Christmas and Mail

1. Once a soldier is deployed to and reaches Iraq, how long does the processing take and generally how long is it before they have an address where they can receive mail or contact family back in the US?

2. What will Christmas be like for the deployed soldiers?

3. What type of housing is set up for the soldiers? In other words, what are the living arrangements for the average soldier?

I have tons more questions, but won't bombard you with them all at once. Again, any info at all is greatly appreciated.

Dariana, Military Mom

GiGotti78- We had our address to where we were going before we left the states. Our address even changed while we were in Kuwait and we got the update while there so we could get it to family and friends. But their are factors also involved. If they are Active Duty and whisked right into country, it would take a little longer to get or if they are Reservists and had a short train up all can play a role. As for how Christmas will be, Im hoping quiet. The chow halls will have a nice meal for us and Im sure they will be playing Christmas music to lighten the mood. I just hope it comes and goes because that's one more day down. Like in our last post, our living arrangements are better than I could have expected. Mr. Matt explains them perfectly in our last post. Also, dont worry about bombarding us with questions. The more asked, the more answered, the more truth gets out.

Mr. Matt- Well GiGotti78 summed up most of that answer. Though I know for myself I diden't give my address to my family until I got to where I was going just because I felt that I diden't need a bunch of stuff the second I got here. Though there is usually an opertunity (if you want to wait at times upwards to 3 hours) to make a phone call or use the internet. You can still contact home but mission and time always plays a role in that event. Ahhh Christmas... I hate holidays away from home. Some soldiers will have to work others will have time off but it's generally boring and it would be much better if the military diden't actually observe holidays around here cause it builds depression and home sickness in some soldiers. I haven't slept right in over a week and my appitite decreased a little. So I know it's that time of year. Housing has been answered previously. Though it could be a trailer, a building, a tent. The military makes sure that you the soldier is heated and/or cooled for the most part.

Playing 20 questions

If there was one thing that you absolutely needed that you did NOT have, what would you want and why?

What are the living conditions like for you?

Are you in the direct line of harm's way? Have you seen anyone in your squadron killed and if so, how did you handle it?

Do you plan to stay in your branch of military after your deployment is done, and if so, where would you like to be stationed? If you plan to get out, what would you like to do?

How have you been able to cope with being deployed and away from your families? How do you feel about other soldiers who have NEVER been deployed?

How often are you able to get on the internet? Is it difficult to be on long since there are others in line who want to send messages back home?

Have any of you been to Saddam's palace? If so, how did you feel about being there?

Do you feel your mission is being accomplished, and what else do you feel could be done?

Do you think the "war on terror" will ever be won? Do you think the US is doing this alone, or has there been sufficient assistance from other countries?

Are you guys (and gals) able to eat healthy and receive medical attention? How are you doing emotionally?

Jacqueline

Gigotti78-Wow, those are alot of questions and I will do the best I can to answer them. The first question is easy, BEER! While we are in a combat zone, their is no alcohol and unfortunately, we are not allowed to have any or face penalties. But man, what I wouldnt do for a nice, cold, Miller Lite draft. Hmmm, I can taste it now....aaaaah. OK, next question which is living conditions. Our living conditions where we are at are pretty nice. We live in modified containers that are different sizes. We have A/C units and I truly expected worse. Now, as for being in harm's way, no matter where you are in Iraq, you are in harm's way. Sometimes the insurgents will lob mortars or rockets at the bases and hope to hit something. You have roadside bombs that are our biggest threat and occasionally, they get brave for 5 seconds and shoot at you but then run when we shoot back with bigger weapons. I haven't seen anyone from my unit killed although we have lost a few guys. Being National Guard soldiers, we all come from the same towns and the few we lost have had a major impact back home. I didnt know any of the guys personally, but it still takes a toll on you. It really puts a perspective on what we are actually doing and where we are. As for staying in the military, I plan on finishing out and doing my 20 years. Since we are National Guard, I will be getting stationed right back in my homestate and going back to college to get my degree. Coping with being away from loved ones and friends is never easy, but this isnt my first time leaving home. I spent 5 years on Active Duty Army and have already done a tour through Bosnia. As a soldier, you learn how to cope with being away from loved ones and everyone does it a bit differently. As for soldiers who have never deployed I dont hold nothing against them if they havent got called up (in the national guard or reserve component) and the Active Duty guys really dont have a choice, its more like luck if they havent been somewhere since 2001. But if people tried to snake their way out and then stay in, yea I got beef with them. They are cowards and should just get out, they are wasted space for all I care. The internet is an easy question, a bunch of us went in a bought a satellite and we have service in our living quarters. Our unit also bought a satellite for the soldiers to use and hooked up computers to it so the lines are not that bad for our soldiers. Never been to any of Saddam's palaces and really dont care to. I would just spit on the floor anyways. Each mission is important and I feel we are making an impact where we are. Progress is made everyday in this country no matter what people say. Enough said on that. To answer the War on Terror question, just check out my personal blog, its linked to my name. As for eating healthy and medical attention, we have some very good chow halls and the base we are on has a hospital. We also have very good medics in our unit so if something were to happen to me, I have faith in them that they could keep me alive before I got to a hospital. As for emotions, I am hanging in there and thank you for asking.

