09-18-2012, 01:15 AM
Thinking back on it, I suppose all the "counter-terrorism" training I rec'd in military had a bigger impact on my personal situational awareness (SA) here at home than I thought. My first operational assignment was at Torrejon AB, Spain (Madrid)...when we first pulled into the base, there was a protest in progress with tires burning. The previous week, there was a bombing at a restaurant frequented by Americans. There were constant bombings in Madrid and elsewhere throughout Spain. Britain wasn't much better (although the IRA typically would leave the port cities alone to not bring unwanted attention there). I caught a shopkeeper taking my photo as the "new guy" just outside the base of Kunsan AB, ROK...confrontation with muslims in Germany (Iranian and Serbs) who found out I was a "Yankee Air Pirate" - LOL (that one was my fault, let my guard down).
SA is not always common sense...most people need to learn the things to look for and work at it. I initially smirked at Webb's article but in re-reading, it has value for the "non-initiated".
SA is not always common sense...most people need to learn the things to look for and work at it. I initially smirked at Webb's article but in re-reading, it has value for the "non-initiated".