From a soldier I know in Iraq

[MattNC]

FUCK THE ARMY!!!

I am about sick and tired of the damn ARMY. The army has fucked me over way to many times. I just found out that my grandfather died and the army is refusing to send me home. Now how the hell am i supposed to keep my moral up if they wont let me go home to be with my family in these times. All i have to say is to everybody that is thinking about joining any military branch, DONT DO IT. the army will just fuck you over. all that they are looking for is a new bitch for the president. The army just needs more bitches to do the presidents work for him. That mother fucker needs to get off of his ass and fight his own battles because i am sick and tired of doing it for him.

_

Not terribly articulate, but I think the message speaks for itself.

[Maat]

1. The soldier's eloquent as far as I'm concerned (n/t) ..

[jobycom]

7. Agreed on that. nt.

[patrice]

2. I feel sooooooooo sorry for him.

His story prooves We ARE War Slaves.

[Hissyspit]

3. Hi, Matt. I teach on Fort Bragg and grew up with the military.

I always try to be diplomatic with my students, but I know of what your friend speaks. The "FTA" graffitti went away a lot after 9/11, but it will be back. Sorry to hear about his situation. Tell him to just hang in there.

[CoffeeCat]

4. That is hard to read...

...it's just heartbreaking.

He's so right. These brave, young soldiers are true Americans. They love their country and they believe in America.

Unfortunately, our pResident views our soldiers as objects to be used for his war games. The soldier who wrote this letter is right...if Junior wants to conquer the Middle East then he should do it himself. He should not use the brave men and women of the U.S armed forces to carry out his sick agenda.

It's so incredibly wrenching to come to terms with the notion that this war is for a select few. This war is does not serve American interests. It doesn't help America. Hell, it doesn't even help Iraq. It's all a part of the PNAC agenda, as they clearly outlined in their letter to President Bill Clinton in 1996--when they begged him to invade Iraq and oust Saddam.

I'm so sick of the lies. I'm beside myself that this could happen to our country. I pray that Fitz will hand down indictments soon and reveal to the world what we've been saying all along.

I feel for your soldier friend, and I am glad to hear that he is living in reality. He knows the score. His tenacity and spunk will help him to fight like hell to get home in one piece.

[Carolab]

5. Tell him to post it on the FreeRepublic website. n/t

[Sal Minella]

6. Quite the contrary.....

It's one of the most articulate things I've ever read.

G.aWol.B. can only dream of expressing himself so succintly.

[stillrockin]

8. My condolences

I'm sorry for your loss. And I'm sorry that you are not allowed to be with your family to grieve.

I'll light a candle for your grandfather and keep you and yours in my prayers. Hang in there and come home safe.

[newyawker99]

33. Hi stillrockin!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[file83]

9. WELCOME, to the real world, soldier.

[yodermon]

10. !

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Matt there are several things he can do

first off, not him, you... send that to his Senators and congress critters

Have him contact the Red Cross, that is waht theoretically they are for... (I know chuckle)

this is also, as far as I understand it against policy

Oh and his parents can demand, from the senators an emergency leave...

And he is right, the army is doing thigns to keep bodies on the line

And he is very eloquent by the way

[MADem]

28. Unless grampa was "in loco parentis" they can deny the leave

I never did it, but it can be done. Emergency leave is ordinarily granted for the death or serious illness of parents, siblings, spouses or children. Commanders' discretion can be invoked for other cases, but they do look at the bottom line in their travel budget. If a grandparent or aunt/uncle served as a substitute parent, the Red Cross must verify it before they send the message to the command.

Emergency leave entails getting the overseas service personnel to the nearest POD (designated disembarkation city in the US). From there they are on their own, though the airlines will give them bereavement fares and military flights will often make room for them as well.

I am not suggesting I agree with the existing policy, but you can bet that they are very short handed if they cannot spare a kid for a week or ten days to go to his grandpa's funeral.

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. Oh I know they are short handed

in ways that are just amddening

[Renegade Six]

12. I Agree

I heard these same comments back in spring 03 from my own soldiers, peers, and some superiors. We as soldiers defend freedom but are unable to exercise our own freedoms. It is ironic that I wore an American flag on the right sleeve of my DCUs for a year in the heart of Baghdad (yeah, we all hated Brehmer too) but wasn't able to enjoy the freedoms the flag is supposed to represent. You think people back home are/were vilified for anti-war stances, try being a Non Commissioned Officer in Iraq and taking the same stances.

OIF-1
9 Apr 03 - 10 Apr 04



edit for sp

[progressivebydesign]

13. Thank you for your service. Renegade Six. n/t

[lildreamer316]

15. Welcome Renegade Six!

Always glad to have new people,and those with military experience give us a unique perspective! Glad also that you are safe and thank you for your service.

[ClayZ]

16. Welcome to DU

Thanks for your post. I wish you Peace and Freedom!:patriot:

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Welcome home soldier

and as a wife of a retirned Navy Chief (he retired in 2002) I can tell you I identify...

I took my stances in the next most dangerous spot to the actual front lines, housing.

and welcome to DU soldier....

Now we need to roll up our sleeves, for our fight is against those who have dishonored the country

[Renegade Six]

24. ha ha!

I'm getting medically discharged in the next few months for coming back 'crazy', in the mean time I'm still living in housing. You are no less a warrior than I.:thumbsup:

[newspeak]

34. another, welcome home Renegade

my daughter is in the Army--she believes her first priority is to defend the Constitution of the US, and that is what keeps her going--she's in Korea right now, which reminds me that my cousin, in the Army, was murdered in Korea. Her parents wanted a full investigation since her abusing boyfriend was named on her ins. policy, but it was a "white-wash."

