Posted on 12/14/2009 6:16:43 PM PST by Dubya
FOB HASSANABAD, Afghanistan — The young Marines at this outpost could be on a camping trip to Hell.
The living conditions in Helmand Province, one of the worst regions for trouble in Afghanistan, are such that most of friends and family in the United States wouldn't consider putting up with them for one day, much less the months these men will be assigned here.
It's not even officially winter, yet temperatures routinely fall below freezing at night, and there's no heat in the tents. At night when standing guard in one of the security towers, the Marines put on layer after layer of clothes, including thermal suits. It does little to ward off the chill of the desert air.
There is no hot water. The only running water in the camp comes from a 3 inch diameter hose that jets out cold water in fire hydrant fashion. Clothes are washed in buckets, when time permits and the weather cooperates, then strung between tents and dried in the sun.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
I know a little about the Marines. I could care less how how to spell HALLIBURTEN. I believe its spelled money, money, money for them and their friends.
You can blame it on the Marines, but I don't believe you.
You sound like another guy in on the pay offs. There is nothing you can tell me about the Marines that I don't know.
I've been there and done that.That is when you tell the truth.
Go ahead and shoot your mouth off, we Marines will over look that kind of stuff. We just consider the source.
What is interesting is that McClatchy news was one of the worst at slandering our troops under GWB. I wonder if someone turned a brain cell on? Why the 180?
Nice video at the link. Take a look, you never know when you might see someone you love.
Why? because they are MARINES!!!
Yeah, but what he isn't saying is that we only got steak on Friday nights and we only had lobster OR crab legs on Friday nights, but never both on the same Friday night. And the steaks were all well done. I'll tell you who ate good...the Europeans. Their chow hall at the Kabul International Airport compound had real plates and metal flatware and the food was fabulous.
“McClatchy news was one of the worst at slandering our troops under GWB. I wonder if someone turned a brain cell on?” ************* “No agenda with McClatchy: McClatchy report by Jonathan Landay: Report: “Rules of engagement led to soldiers’ deaths.” A detailed follow up:
“The lack of timely air support - was a consequence of the manpower and equipment shortages bequeathed by the Bush administration’s failure to secure Afghanistan against a resurgence of the Taliban, al-Qaida and allied groups before turning to invade Iraq.”
“The denial of heavy artillery fire to those trapped in Ganjgal also has roots in the Bush administration’s decision to divert resources to Iraq and the resulting stress on the U.S. military.”
*********
Deepen, exacerbate existing problems, crises, differences, and if they don’t exist, create them and then deepen, exacerbate them...and profit [politically, ideologically and even financially] the most from them in any way you can, and, in the resulting chaos, blame our enemies for the whole thing.” — Vladimir Ilich Ulianov (Lenin)
The only time they get to those other bases is when they might stop in Dubai or someplace like that.
His first tour in 2002 he was in Kabul to open up the Embassy, but that was no piece of cake back then.
NOT why is the Camp tough. I understand that, believe me. What I DON’T understand is why they are there if they are not allowed to BE Marines and do what MARINES are supposed to do! Furthermore, THEY are more than slightly ticked about it too. You don’t send MARINES and then tell them they can’t engage the enemy.
They are sitting ducks for political correctness. It sucks. It really does.
Thanks for the ping. I cannot view the video. It requires FP that will not work correctly on my old system. But I can conjure up what some of our military are faced with at both extremes. Super hot desert and cold mountainous environments. As well as the personal living conditions many have to endure.
are you angry because they are living rough or are you angry because they are being held back by the ROE?
Living tough and fighting tough is what Marines do. That’s why they are Marines. They know...YOU know the score...going in.
I am SO POed that their arms are being tied behind their backs. That is not what Marines expect and it is an extreme DISRESPECT to the entire Corp to force them into a situation where they are little more than glorified baby sitters.
Damn McChrystal. Damn the ROE. Damn obama for doing this to our country’s pride and honor while endangering our troops AND this country in the process.
Anything Marine is very personal with me. VERY!!!
Semper Fi!
I had it made during my four years in Germany. My ADA battalion's mission was airbase defense for Hahn, Bitburg, and Spangdahlem ABs.
During Tac Evals, it was pretty much a 4 day extended camping trip for my battery. At the time, I was the only officer besides the Battery Cdr with a TS clearance, so I was in the Wing CP running the Liasion desk. I'd laugh while the Zoomies were bemoaning their 12 hour shifts.
As to discipline, it was also helpful. Soldiers that were not meeting expectations were advised they were one slip-up from being shipped to a sister battalion that was attached to the Big Red One. They had a choice: straighten up and continue to enjoy life on an AF base, or be sent to a unit that spends 8-9 months of the year in scenic locales such as Grafenwoehr.
During REFORGER 1977, I was an augmentee to one of the batteries, due to chronic manpower shortages in the post Vietnam era Army. Although I was filling a Platoon Leader spot, I saw my role as being there to support the Platoon Sergeant. It was a good experience, and I think we got along well.
There were at least two days where I wasn't much good to him. During the middle of the exercise, I set up my CP about 100 meters from a bee hive, and I was stung above my left eye. Due to my allergy to bee stings, my left eye was completely shut for two days, and my vision in the right eye was also impaired.
My platoon sergeant discovered a Dutch aid station, where I received treatment. Over the course of the next several hours, a large number of clothing items were traded by my platoon and the Dutch soldiers. I had learned in previous exercises that American insignia and items such as jump wings commanded a premium, and we made good use of those items. There were several in my platoon that had been through Jump School, including me, so we had plenty to barter with.
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