In one of my last posts I told you to tell you rep to send us home. Someone then asked if I believe the US should pull out. I'm not a politician, I'm just a Soldier boots on the ground for the 2nd time in Iraq. I shouldn't bitch cuz there are some Soldier's out here doing a 4th year. Everything I write in this blog is personal opinion based on my personal experience and views. I'll tell you straight up I want to go the fuck home and with this extension pending for 15 months here I'm not down with that. I personally don't feel like we have progressed at all since I was here in 05. I do feel the enemy has made leaps and bounds in their ability to kill us though. I don't have all the answers and I can't tell you how to fight and win this. There are people in lofty positions paid ridiculous amounts of money to determine that. I don't see the whole picture at my level. All I see is a street littered with trash as I drive down it hoping that it is not hiding an EFP or IED, that might kill me or my Soldiers. I see the people scowl at us in some neighborhoods and wave at us in others. I wave at Iraqi Army soldiers and they don't wave back. I do know that Soldiers have been killed by EFP's blown on them within eye sight of Iraqi Army check points. I just read in Stars and Stripes how some bank guards made off with 282 million dollars worth of AMERICAN cash. If that doesn't make your asshole pucker I don't know what will. You think its easy to keep up motivation and a positive attitude towards this deployment when in 6 months you haven't seen a single change in your area? When top level leadership is quoted in news paper saying that the solution in Iraq must be a political one. Even the Prime Minister of Iraq was quoted as saying they don't need us here and can do it on there own. Then that makes me think what the fuck are we doing trolling around for IED's or EFP's?
Don't get me wrong I love to Soldier, I love Soldiers and I love to lead them. They are really the only people I like to associate with. They have hearts of gold and balls of steel. Willing to lay their lives on the line for the man to the right and left of them. They are my second family. I love my job I love serving the United States of America. I swore to defend her from all enemies foreign and domestic, I will. They say progress in this war will take a long time to achieve. If you worked on something that took you out of your families lives for over 2 years now and had nothing really to show for it would you support it? There are many other factors to the way I feel but I'm not going to get into them at this point. The question is do I think we should pull it out. Yes and no. I would hate to pull out and say it was all for not. I would love to see this thing through. I would like to pull out and go home and spend time with my family and watch soccer games and see them grow up and be a part of that. At the level I'm at right now I just don't see the difference and a lot of it just doesn't make sense to me.
I raised my hand and took the oath so I'm here now. I love my job! I love to get shot at nothing gets your heart going like rounds flying at your dome piece. I love near miss IED's and EFP's. There is nothing like knowing that a huge piece of copper meant to dismember you and kill you has over shot your truck and landed in someones living room. The reason I do it is for my Soldiers. I will go out and perform my duties and I will continue to motivate them and prepare them to fight and lead them into harms way and do my damnedest to bring them home alive. I know that they will do the right things, and pull the trigger when they have to and put themselves in harms way whether it makes sense or not. I know they have my back and will be there for me and eachother when the time comes. The men I serve with are my heroes they are brave, compassionate, and emulate selfless service. Should we pull out? That's not up to me. Will SSG Ruark and his men continue to accomplish missions in order to promote security in Iraq? Your damn right. Will we bitch about it? You bet your sweet ass we will!
12 comments:
i'm new to your blog. i'm trying to get up to speed. i just want to thank you for your service and commitment.
Thanks for clearing that up. I was just recently introduced to your blog. Your telling of your days in Iraq are very vivid and gives us nonsoldiers something to think about. Your post are very well written. I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth. I wasn't sure what you were trying to say. I have great respect and gratitude for your sense of honor and duty. I'm impressed and will find the time to keep reading. THANKS
swet assessment.......laughed my ass off. you'd have to have a sense of humor to put up with that kinda shit. You're good. Shame you only associate with soldiers cause I'd love to buy you a beer and a fuckin fat greasy cheeseburger sometime. Mite have to disagree with the dick slammed in the door.....that would hurt a bit more than stubbing a toe. My hats off to you sir......Keep up your sense of humor....surely it can't get any worse.
I think you and I have a 4 foot tall mutual friend. She is a very big fan of yours and tells me you are the bravest soldier she knows.I had to take a look for myself. She failed to mention that you are also very talented and funny. I don't think she is allowed to read your blog.There are no words to express how much I appreciate your commitment and the sacrifices you are making. Your family back home deserves a big thanks as well. My little friend was right. You have found yourself another fan. Please stay safe and take care.
That deserves a big round of applause! Exactly what I would expect a true American soldier to say. Thanks again for sharing your days and your thoughts.
You are an exceptional writer-great gift to be able to take the reader along with you. You express yourself well and clearly.
You have my deepest respect and appreciation.
I am new to blogging. Learning from some friends. I want to say something but I don't know what to say. I have never seen anything like this about the war. I will be back. I need time to absorb it. Thanks.
I've gotten chills reading about your days in Iraq. I really get caught up in the story. I love what you wrote about your wife. Very nice. I just want to thank you so much for all that you do. I will continue to read.
God Bless You!
I had lunch with a friend today. She is also a reader here. We met at the best hamburger joint in town. We have both been craving a big greasy cheeseburger since reading your post on indulgence. Never has fast food been described so seductively. I think you could write about anything and make it sound interesting. We decided we couldn't indulge ourselves with a guitly pleasure if you couldn't have one too. We should order the girly salad that would be better for our figures. We both agreed that we had no idea what to call your writing style. You have a unique style all our own. We like the way you write, which we imagine to be just like the way you probably talk. She and I agreed that we would rather read a book or a good story than watch TV. When I read I want to be taken on a journey,to be entertained or informed. I want to build the scenes in my mind, be so drawn in that I can't put it down. A great writer writes with a passion that will move you heart and soul. You manage to do all of that in a single post consisting of only a few paragraphs. That's a great gift to have. You make us feel as if we are physically there with you. You give us vivid accounts of what you observe with honesty and humor. You can evoke so many different emotions. You have no problem calling things as you see them. You point out the absurd and may bitch a little about it, but you never whine. I tell my friend that reading your blog makes me feel like a voyeur. She agrees that it leaves her feeling a little unsettled too. We both loved the tribute to your wife. The softer side of the man. We wonder how you juggle it all. We think about what you might be doing at this moment and when we would read about it. That's when I realize why I feel unsettled reading about your days and thoughts. We are setting here enjoying lunch and you are out there somewhere willingly leading by example and doing what is honorable. Doing the things others don't have the ability or courage to do. A place we would fear to go, and we can't wait for you to tell us about it. To take us on this journey with you. Eagerly awaiting your next post feels something like a guitly pleasure. I can't wait to see where you take me next, but I feel guilty that you have to be there at all. You should be home with your family. I can imagine your response to this. Shaking you head with exasperation and mumbling "civilians". That thought makes me smile.
I almost forgot, we broke down and ordered the cheeseburger. We couldn't help ourselves. We said a little toast to you hoping you were safe and well. Then we indulged like a couple of pigs. We grabbed a pen and changed the name of the burger on the menu to the Ruark burger. Our little tribute to you.
I enjoy the way you access things. I can see your views and feel for you, it must be hard to motivate yourself when things don't change. Hang in there though, you'll be home soon! TNT
You have this great ability to convey what you are seeing and feeling. I hope that my continued support and gratitude will in some small way help to motivate you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I wish all Americans could read this blog.
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