Why?

TRCNAK writing from here in the US asks a question many of us all wonder at times:

As I flip through these pictures, I begin to realize that the U.S. Navy is all over the world do really good things for people. I work for the Navy. Specifically, for Navy Medicine, and yet, I very rarely hear these stories.

I wonder the same thing brother.

Is it any wonder that the populace has no concept of the good we do on a daily basis in every branch of the service? Why is our world so foreign to them that they view all service members as uneducated killers and find the latest antic of Brittney Spears more interesting than the good being done on their behalf around the world, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan but literally around the world?

Why must the military bloggers burn out on the constant droning from the uneducated "elite" who only listen to half of the argument before spouting off against those who defend their rights? Why must us little guys, tell the story for the big guys who have budgets and staff but can't seem to get the message out that we are doing a good job?

Why?

"I Told You So!"

Yesterday all over the web - talk was about Clyburn's (D-S.C.) statement that success in Iraq would be "a real big problem for us." I sent TRCNAK Steve Shippert's assessment of that statement and this is his response:

This follows human nature. Years before W became President; I was watching a big college game at my Mom’s house during a vacation. I’m a big fan of my alma mater, and so was my cousin’s husband, Mike. So, we planned out the beer and popcorn, and everyone wore our colors. It was a rivalry game, and no one in the room was pulling for the other team.

We are down a couple of touchdowns, and Mike begins berating our coach. He says all kinds of foul things and (because he coaches high school football) points out all of the errors continuously. It’s too much for my brother, so they start arguing. No one can enjoy the game; everyone wants it to be over. Mike sulks in the corner. I’m guessing, but he probably wanted us to lose to vindicate his assessments.

We win! My team pulls it off. Everyone is euphoric, except Mike. He and my cousin take off before the celebratory party starts. We don’t see him for months. He doesn’t want to be told “I told you so!” My brother won’t even talk to him, and says he’s a fool. A couple of years later, we talk (Mike and I), and he is no longer a fan!!! Wow! He is so “bought in” to his feelings of being wrong that he completely abandons his team.

This is my fear. The Democrats will take their half of the nation and divest of the U.S. Team. Kinda like they did in the 1860’s when they seceded. It’s scary. They are more afraid of being told “I told you so!” than their patriotism to the team. The U.S. will have to watch them closely because they will drag us down so that WE lose too! They want us to feel their humiliation and pain because they are immature fools. They can’t stand to be wrong, and they will punish us for it because we are a reminder.

TRCNAK confines his replies to those Democrats who have continuously beaten up "W" over Iraq and wish for its failure simply because it would be "W's" failure too. I'm going to expand his "I Told You So" to anyone Republican, Democrat, Independent, Conservative and Liberal that thinks Iraq is a failure and a lost cause...specifically conservative/libertarian writer Rick Moran of Right Wing Nut House.

On Monday in response to the NYT editorial by Hanlon and Pollack he wrote "A Short Post About Grasping at Straws" in which he states:

“There is no military victory to be had. If Bush and the rest of you believe that, I might ask victory against who? Against what? To what end?”

Say what? No chance of victory? For someone as well read as Mr. Moran he seems completely ignorant of the complexities of nation building and our own history of building a republic based upon "Sustainable Stability." Is Iraq a mess? It sure is and so is Detroit, Baltimore and a host of other cities in the US as well as a few fiscally challenged states, but we aren’t writing them off and re-deploying from them are we?

Mr. Moran is not unlike the majority in America in that he wants his results NOW and if they can't come quick enough he is willing to right off the efforts of the millions of Iraqis who are trying in the face of unimaginable stresses to make something of their fledgling nation.

Could the Iraqi Government do more? Unquestionably, yes! But on the other hand is our own Congress doing any better?

It seems to me that Mr. Moran - who by the way, has always held the position that Iraq was not a good idea; is insistent upon being right and is the one willing to grasp at any straw he can find to prove his point, all to be able to say, “I Told You So.” To that end he is no better than the Democratic Congress.

Iraq is a lot of things, but it is not an American failure, victory is possible, and the current strategy seems to be working, much better than the previous strategies. What bothers most of America and Mr. Moran is the reality that Iraq is going to take time, more time than they are willing to give it, and that is the failure of Iraq. American impatience will be the down fall of Iraq. Instant gratification is not possible when you are conducting nation building, yet the “defeatists” hang their attitude not on the accomplishments but the timeline.

