4/25/2006
A day in the life of an American Soldier.
American Soldier says,
This will be an ongoing story of a group of soldiers serving in Iraq. The names, places and at times the events will be modified to protect identity and OPSEC.
0645
The soldiers all gathered in the usual meeting spot to receive their pre-mission briefing. They called it the poop meet. SFC Goslin, the platoon sergeant took the floor and began with the days contact report. Detailing the encounters with the enemy, who got killed and who we were looking for. Some days were better than others. This particular day there were reports that the insurgency wanted to capture an American.
“Bullshit!” a soldier shouted out.
Subtle laughter came across the group of men. The lieutenant broke in and reminded everyone to keep their grenade battle ready. They all knew what that meant.
“Those fuckers aren’t taking me alive!” A very southern voice roared out waving his 9mm in the air.
SFC Goslin reminded everyone about what others had went through on that day. The men’s faces look intense and they all listened as SFC Goslin read the details of a very dangerous mission they would have to perform later that day, along with the regular operations order for their daily mission. That day they would have to go into the center of town and try to capture a target package. What made this mission more dangerous was that it was during the day versus using the cover of darkness to acquire targets. The man they wanted was only passing through town. This all coming from intelligence that can be hit or miss at times.
SFC Goslin finished up and asked if there were any questions. These guys have been doing this for so long that it was like clockwork. They all knew the dangers and they all knew their roles. This was just another day outside the wire.
“Then if there is no questions, see you all back for SP.” SFC Goslin said about the start point. This is when soldiers would actually move out to conduct their mission.
0725
*The sound of rap music, rock, country blaring from the barracks area*
Each soldier has a way to get himself ramped up before a mission. Going outside the wire is unforgiving in these parts. These soldiers know that each time they leave the pseudo comforts of the ‘wire’ that they might not come back. So the soldiers each prime their minds with music. At times like these, no one is really complaining about a certain song or genre of music. They are each attuned and focused on their own thing.
0740
“Hey fucker, you get water for the truck?” SFC Smith asks his gunner.
The gunner, SPC Rondolan was a short muscular kid from Illinois. Peeks down from the turret and tells SFC Smith that it’s all in the hatch.
“I’ve taught you well Rondo!” Smith says with a smile.
“Yeah I’ve taught your wife a few things too!” Rondolan smirks and says out loud.
SFC Smith grabs SPC Rondolan by the leg and playfully punches him sending Rondolan across the truck.
“Oh man what did Rondo do now?” says SGT Guss.
Sgt. Guss is the driver for SFC Smith. With a Masters in Business he somehow decided to join the Army as an enlisted man and become an Infantryman. He told his team one long night in sector that he was there on 9/11 and watch as the towers fell. He said that he wanted to be as close to the enemy as possible and watch each one fall like the towers did that day. No one could blame the guy for picking the shittiest job in the Army. It was the best job to ensure killing the enemy and that is what he wanted.
0750
“Blue 6 this is Blue 1, we are redcon 1, red direct.” Smith called his LT to let him know that he was ready to roll.
“Blue 1 this is Blue 6, roger, out.” Lieutenant Chase said in response. The LT once an enlisted man he fought in the first gulf and was on his 2nd OIF rotation. No one really knew his complete back story but this guy had cold steel eyes. His tactical judgment was impeccable. He was a tactical genius in a lot of soldier’s eyes. However his tact with his superiors was somewhat questionable. The LT sometimes joked that he probably would make Captain and would eventually be forced out of the Army. Some people would say that kept coming back to the war because he knew the Army would eventually force him out. It was rumored he had been the recipient of a Silver Star but refused it because for the same action his soldiers got a lesser award.
0755
On queue as usual the vehicles roared towards the gate. While on the move they loaded their crew serve weapons such as machine guns, grenade launchers and their personal weapons being M4’s, M16’s and 9mm’s. The sound of bolts being released and links hitting the ground from the turret above. SFC Smith spit into his bottle to get rid of the built of tobacco lodged in his lip.
“Ok boys, same shit, different day!” Smith announces.
“Hey Sarge, you saying the prayer today?” Rondo says looking down from the turret.
“Fuck that shit, I’m not religious, god isn’t going to save me here, it will be you on that gun!” Smith says.
