Are American troups beginning to doubt the wisdom of their deployment to Iraq?

Question

If so, are they permitted to voice those doubts?

Just to clarify, I have no doubt about the honorable way most soldiers are serving in our army. With Iraq seeming to slip into civil war as our own generals have suggested, the question goes more to whether the troups on the ground are finding themselves in the position of implementing a strategy which they disagree with.

Of course I understand that it is not their role to make these decisions, and I know that they understand that as well. I do believe that it is easier to enthusiastically follow orders that you feel are rational.

Answer 1

I was in Iraq with the Army National Guard for all of 2005 and although I never belived the US was justified going into Iraq in the first place, I proudly served the US and would do it again in a second.

Answer 2

I speak as a vet, and in my opinion US troops have opinions that run the gamut from optimism to despair just like the general public. However they must confront a more compeling question. Is what I am doing helping keep my loved ones safe and keeping potential threats from harming my country? I believe the vast majority of troops feel that what they are doing is right. Could it have been better? Of course, you can't name a war when mistakes weren't made-some extremely serious. War is the ultimate mistake, but to win is better than losing and you must persevere no matter what. If we fail in Iraq it will send a signal to the entire world that the US is weak, can not defend itself, it's military is flawed, and most importantly the American people don't have the will to fight to victory. That is a dangerous signal to send. That's what breeds a Hitler, Stalin, or Hussein. Can troops doubt the wisdom of the war, of course. G.I.s are always complaining (and they have ample reason to) they are the ones most affected by decisions good or bad made by someone far removed from where they are. But don't confuse complaining with poor morale, GI's are always bitching about something, it is their right. The only thing they can't do is be disrespectful. They could say George Bush is a bad president and this is a stupid war, but they couldn't say Bush is a dumbass, lying SOB. Only democrates can get away with speaking like that!

Whoa Margaret 1, you need to add your picture to your icon. That way I could see what a stupid, ugly, anti-American ***** you are. The only thing that keeps you and your dumbass opinion from not being able to speak freely and wear a head to toe sheet over your head is those troops. So **** off and die. Did I leave anything out?

For csstar; You are right, you don't know geography, but don't stop there.. There is a long list of things you don't know. From west to east geographically speaking there, is Iraq then Iran, then Afghanistan, then Pakistan, so what? Do you think we bordered Japan and Germany in WW II? Those large blue things on the maps are oceans, the brown things (or green things) are land. But since ballastic missles, terrorists, invading armies, and WMDs don't stop at the border, it doesn't matter that you have astuelty figured out that Iraq isn't Afghanistan.

Answer 3

There were those that doubted our reasons for being in Iraq from the beginning. I was there when the war kicked off, so I can't say what their state of minds are now. I've talked to a few buddies of mine that are still there are recently got back, and they say that moral, if any, is about so-so. Are they permitted to voice their doubts? Of course, but no much that it affects your job performance like missing movement or something. We didn't get paid to think, just to follow orders.

Answer 4

(1) Complaints about hardship are nothing new. I remember in the first year (2003) deployed in Iraq, a common refrain was "Dammit, what the hell am I doing here!?" in response to the various kinds of stupidity that occured on an everyday basis. Complaining about a job is not the same as denying it should be executed in the first place. To confuse grumbling from the ranks with not believing in tne overall mission is inaccurate. The vocal minority that refuses to abide by their oath of service is just that, a minority.

(2) Voicing anything privately is protected by the 1st Amendment. Voicing anything in public with your name on it has to be put through the local PAO office and follow strict guidelines on protecting OPSEC. Voicing anything anonymously that grossly violates OPSEC invites serious UCMJ action.

Conversely, once their term of service expires, servicemembers can vote with their feet on the issue of Iraq. Nothing prevents them from talking to their elected representatives either on any issue. America is still a republic, not a dictatorship in the mold of the Soviet Union.

By the way ...

"Margaret I" - the question is in reference to IRAQ, not AFGHANISTAN. There is NO opium poppy cultivation in IRAQ. When you manage to fight your way out of that paper bag you call home, let the world know. Explore it. Read the news. It may actually broaden your meager and inadequate horizons.

Answer 5

I am sure some do but that is what is great about the American soldier. We volunteer. So we will still accomplish our mission and make the best of it. No matter how we feel. I personally still believe the war was the right thing to do. Soldiers still have the right to free speech. Just have to make sure that act professional, especially when in uniform.

Answer 6

Some, yes, but that is some, the minority. I do know that most of the soldiers on the ground agree that this war is extremely strategic in the war on Islamic fascism.

And as for the b&*#@-a** who is already getting a lot of heat on this topic, Mr. Margaret, this is not the politics & Government category where it is over-run by anti-war nutjobs, mostly clear-thinking people are on the military category so next time keep your dumba**, government-educated, insulting comments to yourself and learn some geography you moron.

Answer 7

I just welcomed 700 "brown shoe" navy and coast guard people back home after a nine-month harbor and oil-field security mission in Kuwait and Iraq. They all looked tough and dedicated, and there had been NO injury or loss of life, although they all went armed at all times, and discovered an active al Qaeda cell just off their base.

Answer 8

I HOPE NOT! I am very much against this war, but I would hate to think our troops are doubting there purpose. Regardless of how we feel about the war, we should stand behind our men and women who are giving their lives for our country. I certainly hope they can voice their opinions, even if they disagree, afterall this is America and we do have freedom of speach (unless of course you are a Dixey Chick).

Answer 9

Man who are these people that are answering the questions?

People that don't know or gong ho Marines?

The strength of the US is that we have thinking people.
Yes people in the military doubt and question just like anyone should! That does not mean that you don't carry out your orders or you are any less patriot!

Think about courage. If you know no better and just charge in to things you are not courageous, you are stupid. If you know what you are doing and you do it any way because you know it has to be do, that is courage.

Answer 10

Come on, give me a break. The ones who haven't already had doubt are real candidates to test for shell shock. Should they be able to voice that, **** Yea' ! they should. I mean I really stink at geography but Afghanistan isn't in Iraq. I know everyone keeps saying it but it's true, Afghanistan isn't freakn' in Iraq!