Life as an American soldier in Iraq.

[Betheny]

Obviously, I'm not the namesake of this thread. But today, I spoke for the first time with a friend of mine who has been stationed in Iraq for well over a year. He got married right before he was deployed; he's a decent fellow. I deal somewhat consistently with the military over in Iraq due to my job, and I honestly find the whole thing fascinating. But today, I realized that MY perception of what goes on over there is completely different than how it really is over there.

I have never been out of the US; (Canada doesn't count!), so I have a very difficult time relating to some of the things over there. But I'm interested. I know there are a few of you that read this board that are stationed overseas, and there's some civilians that have spent time overseas. I'd like to hear your experience, good and bad, with it. Not necessarily just Iraq, either.

Actually, I've had plans to maintain a blog while I'm in Iraq for the people who know me to know how i'm doing, and because I stay pretty active in political discussions for those people to see how my perceptions change\don't change when I'm there. I gotta add some stuff to it and I'll post the link later.

[Betheny]

My friend maintains a pretty good blog, it's very detailed and insightful. You should definitely post the link here, I'd like to read it, at any rate. When are you going to Iraq?

lil over a month from now

[Betheny]

Funny, that's when my friend is coming back. You'll probably be his relief. I think he's special forces.

[Caiylania]

I can't give a soldier's perspective but some of the stories they've come back to tell make you really feel for them. Not pity me stories, just, what its like. The people, the hate, the accomplishments. All of it. Then there are the families that wait, holding their breath that their loved one is going to come back on their own two feet and not in a bag.

[Betheny]

I've heard that the only thing worse than having a loved one get hurt or killed in action is having them come back to you changed, in a bad way. Some things profoundly change you. Look at a lot of Vietnam-era veterans. My dad spent four years in Thailand and Laos, and he seemed fairly normal. He had no problems talking about it. Then again, he was a diesel mechanic, and it wasn't as though he saw any action.

My grandfather, on the other hand, fought in WWII. He fought in Germany as a fighter pilot, and then in Japan, where he was shot down and taken prisoner. It's never been made clear exactly how long he was prisoner, but he still absolutely refuses to talk about it at all. My grandmother, who was married to him prior to his being deployed, knows most of the story. It's pretty horrific.

It makes me wonder. Back then, you were captured -- you didn't get your picture in the paper. No one talked about it. It was like a dirty secret. Now, you have assholes like Jessica what's her face, who get publicity ONLY because she was a female POW...

Anyway, I think I'm just ranting now. I guess the point is, I want to know what it is about being over there ('There' being a combat zone, or just immersed in a completely different culture) that can change you from your 'normal' self, to something different. Other than the obvious being away from home, etc.

[Blazing247]

My buddy is over there as we speak. He was sent over as a grunt, but has since moved up to Cpl and has transferred to a Recon unit. He was involved in one of the biggest firefights of the war in Falluja. When he told me how many confirmed kills he had I couldn't believe it. This is a happy go lucky kid that just liked to drink beer.

[Betheny]

Blazing, do you think his experience there has changed his basic personality? Is he a lot different?

[Fallen]

Keep your head down, Ranger. Best of luck man.

[Blazing247]

You'd expect him to be different, but I didn't notice it. He's still happy go lucky (immature, whatever you wanna call it). He chain smokes like a crack fiend now, but he isn't depressed or anything of the sort. I always joke around that I could take another person life, but he has taken over 20, many of them up close and personal in hand to hand. I'm not sure I would have the same resolve he has. I am going to be sending him a care package in a week or so because it's been too long.

[Betheny]

Originally posted by Fallen
Keep your head down, Ranger. Best of luck man.

I think that goes without saying. Maybe you ought to apply for... a janitorial position, or something. Cleaning up the mess... not making it.

I'm obviously joking, btw.

[Betheny]

Originally posted by Blazing247
You'd expect him to be different, but I didn't notice it. He's still happy go lucky (immature, whatever you wanna call it). He chain smokes like a crack fiend now, but he isn't depressed or anything of the sort. I always joke around that I could take another person life, but he has taken over 20, many of them up close and personal in hand to hand. I'm not sure I would have the same resolve he has. I am going to be sending him a care package in a week or so because it's been too long.

