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October 20, 2004:
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From the Turret
ALCON,
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it -- despite the
fact that as a serving officer I probably shouldn't have; but it was just
too much. It's in reply to the local paper, "The Pilot" endorsing John
Kerry. And I thought I was in the conservative South.
-----Original Message----- Mr. Bouser, I'd like to make a few points before getting to the meat:
(1) I am a native North Carolinian from Goldsboro, recently reassigned to Fort Bragg and living in Pinehurst. All right, now that all that's straight, I cannot help but comment on today's editorial entitled "Top of the Ticket: Kerry and Edwards". I watched the debates. I know you did (I'm assuming you wrote the piece, if not...apologies). I say because I didn't see one well-thought out point, but the points I did see -- whether true or false -- were presented in pretty much the exact words of John Kerry during said debates. If you're going to endorse a candidate, don't you think it would be so much better if you presented original thought rather than a rehash of your candidates propoganda? I think your readers deserve that. Regarding "And Bush..." -- I must stop myself here and note that I addressed you as 'Mr. Bouser', not 'Bouser', do you think it's too much to call your president 'President Bush'? -- "...has behaved more recklessly than any president in living memory by, among other things, rushing America into an unnecessary war on a faulty pretext". I can see by today's editorial what you do for a living, Mr. Bouser. I, on the other hand, am a standing member of the United States Army with 18 years of defending your rights under my belt. I have also been to Baghdad twice, Afghanistan once, and served during the Gulf War as a tank platoon leader. I could add a lot more places, but I think you get the point. And I was a member of the United States Central Command Intelligence Directorate when we went to war with Iraq. I tell you, sir, and Senator Kerry, that President Bush may -- and I stress MAY, because the jury's still out in my mind -- have acted on faulty intelligence regarding WMD, but given what he was seeing he made the right decision. And also let your readers know, Mr. Bouser, that Senator Kerry was aware of this and agreed that Saddam needed to go. And please, no disagreements on this one -- I know what I'm talking about on this point, you clearly do not, sir. Regarding "...thumbed its nose at real allies, not just token 'coalition partners'." Read before you set your words to print, Mr. Bouser. By read, I mean research, sir. Between backdoor deals with Iraq -- and against U.N. sanctions, I might add, an organization I'm sure you love -- and the money they were making through the "Oil for Food" program, France and Germany -- and do NOT tell me that's not the only real nations you're talking about -- stood to lose a great deal of money if Saddam was taken out of office. But you saw how fast they came in once Saddam fell, wanting a piece of the reconstruction. Are those the "real allies" you want the U.S. to have, Mr. Bouser? I've served shoulder to shoulder with the British and the Australians, among others, in Iraq. Token partners? That remark angers me, sir. I don't know about you -- actually, I do -- but I want a president who will do the right thing REGARDLESS of the majority of world opinion in general and the European Union's opinion in particular. Reference "ill-advised" tax cuts by President Bush...I'm going to assume that you understand the country was starting an economic backslide before President Bush went into office (I may be in the Army, but I also have an accounting degree and a Masters of Science degree)? If you didn't, now you do. Then this little event popularly known as "9-11" occurred. Do you recall, Mr. Bouser, exactly what happened to jobs after that? To the stock market? I do. And do you know a great way to get individuals and, more importantly, small businesses, to invest? That's right -- tax cuts. And please do NOT hand me this "only for the richest top blah-blah-blah percent". That is completely untrue. Between the tax cut and the additional credits, everyone that I know came out better...likely you as well, if you check your return, Mr. Bouser. It's about the economy, sir. Finally, you "only reluctantly" recommend a change in leadership at the executive level? Please. You recommend it with a screaming voice, not a reluctant whisper. I would refer you to the Russian president Victor Putin, who voted against an invasion of Iraq. Check the records for the past week...Putin said that if President Bush is defeated that terrorists throughout the world will rejoice and call it a victory. And that's someone who's not generally in favor of U.S. policy under the current administration. I trust it will make you stop and think. Thanks for taking the time to read this note. I'm a simple military man, but something about the make-up of U.S. fighting men and women makes us stand up and cry out when we see wrong. I saw it tonight in your editorial. But as ever, sir, I'm prepared to stand up and fight for your right to print it. Good night,
Michael Farmer |
December 5, 2003:
