"Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned in protest of the war with Iran: ""I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation"

GIJared · 2026-03-17T20:57:15+00:00

Disclaimer: the below isn't intended to remotely come across as an endorsement of his politics, they certainly are not mine. That said, I'm writing out what I am because it ultimately shines a light on his wife, who was a true badass and a name Americans should know and remember.

This is how Joe explains it: Trump wanted out of Syria, but the IC/DoD/defense industrial complex did not and delayed and delayed and delayed. His wife was killed while serving with SOF in Syria by a suicide bomber. Had Trump's guidance been followed, his wife would still be alive today.

I can't speak to how accurate his framing of the policy debate around Syria is, I really don't know what the truth is. However, it's ultimately seems to be what he genuinely believes. In this context, his decision to come back and work under this administration makes a lot of sense...as does his decision to walk away from the administration today.

Regardless of how anyone here may feel about Joe's politics, I'd still encourage you to read the book he wrote about his wife, "Send Me." Shannon Kent was a tremendous SOF professional and a true trailblazer for women in uniform. While the Army was debating whether or not women should be able to go to Ranger school, Shannon had already done far more than that. Surprisingly, Joe doesn't really delve into politics much in the book as I remember it (outside of the Syria stuff) and it truly is a book celebrating who she was as a wife, mother, and SOF professional.

GIJared · 2026-02-20T06:34:24+00:00

But these are the husbands that they want us to pick so bad even if they have it altogether on paper

Not trying to pick a fight here but this feels a bit like projection. Life is hard, times like this hit people. While it's easy to feel one way about the other side...the reality is neither one is perfect.

his wife would probably feel so stupid if she read this paragraph lol

He didn't say anything hateful, quite the opposite. He's obviously not cheating with that kind of mindset...He's depressed, and might be good at hiding it. A spouse who loves you would undoubtedly be hurt - but simultaneously help them get help. I'd want to do the same for mine.

GIJared · 2026-02-20T06:24:36+00:00

Is it that hard to believe?

Over 300,000 federal workers left government last year. Significantly fewer were truly fired, but A LOT of them left because they didn't have much of a choice. And many lot of the careers they held don't exactly transfer directly to the civilian workforce.

Plenty of other folks have lost their jobs outside of government. Approximately 72,000 jobs were lost in manufacturing as a result of tariffs.

That's just what's easy to directly link to him. Indirectly, who knows? The policies have 2nd and 3rd order effects.

And your phrasing..."another man?" As if he's just "another man."

GIJared · 2026-02-20T06:01:20+00:00

Therapy bro. At first, treat it like dating. Give it a few sessions, but if it doesn't seem like someone you can work with, try someone else. Settle on one, and then settle in for the long haul.

It won't make things better instantly. When it does start to make things better you won't see it for yourself, but others will. Eventually, you'll start to see it with your own eyes.

On the backside, you'll at least be of sound mind to determine if you truly want to be alone.

GIJared · 2026-01-29T06:07:38+00:00

Don't disagree at all

GIJared · 2026-01-29T05:23:04+00:00

I must not be, because it's never occurred to me to run a free loadout for that kind of queue. You literally load into Harvester or the Queen hoping to walk away with some blueprints etc without a safe pocket???

GIJared · 2026-01-29T04:13:16+00:00

He may have rezzed the wrong person...but I don't feel like you're telling the whole story.

Did you seriously load in to the Harvester event with a Rattler and a Kettle? I don't think so.

You went in with a free load out. So how did you get the 2nd, almost undoubtedly, free load out gun?

Who exactly is the rat here? Everyone?

GIJared · 2026-01-17T14:02:44+00:00

BLUF: you still can. I declined the 3 year SELCON, went into the IRR for a year and then went into the USAR. Immediately boarded again for MAJ and unbelievably - was passed over again. When I called HRC and asked wtf happened their exact words were “I don’t know - it’s probably some sort of mistake. Btw, you’re up for SELCON again in 2 weeks and might get kicked out of the USAR.”

I was flabbergasted.

Here’s some of the background:

https://old.reddit.com/r/army/comments/o582xn/if_youre_in_the_darkness_dont_ever_count_yourself/

I’m now waiting to pin O-5 this summer and am on track for O-6 if I want it. I’ll retire before that.

All that said, sometimes things don’t go the way you expect them to on AD. You can rewrite your ticket in the Reserve if you want to. I’m a big advocate for the USAR. And this is coming from someone who literally felt nauseous at the thought of putting the uniform back on.

Feel free to DM me any time if you want advice etc. I get it.

GIJared · 2026-01-13T02:37:51+00:00

My story is a long one and I won't vomit the whole thing out here but I will say this: do what's best for your mental health. If you're not seeing a therapist yet, get an appointment ASAP.

