I agree that end strength goals have not been met. I agree that readiness is unsatisfactory.

There are options to resolve these problems.

1/

https://twitter.com/theblaze/status/1731798935134429370

Improving retention will put a stopper in the drain. Loads of dudes will meet their 1 and done EAOS and separate, downright offended by the suggestion of re-enlistment.

Why? Well, that varies by individual, and there are surveys done while the DD-214 is still hot.

Ah, yes. It appears as if I have decided to return to my bullshit, as surely as the swallows return to Capistrano and a dog returns to its vomit The drum opening to Breathe on the Mind tour is at least as good as the studio intro to Thunderstruck or CCR's greatest hits.

Stuck in the fancy part of Georgetown, waiting for this bitter rain to wash away the city's sins 31st St NW slopes into the tumult of the Potomac, street slime melding with the ancient blood of tyrant and patriot alike, bound to the red clay of Northern Virginia by timeless covenant

"Colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra" and "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" share nautical heritage from the days of wooden hulls and cannon.

Brass contracts faster than iron, so extreme cold would occasionally result in shipboard hazards from loose gear. These days, trying to search for "brass monkey" will just take you to that Beastie Boys song.

Which is good, because it is, as the kids say, a banger.