Iraq - part II

Batman · 11-09-2003, 03:34 PM

Sorry about opening another post about "Iraq"... but it said that other one wasn't accepting anymore.

Ahhh... I swear, this is taking me forever to respond too. This is like the 4th time I've written something out. And everytime something new happens. And as you can see, this time no more posts were allowed. Here I go again, hopefully for the last time.

Incase any of you are wondering who I am, it's CamFu. If you don't know who I am, ask around I'm sure somebody can tell you.

This thread is going to be about the good that is happening over here right now and why I think that we were needed. About what my unit is doing to help out over here. I'm not going to talk about everywhere or what everybody else is doing in Iraq, just in my little area and unit that I'm in. It's in Baghdad... but not all of Baghdad (just keep that in mind). I'm not going to focus on the bad because there is no need for that, you guys are feed that everyday by the media. So I'm not going to beat a dead horse.

The truly believe that we were needed over here in Iraq. No, we didn't find any WOMD, but that doesn't matter. This place was in some desperate need of help and I'm glad that we came over here to help and take that EVIL man, Saddam, out of power. IMO, he was a WOMD within himself.

When I first arrived over here, this place was a scary place to be (well, it's no walk in the park right now). Bussiness weren't opened, people afraid to come out of their front doors, kids wouldn't even get together on a soccer field and play. Don't misunderstand this, there is still a public out there, but if somebody wasn't going somewhere for either food, water, work, or to robber... they weren't leaving. There are 5 million plus people (I think) in Baghdad, so it wasn't a ghost town by any means.

Things have gotten a little better here since I have been here. Now we see people all the time on the streets, business open, and kids playing. It's great. People are really happy to see us patroling on the streets. Everytime they see us, they are running out of there houses and waving. We even get kids running after the vehicles because they are so excited to see us. Heck, a few months ago, I saw a billboard for the first time since I've been out here... that was cool.

On top of that, we are rebuilding the police and military forces over here. My unit actually has a small unit of Iraqian people that we are training in Military tatics. We are training them on everything, we are giving them rank structure. We are teaching them things to help them build what they need. Also, we are giving people jobs. We are letting some on our compound to set up little shops. We are just trying to help these people in so many ways.

We stand guard at import sites that they are scared are going to be destroyed. Plus we are training them in weapons so they can start defending themselves if need be.

We have actually done a lot of good over here. I don't know if the media gotten this deep into it, but I know a lot has changed since I've been here. Ok... my time is about up.

If anybody has any questions for me, I'll be happy to talk about it. Oh, if I don't respond right away... don't worry I'm not ignoring you... remember, I'm in Iraq. I don't get on everyday.

Bond · 11-09-2003, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman

I'm not going to focus on the bad because there is no need for that, you guys are feed that everyday by the media. So I'm not going to beat a dead horse.

Exactly... the media constantly feeds on the bad, even if it is a very small proportion of what is actually happening.

Good luck out there.

Professor S · 11-09-2003, 04:15 PM

Good to hear from you again, Cam. Its also great to hear some positive stories from Iraq. Its funny that every senator of dignitary that has travelled over there, republican and democrat, has had nothing but good things to say about the rebuilding effort, but you'd never know it by watching the news. Its sad, but negativity gets ratings I guess.

Hopefully those in the Suni triangle will realize as the rest of Iraq is rebuilt that they are only hurting themselves by terrorizing those trying to help them and stop the violence.

Anyway, good luck over there. Know that there are a lot of people here that support you and make sure you get home safe.

Jason1 · 11-09-2003, 04:36 PM

Nice to hear your safe for the time being. Hopefully you'll be able to get out of there sooner than you think.

Ace195 · 11-09-2003, 06:22 PM

I might be seeing you soon enough I'll be there possibly in febuary.. I'll be the guy in the BDU's with the m-4 .. But anyways I really don't want to go but we just got issued our desert gear and our trucks are now painted tan.. So I'll see ya soon

Seth · 11-10-2003, 07:16 PM

Besides benefits, what does the army pay?

If it's one of those things where you want a lot out, don't you have to spend a full career in it and stuff?

gekko · 11-10-2003, 07:29 PM

Man they give you guys ****ty tours. You're done in June, right? Ya, I might be deployed to Iraq when I finish SOI in January. I'd be done in June too! Only I would've managed summer vacation, boot camp, school of infantry, and a tour while you were gone. I really feel bad for you guys, but they're trying to make our tours 12 months. Bastards.

Oh, BTW, I was bald just like you for a while

:marine:

Ace195 · 11-10-2003, 08:02 PM

nothing wrong with being bald. I was bald for 6months + then I have to get a high and tight every week or two to keep up appearances.

Happydude · 11-10-2003, 10:15 PM

heh, good luck Cam...I'm thinking of joining the Canadian Armed Forces during the summer....odds are i will...

Ace195 · 11-10-2003, 10:19 PM

Good I think everyone should sevrve it's a good character builder!!

Batman · 11-11-2003, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Good I think everyone should sevrve it's a good character builder!!

You know, that is what I used to think. But not anymore. I don't think that everybody should serve in the military. It isn't meant everyone.

Gekko... I know, you're telling me this sucks. I think that we are the firsts one to do a year tour since the Vietnam Era. It's tearing me apart and driving me insane.

I'm glad to hear that a lot of people support us over here. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if people just hated us for what we are being ordered to do.

And being bald ins't that bad... it's kind of sexy.

gekko · 11-11-2003, 08:04 AM

No, you just think you're sexy

If everyone was in the military, I would shoot myself. There's a lot of people who are in, and don't want to be, and all they do is bitch and moan all day. I actually wish they would let people get out of the military, finish their term doing some kind of civil service or something.

Well, look on the bright side, at least you're getting combat pay for a year. Poor old gekko has to live on an E-1 salary

Then again, you're in Iraq, I'm on leave. Sucks to be you!