Mr. Matt - MMMmmm BEER!!!! Alcohol tends to help one forget things. Sometimes we need to forget things. Then again I forget things all the time so maybe beer would be bad for me. The living conditions here aren't bad. We (on this base) live in Truck trailers that have been modified to appear as a regular room on the inside. White walls, liniolum floors, lockers, and bunk beds. 6 men to a room and about 4 square feet per person after the rest of the stuff in here. Harms way... truthfully if you are in Iraq your in harms way wether or not you know it. We have had a few people killed in our battalion. I diden't really know them that much and at the time it diden't phaze me all that much. Though, when I was at the funeral ceremony that was held here that's when reality smacked my in the head. The thoughts of them and the fear of that happening to someone that I was close with or myself. Well we are National Guard Soldiers I'm still contemplating on whether or not to stay in if I do I don't think it will be with this Battalion but if it is Oh well. I hate being away from my family currently... due to the fact that I don't like being that far from home I'm a mammas boy. As far as the soldiers that have never been deployed. The ones that are here now have their ups and downs. Yet I can think of one person in paticular that said "I'm flad I'm here because my home town sucks and I like the money." So... some like it others don't. Some of us purchased a civilian based internet system that is out of the United States with a jump from Europe. I'm on the internet in my room right now. I saw his palace I wasen't able to go inside because I was driving by. Though being on this base that we are on Saddam has been here. In a way it feels like "Wow we are where a historic dictator once was" but like everything else the feeling of aww goes away. As far as I see it the mission is being acomplished. With what could be done. The Iraqi citizens could start turning in myre of the terrorists themselfs to help us rid their country of the scum. The war on terror will be a forever going process. Though there is alot of assistance from other countries like, Britan, Japan, and Austrailia so moslty everyone is helping where they can. There are alot more countries here as well but those are the ones that stand out in my mind currently. We eat quite well everyday that is a morale thing... bad food the morale goes down the drain. We do have access to medical attention and the Prozac is working really well so I'm happy. :-D :-P

Our New tenant

Just so happens to be The Queen of Classic Rock from Hard Rock Raido Live and she proclaims herself to be the "Rock Bitch." Now I don't know about everyone else but Rock and Roll is some of the best music on the face of the earth IMO. Though, "The Rock Bitch" is also a survivor or Ovarian Cancer. Her blog describes everyday life of a deejay and her personal experiences. So please be kind and click on her blog. Cause we don't up date enough you've probally already read all the questions that we have answered and you still have 25 seconds to wait.

More updates soon. Please e-mail all your questions. Thank You.

SUPPORT OUR TENANT TOO! THAT'S AN ORDER! :-P

Will we miss this place?

When you get back to America, what will you miss most about Iraq?

What's your favorite memory?


Sheila

GiGotti78- Well Sheila, considering I am only at the halfway point, this is a tough question(s) to answer at this time. I really do not see myself missing Iraq per se, but the impressions of what I have been through here will carry for a lifetime. Being in a place as hostile as this has lasting effects, some good and some bad. I think we will have to re-visit these questions as we get closer to our departure and come home. I can tell you I WONT miss the heat!

