Are we really making progress in Iraq? This question is for military personnel who've actually been there.

Question

I would like to actually hear from military people that have actually spent time in Iraq to tell the general public what's really going on there. Like most people, I'm tired of the politicians, media and so-called "experts" telling everyone their version of the war. I want to hear it from the Devil Dogs, Rangers and Airborne who are out there every day and can give us an honest answer. Stay safe!

Answer 1

Well- I'm not in the Military (yet!) but I do know a total of about 20 soldiers with their boots in the sand. One of the soldiers I know is a Major- and every letter I've received he tells of how the Iraqis are helping the troops and how once insurgent infested areas are now notably more peaceful. Then there's the Chaplain I write to who tells of how the soldiers get discouraged from the politicians, media and "experts" opinions on the war when they're really making progress. Then there's the Army nurse who says that she's glad that she doesn't have so many wounded Iraqi kids because the surge has helped. I could go on and on... but every soldier I know says the same message- progress is being made and they appreciate support--- not negative comments.
Support our troops- they're doing their job!
God bless them!

Answer 2

When I was in the military, I was rah-rah, support the mission etc.

I'm not in Iraq so I can only comment from the past.

Vietnam, we did not win the hearts and minds of the people.
That is why we eventually lost.
While we are making positive strides, the bottom line, 1000 positive things can be immediately wiped out by one insurgent attack.
Think of it another way, how many politicians have been slammed dunked because of one slip of the tongue?
Or at work, you have sacraficed for the company for years, and then screw up once and its curtains.
While those analogies are not really that good, what I am doing is pointing out human nature.
There are a lot of people there who want to kill us. While it's maybe only 1 in a 1000, that leaves a huge number to deal with.
Since we are the most visible as well as the people who support us, then when more people die because of the guerrilla tactics which includes murdering their own people, then eventually the people get sick of it and turn against the only force that is visible. Which of course is us. The mass thinking is that if we are no longer there, the violence stops. Which eventually ends up even grandmothers throwing Molotov Cocktails. Pretty much what happened in Nam. While we won every battle, we never won the people.

I'm trying to look at this from a pragmatic viewpoint. I don't buy it from the press, or the politicians and I don't buy it from the troops there -- I do look at the past and every indicator I can think of, is we will lose this war for exactly the reasons I stated above.

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The other thing that needs to be pointed out, while the "surge" may have helped, as in Nam, it is a short term band-aid. I remember well, reading about all the positive things being done in Nam, then something like Mai Lai happens and all the good that is done goes up in smoke. Iraq, for a troop, is a stressful situation, and that is when bone headed mistakes are made that get huge press in this country and in Iraq. That is bound to happen. Which of course feeds into the hatred of our forces. Then when we "win" in one area, we go to another to "win" again and the voids are filled up with insurgents, then we must "win" again, and then again, and again, till we are stretched thin and then BOOM, something terrible happens and its back to square one. That is a basic concept of Guerilla Warfare, history proves it works, from the patriots during our revolution, to the ones in France fighting the Germans, to the ones in Nam fighting an invasion, to Iraq. It really is a no-win situation, because even though we disposed of a dictator, we are still the invaders and that my friend is the bottom line.
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Peace

Jim

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Answer 3

The problem is not so much that the media is inaccurate, as that the media is not thorough in their coverage. It's more glamorous to talk about the Soldiers doing foot patrols and setting up impromptu defenses on rooftops in the urban areas. It's not so glamorous to talk about the Sr. NCO's lounging around Anaconda, getting fat and cheating on their wives for a year.

Progress is hard to define in the nation as a whole. What serves as progress in the far north doesn't relate to what's happening in the far south or out west. There are a lot of internal politics, conflicts and potential conflicts among the various cultures and sub-cultures which Coalition presence overshadows. The real test will be when or if the US pulls out completely.

From my experience, I can tell you that the Kurds keep their regions secure and quiet. They take a lot of pride in that and they maintain both their cultural and political integrity. We have very little presence in that region, and most of what we have is support functions, not security. We could leave today and they would run things just the same without us.

