How do the troops really feel about Iraq?

Question

I just spoke to one of my sales reps whose son is returning from Iraq, minus an arm. He said that the troops his son was with call Iraq a "100 degree shithole" and that "they are wasting their time there." He also said the troops are "disgruntled". This was his 3rd tour.

I would like to read more personal accounts. Some troops who returned may not feel this way.

sgreger1- I asked the question because of what one person returning from Iraq felt.
I want to know what others think about being in Iraq. That's it.

I welcome all views, but really would appreciate it if they were not politicized.
Thank you for your response.

Answer 1

I agree with a lot of the folks here.
The country itself is a crappy, typical, 3rd world nation. Its going to take a generation or 2 to snap them out of that mindset and get some solid infastructure there.
If you hear the troops say that its crappy, their just talking about the country in general. The smell, the dust, the heat, the bugs,etc.
Its not a pleasant place to be in any sense of the word, however, I believe that if we're over there to fight, we need to fight. We aren't there to play policeman and make nice. I feel that we're fighting blindfolded, with one hand tied behind our backs and hopping on one leg.
I echo the sentiments of a lot of guys when I say "Pave the place, or leave".
In war civilians are killed, mistakes are made, people die. It sucks, but thats what war is. I think a lot of the troops, myself included, are frustrated over the ability to actually prosecute missions to our fullest abilities.
I think frustration is one of the main emotions I felt over there.
This war is turning into another Vietnam for the simple reason that the same thing is happening. We NEVER LOST a force on force confrontation with the enemy, but because we take casualties, the perception is we are losing. We are "losing" because politicians and people at home don't have the guts or the vision to prosecute the war the way it needs to be prosecuted.
It hurts me when I hear the media and protestors say we are losing the war. Like they know. Far from it.
The problem is they want us to eliminate threats without hurting anyone or damaging anything. These people are really living in a fantasy world.
Anyway, thats my 2 cents.

Answer 2

Absolutely not true. Iraq is in fact a shithole. However, this year the living conditions for troops has beena lot better because we have more facilities established so people can shower/ eat more etc.

As far as the war effort is going, my brother is a sgt in the 82nd airborne tactical air control party, he says they have made a lot of progress since he was first there in I think 03. He has had so many tours that they are making him take a year off to see his family. I am alsoa training airborne infantryman and although I have not been to Iraq personally, I have spoken with many and many who have and about 75%-80% believe progress has been made and believe in the war effort. This is due to the fact that in the military it is all God & Country, no liberal media to discurage them.
Go on forums.military.com I believe it is, post this question there and see how many active duty GI's laugh at you. We all signed up for a reason... now let us do our jobs.

Another huge factor is the democrats wining in this last election, morale was really taken down then because everyone is afraid they will do what they did in vietnam and de-fund the war. The fact that this IS now happening decreases morale even more. They do not feel they have the support necessary and they feel congress is trying to tie their hands.

My brother says we need to spend at least another year training iraqi troops and maybe then we can withdrawl, but we cant give a date beforehand because then everyone will just wait for that date and once we withdrawl ther will resurface again.

Hope this helps.





@
robj67200...

I solute you soldier, and I think that is an acurate description of the situation over there. These are not americans we are defending, it is a very angry people who are bitter at our attempt to raise them from the mud. By not giving us MORE troops and MORE money so we can go ahead and win this thing it is tying our hands and getting more people killed. Peace activists kill more than any dictator by tying the hand of their own military effort.

Answer 3

Here is an answer from someone who is here in Iraq now.

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere with facilities, it's not bad. Troop live in big camps with Burger King, shopping, and swimming pools. These aren't the troop that go out everyday and find IED's. I cringe every time I have to get on the road. People throw rocks at us, shoot at us, blow us up, cuss us, and take every single thing we can give them. They hate us, each other, and everything else. The infrastructure is no better than it was 2000 years ago. People still live in mud huts and resent the hell out of us for trying to change them The only time this country has been peaceful is when it is ruled by a monster. The American people are not willing to let the American Military do what is necessary to stop the bullshit going on here so we ride up and down the roads waiting for something to explode or waiting to be attacked on their terms,spreading goodwill hoping for butterflies and rainbows. This place is a **** hole. This place is the crusty junk sitting at the bottom of a shithole. We need to either fight a war or get the hell out.

Answer 4

I served in Iraq and admit that it is not a fun place to be. Most polls taken of the troops indicate that they believe in the mission over there. However - since the Democrats took control of Congress, morale has plummeted as the troops feel that the political support necessary for victory has disappeared.

Answer 5

I happen to think we need to stay and get the job done or everything that everyone has lost over there is going to be in vain.