all the milblogs by branch here.  But the charts in the "Top Milblogs by Branch" only show milblogs with at least 1 vote.

3.  Kosovo? Serbia? United Nations Protectorate? Ummm, I really don't know how to classify milbloggers from Kosovo. Technically, I classify milblogs by country. And Kosovo is a province of Serbia.  But since the Kosovo war, it has been administered by the UN as a protectorate.  Lost yet? Where was I?  Anyway, I've listed it as Serbia for now, since the final status hasn't been determined.  I'm assuming I'm wrong, since I frequently make mistakes.  Feedback?  Here's your chance to name a country...

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Military Information Technology

By Peter A. Buxbaum.  Army warns that warfighters’ online diaries can place lives at risk and degrade the effectiveness of operations.

The popularity of online blogs kept by warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan has touched off renewed debate over operational security and the free flow of information in the Internet age.

“The enemy aggressively ‘reads’ our open source and continues to exploit such information for use against our forces,” Army Chief of Staff General Peter J. Schoomaker wrote in an August memo. “Some soldiers continue to post sensitive information to Internet Web sites and blogs, e.g., photos depicting weapon system vulnerabilities and tactics, techniques and procedures. Such OPSEC violations needlessly place lives at risk and degrade the effectiveness of our operations.

“Leaders at all levels must take charge of this issue and get the message down to the lowest levels,” urged the memo, which was first made public on the Web site of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

At issue are blogs, or Web logs, created by in-theater soldiers in their free time to post personal comments and observations. The ubiquity of Internet technology has triggered the proliferation of these Web pages, in which ordinary people around the world report on what they see and experience and comment on the issues of the day. Blogs are set up at low or no cost and typically provide for interactivity, in which readers comment on blog content and respond to each other. Untold thousands of blogs have been set up by individuals worldwide, including hundreds by active U.S. military personnel.

Read the full story here.

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Orlando Sentinel

By William Weir : The Harford Courant. Stationed in Tikrit, U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary Scott-Singley recalled a recent encounter with some soldiers heading into battle for the first time: "I had already killed, and I remembered a quick rapid-fire succession of feelings upon learning just how many my platoon and I had killed,'' he writes on his blog from Iraq. "First I felt glory, then sickness, and now I have only empty sorrow. . . ."

In an earlier war, such thoughts would likely have had a limited audience, specifically other members of Scott-Singley's company. But soldiers in the war in Iraq have found an audience around the world. Besides many so-called milblogs that offer accounts of military life in Iraq or Afghanistan, a dozen or so military memoirs have hit bookstores in the last few months.

Read the full story here.

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The trend of milblogs to books is picking up.  You can call it a blook, a paperblog, a blogmoir, a blomance, a bliction or whatever new term is being coined. 

Anyway, here's a listing of milblogs in the Milblogging.com database that now have books.  Anything missing? Let us know. In my next column, I will chit-chat about milbloggers that go Hollywood.  You know.  A blomedian, a blidol, a blextra (man, this is fun)..

Here's the list of milbloggers to books:

1.  My War - by Colby Buzzell
2.  Saving Babylon - by Paul Holton
3.  Soldier Life - by American Soldier
4.  Just Another Soldier - by Jason Christopher Hartley

Blackfive has organized an anthology of military bloggers that Simon and Schuster will be publishing next year.

And remember, don't forget about the Milbloggies, spotlighting the best milbloggers on the internet of 2005.  So, after you read some of these latest additions - VOTE!

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Where are they? Now, I've scoured much of the internet for Coast Guard blogs, so that leaves me to asking you for help. Let's see. How about we take a look at ALL the Coast Guard blogs in the Milblogging.com database? Actuallly, let me rephrase that.  How about we take a look at the only Active Coast Guard milblog in the Milblogging.com database: Brown Hound.

So, we have a small problem. We need to list more Coast Guard blogs.  Where are they? Here is my challenge to you: leave the web addresses of any members of the Coast Guard who blog.  I'll keep track of score... 

Score
Milblogging.com: 1
YOU: 0 (BIG FAT ZERO)

Submit some Coast Guard milblogs, or at least leave the information in the Comments.  Or, you could get off your lazyass and register, sign in, and submit them on your own.

And remember, don't forget about the Milbloggies, spotlighting the best milbloggers on the internet of 2005.  So, after you read some of these latest additions - VOTE!

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Okay okay, I've personally written about the 2005 MILBLOGGIES once or twice already.  I keep mentioning the 2005 MILBLOGGIES not so you'll vote for this site (technically, you can't anyway since I'm the host, and to be honest, there are at least 643 other milblogs better than this one at the time of this posting), but to help find the best military blogs of 2005. 

Anyway, I do enjoy the sound of my own voice, but I'd rather see other milbloggers spreading the word.  Here's what others have to say:

Four Knots To Nowhere says: "Well, a quick thanks to the three people that have voted for Four Knots to Nowhere on the 2005 MilBloggies competition at the above link!" Read more.

