Black Military World Forum

Concerns of a young soldier headed to Iraq

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This entry was posted on 10/5/2006 11:21 PM and is filed under WAR.

Yesterday a young soldier asked via e-mail, "Is it "unpatriotic" and "un-American" to oppose the war in Iraq.

 

He indicated that no matter how hard he tried, he could not find a logical explanation for spending hundreds of billions of dollars and sacrificing thousands of lives in spreading democracy to a country that is obviously not ready for it, and may never be ready." (This young lad had read a thing or two.)

 

He also indicated that he loved the military as it has transformed him from a street hood to young man of virtue and spirituality. He shared an equal love for America. There are many black vets, especially Viet Nam vets, who may remember such a quandary.

 

His question is of extreme importance because he will soon be transferred to Iraq for duty.

 

I have an answer for him that would no doubt make for a decent doctoral dissertation, but I'd rather hear from you this time. How would you answer his concerns?  Please make your answers short, concise and to the point.

Thanks for your support. CDR (Ret.) Gregory Black, Black Military World Editor

 

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    • 10/6/2006 1:47 AM Anonymous wrote:
      I would respond by first thanking him for serving and congratulating this soldier for making a decision to turn his life around and act in his own best interest. Regarding his question about Iraq, I would tell him that it matters not if this is a justified or unjustified war. Being in the military means that you give up your right to act from emotion or personal belief. Despite the Army of One propaganda, there is a definite structure in the military, nonexistent in most parts of society, and one's will must bend to that of the commander in chief, right or wrong. I would tell him to do his best to forget the pros and cons of the war, tauted in the political arena, by the right and the left, and recite his commitment. He is entering a dangerous place, he will get PTSD, he will face the racism of the Iraqi's for being American, and if he is black, the racism from his own troops. He must pray for a clear mind and divine protection and seek all of the support he can get from those at home and his fellow soldiers. Duty before feelings is the mantra of the military and though he is human, he has to remember this in order to be the strongest soldier possible. That's my take on this delicate matter.
      Reply to this
      1. 10/6/2006 9:09 AM Allen Reed wrote:
        Wow, what a well stated response from this "anonymous" writer. To be ordered to fight and risk your life for a cause you don't believe in is indeed a serious matter.

        But, I agree that as a volunteer in the military you swore to not only defend the nation, but you also swore to obey the orders of those senior in the chain of command. And that is what you must do requardless of your feelings.

        While you are in Iraq, try to do what you know is right, protect your comrades and help as many Iraqi people as you can. Pray for God's protection and bring yourself and your fellow soldiers home in one piece.

        Forget the politics because that will all change. Hang in there, and remember that we love you and support you for your service.

        Allen Reed, Civil Servant, New York
        Reply to this
    • 10/6/2006 12:28 PM Charles wrote:
      It is your duty and your right to oppose the war in Iraq. This administration lied to the American people concerning the reason to invade another country. I retired in 1985 after 24 years of active duty. Our military leaders have lost their way. They need to stand up and be men.We have lost our moral rudder.
      Reply to this
    • 10/11/2006 1:05 PM LTC Lopez Carter, US Army wrote:
      My first comments to that young soldier would also be "thank you" for your service, your sacrifices and your committment to serve your country. I served as a Battalion Commander with the First Cavalry Division in Baghdad, Iraq from 2004-2005. During our train up for deployment and during my many sessions with family members prior to our deployment I often shared this with them: When the President, under advisement from his National Security Council, makes a decision to go to war he didn't consult with me to get my "vote" on the matter. I cast my vote when I raised my right hand and swore to defend the constitution of the United State against all enemies. My wife cast her vote when she said "I do." Debating the politics of committing American Forces in harms way within the ranks only serves as a distractor and is contrary to good order and discipline. Fact is, none of us in uniform, except those very senior leaders within our military who advise our civilian leadership, can do much to affect our national military strategy or foreign policy strategy. However, what we can do is to ensure we assume responsibility for our lane. I didn't focus on the politics of the war; that focus did little to prepare me and MY Soldiers for the long year we spent in Baghdad. What I did focus on was to ensure MY Soldiers were equipped and trained to execute our mission. That was my sole focus; to return MY Soldiers home to their families in the same manner in which they were entrused to my command. EVERY Soldier has a lane; focus on YOUR lane and keep God close to you. Leave the politics of the war to the American people through our elected representative to discuss and debate. That discussion is of little value to you on the battlefield and serves only as a distractor. Yours is a noble profession, be proud of it and stay focused and committed to the oath your swore when you entered the service. Your duty is NOT, as another who commented here has indicated, to disobey your orders and not deploy with your unit. Note that those comments came from a retired military member; much easier for him to say in the comfort of retirement. Your leaders are depending on you, your fellow Soldiers are depending on you and your ARMY is depending on you. Do Thy Duty That Is Best; Leave Onto The Lord The Rest.

      LTC Lopez Carter
      Commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th (US) Cavalry
      July 2003 - July 2005.
      Reply to this
      1. 12/17/2006 7:13 AM meelibere wrote:
        Your reflection is very honorable and not wrong at all.
        Sure, your president brought the soldiers in the situation, so that very young guys had to deploy, many of them did not come back. We know that know.
        We know much more about the senseless war then in 2003.
        The war was senseless, killed many many soldiers, and had no good at all.
        At least you did what you could do, for YOUR soldiers and I am concvinced, that you did what YOU could do, for it.
        You raised you right hand and your swore.. ;
        And you act to it. Right in many ways. Only right? I am convinced, sometimes you have to adjust a little or listen, look a bit closer.
        We have learned the hard way, where blind obidience leads us too, and I can truly say that, cause my country, my people (thanks God not my Generation) believed, followed, acted so obidient, too odibient, and the whole world broke loose.
        Nowadays, even the United STates have to learn.. that the world is growing so close togother, borders disappear, countries come together, cultures grow together, we learn from our neighbor countries, adjust to some of their habits, eating cultures, music or whatever, and they from us.. take, learn the best from everybody, from the countries, people you deal with - WE have to, Globalization is EVERYWHERE, so adapt to it.

