Okay...lets get one thing straight here...you are NOT second class soldiers! You're being kept over there because you, your men, your strength and leadership are still very much needed. As for your homecoming, your family and your friends will make it spectacular, not some governmental showboat put on for the sake of the news cameras. Stay strong Will, and know that all things happen for a reason, even if that reason isnt immediately apparent.

A Marine Girlfriend whos STILL waiting...

Will:

I don't blame you for being (Pissed Off). All of us here are (Pissed Off) also, about this year, that our Husbands, Son's & Grandson's are being held hostage by the BIG WIGS whom are making this descion.

In the paper it also said all of you are going to come home for a year & go back for another year. I am proud of all our troops over their, don't get me wrong. I want to get up on a Soap Box & yell that our boys over there now are getting a Raw deal. My Grandson was suppose to come home in Sept. Now it is May. He says they are on 72 hrs & off 8 hrs. How can anyone do a job under those conditions. He says that they are in a Stupor all of the time.

I have been sending letters to all of our leaders about the mis treatment of our boy's. Bring them home. All that were in at the start of it only done 4 to 5 mths at the most and are home enjoying life. It is a Crying Shame on our Goverment with what is going on now.

Before I get to carried away, I want to thank each & everyone of you for your deligence with what you have done & are doing. God Bless, God Speed, My Prayers are with all of you each day & nite.

Alice

Ragin' Will,

Anger is energy and your's is justified. I encourage you to use it for a gain and not a loss.

This past weeks I have reconciled myself to the fact that they (you know who) not only screwed the rabid, mangy pooch in a bloody/oily/shitty sandbox. But they are willing to play serious cutthroat to extricate themselves in a politically expeditious manner.

Therefore "career" military, who vote Rep., shall go home first.

Bottom line war mentality: SELF PRESERVATION.

I can no longer heap hurt and dissapointment on myself by fixating on homecoming dates and an end to violence day. Rather I must discipline myself to each day, well lived. I have not abandoned hope - In fact this is my way of not despairing in the present. I am determined not to be anyone's patsy for the madness taking place in this world.

Don't let "them" hijack your heart, emotional/mental well being, mind, strength and soul. Breath deeply, count to a million if that is what it takes, find beauty, meaning where you can, and make meaningful connections with the things that point your inner compass on true north.

I know you have rec'd a gob full of advice so I will pass on a few laws of combat:

*Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can sleep.

*The most dangerous thing in the world is a Second Lieutenant with a map and a compass

*Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last and don't ever volunteer to do anything.

And true to my style I will leave you with a smile:

http://www.masturbateforpeace.com/
8----->
Everyone ought to lend a hand!

Szaffie's Suds 4 Soldier's 9/14/03
http://newkidontheblog.bloghorn.com/?id=263

ODAT
Big Hug, Big Kiss
"This War is Killing Me"
Szaffie

Will,
hang in there!!

it's funny, when this war first went down I was all for it. but the longer it drags out, and the more men we lose, the more I want our men and women out of that country and back home. I think a lot of people feel that way.keep you chin up and head down Will. it's got to end soon.
God be with you

Sherri

Hey Will

Know it probably doesn't mean much coming from a civilian - but you reservists are never second class to us! You get less training than the Regular Army but do the same job - what does that tell ya about how good you guys are???

Keep your chin up Will - and add to your satirical book every chance you get - don't let them get you down. I know, again, easy for a civilian to say but every one of you guys are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts.

Bet your welcome home will be truly memorable - try and hold onto that to get you through.

Be safe.

Hi Will,
No way are Reservists second class! Being a Reservist myself, I agree with you that many times, Reservists get the short end of the stick.
I know it sucks, but hang in there. As I mentioned in many of my previous comments, you have many people pulling for you.
We all appreciate so much the sacrifices you all are making over there. It seems to me that the reason they're leaving more Reservists over there for longer, is that the Reservists are doing better than the others.
Sometimes it's all a matter of perspective.
You have so much material for a book, like you said, it would practically write itself. I and many others are foaming at the mouth in anticipation of your book (which, I have mentioned in many of my previous comments) will be a runaway best seller.
Don't let things get you down. As far as I'm concerned, you guys are the REAL ARMY. The Army wouldn't function without Reservists, nor would any other of the branches of the Armed Forces. They need to stop taking you all for granted. When morale sucks, people start leaving in droves.
Hang in there, Will, and stay safe.

