Dakar Delices » Army Knowledge

History of the Notre Dame Football Team

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:13:14 +0000

The University of Notre Dame is one of two Catholic universities in the United States that have a football team. The Notre Dame football team has the nickname of the Fighting Irish because it was mainly Irish Christian Brothers who were the teachers and coaches at the university. The first football team was developed in 1887 and played its first game on November 23 of that year. It lost this game to Michigan in a score of 8-0. They didn actually win a game until the end of the season in 1888 when they delivered a resounding defeat to Harvard Prep. During the seasons between 1889 and 1899, they continued to play with statistics of 31 wins, 15 losses and 4 ties. During this time they steadily developed a following and increased in popularity.

When Jessie Harper took over the position of head coach in 1913, Notre Dame confined its games to playing games between colleges and this marked the beginning of a longstanding rivalry between Notre Dame and Army and Michigan State. Harper remained as coach until 1917, when Knute Rockne took over the position. Under Rockne, the team won five championships and the Rose Bowl in 1925. Rockne enjoyed the highest percentage of wins in college football history. The saying in one for the Gipper?became the slogan of the team during this time as well. George Gipp, nicknamed the Gipper, was a player on the team and died of strep throat.

Heartley unk?Anderson took over as coach of the team from 1931 to 1940 and continued to bring the team to success. He was replaced by a former player, Frank Leahy, in 1940 when he left to become the Commissioner of the National Football League. By now college football was well established and fans all over the country cheered on the Notre Dame team. Leahy coached the team for 11 seasons and next to Rockne, he had the second highest percentage of wins with 87 wins and four national championships.

When Terry Brennan took over from Leahy in 1954, one could easily see a pattern developing in the coaches of the team. They were mainly former players with very little coaching experience, which continued until 1964. The appointment of Ara Parseghian marked the beginning of a new era in the football history of Notre Dame by hiring a coach that had played for an opposing team and one with coaching experience. Once again, Notre Dame would start to dominate in college football.

Other famous coaches that led this team to success included Dan Devine, Gerry Faust, Lou Holtz, Bob Davie, and Tyrone Willingham. Charlie Weis took over as coach in 2005 and achieved a record of 9-3 and an appearance at the Fiesta Bowl. During the 2006 season, the team also had an excellent season but fell to many defeats during the 2007 season.

It is easy to recognize the Notre Dame team by its home jersey. The jersey is dark blue with white numbers outlined in gold. The interlocking letters, ND, are engraved at the base of the collar. The team away jersey is white with blue numbers, still outlined in gold. Each jersey has the player surname across the back.

Recruitment in the Army

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:22:24 +0000

To enlist for military service is a dream for many students. It involves a lot of discipline thorough the job training, advance study monetary assistance, the need to cultivate leadership skills, lead an adventurous life and above all the urge to serve the country. If you want to enlist yourself with the military services, you can opt for the online application procedure. The recently developed army enlistment process allows the candidate to first evaluate and match his interests and abilities and only then decide on which job category he fits into. It also helps candidates with the entire recruitment process.

The information collected by the army enlistment personnel is kept private and confidential until the candidate himself chooses to divulge it to a recruiter. You will first come across a set of questions that you can complete all at once or save it, to complete later. Once the questionnaire is completed, the enlistment process starts matching your profile and interest with a detailed list of services in the database of the army server and then it lets you know about the results. The questionnaire involves:

Step 1:

The first step enquires personal information. This is an important step and hence you need to provide all the information accurately, so that the database can provide a list of jobs best suited for you.

Step 2:

Next, choose the timeframe in which you want to apply for the service, so that the database can check for the available jobs within that time frame.

Step 3:

Searching for the availability of jobs may take some time and in that time you can review and select the jobs of your preference.

Step 4:

Once you get the list of jobs available, matching your profile, start prioritizing them as per your interests.

Step 5:

The online enlistment procedure has the Army Career explorer option that guides you in a simple way to begin your online enlistment procedure. After the first step, take the help of the career explorer and keep on providing information within the slots provided. Finally, when you have finished completing the application, send it to your military recruiter. To discuss the other details about the recruitment process, your recruiter will contact you.

The U.S military offers 4,100 jobs in various categories. Choosing from such a list is not easy and it is absolutely imperative that you choose the job that not only interests you, but also matches your skills. Read the brochure thoroughly and dont rely only on military recruiters. You can also log onto a chat room, one that caters to military personnel and ask the newly recruited candidates all the questions that bother you. A much better option would be talking to a person who has military experience, who is currently serving or has successfully completed both, the basic and advanced military training.

