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Manhunt Monday: Frank Estrada Wanted For Driving While Intoxicated
Monday, July 2, 2012 - 8:09am
EL PASO — Frank Estrada, 29, is wanted for failing to appear in court for a DWI charge.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Estrada was on probation when he was arrested for DWI, which is a violation of his probation.
Estrada has been arrested 17 times in El Paso from charges ranging from possession of cocaine, to theft.
He is believed to be hiding with friends or family in El Paso.
If you see him, or have any information on his whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 566-TIPS (8477).
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Zero's Subs is located at College Park Square, Virginia Beach, Virginia. This is one of the 2 Zero's Subs found in Virginia Beach. Click here to view a list of all Zero's Subs in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
College Park Square
Virginia Beach, Virginia - 23450
Phone: (757) 420-3676
Category: Restaurants - Fast Foods
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Please call (757) 420-3676 to find out the business hours of Zero's Subs.
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Curtis Harwell and Kelli Richardson Discuss Sleep and Its Value to Health
in Fitness
What difference could an extra hour of sleep make in your life? Maybe quite a lot, experts say. Studies show that the gap between getting just enough sleep and getting too little sleep may affect your health, your mood, your weight, and even your sex life.
If you're getting less than the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep a night, here are nine reasons that you should shut down your computer, turn off the lights, and go to bed an hour early tonight.
1. Better health. Getting a good night's sleep won't grant you immunity from disease. But study after study has found a link between insufficient sleep and some serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity.
In most cases, the health risks from sleep loss only become serious after years. That might not always be true, however. One study simulated the effects of the disturbed sleep patterns of shift workers on 10 young healthy adults. After a mere four days, three of them had blood glucose levels that qualified as pre-diabetic.
2. Better sex life. According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, up to 26% of people say that their sex lives tend to suffer because they're just too tired. There's evidence that in men, impaired sleep can be associated with lower testosterone levels -- although the exact nature of the link isn't clear.
Curtis Harwell & Richard Neal Discuss Steroids Relation To Health and Fitness
in Fitness
There is no muscle industry without drugs (steroids).
There is no such thing as getting into phenomenal shape with over-the-counter supplements like creatine and whey protein or with diet and training alone. The naturally lean and muscular body is a skinny one. The human body CANNOT produce excessive muscular size while maintaining low body-fat. A natural trainer has two options: be lean and muscular but look skinny in clothing or be big and look somewhat muscular in clothing but also be relatively fat.
Muscle stars do not tell you the truth because:
They make money off our gullibility when they sell us worthless supplements.
They don't want anyone to look like them, they want to be special and they don't want competition.
If they told the truth about their drug use they would be thought of as "cheaters" and their livelihood would be instantly gone.
Every person who has attained great shape has used a cocktail of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, insulin, diuretics, and narcotics. Every muscular person knows this and most of them will not tell you the truth. Steroids are not just used by a small number of meat-head bodybuilders. Steroids are used by a huge amount of people where strength, size, endurance, or appearance are of importance. Steroids are used for this reason:
On Steroids you go from Zero to Hero in a matter of weeks.
The list of people who ALWAYS use steroids are as follows: Bodybuilders, athletes (even skinny athletes who do not look like the average roid-head), fitness models, and weightlifters. There is no exception to this list. These people take drugs because they MUST take drugs to earn money or to win.
Curtis Harwell & Kim Duke Discuss Pregnancy and Being Fit
in Fitness
Exercise is not a process that needs be eschewed or prevented during pregnancy," says Dr. John Botti, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Penn State Geisinger Health System, who studied the effects of exercise on moderately conditioned pregnant women. "Reasonably performed exercise doesn't appear to cause harm, and may, in fact, have benefits."
The key is finding a reasonable level, and that depends largely on the shape you were in before, the activities your body was comfortable with, and your health during pregnancy. Always check with your doctor or midwife first, but here's food for thought for the novice and the enthusiast, as well as some basic dos and don'ts.
The Novice: Walking and Water Spell R-E-L-I-E-F
"Only 20% to 30% of the population exercises on a regular basis, so the typical pregnant woman hasn't exercised prior to pregnancy," says Bonnie Berk, creator of MOTHERWELL, a pre- and postnatal fitness program offered throughout the United States and abroad.