Will,

You are FIRST class all the way.

ECG

Dearest Will,

Having your tour extended really stinks and we all know it. The trees have it hard, but the forest is coming. Now correct us if we are wrong, but the reservists can only be called up in times of war, correct? And President Bush made a formal declariation that the war has ended, so if you left, they couldn't call you back, correct? I think you guys( and gals) are staying because the "stragic planners" are giving the regulars a break.. for now. As someone already said, there are year long tours of duty coming up in Irag and Afghanistan. Which means as you are leaving in the spring, dear Will, the others are coming back for a 2nd, year long go around. That would truly suck, would it not? Having to come back, again, right before it gets hot again?

Keep your smile, knowing you will be leaving sometime and not have to come back. Keep yourself safe, stay focused. Think about starting the "paypal" for your beers, Gee, 6-7 months worth of paypal for beers....we could buy you enough beers to fill all the swimming pools in the US.

Stay safe, be good.

the Williams family

Hi Will,
Thank You for sharing your experiences there in Iraq. It gives me a broader view of what's going on there since my husband also keeps me informed. You have a very funny way of telling things. My husband is an active duty NCO that has been there since April. I know it's tough for you to think of being there longer than you thought, but like one of your fans said, when you leave and come home you won't be going back. As for my active duty husband, he will be there a year, come home for a while and then get sent back over there. I know the Active duty sector is stretched out as far as it can go in foreign issues. It's good to know we have the reserves to back our husbands up when they need it. I read about active duty and reservists homecomings all the time and it gets me upset to think that my husband won't be coming home until March or April. That will be a whole year of him not being able to see me and his three children. It is really tough for us active duty families to endure these deployments all the time, not just during war time, but it is part of the contract. We do it for the love of our country and to support our husbands or wives. There are thousands of family members suffering due to this war. I hope you get sent home soon, and like I tell my husband, which is also frustrated with the whole deployment, think positive and stay safe. Soon this nightmare will be over and all our loved ones will be home where they belong. As for now all we can do is keep supporting you guys and hope they send all of you home as soon as possible.

*SIGHS*

NOT second class, dear Will. Perhaps the Military sees you in that light, but 'WE' do NOT!

I didn't NEED to do the math btw...the caps said it all before I even multiplied.

*SIGHS LOUDER*

The Powers That Direct Troops oughta lick your company's boots in thanks for remaining behind and allowing the "real" (See WHATEVER) soldiers go home. Jerks. What the hell happened to first in, first out? Oh, wait...that's only in my disjointed fantasy world. I can see your jaw working right now in fact! (See UH OH)

You know, since they're bending you guys over, at least they're 'buying' you decent eats. Oh wait again..."they're" not buying the chow...."WE" are!

*SIGHS a third time*

Not much left to say on this since I've said it before to previous posts from you. Just hang in there and know you have TONS of people (See extended friends) pulling for you guys.

Judi

Hey Will,

Sucks that you've been extended. But what are the alternatives? If you came home today and the regulars stayed for a year, who would relieve them? As it stands, who will be available to relieve you?

It would be marvelous if you guys could police up your expended brass and all report to Bagdad International Airport to catch the next C-130 back to the ZI. But it ain't happening.

Your heart wants to go home. And your head should be telling you that somebody is going to be on the ground there for a while yet. In Germany, after WW-II, there was Werewolf activity until 1947. We did a regime change and pacification in the Phillippines in the years after 1898. One history says it took four years to chase down Aguinaldo and his followers.

We want you home again. Safe and proud of a job well done. Parade, parties, and free beer will be available when you return.

...Ken

p.s., FWIW, my DD398 shows only one overseas deployment; 2 years, 10 months, 10 days.

