Scott Bessent Announces He Is Tightening the Screws Not Just on Iran But On Its Trading Partners

Bessent unveils 'Operation Economic Outcast' sanctions targeting Iranian regime

The measures, which the Treasury Secretary first teased last week, are designed to punish "enablers" of Iran that purchase its oil and facilitate financial flows.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday a new raft of sanctions targeting the Iranian regime dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," which he compared to the historic D-Day landings during World War II.
"Iran now faces a very clear choice, with only two paths before them: complete global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a path back to normalcy with an opportunity to rejoin the global economy," Bessent told reporters at a 1:00 PM press conference.
These new measures are designed to ramp up pressure on Iran's "enablers," which Bessent has called out for purchasing Iran's petroleum products, allowing their financial systems and banks to facilitate transfers of Iranian funds, and allowing Iran's shadow fleet to transfer oil products in their territorial waters. Bessent and President Donald Trump indicated last week that the United States planned to shift to a comprehensive economic blockade of the Islamic Republic, hoping to strangle the regime by cutting off its economic lifelines.
"We are enforcing a zero leakage approach. There will be no minimal breathing space for the regime to rebuild its capacity to inflict terror against America and the world," the secretary said. "The final refuge of this regime is the mistaken conclusion of nations that still finance the Iranian threat in the hopes of evading it. It is no longer acceptable to operate in the gray spaces of this conflict. Countries cannot claim they are blind to enabling this activity."
The sanctions, Bessent said, are designed to target five of Iran's lifelines during the conflict: "digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping."
The Treasury Department will sanction "over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels" globally that officials believe enable Iran to purchase nuclear and missile technology, carry out cyber operations, and allow it to generate oil revenue.
...
China has purchased the vast majority of Iranian oil for years, even while its exports are under international sanctions. Chinese banks and front companies help Iran with oil transactions to avoid the sanctions and operate ships in a shadow fleet to transport the sanctioned oil, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. China has also sold Iran the technology and inputs required to construct its fleet of attack drones and missiles.

Lee Smith wonders if Bessent and Trump really mean it -- are they actually going to punish Turkey and China for trading with Iran?

Lee Smith
@LeeSmithDC
2h
It would be great if Trump admin targets Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia and especially China for Iran dealings. But since that's very unlikely, what's really happening here?

Trump is threatening an "Economic D-Day" and says Iran is collapsing.

On social media, Trump posted "Iran is completely collapsing" hours after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a column for the Financial Times, declared that an "economic D-Day" had begun against Tehran and warned that any country that continued to enable the Islamic Republic would become a "global pariah".
Bessent also claimed on X that the US had "dismantled Iran's military capabilities, destroyed nearly 100 percent of its military factories, and buried its nuclear programme".

Meanwhile, the US is escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz and a fair amount of oil is flowing. Though Iranian attacks have definitely slowed the flow.

The U.S. military has quietly established a shipping corridor in and out of the Strait of Hormuz to transport millions of barrels of oil each day -- a notable success even as the broader war remains at a stalemate, two U.S. officials told Axios.
Under the operation, which has been underway for the last several weeks, 15--20 tankers have entered and exited the strait each night through a southern channel along the coast of Oman.
About 10 million barrels of oil a day -- roughly half the pre-war volume -- are being transported out of the strait and injected into the global energy market, the officials said.
Why it matters: The U.S.-led operation is mitigating one of the most painful aspects of the war: the disruption to oil supplies that sent crude prices soaring. While the amount of oil coming out of the strait is still below pre-war levels, it is making a discernible difference in global supplies, officials say.

If you wondered why the media was pushing the new PsyOp -- we can't have sailors stationed on aircraft carriers for months at a time, sailors didn't sign up for the Navy to spend months aboard warships! -- this is why. It's working, so the Communist-Islamist propaganda machine goes to work to convince Americans to just give up and let Iran have its nuclear bombs.

Here's CNN's efforts to aid and abet the Iranian terror regime. It's paylocked, so here's a digest:

A CNN report detailed severe supply shortages and daily hardships--including a lack of fresh food and milk--aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during its record-breaking deployment in the Middle East
.Deployment Hardships
Record Time at Sea: The ship spent over 250 consecutive days deployed without a port call, straining both the crew and supplies.
Supply Disruptions: Combat actions and regional supply chain damage in the Middle East forced lengthy detours for resupply.
Rations and Shortages: Crew members and their families reported limited food options, smaller portions, and a lack of basic items like fresh milk, soap, and toothpaste.
Official Response
Government Denials: President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the reports of poor living conditions and food shortages as "fake news" or misrepresented.
Congressional Concern: Lawmakers pressed the Pentagon for answers regarding the crew's well-being and mental health support.

There are a few points here: Yes, spending 250 days at sea is a hardship. On the other hand, this is a war, and while I appreciate servicemen experience hardships during war, I can't say that not having fresh milk, just the powdered kind, is a hardship enough that we should take a $13 billion aircraft carrier out of the fight.

Also, so I never served in the military, but one thing I've picked up from movies, reading, and hearing veterans talk, is that military people complain about their conditions a lot. They have a fair amount to complain about, and complaining is their outlet. Complaining is a sport in the military, just like jerking off guys for $15 a man is a sport for garrett.

We've never changed war policy over complaints about not having fresh milk before.

CNN wants to institute this as a new National Imperative, because they're on the other side and always have been. Same as they used to track casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan when Bush was president and then immediately stopped tracking them with Captain Cocksucker became president.

.@SecScottBessent: "This is a sustained campaign to collapse every last option for Iran. Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States: an economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American… https://t.co/SSfD50jMin pic.twitter.com/s6rqMhLnTv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 24, 2026

I get interested in historical recipes thanks to Max Miller's "Tasting History" channel, and I coincidentally searched for videos about shipboard eating.

Yes, sailors have been complaining about their chow since WWII (and of course for centuries before that). It's never been great. Sometimes you get fresh food but a lot of the time you eat canned or powdered food. And sometimes the cooks just want to use up all the leftover food they have, so they throw it randomly into a big stew they call by the mysterious and disturbing term "slumgullion."

But sure, let's recall the USS Abraham Lincoln because they're not getting restocked with fresh milk.

I was watching another military-grub video about army rations, A B C D. The troops were thrilled to get "A Rations" -- that's the fresh stuff -- but mostly were lucky to get B rations (the powdered and canned stuff, but cooked hot in chow trucks) and usually had to settle for C rations (boxed lunches including canned meat and biscuits) or D rations (an emergency chocolate bar ration where the chocolate was designed to be not very good so that troops wouldn't eat it except in emergency conditions).

I want to say again that I do appreciate that being away from home -- or simply away from solid earth -- for long stretches is a hardship, and, of course, lacking decent food or creature comforts for weeks or even months at a time is worth complaining about, and worth it for civilians to hear about.

But this is an op. The same as the last twenty hostile, in-service-to-foreign-powers ops the media has run.

There was literally a screengrab from CNN's piece where the subtitles show a heavyset older white woman saying something like, "My son didn't sign up for the Navy to be at sea for months at a time."

No? He didn't? What do you think he was signing up for, Karen?

CNN does not care about the comfort of the sailors, whom they consider to be racist, colonialist Toxically Masculine deplorable Trump voters.

They care about the comfort of the Iranian mullahs, Barack Obama's besties.

They really want to do a Casualty Death-Count for the war, but because there are so few, they're on to the alternative psyop, "People are sick of having powdered milk in their coffee and cereal."

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 04:43 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Open channel D

Posted by: Open Channel D at August 24, 2026 04:43 PM (gYnrv)

2 Excellent.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:43 PM (ExV1e)

3 Channel D is open

Posted by: Open Channel D at August 24, 2026 04:43 PM (gYnrv)

4 I haz nooded.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:43 PM (ExV1e)

5
Iran would collapse if they can hold all our allies to actually doing this. Watch the French. Macron is likely to fuck Trump over.

Posted by: Frank Barone at August 24, 2026 04:44 PM (OkYzo)

6 Good. Our leaders have never been serious about using economic pressure before.

Nice to see someone willing to use that power we have.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at August 24, 2026 04:45 PM (N1DT3)

7 How is the Abe Lincoln stocked on green dildos?

Posted by: Blonde Cloud at August 24, 2026 04:45 PM (sFNX2)

8
They didn't sign up to be on a ship!

Posted by: US Navy Mom at August 24, 2026 04:46 PM (OkYzo)

9 It always pisses me off when the media pretends to be concerned about the welfare of our armed forces.

Posted by: Open Channel D at August 24, 2026 04:47 PM (gYnrv)

10
Could be worse. They could be on an Iranian Styrofoam Air Craft Carrier.

Posted by: Frank Barone at August 24, 2026 04:47 PM (OkYzo)

11 If you wondered why the media was pushing the new PsyOp -- we can't have sailors stationed on aircraft carriers for months at a time, sailors didn't sign up for the Navy to spend months aboard warships! -- this is why.

About six months before I arrived, the submarine on which I served had been extended at sea so much that when they returned to Pearl Harbor their provisions consisted of bug juice (koolaid) and 12 single serving boxes of Special K.

