1/29/2006
The Fog of War
American Soldier says,
In the fog of war the measure of mistake can cost ones life. No amount of training can ever prepare you when you have to make split second decisions. This exact mindset was introduced to me very recently. In the area in which I perform missions the rules of engagement are very cut and dry. Certain things are black and white. It is the variables that can occur where you are not the only one tasked with implementing such rules.
I’d rather not share some of the further details; I’d rather just forget some of the things that occurred. This war sucks sometimes and today I am feeling the affect. I couldn’t even tell you what day it is right now. I will cheat and look at my calendar after I write this. I am tired, worn out and feeling sort of melancholy.
Some days are good and some days are very long. Today was a long day. Another mission awaits me tonight and I have no problem with that. This is my purpose here. Being a Soldier makes me proud, it’s the in between part that can be tough. So this is my entry for today. I wish I had the energy to post more but for now, I endure the affects of war.
I’ve decided to name my rifle, Chasity. It’s the middle name of my wife. She has been the little angel on my shoulder that helps me when I need it. Today I will clean Chasity and prepare her for another day outside the wire.
I love you hon. I miss you too.
Filed under: General, News from the front, Mobilized
31 Responses to “The Fog of War”
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AS, I wish I had the words to help. I feel inadiquate. My prayers are with you as always. Take care of yourself Soldier. Your devotion to this wonderful country we call home is inspiring and appreciated. God Bless You, stay safe.
AS, my prayers for strength especially when you need it most. Be safe and take good care of yourself.
AS, My prayers are being added for strength in mind, body and spirit.
I hope tonight’s mission goes well!
I like your choice of names ~
Hey AS,
I second all the above and pray always for all of you over there.
Words can never express the gratitude and respect I have for all who serve—you are the true heroes of this day! I salute you, sir!
AS–you have my prayers as well. God give you strength for every moment. Thank you for your dedication to freedom. We love you.
Dear Soldier,
I am so terrible saddened by what appears to have happened in your world. I am praying for your comfort, strength and peace through this particularly difficult time in your life. Recall the words from The Serenity Prayer:
“GOD, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,
Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.
Living ONE DAY AT A TIME;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as the
pathway to peace.”
Even for one that has mixed feelings on religious this contains much by way of secular common sense and perhaps will help.
Take special care with yourself and stay safe.
Hey AS!
Thanks for the update. Sorry about the circumstance that is bringing you down. War is not pretty I’m sure!
Thank you for being over there for me and for all Americans. If it weren’t for men like you, our country wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms that we do.
I agree with the prayers of people who wrote before me. I too am praying for your safety and your peace of mind. I pray for your family as well.
Hey, I like the name that you picked for your rifle. I thought that was very sweet to name it after your wife. Hope she likes that?!
Take care AS, we are all praying for you!!
AS, I’m glad that it makes you proud to be a soldier, because most of us back here in the states are very proud to have you as a soldier. Thank you for everything you do.
God bless you.
Cheers!
Thank you for your service to our country. I pray for all of our military but especially for you who are in harm’s way. Our very freedom and way of life is dependent on you and I know it is in very capable and honorable hands. May God be with in all you do and with your family at all times.
Nice to see the update but sad to read the emotion. Hoping you few long days to come. The offer of support stands….post if you need anything and thank you again for what you are doing.
sorry to hear that your a having a bad day. Not all can understand those who have “warrior blood” and why they would willingly put their life on the line for their country but stay strong and know that we’re all praying for your safe return.
I like the name for the rifle by the way.
AS, take care of yourself. Wish I could help more; prayers is all I have.
Take care, write when you can, but take care of the love of your life. Don’t forget her.
Hi AS!! Just found your website and I’ve been busy reading trying to find out what’s going on where you are. I have a very special guy whom I love very much that will be leaving in Feb to do 3 mos training and then he’ll be heading over to Iraq for 547 days. Can’t say how I’m doing except not to good. If you happen to run into him he would make you a great friend!
My prayers are with you to come home safe as is for all the other soldiers there. Keep the news coming. It’s my link of survival!!
