20.03.2003

Sorry to be brief about this, but the opening few lines I read, and the last few lines I just read seem a bit out-of-place, perhaps.

I can tell, or well at least I believe from what I read, that you haven't really an idea of what its like to be in an army, or be a soldier, or fight for your life in a place like Iraq. Maybe you're just really into Battlefield? I dunno.

I think I'm sounding harsh, but that's not intended. I'll try to explain what I mean and how I have taken this feeling away from you're opening lines. Hope you're open-minded to constructive criticism.

"I will always remember that day.
The day when I was sent to Iraq to serve like any true patriot would. As I boarded the military aircraft, my head was held up high and proud. The US army was made up of about 200,000 soldiers. A number we were all proud of. Not to mention we had other countries on our side."

First of all, did this Private serve only one tour? A lot of the time after soldiers have been once, if they haven't been injured or very mentally shaken from the experience, they return for another tour, it's a loyalty thing. So that is unclear, but I assume this Private is a rookie, first-timer, scared to death. I think the strength of the US army is preachy and unnecessary and seems inaccurate, when you have other countries as allies, because then the allied forces of numerous countries fighting together would exceed the number you stated and it seems unreliable and false, whether its a true number of the US army alone or not.


Who am I?
I am Private James Anderson. An American who was brave enough to sign up for the Marines. Of course I only wanted to shoot some brainless Iraqi guys and become a hero.
However when I got to Iraq, it was nothing but a hellhole.

Who are you? Why ask me when I have no clue? You then only state your name after. Also, if Private James Anderson is as proud as he seems, he'd usually state his rank and his regiment or perhaps even battalion as well. Also, do you understand Private is the lowest possible rank? So that's the least amount of knowledge and experience of the soldier ranks. Also, do you know how hard it is to become a US Marine? You have to be extremely tough, and this Anderson fella doesn't seem like he has the maturity to understand the duty of a Marine.

Various of your statements also seem very 'showy' and 'inaccurate' and 'immature'... like:

"Of course I only wanted to shoot some brainless Iraqi guys and become a hero."
Of Course, that's why everyone signs up for Basic Training, eventually down the track gets into Marine Training and graduates... to shoot 'brainless Iraqi guys' to be a hero - which is defined by what exactly in the military realm? That's all very racist to say the least, and can you see 'here' is where I imagine you're just very much into Battlefield and blow up enemies with grenades etc. using your xbox controller?

Another example of this same sort of attitude...

"Just imagine shooting people and lobbing grenades through windows! Pretty goddamn awesome, huh."
Wow, shooting people and lobbying grenades through windows is so awesome when you're playing a game, but in real life you get shot, get blown up, and possibly die! 'Can you see where I'm coming from here? I hope so.

Reading some more of this, I can tell there are so many inconsistencies and blatant disrespects here.

First of all, you're insinuating that some Marines get into the army just to go to Iraq to kill Iraqis, and it seems like the Private or the guy in charge doesn't really care too much if they're innocent Iraqi people or possible Taliban - they all just want to shoot sh*t.

Second, they can't already be talking crap about Vegas and stuck-up politicians when they haven't even been briefed yet. You generally get briefed back at base, not once your'e already in enemy territory where possibly hostile fire fights could erupt out in the middle of nowhere, and you have no clue what you were there to do yet. It doesn't make sense. And I've rarely heard them called 'assignments', they're missions, with objectives, which are yet to be spoken of.

"He leant back and relaxed a bit."
You don't relax in the middle of a hostile area, of terrain mind you where your squad or platoon could easily be spotted and fired upon.

Also...

"This place has an overview of every road in or out of our camp. Bla bla bla, the usual crap."
Bla Bla? I've never heard any serious soldier who supposedly briefing his men of their mission objective use this tone... nor call the objective 'crap'.

And lastly:

"We all had one goal.
Glory."
In this situation their one goal is glory? Seriously? That's extremely hard to believe. First of all, can 'glory' is all its forms be gained from 'checking out an area', since that's all they're apparently there to do right now. Second of all, why would they roar when they're completely exposed and out in the open? Doesn't make sense. It's just saying 'Here we are, shoot us!"

There's more than one goal of any military unit and individual soldier, but one main goal which is always in the forefront is survival, not 'glory'. Survival.

I can tell now I sound extremely harsh with this critique, but I just find this short inaccurate and immature piece highly racist to the Middle East, especially Iraq, and it's disrespectful in every possible way that i can discern.
You should have a think before posting something with a view this disturbing. Hope you don't take offence to my words, but I can't help the way this piece has made me feel.