It is what it is.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:47 PM (ExV1e)

12 No? You didn't? What do you think you were signing up for, Karen?

Free college and swimming lessons?

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (6ydKt)

13 Oh come on. Even if the ship hasn’t been in port, can’t any necessities be airlifted or boated in?

Planes can refuel in mid-air but there’s no way to get supplies to a giant ship other than in a permanent port.

This smells like a stinky slimy putrescent commie op.

Posted by: Elric the Blade at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (J1FkQ)

14 And ICE is investigating BroFo for immigration fraud.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (dK+Kv)

15 Are the sailors eating MRE's three times a day? Then STFU.

Posted by: Turn 2 at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (QFchU)

16 "Injured Veteran Just Delivered an EPIC Rant About Military Complainers..

https://tinyurl.com/4szrfw92 "

Posted by: runner at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (g47mK)

17 >>>Complaining is a sport in the military, just like jerking off guys for $15 a man is a sport for garrett.

Damn!

Posted by: Dr. T at August 24, 2026 04:49 PM (3V9OH)

18 The thing with the sailors was funniest when the New York Times interviewed the distraught mother of a sailor who insisted he "didn't sign up for the Navy to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean".

Posted by: Ian S. at August 24, 2026 04:49 PM (2ocoG)

19 I can't say that not having fresh milk, just the powdered kind, is a hardship
--------

The worthless shits at CNN don't have a clue what a 'hardship' is. They're spoiled brats.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 24, 2026 04:49 PM (XeU6L)

20 Wait! I need to know how to SWIM ?!

Posted by: New Age Sailor at August 24, 2026 04:49 PM (g47mK)

21 ChatGPT, I am alone in a room with Scott Bessent. What should I do?

Posted by: Make no sudden movements at August 24, 2026 04:49 PM (TbWk/)

22 In the Army, a bitching soldier is a happy soldier.

But shit still gets done, without crying to mommy, who then cries to CNN.

Hegseth is doing a good job cleaning up Obama's and Biden's messes, last thing he needs are crybaby squids.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (YlYJ8)

23 Whenever a ship comes back to Mayport from overseas deployment, the local news station always say the sailors spent several months at sea.

That's what the Navy does.

Posted by: dantesed at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (nAHd2)

24 Well, five dollars can mean the difference between crack or death, sometimes.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (6ydKt)

25 Are the sailors eating MRE's three times a day? Then STFU.
Posted by: Turn 2 at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (QFchU)

Having eaten MREs AND Navy rations... sometimes the MRE would be preferred. Often depends on the quality of your cooks.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (ExV1e)

26 I was told on the ONT by a Moron Sailor that supplies are brought in often from other ships. There's also this thing called helicopters to bring in supplies and ship out whiners (Admiral Christy thinks). So I don't think they are living on crusts of bread.

Now the big whine of the bug saver on another blog who hates Trump is there's a stalled ship and, oh, my, the Navy is becoming a rust bucket. Anything to whine about and she's there. I'd like to throw a green dildo at her, but I'd probably hit an insect and go to jail.

She'd make a coral snake a pet.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (hzuYO)

27 Complaining is a sport in the military, just like jerking off guys for $15 a man is a sport for garrett.

I thought it was $20, same as in town.

Apparently garrett is cheap, along with his other stellar qualities.

Posted by: tcn in AK, channeling Austin Powers at August 24, 2026 04:51 PM (vfz7U)

28 Regardless of what ex VP pence states, canada does not want to get into a trade war with the US. It's a lose, lose situation for them.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 24, 2026 04:51 PM (cpFbA)

29 Or crybaby grunts, jarheads, or flygirls.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:51 PM (YlYJ8)

30 I did two Med floats. Being on a ship sucks. It’s why I didn’t join the Navy.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 24, 2026 04:51 PM (u73oe)

31 hmm.... *scribbles note* leave a really big horse full of soldiers on kharg island...

Posted by: anachronda at August 24, 2026 04:51 PM (sGtp+)

32
Navy Physicals requirement:

Can the Sailor fit through this door jamb?

Posted by: Old Army Joke at August 24, 2026 04:52 PM (OkYzo)

33 >>>I want to say again that I do appreciate that being away from home -- or simply away from solid earth -- for long stretches is a hardship, and, of course, lacking decent food or creature comforts for weeks or even months at a time is worth complaining about, and worth it for civilians to hear about.

There is also the possibility that the media know-nothings are honestly befuddled at he fact that military people might have hardships that the doughie commies cannot contemplate.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 24, 2026 04:52 PM (dK+Kv)

34 I get interested in historical recipes thanks to Max Miller's "Tasting History" channel, and I coincidentally searched for videos about shipboard eating.
___________

This youtuber eats old field rations. Here, he eats one from the Boer War:

https://tinyurl.com/3dez82ud

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 04:52 PM (XvL8K)

35 " ... sailors didn't sign up for the Navy to spend months aboard warships! "

you have put your finger right on the crux of the matter, Ace!

wtf were they thinking?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 04:52 PM (VyBeY)

36 Out: Screwing in tights.
In: Tightening the screws.

Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 04:53 PM (Av6i5)

37 Whe I worked in the mines we all bitched constantly. We did an incredible amount of work.

Posted by: tubal at August 24, 2026 04:53 PM (Gqar8)

38 Apparently garrett is cheap, along with his other stellar qualities.
Posted by: tcn in AK

Or Ace gets a volume discount.

Posted by: Kratwurst at August 24, 2026 04:53 PM (SjO3O)

39 Some military buff on here should know:

Were U.S. ships in WWII & Vietnam out long stretches like over 200 days between ports?

I just want to know how out of the ordinary this is for carrier groups.

They are making it sound like it's the longest cruise in history.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 04:53 PM (6ydKt)

40 Are the sailors eating MRE's three times a day? Then STFU.
Posted by: Turn 2 at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (QFchU)
___

*fistbump*

I ate one a day when rolling into Iraq from Kuwait in 2003. I had a lot of pogi bait in my toughboxes I sent ahead.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (YlYJ8)

41 >>>About six months before I arrived, the submarine on which I served had been extended at sea so much that when they returned to Pearl Harbor their provisions consisted of bug juice (koolaid) and 12 single serving boxes of Special K.

Luxury!

Posted by: Seafaring Yorkshireman at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (1wjle)

42 25 Are the sailors eating MRE's three times a day? Then STFU.
Posted by: Turn 2 at August 24, 2026 04:48 PM (QFchU)

Having eaten MREs AND Navy rations... sometimes the MRE would be preferred. Often depends on the quality of your cooks.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (ExV1e)

I will admit that when I went for lunch on JBER, I went to the Air Force DFAC. The food there was somewhat better than the Army Chow Hall. In fact, sometimes it was as good as any restaurant in town.

But then, they are the Chair Force....

Posted by: tcn in AK, channeling Austin Powers at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (vfz7U)

43
I would never complain about serving.

Posted by: Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, Chow thief, leaker of itel. at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (OkYzo)

44 Could be worse, could be 19th century whaling ships.

Posted by: tubal at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (Gqar8)

45 11 About six months before I arrived, the submarine on which I served had been extended at sea so much that when they returned to Pearl Harbor their provisions consisted of bug juice (koolaid) and 12 single serving boxes of Special K.

ah. the arcane magicks of just-in-time inventory.

Posted by: anachronda at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (sGtp+)

46 Why yes, I want Trump to punish Iraq bigly.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (YlYJ8)

47 Can't they catch fresh fish to eat?

Posted by: Karen at August 24, 2026 04:55 PM (Q+gd/)

48 >>>This youtuber eats old field rations. Here, he eats one from the Boer War:

I saw him eating some Vietnam era rations. that was daring enough for me.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 04:55 PM (1wjle)

49 Code Pink subversives!

Posted by: runner at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (g47mK)

50 i added Max Miller making some B rations, from the army's recipe book.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (1wjle)

51 This isn't about "suffering" Sailors.. This is about Trump hate and everything that happens under him

Posted by: It's me donna at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (+gK6I)

52

I saw a story on Breitbart this morning saying Iran has a $10 million reward for anyone who kills Barron Trump. Just checked and don't see the story now.

Trump should have bombed the shit out of Iran months ago.

Posted by: four seasons at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (/QHx4)

53 Fresh milk? Since when does the left even believe in dairy consumption?

Posted by: Crusader at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (TN0g+)

54 >>>This youtuber eats old field rations. Here, he eats one from the Boer War

Is it aardvark?

Posted by: Mark1971 at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (/OKHJ)

55 I remember getting 8 minutes to eat and needing to drink 3 cups of water during that 8 minutes (yes, you learn to chug in the military). I was happy with gravy and rice b/c it was fast to eat, filling, salty (after all that water - needed), and almost tasty...

I don't remember ever drinking milk, although even when I could, I never liked it, so never grabbed it...