Timelines are appropriate when you are building a house, but they can not be used as anything other than a guide when building a nation. Surprisingly the peace at all costs crowd are willing to give peace efforts all the time it needs regardless of how many lives are lost in the process, if the peace process in Gaza is any example the Iraqis are far better off under the current process than any of their peace processes. Why won’t they allow us the time needed to achieve a true peace? Their bumper sticker, “War is Not the Answer” is correct. War is not the answer, peace is the answer, war is simply one of the political methods we are employing to achieve the answer.

Victory in Iraq is achievable, and to believe otherwise is either based upon immature racially motivated beliefs or complete naiveté.

I hate the “I Told You So” game, but how about we hold out and focus our efforts on bringing stability to a region that has never known stability and then say to the rest of the world, “I Told You So” instead of sulking in the corner afterwards and dividing our country even more.

TRCNAK - Views of the Sandbox

TRCNAK reports that he took numerous photos of his time in Kuwait but only two pics passed his personal OPSEC rules that allowed for posting.

Here they are:


A Rock Garden built by the staff...



And the entrance to the hospital ...


Thanks for sharing brother.

TRCNAK - Post Script

I'm back in the good ol' U.S.A. Back in the best country in the world. I want to thank Big Dave for giving me a forum. I want to thank my family for supporting me.

Let me tell you who I refuse to thank. I will not thank the MSM and some of our politicians. If they had done their frickin' JOB, I wouldn't have had the pleasure of going to Kuwait. If the media had performed as their predecessors did during World War II instead of becoming a cheer leading squad for the head-chopping terrorists, this war would have been over 3 years ago. Enough said about that.

I want to thank you readers out there. By continuing to support our troops, you are doing more than you can imagine for our country. And most importantly of all, I want to thank the brave men and women who serve our country even as I type this. They serve all over the globe, so that I can raise my family in a free country.

No longer "Out Here"
TRCNAK

TRCNAK - The Flag

TRCNAK sends another dispatch, and while I wish I could I realize that there is nothing I can really add to this dispatch. He writes:

I am told that the dust that floats above the ground like fog is from Iraq. It is a reddish-yellow. As it settles on the grayish-white Kuwaiti sand, you can see the difference. You can tell where the hummers have driven because it leaves gray white tracks. The dust storm has gone on like this for 2 days and shows no sign of ending any time soon. The harsh sun is behind its veil and the temperatures are in the cool 80s. It is the dust that is protecting us from the sun that is now only a yellow disk in the sky. I can feel the Iraqi dust on my face, and I notice that I drink
much less water.

A hospital is alive 24 hours a day, and today is no different. My day is busy, but there is a steadiness to it as if I've hit the right gear. Wouldn't you know that I would finally get in the groove on my last day here. I give my briefings and people scribble notes in the audience. This unit has paid to bring me here, and I hope they feel they got their money's worth. Later on, on the way to the mess hall, they thank me and I realize that I was able to make some progress and save some resources for the fight.

At the same time, I feel guilty. I don't know what to say to them. I will be with my family in about 24 hours. At the same time I am over the Atlantic Ocean having 'duck with lemon sauce' and maybe catching a movie, they will be lying in their racks over their gas masks and weapons. They will be immersed in that dust, trying to catch some sleep, and dreaming of home. I know what they would say to me, if I complained about the flight: "Do you need a hug?"

As we walk along in that dust in the light of that hidden sun, I'm lost in thought. All of the sudden I'm pulled back to the present. The "Big Voice" plays retreat. This is a series of bugle calls that come over the loud speaker as the flag is lowered for the day. Military are required to render honors, and, back in the States, some civilians (ex-military) will too. Back in garrison, in the States, some people hide indoors to avoid it.

Not here! These are some very, very proud Americans. Hummers stop and troops hop out full of energy. Security Guards step into the street. Everyone, everywhere snaps into facing the flag. Civilians, soldiers, contractors, every person within my range of sight, is animated to participate in the ceremony. I stand there breathing Iraqi dust in the foreign land of Kuwait and share a moment with thousands of American heroes. Americans who are currently changing the very face of the planet with their sacrifice. Not hundreds of heroes: thousands!