A Texan Abroad says: "I'm not blogwhoring for votes. I'm not requesting anyone vote for me. Honestly I'm shocked I have one vote! I don't know why anyone would bookmark me, but THANKS!" Read more.

Winds of Change.NET says: "Bloggies? Well, now we have Milbloggies."  (Oh wait, that was me on Winds of Change)

A Soldier's Perspective says: "I sat down and conducted an interview with MilBlogging.com (though I didn�t really speak to anyone)" Read more.

The Military Outpost says: "Bloggies? Well, now we have Milbloggies."  (Ummmm, that's weird. Me, again).

Iraq the Model says:  "Two blog awards are awaiting your nominations, one is 2005 milbloggies that allows you to choose your favorite among hundreds of military blogs and..." (there's really only one MILBLOGGIE, so I won't mention the other).  Read more.

Dude, Where's The Beach says: "Can't believe I'm ranked 24th in the nation for Milblogs. Either this is very new, or someone's rigged the votes in my favor."  Read more.

The Stupid Shall Be Punished says: "You can vote for as many different blogs as you want, but I've heard that if you vote for non-submariners in the Navy category, it'll mess up your hard drive or something..."  Read more.


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It's time once again to put the spotlight on the newest milblogs added to the Milblogging.com database.  The Milblogging.com database is getting a lot better.  Want proof? Look below. This latest batch of milblogs added to the Milblogging.com database includes milblogs from Iraq, the United States, Afghanistan and Cuba.  It includes Veterans, humor, professional reporters, Active Duty, and many many more.  And remember, don't forget about the Milbloggies, spotlighting the best milbloggers on the internet of 2005.  So, after you read some of these latest additions - VOTE!

Tales from the Sandbox , Gordon Trowbridge, United States, Military Times senior staff writer Gordon Trowbrid...

Current events and news from the right , Rightfielder, United States, This blog was created for the purpose of supportin...

Same Ole' Different Day , Will Whitley, Iraq, This is a blog of my everyday life. I am deployed ...

Colombian OG , Erwin, United States, Expertise: I would say serving motherfuckers, bein...

Random Thoughts , Jose (aka Joe), United States, I admit that some of my thoughts and convictions a...

Orangepillbox's Xanga Site , Cristina, Iraq, i am in iraq right now. boo.

The Military Vote , SPC David H MacDonell II, United States, Behind the eyes of an OIF Soldier.

Techography - A Never Ending Source of Information , BloodSpite, United States, Military, Technology, Politics, Humor, and general...

One Pissed Off Vet , Farnsworth, United States, One Pissed Off Veteran is a Vietnam vet with a bad...

One Veteran's Voice , Brian Van Reet, United States, A Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom shares his st...

Defense Tech , Noah Shachtman, United States, Military.com is the largest online military destin...

Travels with Shiloh , Dean Baratta, United States, The story of a man (an Afghan vet and National Gua...

Mambo rulzzzzz , Mambo, Iraq, In Iraq

In the Life and Mind of Owen , Im_not_a_pyro, Iraq, My name is Owen. I'm a US Navy Corpsman currently ...

I'm not a perfect person... , Tony, Iraq, Location: Iraq, Bio: Grew up in St. Cloud Florida....

Live from the middle east , Justininiraq, Iraq, Name: justininiraq Location: Iraq

Darkstar In Iraq , Darkstariniraq, Iraq, am in the military and going to iraq, this is soth...

Third World Beatdown , Blumpie McBlumpstein, Iraq, some shitty town, Iraq

Kevin Benderman Timeline , Kevin Benderman, United States, The purpose of the BendermanTimeline is to present...

Kevin and Monica Benderman - his letters from Ft. Lewis and her writings , Monica Benderman, United States, Kevin and Monica Benderman Blog A Prisoner of Cons...

PARTAMIAN REPORT , Partamian, United States, A Blog by a Georgia Army National Guard Engineer O...

Amazing Facts , Wm H, United States, Humor, Polictical news,

While Away , Christina, Iraq, Journal of my stay in Baghdad, Iraq

Mike's Iraqi Adventure , Mike, Iraq, Age: 27 Gender: male Astrological Sign: Cancer...

Griffin's Random Ramblings , Nick, Iraq, A day in the life...in Iraq. OK, well I'm a twent...

ACSBlog: The Blog of American Constitution Society , Avidan Cover, Cuba, We are pleased to announce that begining Wednesday...

Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches , Dahr Jamail, Iraq, Dahr has spent a total of 8 months in occupied Ira...

Los in Baghdad's photos , Carlos Caga-anan, Iraq, I'm Male, 22 and Single. Camp Victory-South, B...

Thehomsar's photos , Alexander Lee, Iraq, Just a soldier in Iraq giving people a taste of my...

Bouncing Souls , Bouncing Souls Fans, United States, Letters from Iraq

Pound by LB , L Bearfield, Afghanistan, The journal of an Army National Guard soldier and ...

Mad Ogre , George Hill, United States, Rantings of a mad ogre.

