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War is hell. These guys knew what they signed up for. That being said, it’s sad that they do come back in this condition. It is a reflection on our military and I hate to say it, but the size and inexperience of our current force. I have many friends that are in the Forces, one will be coming to Germany for 2 weeks this summer to train with (what I expect is) and American unit. He will be deployed (he’s a field medic) to Afghanistan in February. Another friend of mine was over there as a Chaplain. They see a LOT of nasty things over there...I can’t begin to imagine.
In the town where I am in Germany, the majority of the Americans stationed here are in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. A watering hole that they frequent (it’s an Irish pub, and I’m partial to the atmosphere) is pretty well empty until they get back. I was talking to the owner and he has said that the first time these guys came back, he had never seen so many drunken stumbling soldiers that were calm and sedate and just enjoying life. He never has a problem with them when the come back from deployments because they’re just happy to be back with their lives.
This war is taking a toll on the soldiers, and it doesn’t help that the media and the left are undermining the war. Success in Iraq is mandatory, and should be a pre-requisite for bringing those troops home. That being said, the tactics in this war need to change. The soldiers need to be able to do their jobs without fear of reprisal when they get home (ref Abu Garib et. al.). We’re fighting a guerrilla war like it is a conventional one. The enemy wears civilian clothes, and blends in with the populace, that is THE definition of a guerrilla war.
Okay, I seem to be doing this a lot lately, but rant off, flame suit on.