Regards,
Lady In Red
All the above comments, plus keep Chasity close by and your butt down. God bless and keep you all safe. I’m so proud of you.
Wishing you well, and God bless you. Thank you for keeping us safe here at home. Thanks to your wife also!!
You are showing signs of being a human being, unlike our brainwashed enemy. Hang tough, you are in the right. We support you.
Every time I see a dirty wound it reminds me of an incident more than 30 years ago when we were ambushed during training exercises. Since I was the medic, I had to attend to my buddies who were shot and I have to control my fear and revulsion. I fully understand how these soldiers feel and the very high price they have to pay personally in terms of their psychological well-being. It took me a while to get over the rage especially after we identified those who fired on us but I wanted to kill them even when they were already in jail. For people who never went through this experience it is hard to explain and you get the feeling that you have been shattered and could not be whole again.
The link below shows the heavy price a soldier has to pay even after the battle or the war is over.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/29/MNGMHGVCEV1.DTL
Chasity is a good name, keep her clean and ready to go at a moments notice and she will not let you down…keep your head down and your heart true.
LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF ALL THOSE WHO THREATEN IT.
FOR THOSE WHO DO ROCK, ARE ABOUT TO ROCK, ARE ROCKING; WE SALUTE YOU.
Get’er done AS, and God bless you!! I just watched the movie “United Flight 93″ last night, and the wave washed over me again. The face of evil is depressing to look at, and you have the worst view, in the front. Our love, prayers, and gratitude, are with you. Not much, compared to you, but heartfelt. God bless you and your family!
Always grateful,
Donna
Sorry you had a bad day man. It happens, especially when you deal with the beurocracy of government all the time. Glad you still are proud to do your job though. I just saw 10 friends off this morning to outprocessing then to Baghdad, their first time over.
Hang in there, get some sleep you’ll feel better.
R/
Mr Bob, your Sailor friend.
I’m praying for you… hang in there, and be safe
hey bud. just know that your family and friends are waiting for you at home, and that America loves and supports you.
Godspeed, troop! You’re in my prayers and thoughts.
Stay safe.
Love ya, man!
As I can not change what you are going through, and as much as I wish things were different..I can say thank you! May God be with you, you and your wife are in our prayers.
As, you’re doing the right nthing talking about it. The story that Lee linked to, well, that’s my life. It has been for over therty years. It took me over two to learn how to talk, But I can say, this, as hard as it has been , it is what made me the person I am. Sure I wish those things that caused mine never happened. But I think in many ways I mifgt not like myself for the person I bacame if they hadn’t. I never sit with my back to a door. I have found myself hiding in the floor under a toilet bowl at work and don’t know how I got there. but there is more help out there now. Not everyone will be unable to work or ill for years. Talking helps as long as the listener lets you talk and doesn’t say dumb stuff likecome on, get it together. Writingg helps. Another great help is crayons, colored lencils, pastels, especially red, purple, black, blue and any kind of paper.just draw anything. Even if you just scribble. It lets outthe rage. And this doesn’t just apply to PTSD.
I will keep you in my prayers. Keep you head down, and be safe. Thank you so very much for all you sacrifices. Your family too. One thing mom did was dig a hole and as she did soo talk to God. She was angry and depressed my brother died at 21 from cancer. When she was done, she filled up the hole and her and God were friends again. She has a pretty good size yard. I honestly don’t thinkk there is a single spot she hasn’t dug a whole in! Be safe AS. Remember we all care, we’re hear for you thrrough good, bad, and ugly. We love you and all our troops. Knowing you so intimately, makes our feelings for you more intense!
Nice to see the update but sad to read the emotion. Hoping you few long days to come. The offer of support stands….post if you need anything and thank you again for what you are doing.
Chasity is a good name, keep her clean and ready to go at a moments notice and she will not let you down…keep your head down and your heart true.
I placed this post on my site and added your link to my list. This is an inspiring and heartfelt post that my readers must see.
Semper
Good Day Dear Soldier,
Thank you. All of you Heros are in my prayers through out the day but I’m asking extra blessings from all the Heavens over to shine on you. Okay? I Love You.