I just got home from Iraq....

As some may recall, I was mobilized and sent to Iraq (Fallujah and West Anbar) for the past 8 months.
It was interesting, to say the least.

I served as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Battlaion, as both the infantry advisor and an intelligence advisor.

Does anyone have any questions about my tour/what it's like/etc.?

I just got home on Friday. (saw my 7 month old son for the first time).

Glad you made it home safe :hug:

And congrats on the birth of your son!!! :D

Are you on leave, or are you home for good?

thank you for going over there. :hug: Second, do you know if it's true that now there are none Iraq troops ready? I heard this on Stephanie Miller's show earlier. Did you find out any of the other troopers, Iraqi or American, feelings about everything going on now?

congrats to the new baby! I'm glad you got to see him.

I'd say that about half of the Iraqi Battalions are ready to operate independently. Our Battalion (as did many other) had its own battlespace in Fallujah. They were very successful. With less support and assets, they managed to capture more "bad guys" than any of the Marine units of equal size (Companies).
They lack competent logistical support from higher, though. Much of that is due to corruption in the higher ranks of the Iraqi Army/MOD.

The attitude of the Iraqi army towards the current clashes, is pretty much "it's about time". They've sat back and absorbed so much Sunni perpetrated violence, that they are now just hitting back. Most of the so called "sectarian violence" has been one sided; coming from the Sunnis.

Hasn't this changed in the last few days, given that al Sadr's Medhi Army has been engaging in attacks since the mosque bombing in Samarra?:shrug:

Mostly showings of force.
"Occupying" of Sunni Mosques for their "protection".
That sort of thing.

...and again, welcome home and congratulations on your new son!!!

A new Zogby International poll has 72% of the troops wanting out by year's end. 29% want immediate withdrawal. In your time there, did you get a sense as to whether or not these numbers are accurate?

Welcome back, by the way.

First of all, welcome back. Glad to see that you are back in one piece and back with your family. Congratulations on the baby!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that my husband tells me many of the same things. He has met a lot of Iraqis while he has been in Fallujah and he says they are all pretty supportive of our guys who are there. I don't know if he has had a lot of contact with Iraqi military forces though, I think he meets mostly civilians.

I still don't approve of the war, and the death that it has caused, but sometimes I do believe that the press overblows the negatives. I don't know how I feel about that--part of me doesn't care because I want the war to end and whatever turns public opinion is okay, but mostly I'm just sick of the press sucking at its job.

When the war started, they covered it through rose-colored lenses, and now that some aspects are a little better, they're saying that it is worse... I don't know...

How do you know the disposition of the Iraqi Army? Do you speak arabic?

Do you mean what Iraqi, or what American unit?

I was with one of the Marine MiTT units. (under RCT8)
Iraqi, I was with the 2nd Bn, 2nd Bde of the 1st Iraqi IIF division.

Na'am -a little.
My Arabee is Shway-shway. Though my Iraqi friends said that it's "coolish Zein"

If you don't speak arabic. Also, how were you aware of any corruption? Did you witness this corruption? Or did you "hear" about it in briefings and intelligence reports? In the form of what? Theft? Did you witness any atrocities perpetrated by U.S. contractors like MPRI, Dyncorp or Blackwater?

Plus I had 'terps.
You try going on a couple hundred combat patrols with the Iraqis. You learn their attitude pretty fast.
The corruption is apparent in that there are "no show jobs". Ghost Iraqis. Their pay arrives in a giant sack. They have no electronic banking.
If this was so in the US, it would occur there, too.

As far as "atrocities" committed by the contractors, no.
Those guys are glorified security guards with very little contact with the populace. If they were to try to detain someone, they'd be hammered for it.
They didn't have the ass to come into our AO. -too dangerous.

And you have seen no evidence of an impending civil war? Just curious... why are you propagandizing this information on DU?

