tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post6616186916401377255..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: FOR VETERANS ACROSS THE WORLDEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-45288592581938431962012-01-03T18:03:44.387+02:002012-01-03T18:03:44.387+02:00Hi Warwick,
Yes, I remember you well and have oft...Hi Warwick,<br /><br />Yes, I remember you well and have often wondered what you had done with your career. It was a pleasure helping you in those days. Sadly, I had to make a duck after some potentially damaging stuff was being planned to be released and I didn’t want to contaminate anyone with my squirrel activities. <br /><br />I note from your email address that you are back in NZ. I am saddened to hear of the numerous quakes you have suffered down there. Hopefully, it will get better. <br /><br />I will be in touch shortly.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-70640868039914575572012-01-03T16:59:45.179+02:002012-01-03T16:59:45.179+02:00Hi Mike,
May the coming year be good to you and y...Hi Mike,<br /><br />May the coming year be good to you and your family.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-68910935314923997112012-01-03T16:59:24.832+02:002012-01-03T16:59:24.832+02:00Hi John,
Many thanks for the kind wishes. A belat...Hi John,<br /><br />Many thanks for the kind wishes. A belated Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-65713131771888341132012-01-03T15:55:53.871+02:002012-01-03T15:55:53.871+02:00Hi James,
I hope your studies are going well. It ...Hi James,<br /><br />I hope your studies are going well. It is a minefield of a subject and depending on where one stands, it can be even more so. <br /><br />I hope you will forgive me but I need to decline your request. I am pretty busy travelling at the moment and I have also had some pretty bad experiences with students. Those experiences have unfortunately been the prime reason why I decline any requests to assist with any research.<br /><br />Good luck with your work.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-52409646240297693732012-01-03T15:40:16.538+02:002012-01-03T15:40:16.538+02:00You’re welcome, Eet Kreef.
Rgds,
EebenYou’re welcome, Eet Kreef.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-40962228298148895892012-01-03T15:33:49.166+02:002012-01-03T15:33:49.166+02:00Hi MStav,
I am afraid that I may not be the best ...Hi MStav,<br /><br />I am afraid that I may not be the best person to ask re PMC work especially in Africa as there are many things to be borne in mind on this continent. Also, as every country has different requirements, it can be tricky sometimes to give them exactly what they need.<br /><br />I would suggest you contact Matt at feraljundi. He runs a very good site and has a lot of advise for folks who wish to broaden their horizons and knowledge skills. Matt is always happy and willing to give advice to folks. <br /><br />As for being an officer or an NCO: That will be dependent on what you are doing. Usually, the best trainers are veteran NCO’s and the officer-types are often engaged to assist with strategy development and implementation at the operational level. <br /><br />If Matt is unable to assist you, please let me know. I will see who else I can recommend.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-89272848134116682192012-01-03T15:08:17.530+02:002012-01-03T15:08:17.530+02:00Hi Stephan,
Thanks, someone sent it to me a while...Hi Stephan,<br /><br />Thanks, someone sent it to me a while ago so I have been able to peruse it. <br /><br />It is ironic how the bad guys are given human rights and deny the ordinary, hard working folk a living. When anyone stops that – as EO did – they are accused of violating human rights! No wonder the enemy makes use of continually claiming his human rights are abused – knowing full well we will stop everything and investigate ourselves. <br /><br />I recall those who bemoan the poor enemy’s human rights being called “useful idiots”. A goods term I think.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-3706840925069701372012-01-03T14:55:36.466+02:002012-01-03T14:55:36.466+02:00Hi John,
I see that you sent me a few comments re...Hi John,<br /><br />I see that you sent me a few comments re Bryan. I am sorry I did not respond earlier but I was out of country. My apologies.<br /><br />I knew Bryan and he was in EO.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-13088029324116321572012-01-03T14:52:37.945+02:002012-01-03T14:52:37.945+02:00Hi John,
Yes, I remember Bryan very well. I first...Hi John,<br /><br />Yes, I remember Bryan very well. I first met him when we were on the urban EOD/IED teams in the early 1980s. He gave me many laughs – once we were called out to a suspect device on a fuel tanker in central Pretoria. Enroute we decided that time was against us – besides suiting up would have been of no use if the device went off when we were working on it. At the debrief, we reported that it was a hoax and when asked what steps we would have taken were it a limpet mine on the tanker, Bryan immediately responded with “F@#&ing big steps - in the opposite direction”. I was severely reprimanded for falling over with laughter as that was construed as “behaviour unbecoming an officer”.<br /><br />He later joined EO where he did good work for us as a “loggie” and other things.<br /><br />I hope your asking has nothing to do with bad news?<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-82943818936110156542012-01-03T14:33:23.081+02:002012-01-03T14:33:23.081+02:00Hi Mike,