Posted by: Nova Local at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (tOcjL)

56 Tanned, rested, and ready!

Posted by: Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (oqH4h)

57 I imagine the sailors in the little tin can ships have it a bit harder than those huge carriers. Trust the press not to find any of them.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (uhVAy)

58 ah. the arcane magicks of just-in-time inventory.
Posted by: anachronda at August 24, 2026 04:54 PM (sGtp+)

Less JIT and more 688 submarines were always fucking broken so we'd get extended. I don't think I was ever on a long cruise - intended to be several weeks - where we didn't get extended cuz the sub which was supposed to relieve us was broke.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (ExV1e)

59 There have been sanctions on Iran forever. This like Dean Wormer going to double secret sanctions on the Delta Iran house.

We’ve had sanctions on Russia for 5 years. They’re still fighting the Ukes. Fuck given about sanctions right at zero point zero.

North Korea has had sanctions forever.

How many decades did we have sanctions on Cuba for again?

It’s really not the magic bullet people like to pretend it is against despots.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (bXsD6)

60 Got a screening call tomorrow for a position that might make a good temp measure if they can get over the 'bachelor's degree' and accept my experience as a substitute. It reads like a junior sysadmin but it would be here in town.

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (aJQbY)

61 Here, he eats one from the Boer War:

==

I don't believe it.

Posted by: runner at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (g47mK)

62 Just keep cows and other livestock on board for fresh food. Problem solved!

Posted by: tubal at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (Gqar8)

63 I don't remember ever drinking milk, although even when I could, I never liked it, so never grabbed it...
Posted by: Nova Local at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (tOcjL)

additive to coffee maybe.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (uhVAy)

64 Bug Juice! Drank a lot of that in four years.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (Cqx++)

65 My cousin's daughter told me that when they were little, in the 80s, they had goats for milking. She said warm goat milk on your cereal in the mornings smelled like chewing on a goat's ear. They had powdered milk occasionally and she'd rather have that than goat milk anytime.

Posted by: huerfano at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (2Xqig)

66 This isn't about "suffering" Sailors.. This is about Trump hate and everything that happens under him
Posted by: It's me donna at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (+gK6I)
__

Exactly.

The media/left doesn't give a crap about the troops

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (YlYJ8)

67 Steve1989MREInfo "Nice!' on YT, has smoked some of the cigarettes he had packed in WWII rations. He said they weren't too bad, but that guy can eat/smoke anything.

They also used to give cigarettes to the special forces in jungle missions, apparently, but that gave them dry mouth so they switched the cigs to gum.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (6ydKt)

68 Being on board a ship for any length of time sucks if you're a grunt. PT, clean weapons, play cards or board games or throw bones, wait in the chow line. As a sailor or an airwing crayon eater you have a job, ergo you're always busy or sleeping.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (3Ope8)

69 22 In the Army, a bitching soldier is a happy soldier.

But shit still gets done, without crying to mommy, who then cries to CNN.

Hegseth is doing a good job cleaning up Obama's and Biden's messes, last thing he needs are crybaby squids.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 04:50 PM (YlYJ

This.

People don't get drafted any more. They sign up. Do the job, get paid, get benefits, get over yourself.

That's what I was told.

Posted by: tcn in AK, channeling Austin Powers at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (vfz7U)

70 "In the Army, a bitching soldier is a happy soldier. "

spot-on, SMH!

the worse conditions are, the more a good team pulls together and gives up useless behavior in favor of mutual support.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (VyBeY)

71 A lot of World War II soldiers and marines, the last meal they ever had was powdered eggs and spam. Mess halls at the air bases tried to have fresh eggs and bacon for the bomber crews before they went out on a big mission.

Those of a certain age never learned to care for Spam after their military service ended. Imagine that.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (OPTvA)

72 Give the Mullahs and their enablers the Super Double Reach Behind Cross Arm Wedgie!

Posted by: DaveA at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (FhXTo)

73
Sailors belong on ships.
Ships belong at sea.

Posted by: Pentagon Sayings for $200, Alex at August 24, 2026 04:59 PM (2Ez/1)

74 It’s really not the magic bullet people like to pretend it is against despots.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (bXsD6)

Especially against places with an entire continent of resources to work with like Russia.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 04:59 PM (uhVAy)

75 i liked a video about Civil War era hardtack. The biscuits were cooked thoroughly dry so they wouldn't rot (much) and were therefore inedible. Soldiers would break them up -- with effort -- and put them in their coffee and eat it like a terrible chowder.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 04:59 PM (1wjle)

76 Bug Juice! Drank a lot of that in four years.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (Cqx++)

Red is best!

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 04:59 PM (ExV1e)

77 Good luck, RandomDave!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:00 PM (VyBeY)

78 Never been in the military but I've eaten my fair share of honest-to-God MREs.

Most of them aren't really bad. It would suck to have to eat them for weeks on end, but then again I'd probably get tired of eating prime ribeye steak after eating it for weeks on end.

I always enjoyed learning the creative recipes people come up with using the ingredients in an MRE. Ranger Pudding, etc.

Posted by: Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash at August 24, 2026 05:00 PM (oqH4h)

79 >>>64 Bug Juice! Drank a lot of that in four years.

I think that's why I looked it up and found that video. I heard someone mention "bug juice" and Wanted to Know More, Starship Troopers style.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:00 PM (1wjle)

80 I feel like soldiers complaining to the media should be some sort of reprimand. It really is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Not a whole lot different than "loose lips sink ships".

Posted by: Sharpie at August 24, 2026 05:00 PM (BV9ai)

81 63 I don't remember ever drinking milk, although even when I could, I never liked it, so never grabbed it...
Posted by: Nova Local at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (tOcjL)

additive to coffee maybe.
Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (uhVAy)

Yeah, I didn't pick up the coffee habit til kids - used to do trades for my MRE instant coffee - anyone who had M&Ms and/or peanut butter could get my extra coffee...

Posted by: Nova Local at August 24, 2026 05:00 PM (tOcjL)

82 Those of a certain age never learned to care for Spam after their military service ended. Imagine that.
Posted by: Common Tater at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (OPTvA)
-----------
I. DON'T. LIKE. SPAM!!

Posted by: Zombie Graham Chapman at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (skR0U)

83 I like to see some media people actually be on a ship for nine months. I bet they would cry like babies after the first week.

Posted by: dantesed at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (nAHd2)

84 How did she know what chewing on a goat's ear smelled like?

Posted by: I gotta ask at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (2Ez/1)

85 There was literally a screengrab from CNN's piece where the subtitles show a heavyset older white woman saying something like, "We didn't sign up for the Navy to be at sea for months at a time."

No? You didn't? What do you think you were signing up for, Karen?
___

This was supposedly the mother of a deployed sailor on the Lincoln.
He joined the Navy. Floating around in the middle of nowhere is part of the job description.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (YlYJ8)

86 A tin of emergency rations from 1900

https://tinyurl.com/vczp93bs

No way. Dude is faking it !

Posted by: runner at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (g47mK)

87 Here, he eats one from the Boer War:

==

I don't believe it.
Posted by: runner
__________

There were parts of it so decomposed that even he wouldn't touch it, but he did eat a good bit of it.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (XvL8K)

88 I grew up in Hawai'i.

I like Spam.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (YlYJ8)

89 Sanctions are only as good as the work-arounds.

Posted by: davidt at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (Q+gd/)

90 I’d love the rest of the world to put sanctions on us. Stop selling us shit? Please!

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (bXsD6)

91 >>>This was supposedly the mother of a deployed sailor on the Lincoln.
He joined the Navy. Floating around in the middle of nowhere is part of the job description.

Thanks. I figured it was a family member, because 1, she didn't look military-trim and 2, she would've been disciplined for that. I'll make that correction.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (1wjle)

92 Civil War era hardtack was still in the inventory during World War I, and was issued. They didn't have "best if used by" dates at that time.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (OPTvA)

93 Go get um

Posted by: Skip at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (Ia/+0)

94 And sometimes the cooks just want to use up all the leftover food they have, so they throw it randomly into a big stew they call by the mysterious and disturbing term "slumgullion."
——

Every culture has some version of that. It was born out of poverty where every scrap of food had to be used. Every leftover was saved until there was another to throw it all in a stew.

I believe the Italian version is called ribollita, and my poor immigrant grandfather practically lived on the stuff.

Posted by: Elric the Blade at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (J1FkQ)

95 I saw a story on Breitbart this morning saying Iran has a $10 million reward for anyone who kills Barron Trump. Just checked and don't see the story now.

Trump should have bombed the shit out of Iran months ago.
Posted by: four seasons at August 24, 2026 04:56 PM (/QHx4)

Ukraine has had such a site since at least 2022, hosted in North Virginia. Some Americans show up on it, not sure if any have been killed.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (uhVAy)

96 We have to get more creative in our anti Iran propaganda

Hey mullahs a gay guy is shoving your economy up your butt. . Ha-ha

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (rp63B)

97 There's 100% certainty that Iran's military (The IRGC) is a paper tiger at this point -- a lot of bluster, but in an actual war, would fold like a house of cards within days, if not hours.

All it would take is a Rommel/Schawrtzkopf-style blitzkrieg with actual allied troops on the ground and thew IRGC would disintegrate and scatter, most likey within 48-72 hours.

They maintain this "'Tis but a scratch!" veneer because they're never actually challenged militarily in person -- just from the air.

i'm not advocating a drawn ut war, nor occupation, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Potemkin Army known as the IRGC exposed for what it really is by having to face actual opponents for once.

Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (Av6i5)

98 Hey Leftists,

If you are so upset about your perceived lack of support for the military serving in the war zone, how about we take away all of the housing allowances given to criminal illegal aliens and send that money to the Navy.

Deal?

No, well then STFU.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (HlyYF)

99
It’s really not the magic bullet people like to pretend it is against despots.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 04:58 PM (bXsD6)

One Iranian rial has gone from the equivalent of $42,000 to $2,000,000 in about six months.

Food inflation is at 100% right now.

I'm not saying it's going to end the regime, but that kind of inflation is hard to keep a handle on.

Eventually you can't pay salaries, because it's worthless by the next week.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (6ydKt)

100 " ... when they returned to Pearl Harbor their provisions consisted of bug juice (koolaid) and 12 single serving boxes of Special K. "

that is cutting pretty darn close to the line.

*respect!*

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (VyBeY)

101 >>There are a few points here: Yes, spending 250 days at sea is a hardship.

They DO get paid, you know...

Posted by: garrett at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (pbpqV)

102 This was supposedly the mother of a deployed sailor on the Lincoln.
He joined the Navy. Floating around in the middle of nowhere is part of the job description.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM (YlYJ

What part of NAVY did she not understand?

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (vfz7U)

103 >>How did she know what chewing on a goat's ear smelled like?

Posted by: I gotta ask at August 24, 2026 05:01 PM

I feared to ask. They were they ones milking the goats, though.

Posted by: huerfano at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (2Xqig)

104 Now give a group of married women a few glasses of wine and ask if there is anything they don't like about their husbands.

Posted by: Page Views R Us at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (2Ez/1)

105 My Marine Sgt (1st Marines) was in the South Pacific for 30mo island hopping. Second wave at Peleliu and caught malaria there. A buddy got a bullet in his head standing next to him on that island.

I have no doubt it was horror but he never said and only talked about the stuff he considered funny. He saw a lot, dealt with a lot, and he'd volunteered after Pearl Harbor. He helped his dudes build stills on every island and went into great detail on how they were built, yet he did not admit to drinking what they fermented. We didn't believe him.

His mother would send him food as often as it could find him. Somehow she'd pickle eggs and seal in metal tins that would reach him and he'd share. She was very popular with his buddies, especially her cookies.

I'm sure he complained but not in brief letters that were checked for bs by the Marines. No one checks for bs anymore, do they? You can text mommy that Joey stole your chopsticks and mommy will call her Senator.

If anyone is suicidal one would think they could get them off the ship, but I don't know vs texting mommy.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (hzuYO)

106 Every culture has some version of that. It was born out of poverty where every scrap of food had to be used. Every leftover was saved until there was another to throw it all in a stew.

I believe the Italian version is called ribollita, and my poor immigrant grandfather practically lived on the stuff.
Posted by: Elric the Blade at August 24, 2026 05:02 PM (J1FkQ)

Hunter's Stew was a frontier version. Everyone would come back from a hunt with some varmit to put in the stew cooking on low heat. Add water and veggies when the level gets low.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (uhVAy)

107 Secretary of the Navy has issued warning for all Navy personnel and families to scrub social media of all references to Navy. Credible threats are now prevalent, in foreign parts and in USA. Thanks, media, for doing the bidding of the Mullahs and Chi-Coms.

Posted by: Martin Tell at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (sFNX2)

108 The conditions on a ship today are exactly the same as they were 2 years ago. Weird how the media didn’t worry about “solder happiness” then huh? Wonder what changed.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (bXsD6)

109 98, we can hope, someday that will be true

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (VyBeY)

110 Salt cod was a navy staple in the 17 and 18 hundreds. They’d stack it up in the holds to be used on their very long deployments.

Posted by: tubal at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (Gqar8)

111 I’ll trade this beef patty for anything! Anyone?

Posted by: Duke Lowell got his least favorite MRE at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (u73oe)

112 For an on-topic comment, good luck for Bessent! I still fume about how our theoretical Euro allies during Afghan and Iraq would just wink and nod and turn a blind eye at their own companies bypassing sanctions altogether.

I'm actually not in favor of 'mass punishment' sanctions against countries that don't hate us down to the 'man on the street' level, I'd rather targetted stuff that hits the power brokers and leaders who are actually the ones causing problems. But I know doing those kind of targetted sanctions, making them stick, and making them not spill over to the man on the street, is hard.

I'd hate to have to figure out targetted sanctions!

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (aJQbY)

113 I like to see some media people actually be on a ship for nine months. I bet they would cry like babies after the first week.

We had aircraft manufacturers tech reps on the boat with us on very deployment. They were all ex jarheads or squids, and they were all bigly paid well for that assignment. And no duty section!

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (3Ope8)

114 that is cutting pretty darn close to the line.

As I understand it, the calculation as to when they'd run out of food was the only reason they were permitted to leave station.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (ExV1e)

115
Powdered milk? Isn't that the backstop against the ice cream machine being broken?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (mmrXZ)

116 I can't believe Ace missed the best part about this op.

Back when it started, the first hysteria over "sailors are eating scraps/500 calories!" someone posted about how they are now hearing reports that we've run out of lanyard grease, a critical readiness component.

Tom "War College" Nichols took it serious and asked the poster to DM him.
There's a screenshot out there.

There's few better examples of the leftie rot in our military than that tub of shit.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (3cUTc)

117 What part of NAVY did she not understand?
++++++++++

Never
Again
Volunteer
Yourself

Posted by: As any Navy wife can tell you at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (2Ez/1)

118 75 i liked a video about Civil War era hardtack. The biscuits were cooked thoroughly dry so they wouldn't rot (much) and were therefore inedible. Soldiers would break them up -- with effort -- and put them in their coffee and eat it like a terrible chowder.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 04:59 PM (1wjle)

I've seen guys try to eat some of that.
Literally so dry it would suck the moisture out of their mouths and they couldn't chew it.

Like eating white chalk.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:06 PM (6ydKt)

119 >>Apparently garrett is cheap, along with his other stellar qualities.

It's Wartime. You have to sacrifice for Country.

Posted by: garrett at August 24, 2026 05:06 PM (pbpqV)

120 They maintain this "'Tis but a scratch!" veneer because they're never actually challenged militarily in person -- just from the air.

i'm not advocating a drawn ut war, nor occupation, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Potemkin Army known as the IRGC exposed for what it really is by having to face actual opponents for once.
Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (Av6i5)
----
Part of the problem with this approach is that the IRGC will melt away into the native population. Then start waging guerrilla warfare against us using their tried and true terrorism tactics, hiding behind women and children.

Cockroaches are easier to eradicate.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 24, 2026 05:06 PM (FZ29D)

121 four season, the IRGC ran an AI story about them wanting to kill both Barron and Melania. You can find the article at Iran International.

BiBi did release the details of them trying to kill one of his sons.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 24, 2026 05:06 PM (FHoaH)

122 Back on topic
I have wanted a kick ass on Iran since 1979

Posted by: Skip at August 24, 2026 05:06 PM (Ia/+0)

123 i liked a video about Civil War era hardtack. The biscuits were cooked thoroughly dry so they wouldn't rot (much) and were therefore inedible. Soldiers would break them up -- with effort -- and put them in their coffee and eat it like a terrible chowder.
Posted by: ace
_________

That youtuber ate one of those too. From 1863:

https://tinyurl.com/4z5m8zds

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:07 PM (XvL8K)

124 I have no doubt it was horror but he never said and only talked about the stuff he considered funny. He saw a lot, dealt with a lot, and he'd volunteered after Pearl Harbor. He helped his dudes build stills on every island and went into great detail on how they were built, yet he did not admit to drinking what they fermented. We didn't believe him.

We did not have a big barrel of homemade wine stuffed under the deck plating in the engine room. No sir, we absolutely did not.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:07 PM (ExV1e)

125 Eventually you can't pay salaries, because it's worthless by the next week.
Posted by: SpeakingOf

During the worst of the Weimar hyperinflation, workers were paid twice a day, because the money was worthless by tomorrow.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (VHUov)

126 114, that's about what I figured. that was hella accurate calculating!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (VyBeY)

127 Remember under Obama when CNN was outraged when it came out that so many U.S. military families were on food stamps?

Yeah, neither do I.

Posted by: 29Victor at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (0MjtC)

128
What part of NAVY did she not understand?
Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (vfz7U)
********
Probably Old Navy for clothes discount.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (hzuYO)

129 There's 100% certainty that Iran's military (The IRGC) is a paper tiger at this point -- a lot of bluster, but in an actual war, would fold like a house of cards within days, if not hours.

i'm not advocating a drawn ut war, nor occupation, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Potemkin Army known as the IRGC exposed for what it really is by having to face actual opponents for once.
Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (Av6i5)

The IGRC is not the compete army, more like the SS/Gestapo of Iran. There are conventional armed forces there, in an uneasy relationship with the IGRC and the various Police and Thug groups of the government. Iran is not a solid immutable bloc, if still unsure of how to move at present.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (uhVAy)

130 Maybe bring back grog rations.

Posted by: tubal at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (Gqar8)

131 France and Germany are the two biggest sanctions evaders with the Brits close behind.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (FHoaH)

132 One of the photos of the supposed poor fare at the ship's chowhall had ... a cinderblock wall in the background.

Because Trump has so gutted the military, they're forced to build ships with cinderblocks now!!!

