Free Republic

Whether for or against the war in Iraq, political candidates this year have been united in their support for U.S. troops. But what happens when the troops themselves begin to lose confidence in their civilian leaders? The CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes recently reported on troops in Iraq forced to use plywood and sandbags to shield themselves from explosive shrapnel, due to a lack of adequately armored vehicles. Critics blamed inadequate planning at the Pentagon. National Guard and reserve units lacked night vision goggles and even adequate communications equipment. The Washington Post reported that Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez sent a...

ASADABAD, Afghanistan — The nurse looked at Spc. Adrian Danczyk in disbelief when he finally made it to the aid station after a firefight. Second Lt. John Bradley wears the Army’s Advanced Combat Helmet, which is lighter and stronger than the old helmets, while in Iraq. “The medics were working on the guys who were hurt the worst, and I was just sort of sitting back out of the way,” said Danczyk, Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Lt. Col. Chuck Williams, commander of 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Armored Division, wears...

The failure to provide protective gear, training puts them at risk Shame on those who, from the safety of their living-room armchairs, cavalierly label as cowards the soldiers of the Rock Hill-based 343rd Quartermaster Company who recently refused orders while on assignment in the chaos and extreme dangers of Iraq. Shame on those who reduced Mount Holly's Specialist Major Coates on Wednesday to having to say in defense: "We are not cowards. ... Our soldiers have run missions all over Iraq; we're never scared to go on a mission." Bravery and stupidity are not synonymous. So far, from what I've...