Well Ive been home for about 3 weeks and I figured its about time to check back in. Ive been doing a lot of thinking and alot of reflection in these 3 weeks. Ive relized alot of things. Things that used to worry me before I went to Iraq dont worry me as much. For example money, yea it is important but it sure aint everything. My family is a hell of a lot more important to me than having money. There are alot of little things too. but lets talk about Iraq.

My Opinion (some of you will disagree) is that regardless of how we got there, we do need to be there now. We made the mess (if you will) now we need to clean it up. And even though it isnt reported on, We are doing that. There are Servicemembers out there every day training, patrolling and fighting, trying to make Iraq a better place. What alot of people forget is that the reason it is taking so long to fix it is that Iraq under Saddam was so F'ed up that alot of thing have had to be rebuilt dang near from scratch. municipal utilities like water and electricity stations were not maintained properly, and now must be repaired or rebuilt. think about roads here in the US, they must constantly be repaired, well no one has been doing that in Iraq for probably 8-9 years at the least. Plus the fact that the insurgents keep blowing up sections of roads with IEDs.

While we are at it lets talk about IEDS. as you all know I was wounded due to an IED (I am on light duty now, will hopefully be back on full duty soon) so these evil things have a special meaning to me. The insurgents are losing the war. They have had to resort to guerilla/terrorist type tactics to be able to fight us. One of these methods is by placing IEDS. All an IED is is an artillery shell or container filled with explosives, with a blasting cap placed inside, then wired to a phone base station (same principle as a cordless phone) hooked to a battery or a wire running to a position with a battery. The insurgents have somone watching a patrol or convoy and when they get near it they set it off. This is not news to anyone. But that the insurgents know that this is the only way that they can fight us, means that the only thing they can do is try to erode support by creating casulties until we as citizens make the president pull out all the troops. The insurgents have tried time and time again to stand up and fight both US AND Iraqi Army forces, and every time they do they get their Butts kicked. For the first 3 months that I was an advisor for the Iraqi Army, The insurgents tried to come out and fight us. And every time they did, they were the ones that ran away, they were the ones getting their butts kicked. So they started placing IEDs. Well I have seen some estimates that even with all of the explosives that may have fallen into their hads after the fall of Saddam( think of all of Iraq as one giant ammo and weapons dump) they are running out. Many IEDs might go off though out the country, but out of that number only a few even cause any damage. and many do not result in casulties regardless of what the News reports say. which brings me to my next topic

In the 6 months I was there, We only had 3 groups of reporters come out into our area, and one of them was from armed forces network (he spent a day and a 1/2, and probably did the best reporting, I'll see if I can find the AFN link to the report). G Gordon liddy came out for about 2 hours, and a fox report came out for about 1/2 an hour. How do they find out all the facts in such a short period of time?? I have also talked to people that are in bagdad that say most of the reporting you see is from people that never even leave the green zone. They do all their interviews by phone then report the news like they were actually there. They were not there when the insurgents in our area attacked schools of children that our Iraqi patrols were providing supplies to, they were not there when the insurgents actually blew up a school (empty at the time thankfully), They were not there when the insurgents wounded or killed many inocent civilians in our area. These are the things that I think should be reported on, That these insurgents are criminals and thugs, that they act like animals to their own people. some reports say that there are no foreign fighters in Iraq, that it is all iraqis fighting us. Well I can personally say that that is a lie, insurgents from foreign countries are in iraq . I cant say much, but we have killed some of them.

The Iraqi army. When the revolutionary war started, we got our buts kicked by the british many times before we finally gave as good as we got. Well the New Iraqi army is the same way. They are not learning how to do their job in a peacetime envionment, they are learning during combat, and let me tell you combat has a Steep learning curve. and they are learning and are winning. My Iraqi soldiers were not as good as US Marines, but they are better than the insurgents. They will win over this insurgency, they just need help from us and time. I would go back over there tommorrow to train and work with them again. Because they ultimately are iraqs future, they will make Iraq safe.

I'll post a link to the AFN report on our advisor team tonight if I can

Hey shipmate, great to here from you again!

Methinks you're probably correct that some here'll not be overly enthused gettin' a first hand report from someone who was there and saw it first hand. I sure enjoyed hearin' it though, thanks! You ain't the first to surmise that reporters don't even seem to make the attempt to get out and report on what's really happenin' over there. We had reports quite a while back from family members of folks who'd been there indicatin' pretty much the same thing, eh?