However, avoid talking to those who left the military under less-than-honorable services, like those who were discharged for non-compatibility. You need to take the entrance test for enlisting in the service. If you are opting for a service after secondary school education, you can opt for ASVAB, but if you desire the officer rank after finishing college, your ACT and SAT scores will have to be good enough. You can avail of additional choices in the military if you perform well and score well. Therefore, dont take the ACT or SAT scores lightly and study well, before taking the exam.

The Nigeria Army and the War within

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:17:37 +0000

Following the continuation in the struggle for justice by an Army officer Lt. Colonel Silas Jock Santoi of the training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army who has sued President of Nigeria Umaru Musa Yar’adua and three others to court, over unfair treatment to him by the Army and the Federal High Court.

Col. Jock who had been having a running battle with the Nigerian Army since he was recommended for United Nations posting after completing a postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Studies (PGDS) in the University of Maiduguri told Nigerian Tribune that he is presently in court asking the Court to compel President Yar’adua whom he had earlier sent a Petition on his matter to intervene for him to set up a commission of enquiry to uncover the truth in his case that has been frustrated for long.

The case in question started when he completed his PGD programme and was supposed to proceed on a United Nation’s assignment based on the recommendations of the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Victor Malu. However, he was denied such privilege by some officers in Army Headquarters on the excuse that he went to school without approval of the Sponsorship by the army, despite the official release of the officer by his unit to proceed for the course. The officer then protested on the allegation and his matter was investigated and vindicated by the Army Superior Authority (ASA) in a letter Dated 29th, April 2003 and the Army Council approved this recommendation but the Army neglected to implement it.

As a result of the Army failure to implement the said approved recommendation, the officer further forwarded his complaint to the National Assembly who also investigated and advised the Army to do justice to the matter. Instead, the Army falsified a medical report produced by and Army Ophalmologist that the officer has a psychiatric problem with the intention to subject the officer to retirement on Medical ground. Hence the officer, base on the advice by a legal counsel who referred the complaint to the Federal High Court for determination of the controversies involved in the matter.

That since the matter was taking to court in 2004 there has been series of transfer from one judge to the other and frequent changes from one lawyer to another without the matter achieving the justice it requires all this according to the officer is because of conspiracy against justice in the matter. This however led to the officer making a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC). The council intervened in the matter and directed the then Chief Judge, Justice Abdulahi Mustafa of the Federal High Court to take necessary action to conclude the matter but nothing positive has been done till date.

However, in a statement from Army Headquarters, signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier Chris Olukolade, described Lt.Col.Jock’s suit as an attempt to rubbish the army.

“The legal department of the ministry of Defense is handling the matter on behalf of the defendants. Our advice to Lt. Col. Jock and only response to his petition and publications is meeting us in court!

“There is no record anywhere that Lt. Col. Jock was tried by a court Martial. And our records show that he has been lawfully retired from the Nigerian Army with extant Terms and Conditions of Service, TACOS applicable to the Nigerian Army” The statement emphasized.

In his reaction, Lt. Col. Jock insisted that every action he had taken since 2001 to date was guided and in compliance with the Armed Forces Act of 1993, section 178.

“My request to be tried by a court martial was denied in flagrant violation of section 117 of the Armed Forces Act of 1993.”He insisted.

On the issue of retirement, Lt. Col. Jock said he has not been lawfully retired from the Nigerian Army, and that the Federal High Court of Nigeria can bear witness to this, because according to him he went to court in 2004, as a serving military officer to seek redress, which is yet to be determined by the court.

“I have consistently been present in court for my matter and always properly dressed in my army uniform because I consider going to court as an official duty. Even in my last appearance in court on October 29, 2009, I was visibly present in my army uniform.

“Please note that the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) are very clear on this issue. The provision for security of service of a commissioned officer clearly states that, ‘no Commissioned Officer holding a commission of the rank of Lieutenant and above shall be called upon to retire, relinquish or resign his commission or transfer to reserve, or shall pressure be exerted on him to do so. Except by the authority of the Army Council.’ note also that ever since I made my seeking for redress in court, there has never been any communication between the Army Council and me in respect to retirement.

“There is another provision from the same document I quoted above that says, ‘any officer forced to retire after 15 years for reasons not traceable to indiscipline shall have his full pension and benefit on his salary based on the number of years he had served as at the date of retirement.’

“But ever since the Army illegally stopped my salary and benefits in 2005 for no just reason neither have I been notified by the Army, while this complain to seek a redress was still pending in court, no kobo has been given to me to date by the Army authority. So who is fooling who?”He asked metaphorically.

