Back To School After The Holiday Break

WELCOME BACK AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK

Watch the video? What do you think the central message in this video is? 

We had a long break from school from 23 Dec 2014 to Jan 5 2015. Welcome back to school. It is time to get back to work! We have mid terms right around the corner, and then the end of the second marking period. For seniors this may be the last marking period colleges will review before making their decision to accept you to their institution or not. 

Good luck, come to work, and finish the marking period strong. 

ISIS...ISIL...AL QAEDA...ISLAMIC EXTREMISM or Just Countering Extremist Violent Organizations...?

ISIS: Islamic State of Iraq & Syria.   ISIL: Islamic State in the Levant.

Here is a discussion on Why Global Jihad and the Spread of Islamic Extremism will not be successful.

What is the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or termed differently Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)? Let us watch a short video to gain perspective:

This is a 9 minute video call Inside Isis and the Islamic Caliphate.

This is a 2 minute video about the Western world's use of social media to counter ISIS social media efforts and recruiting. 

Fighting Back Against ISIS: Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Northern Iraq. (9 min video) 

Memorial Day Module: Somalia 1993

As we approach Memorial Day, this year we are going to focus on a more recent combat operation, Operation GOTHIC SERPENT in October 1993 in Somalia. Above is the Medal of Honor Citation awarded to Master Sergeant Gary Gordon (as well as his fellow sniper Randall Shugart), 1st SFOD posthumously for their actions on that day.

Reference A: A quick synopsis of the Operation is included here (check this out on your own):
Operation Gothic Serpent Wikipedia

Reference B: For a more formal version of the operation go to the Army Historical Branch version:
US Army in Somalia

We will start this module by reading the above citation that I want you to consider the price paid by American fighting men and woman everyday. With less than 1% of the American population serving in the military and of that 1% an even smaller number of those serviceman serving in a combat environment, it is important for you as an informed and involved citizen to be aware of their sacrifice for our freedom.

Let's get oriented to Somalia to gain some perspective on the country, the people, the politics, and the environment, here is a short video:

Reference C1: 1992 1993 Starvation in Somalia
Reference C2: http://youtu.be/pRAsT5EBXZo  (Post 1993 Anti-Americanism)

Reference D: Now let's review The Battle of The Black Sea by watching the following documentary:

History Channel Black Hawk Down

We will watch the movie: Black Hawk Down and present our upperclassmen battle studies and Memorial Day remembrances based upon that operation and the bravery, heroism, and sacrifice made that day.

Reference E: Black Hawk Down (The Movie)

Wilmer's Lesson: Remembering Pearl Harbor

Click on this LINK: Remembering Pearl Harbor

Sometimes the student is the teacher, this came apparent when Wilmer asked me "Are we going to do something to remeber Pearl Harbor...?"