I'm told the thing guys over there value more than anything else in the world is powdered Gatorade mix.

Edit:
Would you believe they aren't allowed to have porn over there, because Iraqi culture frowns upon it? I mean.. damn, that's harsh.

[Edited on 8-25-2004 by Maimara]

[Blazing247]

<I'm told the thing guys over there value more than anything else in the world is powdered Gatorade mix.>

That's third on the list, I think. The number one thing he wants is a CD filled with porn clips/pictures. He told me all his men would be very happy with that some Jim Beam.

[Blazing247]

<Would you believe they aren't allowed to have porn over there, because Iraqi culture frowns upon it? I mean.. damn, that's harsh.>


Heh, dunno where you heard that. I sent him some right after he was deployed there and he's asked for more. He even gets limited internet access over there, which is pretty cool.

[Betheny]

ROFL -- He better not get caught with the porno. It's a major, major offense.

[Blazing247]

:oops:

He asked for it and didn't complain when he got it. Ah well.

[Fallen]

I think that goes without saying. Maybe you ought to apply for... a janitorial position, or something. Cleaning up the mess... not making it.

I'm obviously joking, btw. >>

I have been in the Army since late 2001 , M. I am by no means a Combat MOS, but I do my part.

Where is that damn festival info, woman? I will be in the MI one first week of Sept.


[Edited on 8-25-2004 by Fallen]

[Betheny]

Honey, I left the details to someone who hasn't gotten back to me.... he was supposed to check out hotels... and stuff...

I live in Virginia, not Maryland!

recon, Wo0t

[Betheny]

Originally posted by Blazing247
Heh, dunno where you heard that. I sent him some right after he was deployed there and he's asked for more. He even gets limited internet access over there, which is pretty cool.

Man,that reminds me of a halliburton commercial. I'm really glad they get 'net access though, it's got to help with depression, being able to keep in contact more easily.

[Axhinde]

It sucks. Enough said.

[Jack]

Heard about this blog on the radio the other day. Guy is a decent writer, reading his work makes you feel like you're there.


http://cbftw.blogspot.com/

Sounds like that guy is in the unit I'll be replacing.

Correction: it is the guys we are replacing.

[AnticorRifling]

Wet naps are your friend. We, military folk, have a different outlook on life than civilians. It's something that's hard to explain and it often comes across as snobby but it's not. It's just a more real grasp on things.

You do your job, you do it well and you get up the next morning and keep doing it. You don't do it for freedom, you don't do it for mom or dad back home, you don't do it for your girlfriend your wife or husband or whatever, you do it for that Marine, that soldier next to you. You keep him alive and he keeps you alive and that's all that matters.

You take, hopefully, that work ethic with you when you get out. You work hard for that person next to you. No matter where you go you do your job, you don't have to like it you just have to do it. I went to two other countries while I was in, one nice one a hot hell hole. I did what I had to do and I came home. I didn't think "Ohh God I'm here now things change." No matter the locale you do your damn job and you do it right.

[Jack]

Sounds like you'll be in for an interesting time then. You're unit have any armor, or are you going to be patrolling in Hummers?

[Axhinde]

Originally posted by Fallen
I have been in the Army since late 2001 , M. I am by no means a Combat MOS, but I do my part.


[Edited on 8-25-2004 by Fallen]


Aww, should I say it E? You know I wanna.


Originally posted by RangerD1
recon, woot

I was going to say something smartass here, but I'd be beating a dead horse. Jaded was the word, I think.

[Edited on 8-25-2004 by Axhinde]

I was going to say something smartass here, but I'd be beating a dead horse. Jaded was the word, I think.

Bring it ;)

[theotherjohn]

I have been in Iraq since Jan.

Gatorade and other drinks can be gotten free at a class 1 warehouse. Hopefully your leadership and his will learn that. There are also FOU money that can be used to buy other stuff.