Well, don't I feel like a sh*t! When I was active duty we did give reservists hell! We teased them about being "weekend warriors." That was VERY WRONG, as you have pointed out. I was never deployed as long as reservists. They are hardly "weekend warriors" now, for sure. In fact, now that I think about it, they never have been. They do always get the short end of the stick. I am truly sorry for every sarcastic comment I ever made about reservists. You do your duty well. Hang in there, soldier. You are REAL soldiers. You all deserve better than what you are getting. And it is being noticed and appreciated. Even by those who didn't appreciate it before. I salute you.

Hang tough. Your story is as old as time; the same thing first happened to American GIs aftrer WWII. And we're still in Germany and Japan.

I know that doesn't make it better for you, but about the only thing I can think to add is that home will be all the sweeter for the delay.

You're a hero in heroic times. If it was easy everyone would be a hero.

Will, sweetie - never will you be second class. Rest assured that there are many more stuck in the same boat as you even though some lucky bastards are getting to go home.
To say I understand your frustration wouldn't be accurate. How can I? I can sympathize but cannot empathize - you know what I mean? I know the frustration I feel and can only imagine how much more you are affected. Hang tough my friend, we are thinking of you.
On and on I could go but will end on a happy note: Huskers 18, Penn St 10. Lord still looks like shit but the Blackshirts are rockin' the house.
Stay safe my friend, you are never far from my thoughts.

Oh I'm pissed off allright! I've been writing letters and telling everybody I can think of about the bullshit going on. I feel powerless to some degree but if enough people rant and rave maybe it will make some kind of difference.

Oh Will???? Your not the only one bitching!!! Look what hit our newspaper today!!
********************************
Reservists say they remain in Iraq with no mission

By BILL BURKE, The Virginian-Pilot
© September 14, 2003

Members of a Fort Eustis reserve unit say they were sent to fly perilous missions over Iraq with outdated night vision goggles, old missile-avoidance systems and communications equipment they were unable to use.

They had to secretly borrow higher-quality night-vision goggles from a Navy source who ``probably put his career on the line to do something that our chain of command was unwilling to do,'' they say.

In a letter to Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-1st District, the soldiers say they were treated like second-class citizens when compared with active-duty military, even though they were involved in the search for weapons of mass destruction during combat.

``Our air crews asked, `Why are the active units getting the extra protection and we are not, are we not as valuable? Is our mission not as important?' '' the letter asks.

It points out that some of the soldiers were issued bulletproof vests without the insertable ceramic plates that make them bulletproof and mittens with wool inserts -- ``knowing that the average temperature from April through October is 120 degrees.''

And though their mission ended June 24, they say they are being kept at a tented compound in Camp Udairi, Kuwait, ``without a purpose,'' a deployment the Army said probably will not end until next year.

The letter was written by Chief Warrant Officer Bill Basabilbaso of Newport News, a pilot and flight instructor in the unit. It echoes concerns raised by many other reservists, whose call-ups have increased dramatically since the United States launched its war on terrorism in 2001.

Basabilbaso said he sent the letter to Davis ``for her eyes only, not for public consumption.''

He said he wrote to Davis ``hoping she could initiate an investigation that will result in better funding and better training for the reserve soldier and better management of the reserve soldier once deployed.''

``This is a serious situation,'' Chris Connelly, Davis' chief of staff, said Friday. He said Davis will ask the secretary of the Army to review the issues raised in the letter.

Friends and family members of the 45-man Army aviation detachment said the letter expresses concerns shared by unit members and their families.

``It is disturbing to know that our men and women in uniform are being sent to fight a war without the proper equipment,'' said Kerry Bannon, a Norfolk resident whose fiance, Spc. Gregory Robinette, is a member of the unit.

Bannon said she supports the president, but the letter's questions need to be answered. She sent a version of the letter to Virginia's two U.S. senators, John Warner, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and George Allen; and Rep. Ed Schrock, who represents the 2nd District.

In response, Schrock is ``drafting a letter to go to Army legislative affairs to try to find out what the problems are,'' said Tom Gordy, Schrock's chief of staff, on Friday. ``We often see that active-duty components have more modern equipment, and the reserve components sometimes have equipment that does not meet standards. A lot of times the reserves get the hand-me-downs.''

