A Georgia redneck, a Florida redneck and a Texan were sitting around a small catfish pond and noticed some catfish. They felt it would be a good idea to have a fish fry, but they didn’t have a fishing pole or net. They started to ponder techniques to catch some fish for the fish fry, when the Georgia boy dove in the water and tried to catch one. He dove in, splashed around and after 5 minutes of no luck he got out, frustrated and sat back down. The Florida boy then got up, went to his truck and got a shotgun. He began shooting at the catfish. He expended over 30 rounds and he too was unsuccessful. Frustrated, he sat back down. The Texas boy sat for a bit, finished his beer, and cut the top of the beer can off with his pocket knife. Then he calmly stood up and walked over to the small pond and dipped his empty beer can in the water and filled it up. Then he walked to the top of the dam and poured the water on the ground on the back side of the dam. He walked back to the pond and got another can full of water and as he walked by the 2 other rednecks, he stated with a drawl, “You boys better git comfortable, this may take awhile.â€
Michael Yon has posted an open letter from Command Sergeant Major Pippin — which begins with the quote above. “…this may take awhile” is the truth. The consequences of ignoring that truth are so horrible I don’t want to write about it here.
I recommend CSM Pippin’s letter to you, which closes:
The American Armed Forces has an empty beer can and the war in Iraq is like that small catfish pond. If the American people will be patient and supportive, we’ll have that fish fry.
CSM Pippin is absolutely correct. Its too bad the media hasn’t figured this out & they are largely to blame for the public’s poor outlook on the War on Terror. Every time I talk to a veteran or soldier who has been in Iraq, I hear a totally different story on the war, a positive one that is not being told… intentionally. This is because the media is more interested in advancing their own political agenda than telling the truth.
Damn straight, CSM Pippin.
Last time I checked there was only one CSM James Pippin in the Army. I am CSM James Pippin and did not write this open letter.
It may be a fraud, but it sounds like something CSM Pippin would say.
csm pippin first told 2/7 this joke at an awards ceremony in mosul iraq. i know of this csm, his morals , and his words. make no mistake about it, ive met a lot of csm……and none hve the balls like this csm had…..and still has. and the most amazing thing is that he never boasts about what hes done or seen….and im sure theres a lot he has been threw.
“garryowen”
There is another CSM James D. Pippin and I believe he did write that “Open Letter”. He is a Ranger and now serving outside the Rangers. He told this story to Michael Yon personally.
I served under CSM Pippen with 2-7 CAV in El Paso and Mosul, Iraq. He is the epidemy of what a soldier should be. Best soldier, CSM, and leader of troops I have ever seen.
I served with 1SG Pippen A.K.A “ Dirty jimmy†and yes that was his nickname while he was a 1SG in C-Co 3/75…. His subordinates who clearly liked and respected him so much so gracefully gave his nickname to him! We could all hear something like this come out of his mouth if he was not in a pissed off mood. You see it all depended on which side of the coin you were on with old “DJ†seems he has forgotten how he went from 2/75 solider of the year to landing himself a DUI and having to leave for a while only to be given a second chance. Countless other stories out there, but this is not the time or place for that. Yes we have seen this guy in action, he affected subordinates in both positive and negative ways. If he liked you were golden if not old “DJ†did not give the same opportunities he was presented. What a great man! One of those “do as I say not as I do kind of guys!“
I have an uncle, his Name is James Pippen. He was Sgt Major, in the Marine Corps, I would sure like to find him. I doubt if he remembers me, he was Married to my Aunt Pat. I am sure he would remember my Grandmother, Nana?? My Dad was Don Grandmaison, Uncle Mike and Aunt Linda, I am sure he knew my uncle Dale too, I was not born just yet when he passed. James’ son Michael and Daughter Michelle, she was a Marine too. I too joined the Marines, about to join the Army. I just wanted to tell Uncle James, that I have always been so PROUD of him. He is ONE OF A KIND!! My last Memory of him was a picture of Him When he was a Drill Instructor in the Marines. Anyway, Uncle James, May I call you that?? Thank You for all your Service, you have never been forgotten by my family!! Semper Fi Devil DAWG!!!!
Stacie Grandmaison
Uncle James, if your out there, my email is sarellano02@yahoo.com If you would like to drop a line, I would Love that!! My Ma says hi too, remember her?? Patsy, the red-head!! Take care, wherever you are!!
FUCK CSM Pippin. He failed me, my unit, and the army. We lost 7 soldiers, mostly combat vets having just returned, in my platoon of just over 20 for various bullshit infractions. He helped kick out OUTSTANDING soldiers while quite literally sticking up for other soldiers with 3 DUIs, rape charges, multiple field grade art 15′s, who didn’t give a shit about serving. Now those combat vets, most of whom pissed hot for fucking pot or coke once without any prior infractions, some even with a glowing history, aren’t getting any of the benefits they deserve. I’m sure some ass hole here will pass judgment on a soldier for smoking pot after coming back from war, but unless you walked a day in their shoes in Iraq, shut the fuck up. I don’t care how many mustard stains he has, or how badass he acts, or what scrolls he wore on his shoulder, those soldiers deserve better from their unit and their country. And while it was pogue-ass, no combat patch, sit behind a desk LTC Welch made the final decision, Pippin should have been there to stick up for his SOLDIERS. He failed that. It wasn’t until they realized they were losing too many people that they reversed that stupid ass policy, but for many soldiers it was far too late.
