Just got off the phone with my BF who's leaving tomorrow to Iraq with his MiTT.
He dropped me a bomb by saying he's the primary driver (?) of their team Humvee.
Does anybody know how often the troops go out with or without IA in Humvees? And is it more dangerous to be a driver than a passenger?
The IED attack is already over 40% of all fatalities.... I am so freaked out.
2007-04-03 19:21:48 · 7 answers · asked by Spring Snow 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I read a report I cant remember where but it said most death & injuries are to those on the right side of the vehicle due to the IED'S being on the right side of the road after I read this I always sat on the left side of the vehicle.
2007-04-04 01:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by Grunt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Greg makes a Valid point on the IED's. That is the biggest factor. Also he should be thankful he is driving and not in the Turret!! That is the most dangerous spot in any Troop Vehicle. Not just for IED purposes. I have friends I served with in the Marines who went through around 8 to 10 Humvees between 2 tours in Iraq and they came back fine. one had Shrapnel in his vest and Helmet, but no injuries minus a little temporary hearing loss and shakin' up from the blast.
Best wishes for him and hope he comes back safe! Keep your head up to for him, and also send him as much stuff from home as possible. It will make his tour easier to deal with.
2007-04-03 19:47:29 · answer #2 · answered by Detroit Punk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the size of the IED and where the blast occurs. Some Humvee guys have been hit by IEDs and they all walked away even when the vehicle was thrashed. The death rate in the U.S. is 8 per 1,000 people per year. The death rate for a soldier in Iraq has been 6 per 1,000 per year. For the Iraqis, they have a death rate half that of both Germany and Italy so you might think about that when planing a vacation.
2007-04-03 19:30:11 · answer #3 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope that you BF comes home in one piece, brains and spirit alike.
Just because he is a driver does not mean that all the odds are against him. There are thousands of GI drivers in Iraq and most of them come home in one piece. So your BF has a good chance of crossing your threshold and door again in one piece.
Sometimes it is harder on the friend left in America than on the Troop in the field, mentally, emotionally and physically, so ask for some help with this separation and the sharing of the stress between you and your BF.
Just stay busy. Don't get involved with other men just to help the time go by. Don't go out drinking with the girls in a local watering hole. Share in your BF's trip by sharing in his sacrifice in a variety of ways. Do it very consciously. Get help with it!
2007-04-03 19:41:48 · answer #4 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to scare you, but in my husband's unit, there have been no fatalities when a roadside bomb hit their tanks. All the people that have died in his unit have either been in a humvee or on foot. But like other people said, it depends on the size of the bomb and where it gets hit.
As the wife of a currently deployed soldier, you need to stop thinking and worrying about the things you are asking. You will drive yourself crazy thinking about all the things that could happen to him. Trust me, I was in your shoes about 6 months ago!
2007-04-03 20:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by Brianna's Mommy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your BF happens to be the son of Michelle Laxalt, the Republican Strategist, he'd be in a safer job in the highly protected Green Zone or the US Embassy out there! :-)
2007-04-03 20:32:35 · answer #6 · answered by United_Peace 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better IN the Hummer than OUT. Armor plating
Semper Fi
2007-04-03 20:09:26 · answer #7 · answered by Ironball 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