What is iraq like?
Is it non stop action, and fire fights and kilings, and are there ied's and rpgs being shot at you often over there?
I really am nervous and scared to go, please share your experience of how it is over there.
Thx-
2007-02-27 14:43:01 · 27 answers · asked by Aaron T 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Here are my observations about my tour in Iraq:
1) Enemy fire is more of an annoyance than a threat.
2) The hours will drag but the days will fly.
3) It is not 'hot' in the summer. It is instead 'oh my god I cannot believe it is this hot.' (When 110 degrees feels noticeably cooler - you know it is hot.)
4) You will get so sick of carrying that rifle and clip of ammunition everywhere you go.
5) Once summer ends the dust will be replaced by the most vile mud you can imagine.
6) The entire country stinks.
7) When it is over you will be proud that you went.
8) You will lose whatever respect you had for the news media.
2007-02-28 02:03:07 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Look bro, I spent 2004-2005 in east Baghdad as an infantryman. In over 200 missions, I was in 4 firefights and 6 incidents of IEDs. Our battalion (about 600 guys) had 6 fatalities. If you do the math, you are overwhelmingly likely to come home in one peice.
Honestly, my year tour was days of boredom broken up by brief moments of chaos. If you do your research, 2004 was the bloodiest year for US soldiers as well. So my point is there is no bloodbath, no continual "action" or anything like you would see in the movies.
In a year tour, I am sure you'll have some close calls and a few "oh sh*t" moments but by and large you will play more playstation in one year then you thought humanly possible.
Thats the straight truth.
2007-02-28 00:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Kilroy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I praise your courage and it's not shameful being scared but, right now you have to maintain focus. Wherever you go over there, you will be amongst the best that the military can offer. I will be your friend to the end and I don't even know you. I wish that I could tell you what it's like over there but, when I joined, it was peacetime and I have been discharged for many years, now. Always remember this "No Soldier Is Left Behind", ever! So, Eyes Front! Your buddys' got your 6. Pay extreme attention to detail and keep your weapon clean. Your Brother in Arms, Army of One, Army Strong- OOH-RAH!!!
2007-02-27 23:15:37 · answer #3 · answered by ibithedust 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The media plays it up way too much. Last month there were only 39 combat related american deaths in Iraq. There were 35 murders in Detroit. Besides, you're working with the best in the world. It took the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines less time to destroy Saddam's Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after he ran his Oldsmobile into a lake. You'll be fine.
2007-02-27 22:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by Kaiser32 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are right to be scared, the situation is pretty much a war zone. Our prayers go with you, keep your head down, and don't give snipers a clear shot at you, drive safe, and watch out for IED's. When you get there, the best advice you can get will be meaningless. It will be boring as hell for weeks on end, and then complete out of control insanity for a few minutes.
Survive. Keep as many of your brothers and sisters alive as you can, and be smart. It will be over before you know it, and you will be back in front of you computer telling us what a hero you were in no time.
If you weren't nervous, then you would really have a problem. Nervous is good, it keeps you alive. Good luck and God Bless.
2007-02-27 22:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by blogbaba 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am retire military, and I understand your concern. I would like for you to think for a minute, since the start of this insurrection we have lost about 3000 people. I would like for you t think about that 3000 and yes it could have been you or me,..... but it isn't and when you are doing your thinking about this war try to think about how many folks have been there and served there, and what is the percentage that have been killed? I don't know the figures but I will say I think that you are more apt to be hit by lightning, I am sure that our loss rate is well under 1%. I will also tell you that no it isn't always fighting, but it is always ready to fight, I am to old to go to Iraq my service time was Viet Nam
2007-02-27 22:54:02 · answer #6 · answered by ffperki 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey man, I would just like to say thank you. So your going to Iraq, what isnt there to be afraid of. It's a completely different world over there and I wouldnt tell yourself that your terrified. If anything your reactions are normal. I havent been to Iraq and dont expect to get the best answer for this but "I salute you".
2007-02-27 22:48:47 · answer #7 · answered by justin_49ers2001 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your job. I am an MP, and was outside the wire almost everyday on convoy escort duties. In the entire year i was there, we were hit with 3 IED's and occasional small arms fire. No one in my convoys was really injured, small stuff, but no one was killed. I have some hearing damage from the IED, but nothing too bad. Other than that, the country is hot, hot and oh yeah, hot. You will meet some good Iraqis and some bad Iraqis, kind of like home. Just remember your training and you will be fine.
2007-02-28 01:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Man, I don't know who this bruno clown is, but he obviously wasn't there and is late on his medication and nap time.
I got back from Ar Ramadi-dubed the most dangerous city on earth- in June 2006. I was there for almost a year. I lost friends, but made friends. Most of the Iraqi people are happy we are there, but would like to have their country back. No one can blame them for that. But they do NOT spit on you and tell you to go home and any pictures of hand-holding and hugs are as real as it gets.
The media is real good at exagerating and also twisting things, so ignore the news reports. If you find yourself in Iraq, do your job the best you can and always remember Combat Stress Control is there for your benefit and there is no shame. I used them alot.
Good luck
2007-02-28 14:09:52 · answer #9 · answered by glen w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
finsihed a tour of afghanistan its long periods of nothing then short busts of contrated fire usaully followed by a big bomb but thats how the brits do it so im not sure how the us do it if only served with the usaf, best advice for you mate is to keep your head down, dont do heroics they get you killed, also know how far you can sprint at full paces, and another tip for u american guys humvees arnt good cover (bullet magnets) if you come under fire find the nearest buiding or rock that you can use as cover. as they stop most ordance form the insurgants
2007-02-28 08:50:09 · answer #10 · answered by William C 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