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (3cUTc)

133 127 Remember under Obama when CNN was outraged when it came out that so many U.S. military families were on food stamps?

Yeah, neither do I.
Posted by: 29Victor

But it’s different now because shut up racist.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (bXsD6)

134 Ironically, sanctions against Russia probably do hurt, it's just that Putin don't care. Russia is *bad* at infrastructure investment. Really, really, really bad.

Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (aJQbY)

135
What part of NAVY did she not understand?
Posted by: tcn in AK

==============

(looking glumly around the deck)
This is not the navy she joined. She joined the navy with the condos, and the private apartments...

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (mmrXZ)

136 107 Secretary of the Navy has issued warning for all Navy personnel and families to scrub social media of all references to Navy. Credible threats are now prevalent, in foreign parts and in USA. Thanks, media, for doing the bidding of the Mullahs and Chi-Coms.
Posted by: Martin Tell at August 24, 2026 05:04 PM (sFNX2)

I thought this was standard practice. Even as a civilian in the Corps we didn't publish details of anything online. WTF?

The media should be held accountable for their sedition.

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (vfz7U)

137 That youtuber ate one of those too. From 1863:

https://tinyurl.com/4z5m8zds

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:07 PM (XvL8K)

That's the one thing Steve1989MREInfo couldn't eat.
He had to put it in coffee to soften it up.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (6ydKt)

138 What part of NAVY did she not understand?
Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:03 PM (vfz7U)

___

IKR? Her son joins the Navy, and she's SHOCKED he's floating around in the middle of an ocean.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (YlYJ8)

139 Ironically, sanctions against Russia probably do hurt, it's just that Putin don't care. Russia is *bad* at infrastructure investment. Really, really, really bad.
Posted by: RandomDave

Yeah they hurt the people. The leaders don’t care because it doesn’t affect them. That’s my point.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (bXsD6)

140 "116 I can't believe Ace missed the best part about this op.

Back when it started, the first hysteria over "sailors are eating scraps/500 calories!" someone posted about how they are now hearing reports that we've run out of lanyard grease, a critical readiness component.
Tom "War College" Nichols took it serious and asked the poster to DM him.
There's a screenshot out there.

There's few better examples of the leftie rot in our military than that tub of shit.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (3cUTc) "

saw that! LOL!
also the critical shortage of grid squares!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (VyBeY)

141 i liked a video about Civil War era hardtack. The biscuits were cooked thoroughly dry so they wouldn't rot (much) and were therefore inedible. Soldiers would break them up -- with effort -- and put them in their coffee and eat it like a terrible chowder.
Posted by: ace
_________

That youtuber ate one of those too. From 1863:

https://tinyurl.com/4z5m8zds
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:07 PM (XvL8K)

They also got cakes of pressed plant stuff - "desecrated vegetables" they could cook in their pot with their salt pork to make a soup/stew with the hardtack.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (uhVAy)

142 I suspect the hardship of being long deployed is to some large degree a function of age and experience. The younger recruits probably like it.

A girl I know signed up for the marines a few years ago. She doesn’t like life at Pendleton. She would much rather be deployed.

In a few weeks, she’s going on a major deployment, all over the world. I’m hoping to meet her in some exotic port.

Posted by: Elric the Blade at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (J1FkQ)

143 So, they complain when soldiers get lobster, then complain when sailors get powdered milk?

Posted by: 29Victor at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (0MjtC)

144 (looking glumly around the deck)
This is not the navy she joined. She joined the navy with the condos, and the private apartments...
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (mmrXZ)

Sadly, there are plenty of those types.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (ExV1e)

145 Lee Smith wonders if Bessent and Trump really mean it -- are they actually going to punish Turkey and China for trading with Iran?
=
Weren't there a bunch of countries-BRICS (I think Iran and China are two of those)-That wanted to set up their own economic system to replace ours? I wonder how many of them are getting smacked with this?

This is the sort of thing you have to do if you actually want economic sanctions to work (as opposed to showing that you 'did something'), so while I remain on the skeptical side, this is at least a good sign. And even if it doesn't get everyone to stop supplying Iran, it does give us an excuse to diminish economic ties with a bunch of our enemies, so it's a good step in its own right.

Posted by: Methos, inauthentic X-bot account at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (vSvIl)

146 Were U.S. ships in WWII & Vietnam out long stretches like over 200 days between ports?
------------------------------
The other day, I read that Carrier "Hornet" holds the record of 500 days between port calls. They left in early 1944 and only returned in June 1945 when her bow was crushed in a typhoon. Saw a lot of action and several major battles. Fresh food ran out quickly, so it was canned stuff after that. A lot of spam. Drinking water was rationed; they had desalination capability, but sailors still had to take salt water showers. Temps got over 100 degrees below deck.

Posted by: Martin Tell at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (sFNX2)

147 No I meant I wanted to join the navy where I don’t deal with ships or the ocean. They tricked me!!!

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (bXsD6)

148 The IGRC is not the compete army, more like the SS/Gestapo of Iran. There are conventional armed forces there, in an uneasy relationship with the IGRC and the various Police and Thug groups of the government. Iran is not a solid immutable bloc, if still unsure of how to move at present.
Posted by: Oldcat

If you break the back o the iRGC, the regular Army would flip allegiances to any new Democratic government in a heartbeat.

The populace would take care of the morality police and it won't be pretty.

Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (Av6i5)

149
>>Lee Smith wonders if Bessent and Trump really mean it -- are they actually going to punish Turkey and China for trading with Iran?

===============

Fvk, just fvk. Thanks to 47 years of can-kicking, this is where we are. A confrontation with China and an Islamicizing Turkey. Fabulous job, everyone who came before.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (mmrXZ)

150 About ten million barrels are going through the strait each day now. But pipelines etc... have taken up another 4-7 million barrels a day of what went through pre-war. Add those up and on the high end the only thing missing is the volume Iran would have been sending through.

This war has been waged with a high level of competency and a respect for life and equipment that none of us have ever seen before. Trump does not get enough credit for this. When your greatest hardship is powdered milk and your opponent's currency is trading at something like 2 million rials to the dollar while they endure rolling blackouts and have no remaining air force or navy then it is hard to realistically imagine things going much better.

Posted by: Thatch at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (WuKJL)

151 I saw him eating some Vietnam era rations. that was daring enough for me.
Posted by: ace
------

I ate VN era rations (C rations, actually)...but then it was VN era...

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (XeU6L)

152 SMH, I'll chip in for your tank.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (FHoaH)

153

Probably won't be long until the pussies can take their mamas with them.

Posted by: four seasons at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (/QHx4)

154 I don't remember ever drinking milk, although even when I could, I never liked it, so never grabbed it...
Posted by: Nova Local at August 24, 2026 04:57 PM (tOcjL)
*
additive to coffee maybe.
Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026

***
I had milk on cereal for me as a kid and even as a young adult. Now, I rarely put milk in coffee at home, but usually ad a splash of Half & Half to coffee when I'm out. Go figure.

I bought some sugar frosted shredded wheat a couple of weeks ago to go with Miss Linda's latest vanilla almond milk. Could be addicting.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (wzUl9)

155 Ironically, sanctions against Russia probably do hurt, it's just that Putin don't care. Russia is *bad* at infrastructure investment. Really, really, really bad.
Posted by: RandomDave

Yeah they hurt the people. The leaders don’t care because it doesn’t affect them. That’s my point.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (bXsD6)

Every time Russia puts in a paved road Europe invades their ass. If they fill in a swamp or cut down a forest its the Mongols or Ottomans. its a rough area.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (uhVAy)

156 I would LOVE to see someone follow up on who is paying for all this Anti Navy Coverage.

I received at least 10 posts a day on F Book talking about the Lincoln... that is not a natural Al Gore Rhythm thing... it was clearly a campaign...

And someone paid for it... either anit Trump, or plain foreign money... maybe even IRANIAN money.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:12 PM (mP0Kj)

157 saw that! LOL!
also the critical shortage of grid squares!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (VyBeY)

It's the Navy. They'd be running short of boy butter. A real thing, BTW.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (dK+Kv)

158 During the worst of the Weimar hyperinflation, workers were paid twice a day, because the money was worthless by tomorrow.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (VHUov)

Wheelbarrows for bread.
Using Reichsmarks for wallpaper.
100 trillion Reichsmarks notes by the end.

What a mess that was.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (6ydKt)

159 If they are going after Iran's major trading partners, does this mean New York City too?

Posted by: Muhammed Abdul Muhammed, Rape Gang Member at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (XcBiu)

160 That's the one thing Steve1989MREInfo couldn't eat.
He had to put it in coffee to soften it up.
Posted by: SpeakingOf
________

He ate a piece of it directly. Said it smelled and tasted like old mothballs and library books.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (XvL8K)

161 Secretary of the Navy has issued warning for all Navy personnel and families to scrub social media of all references to Navy.
___

OPSEC isn't an issue when it comes to the enemy.

