[TexKat]

I am not ex-military, so can someone explain to me why there are so many "accidental" deaths [of soldiers] in Iraq (and presumably other wars)?

I am not a military nor ex-military person either Steve_Seattle. However I am aware of quite a few casulties and accidentes even without war, just in training. We are just not so tuned in to them as we are here. Probably not all home accidents are reported.

[Proud Legions]

Exactly. The truth is a large number of soldiers die in accidents here in the states...mostly from automobile accidents. Not saying we should not try and eliminate accidents, but some number of soldiers over there would have died in accidents back home.

Large vehicles, and the poor infrastructure there, and the limited driving experience of many soldiers (remember, drivers are some of our youngest and newest soldier---my battalion's averaged less than 20 years old), all lend themselves to accidents.