Still, it's not too late for pregnant women who haven't been consistent exercisers to start now. Although hard data on the value of prenatal exercise isn't as well-documented for unfit women as for fit ones, experts like Berk have seen firsthand the difference that exercise can make, even for couch potatoes.
Curtis Harwell & Richard Neal Discuss How Protein & Carbs Build Muscle
in Fitness
Workout Fuel
Insulin also helps muscles rebuild, but without adequate carbohydrate consumption, muscle cells can become insulin resistant. And protein consumed without carbohydrates is less efficient. That's why you should consume carbohydrates and protein during a workout.
By consuming carbohydrates during exercise, you can increase insulin production and reduce cortisol's response. With less cortisol produced, you'll have less muscle breakdown. Protein allows for sustained energy and helps the body recover faster. Liquid meals, such as a protein smoothie with fruit, are beneficial during this important rebuilding stage because they are easily digested.
Between workouts, carbohydrates and protein work together to fully replenish muscle energy stores and build new muscle. To reap the most benefit, consume carbs and protein at each meal and snack.
The protein recommendation for a strength athlete is 0.9 to 1.2 grams per pound of bodyweight. Different types of protein—whey and casein—help build muscle. Whey is fast acting and best consumed during and immediately following a workout. Casein is more slowly digested. It's great to take before bed to help minimize muscle loss during the overnight fast. (Learn more about the differences between whey and casein protein.)
Here are daily recommendations for all food groups, listed as a percentage of total daily calories:
Protein — 21-24 percent
Carbohydrates — 43-46 percent
Fat — 33 percent
Curtis Harwell & Kim Duke Discuss Best Cardio Exercises For Fat Loss
in Fitness
What Is The Best Cardio Workout For Burning Off Fat?
For quite a while it has been accepted that low-intensity cardio was the best for burning fat. According to studies this method burned the calories primarily from fat. This has recently been disproved, as a new and exciting way to perform cardio has arisen.
The best cardio for burning off that stubborn fat will have you in the gym shorter than you'd expect. This cardio is called HIIT-High Intensity Interval Training. The concept is pretty simple.
You transition from low-moderate intensity intervals to very high intensity intervals. If you judge by the readout on the given exercise machine, you might assume that going at a low intensity for 30-45 minutes would burn more calories than 15 minutes OR LESS utilizing HIIT. This is not true, however, as many of the calories you burn come after you leave the gym (When performing HIIT).
15 minutes may seem to good to be true to lose weight, but it is not. However, you must keep in mind this is no walk in the park. This is very demanding, but extremely rewarding and time-saving. HIIT will support your metabolism so that you are burning calories later in the day. You will burn fat if calories out exceed calories in, and you will expend more calories by choosing HIIT.
HIIT can be performed on many different exercise machines, as well as outside or on the track. In all situations, make sure to warm up for about 3-5 minutes. Once you are ready to go, you will begin your intervals.
Curtis Harwell and Kelli Richardson Discuss Food Portion Control and Fat Loss
in Fitness
Portion control is an important concept when you're trying to lose weight and keep it off. But you don't need to memorize a food list or carry around measuring cups to get a better handle on serving sizes. Instead, use common visual cues to remind yourself of appropriate serving sizes. How? Many foods match up to everyday objects.
For example, a medium pepper is about the size of a baseball and equals one vegetable serving. While not all foods perfectly match visual cues, this method can help you better judge serving sizes and practice portion control, which may help with weight loss.
If you think the servings seem small, don't panic. Remember that you can eat multiple servings every day from each food group.
A 2.5-ounce piece of cooked skinless chicken is about the same size as two-thirds of a deck of cards and equals one protein/dairy serving, or about 110 calories. The same is true for a 2-ounce patty of cooked lean hamburger, which equals one serving and has about 110 calories.
Other protein/dairy servings
1 serving (110 calories)Baked beans, canned
1/2 cupEgg
1 wholeFish (haddock), grilled or broiled
3 ouncesPork sausage, smoked
2 small linksTofu, firm or silken soft
2 slices (1-inch width)
Curtis Harwell & Richard Neal Discuss Childhood Obesity and Prevention
in Fitness
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height.
Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.
One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of your entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.
Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight or obese. Some children have larger than average body frames. And children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know just by looking at your child if his or her weight is a health concern.
Your child's doctor can help you figure out if your child's weight could pose health problems using growth charts and, if necessary, other tests.
When to see a doctor
If you're worried that your child is putting on too much weight, talk to his or her doctor. Your child's doctor will consider your child's individual history of growth and development, your family's weight-for-height history, and where your child lands on the growth charts. This can help determine if your child's weight is in an unhealthy range.
Curtis Harwell & Kim Duke Discuss Flexibility, Health and Fitness
in Fitness
Stretching may take a back seat to your exercise routine. You may think that stretching your hamstrings and calves is just something to be done if you have a few extra minutes before or after pounding out some miles on the treadmill. The main concern is exercising, not stretching, right?
Not so fast. Although studies about the benefits of stretching are mixed, stretching may help you improve your joint range of motion, which in turn may help improve your athletic performance and decrease your risk of injury. Understand why stretching can help and how to stretch correctly.
Benefits of stretching
Studies about the benefits of stretching have had mixed results. Some show that stretching helps. Other studies show that stretching before or after exercise has little if any benefit and doesn't reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Studies have shown that static stretching performed immediately before a sprint event may decrease performance to a small degree.
More research is needed, but some benefits of stretching are thought to be:
Improving athletic performance in some activities
Decreasing the risk of activity-based injuries
Stretching can help improve flexibility, and, consequently, range of motion in your joints. Better flexibility may improve your performance in physical activities or decrease your risk of injuries by helping your joints move through their full range of motion and enabling your muscles to work most effectively.
Stretching also increases blood flow to the muscle. And you may come to enjoy the ritual of stretching before or after hitting the trail, ballet floor or soccer field.
Curtis Harwell & Richard Neal Discuss High Blood Pressure, Health and Fitness
in Fitness
High Blood Pressure Facts
Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is when your blood pressure is higher than normal for an extended period of time. Most people with high blood pressure do not know they have the condition until it is discovered by a doctor.
The prevalence of high blood pressure increases with age, with 65% of men and 75% of women having high blood pressure after the age of 64.
People over the age of 55 with normal blood pressure have a 90% risk of developing hypertension in their lifetime.
When you have high blood pressure, your heart is working harder than normal to pump blood through your body. This is something you can't feel. In fact, high blood pressure is commonly called a "silent killer" because it usually has no noticeable symptoms. Despite the lack of symptoms, untreated high blood pressure can lead to a greater risk for stroke or heart attack. That is why frequent blood pressure monitoring is vital.
If you have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should take it seriously. There are positive steps you can take, including making lifestyle changes and taking medicine to help. Your doctor may also recommend that you monitor your blood pressure regularly.
Managing your high blood pressure should be part of an overall heart health program that also includes managing or preventing health problems like diabetes or high cholesterol, preventing blood clots, making dietary changes, such as limiting salt, and lifestyle changes that include quitting smoking and increasing daily exercise. In addition to those efforts, some find that they need medication to reduce their blood pressure.
Curtis Harwell & Richard Neal Discuss Personal Development, Health and Fitness
in Fitness
Personal development is a lifelong process. It's a way for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realise and maximise their potential.
Personal development is a lifelong process. It's a way for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realise and maximise their potential.
This page helps you to identify the skills you need to set life goals which can enhance your employability prospects, raise your confidence and lead to a more fulfilling, higher quality life. Plan to make relevant, positive and effective life choices and decisions for your future to enable personal empowerment.
Although early life development and early formative experiences within the family, at school, etc. can help to shape us as adults, personal development should not stop later in life. This page contains information and advice that is designed to help you to think about your personal development and ways in which you can work towards goals and your full potential.