SFC Smith didn’t really mean all that he said but kept his religious beliefs to himself. He just thought it was ridiculous praying. He had seen so much in this war and it was either by his own gun or someone else’s that enabled him to come back in the wire after each mission. He believed more in the fact that his destiny was already set. If it was intended for him to die here then so be it. However, SFC Smith was too damn stubborn to allow that.
0800
The soldiers of this crew roll out the gate and prepare for what will become a very long day.
Filed under: General
29 Responses to “A day in the life of an American Soldier.”
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WOW! That is all that came to mind after reading that. Again thanks for everything that all of you do over there! Still praying for all of you!
This is good stuff. I’m impatient for the next part.
Yeah - you can say that again — WOW! AND WOW! Did I mention, WOW! THANKS for giving me a glimpse into what my adopted “kids” go thru. Thank you, a billion times over.
Keep it coming, AS. We need to hear the real story. I hope things are getting better for you every day. We love you and family!
Thanks AS, reading this strengthens my desire to keep adopting Soldiers.
Hope your getting better every day.
I’ve been there once, I’m going back. To Iraq here i come, and yoiu know what? I can’t wait to get back over. I need some pay back for all the crap they’ve been dealing out. I got your back brother.
Your ability to tell the story is a real gift. I am sure your brothers in arms appreciate that even though wounded, you are here, continuing to tell their story. We need to hear it. Thank you!
God bless our troops! Take care.
Donna
Thank you for that vivid and articulate insight into what our Soldiers go through while on the battlefield. Americans needs to hear the real story from the only real source. It helps me personally to understand what my adopted heroes are dealing with daily. Great stuff!
SoCalAngel
Oh come on now..A little more please.
Screw this AS, if Buzzell can do the book, you can too. Hell of a good writer!! Thanks Hoorah!
Are you writing right now? I hope so! If not, why not?
Please don’t make us wait too long. ;o)
Terrific!
THANK YOU AS FOR GIVING US A VIEW OF LIFE FOR OUR SOLDIERS IN HARMS WAY. I WILL BE WATCHING FOR MORE. HOPE IT IS SOON. MAKES US APPRECIATE OUR SOLDIERS KNOWING WHAT THEY FACE EVERYDAY. TRULY FREEDOM IS FREE.
PAULEE
SOLDIERS ANGELS
OOPS LEFT OUT IS’T FREE. SORRY AS
PAULEE
Web Reconnaissance for 04/28/2006
A short recon of whats out there that might draw your attention.
Write, my friend. Write. Write and keep the story going. And thx
I fear for all of the men (and women) in Iraq. To have to dehumanize and kill others and perhaps die trying is an unthinkable atrocity. I can only hope that there is as little violence and death as possible. I hope that these men - so desensitized but so naive - come back with as little trauma and as much of themselves as can be salvaged. It is the human wreckage of war that devastates the world. Is it true that one man actually thinks that Iraqis caused the trade center terrorism? I’m sure it helps the military to convince him that these Iraqis are somehow linked with Al Quaeda, but someone should tell him the truth. He deserves to know what he’s fighting for, and who he’s fighting against, and that there is absolutely no link between Iraq and the trade center attack. Our soldiers carry the name of our nation and should know that anything they do reflects on us as a whole - their death is the death of our country, their cruelty is our nation’s cruelty. The enemy are equally human, and I hope their lives are protected and respected as much as our own. May we all find peace some day.
AS,
Thank you for writing. While being theraputic for you it lets us see into the day to day things that go on in Iraq and lets us know some of what our soldiers go through.
God Bless you and yours!
Great writing AS
Max, we didn’t start this war but we’re not going to back down to a bunch of evil, backward, hateful bastards that would cut YOUR throat in a second. Watch the video’s on michaelsavage.com and get educated. OR watch Team America World Police because your type of person is described in there as a P#*#Y! Keep up the great writing AS!
CJ, I know I’ve been MIA for a while, but if you have read my blog at all you would know why. However, I want you to know that I’ve always read yours and you still remain my favorite and remain linked so that others will find in you what I have. That is honesty, truth and trust. Thank you for your continued writings.
Pamela,
I think you made a mistake in your post.
Who is CJ?? A Soldier’s Perspective??
Wow AS, you write so well…as everyone else has said…makes me eager for the next chapter:)
Know that you and yours continue to be in my prayers.
I would ask if all soldiers look alike but I’ve seen pictures of that CJ. I doubt AS looks like that.
I hope someone finds the one who took the picture of falluja bombing. It’s not nice to disrespect who defends democracy and freedom in the world.
