Question for vets?

Question

Hey fellow vets... don't you find it irritating when people come on making statements about Iraq (or any other war) like its a fact, and they've never been there? Making statements how "this is like that" or "that is like this" and they only get their info from the news or from people who know people who was a pen pal with someone over there? That reeeaaally gets under my skin.

Definitely. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But like he said, don't start talking like you know 100% facts because you saw a video on YouTube.

Thanks for the support ya'll.

I agree with what you're saying. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion. I know that. I know that. I know that.
My problem is when someone who watches only CNN or FOX or NBC says we need to pull out because we're not accomplishing anything.
That is far from the truth, and what the media would have you believe. They are entitled to that opinion. YES I KNOW THAT.

My question was just "Doesn't it irritate you?"

Good God. Had to bag on the enlisteds didn't you?
Yes, Iraq is a hell-hole. Yes, parts of Iraq are falling apart. Yes, we've buried nearly 3,000 of our men and women, including five good friends of mine. I know that. And I've peeled my friend's burned corpse from the pavement behind his Bradley.
But people are wrong to overlook the good. I'm just a grunt. But I have seen and heard with my own two eyes and ears the people telling us and thanking us for being there. I've received flowers and kisses. I've pulled security in neighborhoods where we were building schools and "mini-mosques" and clinics. I've walked along the streets cleaning up sewage. I've bandaged wounds civilians received not only from our gunfire, but from little minor accidents. I've helped chase down a couple guys that robbed an older couple.

SO DON'T TELL ME THAT NOTHING GOOD IS HAPPENING OVER THERE UNLESS YOU CAN PROVE THAT NOTHING GOOD IS HAPPENING. DON'T JUDGE ALL OUR SOLDIERS BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF A FEW.

And again, I know, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But back it up.

You know, I wasn't in Vietnam, but assuming the history books are correct, there is another comparison you can make between Vietnam and Iraq. We won/are winning the war militarily but lost/are losing the war publicly and politically.

And THAT, my friends, is a shame.

Answer 1

Could not agree more. You would think they were Generals on the battlefield!

Answer 2

What I bothers me is when I here people say we need to send more troops in but won't join. The regular army is already doing more than 12 on and less than 24 off, and there are very few guard and reserve units left that haven't gone and many that have gone twice. Before talking about sending more in, how about giving us more troops to begin with by joining.
And not too long ago, I was talking to a girl that made the bold statement that we shouldn't only build up Iraq militarily, but also rebuild their infrastructure. All I could do was shake my head. She was surprised as hell when I told her about the clinics and hospitals being built, and the schools, and so on.
What bothers me the most, are the people that are against the war just because it's cool to be against the war. Most of these people are young and liberal. Like I used to be. Conservatism is an acquired taste.
And other countries wouldn't hate us so much if the media would provide equal time to the good we're doing.

Answer 3

I know exactly what you mean. I've had officers in Germany tell groups that Pearl Harbor was all staged in Hollywood using model planes and ships. They spout off like they're in the know while everybody else is ignorant.
It really sets them back when they learn that I was there under the Jap planes. Full sized planes with Jap pilots and real bombs.
Now the same idiots are saying the Twin Towers was an inside job ordered by the president. The Pentigon was never hit by a plane, etc etc etc. There is no limit to ignorance and stupidity.

Answer 4

The vast majority of Americans, including many vets, have not been to Iraq. We rely on the media and news sources for our information. I'll be the first to say that I can imagine, but do not know, what it is like over there. Even the commander in chief admitted "its bad in Iraq". How bad? Most of us will never be able to grasp...

Answer 5

I am a vietnam vet I dont think that we should be in Iraq because its unwinable its the same as vietnambut its not the soldiers fault you have to obey orders the same as we did . P erhaps if the generals had been able to win the war initially it would have been different

Answer 6

Not a vet, but I couldn't agree more!

I get my news from many different soldiers who have been there, and because what they tell me is so mixed, I literally have no opinion on the war, as far as being "for" or "against" it.

Answer 7

As a former Marine I understand every word that you typed. There is a lot of good going on but nobody wants hear about it. Semper Fi my friend.

Answer 8

The ones I'd like to frag are the idiots who say;

"Well man, I like support the troops but I like don't support the war, man!?"

That's when I miss my bayonet the most.

ZING, no more worries about hemorrhoids for that genius.

Answer 9

No, I find it irritating when someone says "it's a (insert name of affected group) thing, you wouldn't understand."

Don't you remember raising your right hand and swearing to support and defend some document that guaranteed Americans' right to voice their opinions? Hmm, what was that called again?

If you don't like what people are saying, spread your own message and tell us like it is.

Sincerely
A Vet

Answer 10

Enlighten us with your comprehensive knowledge of the war in Iraq.

People who boast about their military service irritate me and junior enlisteds always act as if they know it all.