The disparity between equipment used by reserve and active-duty components ``is an issue we're going to have to address to reduce friendly-fire incidents and make sure we do things most efficiently,'' Gordy said.

Allen responded to Bannon on Sept. 5, saying he was sending a copy of the letter to the Department of the Army ``for their consideration, and I have asked them to keep me informed of their progress.''

Warner spokesman John Ullyot said Friday that the senator ``is looking into the matter.''

The reserve unit -- Detachment 1, B Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment -- is made up of pilots who fly Chinook CH-47D helicopters and their support crew, including flight engineers, technicians and mechanics.

Most of the unit's members live in Virginia. They include college students, policemen, medical evacuation pilots, business owners and current and former airline pilots.

The part-time soldiers were mobilized Feb. 2 and arrived in Kuwait March 7, accompanied by four disassembled Chinooks the men reassembled at Camp Udairi, a U.S. air base in Kuwait, about 15 miles south of the Iraqi border.

The unit's battalion commander said last week that their deployment has been extended to a year under a new Pentagon policy that will mean longer duty assignments for Army reservists and National Guardsmen in Iraq and Kuwait. The unit's activation orders called for the members to spend no more than 179 days overseas.

The unit's aviators logged about 400 hours of daytime and nighttime flying during their mission, which was supporting the 75th Exploitation Task Force in the unsuccessful search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the letter said. Much of the mission was conducted under combat conditions after the March 20 Iraqi invasion. The unit suffered no casualties.

These are among the issues addressed in the letter:

Night-vision goggles

The unit unsuccessfully lobbied superiors to buy upgraded goggles long before deployment to Kuwait because the goggles that had been issued, called Type 1, are obsolete, the letter said.

``The Type 1 style were responsible for the many losses of aircraft and crews during Desert Storm,'' the letter said.

During a 10-year period starting in the mid-1980s, more than 183 aviators were killed and hundreds were injured in 88 crashes in which night-vision goggles were used, according to news reports. Flyers were wearing Type 1 goggles when some of those crashes occurred, according to those reports.

The head of the Army's aviation night-vision program said it would be an oversimplification to blame crashes and deaths solely on goggles. But he said the Army does not encourage the use of Type 1 goggles in combat.

Few Type 1 goggles remain in the Army's inventory, and most of them probably belong to reserve units, said Master Warrant Officer Dennis J. McIntire, who heads the Army's Aviation Night Vision Devices Branch at Fort Rucker, Ala.

He said the Fort Eustis unit should have upgraded to newer goggles before deployment. ``We want the guys who are on the front to have the best stuff,'' he said.

The detachment's commanders ``made every attempt'' to acquire upgraded goggles before deployment but were unsuccessful, said Lt. Col. Mark C. Smith, who commands the 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment. Smith responded from Kuwait to a series of written questions.

About a week before deployment, the reservists borrowed higher-quality goggles to use in the Middle East from a man who works for the Navy's night-vision goggles branch.

The special goggles amplify tiny particles of light and heat images, affording aviators a green-hued view of nocturnal landscapes that are virtually indiscernible to the unaided eye.

Still, flying in a low-light desert environment at night, especially under hostile conditions, ``is incredibly dangerous, the most dangerous helicopter flying you can do,'' said Tim Brown, a senior fellow with the Washington think tank GlobalSecurity.org.

There's little room for error when a pilot is traveling at more than 100 mph, Brown said, hugging the ground under radar at an altitude of 50 feet or less. ``You want the best equipment there is for that,'' he said.

Outmoded communications and safety equipment.

The unit's helicopters are equipped with outdated missile-avoidance systems, and commanders turned down aviators' requests for newer ones, the letter said.

It added that the latest equipment can help aviators avoid heat-seeking missiles used by Iraqi soldiers. The aging systems still installed on the unit's Chinooks were designed to combat missiles used in the 1970s and early 1980s, according to the letter.

Those systems are effective ``only under the best conditions, i.e. seeing the missile when it is launched and then being able to fly the helicopter behind something that will mask our huge heat signature such as a large sand dune or building (unlikely).''

The new systems cost about $80,000 each. Unit members said they were told that the Army provided only active-duty units with the systems.