Glad you are doing better.

Thank you for posting this.

Glad you are back stateside, you are on the mend, and got the combat veteran's perspective of what's really important in life.

Hey welcome backi I'm sure your family is really relieved.
We were hoping to hear from you soon.

I don't believe we've met before. Welcome back hom.

I talked with an neighborhood guy recently and both jis sions are back home safe and in one piece too. It's amazing when you think of the odds. WQhen I fiirst ent into his pub and saw the wall with kids over there...and hos two, I was at a loss for words.

When I saw him last I was almost overcome with emotion at his happy ending.

Do you ever tell your mates how much we fellow countrymen and women care for them regardless of our own politics and ideology?

Welcome back noonanda!

Glad you're in one piece. I understand what you are saying, and I never doubted the resolve or the intention of our military forces in Iraq. You may be surprised to know that I wish our mission success. But not for king george, but for you, the rest of our troops, and for the Iraqi people.

Look like you're back in commission - no typo's or else you've adapted to one hand typing.

Always great to hear from active military and I wish we had a few more. Any idea what you'll be doing now?


Anyhow, a big welcome back home.

Happy to hear you are healing and that your spirit has stayed so strong.

Your service is appreciated and may your experience hold you in good stead on the upcoming rotation.

Enjoy the rest of your home stay.

lenal

Really good to hear from you, Noonanda. Glad you're home, safe and (mostly) sound.

Glad you are back in The World.
I understand your interest in victory...
it's a worthy idea for players.

Personally, I respect your service.
F*ck the outcome. It's damned because
of the chickenhawk leadership In My Opinion.
But, that don't mean nothin' the fight, the cause,
the actions of individuals means somethin'.

Duty is the most sublime word in the language - Robert E. Lee.

Welcome home brother...you earned your citizenship, your voice.

If there is anything you need...just say so...you are a
member of a fraturnity that is beyond politics. A BROTHERHOOD.
It never goes away...it's paid for...welcome home.

Glad to here you're home in the land of the Flush Toliets! Just very sorry to here it came at a cost to you and your family.

Even though I'm sure my experience doesn't measure to yours; after a couple months of being back state side I'm still amazed at how my perspective on just about everything has changed....from the weather... (you call this hot?) to the things people worry about (the landscaping, what car the neighbors are driving, the presentation for work). I can't believe these reality TV shows... you want reality?... maybe start living your own... I don't get some things. Nothing like a nice shot of IED, SAF and occasional Mortar fire to make you appreciate life.

Alot of people want to talk about Iraq and politics and ask me about it.. to get out?.. to stay?... I usually change the subject; Its more complicated than most people want to deal with on a Sunday summer afternoon at the BBQ. But since some of you may have a stomach for alilttle more discourse on the topic here are my thoughts:

Personally I had serious concerns about the whole adventure from the start. That part of the world will NOT become safer if we leave tomorrow without a firm Iraqi Government. The problem is not whether to leave or not or even when to leave.

The problem is HOW to get the Iraqi government on its feet so we can leave!!!! Until I hear politicans talking about the HOW and not the WHEN or WHY it's all just noise.

1SG White
Back from Iraq


PS: thanks to who ever paid my dues,, I guess I feel into arrears during my tour.

Welocome back shipmate! Good to hear you're safe and sound, eh?

Methinks I see First Sergeant listed? Congratulations!

Thanks Fly good to be aboard once again, I have to change my icon. Safe and sound indeed.

Well, congratulations First Sergeant. I failed to see this, you need to update that avatar

I AM A FIRST SERGEANT
My job is people -- Every One is My Business.
I dedicate my time and energy to their needs;
their health, morale, discipline, and welfare.
I grow in strength by strengthening my people.
My job is done in faith; my people build faith.
My job is people --
EVERY ONE IS MY BUSINESS

If the NCOs are the backbone of the armed forces, then the First Sergeant is the heart and soul. No other enlisted person carries near the responsibility and authority of the First Sergeant, no other person in the squadron or company, including the commissioned officers, possesses the First Sergeant's breath of experience, professional knowledge, or education. A First Sergeant MUST be an unqualified expert in promotions, demotions, military law, civilian law, counseling, discipline, leave & passes, evaluations, inspections, public speaking, billeting, PCS moves, TDYs, pay problems and procedures, child and family support, bad checks, budgeting, loans, requisitions, dress and appearance, awards and decorations, unit history, parades, ceremonies, family advocacy, medical benefits and requirements, re enlistments, retirements, weight control, professional military education, ID card privileges, off limit areas, restrictions, etc.