Too many low wits don't even know what OPSEC is.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (YlYJ8)

162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)

163 Thatch, Hear Hear !

Posted by: Ben Had at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (FHoaH)

164 I doubt the food on a carrier is gourmet, but fuck off, Navy. Army food on a good day is barely edible and we would get MREs in the field. We called the “meals refusing to exit” because they blocked you up like you wouldn’t believe.

Posted by: UGAdawg at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (KHSpd)

165 Iran knows that they just have to be able to hold out for two years. After that they will most likely be dealing with JD Vance or a Democrat in the White House, either of which will be beneficial to them.

Posted by: Mark1971 at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (/OKHJ)

166 No I meant I wanted to join the navy where I don’t deal with ships or the ocean. They tricked me!!!
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez
--------

SNL parody vid, 'The Navy':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhioeOeOHsA

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (XeU6L)

167 Part of the problem with this approach is that the IRGC will melt away into the native population. Then start waging guerrilla warfare against us using their tried and true terrorism tactics, hiding behind women and children.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

If they fade into the local population and wage guerrilla war, then they are no longer the de facto rulers of the nation, but instead will have become an underground rebel group.

Yeah, it may take time to eradicate them (see the KKK post-Civil War, Werewolves in post WWII Germany, etc.), but it can be done. By the iranians themselves.

They just need to one strong push to demote the IRGC from Ovrlords to Rebels.

Posted by: zombie at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (Av6i5)

168
We did not have a big barrel of homemade wine stuffed under the deck plating in the engine room. No sir, we absolutely did not.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:07 PM (ExV1e)

*********
He was popular in that he had a chemistry degree that he never used once he got back to the states. That helped with a lot of things for his friends and the building of stills. Said they'd ferment anything.

Had job offers for oil companies in Louisiana but didn't want to leave MS (which I know sounds insane). He started his own business repairing car radios and did well in his GM empire.

A lot of stuff went on and still does. His very best childhood friend whom we knew from birth, remained a private in the Army. He was at least 6'7" tall. He'd get promoted to Pvt First class then busted and in the brig again. The story I love the most was when he was in a Belgian brothel in a tub and his commander walked by. He stood up nekkid and saluted.

Another childhood friend from next door was an AF pilot. Daddy went AWOL somehow (not caught) to fly to Australia with him. Said he was not impressed with the women he saw there.

He was one crazy and wonderful father.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (hzuYO)

169 "The media should be held accountable for their sedition."
Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:09 PM (vfz7U)

it would be so cool if we could get a real Declaration of War so that their actions would meet the Constitutional definition of treason and could be treated as such.

jus' sayin'
(for a friend)

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (VyBeY)

170 He ate a piece of it directly. Said it smelled and tasted like old mothballs and library books.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (XvL8K)

That's when he said he was about to crack a tooth.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:15 PM (6ydKt)

171 158 During the worst of the Weimar hyperinflation, workers were paid twice a day, because the money was worthless by tomorrow.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM

Wheelbarrows for bread.
Using Reichsmarks for wallpaper.
100 trillion Reichsmarks notes by the end.

What a mess that was.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM

Huh, I wonder if that kind of hyperinflation would ever lead to some even worse things happening subsequent to those events?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 24, 2026 05:15 PM (HlyYF)

172 We called the “meals refusing to exit” because they blocked you up like you wouldn’t believe.
Posted by: UGAdawg at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (KHSpd)
___

Why I only ate one a day.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:15 PM (YlYJ8)

173 Civil war era hardtack? Yes, The Blade would eat it.

Posted by: Elric the Blade at August 24, 2026 05:15 PM (J1FkQ)

174 136 I thought this was standard practice. Even as a civilian in the Corps we didn't publish details of anything online. WTF?
---------------------------------------
This is a heightened warning from Navy Secretrary Cao, issued today. Specifically states:

"'In the current global security climate, adversaries and hostile actors are executing a coordinated, multi-domain campaign against the DON enterprise,” the notice reads. “Recent incidents across the globe demonstrate a clear growth in adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures.

"These are not isolated events; they are part of a deliberate effort to gather intelligence, test our defenses, disrupt our operations, and intimidate our force.'”

Posted by: Martin Tell at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (sFNX2)

175 $15 is a lot to pay for a handy from a dude, even from a pro like Garrett. More than I've ever paid, anyway.

Posted by: a.moron at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (X5Jzz)

176 SC says for now the Trump administration can use the US Post Office to verify mail in ballots

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (rp63B)

177 140 "116 I can't believe Ace missed the best part about this op.

Back when it started, the first hysteria over "sailors are eating scraps/500 calories!" someone posted about how they are now hearing reports that we've run out of lanyard grease, a critical readiness component.
Tom "War College" Nichols took it serious and asked the poster to DM him.
There's a screenshot out there.

There's few better examples of the leftie rot in our military than that tub of shit.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 24, 2026 05:05 PM (3cUTc) "

saw that! LOL!
also the critical shortage of grid squares!
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:10 PM (VyBeY)

Clearly it was the lack of Chow Line that was critical...

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (mP0Kj)

178 The Shadow Knows>>Shadoe Stevens>>Shadow Fleet

Posted by: Reflections Of My Life at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (JM9I6)

179 162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)

Cute, Ace, real cute.

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (vfz7U)

180 162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)

Yeah, I read it's like a wild good chase soldiers send lower-ranked crew on missions to get.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (6ydKt)

181
Also, so I never served in the military, but one thing I've picked up from movies, reading, and hearing veterans talk, is that military people complain about their conditions a lot.

Complaining about everything is every service member's SOP and God Given Right. As long as it's just complaints, and doesn't flop over into crimes under UCMJ, smart NCOs don't get in the way of bitching. That's one of the most important things I learned at PLDC before becoming an E-5 Sergeant.

When troops STOP complaining however.... that's when you know you have a serious problem.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (y9nCu)

182 I doubt the food on a carrier is gourmet

In the admiral's wardroom it might get close. The cooks who were on my sub when I arrived were magicians. The guys who replaced them... less so. I recall having jello for my pre-watch meal on more than one occasion because the food was inedible.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (ExV1e)

183
"desecrated vegetables" they could cook in their pot with their salt pork to make a soup/stew with the hardtack.
Posted by: Oldcat

===============

If that's a deliberate nickname for "desiccated vegetables," it's hilarious.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:17 PM (mmrXZ)

184 Well 20% of GenZ is showing up to interviews with a parent. Not surprising this shit is happening with the navy. These kids ain’t right in the head.

Every generation thinks the next one shit. But GenZ is a special kind of shit. I honestly don’t know what will happen 20-30 years from now when they run things. It’ll be like a zombie apocalypse. Society just kinda decays slowly until there’s nothing left.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:17 PM (bXsD6)

185 Were U.S. ships in WWII & Vietnam out long stretches like over 200 days between ports?
------------------------------
The other day, I read that Carrier "Hornet" holds the record of 500 days between port calls. They left in early 1944 and only returned in June 1945 when her bow was crushed in a typhoon. Saw a lot of action and several major battles. Fresh food ran out quickly, so it was canned stuff after that. A lot of spam. Drinking water was rationed; they had desalination capability, but sailors still had to take salt water showers. Temps got over 100 degrees below deck.
Posted by: Martin Tell at August 24, 2026 05:11 PM (sFNX2)

By that era the main US fleet was never all in port. They would swap out the admirals and generals between operations, one set planning for the next while the other did the current op. Resupply was by sea, many repairs were done in a custom anchorage. The fleet name and numbers changed based on who was running the current op.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:17 PM (uhVAy)

186 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)
___

Yes, they do not exist.

It's a rite of passage to get the lowest ranking/newest newb to go to Supply to ask for such thing.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (YlYJ8)

187 No I meant I wanted to join the navy where I don’t deal with ships or the ocean. They tricked me!!!
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez

They told me 'Join the Navy, see the world!'

Not reminding me that 71% of the world IS covered by water.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (mP0Kj)

188 There was a pretty docu on Canadian voyageurs on YT a few years ago. They tried to replicate everything the traders would have taken and used on the ride. One was pemmican; a 'biscuit' made pounded meat, tallow, and dried berries. They like them the first few times and hated them soon after.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (diia5)

189 Civil war era hardtack? Yes, The Blade would eat it.
Posted by: Elric the Blade
--------

Goober peas, a staple.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (XeU6L)

190 162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?

i hear the blinker fluid is a cromulent substitute for lanyard grease.

Posted by: anachronda at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (sGtp+)

191 Dearest Hortense, today we used up the last of the lanyard grease, and I fear the end is near. Riley, always the joker, said we could use our earwax in a pinch, but we all knew he was just trying to lift our spirits. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? I remain yours always,

Trevor.