To the conservative fuck wads that are lurking here. First off let me say you are all cowards. Michelle Malkin is a racist bitch. Rush is a coward who did not serve in the military neither did that limp-dicked Sean Hannity. You people are the most pathetic excuses for human beings and you will have your day to answer for the atrocities and lies that you have perpetrated. You are all cowards. The entire planet despises your disgusting ilk and you will pay. I understand that as most of your parents were indeed siblings your inability to be decent human beings who contribute to society rests in your defective genes. Now you may return to your hate and racism. I once had a "Bad Cat" who would not behave. I put him down because he was diseased and I didn't give it a second thought. You inbred sacks of shit, return to your basements or holes or wherever you crawled from.

He can't talk until he's out, at which point maybe he'll talk about torture, civilian killing, chemical weapons use, looting, corruption, imperialism, bigotry, abuse, intimidation, snipers, urban warfare, propaganda, etc...

It ain't going to happen now, he'd be court-martialed.

My only question is why'd he join in the 1st place? Was he aware of the illegitamacy of this fake war when he joined? Of course, that can't be answered either.

Hardly sounds like a way to run a country...

...over time.

People are actually paying bribes to get in the army.

Welcome back, but forgive me if I don't take your experience as definitive.

Best to you and your family.

First welcome home and congrats on the baby :)

This is from an AP report last week:

WASHINGTON — The number of Iraqi army battalions judged by their American trainers to be capable of fighting the insurgency without U.S. help has slipped from one to none since September, Pentagon officials said Friday.

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/26/44026f0e323fc

When they capture "bad guys", what happens? Is it always a result of information from informants?

And does the Iraqi army view the extremist attacks generally as "Sunni perpetrated violence"? That would not bode well for a significant minority of the population.

Thanks for any insights

It's the lack of logistics that holds them back, and the constantly changing metric by which they are judged.

that's funny, considering all of the forces that the Shiite-dominated authority have behind them. You mean to tell that all of those anti-insurgent raids I've been hearing about that involve U.S. and Iraqi troops aren't another side of the violence? Isn't the new authority's military force just another group of Iraqis warring with other Iraqis?

I would consider all of the violence our troops have inflicted on the Iraqis as provocation enough, especially when coupled with the military support and assistance we are giving the new authority's regime.

How do you, as an American, judge and distinguish between the warring groups? Do you support the the new regime because there have been elections, or is there something fundamentally correct about them that they deserve your support?

Is any resistance to the new authority justified? Why do you feel Americans should be the ones to sort all of that out, fighting, killing, and dying for the ruling authority, one 'sect' of a disparate population of sects and factions?

First, how are you doing? I hope all is well and kiss that baby!

,...presence in Iraq? Also, do they still plan to spread the war to Iran and/or Syria?

:hug:

No questions here...just very glad to have you back. Have fun with the baby!

:patriot:

have to say about your tour and any thoughts you have about the war in general. I'm glad you made it home safely and have gotten to meet your little son. I hope you don't ever have to go back over there and all your fellow soldiers can come home too--safely.

I remember your good-bye thread! I am so glad you made it home safe (and hopefully sound!).

Congrats on your little boy!

:hug:

No questions at this time....

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

was it a girl or a boy?

A big boy.

Thank you for all that you have done.

I have a cousin over there, were, I haven't a clue. My question is, how is troop morale?

Congratulations on your new son.
And thank you.

are the wheels coming off?

I notice US casualties are dropping steadily the past few months, are things getting better or are our guys just keeping their heads down better?

so glad you are home and safe! :hug:

So how are the troops general moral?
and a recent poll taken of the troops suggested
that a majority feel they should get out of Iraq
in a year or less- Do you find this poll has credence?

Have fun with your son!

At least amongst those of us who were out there in the midst of things.
I can't speak for that of the bored support personnel stuck on the FOBs.

I only have one question about Iraq should would we stay or should we go?

-my humble opinion.

Leave when the Brigades can operate on their own.
If we leave now, there will be a bloodbath.
NOT a "civil war". But a brutal attempt to destroy the insurgency.

The Iraqis know who controls and supports the insurgency. They will simply kill those people when we leave.
(The Sheiks and Imams who the US know about, but only have single source evidence against)

Next question are Brigades fighting for there democracy or just picking up a pay check. I guess what I am saying is training them a waste of time and money. Do you know what the real count of Iraqis trained.

some the cash, some the ideal.