IT'S STORY TIME~ Curtis the Crab & The Ferocious Princess
in Books
It's Story Time with JD Holiday: Curtis the Crab by Cindy Freland & The Ferocious Princess by Mark Wisher, read by Author Agy Wilson~
Curtis the Crab ~ Curtis the Crab is off on an adventure to find four musicians who will play in a concert in Crab Alley Bay, Maryland, to help bring more crabs and oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. The adventure of fun and danger takes Curtis and his friends to Herring Bay, West River, Eastern Bay and Crab Alley Bay.
BUY: www.amazon.com/Curtis-Crab-Chesapeake-Bay-Adventure/dp/1496028007/
Cindy Freland's site: www.marylandsecretarial.com
In The Ferocious Princess,Only one thing stands in the way of the Ferocious Princess Pyronia, becoming the Butterfly Kingdoms new champion. The Black Knight.
Mark Wisher's site & info on buying at: www.mw13.webs.com
Illustrator Trevor Clarke's site: www.freelanced.com/trevorclarke
Agy Wilson is the author and illustrator of Nana's Gift, Duke Day for Annie and Room Wars. Her site: www.agywilson.com/
JD and show site: jdholiday.blogspot.com
Curtis Harwell & Kim Duke Discuss Diabetes How it Affects Health and Fitness
in Fitness
Eating well-balanced meals is an essential part of taking better care of yourself and managing diabetes. So is regular physical activity, which is especially important for people with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes. Balancing what you eat and your physical activity are key to managing diabetes.
Having diabetes should not prevent you from enjoying a wide variety of foods. You can learn how to eat healthful meals and include your favorite foods so you can thrive with diabetes.
Eating healthful meals is an essential part of managing diabetes. All of our recipes use healthful ingredients and cooking techniques. Try the recipes and our meal plans for healthier eating.
Manage or prevent type 2 diabetes by getting and staying active.
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If you can see yourself as a Web site developer, TV news director, journalist, special effects technician in the film industry or a public relations or advertising executive, then a major in communication studies is in your future.
The Communication Studies Department offers degrees in both communication studies and new communication media that are supported by professional-level production facilities. These majors allow you to tailor your program of study to meet personal learning and employment objectives.
Courses in both majors are supplemented by work with the student-run newspaper, radio station or other campus media, an extensive internship program and a highly developed study abroad program.
At SUNY Cortland, you'll gain experience leading to a successful career and have the opportunity to further your education through graduate studies or professional training.
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- SUNYAC Honors Student-Athletes for Academics August 26, 2014
- Interim Assistant Directors of Athletics Named August 26, 2014
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- Share Your Good News, Class Notes Submissions Online August 15, 2014


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22 total reviews
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Wedding: 9/27/2013
Mozart Academy of Music played our ceremony music and it was just beautiful. We had strings trio (violin, viola and cello) and it gave the ceremony such a rich touch and magnificent sound. The musicians were professional, well dressed and curtious.
I had already picked the music selections for the ceremony myself and some of them were not the usual repertoire of the wedding ceremony musicians, but it was not a problem for the Mozart Academy of Music - they found the music sheet and played it perfectly. The coordinator Kady was in touch with me over the emails and made sure they understood what I wanted exactly.
If you want a big variety of instruments, flexibility of music choice and reliability, Mozart Academy of Music is the way to go.
Wedding: 8/31/2013
The Mozart Academy was great to work with from the very beginning. We were working with a limited budget and so many music vendors require a minimum number of musicians. Mozart Academy let us reserve just one violinist and it was perfect it was more than enough for our small event. The violinist played beautifully!
Wedding: 8/17/2013
Phew! We really got lucky with these guys! I had booked another talent months ago but as my wedding day approached they were no where to be found and neither was my deposit!! We booked the Mozart Academy just two days before my wedding!! The coordinator made everything very easy for me and the musicians were great! They dressed well and played beautifully!
Wedding: 7/12/2014
The Mozart Academy was just so easy to work with, answering emails immediately, offering recordings of their musicians when, helping me select my ceremony music (I'm such a novice!). We finally went with a solo cello, I fell in love with their Bach recording and had to have it for my wedding day! It was beautiful and everything I had hoped for! I'd do it all over again just to hear that cellist play!
Wedding: 3/29/2014
We hired the Mozart Academy for our wedding. Months later people are STILL talking about our cellist! She played for both our ceremony and our cocktail hour and was outstanding!