Mr.Matt- There is only one thing that I will miss about Iraq though I can see it else where. The stary night sky. Clear, no clouds, very little light around you. You can see almost the entire galaxy. But other then that I won't miss a single thing. Come to think of it I won't even miss the night sky I'll have that at home too. I might be a little insentisive but that's just how it is. Chances are when I get home I probally won't talk about Iraq unless asked about it.

Interaction with Iraqi Citizens

How much are you able to get to know the Iraqi people? Are you able to interact with them and if not, is it due to language barriers?

Susannah

GiGotti78- I have had the chance to interact with some local Iraqi people and sometimes language/culture is a huge barrier. Their are a few Iraqi people who work on the US bases and these citizens know at least a little English. These people seem thankful for what we have done, although they are working on a US base so their view could be biased. As for the local populace who do not have the privilege to work on a US base, seem to welcome us for the most part. Any time their is a mission of any sort, the military tries to have an interpretor to help bridge the language barrier so that we can communicate with the populace and create an understanding.


Mr.Matt- I'm not a very social person. I would prefer to sit in the vehicle, say hello, and wave. Though there is a language barrier but, you can notice that both people in conversation atempt to understand eachother as best as possiable when there isn't an interpretor around. Though alot of the Iraqi citizens that I've encountered speak various forms of english. From Basic to complex, but most of them speak basic english.

Anonymous said...

Quite a few really good questions. Though the soldiers feel that anonymous questions should not be answered. Especially from our comments. That is why we have our e-mail posted on the left side of this blog.

Not only that one of the questions asked is a wolf in disguise. If we were to answer that question we would be violating OPSEC (Operational Security). That is something were not going to do. If you would like to see what Anonymous asked just click on the last posts comments. If you think that those questions should be answered e-mail then and we will do the best we could do.

Thank You, The Soldiers

Day in the life of a Soldier in Iraq.

Could you please give us a "day in the life of a soldier in Iraq" post? Describe an average day for you? What time do you rise in the morning...eat breakfast...patrol, etc...until lights out? I'm really curious as to what life is like for the average HERO on a regular day in Iraq.

Susan

Gigotti78- An average day for a soldier? For me, it is more scheduled than others. I work a ten hour shift getting off at 2 o'clock in the morning. I work in an office processing soldiers leave, pay and what not. I work in Headquarters Company. Now as for our soldiers in the "Line" companies, they really dont have a schedule. I have had the opportunity to get out and go on some patrols. Patrols take place at any given time, whatever the mission calls. One day you may go out at 7 in the morning for a few hours, come back and then have to go back out till o-dark-thirty, just to have to be up at 6 in the morning for another patrol. There are soldiers who run convoy routes to get supplies from point A to point B that can have them away from base for days at a time, on the road. As for lights out, that is purely up to you since their is activity 24 hours a day. You catch some sleep when you have the chance or go to the gym to work off some steam. Like I said, my job is pretty mundane and routine, others is hectic and fast paced. I am one of the fortunate soldiers so to say.

Mr. Matt - Same as above. I work the same hours as Gigotti78 in close to the same capasity. As far as the soldiers that do patrols, convoys, and perimiter security. It's not usually the same times because someone could say that there is a mission change and you have 25 or 30 min. to get ready. Then other times you know that you have to do, when you have to do it.

Please Visit AubreyJ

Our first sponsor this week is AubreyJ. If you want news from someone that cares please visit his site.

After the title of his blog this is how it reads.

No matter what your political views might be... One thing is for certain. In these days of fast news and even faster life styles... We all seem to have forgotten those moments in history that so abruptly and tragically changed this beloved Country of ours............ 911- How soon we forget......

If you want to know how the soldiers feel you must want to keep up with current events. So check out AubreyJ.

Do we see progress in Iraq?

How do the Iraqi people respond to the American Soldier's presence?

What kind of progress to you see in Iraq?