What I would like to know is will the ideal protect the rights of Assyrian and other Christians (and Jews) that they had under Saddam Hussein? Will the ideal protect the Kurds right to self-determination?

Will the ideal prohibit torture and the death penalty, or will the Brigades stand by while the insurgency is "brutally crushed" when we are gone? Will the Shiites refrain from attacking the US if we decide to stay once the insurgeny has been brutally crushed by a victorious, Iran-aligned, right wing Shiite regime?

That guy in the seersucker suit who ran against Jaafari, described as the "Secularist" leader of Al-Hakim's Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq -- is he (the slimy looking three-piece-suit "secularist" who ran against Jaafari) as "CIA" as he looks to my non-discerning eyes?

Don't worry if you can't answer some of these questions to my satisfaction. ;-)

:hi:

Go heap some love on your wife and play with your new son, soldier! Make up for that lost time. THEN come back and let us know about your experiences in Iraq! :-) :-) :-)

Glad you are back home, safe and sound where you belong, man! Thanks for your service, and you KNOW we're all here for you for whatever you need.

Your post made my day. :-)

Totally NOT what I thought it would be---:rofl:

It's simply unprofessional (as a Marine) to discuss politics with the troops.
Especially whether one likes or dislikes a certain politician. (unless they say something particularly stupid).

.....tell us anything and everything you can think of - little big doesn't matter. Also, how close is Iraq to an all out civil war? Does anyone over there like Bush? What is the average US sentiment about Bush? OMG, there's so much more but that will do for now to give us a beginning picture of what the real situation is.

Thanks for your service and be sure to tell us all about the little one. :bounce:

edited: BTW, Welcome to DU, hope you like it here as much as the rest of us do. :hug:

How many hours to you have for questions? :P

peace.

If so, can we get the heck out of there?

And, welcome home! It must have been amazing to see your kid.

I am glad that you are home alive and well! :patriot:

:bounce: I don't know what to ask. I'll just listen. :)

It would be nice to know more about how the troops are doing and any real experiences you may be able to share with us.

:kick:

and I hope you don't ever have to go back there again.

We'd all love to hear your impressions, but be careful. You know this board is monitored.

nt

Heh, heh... "DU poisoning".

I know they told you guys it was all bunk, but that's what they said about Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome too.

All of the "DU" issues, as well as any chem/bio ones, as well.

It's just not as wide spread as some believe.

nt

...because you have been let in the the secret?

You must feel very special.

This is something you should be aware of, as the father of an infant.

Welcome home! I wish you the best.

nt

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

There were 8 patients at Moffitt Cancer Center the last time I was there..(That I know of.) I talked to a wife of a guy that had been in Kabul, and her husband was 28 and he had a brain tumor.. (She was the only one I personally spoke to, but the other women raised their hands when she asked who all was there that was in the same boat she was.) She claimed that there were at least 50 people that she knew of that had come back with cancer, or other symptoms.. I have to go to Moffitt alot because my FIL is in a experimental program there.. The wives and mothers are always out smoking cigarettes while their husbands and sons (from what I've seen the average age is like 28 or 29)are in getting their treatment talking shit about the administration..(And I don't blame them a bit.) Someone isn't telling you the truth and for your sake and your families you may want to get checked..

BTW, I've written about it several times here on DU because I started noticing about 5 months ago that there were so many service men showing up to Moffitt with weird forms of cancer.. When I go out to smoke there is always someone out there to talk to about it..

No one has mentioned it at all.
We check the box if we've been exposed, no, if we have not.
Period.
Grunts don't encounter it, because we don't use it.
There haven't been many Anti Tank rounds fired since the push.

clearly isn't the case..

on edit- The women that I spoke to said that they had not yet admitted to her that her hubby had been exposed..


on 2nd edit- For the sake of your family I'd look into it if I were you..

Welcome home! And congratulations on your son - may he grow up to be as fine and honorable person as you are. I do have a question, if you don't mind. Do you know how the major archaeological sites are doing? Are we trying to protect them from looting? Many thanks.

:patriot:

Congratulations on the birth of your new son!:toast:

No questions, just very happy to hear you're home, safe and sound!!!:thumbsup:

without getting into a whole shtload of trouble here in this "free country". When you are out of the military, come back and talk then.

