Kuwait: The Crossroads in Purgatory

by: LT Nixon

Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 16:06:58 PM EST


(From the diaries - promoted by Brandon Friedman)

Most military folk who go into Iraq or Afghanistan pass through the oil-rich country full of sandstorms and camels, Kuwait. I recently passed through it on the way back to the states for R&R for a couple days. Despite my griping about the lack of sheets in the transient tents and the process by which the Army moves people from point A to point B, I took it upon myself to be chatty and talk with the soldiers who were stuck in purgatory with me. A good place to start a conversation is the smoke pits conveniently located on the rocky walking paths. Most soldiers don't know what to make of me as a Naval officer lounging about smoking Kools, but I try not to give off an aura of douchiness so that people will be able to shoot it to me straight.

The consensus for the soldiers in Iraq is that things have calmed down significantly. This is especially true for the folks who dwell in the western province of Anbar. I talked with one SSGT who mentioned that the Shiite enclaves on the east side of the Tigris in Baghdad were still quite dangerous and traveling by convoy was still a source of concern for most. One PFC in the Guard asked me when he thought we would be getting out of Iraq. As an officer I've always hated myself when I couldn't properly answer a question, but this one really disturbed me. I honestly have no idea when coalition forces will be out of Iraq, and I am starting to lose faith in the policy makers in Washington for having an answer to that question as well.

As for Afghanistan the consensus was that it was very cold in the mountains this time of year. I asked how the fight was going and there seemed to be an uptick in violence, along with NATO forces routinely rounding up foreign jihadists. Many of the folks heading out on R&R lamented that it was their third or fourth tour, but were generally ecstatic that they were heading home on a bird for the holidays. As bored as I was waiting around to get out of there, it was certainly interesting to get such clarity on a cross-section of issues in both Iraq and Afghanistan in this nexus of information. It was certainly more interesting than sitting around watching South Park episodes on my laptop for the umpteenth time. I hope all these folks are enjoying the holidays with their friends and family, and they are not worrying about the inevitable return to our nation's conflicts.
LT Nixon :: Kuwait: The Crossroads in Purgatory
Tags: , , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email

Kuwait: The Crossroads in Purgatory | 7 comments
Nixon: (0.00 / 0)
  Glad you are back to CONUS for a brief while.

 I wonder how you and your Navy colleagues are reacting to the recent events in Pakistan.

 I would guess the Fifth Fleet is at a bit higher than usual level of alert this week.

 Hope all is well and you are enjoying your home time.

 I remember going on leave and talking to Afghan guys (in 2004, mind you) who were pretty "hooah" about their mission. I get the impression that's not as much the case now.

 It's gonna be an interesting week, indeed.

 IV

On the Fifth fleet... (0.00 / 0)
...I don't know if their mission will get shifted from "Keep the Oil Supertanker lanes open" in the gulf to helping out Pakistan, but I'm sure those decisions are being mulled at the Pentagon right now.  I'm a little worried about the fallout of this assassination.  Uh..I guess fallout was a poor choice of wording.
[ Parent ]
I'd kill to go to kuwait right now... (0.00 / 0)
McDonalds and that awesome asian food place. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I'm on twitter.
Haha... (0.00 / 0)
...that's the first place I went after we got done with our in-processing brief, I went and got a Big Mac at the Mikky-Ds.  It's funny how you miss the stupid little stuff when you are deployed.
[ Parent ]
i think thats what everyone does (0.00 / 0)
both times i was there, immediately following the brief it was like an exedous procession to mcdonalds.

I always get the quaterpounder.

if you haven't eaten at the asian place over by the px, its a must.

I'm on twitter.

[ Parent ]
We don't know if we're ever going home... (0.00 / 0)
Well, I don't really think that's necessarily the truth.  Rather, I don't think we will ever see a draw-down in either place while we have our current policies.  If McCain, or anyone else who will be a paper tiger like the current President takes office and maintains the status quo we can certainly add at least eight years to what our current operations already are; four for the term of office, and at least four for a potential one-term Presidency... if not longer, for a two-term Presidency.

