http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commando
In military science, the term commando can refer to an individual, a military unit or a raiding style of military operation. In certain contexts, the term "commando" is synonymous with elite light infantry or special forces. However, they should be distinguished from special forces units which specialize in counter-terrorism and/or extended, long range, ground-level reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines (of which the best-known examples are the British SAS Commandos and Delta Force).
Originally a commando was a type of military unit. In many foreign languages, "commando" or "kommando" also means "command". In a more individualized sense, the designation of "commando" to an individual is usually an unofficial term, but functions more as a social military term to higher ranking officers who have proven their right to give proper command. This is because the individual is so highly skilled in various areas of military, that lower ranking officers frequently seek some form of military guidance from the more skilled higher ranking officer, hence the name "commando".
In general terms, Commando Units conduct large scale offensive operations, normally beyond the range and capability of other more conventional units. Operation Chariot and Dieppe Raid of 1942 is an archetypal example of this kind of task. This is normally referred to as “raiding.” Commando Units have a variety of specialist capabilities which enable them to conduct these kind of operations, most notable a broad range of insertion skills which often include parachuting, airborne rappelling or fast-roping, or amphibious operations. Around the world many Commando Units have distinctive elements of dress or equipment which set them apart from regular forces, like the Green Beret, Navy SEALS or the Fairbairn-Sykes dagger.
I don't know why I have been wondering about the origins of this slang. It might have been when I noticed a few weeks ago that women were bending over close to me in Starbucks and they obviously weren't wearing underwear. That, in turn, reminded me of a conversation I was having with Suzanne Morgan at the new Building 33 conference center off 159th and I was telling her, for some reason, that I would never have an affair with a married woman. She seemed to be trying to talk me into having an affair with a married woman, though, and that was puzzling to me. I think it all started because I commented about a woman in front of us that looked good in blue jeans. Suzanne wasn't impressed because she had pantie lines showing and I told her I kind of liked that look, actually. A short time later at that same meeting, I would wonder if Suzanne was trying to get me to notice that she was obviously wearing a thong under her pants.
The 1/10/2005 date on this article was 3 years, 3 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, after 9/11/2001.
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http://slate.com/id/2112100/
Do Commandos Go Commando?
Soldiers and their skivvies.
By Daniel Engber
Updated Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, at 6:36 PM ET
According to a recent report in Newsweek, the Pentagon may send special forces teams to the Middle East to train, advise, and support handpicked Iraqi soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques. If the United States pursues this plan, our commandos will presumably advise the Iraqis about the finer points of stealth warfare—including what to wear. Which raises one question: Do our commandos really go commando?
From 9/11/2001 to 12/21/2004 is: 3 years, 3.33 months
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_%28magazine%29
Slate (magazine)
Slate is an online news and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft, as part of MSN. On December 21, 2004, it was purchased by the Washington Post Company.
I recognize the date 7/2/1976 as when I intercepted the comet in the outer solar system and set to work at diverting its path.
From 7/2/1976 to 2/18/1977 is: 33 weeks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Enterprise
The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere.
On January 31, 1977, it was taken by road to Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, to begin operational testing.
While at NASA Dryden, Enterprise was used by NASA for a variety of ground and flight tests intended to validate aspects of the shuttle program. The initial nine-month testing period was referred to by the acronym ALT, for "Approach and Landing Test". These tests included a maiden "flight" on February 18, 1977 atop a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) to measure structural loads and ground handling and braking characteristics of the mated system. Ground tests of all orbiter subsystems were carried out to verify functionality prior to atmospheric flight.
I recognize the date 11/2/1975 as when I launched into space to intercept and divert the comet. I returned to Earth on 4/14/1977.
From 11/2/1975 to 8/20/1977 is: 1 year, 41 weeks, 4 days
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_2
Voyager 2 is an unmanned interplanetary spacecraft, launched on August 20, 1977.
It is identical to its sister Voyager program craft, Voyager 1, but unlike Voyager 1, Voyager 2 followed a slower trajectory that allowed it to be kept in the ecliptic (the plane of the Solar System) so that it could be sent to Uranus and Neptune by means of gravity assist during the 1981 encounter at Saturn. Because of this, Voyager 2 could not see the moon Titan up close like its twin, but it allowed the probe to become the first spacecraft to travel to Uranus and Neptune, thus completing the Planetary Grand Tour, a rare geometric arrangement of the outer planets that only occurs once every 176 years.[1]
Voyager 2 is arguably the most prolific space probe ever launched from Earth, visiting four planets and their many moons, including two first visits to previously unexplored planets, with powerful cameras and a multitude of scientific instruments, at a fraction of the money later spent on specialized probes such as the Galileo spacecraft and the Cassini-Huygens probe.