Wedding: 6/14/2014
We pared down our preference for a string quartet and were not sorry. The violin/cello duo that played for us were fantastic and it was just right for our small wedding. The music was just beautiful and I would highly recommend them to any local bride!
Wedding: 8/23/2014
I first inquired about a string quartet assuming it would be out of our reach in terms of budget. I was pleasantly surprised at the competitive rates offered by the Mozart Academy and all that they offered. They were so helpful in the days leading up to the wedding. The day of the musicians sounded great, looked professional and had all my special song requests prepared beautifully. I would hire them again in a heartbeat!
Wedding: 5/24/2014
I found the Mozart Academy on craigslist of all places but I saw that they came highly recommended on the knot! Although I was originally interested in violin or cello I opted for the harp and am glad I did! It was just the prefect touch to our intimate outdoor wedding!
Of course the music was just beautiful but just as important, they were great to work with in the days leading up to the wedding which was a big relief. My sister also booked them for a girlfriend's baby shower and was very pleased as well!
Wedding: 8/17/2013
I just assumed live music was out of reach of our budget but the Mozart Academy's rates were very reasonable. The director helped me pick out my ceremony music and it was beautiful.
I never would have imagined that it would be so easy! My wedding day was beautiful and the music made it all the more special!
Wedding: 7/4/2013
A friend recommended the Mozart Academy and to keep it simple I just went with them. Well, I'm so glad I did. They were so helpful during the wedding planning from selecting instruments to picking each ceremony piece! The music was so beautiful the day of and that meant one less headache for me! The were on time, dressed professional and talented musicians. The music was timeless and made this special day all the more memorable!
Wedding: 7/20/2013
I love this piece and it was all I dreamed of when I first started planning our wedding. My husband just assumed we would stick with the available church musician but I convinced him that we should hire a cellist. The musician was AMAZING and I got to say "I told you so" to my new husband!
Wedding: 8/10/2013
I had my heart set on a string quartet. I thought it would be way too much and I wasn't willing to blow our budget.....early research proved this to be true until I found the Mozart Academy! Their price was way under everyone else. I was afraid that on the big day it would be a case of "you get what you pay for". NOPE. The musicians were amazing! I'll never forget how beautiful they sounded!
Wedding: 7/27/2013
We had a pianist play for our ceremony and reception and she was perfect! The Mozart Academy was so easy to work with, their rates were competitive, they were quick to follow up with us while planning the event and were so helpful in selecting our music. We would highly recommend the Mozart Academy!
Wedding: 6/8/2013
We contacted the Mozart Academy just a week before our wedding and they were able to put together the exact ensemble we were hoping for, violin and cello! They didn't take advantage of our urgency and charged us a reasonable price. The musicians were great and we were so pleased with the music.
Wedding: 5/18/2013
Just a quick note to say that our cellist was GREAT! The music was just perfect. Thank you Mozart Academy!
Wedding: 5/5/2013
We hired the Mozart Academy for our wedding and used their harpist to play for our intimate reception. The musician was great; on time, professional, talented. One of our guests ended up booking her for his event after hearing her at our reception! The manager was great too. We booked just a week in advance but they're so organized! Their help made this one piece of the wedding planning simple and stress free which is always a plus. I'd recommend the Mozart Academy to anyone!
Wedding: 10/6/2012
Our pianist played beautifully, it was just perfect. I've referred the Mozart Academy to a number of friends. They were so easy to work with and they have so many musicians to choose from!
Wedding: 6/16/2012
We didn't have to toss our budget out the window to have live music for our ceremony. Our solo pianist was perfect and fit easily into our tight budget. The added touch of having a live musician made the ceremony all the more beautiful!
Wedding: 8/25/2012
We hired the Mozart Academy for our wedding last year, they were referred to me by a friend. Leading up to the big day my only contact was the director Katie. She was very helpful and organized. The day of the musicians looked professional and sounded great! I would definitely recommend the Mozart Academy if you want limited hassle and great music.
