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No... to heavy.

And for the guys talking about who invented it, while the idea did see some use in Vietnam, the first use of a "catching" device to prevent the RPG (or similar round) from making contact with the armor of the vehicle was the Israelis. They used 1/2" link chain.

I could be wrong, but this is what we were told.

Most of the guys who I went to war with, those who stayed in, wanted to stay Stryker. Even the guys who grew up on Bradleys and Tanks.

Eventually 3 BDE's worth of Strykers at Ft. Lewis. I am thinking about going to Germany after the Captains Course so I can try and command there.

We'll see. Ultimatly, the Stryker is a great vehicle so I don't care where I go so long as it isn't Alaska (too cold for me) and so long as it is in Strykers.

The ATGM was useful in Iraq. We used our TOWS to great effect on the enemy. My concern with the MGS variant is that it can't really self-secure like the ATGM can.

That said, if they put it into a hunter-killer team... well... the enemy are gonna be hating life.

Of course.

There are actually a variety of reasons.

1) Is exactly argument C.
2) I have experience that can be used to more effectively lead troops into battle and bring them home. While it is true that this could be used to train/recruit, my temperment isn't really a good fit for those roles.
3) To a large extent I buy into the whole "Duty, Honor, Country" thing. I know I have done my duty, I did it well before I got injured and I do it well now. Please do not think that the Army didn't offer me a great number of different opportunities.
4) (Primary Reason) I believe some people are born to be soldiers. They are given, for whatever reason, a strong mind that is able to deal with the things you see on the battlefield and an able body with which to fight. I am not calling everyone else weak, please understand that. I have had no nightmares, none. I have no regrets about what I did and although I have a certain degree of concern about going back, it stems largely from having a healthy understanding of how bad being shot can hurt.
5) I would be unhappy in a role outside the operational combat arms. I don't know why, but it is my home. While I admit that I could choose a less risky assignment, I wouldn't be happy. This translates into me being less happy at home and having less pride in my work. Children are smart and they will see that. My father was a veteran who suffered from a similar condition which drove him to serve. I hated it when he was gone, but he was always happy with what he was doing, it made home life better. Further, my wife is a good Army wife. She brings a wealth of experience to the table and is always there to help the wives and mothers of my soldiers cope with the stress.
6) I have heard it said by several soldiers that seeing me going back to combat gives them a great deal of faith in the medical care the Army offers. Consider the amount of damage I suffered to my stomach, legs, and feet. Today I run (although slower), workout, hike, shoot, and manuever well enough to be a soldier, even well enough to be a scout. Grace of God, medical miracle, whatever, it gives soldiers that extra ounce of confidence which can make the difference.

Ultimatly I have a deep love of what I do. I hate seeing battle, I am not insane nor an andreniline(SPL) junky. I have just realized that at some point someone has to stand in the gap. I can't accept the "Let someone else do it" line of logic when I am capable still.

Perhaps, if I don't come back from this one my children will hate me. I don't know. But I do know that I will have made a difference in ensuring that their lives are safer, and I can live with that.

The Army has changed the way they rotate people. We are now "lifecycled" for 3 years at a time. This created opportunities for Captains to be XO's and in some cases, even Platoon Leaders. Additionally, my command decided that since I had lost a year of my time as an LT while I was healing, that I shouldn't be denied the opportunity to be an XO.

In my unit, there will soon be 4 Captain XO's. Hopefully the experience base will benifit the men.

Thank you.

Still true, but not my reason for going back.

And recrossed, and recrossed again, and again

I'm sorry that people question where I should be.

I once asked a Congresswoman who she would rather have leading her son or daughter, an officer who doesn't know the pain of being wounded, or one who does.

She didn't answer.

Again, the Army gave me the choice. It was made only after long hard discussion with my wife.

Noble thought. It is interesting that you should make that comment given that I have heard it before. I suppose that either A) I am a poor husband and father, B) Incapable of surviving in the civilian work force, or C) Being a good father by showing my children that their Daddy won't give up and neither should they.

You pick.

I chose not to be taken out of a combat role. The choice was mine to make, the Army made that quite clear.