[abcdef]

The headline in the story is a bit shocking. But that is what a headline is supposed to do, grab your attention. I was not intended to sound as if I, being in finance, have it worse or as bad as many others. In fact I said that I do have it better than many others because I am in a finance unit. Now the issue on the body armor or the armored vehicles, do you dispute that soldier's lives could have been prevented if they were not riding around in a vehicle with only a small, thin piece of plastic to protect them. There were many soldiers at the beginning of the war, 3ID, that did not have the proper body armor either. About me 'whining', it was only intended to inform local readers that there was a lack of planning when it came to the armor issue. While the article said that the extension is what set me over the top, it wouldn't classify it as that. While yes, when we learned of the extension we were all pretty upset. Even those in the combat arms units. Yes, I live at BIAP right now, and it could be worse. I have lived elsewhere in the city for the past year before moving to BIAP. And yes, I did travel throughout the city 4-5 times a week. And many combat units did not have a completely armored fleet of vehicles. I do not claim to be an expert on anything, it is merely an opinion. Things could have been done better, and I am glad things are finally getting worked out with the armor, but why did it take so long. That was my whole point.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Are you SPC Heldt?

Sounds like you are.

First, the pat on the back: Thank You for your service to our country.

do you dispute that soldier's lives could have been prevented if they were not riding around in a vehicle with only a small, thin piece of plastic to protect them.

Yes, I dispute that. Soldier's lives are prevented by contraception and abortion, not by vehicle armor or the lack thereof, although a small (or not so small, depending on how well hung the individual is) thin pice of latex could prevent many soldier's lives. Consolidate your feces, Specialist.

Do I dispute that soldier's deaths could have been prevented if they were riding in armored vehicles. No.

Do I dispute that soldier's deaths could have been prevented if they had been wearing EOD bomb suits? No.

Do I dispute that soldier's deaths could have been prevented if they had stayed in Germany or Fort Carson? No.

Do I dispute that whenever the enemy succeeds in accomplishing part of his mission it is because the Army or the Secretary of Defense or or the Commander-in-Chief < messed > up? Yes.

I think your email to the North West Indian Times reflected unfavorably upon yourself and the United States Army, to the detriment of the morale of the American people reading it and to the great delight of our enemies, foreign and domestic, for whom you have provided propaganda.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

You are still near the top of a slippery slope down which former SSGT Jimmy Massey has already descended. The same forces using him will be glad to use you, too.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[gatorbait]

Good God, Specialist, have you never heard of war being a come as you are party? It always has been, always will be. By the way, be aware that your plight is known and , in spite of obstructionism of the most traitorous kind, your bleats are being answered as quickly as they can be. Meantime,do your duty, stand tall and remember your ancestors who avenged Bataan.

[Eagle Eye]

Dude, you don't EVEN want to hear from me on this issue.

A FLIPPIN' FINANCE CLERK IN BIAP WHINING ABOUT BODY ARMOR???

I'll gauran-f'n'-tee you that if you had a IIIA vest with SAPI plates and you were required to wear it, you'd be bitching about that.