Matt Persiani's blog

Lessons in Life and Aviation

Submitted by Matt Persiani on September 28, 2010 - 7:30am

Some of the best professional advice I have ever received came about nine years ago when I was a brand new pilot out of flight school, checking into my first operational squadron. I was sitting in the office of my first Commanding Officer (CO) having a one-way discussion on how not to screw up in his squadron.Read more

A Day Off in Iraq

Submitted by Matt Persiani on August 30, 2010 - 10:54am

Matt Persiani, a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, is serving his third tour in Iraq. As U.S. troops withdraw from the restive country, Persiani talks about the quieter days of his service.

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Returning Home from War - Part 2

Submitted by Matt Persiani on March 15, 2010 - 9:07am

Our chariot was a C-17 cargo plane, full of cargo. The Crew Chief pushed us down the side of a couple of large cargo containers, which look like trailers off of an 18-wheeler Mack truck, and around a couple of Army Humvees to our black canvas troop seats that fold down from the side of the aircraft. These are the same seats paratroopers’ use prior to jumping. It's a five-hour flight to Germany so the 12 of us found room amongst or on top of the cargo to stretch out. I laid down on the steel fRead more

Strength in Diversity: Rethinking Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Submitted by Matt Persiani on February 25, 2010 - 9:33am

During the State of the Union Address late last month, President Barack Obama announced that he will work with Congress to revise the U.S. Military's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, which has been in place since 1993. The law acknowledges that gay and lesbian personnel can be dismissed from the military should their sexual preference be revealed.
 
YPNation asked U.S. Navy Lieutenant and YPNation contributor, Matt Persiani, to share his thoughts on the current policy and the review now taking place.
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Draft? No Thank You!

Submitted by Matt Persiani on January 28, 2010 - 8:18am

I would like to take a moment to respond to Mr. Uehling’s comments on my previous blog, “My Generation at War,” because he brings up some very good concerns shared by many. First, I consider it an honor that he, as a fellow veteran, took his time to share his reactions on such important topics that should be discussed and debated between his generation and mine in order to determine the lessons learned to pass on to future generations.
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My Generation at War: Overcoming the Media's Expectations

Submitted by Matt Persiani on January 15, 2010 - 6:39pm

I read Genevieve Long's “Another War-Torn Generation” this week, and as someone deployed in Iraq would like to respond. A very well written article, yes, but perhaps she should have talked to the soldiers she saw in the airport.Read more