[bolobaby]

I'm an ex-infantry squad leader - probably getting back in to go to Iraq over the next couple of months. We'll see... Let me just say this about the video, though:

These videos are not fun to watch. Yes, we are watching the bad guys get theirs. Yes, I like to see the bad guys get killed instead of doing any harm to Americans. But PLEASE... all casual observers... understand this...

Killing is not exactly an easy business. Most of the soldiers I know who have had to kill another man are affected by it. Even though you did the right thing, it stays with you. Even in the "it's me or him" situation. It's a grim business and anyone with a conscious cannot help but to feel the weight of it.

That doesn't mean these soldiers should hesitate to kill the enemy. Far from it. Bad men deserve to die.

You'll often see jubilant reactions from soldiers on the field. It feels good to win. It feels good to walk away alive. A hearty congratulations should always be extended to the men that perform their grim duty.

But, please... PLEASE... remember that it IS a grim duty. Respect these men for having the intestinal fortitude to carry it out. But don't wallow in the moment.

[Double Tap]

Good post. Thanks.

[Kevin Curry]

Bttt

[arjay]

Thank you for this call to reality.

[Blood of Tyrants]

You'll often see jubilant reactions from soldiers on the field. It feels good to win. It feels good to walk away alive. A hearty congratulations should always be extended to the men that perform their grim duty.

But in the hearts of moral men there is always the nagging wishful doubt that it could have been done differently and that the hope that the killing will stop soon.

[wimpycat]

I agree wholeheartedly. It's not pleasant to watch, so it can't be pleasant to actually do it. But if they have the guts to do it, and if I say I support our military, then I ought to have the guts to actually look at what they do at least once in awhile, and not avert my eyes. I don't want to romanticize what our guys do. It's not all fancy uniforms and high-tech gadgets. Our military kills the enemy, and it's not a pretty sight. But I know why it's done, and I have the greatest respect for our people in the U.S. military.

[B4Ranch]

The enemy are not "bad guys" that deserve sympathy! They are cold hearted killers just the same as us American soldiers are. I've seen too many American corpses too express even an ounce of sympathy for a dead enemy soldier.

There is only two types of enemy soldiers that I wouldn't shoot, one that's already dead and one that has laid his rifle down and has his hands as high in the air as he can get them. If he lowers his belows his elbows below his skull, I'll kill him.

Cold hearted? Bet your ass I am. I've never wept over a dead gook but I have wept over too many dead Americans and I am still angry about it thirty years later.

[sarasmom]

I hear you, and for what little it is worth, add this to your words of wisdom:
I spent many years fighting the Cold War.
We won that one, before we had to actually implement what we planned to do if "the balloon went up".
I, and my peers, would have unleashed a degree of destruction and mayhem that most people can not even conceive of.
Not a single individual tasked with actually implementing the war plan would have derived any personal satisfaction from doing what we trained and planned to do.Few of us would have refused to do what most people cant even contemplate.
There would not have been any celebrations, and calm, professional voices would have been the last words many of us would have heard prior to our own expected destruction.
War sucks.
None understand how very much it sucks, as those have sworn to wage it, and are called to do so.
It is acceptable to support them, and to celebrate the survivors of battles., and to mourn our losses.
It is not acceptable to "enjoy" the deaths of your enemies.
If you actually enjoy it, you are not competant to inflict death in war, and your immortal soul is in jeapordy.
But that is an age old truth, that separates the warrior class from those who are not involved in the actual waging of war.
I see this war as needed.
I thank those who wage it on my behalf.
I accept the burden off their shoulders for having waged it.
I am sorry they have to do so, but I still ask that they do, in my name, and the burden is on my soul.

[F16Fighter]

Even as concerned observers, we all have to be reminded that war isn't a video game. Thanks for putting this in it's proper perspective.

[Paradox]

But, please... PLEASE... remember that it IS a grim duty. Respect these men for having the intestinal fortitude to carry it out. But don't wallow in the moment.

Yes, that was somewhat my point. I dont have military experience, but those videos have left me disturbed. Killing human beings is a grim thing to have to do. Its a good thing that we hate war, and only engage as a last resort. I feel bad for the soldiers who have to do this sort of thing, and I wish the best for their psychological health. I think I would be pretty disturbed for quite some time..

[mylife]

But, please... PLEASE... remember that it IS a grim duty. Respect these men for having the intestinal fortitude to carry it out. But don't wallow in the moment.


A Tip of the hat to you Bolo.

[Jonah Hex]

Exactly, been there, done that. Just because it's necessary and right, doesn't mean the shooter isn't bothered.