Kristi

Gigotti78- Well, Kristi, as far as how do ppl respond to us, they seem to warm up to us as each passing day. They now realize that we are not here for any other reason but for their independence and for them to be able to be free and have a voice. We as soldiers, reach out to the Iraqi people every chance we get to show them our gratitude. Now, progress, I was waiting for this question....this is a fun question. If you just read the daily paper and watch the MSM, you would think that we are losing this war on terror and that we are making no progress whatsoever. I say BULLSHIT! Everyday that passes we make progress. We are training the Iraqi soldiers and police forces so that they can deal with this insurgency and the normal problems of a country. We are handing over more and more of their country to them so that they can root out the evil and we kinda watch them, like a big brother. This past October, they had an election to vote for their constitution. Like I said in an earlier post, and I will keep saying to the whole world realizes this, 65% of their eligible population turned out to vote yes or no. 65%!!! Try getting that turn out in a western civlization country. That screams progress. These people are basking in what freedom can do for them and their families. As each day passes, progress is made, no matter how miniscule or major, whether it is political or humanitarian, progress is made...

Mr. Matt - I have explained in the previous answer that mostly all Iraqi citizens like having us here for example the waving hello as opposed to the finger. Yet, most of them understand that we are here for them not against them. As for the progress part.... If the Liberal media diden't look for all of the minor flaws that pop up and then flaunt them everyone would see that progress is being made. Plain and Simple. We are helping then build schools and hospitals, training there law enforcement and troops, and helping those in need with supplies and medical care. So according to the media were getting blown up all the time and being very unproductive. That is bullshit. They (the media) should pull their heads out of their asses and focus on the real deal not bashing the President and his political party.

Multiple Questions from Maria

First and foremost,thank you for starting Ask the Soldiers. What a great idea! I do have a few questions.

1. How is the morale of the troops? I am very concern because I feel you have the hardest of jobs being stationed in Iraq. I'm sure it's hard enough being in a war —without feeling the country is becoming divided about it. Are the troops affected by what is going on back home, or do they pretty much ignore it? (And does this count as one, or two questions? LOL)
2. What is the attitude of the Iraqi people towards Americans? Is the press being honest in reporting that most hate us or do you see it differently? Is it more of a 50-50? Do Iraqis seem to appreciate what we are trying to do? Do they support our efforts? (Did I go over my quota of questions?)
3. Are you getting all the supplies you need? Sometimes I hear about soldiers requesting batteries for flashlights, and gloves for the winter. It is very concerning; because I would think the military would provide you with needed items. Are you being kept well equipped? (That's my last question promise!)

Again, thanks for doing this. God bless you and keep you safe!

Maria I would link you but you didn't leave a site.


Mr. Matt

1. The morale of the troops as always fluctuates. It always depends on the individuals mood or feelings for that day. Everyone knows what is going on at home and it is hard to ignore it at times because we know that we have lives there and we also worry about our loved ones.

2. I'm putting a link in here that relates to your questionearliereariler question GIGotti78 and I have already answered. I hope you don't mind. http://askthesoldiers.blogspot.com/2005/11/Iraqi's-iraqis-feel-about-their.html

3. Where we are we do get the supplies that we need. We can get batteries for most electronic items that we have and we have been issued gloves. They are not the best gloves but they do the trick. 9 times out of 10 the military does provide us with everything we need. The other times it's on us. Like if you need SPECIAL batteries for your flashlight that's on you due to the fact that no one told purchaseurchace a $90 lantern.

