A recent survey by The Gallup Poll still finds that a majority of Americans view US involvement in Iraq was and is a mistake. Over the past year, the number has waxed and waned slightly, and even drew to a dead heat (49 percent con vs. 49 percent pro) in October 2005. The July 21-23 poll, released late last week, shows 56 percent consider sending troops to Iraq to have been a mistake, compared to 41 percent who believe it was not. As one might expect, a majority of Independents ally with Democrats on this issue.
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…