A tough man for a tough job, U.S. troop safety is the duty of a Jerseyan bent on winning

Star Ledger ^ | 07.03.07 | WAYNE WOOLLEY

[Coleus]

The troops fighting in Iraq usually keep quiet when they hear critics say the war is going poorly.  Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola is a notable exception. The 49-year-old Elizabeth native, who is serving as the top enlisted soldier in Iraq, had a visceral reaction in May when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said "this war is lost."

 

Ciotola described his reaction to a reporter from the Tampa Tribune this way: "I felt compelled to pull out my sidearm," using military parlance for an urge to pull his gun. Ciotola said his choice of words, which are extreme even by battlefield standards, came because his "emotions got the best of me." But Ciotola said his words were guided by his continued belief that military failure in Iraq is an option America cannot afford.  "How dare anyone say we've lost when we've lost more than 3,600 young men and women here and had another 27,000 wounded," Ciotola said. "To say that's been for naught is simply wrong. Don't tell me we're losing. Don't tell me we've lost."

 

Taking combat losses personally is part of Ciotola's job.  As the command sergeant major for Multi-National Corps Iraq, he has the primary responsibility for the safety and discipline of all enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Iraq. He's also a principal adviser to Lt. Gen. Ray mond Odierno, the day-to-day commander in Iraq and a native of Rockaway. Their leadership team is about halfway through its 15-month tour in Iraq.  The fact that two guys with Jersey accents and Italian surnames have such high profiles in Iraq isn't lost on the troops, who make their share of Sopranos jokes, said Ciotola, who was born in Elizabeth and later lived in Union and Springfield.

[HiJinx]

I felt compelled to pull out my sidearm

Wonder what kinda dork has to explain that to his readership?

[ryan71]

I’m sure the command Sgt Major would give his left nut to meet Harry Reid in a dark alley.

And I’d give my right one to watch.

[Calpernia]

BTTT

ping

Jersey Italians RULE!

:-)

[Calpernia]

BTTT!

[zoomie81]

Just picked up my emails. I missed this in the Ledger. Wow something that doesn't trash the troops in a New Jersey paper ? I don't know how to attach a link but Drudge has a link to SKY News with serious Islamic propaganda with very graphic anti-American photos.