Posted by: Letter from the North Atlantic at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (skR0U)

192 If that's a deliberate nickname for "desiccated vegetables," it's hilarious.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:17 PM (mmrXZ)

it was a soldier's joke, yes.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:18 PM (uhVAy)

193
SNL parody vid, 'The Navy':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhioeOeOHsA
Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (XeU6L)

*********
Love it!

My father said he somehow avoided latrine or KP duties. He never asked why and skated along til the war was over.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (hzuYO)

194 SC says for now the Trump administration can use the US Post Office to verify mail in ballots
Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (rp63B)

Boom.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (ExV1e)

195 162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)

Yeah, those are just for wild goose chases. Like Headlamp Fluid.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (xcxpd)

196 By that era the main US fleet was never all in port. They would swap out the admirals and generals between operations, one set planning for the next while the other did the current op. Resupply was by sea, many repairs were done in a custom anchorage. The fleet name and numbers changed based on who was running the current op.
Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:17 PM (uhVAy)

Yup, it was the era that created the true US Navy Blue Water Navy... able to resupply anywhere in the world to maintain op tempo...

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (mP0Kj)

197 Huh, I wonder if that kind of hyperinflation would ever lead to some even worse things happening subsequent to those events?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 24, 2026 05:15 PM (HlyYF)

It leads to some very bad politics for sure.
Which in Germany's case meant International Communism vs. Nationalist Socialism.

People get that desperate and the populist left gets a lot of love.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (6ydKt)

198 i liked a video about Civil War era hardtack. The biscuits were cooked thoroughly dry so they wouldn't rot (much) and were therefore inedible. Soldiers would break them up -- with effort -- and put them in their coffee and eat it like a terrible chowder.
Posted by: ace

I've seen guys try to eat some of that.
Literally so dry it would suck the moisture out of their mouths and they couldn't chew it.

Like eating white chalk.
Posted by: SpeakingOf

Chalk was probably softer and easier to chew.

Hardtack was basically salt and flour made into bread, and then baked down to whatever you would call "sandstone" made of salt and flour.

I suppose you'd just call it hardtack.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (VHUov)

199 ID-10-T Spray is a favorite.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (YlYJ8)

200 is a grid square just a map thing? Like, are artillery maps just made up of grid squares for targeting?

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (1wjle)

201 "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?
Posted by: ace
-----

Standing joke is dispatching a sailor for 20' of shore line.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (XeU6L)

202 184 Every generation thinks the next one shit. But GenZ is a special kind of shit. I honestly don’t know what will happen 20-30 years from now when they run things.

tanned, rested, and ready.

Posted by: chatgpt at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (sGtp+)

203 There was literally a screengrab from CNN's piece where the subtitles show a heavyset older white woman saying something like, "My son didn't sign up for the Navy to be at sea for months at a time."

No? He didn't? What do you think he was signing up for, Karen?

I saw that and laughed. She sat there complete with tears in her eyes trying her best to put forward such a mournful tale. If she indeed has a son underway, I think that he would be embarrassed at seeing his mom's video.

Posted by: Cheri at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (oiNtH)

204 195 162 Re: "lanyard grease" and "Grid squares," am I right in concluding that these are fictional "supplies," or what?
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:13 PM (1wjle)

Yeah, those are just for wild goose chases. Like Headlamp Fluid.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 24, 2026 05:19 PM (xcxpd)

Teh Bridge needs Relative bearing grease... and the snipes need Sound Powered Phone batteries.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (mP0Kj)

205 SNL parody vid, 'The Navy':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhioeOeOHsA
Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:14 PM (XeU6L)
====================
I hear former Marine Gene Hackman's voice doing the narration in that video, making fun of the Navy.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (Lhncr)

206 Actually I am more interested in Canada and their recent attempt to jack the US and meddle in the mid-term elections.

For example. Michigan, New York and other New England states have made themselves particularly vulnerable to a "Nuclear Option" by Canada to screw with electricity sent to these communist Climate states. Canada could cut its hydro power (yet also receive immense monetary collateral damage on their utilities by jeopardizing multi-billion dollar energy deals with the US) and by doing so throw the New England states into blackouts and massive electricity bill hikes.

This kind of shit would really mess with the mid-terms as the Enemedia would drop Canada's option on Trump and make it all of his fault for Canada deciding to North Korea the New England states.

TDS infected Carney is wicked, depraved and retarded enough to do it.

Posted by: Community Notes at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (nAS9C)

207 SC says for now the Trump administration can use the US Post Office to verify mail in ballots
Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (rp63B)

I still say no.
- some foreign born district judge in Boston or NYC

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (bXsD6)

208 >>>ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

209 198 Hardtack was basically salt and flour made into bread, and then baked down to whatever you would call "sandstone" made of salt and flour.

the townsends youtube channel has an episode where he makes some.

Posted by: anachronda at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (sGtp+)

210 . . . and speaking of military rations, the Feds should get rid of SNAP and switch to Welfare Rations. Get a few companies to produce WWII style C rations and have Amazon distribute them to welfare recipients instead of giving them fraud prone SNAP cards. Once a week you get a big Amazon box with a weeks supply of nutritious but not particularly appetizing chow. Don't like it? Get a fucking job and buy your own food.

Posted by: a.moron at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (X5Jzz)

211
Every generation thinks the next one shit. But GenZ is a special kind of shit

Al my Grandkids are Gen Z... The youngest is 18 and a Senior in HS.. He has an after school job... The 2 older 23 year olds have jobs and have from a young age.. The 21 year old had 2 jobs until she entered cosmetology school last year. None of them went to interviews with their Mommies... I guess they are the exceptions..

Posted by: It's me donna at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (+gK6I)

212 is a grid square just a map thing? Like, are artillery maps just made up of grid squares for targeting?
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (1wjle)
___

LOL, yes.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (YlYJ8)

213 Yeah, I read it's like a wild good chase soldiers send lower-ranked crew on missions to get.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (6ydKt)

Snipe hunts.

Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (vfz7U)

214 My father said he somehow avoided latrine or KP duties. He never asked why and skated along til the war was over.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky
--------

I avoided neither.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (XeU6L)

215
"Until Tehran stands alone."

I do like that image. The mullahs slamming phones down, stone-faced. Asking how much cash they have left.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (mmrXZ)

216 Yup, it was the era that created the true US Navy Blue Water Navy... able to resupply anywhere in the world to maintain op tempo...
Posted by: Romeo13
__________

We had three ice cream barges.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (XvL8K)

217 There are a few points here: Yes, spending 250 days at sea is a hardship.

Nope. Said by "nobody" that ever deployed on a damn thing.

250 days on any machine is a no-go. Because not even the best shit we build, as far as a ship, doesn't start breaking down after 250 days.

Why did American Ground Divisions consist of three regiments for so long ? Because they figured out that one of the three needed to be pulled off the front line from time to time.

This is the kind of "Madelaine Allbright" crap that makes no sense when spoken by Republicans any more than Democrats.

Posted by: Nope at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (Th3Pe)

218 Port of call: Bayonne, New Jersey.

Posted by: When SNL was funny at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (2Ez/1)

219 Were U.S. ships in WWII & Vietnam out long stretches like over 200 days between ports?

I just want to know how out of the ordinary this is for carrier groups.

They are making it sound like it's the longest cruise in history.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 04:53 PM

Not to take anything away for the guys and gals on the lincoln but we were deployed during the tanker wars for 6 months.

I vividly recall finally getting an unrep with fresh fruit and eggs a few months into the cruise. They dropped a pallet of bananas on the flight deck and by the time that pallet made it down to the mess decks it was nothing but empty cases. Everyone was walking around eating bananas and had them sticking out of their pockets.

It was soon after that when we pulled into mombasa for a short 3 day break and drank the country out of tuskers beer on new years eve 1987. And we headed right back to the gulf for another go at the iranians. We got back to Japan in April and we left the first week of november. We spent 6 months in that area with just a bob hope USO show and one short 3 day break.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (cpFbA)

220 184 Well 20% of GenZ is showing up to interviews with a parent. Not surprising this shit is happening with the navy. These kids ain’t right in the head.

**********
Is this a joke? If not, wow. I can't imagine doing this, ever. I was sort of independent from age 2yrs and would go off on car trips with my grandmother barely waving goodbye to my parents.

"Hi, I'm 19yrs and here for the blood bank job for the semester. Here is my mommy who will keep me from fainting as I drive nail size needles into arms." Right. Right. Right.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (hzuYO)

221 Standing joke is dispatching a sailor for 20' of shore line.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (XeU6L)

Bulkhead remover, deck softener...

We'd tell guys that we needed to run an air sample but that the machine wasn't portable so they'd climb up on a table with a trash bag, jump off - catching air in the bag, and run through the building holding that so it could be analyzed while it was fresh.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (ExV1e)

222 ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)
___

haha

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (YlYJ8)

223 Bring me a bucket of waterline.

Posted by: Master Chief at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (2Ez/1)

224 "relative bearing grease" i did get

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (1wjle)

225 Yeah, those are just for wild goose chases. Like Headlamp Fluid.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards

Blinker fluid, muffler bearings, frequency grease (applied to radio antennas for better reception)..... all fun things to send people to the local Napa parts store for.