The First Sergeant is the primary liaison with the commander on all matters concerning the enlisted corps. He or she is the eye and ear for the commander, and the mouth for the enlisted force. The First Sergeant carries a beeper or cell phone with him or her 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and never complains when he/she is called out at 2 AM to get a drunk out of jail, then called out again at 4 AM to settle a domestic dispute.

The First Sergeant is so important, that all of the services, with the exception of the Navy and Coast Guard use them. The Navy and Coast Guard split the duties of the First Sergeant between various Chief Petty Officers, the COB (Chief of the Boat), and the Squadron XO's (Executive Officers).

In the Army and the Marines, the First Sergeant is a rank (E-8). In the Army, depending mostly upon your MOS, and other qualifications, when you are promoted to E-8, you become either a First Sergeant, or a Master Sergeant (who usually serves in a staff position). In the Army, the First Sergeant retains his or her original MOS. In other words, an Infantry MOS becomes an Infantry First Sergeant, a Medical MOS becomes a Medical First Sergeant, etc. In the Marine Corps, selective E-7s are chosen to become First Sergeants upon promotion to E-8. These selective few are then awarded a new MOS, and can be assigned first sergeant duties in any type of unit, regardless of their original MOS.

In the Air Force, the position of First Sergeant used to be a volunteer-only occupation, that could be held by an E-7, an E-8, or an E-9. Under that system one volunteered to retrain into the First Sergeant career field, and -- if accepted, remained in that job for the rest or their career, unless they applied to retrain again (or return to their AFSC), or got disqualified (fired).

All of this changed in October 2002. The job of first sergeant in the Air Force now is a "Special Duty Assignment" with a set-tour length of three years. Volunteers are still sought, but if there are not enough volunteers, non-volunteers in the ranks of E-7, E-8, or E-9 are selected (based on records and commander recommendations -- it's still highly selective).

The first tour as a "Shirt" is three years. About two years into the tour, the member can apply for another three-year tour, and, depending on Air Force needs, may be selected for a second tour. Like the Marine Corps, an Air Force First Sergeant can be assigned to first sergeant duties in any type of squadron, regardless of what their previous AFSC (job) was.

A major goal of the change is to attract more senior enlisted leaders, some of whom may not have wanted to permanently leave their functional specialty. Unlike the old "cross-training program", the special duty program is designed to return members to their original career field after serving as first sergeants.

Because of the high degree of responsibility and performance required for first sergeants, members returning to their previous jobs after this three year tour will likely be much more competitive for promotion.

In all the services, however, you can note the first sergeant because of the diamond (or French lozenge), centered on the chevrons, which was first authorized for wear for First Sergeants in the Army in 1847.

The Army officially says the following about the first sergeant, and it applies equally to the Air Force and Marine Corps as well:

When you are talking about the first sergeant you are talking about the life-blood of the Army. There can be no substitute of this position nor any question of its importance. When first sergeants are exceptional, their units are exceptional, regardless of any other single personality involved. Perhaps their rank insignia should be the keystone rather than the traditional one. It is the first sergeant at whom almost all unit operations merge. The first sergeant holds formations, instructs platoon sergeants, advises the Commander, and assists in training of all enlisted members.

The first sergeant may swagger and appear, at times, somewhat of an exhibitionist, but he is not egotistical.

The first sergeant is proud of the unit and, understandably, wants others to be aware of his unit’s success.
For the first time, the title of address for this grade is not sergeant, but first sergeant! There is a unique relationship of confidence and respect that exits between the first sergeant and the Commander not found at another level within the Army.

In the German Army, the first sergeant is referred to as the “Father of the Company." He is the provider, the disciplinarian, the wise counselor, the tough and unbending foe, the confidant, the sounding board, everything that we need in a leader during our personal success or failure. The Father of the Company...


History of the First Sergeant
The First Sergeant has always held a highly visible, distinctive, and sometimes notorious position in the military unit. While there is little written history and many obscure gaps, we are able to follow some of the evolution of the First Sergeant.