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From the Turret
ALCON, I’ve posted a note from an Army captain in Iraq fortunate enough to be on hand when President Bush made his surprise Thanksgiving visit to the troops last month. On a personal note, I couldn’t be prouder of my Commander-in-Chief. I’ve heard detractors stating the visit was nothing more than a publicity stunt in support of the upcoming election season. What a load of crap. The man flew into Baghdad – the most dangerous airspace in the world at the moment (I know as I was almost shot down in a C-130 flying into the city in August) – in the world’s most recognizable aircraft. He did it for the troops, period. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen that kind of commitment in the White House. Give the man his due – he’s a helluva leader and got a big pair on him. I’m out. --Mike
U.S. Central Command Headquarters First Hand Account of President Bush's Baghdad Thanksgiving
We knew there was a dinner planned with ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. There were 600 seats available and all the units in the division weretasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI battalion got ourtable. Soldiers were grumbling about having to sit through another dog-and-pony show, so we had to pick soldiers to attend. I chose not to go. But, about 1500 the G2, LTC Devan, came up to me and with a smile, asked me to come to dinner with him, to meet him in his office at 1600 and bring a camera. I didn't really care about getting a picture with Sanchez or Bremer, but when the division's senior intelligence officer asks you to go, you go. We were seated in the chow hall, fully decorated for thanksgiving when aaaaallllll kinds of secret service guys showed up.
Bremer then said that we should probably get someone more senior to read the speech. Then, from behind the camouflage netting, the President of the United States came around. The mess hall actually erupted with hollering. Troops bounded to their feet with shocked smiles and just began cheering with all their hearts. The building actually shook. It was just unreal. I was absolutely stunned. Not only for the obvious, but also because I was only two tables away from the podium. There he stood, less than thirty feet away from me! The cheering went on and on and on. Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and a lot of them were crying. There was not a dry eye at my table. When he stepped up to the cheering, I could clearly see tears running down his cheeks. It was the most surreal moment I've had in years. Not since my wedding and Aaron being born. Here was this man, our President, came all the way around the world, spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing in the most dangerous airport in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days before.
You could tell he was really enjoying himself. It wasn't just a photo opportunity. This man was actually enjoying himself! He worked his way over the course of about 90 minutes towards my side of the room. Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to shake a few hands. I got a picture with Ambassador Bremer, Talabani (acting Iraqi president) and Achmed Chalabi (another member of the ruling council) and Condaleeza Rice, who was there with him. I felt like I was drunk. He was getting closer to my table so I went back over to my seat. As he passed and posed for photos, he looked my in the eye and "How you doin', captain." I smiled and said "God bless you, sir." To which he responded "I'm proud of what you do, captain." Then moved on.
Scouts out!
--Mike
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November 25, 2003:
![[Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com]](101st.jpg)
July 4th, 2003 Saddam's Mosul Palace, 158 troopers from the
Wonder why the mainstream media didn't make a big deal of it? You suppose it's because it did not fit the whining,
bad morale profile they've been trying to portray? Naw, that can't be the reason.
Not Katie Collic, Dan Blather, and crew! --Mike |
September 25, 2003:
Firepower Fans,
It’s been an eventful few months since our last update. Let me hit the high points…
I’m back at MacDill now and digging back into the job, into the writing, and trying to spend some extra time with my girls. Thanks for the continued flow of congratulations and well wishes on TIN SOLDIERS’ success – much appreciated.
Scouts out!
Mike
June 25, 2003:
With TIN SOLDIERS hitting the stands on June 3rd it has been a busy month. Even better, after only one week in publication the book made the Barnes & Noble paperback bestseller list. I want to thank all of the people who made this happen (that’s you).
And speaking of thanks…I am overwhelmed by the reader write-ins. Dozens of messages from across the United States and a couple from the U.K. and Australia thus far with more coming in every day. Seeing how much people are enjoying the book has been a truly humbling experience and at the same time extremely gratifying. It means a great deal that so many are enjoying a project into which I poured so much time and energy…finding the time to write novels while an active duty Army officer with a family is no easy task and at times hardly seemed worth the effort.