As I don’t know him, I am afraid I canno...Hi Mike,<br /><br />As I don’t know him, I am afraid I cannot comment. Although I have heard the name I do not recall ever meeting him. However, you can be sure that if he exists, he is using an alias. But then, there are also many out there who make many false claims and even write books about them.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-14485244875055916172011-12-29T06:01:25.065+02:002011-12-29T06:01:25.065+02:00Nice poem Eeben. We met back in 1989 while sharin...Nice poem Eeben. We met back in 1989 while sharing offices in Randburg. I was the young geologist from New Zealand. By the way, I gather I owe you a big thank you for helping me to obtain residence in South Africa, but would love to know exactly what happened from your perspective, if you have a minute. My e-mail address is adamel@maxnet.co.nz. Regards<br />Warwick AlexanderWarwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11776103501464325214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-34049201081733708632011-12-24T20:09:29.946+02:002011-12-24T20:09:29.946+02:00Have a good christmas and peaceful new years. Best...Have a good christmas and peaceful new years. Best wishes. Mike da silva.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008570891301616458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-67892774663861029452011-12-24T16:59:58.982+02:002011-12-24T16:59:58.982+02:00Merry Christmas Eeben,
May the blessings and grac...Merry Christmas Eeben,<br /><br />May the blessings and grace of this special season be with you and your family. Best success in 2012.<br /><br />Regards,<br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052355800345172823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-39756101564610624902011-12-06T04:15:40.718+02:002011-12-06T04:15:40.718+02:00Dear Eeben,
I am currently studying a postgraduat...Dear Eeben,<br /><br />I am currently studying a postgraduate degree with Cranfield University at the MOD's Defence Academy of the UK.<br /><br />My academic research area is focused upon PMSCs, and my dissertation will be aimed at dispelling the common misconception about the role security contractors play.<br /><br />I was wondering if you would be willing to perhaps speak to me and help with my research.<br /><br />I would be very grateful for a little access to your wealth of knowledge on the topic.<br /><br />- JamesJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14036237499039242696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-37364827430898141622011-12-04T19:28:54.600+02:002011-12-04T19:28:54.600+02:00Thanks EebenThanks Eebeneet kreefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309418877087418788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-80608034501780432302011-11-28T14:05:20.679+02:002011-11-28T14:05:20.679+02:00Mr. Barlow,
I am a great admirer of your work--in...Mr. Barlow,<br /><br />I am a great admirer of your work--in light of the recent holiday, thank you for your service.<br /><br />I'm an American Special Forces candidate with the US Army, and I'm interested in getting into the world of private military contracting. Could you offer any advice in terms of career development, and skills/certifications that might enhance my critical skills? For instance, is it significantly better to be an officer, or a veteran NCO?<br /><br />If you personally are not in a position to offer this advice, could you suggest another resource?<br /><br />Thank you again.<br />V/r,<br />MStavMStavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12931864775076116534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-19230866524216775892011-11-25T10:03:00.091+02:002011-11-25T10:03:00.091+02:00Morning Eeben
If you have not seen this, go have a...Morning Eeben<br />If you have not seen this, go have a look...<br />http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21430:human-rights-versus-corporate-rights-mercenary-activity-in-the-21st-century-&catid=54:Governance&Itemid=118<br /><br />Kind Regards<br /><br />SvNRavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901582320390605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-52941167475711443842011-11-16T19:19:45.231+02:002011-11-16T19:19:45.231+02:00Hi eeben
I was wondering if you ever came across m...Hi eeben<br />I was wondering if you ever came across my stepfather<br />Bryan Westwood<br />as I believe he was in Executive Outcomes<br />Any info would be appreciated<br />Thanks Johnbetcha2000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04867534175802625344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-64079656941155115092011-11-16T19:18:19.621+02:002011-11-16T19:18:19.621+02:00Hi Eeben