If you have any questions ask here, use my email or

John Green
C Co 67th SIG BN
Camp Victory
APO AE 09328

concerning porn. dont put it on a military computer and dont show it to females

concerning alcohol. I know several who got it shipped in mouthwash bottles that were then resealed. I had to do one field grade article 15 for a guy being drunk. I was very angry his friends let him do it. The advice there is dont put your chain of command in the situation where they have no choice

I have been to 7 camps. Each one has a ATT phone center that cost a lot per minute to use. Most also have a internet cafe that cost 5 dollars per hour. The key to making a phone call there is to use DSN to call a stateside post and then have them transfer you to a local number. National guard armory also has DSN so you can call them during the day to reach all over america

[theotherjohn]

Originally posted by RangerD1
lil over a month from now

let me know when you arrive at the APOD. 40 of my guys are the guards there. I should be able to hook you up with some wiley x and other stuff

If you know where you will be in Kuwait till you go north would be better.

My buddy from ft sam is supposed to be hooking it up with some Wiley X's but I'll be sure to let you know. Thats real cool of you man, alot of people hate us scouts ;)

[theotherjohn]

Originally posted by RangerD1
My buddy from ft sam is supposed to be hooking it up with some Wiley X's but I'll be sure to let you know. Thats real cool of you man, alot of people hate us scouts ;)


I hate the scouts in your unit that profiled out of going with you but not you yourself

Hopefully your unit goes thru the RFI when they have lots of stuff.

I think I like the nomax glove better than the glasses.

anyways I have everything from the glasses to the pocketed camel backs so keep me updated

We already got our RFI, and we got shafted on glasses. We got these shitty colombo glasses with removable tints like dwayne wayne from the cosby spin off. P.s. I hate people who that shit regardless of MOS.

[Axhinde]

Originally posted by RangerD1

I was going to say something smartass here, but I'd be beating a dead horse. Jaded was the word, I think.

Bring it ;)

If ever your unit does a rotation down here, you'll receive it.

[Axhinde]

Originally posted by theotherjohn

Originally posted by RangerD1
My buddy from ft sam is supposed to be hooking it up with some Wiley X's but I'll be sure to let you know. Thats real cool of you man, alot of people hate us scouts ;)


I hate the scouts in your unit that profiled out of going with you but not you yourself

Hopefully your unit goes thru the RFI when they have lots of stuff.

I think I like the nomax glove better than the glasses.

anyways I have everything from the glasses to the pocketed camel backs so keep me updated

Did they issue you the Wiley's? And which camelback? We got motherlode's(this is how the company spelled it) before we went. We also got lucky and recieved the MICH helmets, the little 3 pound padded ones. Fuck a K-Pot.

[AnticorRifling]

DSN lines and knowing how to transfer from them is Godly. That's how I always called home. Gotta love bein a data dink.

If ever your unit does a rotation down here, you'll receive it.

I was there for all of march.


Did they issue you the Wiley's?

Nah, we got some dinky shit.

The motherlodes the big backpack like ones? I know we got the ones with a100 oz bladder and 2 medium sized pockets and yea these mich helmets are pimp.

The addy for my blog is http://thecla923.blogspot.com/ in case anyone wants to read it when I'm there.

[Axhinde]

Originally posted by RangerD1

If ever your unit does a rotation down here, you'll receive it.

I was there for all of march.


Did they issue you the Wiley's?

Nah, we got some dinky shit.

The motherlodes the big backpack like ones? I know we got the ones with a100 oz bladder and 2 medium sized pockets and yea these mich helmets are pimp.

The motherlode used to be the biggest one, now they have one that's like a fucking rucksack. You can fit a PRC-77 in a damn motherlode though, which fuckin rocks even though mostly units are using ASEPs or SINGARs.

We have m-148's

[Axhinde]

Did you come down here with the Strykers? I didn't go out on rotation in March, I just had surgery.

Yep. I'm in the second stryker brigade.

[EmpressBtch]

I can't speak for everyone there, but my other half is at Anaconda and he has a trailer and his own laptop with internet access. The basic rules were no porn, no booze and strangely enough no horror. Oh and no pork products, but he told me they served pork chops. Supposed to be no sex either, but I guess his neighbors were getting it on and shaking the trailer.