Sorry, I meant to type American Soldier…. but the best!
Max,
I cannot stand to hear the liberal argument that there is no connection between 9/11 and Iraq. Iraq is a progressive idea that aims to make the world safe via the expansion of democracy. Please remember that it was not only U.S. intelligence that believed Saddam possessed WMDs, but the international community as well. France and Germany were just pissed because they made a lot of $$$$ from business with Saddam. A decision against invading after he broke so many treaties and was laughing at our demands for inspection, was unacceptable. Also, the possibility that he exported his WMDs to Syria is there, and it is idiotic to believe this to be an impossibility. We do know for a fact that he used chemical weapons on the Kurds. Nevertheless, in my opinion, we have three options in the War on Terror…
Pacifism, we ignore the problem and let it continue to grow, maybe drop a few bombs here and there. This option is unacceptable and Clinton’s presidency shows why. Two, we completely annihilate all nations harboring terrorists. This would be unacceptable for ethical and moral reasons. Three, we overthrow nations that are harboring terrorists and try to plant something organic, something prolific. This something is the seed of democracy. We are morally obligated to attempt this before resorting to other means of ridding the world of the epidemic of Islamic Radicalism. Democracy will bring education. Education is the light of God. Education leads to peace. Peace is what we all wish for.
Remeber that there are many Muslims who have not been duped by radicalists like Osama bin Laden. The future generation of young Iraqis will be educated about the evils of Islamic Radicalsim. It is not an innate trait in Arabs to hate democracy. It is simply that oppressive religious regimes have brainwashed and embedded these beliefs in them for centuries. I believe every human being has an innate desire for freedom, even if they don’t yet know it. Education can shine the light on all of Radical Islam’s lies. Education, sprung from democracy, is our only peaceful hope.
Remember that Saddam was hiring suicide bombers, so don’t try the “Saddam wasn’t harboring terrorists” BS.
This third option, this sewing the seed of democracy, seems to be the only choice we have besides turning the entire middle east into glass. Perhaps, if democracy fails in Iraq, nuking Radical Islamic nations that have nuclear weapons may become necessary. However, people like you who discredit the war effort are hurting the stride toward a democratic Iraq, and therefore making the annihiliation option, in which many innocent people will die, more appealing. I’d like to ask you what your solution would be if Iran gets a nuclear bomb? Bombing weapons facilities like Clinton loved to do will not eliminate the problem. Nuclear weapons can be kept underground. Pacifism, while it feels morally correct, is the process of letting your emotions drownd out your reason. It is imperative that we attack this problem before it is too late. I too hurt for soldiers that have lossed their life, but we must continue so that their sacrifice achieves the goal. It is unfortunate that war has come upon us, but we cannot change these things.
Iraq, a nation rich with oil, may potentially become the golden example of what other arab nations can accomplish through democracy. Their prosperity may create envy among other Arab nations, who may wish to follow suit. Education may cure the disease of Radical Islam. But, if because of religious conflict, democracy does not succeed, Iraq has nevertheless been a magnet for Islamic Radicalists. These insurgents are coming from Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan, etc. and are heavily funded by guess who? Bin Laden. The entire Islamic Radicalist movement is an interconnected network. The insurgents being drawn into Iraq are directly connected to Islamic Radicalism, and our brave soldiers are killing them. The more they kill of these people, the better. This is a noble, brave, just, and righteous cause. If the MSM continues to injure the morale of our troops, the decision we had to make with Japan in WWII may come up again. It may come down to us, or them. Hopefully, democracy in Iraq succeeds and we can avoid such a tragic option. Let us pray it does for the Iraqi children’s sake.
Thank You American Soldier for your service. I know you already have muted out the MSM and liberal criticism, but hopefully my post strengthens your resolve all the more.
“War cannot be avoided, it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.” -Niccollo Machiavelli
All I can say is Thanks !!!
Mon,5/2906 Niccollo Machiavelli,Thanks for your gallant words for
our soldiers.I am not much of a speaker,but so much runs through
my mind.This war is with me ever minute of ever day.I have a beautiful son that was in the Gulf War and just came back from Iraq,and is waiting for his date to deploy again.I am very proud of all our Military,It doesn’t matter how old our children are mothers still see them as their babies,even if they are grown.I stand by our military and pray for each and ever one of them daily.God bless them all.A Soldiers Mother