The 17th century Prussian Army appears to have been the starting point for what was later called the First Sergeant in the American Army. The Prussian Army Feldwebel, or Company Sergeant, by today's practice seems to have combined the duties of not only the First Sergeant, but of Sergeant Major as well. Standing at the top of the noncommissioned hierarchy of rank, they were the "Overseers" of the company's enlisted personnel. To this end, they kept the Hauptman, or Company Commander, informed of everything that went on in the company; whether NCOs were performing their duties in a satisfactory manner, that training was properly accomplished, and finally, that at the end of a busy day, all soldiers were accounted for in their quarters. They were the only noncommissioned officers allowed to strike a soldier; an especially disorderly soldier could be given three or four blows, with the Feldwebel's cane. They were forbidden to flog a soldier, and the Feldwebel who overstepped his authority in this manner would them self be pilloried. Moreover, they were to see that none of the NCOs beat their soldiers.

In setting up the American Army, General Washington relied heavily on the talents of General Baron Von Steuben. During this time, Von Steuben wrote what is referred to as the "Blue Book of Regulations." This "Blue Book" covered most of the organizational, administrative, and disciplinary details necessary to operate the Continental Army.

While Von Steubon outlined the duties of such NCOs as the Sergeant Major, Quartermaster Sergeant and other key NCOs it was the Company First Sergeant, the American Equivalent of the Prussian Feldwebel, that he directed most of his attention. This noncommissioned officer, chosen by officers of the company, was the linchpin of the company and the discipline of the unit. The conduct of the troops, their exactness in obeying orders and the regularity of their manners, would "in a large measure, depend upon the First Sergeant's vigilance." The First Sergeant therefore must be "intimately acquainted with the character of every soldier in the company and should take great pains to impress upon their minds the indispensable necessity of the strictest obedience as the foundation of order and regularity." Their tasks of maintaining the duty roster in an equitable manner, taking "the daily orders in a book and showing them to their officers, making the morning report to the captain of the state of the company in the form prescribed, and at the same time, acquainting them with anything material that may have happened in the company since the preceding report," all closely resembled the duties of the 17th century company sergeant.

The First Sergeant also kept a company descriptive book under the captain's supervision. These descriptive books listed the names, ages, heights, places of birth, and prior occupations of all enlisted in the company. The Army maintained the books until about the decade of the 20th century when they were finally replaced by the "Morning Report."

Since the First Sergeant was responsible for the entire company, he was, in Von Steuben's words, "not to go on duty, unless with the whole company, but is to be in camp quarters to answer any call that may be made."

On the march or on the battlefield, they were "Never to lead a platoon or section, but always to be a file closer in the formation of the company, their duty being in the company like the adjutant's in the regiment."

In the Army and Marines, the first sergeant is often referred to as "Top," or "Top Kick." The nickname has obvious roots in that the first sergeant is the "top" enlisted person in the unit, and a "kick in the pants" is a motivation tool (not literally, at least in today's military) to get the troops into gear.

In the Air Force, a first sergeant is often referred to as "shirt," or "first shirt." In spite of the fact that the Air Force is a fairly young service (1947), nobody seems to know where the nickname "shirt" originated. One theory is that the term dates back to colonial times. When supplies would come in, the Top Sergeant would get the "first shirt" before the rest of the troops did. Another theory is that the troops would take their shirts off to do manual labor in the hot weather. The First Sergeant would leave his shirt on, as he was supervising, not doing any of the labor himself. When someone needed further instructions, they would have to talk to "the shirt."

I personally don't buy either of these theories. The Air Force has no history dating back to "colonial times." The Air Force became a separate service (from the Army) in 1947.

If this "custom" dated back to colonial times, it would have been infused in the Army, as well. Wherever the term "shirt" came from, it's most likely from sometime after 1947, when the Air Force separated from Army customs and influence.

One final note about the term "shirt:" Prospective first sergeants who are "shadowing" Air Force first sergeants as part of the selection process are known as "Under Shirts." Air Force NCOs who temporarily fill in for the first sergeant when the "shirt" is on leave, deployment, or TDY, are often referred to as "T-Shirt," (The "T" stands for "Temporary.")

Good to hear from you. And congrats on your promotion.

(BTW- you are not the only one who does not understand the "reality" shows and all the other weird things happening in our culture. So much today seems upside down and inside out. And priorities are definitely out of whack.)