I don't think there would be one veteran who would not be ready and eager to strap the boots on and go, if there was a real militarily driven result.  Service members are ultimately fighters, and in the new age we find ourselves, our hands are bound tighter than even the previous generations that saw service in Vietnam as Pakistan is in current chaos, bin Laden is set to release another video about Iraq, and we are putting our warriors through a 3rd and 4th tour that is like taking the same high quality motor oil and burning it through an overheated engine several times rather than changing the engine or the oil.

What did the President say the other day?  He hoped that our service members in theater enjoyed themselves?  I remember my Christmas of 2005 very well; using stick notes for Christmas cards and distributing M&M's for gifts, just as the rains came into Balad, Iraq in full force and I slept in a connex box with no heat as the temperatures dropped to freezing..  

Do we need holiday cheer, if we feel that we actually have a purpose to be on the clock?  Or, do we find satisfaction in knowing that we can move about with the nobility that fits a clear objective with the resources (NOT $ from Congress, but proper strategy and tactics) necessary to meet it.

Nix, it is good to see you on here regularly.  As we count down to Iowa, it is time for us all to toss off the holiday covers, and go after the objective...  Getting elected representation and leadership in place that will serve our interests.

Lt, pls email if still interested....Tom, DonQuixote (0.00 / 0)


"It is illogical to put a cap on VA funding when it is impossible to put a cap on the number of those wounded and injured in service to their country." Larry Scott






Kuwait: The Crossroads in Purgatory | 7 comments
VetVoice on Social Media
Follow rockrichard on Twitter

VoteVets.org on Facebook
    		•
    VetVoice Recommends

    "The War I Always Wanted,"
    By Brandon Friedman

    "The welcome mat for memoirs by veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom might never wear out so long as they write with the savvy of Brandon Friedman . . . Friedman's take is vivid, frank, precise and dramatic." --Military Times

    "Add Brandon Friedman's The War I Always Wanted to the ranks of outstanding non-fiction produced by officers from elite combat units in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Always truthful, often excruciatingly so, The War I Always Wanted rises at numerous points to the level of literature." --Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire

    Buy The War I Always Wanted here.

    "A Time To Lead,"
    By General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark

    "A Time To Lead confirms the rewarding benefits of military service at a time when such service is experiencing considerable strain. It also includes a comprehensive description of America's current national imperatives, which deserve serious consideration." --General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State

    "This is a primer on leadership forged in battle and by decades of experience. . .This isn't just a book; it's a manual for leading people and living a good life." --Barry McCaffrey, General, USA (ret.)

    Buy A Time to Lead here.

    "Love My Rifle More Than You,"
    By Kayla Williams

    "Whip smart, sassy, with a mouth as foul as a sailor's, 28-year-old Sergeant Kayla Williams. . .tells what it's like to be a female soldier in Iraq." --Booklist

    ". . .echoes military memoirists from Julius Caesar to Ernie Pyle." --Publishers Weekly

    ". . .a shocking, on-the-ground view of one military woman's experience in Iraq." --Bookmarks Magazine

    Buy Love My Rifle More Than You here.

    "How to Break a Terrorist,"
    By Matthew Alexander

    "...a riveting, fast-paced account that reads like a first-rate thriller." --Publisher's Weekly

    " ...an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the secret intelligence war within a war." --Military.com

    Buy How to Break a Terrorist here.
    Search

    Advanced Search
    RSS Feed Links

    Subscribe to VetVoice in a feed reader!

    Subscribe to VetVoice by Email!
    Diaries and comments at VetVoice do not necessarily represent the views of VoteVets.org. VetVoice will strive to remove any illegal material as soon as it is flagged. Similarly, VetVoice will use its discretion in determining whether to remove exceedingly offensive material. However, between posting and removal, any offensive or illegal material does not reflect the condoning or endorsing of said material by VoteVets.org or VetVoice.
    Similarly, the views expressed on this website are those of the authors alone. Opinions on this website do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.
    Menu

    Make a New Account

    Username:

    Password:


    Forget your username or password?

    Front Page Writers
    PTSD Resources
    TBI Resources
    IRR Information
    Casualty Reports
    VA Information
    Support the Troops
    Veteran Candidates We Support
    Congressional Committees
    Contact Your Elected Leaders
    Sites We Like

    Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.

    Site Design: Articulated Man

    VoteVets Political Action and Vote Vets Action Fund are separate organizations.

    Powered by: SoapBlox