Smith said the battalion asked to be moved up on the Army's ``Force Modernization Plan'' to obtain the systems but was unable to get them before deployment.

However, Smith said, the current equipment ``is an effective system and provides adequate protection for our helicopters.''

Most of the soldiers in the unit deployed without desert flight suits and flight boots, the letter said. Many of the soldiers, including ground crewmen, were not given protective inserts for their bulletproof vests, though flight crews were provided with the proper vests before taking part in the search for weapons of mass destruction, a member of the unit said.

``We even had to take money out of our own pockets to get oil and oil filters for the military vehicles we were taking with us,'' the letter said.

The unit members also complained that they were not properly trained to use on-board radios and other communications equipment that could help distinguish friend from foe in combat conditions.

``Since we operated out of Kuwait far into Iraq,'' the letter said, ``we had no way to relay problems, or get changes to our mission as they arose.''

More importantly, ``we had no way to relay a message if we had problems, or forced landings, unless we were in a location where we could contact the patrolling AWACS,'' or reconnaissance aircraft, the letter said.

Smith responded that the detachment was without a communications officer for more than a year before mobilization. Shortly before the unit was mobilized, it was assigned a replacement officer ``who has done an outstanding job'' providing training on high-frequency radios and other communications equipment, he said.

Unfortunately, he said, some of the training was provided after Detatchment 1 had departed.

Defense analyst Brown said he is not surprised when he hears that reserve units are not as well-equipped or highly trained as active components of the armed forces.

``Generally the Guard and reserve are the last to get the new stuff,'' he said. ``The active-duty guys . . . they always get the new stuff.''

Stuck in Kuwait

In Kuwait, the men in Detachment 1 spend their nights sleeping in air-conditioned tents and their days battling boredom, relatives and friends said. They kill time hanging out at the morale welfare center, watching football games on TV, playing video games on an Xbox and making day trips to Camp Doha, family members said.

Families and friends of the unit's members said earlier this month that they were issued orders to be sent home in September, but those orders were revoked without explanation.

Smith said he requested that the detachment be extended ``to assist this battalion in accomplishing this mission.'' He did not describe that mission.

Now the men are part of the Pentagon's new policy, which means that Army reservists will spend one year in the Middle East unless the U.S. Central Command decides to send them home early, Smith said.

Smith said he understands the soldiers' disappointment. ``But I consider them vital to the success of this unit's mission in support of the global war on terrorism.''

The Virginian-Pilot recently contacted more than a dozen family members and friends of the men in the unit, but most were reluctant to talk, saying they feared reprisals from the military.

One who did talk is Amanda Harris of Wise. She is the wife of a helicopter mechanic in the unit, Spc. Brian Harris. The two wed on Jan. 30, three days before he left Southwest Virginia for Fort Eustis.

``Neither one of us would be so frustrated if he had a mission there, but their mission is over,'' said Amanda Harris, 21.

In their letter, the unit members noted that their continued deployment in Kuwait without a mission ``will damage the retention of good experienced soldiers in the unit.''

The letter concludes: ``We did our mission; it is time for us to return to our lives, because we know that soon enough, we will be called again to serve for an extended period of time.''

Reach Bill Burke at 446-2589 or at bill.burke@pilotonline.com.

I can understand your frustration. My guy has been in country since Feb 23. This has been the longest summer of my life, I can only imagine how long his has been to him. According to his last letter to me, his Viet Nam days are revisiting him and taking their toll on him and he has decided to end it with me to avoid subjecting me to this mind set... that just gives me more reason to worry about him. God speed to all of our troops there...

Dear Will,

Since you have limited news there, we're writing to tell you of another current event. A CATEGORY 5 hurricane swinging up the coast. Yep, if it looks like it will hit anywhere close to the N.C/Va Beach line, at that strength we'll be underwater all the way past Williamsburg. Part of the Williams family may have to evac to Richmond. The other part will have to stay and work. We never thought we'd be saying this, but pray for us this time.

Williams family signing out.