Yeah.

Like we get our news by watching the comedy channel.

And we get our comedy by watching the News Channel.

Especially FoxNews.

My hope is that experience serves the troops...
no one else...f*ck the politics. I'll never forget
meeting Gen. Hal Moore at Col. David
Hackworth's funeral. Those two men
made my Army worthwhile. They were straight
up...soldiers...I hope that's what Army means.

F*ck the rest, cause it don't mean nothin'.

Since I wasn't nothin but a PFC grunt I was
free enough to respect those who deserved
it...and diss those who did not...most politicians
in my day did not.

Glad you made it...teach the rest how to follow suit.
Remember what you learned in-country...be true to it.
Yale and Harvard will teach the rest what we don't
need, or care, to know. Again, welcome home.

tell that to Max Clelland and John McCain and John Kerry.

You raise so many points that seem to contradict the current consensus on what the "troops" think.

With all due respect being over "there" may be a hinderance to seeing it clearly. Clearly the architects of the "March of Freedom" and the decision makers are not over "there" are they?

While I have enormous respect our warriors (not just in words alone) I give them no quarter in the political arena. Colin Powell was a political warrior. If not for him, the current admin would have had a much more difficult time selling the "March to Freedom" that our roops keep saying they are bringing at the point of bayonetts and bullets.

At some point the ...our...troops have got to own up to being part of the machine that reelected Bush/Cheney and are the cause for their own doubts on WTF it's all about Alfie.

BUNK.. BUNK... BUNK oh cause one political machine wins over another its because of the Military "machine" I haven't heard this horse puck in some time but last I checked every citizen is allowed a vote... Where is my shovel; is some one forcing your hand to pull one lever over another?

How about politicans trying a clear direction? politicans speaking in something other than circles? What is WTF and Alfie anyway, what are you talking about?

Again the message is not Why or When.... it is HOW.

Throw down the gauntlet? Take off your stripes and I will debate you.

Every citizen is guaranteed many things, but there are state governments in the south and a National governmant that have DENIED black Americans (amongst others) from exercising the very rights you mention.

If you ar wanting to be taken seriously on message boards????....leran the shorthand/lingo. The rest of us have had to, or is that ppart of the new G.I. bill....

let us see what part of my post you focus on, it should reveal your heart

stripes aside what would you like to debate oh wise one? Me as a soldier being part of a machine forcing its will on the poor uneducated town folk to vote for one party over another?

or

Politicans talking in Circles and having little substance?

Neither, I prefer substance over fluff. And I am wiser than you may think

Politicans talking in Circles and having little substance, are what youhave defending the war in Iraq. The military is controlled by civillian politicians, as it should be.

You may run away, but you cannot hide. I am relentless.

right... this is beyond short hand acronyms. Do you have a point?

My point is that being in the military or haveing BEEN in the military afforsd a citizen no special voodoo on what constitutes loyalty or love of country.

It has become hip to thank every idiot who has signed a contract with a recruiter for their service as if they joined the military in order to defend the country against all enemies. Nothing could be further than the truth,

I take a back seat to NO ONE when i comes to patriotism or anything else that is non-measurable.

I do take a back seat to bravery, sacrifice, honor, and duty....but those things are measurable.


Wearing the uniform is no measure of the things I respect. Action is. Not words, action!

I will not take a back seat to anyone who posts under a "screen name" that implies a love for country. I love my country ad if not for a year or two I would statistically have fought and died for it.

My family has NO inherited wealth.

So now it's about hairstyle?

hahahahahahahaha...but seriously, I take a back seat to NO one unless they have made sacrifices beyond the call of dfuty.

The problem with the generation of "volunteers" is they think are better than others...their own countrymen....they are NOT

I can't believe I actually have to say this, someone who's been there has seen at least PART of the situation and deserves to be heard out regarding what they've seen (good or bad, fits my opinion or not), at least THEIR part of the truth is based on something other than reading reports and playing with ourselves.

The closer a person is to something the less objective they are...most of time.

Don't play the soldier boy routine with me as it only feeds my ire. I am a person who thinks I can support the troops, their mission and disagree with personal acounts as a basis for policy.

I NEVER said I didn't think they, the troops on the ground should not be heard. If you want to put words into my mouth, at least make them ones I can live with.

Post has been edited.

I should've known better than to waste my time, it's why the forum is counterproductive.