Wedding: 5/19/2012
My husbands "friend" offered to play the guitar for our wedding ceremony only to bail just 6 days before our wedding. After a search online I called the Mozart Academy late on a Sunday begging for help. They calmed me down and promised they would help me. By the next night they had arranged for a violinist to play for our wedding. Their customer service? Outstanding.
And the music? It was just beautiful!
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Packages Starting At $250 !!!
See our featured story in The Knot Magazine this summer! Rates starting at $250, we offer all musicians including violin cello harp piano guitar vocals and more! Ensembles are also available including Duos, Trios, Quartets and Orchestras! Tell us what you want and we'll make it happen!
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podiumArticle Free Pass
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podium, plural podiums, or podia, in architecture, any of various elements that form the "foot," or base, of a structure, such as a raised pedestal or base, a low wall supporting columns, or the structurally or decoratively emphasized lowest portion of a wall. Sometimes the basement story of a building may be treated as a podium. The podium is usually designed with a modeled base and plinth at the bottom; a central surface known as a die, or dado; and a projecting cornice, or cap. Major Roman examples can be seen in the Maison Carrée (c. 12 bc) in Nîmes, France, and the Temple of Fortuna Virilis (c. 40 bc) in the Forum Boarium at Rome.
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Volunteer badge upgrade very much out of date as it only now replaces the "Castle" (as previously done many years ago with the erstwhile rank badges) with the new "pride of lions" shield. Further still very similar. Can be issued with volunteer badge after 5 years of volunteer service in the reserves. I don't wear one. Just another "thank you for arriving and being here" prize, not for doing anything. Same with 99% of the gongs going around. It seems they might even be giving out gongs for Ex Bata of last year. Next they'll hand out gongs for successfully going to the bog. We're becomming like the Yanks now.
Same with 99% of the gongs going around. It seems they might even be giving out gongs for Ex Batta of las year. Next they'll hand out gongs for successfully going to the bog.
Its Africa,soon they will be awarding those` bottle cap`type awards,like you see those generals in Africa wearing.
Getting one? Serve in a reserve unit and apply for one. No idea if you can get one after you leave (don't think it is like a medal in that regard). Reserve Units (Inf at least) countrywide are getting quite active again. Not like late 90's and early 2000's. There are now basically constantly people on deployment somewhere and units all over are growing again. Not too long ago only one or two units were up to anything (RldR & CTH mostly), but now it seems everybody is waking up. Will see how long it lasts.
Afternoon all, I started another thread about this, but was pointed here, so here goes. I was wondering how the SANDF compares to the older SADF, and if anyone here has served in/had experience of both? Since there seems to be a general feeling that the SADF were v effective, how does the newer force rate? I understand there was the Military Skills Development programme recently?
The SANDF is not on war footing, has a much smaller % of the GDP budget wise, has fewer members, has certain social debts to pay to certain members, is used to a certain extent as a socialist support structure, is not "backed" by the fourth estate (to the contrary, there seems to be a process of reporting almost exclusively only the negative), it has no set enemies which can be focussed and rallies against and bears the burden of both negative connotations from the previous regime's use of the army as well as negative connotations from the current. It is a peace time force.
Even looking at the pre-76 SADF (do not forget the state of the SADF at times prior to 76 - think of the Erasmus years etc) and today's SANDF, you cannot compare. We live in totally different worlds. Not just in RSA, but around the world, ie military disciplinary standards etc of those times would land one in jail today. This is not a matter of apples and pears, but two very different entities, fauna and flora if you will.
But that however does not say there is not a lot to be fixed still in the SANDF...
Things are however not always as the media chooses to portray them... and it is improving rapidly.
Perhaps a voluntary national service system like MSD is not suited to the new force?
National service/conscription would have been vital during a long conflict. But as you said the SANDF is not in that conflict now, and is a smaller force.
Having to train people up and then only getting 12 months productive time out of them must put a lot of strain on the training system with no hope of retention of these pers, and they'd be getting out of the regulars just as they start to get some experience and be most useful. I know there are regulars and reservists too, but why not have only them? Unless all reservists have to have done MSD, then you can still get reserves without MSD.
Unless the plan is to get them through the door on MSD and then persuade the best ones to stay full time or become reserve (citizen force?) officers?
You are correct in that the idea is also that the best ones are supposed to feed the regulars.