You have my condolences for going to Fallujah, I'm sure that sucked beyond belief.

I just might not give you the answers you are looking for.
My view over there was pretty mypoic. I was in Fallujah, and elsewhere in Anbar.

I found Fallujah to be a very interesting city. Now that I'm home, I'm going to study the ancient history.

It did not "suck beyond belief". It was dangerous. I saw unpleasant things.
But I also saw inspiring acts. Lives saved.
The little girls are the cutest, brightest things on this planet.
Their future in that Wahabi Town is not promising, though.

--- While 85% said the U.S. mission is mainly “to retaliate for Saddam’s role in the 9-11 attacks,” 77% said they also believe the main or a major reason for the war was “to stop Saddam from protecting al Qaeda in Iraq.” ---

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075


And, could you comment on the accuracy of this poll, specifically answering this: Are 85% of the troops in Iraq either that stupid or brainwashed?

Some sites that may interest you:


Col. Matthew Bogdanos, 2005 National Humanities Medalist: http://www.archaeology.org/0401/etc/conversations.html
"Reading Homer's Iliad at age twelve sparked a lifelong passion for the classics in Matthew Bogdanos, and led to his latest venture – retrieving antiquities looted from the Iraq National Museum during the early days of the U.S. invasion."


IraqCrisis: https://listhost.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/iraqcrisis
A moderated list for communicating substantive information on cultural property damaged, destroyed or lost from Libraries and Museums in Iraq during and after the war in April 2003, and on the worldwide response to the crisis.


Iraqi Libraries Network: http://iraklib.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/
This site has been created by Iraqi librarians for Iraqi librarians in an effort to help Iraqi academic and scientific community.


The Iraq War & Archaeology Documentation and Information Project: http://iwa.univie.ac.at/

Your comment about the Iraqi girls really got to me. Thanks and welcome back.

how was it?

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

and welcome home! i have the greatest respect and admiration for all of our soldiers over there.

here's my question: a new Zogby poll states:


Le Moyne College/Zogby Poll shows just one in five troops want to heed Bush call to stay “as long as they are needed”
While 58% say mission is clear, 42% say U.S. role is hazy

Plurality believes Iraqi insurgents are mostly homegrown

Almost 90% think war is retaliation for Saddam’s role in 9/11, most don’t blame Iraqi public for insurgent attacks
Majority of troops oppose use of harsh prisoner interrogation

Plurality of troops pleased with their armor and equipment

An overwhelming majority of 72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and nearly one in four say the troops should leave immediately, a new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey shows.


QUESTION: Do these findings reflect how the soldiers you met over there feel, by and large? Do they still believe in a Sadaam- 9/11 connection? How do they feel about the Bush admin pushing for the UAE port deal?

So many questions! I hope you and your family are enjoying your reunion!

:patriot:
:hug:
:party:
:grouphug:
:woohoo:
:bounce:

I'm so glad you're home safely. You must be so overjoyed to finally be able to play with your little boy! Congratulations!

Or, do they band together everyday from their homes?

How are they enlisted? Is it a formal process, or do they just show up, are given provisions and assigned?

How much training do they get before they are supplied with a weapon and sent on missions?

Did you direct any of your trainees into any active combat?

What is the turnover/retention rate?

Did you consider yourself to be operating on one side of a sectarian war? Any thoughts about your role in propping up the new Iraqi regime?

Any thoughts about the new Iraqi authority you helped defend?


I'm very happy that you made it back. Welcome home.

edit: What are you painting?

Just read an article about a soldier who returned from Iraq after serving a year there working on computers. Didn't see combat, but says the guys who did are well cared for and he liked the fact that there was a Burger King and a Taco Bell at his station.

Hope things went that well for you.

Blessings.

That's for sure.
I lived IN Fallujah. I had Iraqi neighbors who I could wave to.
I ate the Iraqi food. Their produce is AWESOME.
The garbage fed sheep leave a bit to be desired.

Decompress. Chill. Enjoy. It's nice to get back to The Land of Round Doorknobs.

to let us know you're back. Welcome back and glad you got home safely. Congrats on your new son!