Blackhawkmike,
The only man who failed those men was staring them in the mirror when they woke up the morning the decided to engage in an illegal activity. They knew the consequences of drug use, and went ahead with it anyway. I served under Pippin as a young Ranger, and appreciated the lessons I learned from him. I am now returning 13 years later as an active duty chaplain, and let me tell you that if those men had been under my oversight, I would have recommended them being put out as well. Their use of drugs would not have been a one time thing, and most likely this was not the first time they had attempted to get away with it.
Doped up soldiers are not only useless soldiers, they are a positive threat to the lives of the others who are serving around them, and while they are stateside they are going to end up devastating their families as well. I have a friend who is currently serving as a rigger, whose entire enlisted chain of command up to the platoon level was involved in a coke ring. There was no way he was going to put his life in their hands with an upcoming deployment, and thankfully they were busted for it.
It is not the policy that was “stupid”, it was the soldier, and if they were as stellar as you claim they had been, then they would have taken personal responsibility by admitting to that. Your connection of illegal drug use with the phrase “bs infraction” shows that your understanding of the seriousness of the situation is not to be vouched for, however.
I had the honor of serving with CSM Pippin in Mosul, Iraq. He was by far the most professional leader that I have ever had the pleasure of serving with, and yet he still managed to keep a sense of humor through the whole situation. Even after being badly wounded, he returned to Iraq and continued to set the standard for the rest of the deployment. RLTW.
CSM PIPPIN HOPE TO SE YOU IN THE FUTURE YOU ARE A GREAT LEADER FROM WICH I CAN LEARN A LOT. GOD BLESS.
BIG SAL E CO. 2-7 CAV.
I currently serve under CSM JAMES PIPPIN. He is 3HBCT, 1CD CSM and was at my BN Ball last night. I find there is no one like him in the U.S. Army. He’s the CSM my older brother, who done 11 1/2 yrs as a 11b, talks about. Quite and have a meaningful presence without saying anything. It was nice I took a picture with him. For all the people who talk shit about their Chain of Command is pretty slow. Cause up there they put out the big picture and on the way down to lower levels different SOPs are implimented. So you cant blame the General for a LT. Mistake.
I believe that for all that have served with CSM Pippin in the Rangers or 2-7 CAV can in will vouch for him as being one of the most EXCELLENT examples of not only what a soldier should be but what a leader is and what ever soldier and leader should strive to be. As for Joshua Hays and Jeff Snyder, they know exactly what I’m talking of being as that we were all in the same company in Mosul. In April, myself and my crew were injured and medivac back to state side, not only was it his convoy that escorted us back to the cash he was also there for me and my squadleader in san antonio when we were hospitalized. He crutched his way upstairs just to speak with us and see how things were. Later after talking to him on the side I preached to him how this wasn’t going to be the end of my career, I would push on from this and wanted to get back to my PLT back in Iraq. All he said was, if I could get the hospital to release me he would get me back into Iraq. Exactly 5 months after the day my vehicle was hit by 2 IEDs both myself and CSM Pippin were on a bird in Kuwait heading back to Mosul to reunite with our soldiers. Even though we had to different stories to what happen, upon our return to our battalion, our message was still the same. ” We are still here!” It was and idolization that touched everyone and ment to same to everyone. Having a senior NCO and Leader return to combat after being almost crippled but standing tall and walking strong and a brand new specailist first tour escape an incident that should of left him dead to return back to combat as well. I believe that motivated our whole battatlion to here this news. It had nothing to do with who we were, it was the fact we understood our duties, we still had our comrades still in the fight, and we were still able to continue the fight. I got to know CSM Pippin on a more friendship level than most would at such a low rank and time in service those last few months in the hospital and our trek back to Mosul. I have talked with those who have left the unit to go other places other units, and we all agree that, that was one unit we’ll never forget nor CSM Pippin. If given the opportunity once again I’d be honored to serve in his unit and go anywhere he asked me to. That is a man that for those who truely know, the most would follow him to hell and back on his command without an hesitation! So for those like yourself Blackhawkmike, might wanna recheck yourself. It was probably you who failed all those soldiers not him, maybe your ideal of stand of an outstand soldier was those who were getting the DUIs, and rape charges, maybe you fell into the category as well and were just angry to see your buddies of useless soldiers get tossed out and you were just lucky or just hadn’t been caught yet. I have heard great things from the lowest private to generals bout CSM James Pippin. I proudly wear my Cav patch everyday over all others. A 2-7 Cav, 4-1, El Paso. Tx
Drew, Thanks mate for taking the time to tell us some of your history with CSM James Pippin. I think the overwhelming evidence is that he has set an outstanding example — that very few of us will ever be able to replicate.