GIGOTTI78

1. I will have to agree with Mr. Matt. Morale fluctuates constantly. Alot of how soldiers feel depends on different factors like, what the mission is at hand, the time of the year, how much rest and food they are getting etc. Now, dont take the food thing wrong, their are always MRE's
(Meals Ready to Eat) that you can take on patrol but if you eat enough of them, you would rather eat sand with tabasco sauce on it. The most depressing time that brings morale down is the holidays. That is always the HARDEST time to be gone and I dont care who you are. Being home during the holidays is something everyone wants but unfortunately, not everyone can. That is why you see that movie stars and musicians come over and do little shows, it helps boost the morale. I'm still hoping that Toby Keith comes over while Im here or I will have low morale. (You hear that Toby? your biggest fan is in Iraq so come over and do a show!)
Anyways....
2. Like anywhere you go, not everyone is going to like you. For the most part, the Iraqi people are starting to realize what freedom is and as they warm up to it, they help us fight the insurgency. So, I would say the Iraqi people for the most part appreciate what we have done for them and are doing for them. Nothing like the liberation of Europe, but yes, the MSM askew everything so dont watch TV!
3. This is a very good question. When we first invaded (lack of better word) Iraq, we had to set up bases for our soldiers to conduct missions out of. In the beginning, it was very difficult for soldiers to get alot of the supplies they needed. But, after 2 years of being here, the military has set up their networks, so it is alot easier for soldiers to get the essentials and then some. For instance, on our base, we have a PX (that is the store) has computers for sale. Now, their are some soldiers who still dont have all these luxuries, but for the most part, we are all well taken care of since we have more semi-permanent residences.

Multiple Questions From Frederick.

Hey, Guys,
One thing that continues to bug me about all this:  the news, etc.
continue to call this "The War in Iraq".  Didn't The War end really
quickly, back in 2003?  Put simply, the former military and government
of Iraq do not exist.  That usually means the war is over. This fight
with rebels, terrorists, etc. must be called something else, no?  How
do you consider this or is it just semantics, i.e., war is war?
Oops, that's technically a few questions...thanks

curious in NYC,

Frederick Otilius Olsen, Jr.


GIGOTTI78 -  Wow, now these are some tough questions Frederick.  First off, your right,
technically the war ended rather quickly in 2003.  Some would say that our government prematurely
called the war over.  BUT, this is still a very hostile combat zone with all the insurgency and
unrest.  The way I look at it, it's not the "War in Iraq" we are fighting but the bigger beast,
"The War on Terrorism".  We still have troops in Afghanistan fighting the same type of insurgencies
we see here in Iraq, but they dont call it the "War in Afghanistan".  I really think the MSM coined
the term War in Iraq due to all the losses we have taken since official battles ended in 2003.  So,
to be politically correct, the next time someone mentions the "War in Iraq", tell them to wake up that
its the "War on Terrorism".  Let's give all our men and women credit all around the world for once.

MR.Matt - I would have to agree with GIGotti78 on this one.  This is also one of the few times that we
will agree on much.  Yes the media is still blowing up the whole "war in Iraq" deal.  It is more then just 
a war on Iraq but a war on terrorism.  Right now we are tring to stop the insurgency here in Iraq which 
is keeping some of the Iraqi's in a constant state of fear.  Being in a constant state of fear is no
way to rebuild ones government.  We are kinda like the police officers you don't always see us but you
know were close.

Do We Get What Is Sent.

The question: we see a lot of links out there for supporting you guys 
with various small items that we think yall would appreciate (say maybe 
some tabasco sauce).  Do these items ever make it to you?

Erik

Mr. Matt - As a matter of fact we do.  Right out back we have the MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) tent
in that tent you can find books, condiments, drink mixers, magazines, and various personel hygene products.
I would like to thank everyone that takes time out of their day and a little cash out of their pockets to
send us those things.  There have been plenty of nights that I've gotten off of work and found myself a snack,
or even waking in the morning to realize that I've run out of razor blades or shaving cream and there it is.
THANK YOU.

GIGOTTI78 - I have to agree with Mr. Matt.  Each day soldiers recieve packages from these different online organizations
or from local clubs.  If you are wondering about which ones are good or not, I can tell you that Any Soldier
is a great site. You can also check with your local VFW or American Legion too. Soldiers can sign themselves up or their whole companies and citizens can "adopt" them and send
care packages.  Of course, their are some things that are banned, so just check with the websites what is allowed
and what is not.  And like Mr. Matt said, THANK YOU all for your support!

How do Iraqis feel about their Independence?

Great idea guys. I've only been to the Stan, but was wondering how the Iraqi people feel about their independence? Are you able to tell if the vast majority is excited to live in a free nation of their own, or perhaps most are indifferent? Thanks.