[ClayZ]

38. Welcome home.

You may take heart in the following list. I also happen to be crazy! Who wouldn't be after 5 years of bu$hco?

Famous Crazy Folks (notice the writers, artists, and musicians, on the list. Hmmmm? Sensitive folks. Even a few politicians there!

http://www.mhcan.org/Resources/fmcrzy.htm


:hug: :crazy: :think: :yourock:

:kick:

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. Well, trust me hawaii Housing is far better than what is

available locally

Welcome home soldier

[TahitiNut]

23. Hasn't changed much in 37 years.

I heard comments like that almost daily in '68-69 ... even in Nam. I doubt I could go more than 15-30 minutes in any day without seeing 'FTA' grafitti.

Welcome back, GI! :hi:

Reminder: 'GI' indicates 'Government Issue' - a kind of property. We surrendered our individual liberties when we enlisted and subordinated our freedoms to the will of the People, through the poltical and military leadership. It's a trust! We trusted that our service would not be abused. It was. The 'buck' doesn't stop anywhere but smack dab at the feet of We the People. Democracy isn't a spectator sport - and without participation can't be called a democracy.

[spuddonna]

27. Welcome to DU :)

And a sincere "thank you" for serving our country!

I hope that they (VA) are taking care of you now that you're home...

[unhappycamper]

31. Welcome to DU Renegade Six.

:hi:



A proud member of the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of the Veterans for Peace wishes you well.

[Lugnut]

41. Thank you for your service Renegade Six

And welcome to DU. :hi:

[Occulus]

14. Passion has an authority all its own.

He said well what he had to say. And it was truth.

[oregonindy]

18. send that in to newspapers...

[karlrschneider]

19. Well, FTA has a long and illustrious history...

;-)

[mirandapriestly]

20. On Al Franken the other day

Christy(ie?) Harvey was talking about how the Pentagon has set up slot machines (gambling) for the troops during their off times and the military uses the money for the extra supplies and safety armor they need. So, essentially, the troops are paying for their own stuff. I just found that disgusting. Also, they were discussing how the Pentagon had promised a bonus to those who had signed up for more time in Iraq they they TOOK IT BACK!!! and reneged. I find that unbelievable! They treat the troops like cr@p, IMO.

[Historic NY]

21. It really is sad * broke the Army and keeps breaking its spirit...

with BS like this. My niece has been in now for 8 yrs and she has been screwed over more than once. She came home in May after a 16 month deployment. They promised to help her get a nursing degree when she was in HS, and she graduated 6 months early. Well after having her college course disrupted twice (she got stuck with most of the bill) they back out of a grant, she went and got a loan on her own to finish up. Whats amazing is she had to go on a waiting list now to get her RN because all the alotted slots are full. She gave up being first in her class for this and they refuse to help. It totally nuts, I hope she finishes soon and gets out, least thats her plan unless they send her away again. Funny thing is she did everything not to get promoted again, but for some strange reason all her paperwork, certificates and accomendations show her with the promotion. She never got notified of it and failed the PT stuff on purpose. Most of her unit did similar things.

We were able to get her home when my uncle passed in Dec. through the Red Cross. She didn't have a grandfather (died young) and my uncle as both a father for myself & brother, so he was by default her grandfather. They never questioned it. Get to the REd Cross and if he has an Army buddy stateside that knows the lingo he should be able to get the emergency leave.

[TacticalPeek]

22. I like the part about President AWOL fighting his own battles.

Any day now, I'm sure.

[booley]

25. Goodness knows, the Navy made me anti-establishment

Once the constant brain washing and high hopes of boot camp wore off and I saw that the military leaders didn't live up to the 'family" rhetoric' they liked to spout all the time... my disillusionment didn't take long to set in.

Nor was I an unsual case.

I have seen soldiers driven to suicide by thier COs and the brass was more concerned about keepign thier pretty image looking good.

While I feel for the soldiers and wan them treated better, i have nothing but contempt for your average military leader.

[spuddonna]

26. Perfect summation, and incredibly sad...

Our troops are being stop-lossed like crazy, for a war that * waged for oil...

Tell your friend we respect and honor their sacrifice and are trying to get this crazy administration to get them home asap! :( peace...

[zippy890]

29. I think he's very articulate

Morale must be so low

[Clintmax]

30. I hear ya, Brother!

I'm sorry about your Grandfather and even more sorry they won't let you come home to go to the funeral and see your family. Fuck the Army is right!

[meganmonkey]

32. Wow - that was so hard to read

I can't even imagine what they are going through... :cry:

And it is articulate - if I were in his shoes I would be typing a bunch of garble in ALL CAPS, useless and falling apart. I just can't imagine.

I just hope he knows, I hope they all know, that those of us protesting are protesting FOR peace and FOR the soldiers, the only thing we are against is the illegal war and the administration who started it. We will welcome them back here with parades and open arms. I can't wait until that day. I really hope they don't believe the crap Limbaugh spews about 'libruls' supporting terrorists and hating the troops...

[Qanisqineq]

35. I am always saying the army will fuck you over

It's been fucking over my husband for more than 10 years.

The latest example: my husband is in Korea. The army takes $265/month out of his paycheck for him to eat at the dining facility. He's been there 6 months and has been able to eat at the dining facility less than 10 times. They know this, in fact, they were surprised he's been able to eat there even once. They know he buys groceries, I buy groceries, and the army is getting $265 for nothing.

[GreenPartyVoter]

36. That poor guy. :^(

[Festivito]

37. Anyone expect a draft BEFORE ELECTIONS???

CONs can keep these stories from the six-o'clock newsies, and no one will notice enough.

And, in the mean time, no one will notice the draft.

[donheld]

42. Recommended

Great post.