:hi:

A fresh perspective will be good.

Seeing your new son for the first time must have been a wonderful experience. Take care.

We're all proud of you! And congrats on the little one.

(Ummm, there's been a bit of fascism here while you were gone . . .)

A big hearted hug and thank you. Agree with the poster that said get off DU and love on your wife and baby.

If I might suggest, do several posts on your experiences. We really get no news from the field so what ever/whenever you post will be appreciated.

My worries...our guys don't get what they need now and after they come home, Iraq may be on it's way to civil war and our guys will be trapped in the center. Do the guys understand that those that protest the war really support the troops (we are so proud of them)-not the war, and want to see them home yesterday. What odds do you give a secular Iraq government to survive. How are the Iraqi people doing? Life must be so difficult.

As much as you will let yourself tell us. Just start making posts telling what it was like, the day to day, you know like little short stories. Thats what I would like to read not so much as answers to questions. Your personal experiences, your thoughts before, during and after, the emotional ups and downs, your questions. May you forever be blessed in whatever you endeavor. Thanks for your Service. We are trying to make the world a better place for all the sons and daughters.

Please feel free to tell us what it was like for you... but first know that we're all glad you're safe and home and with your family -- now go be with them!

.... thanks for your service and congratulations on your new family member!

here at your DU family.
Congratulations on your safe return, your new son, and your service to America.

From the white phosphorus that was used? IIRC, some Italians did a documentary on this a few months ago and it was horrible.

Not in Fallujah.
I've never heard of WP being used too extensively, except to mark targets.

Just kidding. (Well, partly, it'd be swell if you were.)

Welcome back, glad you're safe, congrats on your son, and thank you for your service.

I try to think about the troops serving there every day. To remind me, on my cube wall is this wartime prayer that Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have carried with her throughout WWII:

Dear Lord,

Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?

Enjoy and hold your son. My only son is in Tikrit. He is doing a year over there. I asked him what the food was like, but they can't have it. He said they are not allowed to eat the local food or drink the water.

:patriot:

What surprised you most?

What upset you most?

I am so glad you are home safe! I hope you can be a happy little pony now!

Enjoy your baby and thank you for your service.

I send care packages to remote units, any suggestions? They are so sweet and hate to ask for anything.
Glad you are back.

Well, I'll ask . . . .

What do the REAL soldiers think of bu$h? How free are you to talk to each other, freely?
Did you ever get letters from school children? (I'm a teacher, and my class writes to soldiers regularly).

Welcome back! Congrats on your son, and thank you for your service!

no questions yet, but please post again!:kick:

No questions at the moment ('cause it's crazy here at work) but welcome back.

I hope you are well.

Thank you

It must have been very difficult to know your wife was delivering your son and you could not be there.

:patriot:

Hmmm. We should be thankful to someone who served on a mission we disapprove of? I'm happy you got back in one piece dude, but forgive me for not exactly feeling like I want to unfurl the flag.

the evil chimp does that.

Just askin'.

:evilfrown:

Although "thankful for" might not be the word for a religious pacifist such as myself...

If I were over there, my aim would be to see me and my comrades out of harm's way. In Vietnam, veterans were allowed to return after the war was over... I wonder if US vets will ever be able to travel Iraq again, especially if things get hot with Iran.

I don't know why but I'm a bit suspicious about all this.



Just sayin'...

Not sure what happened there...

but, in that case, wouldn't this thread have been locked by now?

poorly

From reading this thread, it is obvious you are supposed to paint a prettier picture than what is actually happening over there. I also would love to hear the real story once you have left the military. Thanks again and may all your comrades-in-arms return home safe and soon.

Sorry to break up this lovefest. What are your feelings about Bush? Have you witnessed any atrocities perpetrated by American soldiers? Are there any atrocities being perpetrated by American soldiers?

Congratulations on the new son, and so happy you are safe with your family!

Well, not verbatim, they like to throw in their lies and vitriol. Hey! Inbred conservatives! "vitriol" is corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide, as in that shit that spews from your asses, I mean mouths, you know what? They are the same fucking thing. You limp-dick, incestuous, disease ridden, piles of shit.

This member is no longer able to respond to replies.