Well – where to start? Last week the old body was stretched, pulled, pushed, and otherwise contorted into various unnatural positions! First of all – we “experienced” the FOB (Forward Operating Base). This consisted of sleeping in a tent with 15 other guys, large communal showers, and Porta-potties which for some reason were nowhere near the showers – go figure. How we take the simple things of life for granted, like flush toilets! Meals were either the MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), some of which weren’t too bad or if we had time, we stood in line to go through the dining trailer to get our food and then went over to the dining tent where there were rows of chest high eating platforms. We all stood to eat, weapons ever at our side (had to carry them everywhere, including the Porta-potties)! All this was designed to get us used to being “in theatre”, although hearing from some of the guys here who have been there, things are much nicer in Iraq. I think the whole idea is to make it so bad here that it feels like paradise when we get there.
Ok – back to the body contortions! Most of my week was spent on the firing range. In order to qualify, you must shoot a certain percentage from three different positions, with full body armor (about 40 extra lbs), helmet, goggles, and glove on! Definitely not comfortable. The targets pop-up on a range anywhere from 50 to 300 meters out and stay up from 4 seconds to 8 seconds. For some, it wasn’t difficult, but I had a hard time getting used to wearing all that stuff and then shooting in high temp/high humidity weather. Because we are to do nights quals also, we spent about 15 hours on the range the first day. That included many hours of waiting because hundreds of soldiers were also qualifying and for those of us who didn’t make the first time, we had to keep going back and back and back – well you get the message!
After that, we went to another activity to familiarize us with the various forms of IEDs and how to detect and avoid them. That was very sobering! For me it solidified the why! The people who perpetrate these acts of terror are not human by our standards. They are savages and devilish! I liken them to some cultures who ‘have to’ offer so many sacrifices to their gods. Their whole goal is to impose “Sharia Law” and their backwards culture on the whole world! I don’t know about you, but I don’t care to have the ladies of my family wearing Burkas and being uneducated. These people have absolutely no regard for human life. The terrorist claim that they are fighting for purity against a corrupt western society who cheats, steals, mutilates, and kills, yet in the name of purity, they will cheat, steal, mutilate and kill (men, women, and children, Mulsim or non-Muslim – it doesn’t matter) all for the sake of their god (allah)who is no god at all, but an idol. Imagine that. So it is ok to do all this if it is accomplishing the will of “allah”? What is the difference? Remember that we are fighting against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) It is Spiritual warfare played out in real flesh and blood.
Contrast that with the US military policy of humane treatment. Everyone of our instructors here who have already been stressed (and showed examples) how we would go out of our way not to bring harm or damage to the civilian population. We even are providing medical treatment to the wounded and captured terrorist who have vowed to wipe us out. Do you think that this would be reciprocated? NO! Yet we continue on the high moral road because it is the right thing to do.
Do not believe the self-serving (and in my opinion traitorous) politicians who claim that our troops are killing hundreds of civilians without regard. It ain’t happening folks. I will take the word of soldiers who have been there over the politicians and pundits any day of the week. If you want to see what is really happening over there right now, check out Michael Yon’s web-site blog: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/ . He is a journalist, there at his own expense (with help from whomever will support him) to find and report the truth. Some of his posts are truly amazing and will be hard to believe at first because we are not hearing any of this from the Mainstream Media (MSM). There is much progress being made. Think of it as you would the local news report: You only hear of the accidents – they are sensational and easy to report. No one mentions that thousands of motorist actually arrive at their destination unharmed every day! The old adage, ”if enough seemingly creditable people say something that seems credible, but is false often enough and long enough, the majority will believe it is the truth – Aah, does sheep being led to the slaughter sound familiar, anyone!
Ok – enough of my soapbox for now (I can’t help it, so expect more later)! Part of the Training this past week was doing exercises to enable us to experience a “fire-fight”. Well the first day, yours truly managed to tear the hamstring in my left thigh. Besides much pain, I have been placed on “light duty” for a few days. Basically that means no running (rats), no PT exercises (double rats), no playing army (triple rats), etc. Interestingly, in my devotional time that morning, I read Exodus 33:14, “My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest!” Little did I know how that rest would be initiated, but it has been nice! I will have to complete that training before I leave, so if you are inclined to pray – by all means! :)
Well, I had better close, so until next time – fair winds and following seas, mates! Please comment or reply via my email and then pass the word about http://www.thedesertsquid.blogspot.com/ .
Cork (The Desert Squid)
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