Many readers are asking whether I’ve planned a TIN SOLDIERS sequel and if so when it will be published. Yes; I finished the first draft, tentatively titled INTO THE BREACH, a few weeks ago and am getting ready to send it to my agent in New York this week. We hope to have a sale relatively quickly based off the current book’s success. I’ll post a SITREP (“situation report”; “update”) here in the TheTanker.com News section as soon as we know something.
Finally, for our troops deployed around the world, particularly those in Iraq…we’re seeing that the end of war doesn’t equate with the end of hostilities. American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, along with those of our Allies, continue to remain in harms way. Please continue giving them your support. We can agree or disagree with politicians over international policy, but these men and women are on the tip of the spear out of a sense of duty and deserve only our thanks. I know you’ll continue to give it freely.
Scouts out!
--Mike
April 29, 2003:
Readers,
What a proud time to be an American and a member of the Armed Forces. I had become so tired of watching our nation cater to what the rest of the world thinks is in our best interests. It is clear that no one but the United States really cares about our best interests. But hold…I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our Coalition allies, particularly the British and the Aussies; you guys rock.
But today a dangerous world is a little safer. Our troops in Iraq performed magnificently. As we speak many of them are patrolling the streets of Iraq and are in harms way. Only yesterday ‘peaceful religious demonstrators’ in Baghdad brandished AK-47s and opened fire on some of our 3rd I.D. soldiers. The thirteen dead ‘peaceful demonstrators’ aren’t complaining, but it seems they’re the only locals who aren’t.
Our nation sent our best and brightest into combat, let’s be honest, not to free those ingrates of Saddam’s tyranny, but to free ourselves of his WMD threat. He was an asshole and needed to go. He’s gone. Still, it would be nice to have a thank you.
Okay…I’ve vented. On to happier topics. THANKS to all of you who’ve written in anticipation of next month’s TIN SOLDIERS release. I’m giddy about it myself. Over the past two years, it’s been like watching one of my children grow up as it went through the publishing process.
On another note, more good news. The draft of TIN SOLDIERS’ sequel, THE BREACH, is nearing completion. My fellow lovers of things that go boom, this book was a blast to write. Managed to bring the awesome firepower of the digital Army into this one…M1A2-SEPs, et al. Hell, we didn’t even get to see those during the sprint to Baghdad. Once we have a deal in place on it, we’ll be posting some sample chapters on the web site.
Take care and Godspeed to my brothers and sisters in arms overseas and at home.
Scouts out!
Mike
March 17, 2003:
TIN SOLDIERS is now available for PRE-ORDER at
Amazon.Com and at
Barnes And Noble.Com .
Click over and Pre-order your copy today! Once done, come back and send Michael a note to let him know
you've got your copy on the way!
E-Mail Michael Farmer
HERE!
Dear Readers,
I wanted to take a moment to try to catch you up with recent events. Things have been a little hectic lately at my day job at the US Central Command Intelligence Directorate. I returned from Qatar in December after two months supporting Exercise INTERAL LOOK 03. Our primary mission was to set up the Central Command Forward Headquarters. Backbreaking work, lots of fun dealing with the locals (hear the implied sarcasm), and we even had the Secretary of Defense stop by…you gotta love Rummy. You’d have been proud of the job accomplished by so few in such a short time. The forward headquarters is up and running now, prepared to support war should the President decide that is our course of action.
And are we on the eve of war? No one, least of all a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine, wants war. We have children we want to see get older, to be with on their wedding days. We have friends we want to be able to sit down and have another beer with somewhere down the road. We have young service members working with us who are some of the best Americans you’ll ever meet…and we want to give them a chance to grow and contribute even more, someday becoming leaders themselves.
At the same time, there are causes that are just and fights that must be fought. Is Iraq a military threat to the U.S.? Negative, not in the conventional sense. But Saddam Hussein’s regime has shown us several things over the past years: Iraq has chemical and biological weapons, and are trying to make more; Iraq will use those weapons; Iraq and Al Quaeda have been chummy of late…and those terrorists would dearly love to have a steady supply of chemical and/or biological weapons; Saddam Hussein will never change…he will lie and deceive while trying to maintain power; Iraq will suffer as long as his regime is in power.