Bye all!

70's if being obnoxious, egotistical, and bombastic are traits you aspire to achieve , I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you. You have definitely succeeded in reaching your goal.

Has anyone ever told you that self praise is no recommendation? In fact, it raises serious questions about the credibility of the orator.

You are making some mighty big assumptions. You don't know me. and none of this has anything to do with the topic I was trying to engage in.

I was mearly saying that I think we should expect more from politicans. If a politican says they want to pull out of Iraq; well good... but how will they deal with the conseqences in the long run, have they thought through scenarios... If the only motivation is to prevent more US lives being lost.... well what about Iraqi lives? Are they cheaper?

I am not saying that everything is rosey. Staying the course holds up like a pile of dry sand, I'd much rather like to see countries in the neighborhood have a positive influence in providing reconstruction assistance (Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE). Our own State Department needs to step up, the Army is great at fighting bad guys... the winning the peace has been alot more sketchy (e.g. we can train Iraqi's to fight, but teaching Iraqi Cops to read and write Arabic is a little out of our zone.)

The Korean's, one of the "coalition of the willing" were very engaged in commercial activities in there AO. Getting Airports up and runing setting up Import Export operations. The US Army can't do that by law; What about our very own Dept of Commerce?

I'd say I was tainted by my experiences in Iraq. I met alot of good honest people that want to raise their families in peace. I'll always remember the places and the people and I'd love to go back in 10 or 15 years and be able to shop in the markets of Hawijiah --- or at least Kirkuk without the body armor and M16.

Welcome home 1st Sgt, congrats on the promotion. Where were you at in Iraq? You never know, we may have driven over some of the same dirt. Its suprising about that kinda thing. I was the guest speaker at a graduation about 2 weeks ago, and talking to one of the students that was graduating, he was part of the counter-battery radar team that would detect the mortars inflight to our COP, talk about small worlds, he was like "you guys used to get hammered", and I was like "yep"

again welcome home. I know what you mean about changes, Im actually gonna be getting an AR-15 rifle soon, before
Iraq I never would have got one. that sure wont make the Antis happy LOL

Our main activities were in Kirkuk. Tameem province, Salahah Din province east of the Tigris.

I do feel alittle naked without the M9 and M4 with me; now that I'm back to work at the office it's a good thing I don't have them ;

I gotta say the MTT teams I saw had mixed results. Groups that worked on tactics did great. Those working with leaders were more mixed... It's one thing to be a good leader; another to mentor Iraqi Leadership.

Our AO was totally different then AL Anbar. We were working to help establish the provincial government, Court systems... Budgeting, Projects, Banking, etc.... We were drinking from the firehose on alot of these things and did the best we could.

For reconstruction on this scale from my little corner, I thought that the Military was in a little over it's head... on having experts in mentoring Government Agencies get established.

A Lesson Learned for me was Reconstruction needs Subject Matter Experts in Government... Mobilized from experts and mentors in specific field.

I do agree with you that we can't just leave Iraq and the Iraqi's to the dogs.

Methinks this is especially noticeable when the news media does such a terrific job reportin', like we're seein' now, eh?

It's a relief to see someone sharing the views that it's somewhere between the government version and the pessimistic view (both present elements of the truth) and that every unit sees a different war. My understanding of the social structure there makes me think it must be mind boggling to try to deal with it in a relatively short timeframe. I think we'll be in the Kurdish area for quite some time (protracted by need to protect from outside threats), thankfully our relationship there looks solid.

It was a love hate thing with the Kurds. I think all Iraqi's in general had very high expectations for everything once Saddam was gone. There was some hub bub and talk (not by US but among the Kurds) of having a US base in the area permenantly; but that was greeted with mixed results. Especially since the Coalition was trying to be a fair and honest broker between the Arabs, Kurds and the small but vocal Turkman.

I'm pretty sure no one was focused on reconstruction until we realized what a house of cards Saddam was and how fast it came down.

The infrastructure for the entire country has been band-aided together since the 1980's. The Kurds in Irbil and Sulymania really have a head start being above the Green line after the First Gulf war. Both now have international Airports, paved and clean streets and thriving commerce. Those cities remind me alot more of Europe and alot safer for us.

Our area under the Green Line Tuz, Kirkuk, Riad, Hawijah progressively got worse the farther south and west you went.

