How The War In Iraq Is Changing The American Soldier

[Hissyspit]

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/iraq/2008/02/13/how-the-war-in-iraq-is-changing-the-american-soldier.html?s_cid=rss:how-the-war-in-iraq-is-changing-the-american-soldier.html

How the War In Iraq Is Changing the American Soldier
By Anna Mulrine
Posted February 13, 2008

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Just as wars leave a lasting mark on soldiers, they tend to change the culture of the armies that fight them. As the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq approaches, American troops are reflecting on their experiences even as they await how their mission will be judged. So, too, the institution of the military is wrestling over its own narrative for this war, assessing how well America and its commanders have used one of the most powerful tools available to any nation. The lessons it takes away from the experience of its soldiers and marines will influence how it adapts and organizes itself—and how it cares for those sent to do the nation's fighting.

What is immediately clear is that this conflict has put enormous demands on American troops. They are warriors on some days, diplomats on others, in a conflict with no clear front lines and a changing cast of adversaries. And while they are grateful that the American public has steadfastly supported them, regardless of feelings about the war itself, many soldiers report a sense of disconnection, too. America as a nation is not waging this war, many tell you—its military is.

Recent security gains in Iraq, particularly the sharp declines in combat deaths, have come as a welcome development. But there remains a heavy burden on America's fighting men and women. Commanders express grave concerns for troops shouldering wars on two fronts with no end in sight, particularly the half million who have served more than one combat tour since 2002. Soldiers in Iraq, who have seen the duration of their deployments extended as a result of an inadequate post-invasion plan, work seven days a week for 15 months straight, minus two weeks for a trip home to visit family. And they do it all, they joke, without beer (American troops today are forbidden to drink while at war). More than 60,000 troops have been subjected to controversial stop-loss measures—meaning those who have completed service commitments are forbidden to leave the military until their units return from war.

Sacrifice. The news that their yearlong tour was lengthened by three months hit the team hard, says Del Valle. "That was the worst. It's like when you're real thirsty, and you're about to reach for the bottle—and somebody pulls it far away from you." Midway through medic Jones's tour, his wife called to ask for a divorce. "I'm not mad at her, because I can't blame her," he says. "She was tired of being alone." Jones has been deployed to Iraq two of the past five years, which has left him little time to see his children, now ages 4 and 2, grow up.

The sacrifices are great, and sometimes soldiers wonder why they keep making them. On the night that Gauthreaux died, Del Valle and Capt. Christopher Whitten, the gunner that day, talked about their career choice over a game of chess at a small shop on their base as the Iraqi owner served them tea and warm bread. They express a brief moment of doubt about the extent to which what they do is really understood by most Americans. "You get in a humvee every day because that's the job that is feeding your family. I also believe in what we're doing here," says Del Valle. "Our soldiers here are giving 100 percent for every American guy back in the States." Whitten nods, adding, "It makes you wonder, does anybody really appreciate what that guy gave up today?"

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But the desire to make a difference can lead to even greater frustration when troops return after previous tours in Iraq to find what they consider to be little change or even backsliding during a counterinsurgency campaign in which the very definition of victory is still a lively topic of debate. That frustration can be compounded, too. Ancker argues that soldiers are under "a lot more stress" now than they were in Vietnam. "The atmosphere is more physically demanding. And in Vietnam, we were guaranteed at least a year between deployments," he says. When soldiers are injured—physically and psychologically—they are at the mercy of a deeply overburdened system that they cannot always count on to take care of them.

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[FirstLight]

1. K&R

These are the issues we lose to all the hype on the MSM... there is an entire generation of souls who are damaged from this war, (both in Iraq & Afganistan - both civilian and soldier)

Thanks for bringing this important issue to light. Let's bring our brave souls HOME - NOW!!!

and even better, let's give them the support they and their families need to heal... mentally, physically and emotionally.

[Arctic Dave]

2. I think this sums it up

"And while they are grateful that the American public has steadfastly supported them, regardless of feelings about the war itself, many soldiers report a sense of disconnection, too. America as a nation is not waging this war, many tell you—its military is."

The American public never wanted this war. I think people forget the mass demonstrations against this fiasco before it started. The Bush admin and the corporations were the one who wanted this thing to happen. They had a war hard on, and so did the military, and no amount of reason was going to stop them. America simply stood to the side and said, Fine, knock yourselves out". So forgive me if I'm not feeling a whole lot of empathy for you. Perhaps next time be careful of what you wish for.:rant:

[Postman]

3. I say Fugg 'em...

You wanna go get yourself blown up, knock your socks off.

You ain't "defending America" by occupying a country that was no threat, never was a threat and the scumbag Bush Admin. knew it all along.

Pawns. That's all you are.

Expendable, gullible and naive.