“Even if the Army Council advices an officer to apply for retirement he has the privilege to admit on that or else he will apply for an interview to the COAS and the Hon. Minister of Defense as the case may be to clarify as the reason for retirement.”He stressed.

He then explained that there has never been any report from the media or to the court that he has been dismissed or retired. In contradiction to a report credited to Col. Muhammad Yusuf, a former Director of Army Public Relations in one of the national dailies in November, 16th, 2005 on the pending matter of Sgt. Roggers and Maj. Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to Late Gen. Sani Abacha.

The report clearly explains that Rogers and Al-Mustapha like any other personnel facing trials, Court Martial and any other disciplinary problems remain Army personnel until Army Council finds them guilty and that until that happens, such personnel remains in service. Col. Yusuf further confirmed that Sgt Roggers and Maj. Al-Mustapha are never dismissed or retired and that they are still being paid salary despite the fact that they have been in detention since 1999.

On the issue of his denial of fair hearing in the Federal High Court, he maintained that the Court has a constitutional obligation to determine the controversy in any of the matter that is pending before it, in accordance to the rule of law. Referring to other military personnel whose matters have been treated in the courts.

For instance, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim Shinko, Suit number FHC/KD/CS/4/2004 in the Federal High Court, Kaduna, whose redress was granted and the court ordered the Army to re-instate and promote him to the rank Major. Another one is that of the Appeal Court which also make void the dismissal of Brigadier General Aminu Kano against the Army General Court Martial which convicted and sentenced him in October 20th 2006.

Another interesting case was that of Major Jacob Iyela, which the Supreme Court re-instated after Army Court Martial dismissed him for ten years on the grounds of alleged unlawful possessions of firearms. The apex court ordered the settlement of his salaries and other entitlements.

In another case of twenty-seven soldiers jailed for mutiny attended by the verdict of a General Court Martial, which tried the returnee United Nations Peace Keepers. The Supreme Court again ordered for their release from jail and immediate re-instatement.

The Chie

f of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Danbazau was once quoted to have said during the Nigerian Army law seminar in Abuja that the era of disobedience to court orders by the Army is over.”Now the question is why should my own case be treated differently since 2004 till date at the Federal High Court?”Lt. Col. Jock lamented.

On his petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the embattled army officer said his action is quite in order. Because Section 178 (3) of the Armed Forces Act of 1993, the law of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and section 39(1 and 3) of 1999 constitution, all empower him with the right to take such actions.

“The petition has been made due to manner of conspiracy against justice in my matter in the Federal High Court, which is in clear violation to the rule of law.

“I was reliably informed that the ICPC was to treat my petition, but was pressured against it by the presidency with the view to cover up my matter. Which is very unfortunate at the time the country is fighting against corruption and if the judiciary is not at this time sanitized at this time, there is hope for achieving the purpose of fighting corruption.” He complained bitterly.

“For example, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) which I suppose is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the interest of northerners. My experience however shows that the ACF appears not to be helping matters as it concerns Yar’Adua’s effort to achieve his cardinal policy of rule of law.

“I had reported a matter of abuse of rule of law to the forum sometimes in 2007, under the leadership of late Chief Sunday Awoniyi .They took interest in my case and made efforts to introduce me to one of the elders who is a legal practitioner to take up the matter. Nevertheless, the present leadership under Maj. Gen. I.B. Haruna (rtd) who was in the military and a lawyer overturned it to cover up the matter.

“Another one is the action of the former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha; also a northern elder who allowed his office to be abused to cover up the truth in my matter. This was done against the directive from the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to him to personally handle the case.

“I have also in the past reported this matter to some of my fellow prominent northern leaders, such as the Kaduna state governor, Arc Mohammad Namadi Sambo, retired and serving Generals, legal practitioners, including SANs among others, but all in vain simply because they want matters covered up.

In conclusion, Lt. Col. Jock advised the Director of Army Public Relations to kindly concern its publication to issues or prayers that are before the court. This mainly centered on false accusations, denial of fair hearing, ill-treatment and conspiracy against justice in the court rather than his attempt to divert the attention of the public on an unfounded issue of retirement that has nothing to do with his matters before the Federal High Court. Moreover, any attempt to bring retirement issue to court, that will be contemptuous against the court proceedings, which my previous counsel has properly advised the Army on this. I am now awaiting the outcome of the determination of my cases in the court since it is a constitutional obligation to the court to determine the controversies in all my complains that have been frustrated since 2004.