I liken it to my old fraternity house on a grand scale. Back in college when something broke.. ducktape was the common solution.

It really was really something, we visited old resort areas that must have been something in there hayday but the swimming pools were filed with rocks and the tennis courts had crumbled. It was amazing to see some of the equipment that was still being used at some of the Northern Oil Co (NOC) sites. It was like touring the Smithsonian.

I can remember one project where we fixed a boys elementary school bathroom (usually a seperate building) in an Arab village outside Kirkuk. New plumbing, tile, porcelin... one month later everything was gone or busted.. stripped clean. crap all over the floor.... I was probably as angry as I could get... if they don't care about their kids why should we? It still makes me shake my head.

We stopped doing or funding projects in those neighborhoods for my time there. They weren't ready for progress. sad

I feel the need to reply to my own message. After reading it it sounded more depressing then I intended.

We did visit and do projects in alot of Arab, Turkman & Kurd villages and neighborhoods --- that were very appreciative of Water pumps, schools, roads sewer pipes, electrical substantions.........that were funded by the US and done by Iraqis.

The instance I used in the previous message was the worst result of a project I saw in Iraq. And there were more then a bushel full.

I didn't mean to imply that that was a common occurance. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

Sorry I haven't been replying, been trying to get moved back home after a fire and I feel like a ping pong ball.

I think the Kurdish area is our natural base (as friends), I'm hoping the Turkish attempts to cause Turkoman unrest have failed. Yes, the picture is very mixed, in areas where our troops can interact more bonds are forming, in areas where they can't it's static at best. Most Berets I've known considered themselves kind of an armed peace corps, so many of our troops there taking that approach is the only thing that keeps my hope alive that we can find a solution.

Right now I'm more worried about Turkey than Iran when it comes to Iraq, statements,actions and public opinion there tell me our alliance may not last much longer. Then again, being of Armenian descent I've learned to watch them warily and take things at other than face value (from watching them, not as a taught prejudice). Their stated goal to be THE regional power and to exercise influence over every country the Ottoman Empire ever ruled (as well as central Asia) tells me the Grey Wolf influence is alive and well and in charge of the invisible government.

Sorry to here about the fire. I hope you're "In Good Hands" or have a "Good Neighbor"

We had a few Turkish SF members where I was stationed. The Local Kurdish interpreters were very vocal about them being there at all. Turkish NGO's were providing support to local Turkman areas; building settlements were Saddam had destroyed them and schools that teach the Turkman language.

They are much more cautious then what I see Iran doing in Lebanon. I have not heard of Turkey supporting any openly violent terrorist organizations --- say like Hezbollah or our favorite Shia militia, the Badr Corp. But you may know more then me.

There was a Turkish SF team arrested several times for arming local Turkmen and planning attacks, a bit more than a month after the last time they were released there were 2 coordinated bombings that killed 2 Kurdish leaders and a GI.

The administration kept meeting all demands (including Cheney calling Gul to apologize) but the 187th kept things going the way they should.

Turkey is more paranoid about the Kurds (and vice versa) than most people could understand, the 2 things keeping it down to shelling are EU candidacy and ties with the US, both seem to be fading rapidly. US popularity has been below 20% since the invasion and support for joining the EU has dropped into the 30s. Turkish military and intelligence really run the government and their leadership includes more than a handful closely tied to the Grey Wolves, ultranationalism is rampant in the upper ranks. Turkey has a formidible army, with the wrong domestic political dynamics we could end up facing them.

On the other hand I can see where most of their teams would be OK, particularly SF as they tend to have the attitude of getting along with the locals. Some Turkish NGOs are also top notch.

Keep in mind that according to the Turkish press what killed using their territory is we wouldn't give them the northern oilfields which they consider to be rightfully theirs (because they sold the territory too cheaply). Unless Turkey becomes more western quickly I see it as a powderkeg.

Fascinating reading SFC...
nothing to post...
just encouragement to continue.

Through the eyes of boots may not
be the Big Picture...but it's a true picture.

Thanks for listening my friend. So many on this board just don't do that.... many thanks...

Welcome back Sarge! I hope you get to stick around a while and help the rest of us get our heads together about this fu-ked up war. All wars are fuc-ed up, but this one more than most. No criticism, just fact.

You speak truth to power... and there really are good things happening in a very bad place... which is a powerful message.

And jeffmoskin is a sage among us...