Will,

I don't know if there is anything any of us can say to really make you feel better. I know that from my point of view you are a soldier. I don't think just because it's not what you do 24/7 doesn't make you any less a soldier. And being in the Army for some time I'm sure has shown you that it's not the big guys that matter, it's the guy beside you! I guess what I'm trying to say is this, SCREW the papers and SCREW the guys in charge!! I wonder every now and then if some of our "leaders" could find their own ass with both hands and a flashlight! Just keep yourself and your men as safe as you can!!

You are doing one hell of a job and we all know it! We just wish you weren't over there still! So keep your head down and your spirits up (as hard as that maybe sometimes)! All of our men and women over there have our support and love backing them.

Take care soldier!

Nicky

Will,

Anyone who believes that Reservists are second class citizens can kiss my behind. One need only to speak with a Reservists spouse to realize that Reservists make more sacrifices than "regular" military. My husband was activated for a year in January, and they are now talking about extending them for another year. We are lucky that he wasn't sent overseas, but we are still having to make all of the sacrifices. My father was deployed to Saudi during Desert Shield and Storm, so I have my mother to discuss the differences with.

First, when an active duty soldier is sent anywhere for a long time, nothing changes with creditors because he will be collecting more, not less, pay than normal. When a reservist is called up, he or she is often making less money. That means not as much money to pay the same bills- because the spouse and children still have to maintain their household (we have some protection with the SSCRA, but not always enough).

Then there is the issue of the Family Readiness Group. Active duty soldiers families have their group right there. It's very rare for an active duty soldier to live more than about a 1/2 hour drive from his unit. It's much more common for a Reservist to drive 1 1/2 hours or more every drill weekend to get to his unit. This means that for the spouses to attend the FRG meetings, they have to drive the same amount of time. And if anyone thinks spouses don't need the FRG, they have obviously never had to explain why their child is having such discipline problems to someone who has never been there (the general reactions are: (a) poor baby, of course she's having a rough time. You're being too hard on her; or (b) you mean she isn't over not having her father around yet? He's been gone six months already).

So now I ask who you think has to be the stronger spouse? And who makes more sacrifices for the love of their country? Seems like an easy answer to me.

Keep your head up (but not too high in case of those wonderful sandstorms).

I don't know if there is anything any of us can say to really make you feel better.
Every thing on this earth is done for a reason, you being extended has to suck. But remember we are behind you 100%. So you can not let this get to you, and keep you from taking care, and keeping your self safe.
Take Care!!

Will: As an active duty member (at Fort Lewis, by the way), let me assure you that the majority fo the active force is respectiving the reserve compenent more than ever. Just like the active duty, the reserves have some folks that don't always perform well, but the level of quality is equal. Furthermore, us active duty folks don't have the worries about the disruption to our civilian careers (though we face the same disruptions to our family lives with deployments.

One suggestion: Without taking a specific political stance (...and violate the Hatch Act), encourage your soldiers to register to vote and get an absentee ballot. As the last election showed, even a small number of ballots can make a big difference. I will leave the political commentary to other people posting on here, but it will at least give your guys some small feeling of control.

is m. gonna get extended too? we still dont know...
http://lettersfrombaghdad.blogspot.com/

Keep strong Will, and let us know when is your 31th birthday.

If it makes you feel better plenty of regular Army are over there for a year. My husband is with the 101st ABN Division and has been over there since FEB. The rotation plan calls for them to return in March, but they are to be replaced by Multi-national forces. I ask "What multi-national forces?" Keep your head up, you are all on the same side.