Ah, I see the idea better now.
Just thought it was a shame to train them up and lose them after 12 months productive time, but to be honest, whats the alternative? Make them sign up for 4yrs as a regular? If that would work, then there wouldnt be the problems you mention in getting new regulars.
Better to have the attraction of only a short contract, then at least you get 12 months out of them as opposed to the no time it would be otherwise (if MSDs wouldnt join as regulars, otherwise they already would have), and get fresh blood into the regulars and a lot more reserve troops. And hopefully convince some to stay fulltime or train them up into officers or NCOs...
I imagine with this voluntary national service, SA aims to have a much larger reserve force that can be mobilised, kind've like the reserves of Israel or Finland which include (I think) most of the able bodied population. Having it voluntary rather than conscript will hurt the numbers some, but at least they will be motivated volunteers and there will still be a large reserve/ex-national service swathe of the population to call on in times of crisis. And hopefully some new blokes supplied to the regular units every year for peacekeeping/expeditionary tasks.
And these days an attached reserve Coy as well.
Leadergroup would mostly be regular, with reserves and MSD's supplying some jnr leaders.
Serving terms are kept short to avoid the current problems where no exit mechanism exists for the serving ex-SADF and non-statutory force members. Having 40-something year old rifleman does not work. Nor having snr leadergroup from ex-non-statutory forces that are good for absolutely nothing (fortunately most have been weeded out - thanks BMAT, only took 14 years (and counting) to fix that).
The name is further supposed to say it all. "Skills Development". Initial training. Then on to the reserves to serve a full military life as a reservist. Does not realy happen as planned at present, but we'll wait with bated breath. Ex-MSD's now just dissappear when they exit the MSD system. Hopefully just a growing pain.
In the reserves we get far supperior quality soldiers, who remains in the system, if we train them ourselves. The problem is however that not all units are capable of providing quality training.
Training. Which brings me back to your posting. Only 12 months of training? If a military cannot train a quality rifleman in 12 months, it should get out of the business of soldiering.
Indeed, 12 months is ages of training for that role. My point was you would only have them for 12 months 'useful time' after this period before you lost them to civvy life (MSD is 2yrs, right?), so then you have to recruit and train up a new batch. Compared to regulars in most other armies who have to sign up for 4yrs. But then I guess 1yr of an MSD in a unit is better than no time from that individual in service, as these people wouldn't have joined as a regular anyway, hence the need for the MSD in the first place. So the choice from the SANDFs point of view isn't whether to employ MSDs or new regulars, but to keep on employing the regulars they have and to choose between employing MSDs or not. From this point of view, I suppose MSD is crucial.
I had no idea that MSDs were relied upon to make up almost half of a Bn, thats quite a number! Although I suppose it depends what is happening with that Bn, i.e. one deploying overseas will get as many blokes as it needs whereas one remaining in SA is a lower priority for receiving MSDs up to full manning. By this reckoning though, only 1 coy and the HQ are regulars - the regular part of the SANDF must be in a bad way if they can only put up one coy per bn (as well as the HQ and leadership)!
But these are just thoughts out of my own head due to what you have told me about MSD and the state of the SANDF, so I might be wrong... But that is the way I see it (i.e. its easier to train new riflemen every year than it is to attract new quality regulars)?
I can't believe there is no way out of the SANDF for ex-SADF and ex-other forces members? You mean they literally cannot leave? Or that they would have trouble slotting into civilian life for whatever reasons, if they did leave? And that is the reason there are 40yr old riflemen? I can't believe someone would be content to stay in the same appointment for 22-ish years with no thought of advancement and no new regulars coming in to replace them as riflemen...
Another thing you mentioned is that ex SADF and ex members of other groups work side by side. I can see how that might work now, but when the SADF had just become the SANDF, how could that be workable? There must have been a lot of former rebels from other forces pretty much dumped into what was the SADF in all but name at that point, and a LOT of recently-ex-SADF members with a lot of greivances against these new guys. Did the SANDF integrate new members directly into units, or go down the route of separate units for a cooling-off period before integrating them? There must have been a lot of tension and violence I'd have thought...