I was wondering if you ever came across m...Hi Eeben<br />I was wondering if you ever came across my step father Bryan Westwood as I think he was in Executive Outcomes<br />Any info would be appreciated<br /><br />Thanks<br />Johnbetcha2000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04867534175802625344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-72524973529152697382011-11-13T09:14:40.686+02:002011-11-13T09:14:40.686+02:00this atholl visser aka ivan the terrible keeps pop...this atholl visser aka ivan the terrible keeps popping up all over the show. there is a book out that seems to glorify"his swathe of desrruction" as a mercenary, gun runner, drug smuggler and all round dick. the blurb on the indicates he flip flopped between various right wing groups and was a very senior member/ commander of the CCB. he also waffles on about the Olof Palme assassination and so on and so on. this name has surfaced a few times on your blog, is this dude real or is it simply a pseudonym? <br /><br /> http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDevil-Incarnate-Depraved-Mercenarys-Destruction%2Fdp%2F1845962060%2F&h=9AQE-RgmyAQEpNj-3vbvBJAh-roVCqJSMRwClu4Eo7Cbrjw<br /><br />this is the type of individual i alluded to in my earlier post who besmirches the soldiers code and if he really exists, he will be standing in another queue reserved for the pol pots, adolf`s and a few serb and african leaders of the world.<br />mikeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008570891301616458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-23555492005802475332011-11-13T05:44:43.905+02:002011-11-13T05:44:43.905+02:00Not a day goes by that I too do not think of them ...Not a day goes by that I too do not think of them Mike.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br /><br />PS: Happy Birthday.Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-72915079751560855032011-11-12T16:53:07.874+02:002011-11-12T16:53:07.874+02:00i will remeber those that you named in the back of...i will remeber those that you named in the back of your book that gave all in the contracts in Cabinda, Angola and Sierra Leone. Wayne Ross Smith was the first fatality in the Angola contract and he died from gis injuries in a tragic accident on the 11th of November 1993. never forgotten. today is my 42nd birthday and i remember my 24 th birthday and was saddened by the events. my friend Paul George De Sousa flew down in the plane with Wayne that day and returned a changed person. my birthday that year was a solemn affair and Brian Westwood attended my little birthday dinner back in the world but we didnt celebrate but lifted our glasses in honour of a fallen comrade, even though it was by an unfortunate accident. i returned to Cabo Ledo a few days later after my leave and got back to work with all earnesty. <br />a little salute in honour of the brave men who fell in the honourable name of Executive Outcomes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008570891301616458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-86604499338985821942011-11-12T15:19:43.066+02:002011-11-12T15:19:43.066+02:00It seems that there are always a few rotten apples...It seems that there are always a few rotten apples, Robin. They spoil it for everyone else. What I do know is that not all in the media are like that but the rotten ones taint the good ones. Fortunately, many of those who were so keen on attacking us are now without work or unable to find good jobs. <br /><br />Not a day goes by that I do not think of those men who walked before us as soldiers and I hope that us who follow in their footsteps would make them proud. What I do know is that I look back on those I had the honour of serving with, working with and commanding and know that I feel immense pride in what they did – and many still continue to do. <br /><br />Thank you for your kind words.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-29962968460414489612011-11-12T14:40:14.930+02:002011-11-12T14:40:14.930+02:00So true Eeben, the media afterall are businesses a...So true Eeben, the media afterall are businesses and are out to make money. They serve that one master and if they can sensationalise better then the next media group, they will make a lot of money....but then don't you know that better than anyone else! I would much rather say I stood for something, so I never believed everything, thus, I did not fall for nothing. I would rather stand with a weapon, never to use it, than reap destruction with a plastic keyboard. <br /><br />If anyone has not read Eeben's book on OE, you really should, I found it one of the most profound books I have ever read. I use certain lessons from the book in business today to great success.<br /><br />And the blood of the soldier is not defined by colour, language, or any other tangible or visible feature, it is defined by his bond with his fellow, that when one is in need his fellows stands up, that when he weaps, we all weap. <br /><br />I look into my sons eyes everyday and see sunshine and love, because certain people paid the ultimate price so that he can live in the world that he does. <br /><br />Eeben, I know who you are and you are a giant amongst small people - let NO-ONE tell you anything different. The saddest thing is that 'people' are not ready or willing to listen to what you say. These 'people' could learn so much and knowledge is power, if only they understood that. But hey, fear makes a man do strange things. <br /><br />Regards<br />RobinRobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581512595319871856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-92184584177415025952011-11-12T12:27:07.612+02:002011-11-12T12:27:07.612+02:00Those that scoff have no purpose in life, Mike.
...Those that scoff have no purpose in life, Mike. <br /><br />To those who have been there, regardless of time, there is a common bond that can never be broken, no matter hard the politicians and media try to break it. <br /><br />As I have never been to Afghanistan, I take the stories of PMCs – propagated by the media – with a bag of salt. After all, EO too was a victim of mistruths. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.com