Yeah wow! Perfectly clear and to the point. This could be one of my faves of yours. I often wonder about the hidden scars of a war thought to be fought in vain (even if it is just for the pennies or not). That s**t must be too real.
This one slices fragments of truth from every which direction.
To be fair, while I was serving and even now among those who stayed in that I still talk to the sent.. read moreTo be fair, while I was serving and even now among those who stayed in that I still talk to the sentiment was not a disgruntled one on the whole. We weren't, overall, very happy but in some ways because we got to put our training to use we all felt good about that and used it to ignore the realities of the bigger picture (which in retrospect I think it was a coping mechanism). Thanks for stopping by, it's always a pleasure.
6 Years Ago
i understand what you are saying - I have had many a long and deep conversation with my mate who has.. read morei understand what you are saying - I have had many a long and deep conversation with my mate who has been deployed so many times now I have lost count. He loves it, lives it, breathes it - he is the ultimate warrior, but like with everything there is always a flip pf the coin. I do feel the camaraderie at the end of the day along with doing the kind of stuff that takes yeas of training and expertise that for an outsider seems really cool is what can keep the balance. Thing is though, you will always come away from a deployment a different person than when you left. But that in itself (like you said in one of your below comments, happens everywhere - usually to a lesser extent. And you are welcome X
6 Years Ago
During a convoy security patrol around 2005ish I ran into some Aussies about 20 miles south of a cit.. read moreDuring a convoy security patrol around 2005ish I ran into some Aussies about 20 miles south of a city called Nasiriyah. Ask him if he was deployed to southern Iraq around that time, there weren't too many Australian military guys on the ground at the time... it's not unlikely for us to have briefly crossed paths that day.
I appreciate this write, offers a point of view only few will know. Thanks for sharing and for serving. Whatever happened out there, you signed up to serve your country and that's honorable !
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't say I deserve a great deal of thanks though, I served for .. read moreThanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't say I deserve a great deal of thanks though, I served for selfish reasons. I signed up because at that point (2003) one of the enlistment perks paid off my student loans. I served honorably (because your life is ruined if you don't) but I would not consider why I enlisted exactly honorable. I'd still do it again but not out of patriotism or for the student loan repayments but because I met some really awesome people and learned how to deal with extremely difficult situations under great pressure with poise. Whatever patriotism I had died when I realized that this country couldn't care less if I or anyone else in my position lived or died unless it was politically beneficial. America really is just a business.
I love and respect all our U.S. military, past, present, and future. They are my beloved, my brothers and sisters-in-arms. Your poem deeply offended me. As I pray for them, who are the honorable, I will pray for you.
Posted 6 Years Ago
0 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Good thing people like myself fought for your right to feel offended (yeah, dipshit, I'm a vet too)... read moreGood thing people like myself fought for your right to feel offended (yeah, dipshit, I'm a vet too). We aren't your "beloved", the romanticized perception of the soldier is far from reality, you just want to feel patriotic and altruistic without actually doing anything. Don't pray for me, as you have no idea what it is you're upset with or what you're praying for in general. There is a real world beyond what you are told by romanticized movies and entertainment news television... modern warfare and the reason's behind it are not at all what you think. You live in a fantasy world, lucky you.
6 Years Ago
I assure you, Mr. Flint, I don't have a romanticized view of war and the soldiers, sailors, airmen, .. read moreI assure you, Mr. Flint, I don't have a romanticized view of war and the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who've had to fight these wars. I've heard a lot of their very tragic stories, I don't live in a fantasy world. I care deeply for our U.S. war veterans. You resorted to name calling, how sad. If you write back to me with any more of your abuse, you will be ignored.
Oh no!! The stranger who "heard" some war stories and implied I wasn't "honorable" is going to ignor.. read moreOh no!! The stranger who "heard" some war stories and implied I wasn't "honorable" is going to ignore me?!?! Whatever shall I do? Get lost lady... you're blind nationalism and automatic support is what is making my country a laughing stock on the world stage. You ignoring me sounds pretty nice if do say so myself. Bye Felicia.
6 Years Ago
God Bless You and I'll keep praying for you, goodbye.
There's a lot of bitterness here, and it's warranted for someone who feels used. I can almost see a hired hand who does merciless tasks for nothing other than the money. Someone who is covered in scars from a life he's not rather proud of, but does it anyway because he's damn good at what he does. I like it. The images and the words go hand in hand together. Well written.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
I think most of the occupations the majority of the workforce undertakes are similar. In a differen.. read moreI think most of the occupations the majority of the workforce undertakes are similar. In a different capacity of course, but, it's hard not feel used in most lines of work because inherently, that's the deal. It's all just a transaction of labor for currency. I think 3 out of 4 workers would feel similarly. Thanks for the review.
The jaded patriot. I can see how the modern warrior might turn that shade. But have never met one.
I had a WWII Dad and brother's who fought in Vietnam and a hand full of nephew's that have served with pride.
It would be a bitter pill to walk away feeling used.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Indeed it is. Thanks for the comments Cherrie, I hope all is well.
Yeah wow! Perfectly clear and to the point. This could be one of my faves of yours. I often wonder about the hidden scars of a war thought to be fought in vain (even if it is just for the pennies or not). That s**t must be too real.
This one slices fragments of truth from every which direction.
To be fair, while I was serving and even now among those who stayed in that I still talk to the sent.. read moreTo be fair, while I was serving and even now among those who stayed in that I still talk to the sentiment was not a disgruntled one on the whole. We weren't, overall, very happy but in some ways because we got to put our training to use we all felt good about that and used it to ignore the realities of the bigger picture (which in retrospect I think it was a coping mechanism). Thanks for stopping by, it's always a pleasure.
6 Years Ago
i understand what you are saying - I have had many a long and deep conversation with my mate who has.. read morei understand what you are saying - I have had many a long and deep conversation with my mate who has been deployed so many times now I have lost count. He loves it, lives it, breathes it - he is the ultimate warrior, but like with everything there is always a flip pf the coin. I do feel the camaraderie at the end of the day along with doing the kind of stuff that takes yeas of training and expertise that for an outsider seems really cool is what can keep the balance. Thing is though, you will always come away from a deployment a different person than when you left. But that in itself (like you said in one of your below comments, happens everywhere - usually to a lesser extent. And you are welcome X
6 Years Ago
During a convoy security patrol around 2005ish I ran into some Aussies about 20 miles south of a cit.. read moreDuring a convoy security patrol around 2005ish I ran into some Aussies about 20 miles south of a city called Nasiriyah. Ask him if he was deployed to southern Iraq around that time, there weren't too many Australian military guys on the ground at the time... it's not unlikely for us to have briefly crossed paths that day.
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