And one more thing, thanks for answering my (probably dumb) questions, so's I can learn more about South Africa's military - cheers!
State of the SANDF is not as bad as it sounds. Remember members only deploy on Peacekeeping if they volunteer. I have friends that between courses, deployments and training have spent about 30days at home during the last 4 years. After a while it is enough. No matter how dedicated a soldier you may be. Now imagine what its like for the ambitionless 40 year old rifleman.
So a unit might deploy with only 50% regular staffing, while back a base the barracks are still full.
Integration between the SADF, various other statutory forces as well as non-statutory forces actually went well all considered.
Not as bad as one could imagine, but that is probably the case or the whole of South Africa. But growing pains there were...
Last point. Reason for only two years is not members unwilling to volunteer if longer. Remember unemployment. The MSD system is way oversubscribed.
Having read the entire thread, I must say it is heartening to hear from people within the SANDF, that things aren't as bad as the media would like us to believe sometimes.
With regards to the discussion on the Olifant Mk.2 upgrade. With some media reports putting the number of tanks to be upgraded as low as 26, it seems to me that the skills of our tank crews must have eroded to a small competency base only(as our fighter aircraft capability has).
Given the low level of funding preventing the SANDF from exercising coventional tank warfare on a regular basis(more frequently than once a year), I wonder just how low our tank capability has sunk? (Apparently 1SA Tank Regiment has recently been deployed in their secondary infantry role due to lack of funds)
Can anyone comment on this?
I left the SAAC (SA Armoured Corps) some years ago, so can't speak from direct of personal experience but...
One of the Armoured Coprs main problems budget wise is that they are preparing for a conventional war in an era where there is no conventional threat. Mech Infantry to a lesser extent has the the same problem. Screw "civic pacem parrabelum", the "here and now" is all that is important for the politicians. The powers that be, like seeming everywhere in the world, is only looking at the short term here and now and accordingly when you stand in line for budget allocation, who will suck at the hind teat? Inf is mainly involved with peacekeeping (with the medics and engineers doing their level best to get in on the act as well) and is accordingly doing well budget wise. Now guess why tankers have been deploying as inf? "See, we can do this as well" type of thing.
And yes, to what I've heard (only re tanks - no knowledge as the "Katte", but I'd hazzard a guess that'll be the same), armoured training has suffered. Last time I spoke to chaps who've completed gunnery phase, each gunner fired only 4 to 6 rounds in total. And low and behold, "the best gunner on course got to fire an FS!!" (told with great awe). We used to fire more on a single assault...!
Back to the media. Yes, they specialise in painting dark pictures, and the truth is something that is sparingly used. Like one of those "based on true events" TV movies.


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D.C.'s Union Station featured at national rail summit
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- Daniel J. Sernovitz
- Staff Reporter- Washington Business Journal
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Amtrak's ambitious plan to turn D.C.'s Union Station into a world-class transportation hub captured the national spotlight Monday afternoon during a three-day conference on high-speed rail prospects.
Amtrak representatives and developer Arkidge highlighted their plans to build new tracks, shops, homes and office space at the Northeast D.C. transit station during the U.S. High Speed Rail Association's conference that began Monday.
The local project was just part of the event's lineup, which featured a range of speakers including outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., founder and co-chair of the Bicameral Bipartisan Congressional High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus.
Amtrak plans to spend $7 billion to add platforms, tracks and retail space at the historic train station. The project will lay the groundwork to tie Union Station into a high-speed rail network along the Northeast corridor and allow Akridge to build 3 million square feet of mixed-use space above the tracks slated to cost $1.3 billion.
"We need one another, and there's nothing like absolute necessity to create good partners," said Akridge project manager David Tuchmann. "We're trying to create something we can all be proud of, both from a commercial standpoint but also from a civic responsibility standpoint."
Amtrak revealed its master plan for Union Station, along with the company's companion Burnham Place project, in July. Amtrak and Akridge are still working through the details and financing, but both agreed Monday that upgrading Union Station's capacity, and developing the mixed-use project above it, will take significant collaboration.
Daniel J. Sernovitz covers commercial real estate.
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Staff Accountant U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | Washington, DC
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