Desultory Butterfly , Desult, United States, New Army Guard Enlistee

NcoDutyToWorkAndHome , SSG P, Iraq, This Blog is just a way for me to express my choic...

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Bloggies? Well, now we have Milbloggies.  It's time to shine a spotlight on the best Milbloggers of 2005. What are the Milbloggies? Inspired by the Bloggies, Milblogging.com is announcing the Milbloggies. The Milbloggies are an annual award ceremony celebrating milblogging around the world.  And of course, through the Milbloggies, you’ll be able to find some of the best milblogs on the internet.

Why did Milblogging.com create the Milbloggies?

Milblogs are extremely important.  They offer a firsthand account of life back home, of day-to-day living in a war zone, and much much more.  It's an opportunity to help highlight the importance of milblogging in today's culture, and connect people with milblogs, while spotlighting the best milbloggers on the internet. 

Read more here on Milbloggies.com.

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Writing about the latest milblogs added to the Milblogging.com database is my favorite part of the day.  But I must also note, this past weekend began the moment that changed one person’s life:  the author of the military blog In Training.   Now, I remember the first time I met a celebrity.  I was eight, and had an opportunity to meet Blair Underwood and Robin Leach.  No. I'm not joking. Seriously. I repeat, Blair Underwood and Robin Leach.  I know, I can’t even contain myself. Anyway, this past weekend I had my first Soldierfoto Gallery Show (more on that later) and normally, I’m a jackass, but this weekend I was on my best behavior (and we even served alcohol).  The show started off small, but soon exploded to 6 people.  Within three hours, the number rose to 7.  One after another, partygoers going to hear DJ Jazzy Jeff across the street, stopped and asked for directions.  The show, was quite a success (Jazzy Jeff's that is, you didn't think I was talking about Soldierfoto?).  Like I said, more on the details of my show later this week. Complete with photos. 

Back to In Training.  Despite the long wait to get into the gallery, I placed In Training on the VIP list.  She and her friend were quite dazzled by me.  You know that look a person makes when someone kicks them in the groin? Something like that.  Dazzled.  I mean, what more could you say when you meet me in person? 

She’s dating a Royal Marine Commando. 

He's "Royal."

Is that cool or what?

Reminds me of "The Princess Diaries".  Only, she's not a princess, nor is she part of a royal family from a small obscure European nation of Genovia.  Are you?

Anyway, where else can you find such interesting milblogs? That’s right. You heard about it here first on MIlblogging.com.  So, if you want to read a real life love novel about an American girl and a Royal Marine Commando, go check out In Training.  Or, if you want to read about one fan's meeting with me, go read all the gushing at In Training.   

Ok, some really cool milblogs added this weekend.  Milbloggers from Iraq and Kuwait.  Military wives.   Soldiers’ Angels.  Veterans.  And of course, military girlfriends.

The Lonely Soldier , Lee, Iraq, A soldier deployed in Iraq talks of love and missi...

Twopoohzplus1 , Cherie, United States, My husband is currently on his second deployment t...

Monkeys That Stare , Bill, United States, Infantry Soldier at Ft. Lewis. Happily married for...

No need to knock, just come on in. , Cassie, United States, Happily married to my soldier for 16 years. We hav...

Soldiers' Angels Germany , MaryAnn, Germany, Soldiers' Angels Germany Mission is to support our...

Home is Where the Army Sends Us! , Julie, United States, I am studying to be a Physical Therapist. I have a...

Jackie's Space , Not Specified, United States, I'm married to the most wonderful man ever.

Diary of an Army Wife , Aron, United States, ~my roller coaster ride through a deployment~

Navy Corner , Passumpsic, United States, Retired Navy. The real trick is knowing the machi...

BradleyGunner6-8Cav , Nathan, Iraq, I'm a Cavalry Scout in the Army. I'm a gunner on a...

The Dignified Rant , Brian J. Dunn, United States, I live and blog in Ann Arbor, Michigan. University...

The Big Deployment , Kevin Clerks, Kuwait, About Me Name:Kevin Clerks Location:Camp Virgin...

4 Mile Creek , Not Specified, Iraq, Hi, I'm Diggs. I'm a US Army Commissioned Officer,...

Bloggers 4 Freedom , Not Specified, United States, We're two sisters who've commiserated by phone ove...

Gozar the Traveler , Joey, Iraq, I'm a soldier in the Army National Guard currently...

Arbor Libertatis , Not Specified, United States, Arbor Libertatis

In Training , In Training, United States, Posts about the U.S and Royal Military, specifical...

While We Are Apart , Jennifer, United States, I'm Jennifer, and my boyfriend's name is Peter.he ...

CANDY GIRL'S RANDOM BABBLE , Candace, United States, Just random thoughts of a goofy girl and proud Mar...

Chasing Hawaii , Boo, United States, I am a military wife.

Operation Iraqi Freedom , Ray, Iraq, 1LT talks about life in Baghdad, Iraq.

While Your Gone , Faith, United States, He is deployed to Baghdad, Iraq she is back in the...

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