WILL! I'VE GOT IT! SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET WORD OF THIS UP THE LINE. HERE'S A JOB YOUR TEAM CAN DO, THAT IS RIGHT IN KEEPING WITH YOUR YEARS OF TRAINING. FORGET CARWASHING AMMO BOXES. FORGET PRETENDING YOU'RE A HUMVEE. THIS IS A REAL THING THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ DESPERATELY NEED.
THINK BIOLOGICAL DECON.
THINK FILTHY HOSPITALS. THINK UNSANITARY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. IF THIS ISN'T EXACTLY WHAT YOU AND YOUR GUYS KNOW HOW TO DO RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.
THIS ARTICLE COMES STRAIGHT OUT OF AN IRAQI NEWPAPER, 'IRAQ TODAY'. IT IS SO SIGNIFICANT, THE NEW YORK TIMES READS IT EVERY MORNING IN THEIR BAGHDAD OFFICES.
THEIR REPORT (SEE THE LINKED URL) IS THAT NO ONE IS HELPING THE HOSPITALS CLEAN UP AND STAY CLEAN ENOUGH FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES. THIS ARTICLE COMES OUT OF THE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NAJAF, WHERE HAKIM WAS ASSASSINATED BY THAT CAR BOMB,AND AROUND 100 PEOPLE WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED. THEY TOOK THEM THERE.
WHO ELSE BUT YOUR PEOPLE WOULD KNOW HOW TO GET A SITE BIOLOGICALLY, MEDICALY CLEAN THE WAY A HOSPITAL HAS TO BE?
YOUR ARE N-B-C GUYS THE BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL IS EXACTLY WHAT THESE PLACES NEED. READ THE ARTICLE, PRINT IT OUT IF YOU CAN, AND START BUGGING COMMAND UP THE LINE ABOUT ASSIGNING YOUR TEAM TO GO CLEAN HOSPITALS FOR THE WOUNDED IRAQIS INSTEAD OF BEING TARGETS FOR FIREBRANDS. ANYONE CAN DRIVE AROUND IN A HUMVEE LOOKING MENACING. IT TAKES YOUR TRAINING TO KNOW HOW TO RESTORE A SITE TO MEDICAL SANITATION, TO STOP DISEASE, INFECTION, MISERY, FAILURE, --AND OH BY THE WAY, WIN HEARTS AND MINDS WITH HELP RATHER THAN MORE SHOOTING AND BRUTALITY.
DIDN'T i SAY EARLIER, THAT YOUR NEW DUTY SHOULD BE SOMETHING INVOLVING SPRAYING DOWN PLACES? STEAM CLEANING? EXTERMINATING? REPAINTING? WASHING? STERILIZiNG?
START BUGGING ANYONE ABOVE YOU WHO WILL LISTEN. READ CHEIF WIGGLES BLOG AND WRITE TO HIM AT THE CPA PALACE. MAYBE BETWEEN HIM AND YOU, YOU CAN GET SOMEONE UPSTAIRS TO LISTEN AND SEE THE SENSE OF PUTTING YOUR TEAM WHERE YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WERE EDUCATED TO DO. THIS IS A JOB WAITING TO HAPPEN.
TRY, ANYWAY. TELL EM YOU CAN TRAIN THE IRAQIS TO DO IT AFTER YOU LEAVE. BETTER ALL AROUND.

Hey Will,
Well it looks as though everybody is beginning to see the light now... Hang on in there, you should be considering running for president, never mind writing a book!!!

Will,

You will NEVER be second class in anything! Stay strong and focus that anger on keeping up the spirits of your men and yourself. We love you!

Stacy

Seems to me you should be anagry with GEN Abrams. It was his bright idea to put CS/CSS into the Reserve Component, in the hopes that the US would never again go to war with the Reserve Component, and thus the support (or at least participation) of the general public.

I was an artillery officer on active duty. Now I am a staff puke in the Army Reserve. The Army Reserve doesn't have any shooters, and the National Guard doesn't have many. When the full-time shooting is over, the AC can pretty much go home. The ash-and-trash goes in at the beginning and stays past the end. Nature of the beast.

In times like these, the best thing to do is say FIDO.

You all are the back bone of this nation, and theres no room to forget that! Are family holds you in are prayers each and every night. "This is for all the Troops"

Destinies Angel

Dedicated: To my son, SPC Derek Cote 368th Alpha Co. EN BN (H)

Be my angel watch over me
for you can see my destiny.

Our hearts are full with dreams of home,
for those who make it, and those who don't.

Wipe away our loved ones tears,
guide them through their daily fear.

Keep us strong show us the way,
Bring us home,
home to stay.

Love and Support, from Rochester NH
(Mom Loves You,..... come home soon!)

Buy www.i-directv.net this it is a wonderful addition to anyones home entertainment system.