BajaNomad

How can civilians get the on-line Military "anti-terrorism" training?

Woooosh - 12-30-2008 at 09:56 AM

Todays Union Trib has a story today about how enlisted men now need a pass to visit TJ, Officers can visit at will , but ALL must have completed an "on-line anti-terrorism" course within the past year first.

This anti-terrorism training would be VERY helpful and reassuring to me and many other nomads I should think. Is there any possibility civilians could access that on-line info?


No link available on Signonsandiego yet... I hope someone wil post the story link when available.


"Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have restricted travel to Mexico for service members because of the drug-related violence. Enlisted troops up to the grade of E-6 must have a "1iberty chit" signed by members of their chain of command before they can cross the border, said Brian O'Rourke, a spokesman for Navy Region Southwest.

Officers and senior enlisted service members don't need such permission, but they do have to notify their command before their trips.

Service members of any rank must register online with the U.S. Consulate in Mexico, travel with a buddy and carry emergency phone numbers for the consulate and Navy shore patrol, O'Rourke said.

They also must have completed an online anti-terrorism training session within the past 12 months, he added.

The restrictions were issued Wednesday and took effect immediately. "

[Edited on 12-31-2008 by Woooosh]

DENNIS - 12-30-2008 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh


This anti-terrorism training would be VERY helpful and reassuring to me and many other nomads I should think. Is there any possibility civilians could access that on-line info?




Jeezo...If it ever comes to that, I'm packing my stuff and getting out.
Appreciate your thought though.

tjBill - 12-30-2008 at 11:11 AM

A course in simple street smarts might help. At least for the newbies.

Simple things like,
1) don't park your car on the street if you don't have an alarm
2) be weary of anyone who approaches you speaking English
etc., etc.

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 12:30 PM

Alas, there are over a million decent folks living in and around TJ. You suggest they all evacuate?

Evacuation ?

MrBillM - 12-30-2008 at 08:40 PM

Well, those that can get through the fence ARE.

Woooosh - 12-31-2008 at 09:33 AM

I was asking to see if someone had access to a civilian link for the on-line information. I think the facts about current border securty speak for themselves. Presumabaly the US military tourists would be unarmed targets (a lot like us)- and I just want to see what sucuirty tips the US GOv't will give to them- but not directly to us.

The Nancy Conroy Gringo Gazette used to have a good column written by a security expert.

Check with YOUR employer ?

MrBillM - 12-31-2008 at 11:06 AM

Since the U.S. military personnel are employees of the U.S. government AND an asset in which they have substantial resources invested, they have a "business" interest in maintaining that asset.

IF anyone else feels that they aren't receiving enough "training" to cross the border, I suppose they could just stay home.

Woooosh - 12-31-2008 at 11:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Since the U.S. military personnel are employees of the U.S. government AND an asset in which they have substantial resources invested, they have a "business" interest in maintaining that asset.

IF anyone else feels that they aren't receiving enough "training" to cross the border, I suppose they could just stay home.


I should think keeping the taxpayers alive that support the "employer" would be important too though. The again- I've heard that ICE agents have told people who came to Mexico and was victimized that they got what they deserved too.

Barack Promise

The Gull - 12-31-2008 at 12:32 PM

Didn't Obama promise training during his election?

Whether he did or not, all Americans are entitled to cross-border training. It should be renegotiated under NAFTA during this next Congress and the cost of it should be paid by Canada and Mexico.

Remember, ALL US Citizens are entitled to everything. All of that is promised in the Constitution, if not there, then in the Democratic platform for 2009.

Woooosh - 12-31-2008 at 12:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
Didn't Obama promise training during his election?

Whether he did or not, all Americans are entitled to cross-border training. It should be renegotiated under NAFTA during this next Congress and the cost of it should be paid by Canada and Mexico.

Remember, ALL US Citizens are entitled to everything. All of that is promised in the Constitution, if not there, then in the Democratic platform for 2009.


People get more safety information beforfe riding the tilt-a-wheel at Disneyland than before entering the Mexico ride.

Bajahowodd - 12-31-2008 at 12:54 PM

Do you happen to know if Nancy Conroy and Carrie duncan ever settled their differences?

Woooosh - 12-31-2008 at 01:15 PM

No- but I sure miss the honesty of the Gringo Gazette. A neighbor of muinie was hired by Torres to go around town and steal all her papers as soon as hey hit the news racks. Torres won.

Agree

Dave - 12-31-2008 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I've heard that ICE agents have told people who came to Mexico and was victimized that they got what they deserved too.


Unless you are driving to Guatemala, travel to Mexico is pure choice.

DENNIS - 12-31-2008 at 01:55 PM

What kind of anti-terrorism methods could there possibly be without the inclusion of weapons?

woody with a view - 12-31-2008 at 05:34 PM

i know how you can get the training....sign up for 4 years....Obama needs you!!!

Woooosh - 1-1-2009 at 02:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tastyone
When you have to get training to try to stay alive in Baja,It has to be time to wonder where you are choosing to live. All indications are for the Mexican economy to tank on a scale not unlike the collapse in the mid 90s.
When you consider that. Do you think its going to get better in northern Baja before it gets worse for you in regards to violence against gringos..


If I thought it was going to get better here (northern Baja)- I wouldn't be asking about getting anti-terroism training, would I?

tastyone - 1-1-2009 at 03:03 PM

No slag intended Whoosh.

You are lucky in that you have family to look after your house until all this blows over. If it does. I can not imagine that there is any market for a house in northern Baja at any price right now. Good luck and be safe.

Woooosh - 1-1-2009 at 03:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tastyone
No slag intended Whoosh.

You are lucky in that you have family to look after your house until all this blows over. If it does. I can not imagine that there is any market for a house in northern Baja at any price right now. Good luck and be safe.


The real estate market in Norte was dead before this recent wave of violence took hold. It just provided an excuse for it. Developers were pricing their projects on parity with San Diego or higher. Even Miami Beach was cheaper. No one was buying because they just got too greedy down here- the violence and economic downturn put the last nail in the coffin.

My house here will never be for sale. Both sides of our family have agreeed that it is a place for future generations to share and enjoy. The cremains of my family and pets are interred here and so will mine. My parents loved Baja too and helped select the area we built on. Every time I think we are having a bad day here- I read the news wires and thank my stars I am not stuck in Israel or Africa. Things could be much much worse- and, for all the bad things that happen to me here and I have posted about, I still feel blessed. Maybe I need to up my meds...:saint:

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2009 at 03:49 PM

Don't know if anyone noticed, but the U.S. economy in way in the tank. In some Southern California counties, housing prices are down by more than 1/3. So much of the development in Baja Norte was based on vacation or second homes. When gringos can't afford to hold on to their first home, don't think there's much of a market in second homes.

I still go to Baja Real Estate web sites that are listing homes for ridiculously high prices. There's a tail here. California prices have been dropping for over two years. Personally, I'm looking for the bottom in Baja to coincide with an uptick in the States, and bingo, increased interest in buying at vastly reduced prices.

Maybe Trump should turn that project into low income housing.

Woooosh - 1-1-2009 at 05:04 PM

They don't drop prices in Baja. It never occurs to them. Seriously. You may get lucky and find another gringo who understands supply and demand and will do a direct sale- but I woldn't hold my breath waiting for reasl estate prices to drop.