And aircraft mechanics are always short on prop wash.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (VHUov)

226 I suppose you'd just call it hardtack.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (VHUov)

You'd have to do something to loosen it up.
Putting it in a stew until it softened up some seemed to be the way.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (6ydKt)

227 Ace would make the ideal new recruit.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, who has a P-38, and knows how to use it at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (XeU6L)

228 >>>ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

It's akin to a PEBKAC error confronted by IT support crews.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (dK+Kv)

229 ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

ID10T

Posted by: Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (oqH4h)

230 208 >>>ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

ID-10-T = Idiot

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at August 24, 2026 05:24 PM (xcxpd)

231 I just want to know how out of the ordinary this is for carrier groups.

They are making it sound like it's the longest cruise in history.
-
Just picking up things here and in other media, if a ship is in port for upkeep, it might be there 6 months to a year, and travel time to the Middle East by sea is around a month (estimating 20 mph, which is around 500 miles a day, so 25-ish days to get 12,500 miles-half the Earth's diameter-plus there's continents in the way and currents to consider so you can't go entirely in a straight line/great circle). So a 9 month at sea deployment doesn't *sound* unreasonable.

WAG on my part, but I didn't see anyone else respond.

Posted by: Methos, inauthentic X-bot account at August 24, 2026 05:24 PM (vSvIl)

232 213 Yeah, I read it's like a wild good chase soldiers send lower-ranked crew on missions to get.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (6ydKt)

Snipe hunts.
Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (vfz7U)

Funny part? Navy Engine guys are called Snipes... so yeah, you CAN find those.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:24 PM (mP0Kj)

233 "200 is a grid square just a map thing? Like, are artillery maps just made up of grid squares for targeting?

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (1wjle) "

yup, every map is broken into grid squares, then numbers specify smaller and smaller squares to specify an exact location

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 24, 2026 05:24 PM (VyBeY)

234 ID-10-T Spray is a favorite.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy

The standard remedy for PEBKAC errors.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:24 PM (VHUov)

235 >>ID10T

ah got it

like a Rebus

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:25 PM (1wjle)

236 >>>ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

Spells Idiot.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:25 PM (uhVAy)

237 208 >>>ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM

My nic has the background knowledge to get that one!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 24, 2026 05:25 PM (HlyYF)

238 Al my Grandkids are Gen Z... The youngest is 18 and a Senior in HS.. He has an after school job... The 2 older 23 year olds have jobs and have from a young age.. The 21 year old had 2 jobs until she entered cosmetology school last year. None of them went to interviews with their Mommies... I guess they are the exceptions..
Posted by: It's me donna

There are always exceptions. But the typical 23 year old today is an absolute retard. And it’s only getting worse.

Talk to any teacher who’s been around for a while. They will fell you rates been a huge change in kids and not a positive chabge. Day and night compared to 10 years ago.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:25 PM (bXsD6)

239 >>>And aircraft mechanics are always short on prop wash.

i get that one too

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (1wjle)

240 what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

I think you do...it's the letters

Posted by: runner at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (g47mK)

241 ID-10-T Spray is my favorite

what's the joke on that one? I don't have the background knowledge to get it.
Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:21 PM (1wjle)

ID-10-T
ID10T
Idiot

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (ExV1e)

242 thanks sock-rat-eez

Posted by: ace at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (1wjle)

243 dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," which he compared to the historic D-Day landings during World War II.

I note that D-Day attempted to free Europe from people who never actually went away.

Posted by: t-bird at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (x/Rva)

244 213 Yeah, I read it's like a wild good chase soldiers send lower-ranked crew on missions to get.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:16 PM (6ydKt)

Snipe hunts.
Posted by: tcn in AK at August 24, 2026 05:22 PM (vfz7U)

My Dad sent me to find a left-handed screwdriver once when I was a kid.

Also, a pipe stretcher.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:26 PM (6ydKt)

245
During the worst of the Weimar hyperinflation, workers were paid twice a day, because the money was worthless by tomorrow.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:08 PM (VHUov)

One of the few textbooks I kept from college is an Econ textbook that had a page about the Namibian economy in the 70s. The money was so worthless that foreign diplomats started paying their native workers in canned beer. The habit spread to the native population and the local version of a National Brewery became rather like the Namibian National Mint.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (y9nCu)

246 Grid squares?

Here's a whole PLANET worth of grid squares.

https://what3words.com

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (2Ez/1)

247 don’t know what will happen 20-30 years from now when they run things. It’ll be like a zombie apocalypse. Society just kinda decays slowly until there’s nothing left.

That is easy to forecast. Imagine the power grid, the refineries, the water treatment plants and other complex systems falling behind on maintenance as the foreign "worker" mentality and sub 100 IQ make current systems out of reach for this generation (and next's) to understand how it works.

Just in one 15 minute session with AI, I had to correct it on major errors in its response. 'Z' believes AI more than Moses believed God.

Posted by: Community Notes at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (rgGn5)

248 Talk to any teacher who’s been around for a while.

Oh yeah. Talk to any Boomer Teacher. They'll tell you how the kids just don't listen like they used to.

Maybe the Gen Z kids are starting to figure out that its all bullshit.

Posted by: Nope at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (Th3Pe)

249 I think the largest single expenditure for the Lewis and Clark expedition was called "Portable Soup", put up in tins several hundred pounds. It was soup stock and fat rendered down into a kind of tar, probably like "Better than Bouillon". The troops did not like it, but it did save their ass a couple times when there was absolutely nothing else to eat. In those days there was very little game in the mountains, and what little there was, was very lean and didn't provide sustenance.

At one point they were eating their Moccasins. They would stitch up a couple hundred pairs at a time, since they don't last very long. They also ate a lot of horses, and dogs, because they were starving. People get pretty creative when death looms.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (OPTvA)

250 I’ve read that the military today is also full of gangs which probably doesn’t help morale among Normies.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (bXsD6)

251 SC says for now the Trump administration can use the US Post Office to verify mail in ballots
---
That stupid bint judge was spitting mad the post office went ahead with the rules.

Because she knew if they posted them, the SCOTUS wouldn't touch them.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 24, 2026 05:28 PM (3cUTc)

252 Sound powered phone batteries?

On ships there is a system that takes sound waves, converts them into very low level electrical signals... so you have a com system available even if all the power on the ship is out... called Sound Powered Phones.

No electricity or batteries needed... thus the 'hunt'

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 24, 2026 05:28 PM (mP0Kj)

253 At one point they were eating their Moccasins. They would stitch up a couple hundred pairs at a time, since they don't last very long. They also ate a lot of horses, and dogs, because they were starving. People get pretty creative when death looms.
Posted by: Common Tater

You ain't just whistling' Dixie!
-The Donner Party

Posted by: BruceWayne at August 24, 2026 05:28 PM (YZ0Fo)

254 I suppose you'd just call it hardtack.

Posted by: mikeski at August 24, 2026 05:20 PM (VHUov)

You'd have to do something to loosen it up.
Putting it in a stew until it softened up some seemed to be the way.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 24, 2026 05:23 PM (6ydKt)

Fry your salt pork in your mess tin skillet, use the rendered fat in the pan to soften it up and give it flavor.

They did try to keep things fresh and they gave a lot - a pound of meat a day was the ration, and a bunch of coffee as beans so it could not be adulterated. On marches they trailed along live cows to be slaughtered on the way to give additional fresh meat rations.

Posted by: Oldcat at August 24, 2026 05:29 PM (uhVAy)

255

محسن رضایی
@ir_rezaee
·
Aug 23
If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported٫ neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf. Iran will regard any country’s participation in or support for America’s economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 24, 2026 05:29 PM (mmrXZ)

256 D-10-T Spray is my favorite

Similar to a PICNIC† error

† Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

Posted by: Community Notes at August 24, 2026 05:29 PM (rgGn5)

257 We're already punishing China. They got a good deal of refined oil from Iran, that originated as crude out of Venezuela. All three were circumventing economic sanctions to accomplish that process.

Additionally, and indirectly, we are punishing China via our trade negotiations with Canada. Canada's economy is based on foreign countries (primarily China) sending unfinished wares to Canada, who act like a guy ordering from IKEA...who spends his weekend assembling pre-fab furniture. China did this quite purposefully to get around direct tariffs on Chinese goods. Because these assembled item from Canada would be labled as "Canadian." That's one of the primary reasons for the tariffs on Canada....who will puff their chest and play tough, until Trump activates the six month termination clause in the USMCA.

Posted by: Orson at August 24, 2026 05:29 PM (dIske)

258
If your kids ever join the Army or Marines, don't EVER let them get a spare map and cut it into squares on the grid lines to make their grid squares. Not unless you don't mind them doing pushups for 3-4 hours straight.

Trust me.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 24, 2026 05:30 PM (y9nCu)

259 yeah. Talk to any Boomer Teacher. They'll tell you how the kids just don't listen like they used to.

Maybe the Gen Z kids are starting to figure out that its all bullshit.
Posted by: Nope at August 24, 2026 05:27 PM (Th3Pe)

Big bad evil b00M3r teachers don’t really exist they’re all retired. Teachers retire I their 50s. Even GenX teachers are staying to retire.

Talk to a 40 year old teacher who’s started teaching 15 years ago and he/She will tell you that there has been a big shift in kids.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at August 24, 2026 05:30 PM (bXsD6)

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