'Ten Hut

(reposted with new info)

Well, maybe some of them: Blogs Study May Provide Credible Information
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research recently began funding
a new research area that includes a study of blogs.

On another note:
It's almost the Fourth of July and so we can expect an onslaught of military-related stories, even though the day is supposed to be focused on celebrating the country's declaration of independence (And, a little tangential, but interesting, is The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro by Frederick Douglass.)

So, if you don't know the difference between battalions and squads, it's worth your time to check out the excellent work of John Means, the Village Wordsmith of the San Antonio Express-News who regularly writes about all kinds of errors he spots in print, but is especially good at catching mistakes in military stories.
For example:
A hollow tribute
"As our servicemen and women serve across the ocean in a country far away, it is appropriate to reflect upon the battle for liberty that happened here on these hollowed grounds," (District Attorney Susan Reed) said. (March 6 story of a celebration at the Alamo, caught on the rim)
One must assume that our district attorney knows the difference between hallowed and hollowed, and that this was a typographical error on the part of the reporter. Would hollowed grounds be acreage burrowed by a groundhog? Or an oil field after drilling?
--
Accolade in permanent ink
Former military veteran Adam Macht, 87, waits in his wheelchair at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura, Calif. ... (April 14, photo caption supplied by the AP, corrected on the rim)

Dr. Wordsmith may have asked this question before, but if so, he's still waiting on an answer: How in the name of Blackjack Pershing does one become a former veteran?

To our knowledge, it's a permanent title. There's no defrocking ceremony or any other way to remove the label of veteran from someone who has served his country in some branch of the military.

It's like being a former amputee. Or adult.

-----
About 21 guns, again

After the playing of taps and the 21-gun salute, friends bade Perez farewell, during a final round of the Marine Hymn played at the graveside on a harmonica. (April 22, caught by the slot).

You'd think we'd know better by now. A 21-gun salute, rendered by cannon, not rifles, is reserved for the president or visiting heads of state, as Dr. Wordsmith has explained 21 or more times. The shots fired with rifles at a military burial are called a volley, or final honors.

And bugle calls are sounded, not played.

----
Earning awards

After getting his commission, (Audie) Murphy earned the Medal of Honor, using a machine gun to kill or wound 50 to 100 Germans. (June 23, Page 3B)

We've said this one before, too. The Medal of Honor, and other awards for valor on the battlefield, are awarded or received, never earned or won
Light Cavalry Overture

The casualty list from the Iraq war in late June included three soldiers from the 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. (June 24, corrected on the rim).

Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of skulls outside of Jerusalem, is the hill on which Jesus was crucified.

Cavalry, which once meant troops mounted on horses, now refers to armored (tanks) units in the Army.

The fact that they both use the same letters with very little rearrangement is no excuse for confusing the two words – or our readers.
--


Military Writers and Editors has some useful links, as does Armed Forces Net.

The Access to Archives pages of the National Archives has good information on wars, POWs, etc.

And watch out for fake SEALs, POWs, etc.