Libralabsoldier
Hero Member
Hi everyone. I just got back from Al Asad Airbase in western Anbar, Iraq.
We are winning. Casualty numbers are dropping, and the Iraqi people are really stepping up and taking charge of their own destiny. It will be a long time before all the corruption is cleaned up, but then again, we brought our own share with us when we brought in our contractors.
Personally, I think KBRs motto should be "That is not our Job." I heard it often enough when I was there.
Another little known Iraq fact: Most of the work that is done over there is done by TCNs, or Third Country Nationals. These are Bangladeshis, Indians, and other people from the Middle East and Asia that work long hours for low pay. They do this cheerfully, and almost every one I talked to hoped that one day they would get to emigrate to America and become citizens. That made me proud and amazed, considering how badly most of my fellow soldiers treated these guys.
I grew up dirt poor in Lousiana. I am using my military career and benefits to make my life better, get educated and make life better for my wife and daughter. That is all a lot of these guys wanted.
Never forget, we are a nation of immigrants. As far as I am concerned, people who want to come here to work should be allowed to. Anyone who wants to come here and join our military without being citizens first should be conferred citizenship at the first possible chance.
I am no hero. I was safe and comfortable the whole time I was in Iraq. I missed my wife and daughter, but got to call and email them every day if I wanted.
I urge you all to support the guys who do the hard stuff, and are in danger every day. Groups like SoldiersAngels and AnySoldier.com do amazing work supporting troops, and everyone should support them.
Sorry for the rant, I amjust glad to be home and want to make sure my fellow servicemen and women get taken care of. Until everyone comes home, let no one be forgotten.
Now, as soon as I get another MD, I will be out there, clearing the tot lots of clad, and looking for doodads and thingamabobs.
We are winning. Casualty numbers are dropping, and the Iraqi people are really stepping up and taking charge of their own destiny. It will be a long time before all the corruption is cleaned up, but then again, we brought our own share with us when we brought in our contractors.
Personally, I think KBRs motto should be "That is not our Job." I heard it often enough when I was there.
Another little known Iraq fact: Most of the work that is done over there is done by TCNs, or Third Country Nationals. These are Bangladeshis, Indians, and other people from the Middle East and Asia that work long hours for low pay. They do this cheerfully, and almost every one I talked to hoped that one day they would get to emigrate to America and become citizens. That made me proud and amazed, considering how badly most of my fellow soldiers treated these guys.
I grew up dirt poor in Lousiana. I am using my military career and benefits to make my life better, get educated and make life better for my wife and daughter. That is all a lot of these guys wanted.
Never forget, we are a nation of immigrants. As far as I am concerned, people who want to come here to work should be allowed to. Anyone who wants to come here and join our military without being citizens first should be conferred citizenship at the first possible chance.
I am no hero. I was safe and comfortable the whole time I was in Iraq. I missed my wife and daughter, but got to call and email them every day if I wanted.
I urge you all to support the guys who do the hard stuff, and are in danger every day. Groups like SoldiersAngels and AnySoldier.com do amazing work supporting troops, and everyone should support them.
Sorry for the rant, I amjust glad to be home and want to make sure my fellow servicemen and women get taken care of. Until everyone comes home, let no one be forgotten.
Now, as soon as I get another MD, I will be out there, clearing the tot lots of clad, and looking for doodads and thingamabobs.