        Learn that we only can survice TOGETHER, ONE WORLD at the end, not one Country - one Continent.
        We all breath the same air, look at the same moon, drink the same water, so be aware
        there is something else then just what you consider or be used of.

        Meelibere
        Germany
        Reply to this
    • 10/16/2006 2:28 PM Thomas wrote:
      Hey Soldier! We are all have our verision of what we feel are justifiable reasons for warring in Iraq, fighting for a democracy they may not be ready for but remember this....When our country was founded, we too were not ready to handle the republic we were demanding. We'd been monarchal subjects that did not know the responsiblities of freedom, much less what to do with them once we obtained them. Other nations stood with us and basically fought for and with us to ensure we obtained the freedom that we eventually had to grow into. The short of it is, we deploy because we are soldiers. While we may or may not agree with the political issues, there are some smaller issues we manage that keep us sane:
      1) Take individual responsibility for our decisions while involved in combat. Don't allow our likes/dislikes about the war release us from the focus that others (who may/may not feel the same way) are depending on us to do our job.
      The war itself is too big of an issue with too many uncertainties and unknowns to try and manage, but we can manage ourselves. Watch out for your comrades, help as many of the Iraqi people you can help. It may not stop insurgency or it may not unite our nation regarding this war, but what we do as individuals will better display the true character of ourselve, our nation and our army better than any politicial rhetoric ever will. I'm not sure if you what faith based principals your heart resideds in, but most faith based principals (in the U.S.) will lead you make the right decisions regardless of what environment you are in.
      Reply to this
    • 10/20/2006 1:01 PM Debbie-san wrote:
      Air Force One in the house!
      Very well said Anonymous!!
      Reply to this
    • 5/25/2007 10:59 PM Lisa Price wrote:
      I really feel that the young man made a decision that he must live with now. He loves his Country-but believe me this unpopular war has cause more division than three Communist Country put together. I'm not a supporter of the military and from what my family has experience-I never will be. But I understand although I don't agree with the new enlisters into the service; but it’s their choice. My heart grieves as a Mother to see these young people go in to fight a war that is without merit and lack substance. We are talking about kids that are at a tender age-haven't seen life developed yet but life has or could be taken away from them without reasons. When our kids sign up for military duties our babies have no insight on what military is all about... All that they understand is wanting a better education and a better life...Maybe some people don't see the death trap as I do but this thing bothers me dearly to see such an evil demise geared against our kids...Its heart breaking..
      Reply to this
    • 10/12/2007 8:37 PM Jack E Hammond wrote:
      [b]"Josh," I said after a bit. "Listen to me: Countries raise and keep armies
      for one reason -- to fight and win wars. If you don't want to go to war,
      don't take what they are offering you. If you do take it, and they call
      you to go to war, don't complain."[/b]

      ("No Saying No, Even If Duty Keeps Calling" by Gregory A. Hull in the
      Sunday Chicago Tribune/Sept 9th 2007 Sec 2 Pg 3 on the advise he gave
      his son when he called and said he had scored high on the arm forces
      test and was joining the US Army and telling his father about all the
      money and other benefits he was going to get for joining -- ie his son
      has see two tours in Afghanistan and is getting ready for a third and
      has admitted he now has reservations, but remembers what his father
      told him)
      Reply to this
    • 10/17/2007 11:43 PM Blackie wrote:
      THE BROTHER SPEAKS THE TRUTH. Blacks, especially, have no damn business fighting these racist, imperialist quicksand wars. Wait until these fools order the soldiers deep into REAL Africa--though I'm not all that in love w/the Muslim religion, I can't see killing Black-derived people if I don't have to. But then, if the US Gov't gets deep into Africa (for the oil, of course), they'll probably have some Uncle Tom or Aunt Jane General in charge. Maybe they'll give Clarence Thomas or Connie Rice a General's rank.......
      Reply to this
    • 2/18/2008 7:04 PM Trip wrote:
      Young Soldier. These 3 things caught my eye that the CDR Black stated of you: You love the military for what it has done for you. You have transformed from a streethood to a person of virtue and spirituality. I don't know what faith you are of, but if so happen you are of my faith in Christ Jesus, forget them, and give God His Glory! "When you vow a vow unto God defer not to pay it for he has no pleasure in fools pay that which you have vowed.Better is it that you should not vow than that you vow and not pay.Don't let your mouth cause you to sin and don't let your angel hear you say you didn't mean to say it. You may angry Him and cause Him to destroy everything you have achieved in life. For through a lot of dreams, and desires come many words that are empty with no accomplishments. But fear God! I know, you may say you didn't vow to God. But you did. If you took that vow to join the military. There is only one true God. And Jesus Christ is His Son. Matt.12:36&37,He speaks,"But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment for by thy words thou(you) shalt(shall) be justified and by thy(your) words thou shalt be condemned". You're not a streethood any more. You are a MAN now, and shall forever more be one in this Earth. You're never be a child again, except a child of God, if you stay trueful. You have made up that BED young man. Lay in it. And trust in the Lord Jesus to make it comfortable for you, your children, and your love ones. Come what may! Be the man God has called you to be, and trust in Him! Peace!
      Reply to this
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