-Sgt Hook

GIGOTTI78- Well Sgt. Hook, that is a great question. I think the citizens of Iraq are starting to understand the benefits of a free society. After all these years of oppression, they actually have a voice now and they are starting to use it. Just look at their latest accomplishment at the polls. Around 65% of the eligible people who could vote on October 15th did. Try getting that number in America, yea right! Also, talking to some of the Iraqis who work on the base and they are loving life. I have heard reports that citizens in the bigger cities are starting to do their own neighborhood watch sort of thing. But instead of calling the police or coalition forces, they just shoot the insurgents themselves! Their is also reports that some of the local insurgents are starting to understand what freedom is and are willing to work for the political process. Like anytime their is drastic change, it takes some time to understand and follow, but I feel the Iraqis are grasping this concept real quick and warming up quick to it.


MR. Matt- Well I was on a convoy up to our current base from Kuwait. I think they are more or less 50-50 at this time. The reason I say this is because along with the friendly waves I received I was also given the finger many times. I really want to give it right back but just smiled and waved. Any how it seams that some individuals are really for it because being here you hear the accounts of the local towns people starting to clean up their towns by stopping the insurgents themselves then turning them into the collation forces. So over all since I've been here most of them are getting used to the independence that they now have and they like it.

CURIOUS ABOUT WHO IS STAYING IN?

Dear Soldiers,

I've been curious as to how many people have re-enlisted or are planning to re-enlist when they are eligible after serving over here and would I do the same?

AubreyJ

GIGOTTI78- Although I do not know actual figures for the entire theatre, I do know how our own unit and brigade is fairing and honestly I am surprised. The amount of people that were eligible to re-enlist while on this 18 month deployment was quite a lot. For my unit, about 25% of the soldiers are eligible at some point during this deployment. We are roughly averaging about 4 re-enlistments a month which is still more than I thought we would do. The military takes this part of the business real serious. This is where money talks, bullshit walks. Active Duty has all kinds of enticing bonuses giving lots of money to stay where you are. National Guard is not that lucky, although we do have bonuses. I think one major factor is that if you re-enlist in a combat zone (like Iraq/Afghanistan), your bonus is tax free. So if you sign for "X" amount of years you get the whole bonus whether it be $1,000 or $10,000 dollars. Now, as for myself, when my contract is up (I still have about 3 1/2 years) I will be at about 12 years in the service. More than likely I am going to stay in and get my 20 years and my retirement. No sense in throwing that away. I'm sure Mr. Matt is gonna see things a helluva lot different.

Mr. Matt- Well it seams to be up and down as far as the re-enlistments go in my eyes. There used to be a lot of extentions and re-enlistments before we got deployed to fight the war. Since I was deployed to Bosnia I've noticed that there is a downward spiral type of trend with the re-enlistments even now while were here in Iraq I also see that there is a lot of soldiers that will not be re-enlisting regardless of their time in service. My third enlistment is almost complete which will be in 2008. As of right now I'm unsure weather or not I'm going to be staying in. I'll be close to 10 years of service for our country. Personally as of right now I will not re-enlist to stay in the current unit I'm in due to lack of upward mobility and honestly, I've had enough of most of these idiots.

WELCOME

Gigotti78- Let me be the first to welcome you to the truth. I say truth because through this blog I will try to convey to you, the blogosphere, the truth of what is going on with the War in Iraq. I have seen all too often the uninformed slamming everything and everyone from the President right on down to the lowest private. Now, I will not defend the President on every topic because this is a free country and I have a voice. With my voice, I will attempt to answer any question you may have regarding these tough times whether it be about what we are doing over here, what do we want to accomplish, or simply what its like over here. So come one, ask a question. You may be amazed at the answer you get from me. I can't say the same from my partner Mr. Matt.

Mr. Matt- Okay, I'll be the second to welcome you. By letting you know that I will answer mostly all of the questions asked to us the soldiers fighting here in the war in Iraq. I son't defend anyone I just speak my mind as I feel that I should if I think a topic is correct I'll defend it. The topic may be the president, my self, or the waste of bullets being used here. So as my partner Gigotti78 is motioning to you to ask a question do so e-mail it in to us and we'll post your question and answer the question the best we can. His answers you might be amazed mine you just might be appauled or visa versa.