That’s where the United States and our allies come in. This fight is one of those fights worth fighting, indeed that we must fight. I wish Godspeed to all of my friends and fellow service members in the Gulf. I’ll likely see you soon. Take care and keep your powder dry.
Scouts out!
Mike
November 5, 2002:
From: Ron Martirano, @ Penguin Putnam.Com
Mike:
This should look nice on the cover...
"TIN SOLDIERS is a gripping and potentially prophetic thriller. Michael
Farmer has written one of the most realistic armored combat novels to come
along in years."
W.E.B. Griffin, author of the best-selling series BROTHERHOOD OF WAR, THE
CORPS, HONOR BOUND, and BADGE OF HONOR
Congrats Mike!
Best,
October 11, 2002:
Readers,
I wanted to take a moment to fill you in on recent personal events…some book-related, some not.
The first review of TIN SOLDIERS arrived this week. It was by Ralph Peters, author of RED ARMY, THE WAR IN 2020, and many other fine works. Not only is Ralph a great writer of fiction, but he also has one of the finest minds I know when it comes to world events and the ways of Middle Eastern politics. Here’s what he had to say about TIN SOLDIERs…
I am delighted to offer the following praise for Michael Farmer's forthcoming novel, Tin Soldiers:
I hope this helps your effort to bring Mike Farmer's book to the audience it deserves.
Best regards,
Ralph Peters
Some final news. This is my last report from the Tampa area for a while. As most of you know, I’m currently assigned to U.S. Central Command’s Intelligence directorate. As of Saturday I’m headed to the Middle East (Qatar) for a few months to participate in Operation INTERNAL LOOK 03. I’ll try to send some spot reports from the A.O.R. (area of responsibility) in the near future.
Scouts out!
Mike
August 26, 2002:
My fellow fans of maneuver and shock effect,
Good news regarding the June 2003 publication of TIN SOLDIERS…we have a positive SITREP that the process is moving into the final stages. Signet’s editorial staff contacted me last week to find out what authors were lined up to read the book and provide commentary.
Here’s the list of those who have agreed to proof TIN SOLDIERS, a virtual Who’s Who in military fiction and non-fiction: W.E.B. Griffin, author of the “Brotherhood of War” and “The Corps” series; Dale Brown (a close personal friend whose support has been invaluable; a little known fact, particularly within Air Force circles -- Dale’s brother is an U.S. Army Armor officer, currently serving in Saudi)…Dale’s numerous best-sellers speak for themselves; Colonel (Retired) David Hackworth, the American military’s greatest living warrior and honest broker; Ralph Peters, another friend, fellow Army alumnus, and the most knowledgeable man I know regarding America’s enemies – both stated and unstated; best-seller Michael DiMercurio, submariner extraordinaire and a man of true vision for America’s future naval forces; Frederick J. Chiaventone, one of the finest writers I’ve read…period; ARMOR MAGAZINE, the magazine of the U.S. Army’s Armor and Cavalry communities, now over 100 years old and still on the cutting edge of today’s saber (or main gun; you pick).
The above will receive copies of TIN SOLDIERS within the next two weeks and provide commentary, the intent of which is to provide an “in-house buzz” within the military fiction publishing community. Let’s hope they enjoy reading T.S. as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Take care and remember…prayer helps, but God is on the side of those with a tight boresight.
Scouts out!
12 July 2002:
Once again, thanks to all of you out there who are e-mailing regarding the
publication date of TIN SOLDIERS. NAL/Signet has set a date in stone…June
2003. While still a few months away, I can’t wait to hear some reader
reaction. My web guru, Bill Parker of
Parker Information Resources in
Houston, and I are working with the publishers to post some additional
excerpts from the novel prior to the pub date. We’ll also try to include
some interesting items from the “publishing process” as we get them --
cover art, etc.