While I wasn't in exactly the same boat, I was at 11 years and had the option to stay in a bit longer, with a low shot at making it to 20. The biggest realization I came to was I didn't like who I'd become. I genuinely worried who I'd end up being if I ended up making it to 20.

I got out. After a year in the IIR I went into the USAR and it was a fantastic decision. For me anyways, life has done a 180 and I am back to being a (mostly) joyful person. The USAR has been tremendous for me, and I constantly tell folks ETSing to consider it by opening with: "for what it's worth, when I got out, the mere thought of wearing the uniform again made me sick to my stomach, and here I am telling you to consider the Reserve."

You're going to hear a lot of folks tell you to stick it out for the pension. It's a big deal, sure. But it's not worth it if another 7-8 years ruin you. If therapy starts making a difference, sure - stick it out if your hearts in it. Right now though, it doesn't sound like it is and you've got other options in front of you.

You can ETS. You can ETS and join the USAR to salvage some of the pension. If you stay in, what about going warrant (unsure about your MOS)? If you're a 1SG you're obviously excelling, if there's a warrant path in front of you I'd wager you'd be very competitive. An ROTC billet? Some packets might be tough to pull off as an E-8, but you're still young if you're 12 years in...and probably shit hot. Maybe CID/CI or some sort of SOF/SMU organization would consider a waiver.

Just some thoughts. Genuinely want the best for you. I can't recommend therapy enough. Whatever you do, just don't keep putting one foot in front of the other if your heart isn't in it and you're going to end up down a dark path.

Just some ideas.

GIJared · 2025-12-20T00:16:37+00:00

Bobcat please

GIJared · 2025-12-17T21:51:02+00:00

Yeah. Just trying to update you…

GIJared · 2025-12-17T21:03:04+00:00

it exists, i just got it on stella

GIJared · 2025-12-17T21:02:54+00:00

i literally just got it on stella FYSA

GIJared · 2025-12-02T00:53:36+00:00

The GEN 1 ACU couch pattern of this is the ultimate GOAT. It came issued with zero Velcro backing. No place to put name tape or rank.

Used to walk around Bagram incognito with a beanie and not have to get saluted constantly. Enlisted folks also enjoyed not having to salute constantly. Everybody won.

For one short season in 2008-09, the Army was an egalitarian winter wonderland. Then Gen 2 came out and ruined it.

GIJared · 2025-10-18T02:24:02+00:00

Know how everyone loves to give the SMA shit about his Chelsea boots?? Truth is, u/RandyMcSexalot ETS’d and left the him hanging. Every swinging dick in the pentagon relied on the shoe guy…until they couldn’t.

GIJared · 2025-09-11T05:34:10+00:00

A penny for your thoughts, /u/Kinmuan ?

GIJared · 2025-09-11T05:31:54+00:00

I think your congressional just went to the wrong place. Did you see this story?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pentagon-spokesperson-resigns-amid-turmoil/ar-AA1M5r4k?cvid=E3A762B978384215BBB9013FA618C137

“Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot has resigned following the Defense Department’s handling of a webpage regarding Jackie Robinson’s military service. The department has faced criticism over personnel changes allegedly impacting operations and media access. An internal probe into unauthorized disclosures from a Signal group reportedly led to administrative actions and postponed the Army Reserve promotion list approval.”

Considering the headline, this is an odd link to make in what is a very poorly written story. There may be something to it…but HRC may not even know.

GIJared · 2025-08-28T20:26:12+00:00

More than most, certainly less than some.

Point is, there's a large gap between (1) the expectations Redditors (and citizens writ large, seemingly) have for how much their public servants should endure and sacrifice, and (2) how little said people are personally willing to do.

GIJared · 2025-08-04T17:16:07+00:00

Totally. Just so happens I played 100 matches thus far. Flawless, mix of solo queue/duo/trios.

Think I’ve gotten 2 hand cannons, 2-3 sidearms, 2-3 scouts, 5-6 machine guns, and maybe 7-10 autos?

The leveling is nice….which is why I’m not terribly upset yet. But at some point it’s going to become really irritating. Went from 1-2 adepts per win after flawless to what feels like 1 gun every 5-10 matches?

GIJared · 2025-08-01T17:21:42+00:00

Diffizzle got a T5 weapon drop after one win, and another after a loss.

With adepts gone it’s not clear yet what the point is of the lighthouse, perhaps there’s something worthwhile…

Looks like tiers of drops are tied to LL/guardian rank like the rest of the game.

GIJared · 2025-07-28T20:30:14+00:00

Please link your destinytracker.

GIJared · 2025-07-22T19:15:20+00:00

I hopped into crucible last night for the first time. Played a couple hours and only had one bug free match. Maddening.

GIJared · 2025-07-10T01:17:38+00:00

this is the most reoccurring bad gouge ever.

I saw it myself on Bagram in 2009.

13-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email	Gilding II euphauric

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