Outside the Wire — The official blog of Army Times.

'Enlisted' farewell: 35-tweet salute by show's creator thanks fans, cast

By Kevin Lilley on May 12, 2014 Army, Entertainment, Outside the wire

A Fox television spokeswoman confirmed to Army Times on Thursday what the TV industry had been predicting for months: The Army-themed comedy “Enlisted” had been canceled before the end of its initial 13-episode run. Many blamed the cancellation on the show’s Friday-night time slot — some publications even sought redress — but despite the perceived poor timing, fans of the show frequently massed on Twitter every Friday to watch together and share their reactions, often with cast members and always with show creator and Twitter ringleader Kevin Biegel. When the show went off the air in late March, fans continued…

Soldier reunites with his canine best friend

By Michelle Tan on May 2, 2014 Army, Iraq

Looking to start off your weekend on the right note? Check out this heartwarming reunion between former Sgt. Jason Bos and his military working dog Cila. [HTML1] Bos and Cila were battle buddies in Iraq, completing nearly 100 missions together. They also served together at home, supporting President Obama and Vice President Biden. The pair was separated in 2012 when Bos was forced to leave the Army because of an injury, according to news reports. On Wednesday, thanks to the American Humane Association and Mission K9 Rescue, Bos was reunited with Cila as she was retired from service. Bos is…

First soldiers from the 173rd arrive in Poland

By militaryonline on April 23, 2014 Army, Europe

The first soldiers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team have arrived in Poland as part of military exercises that are meant to reassure NATO members that border Russia of the alliance’s commitment to defend them. The soldiers arrived Wednesday at Swidwin Air Base to conduct exercises with the Polish troops that are in addition to regularly scheduled exercises in the region, such as Saber Strike, Rapid Trike and Combined Resolve II, according to a U.S. Army Europe News release. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will each receive a company-sized unit with the 173rd, a Defense Department spokesman said on…

Team USA men's hoops plans trip to West Point in August

By Kevin Lilley on April 21, 2014 Outside the wire

The nation’s best basketball players — give or take a few superstars — will practice at the U.S. Military Academy in August, just weeks before heading to Spain to defend their world title. It’ll be unfamiliar territory for the players. But the coach knows his way around. Mike Krzyzewski, a 1969 West Point alum who spent five years as the Black Knights head coach before leaving for greener — and bluer — pastures in 1980, will lead Team USA to his alma mater for an Aug. 18 workout as part of the NBA’s Hoops for Troops program. The league announced…

Senate candidate's commercial features his drill sergeant — who does not make him do pushups

By Jeff Schogol on April 21, 2014 Army, Congress

[HTML1] Arkansas Republican Congressman Tom Cotton got his “Full Metal Jacket” on by having his drill sergeant endorse him in an ad for his Senate campaign. Cotton, who served as an Army infantry officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, is expected to be the Republican candidate who will run for the U.S. Senate in November’s midterm elections against the incumbent, Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor. In a March interview with NBC News, Pryor criticized Cotton for using his military record as part of his campaign. “I think that it’s part of this sense of entitlement that he gives off, that almost is…

8 months out, sports site declares Army-Navy game 'not even close'

By Kevin Lilley on April 14, 2014 Army, West Point

The U.S. Military Academy enters its 2014 football season with a new coach, an experienced roster (all major statistical leaders are back from 2013) and a high-ranking cheering section. But about a week before the Black Knights’ annual spring game and five months before the season starts, a columnist for a major sports site has found Army lacking, at least when it comes to the year’s biggest — or, depending on your level of fandom, only — game. Bleacher Report ranks the Army-Navy rivalry as one of “10 College Football Rivalry Games That Won’t Even Be Close in 2014.” It’s…

NSFW safety brief singer's superiors definitely in on the joke

By Joe Gould on April 2, 2014 Outside the wire

[HTML1] Don’t worry, the singer of the salty safety brief is safe–from punishment. Superiors at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, were in on the joke when Pfc. Michael Davis sang an acoustic anti-drunk-driving song, in spite of the foul language. In fact, 1st Sgt. Travis Cook said Davis — a Christian singer-songwriter — is “straight-laced as they come,” and was simply adapting how Cook curses for emphasis while delivering the weekly briefings. The NCO was grateful Davis’ creative take grabbed the attention of his 130-plus battle buddies, helping the safety message sink in. “Like the whole Army, we’re confronting DUI’s, and when…

Keeping up the fight for the real "Inglourious Basterd"

By Michelle Tan on April 1, 2014 Outside the wire

The Office of Strategic Services Society will continue its fight to see Frederick Mayer receive the Medal of Honor, even after Army Secretary John McHugh declined to reopen the case. “We’re the OSS Society! We never stop fighting,” group president Charles Pinck wrote in an e-mail. The OSS Society is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the accomplishments of the OSS during World War II. The society renewed its push to recognize Mayer in March, when President Obama presented the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, to 24 soldiers from World War II, Vietnam and Korea who didn’t receive…

Soldier sings salty song of safety

By Joe Gould on April 1, 2014 Outside the wire

[HTML1] Why can’t all safety briefs be like this? A guitar strumming soldier at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson spiced up his safety brief with an acoustic number that cautioned, “Alaska will f—ing get you, if you drink and drive.” Wear condoms, avoid falling for strippers and not to mess with wildlife, crooned the soldier, identified in the comments at U.S. Army WTF! moments as a member of Comanche Company 1-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. Though most of the lyrics are unprintable on this family blog, it’s grabbier than the average safety brief, and the nearly three-minute clip elicits peals of laughter from…

UK sniper get six Afghan insurgents with a single round

By Joe Gould on April 1, 2014 Outside the wire

A British sharpshooter in Afghanistan has redefined the term, “badass.” The sniper killed killed six insurgents with a single bullet after hitting the trigger switch of a suicide bomber whose device then exploded, The Telegraph reported. The 20-year-old marksman, a lance corporal in the Coldstream Guards who was not named, reportedly hit his target from 930 yards away, killing the suicide bomber and five others around him caught in the blast. “The guy was wearing a vest. He was identified by the sniper moving down a tree line and coming up over a ditch,” said Lt. Col. Richard Slack, commanding…