U.S. Colonel Says Troop Morale 'Absolutely Tremendous'

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2006 – The morale of U.S. soldiers in Baghdad is "absolutely tremendous," a U.S. Army commander there said today.

"When I talk to my soldiers on the ground, they're absolutely committed to what we're doing here," Army Col. Michael Beech, commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Forward Operating Base Prosperity in central Baghdad.

He said this high morale is reflected in his unit's re-enlistment rate -- 116 percent of goal for first-term soldiers.

"They volunteered knowing they were coming to Iraq," he said. "A hundred and sixteen percent of the soldiers that we needed to re-enlist have now re-enlisted and elected to stay in the Army. That's a tremendous thing, given that we are now in Iraq, in Baghdad, in a pretty tough fight. So I think the morale of our forces is great."

The colonel also used his news briefing as an opportunity to share his unit's appreciation for their families in the United States.

"I'd like to thank all of our friends, family members back home, the family members of our soldiers," he said. "Of course, we couldn't do this without their love and support during this time period.

And we have independent verification:

Price: Troops' Morale In Iraq Is High

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1628408/posts

"My job was to try to cheer the soldiers up. But in most cases, they didn't need it. … It was an amazing experience. I went to Iraq looking to raise morale. But in the end, it was the soldiers who had done that for me."

Price observed to a Pfc. Meyer, "A lot of folks would say this is awful. You folks have to be here for so long. Is it hard?"

"It's hard being away from your family," Meyer admitted, "but we have a really tight group, and every day I wake up smiling. I'm happy to be here doing what we're doing. I really am; really excited about being here."

In base after base, Price said, most troops had a clear sense of mission.

Sgt. Mark Massey, an Army vehicle commander, is on his third tour. "They don't really hate us as much as we think they do," he told Price. "That's something I'm proud of, that I volunteered to train these Iraqis, because I got to see the culture and I got to see how these real people operate — not what you see on TV."

I hang out on the political forum at a NY Jets site battling liberals daily- today, unbeknownst to us, a poster who served in Iraq posted the following:

"Let me do a little Paul Harvey for you.

I read that article you mentioned in the Stars and Stripe while I was deployed in Iraq. I have been there 7.5 months. I am currently on my EML back home and enjoying our great country. Never lose sight of that.

The military has always offered financial incentives to enlist or re-enlist depending on your specialty or location you might be in. This was true in 1988 when I joined and is true today. It is a necessity to keep people in as the gap between military pay and pay in the civilian sector widened.

As for the article, that should be taken with a grain of salt. It has about as much validity as going to Fenway and asking people do you like the Sox and hate the Yankees. It is a no brainer. No one wants to be here. However it is our job. (he is referring to the poll from Stars and Stripes which stated a majority of military people in Iraq think America should withdraw in the next 12 months)

The IA battalion I work with is in charge of the sector I am in. Are they as good as the US? No, but they are getting the job done. When the secretarian violence resulting from the mosque bombing plagued Iraq, our whole sector, which is divided by a line that delineates Sunni and Shia, had a relatively peaceful time. The mosques around my patrol base were not preaching American Jihad, but for peace. By an large the Iraqis want peace and they are slowly getting there.

For what it is worth, I have sat on Traffic Control Points and a vast majority of the people that go through will wave to you and have a freindly smile. Of course, none of this is seen in the media. Not the numerous tips we receive turning in "alibaba" from local nationals. The fine work our IA Battalion. One mission were they swooped and bagged 10 insurgents. A mission executed flawlessly without US assistance or prescence. While at the same time they were executing another mission seemlessly. That the sector I am in has seen roadside bombs and insurgent activity drastically reduced. The insurgents no longer have an open corridor from the SW into Baghdad. Why is this not in the news? It does not serve the media's agenda. Plain and simple.

Apparently, unlike the poll respondents, I can see the big picture. We need to be there. We are getting the job done despite media assertions. When I take my last swig of Chai Tea and wish a fond adieu to the Iraqi unit I am with, I will know I was a part of something great. Now, why wasn't that question asked?"

http://www.jetsinsider.net/forums/showthread.php?t=118071&page=4&pp=20

post #74

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