Answer 4

I am in Iraq right now. We are making a lot of progress. We are making Iraq a safer place for its people and we are helping this country build a government and help run its self on its own. The people are helping out a lot, giving us information in the enemy and ways to help make things better. We are defeating the insurgents daily, but what people dont understand is that they are a very manned and distributed organization that knows what they are doing. We have made much progress and will continue to make progress. Americans only know what they see on t.v, it goes deeper than that. We have established an Iraq army that is starting to do there part, so that takes a lot off us. There are already parts of Iraq that are already under there control, allowing us to focus more on the more important areas if Iraq.

Answer 5

Well as a Devil Dog who has been there I definatley think we are making progress there. The problem is that the politicians get involved and take things back a few steps everytime we do.

The problem we are running into is that America society has watched too many sit coms where they wrap everything up in 30 minutes. A society where if you charge too much on your credit cards you just file for bankrupcy if you marry someone and you get bored you go get a divorce.

People are impatient and want immediate results and this is not possible for everything. It is going to take a while and it is going to take more sacrifice to acheive it, but when we do it will be worth it.

The media is a joke, They report what they think will make them money and give them ratings. No one holds the media accountable for their inacurate reporting which we should hold them to a standard. The politicians are making statements that are not true about the war for politial gain and to get votes. They can spin a lot of things for their gain if they want but when it comes to things that hurt the troops they should show some restraint. comments like the war is lost are beyond beleif comming out of their mouth.

You know it is funny how the media is careful to say aledged child molester, drug dealer and so on before all of the facts are out but let a soldier be accused of something and they report the incident like it is fact before an investingation is even started. "Soldier shoots civilians" they dont even give them the binifit of the doubt and when the facts come out different they dont even say sorry.

Answer 6

Yes we are, but only recently have they began to plan for the future. I was there in 2004 and I noticed a change in violence halfway through the deployment; during the time of fallujah. It was the beginning of what was to come. When I left the sectarian violence began and now here we are. I was there during the first 2 big elections. Although they havent come far, there is a govt. I also noticed a change in the Iraqi soldiers around the same time. They became more professional better equipped thanks to us. The locals have taken care of al-qaeda themselves in al an bar keeping the violence down for Americans & themselves. The turks in the north have control in the north, but mosul still has a lot of attacks. The surge has lowered violence for americans, but not Iraqis. Finally the american govt has planned for enlarging the military to support the war. Baghdad is the only hot-spot and we need to keep a lot of soldiers there for a long time, but we dont have the men. At least they surged, but it needs to continue.

Answer 7

Can't help you. Did the flag, star, watch thing with your very important question.

All of the service men and women I've met who've been there have suggested quietly that The Media is not to be believed. They all came from different branches, and different locations in Iraq.

I have been honored with their presence, and have the utmost respect for these people, and would like to hear their opinions.

God bless them.

Answer 8

I'm sorry to say I wasn't allowed to participate in OIF... retired and too old... but here's a link... It's old, but I believe it to be informative and in accord with what those qualified to answer this question have posted.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/breaking2453389.0680555557.html

Those of you are doing the deed...

WWII Vets are about all gone. Korean Vets are going fast. We Vietnam Vets aren't getting any younger. It makes me both proud and humble knowing we have a few true Americans following behind us, ready to take the banner when we fall. Thank you.

Answer 9

Major General Paul Eaton, founder of the new Iraqi army and a well-respected general gives this statement:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tw4jSZLkJqA

you can look him up if you're curious on whether he loves America
(not me but passing his word along)

Answer 10

my husband is in iraq and he says that they are making progress but that the main problem is they can't just go in a do what they need to do. everything has to be justified and it's mostly a self defense kind of thing. but he did say that the main thing that pisses him off is that the media feeds everyone lies about what is really going on. i know you said people who have been there but i do have an inside opinion so maybe that helps.