Some of you have written asking how recent world events have impacted the
evolvement of TIN SOLDIERS into its final form…
When I began writing the novel as a tank company commander in 1997, things
were very different. The Clinton administration was still in power;
the Army’s efforts were directed at continuing the development
of its heavy force and the combat systems inherently involved in that
effort (M1A2 tanks, the new Crusader artillery system, etc.) – for those
of you keeping up with the Army’s “transformation” to a lighter force,
that’s changed in a big way; we hadn’t sent any troops into Bosnia –
therefore a stealth fighter had never been shot down; and Osama Bin Laden
was just another asshole terrorist. My how things have changed. While the
TIN SOLDIERS manuscript as sold was completed in January of 1999, these
world changes – particularly the events of September 11th – required
several additions/modifications to the plot and story line. I think you’ll
enjoy the final version.
An odd final note, the story was originally a “what if” the U.S. went back
into ground combat operations against Iraq. The way world events are going,
TIN SOLDIERS may be an anti-climax before June 2003. I know I’m not the only
one who sees storm clouds on the horizon.
Have to sign off now…between the job at Central Command in Tampa, the wife,
four daughters, work on the TIN SOLDIERS sequel, and a new yellow Lab pup
(“Tank”, of course), not much free time remains.
Best to all, keep those e-mails coming, and of course…Good hunting!
Mike
13 February 2002:
First, to all of you out there who have been e-mailing to inquire about the
publication date of TIN SOLDIERS - Thanks! I'd have never thought there were
so many potential "tread-heads" in the American military fiction readership.
It truly warms my heart.
To the meat, my friends, to the meat...
Originally my publisher, NAL/Signet, had indicated a publication date of
sometime in the Spring/Summer of 2002 - i.e., a very short time from now.
Unfortunately the events of September 11th have changed not only the way we
look at the world, but also the way publishers weigh material. Their concern
- despite the box office success of BLACK HAWK DOWN and BEHIND ENEMY LINES -
is that the American public might be reaching a saturation point for
military news and material, be it non-fiction or fiction.
That brings us to the (potential) bad news NAL/Signet is requesting that we
agree to an early 2003 release for TIN SOLDIERS. My agent and I are
concurrently negotiating two items: first, an earlier release date for TIN
SOLDIERS; second (and this is the good news), NAL/Signet's purchase of TIN
SOLDIERS' sequel, tentatively titled INTO THE BREACH.
Again, thanks to ALL of you who have written in. I attempt to write back
within 24 hours, but I am currently stationed in Tampa at United States
Central Command. Needless to say, we're staying kinda busy. Nonetheless, I
make 48 hours the extreme outside window to get back to you.
Peace through superior firepower,
Mike
![[Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com]](mfhead.jpg)
Firepower Fans,
To: Michael Farmer
Subject: Griffin quote
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002
Ron
"Authentic, muscular and swift, Tin Soldiers is a remarkably timely novel with all the punch of armor on the move...destined for well-deserved success!"
While I haven’t seen it yet, the master of military fiction (no, not Tom Clancy), W.E.B. Griffin, has also completed his reading of the book and turned in some comments. My web elves will post them once we have them in hand.
--Ralph Peters, author of Beyond Terror and The War in 2020
![[Michael Farmer / Kuwait]](news.jpg)
Readers,
![[TIN SOLDIERS Cover Art]](tscover.jpg)
Readers,
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Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com
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![[Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com]](fist.jpg) "HEADSHOT" Featuring John Bertetto |
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Here is a first-hand account of President Bush's visit to Iraq to
greet the troops in Baghdad, Thanksgiving 2003 , from a Captain in Iraq...
![[Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com]](potus2.jpg)
That was my first clue, because Bremer's been here before and his
personal security detachment is not that big. Then BG Dempsey got up to
speak, and he welcomed ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. Bremer thanked
us all and pulled out a piece of paper as if to give a speech. He
mentioned that the President had given him this thanksgiving speech to
give to the troops. He then paused and said that the senior man present
should be the one to give it. He then looked at Sanchez, who just
smiled.
![[Michael Farmer / TheTanker.Com]](potus3.jpg)
Just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and
spend another 17 hours flying back. It was a great moment, and I will
never forget it. He delivered his speech, which we all loved, when he
looked right at me and held his eyes on me. Then he stepped down and was
just mobbed by the soldiers. He slowly worked his way all the way around
the chow hall and shook every last hand extended. Every soldier who
wanted a photo with the President got one. I made my way through the
line, got dinner, then wolfed it down as he was still working the room.