Related
Gordon Cucullu's new book on the daily lives of American soldiers -- this time, those who serve at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba:
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On this days patrol we rolled north out of COP Old MOD, located in the district of 9 Nisan very near the dangerous Mahdi Army (known by soldiers as JAM for Jays al Mahdi) stronghold of Sadr City, toward an Iraqi Police station in Adhamiyah District. Edwards wanted to call on the IP commander there, assess the situation, and determine ways in which he and his soldiers could continue to improve things.
During my embed time in Iraq I was struck by the news that under provisions of General Order Number 1, issued by the commander, alcoholic beverages are entirely forbidden. The order also lists pornography, sexual harassment, adultery, and other behavior as proscribed activities. Nonetheless, the complete ban on alcohol struck me as odd.
HBO mini-series "Generation Kill - Part 1" review by Green Beret Lt. Colonel Gordon Cucullu (ret.). Despite early criticisms, "Generation Kill" starts out hot and heats up from there, providing fascinating background on the differences between the early days of the war in Iraq and the current situation faced by soldiers today.
It had been almost a quarter-century since I had been in a war zone. Now I was in Iraq, worn out before I got started. Would I be strong enough to complete this task? Could I do the job that I'd set out to accomplish - tell the story of our soldiers' remarkable accomplishments? I'd soon find out.
US military police units are working hard to train the Iraqi Police (IP) to help get the country back on its own feet. Read about the shifting - and slowly improving - relationships between Iraqi citizens, sheiks, the Iraqi military, and IPs assisted by US soldiers.
They live under constant threat of assassination and retaliation. But they risk their lives to help the Coalition effort and build a free Iraq. The situation faced by Iraqi interpreters helping US troops - and oh, about that dust...
Who are US soldiers assisting? People like Iraqi National Police Brigadier General Najam been a soldier for more than 26 years and fought in three wars and now an insurgency. He and his colleagues live under constant threat of assassination directed against them and their families. They perform their duty in daily conditions that would frighten most men away.
Iraqis are conducting peacekeeping, fighting terrorism, and trying to reduce corruption all at the same time. Colonel Lars Braun points out that if we are going to really help them maybe the best thing we can do is to understand their system, their way of operating, and offer suggestions within that paradigm rather than trying to make them into our image.
The streets of Salman Pak are still dangerous, but American MPs are seeing positive changes. Captain Liz Cain and her soldiers from the 59th MP Company see slow improvements.
Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain) Peter Baktis runs a very special cafe inside Camp Liberty, and offers a great deal of insight into the morale issues and stresses faced by soldiers serving in Iraq.
Though it may still be controversial in some quarters, Military Police women are potentially engaged in the fight every time a convoy rolls outside the wire. Meet several MPs in Iraq and hear their stories.
Someone once described life in a war zone as periods of tedium interrupted by moments of sheer terror. Read the stories of soldiers in Iraq and see how some things never change.
Most Popular Articles and Stories on this Website
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Bad Air - Cigars at
FOB Rustamiyah
Colonel John Bogdon has a few thoughts on why the air is so bad around FOB Rustamiyah, and it "ain't" the cigars.
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The Face of War:
Women in Combat
Though it may still be controversial, Military Police women are potentially engaged in the fight every time a convoy rolls outside
the wire. Hear the stories of
several MPs in Iraq.
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Who is That
Masked Man?
 Despite their intimidating appearance, Interpreters are unarmed and rely completely on soldiers to protect them.
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An ally and a favorite resource...
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