Posted on 10/05/2004 5:46:57 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
I've spent months in Iraq's combat zones and written two books about how the war is progressing on the ground. In a society that was horribly broken after two decades of misrule, many things have already improved. More hard fighting lies ahead, however. Due to the scandalous absence of international humanitarian help, most practical efforts to improve life for the Iraqis are also falling in the lap of the U.S. military.
It is psychologically difficult to wage a tough urban war at the same time you are reconstructing the neighborhoods being battled over, and our soldiers are not perfect. Yet breakdowns in discipline among the 350,000 U.S. soldiers who have served in Iraq have been minuscule. The independent panel reviewing the Abu Ghraib scandal concluded that in many millions of interactions between U.S. forces and Iraqi resisters there were only 66 cases of confirmed abuse -- most minor, usually occurring in the heat of battle, and all punished.
I have seen fighters firing at our troops from ambulances, terrorists hiding behind children, insurgents pretending to surrender then pulling out weapons. We can be proud of the way our troops have performed.
The idealism and talent of the individuals who serve in our military today is much higher than many realize. I know a man who was nearly through a Ph.D. when he decided to start jumping out of airplanes with the 82nd Airborne. He came in as a private. I know of another private who was a CPA. I discovered an open-heart-surgery technician who was convinced by 9/11 that his country needed him for more important work. He is now an Army medic.
I've met graduates of tony schools in U.S. camps in Iraq, in officer corps and in the ranks.
Outsiders who envision our fighting forces as authoritarian institutions would be quite surprised to observe the meritocratic nature of our military in action. Independent thinking is not only tolerated in our armed forces at present; it is required by the demands of counterinsurgency warfare. Obstacles are surmounted after wide debate.
U.S. soldiers not only have the skills to fly missiles into specific windows and squeeze off one-mile sniper shots, They have the openness and democratic habits to serve as good representatives of our liberal society. Most of the soldiers I've spent time with are motivated by high principles extending far beyond self-preservation.
Lt. John Gibson of the 82nd Airborne wrote his parents from Iraq on his birthday to say, "We are homesick and want to see our families, but not at the expense of an incomplete mission. I know that a completely free and democratic Iraq may not be in place by the time I leave, but it will be under way. I see things here that hurt the human heart ... poverty, crime, terrorism, murder. However, I see hope in the eyes of many Iraqis, hope for a chance to govern themselves."
Are our soldiers all saints and scholars? Of course not. But in my observations, most are doing impressive work at stabilizing a brutalized nation. I believe history will look kindly on their accomplishments.
Embedded reporter Karl Zinsmeister, author of "Dawn Over Baghdad" and "Boots on the Ground," will give an illustrated talk on Iraq at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Seattle World Affairs Council: 206-441-5910.
BTW, the "most excellent" was given by my beloved a military hunk!
But according to the liberal press, they are all baby killers...
But according to the liberal press, they are all baby killers...
But according to the liberal press, they are all baby killers...
It is a very good article. Take note that he is an embedded reporter. A lot of those that talk negatively about the war and how it is going, are reporting from miles away from the action. Most probably havent talked to a soldier let alone been there in battle with them.
Thank you and you are right, but, I did get the first time you posted it. :)
Great Post!
WE have not only the Best military in the world, but have the most intelligent and most compassionate in the world as well.
Sorry Mr. Kerry, they really don't like you either...
Somebody else said it first, but it's true: We have a new Greatest Generation, thank God.
Bookmarked.
I wish the same could be said for the mainstream media and the "loyal opposition".
But they don't deserve it.
Outsiders who envision our fighting forces as authoritarian institutions would be quite surprised to observe the meritocratic nature of our military in action. Independent thinking is not only tolerated in our armed forces at present; it is required by the demands of counterinsurgency warfare. Obstacles are surmounted after wide debate.
It's not just meritocracy, it's also Darwinism in action. Soldiers will perform better for a competent leader, which in turn makes him look better. Soldiers know the difference between a leader and a dilletant. The latter don't do well when performance counts and soldiers' lives are on the line.
Draw your own parallels to the presidential race.
As my beloved has said "a most excellent read" ***PING***
". . . insurgents pretending to surrender then pulling out weapons. "
I'd like to see the aftermath of those.
~Excellent article ping~
God Bless our Troops!!
Sorry for the ping Former Military Chick! Ping to KiloLima and Eagle mama!
A meritocracy must be very scary to liberals. They view sucess as winning "life's lottery".
Re: "It's not just meritocracy, it's also Darwinism in action. Soldiers will perform better for a competent leader, which in turn makes him look better. Soldiers know the difference between a leader and a dilletant. The latter don't do well when performance counts and soldiers' lives are on the line.
Draw your own parallels to the presidential race."
Absolutely. That's what Bush tried to drill into Kerry during the debate, and it's a factor not even realised by those who've never served. Or by those occupied with getting enough purple hearts to buy their way out of a war zone within 4 months in the area of operations. It's my understanding that you don't act with courage under fire 'for the good of the country' or even so much out of 'discipline,' but out of love and respect for your buddies and leaders. Excrement rolls downhill; you can't expect soldiers, Marines, etc to go into the belly of the beast for Kerry's sake as they do for Bush's leadership.
Probably looks something like: SPLAT!!!
Kerry and Edwards, read this and take your MSM rhetoric and put it in your peace pipe and light up. I just wanted to slap the little boy's face everytime he said "just watch the tv and you'll know how badly things are in Iraq" yeah you mama's boy, fortunately many don't believe the dribble from MSM. I hope this is brought up again in the next debate and I hope W says what he said when Allawi was in town "This is what we need to see more of in the Media" Tell them W, sure you only going to see the bad on the television because the bad is all that's reported by the slanted MSM.
The results of such encounter are not pretty.
:-)
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