I'll let you in on a soft spot of mine. As I stood there with my hand over my heart, listening to the trumpet and facing the direction of the flag, a tear rolled down my cheek. I guess I let down my military bearing for a fraction of a second. I told myself I wouldn't let it happen. As a "downtown" paramedic, I've waded through a sea of chaos and seen more tragedies that I can count, but I rarely let a tear go. It was the gravity of the moment that hit me. America's greatness can be overwhelming sometimes. I will never forget that I had the privilege of sharing that moment with those wonderful troops: YOUR wonderful troops, America. Don't forget them, they are your troops.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK

I won't ever forget them brother or you, see you soon.

TRCNAK - Continuing the Fight

I saw "Da Hug" two more times. I guess the dust storm can cause it. None of the convoys are moving and these troops are stuck in their areas. You can't go out in it too much because you'll get the Kuwaiti Krud. So, the troops get a touch of cabin fever. The first sighting was an officer complaining about sleeping quarters, and a huge enlisted dude hugged him. The officer was done. He never had a chance.

I don't know if the second one counts. An Army troop complained about the chow. Now, I have to tell you that food is the one thing you cannot complain about. It is awesome. The soldier was complaining on purpose because he was bored. Before the sailor could get around the table, the soldier shot through the mess hall like a rabbit.

The big sailor never could catch him, so he came sauntering back to the group with his chest puffed out and a look on his face that said "Who wants some?" He sat down and pouted "Nobody loves me. I'm going to go lay on my rack for awhile." The female sailor that had got "Da Hug" a couple of days ago started laughing so hard it became infectious at the table. I started laughing too.

Lifting Weights is the camp hobby. Everyone, men and women alike, look like they could bench press a hummer. They all communicate with tiny phones and the common answer is "Oh, I'll call him. He's down at the gym." So if they aren't working their 16 hour shift, they are sleeping, eating or working out. Very rarely, they will break it up with seeing one of the free movies.

J. is from Ohio. He's an officer in the Navy and only has about 4 years left before retirement. We were talking about things over some really good food. He said he was going back to the States in August. We talked about his family. You can tell by the way he speaks softly of them that he misses them very much. Then he said, "I'm going to spend some time with my wife and daughter. Then, I'm going to sign up for Iraq or Afghanistan."

I just sat there for a moment. After a couple of seconds, I could only respond with "Why?" I can't quote him directly because it was full of jargon, but the gist of his response was, "I didn't join the military to sit in the rear with the gear."

He's here, away from the ones he loves. His daughter is growing up sending him e-mails because he can't be with her. And, he talks about "continuing the fight." Yeah, he'll take a break: and then jump right back in. I ask you readers out there, "Where do we get such men and women?" Never: Not even once: Not even in joking: did I hear anything about quitting. I thank God that we have such Americans.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK

TRCNAK - HALT! Advance To Be Washed!

TRCNAK sends us another disptach this time detailing his advice on how not to get sick in theatre. He Writes:

You can always tell when someone is not from around here. They use the jargon incorrectly.

Well, I made that mistake. In my previous posts, I've mentioned the 'Kuwaiti Krud.' I thought that it was the gastrointestinal (G.I.) disease running through the camp. There is no name for that. The true Kuwaiti Krud is the cough or hack that comes right after these dust storms (which, by the way, is now going on 24 hours). As I type this, it is still depositing yellow talcum powder on absolutely everything including my throat.

This G.I. bug has affected three of my escorts and one of the members of my team. It usually lasts about 24 hours. How do you keep from getting it? Wash your hands every two hours. I hear you out there saying - what? Yeah, the number one way to prevent these sorts of things is washing your hands.

I have worked in military medical for over 20 years, so I'm familiar with DNBI (disease and non-battle injuries) and Preventive Medicine. These dudes here are very serious. They have installed permanent (concrete and plumbing), fixed, multi-station hand washing locations at both entrances to the Mess Hall. It also has several hand sanitizer dispensers to use after you have washed with good ol' soap and water.

Before I arrived, they had a guard stationed there to ensure that no one entered the building without washing up. What is the result? Very few people get it. DNBI is a fraction of what it was in previous wars. This truly preserves the fighting strength.

Some people still get it. I have no problem washing every two hours, because I have done it in the past as a health care provider. My hands have adapted to it. It's a little harder for non-medical types. Initially, your hands get chapped from all of that soap. But I would rather have chapped hands than be sick for 24 hours.

The short part of this story is that I probably won't get the G.I. bug. At least I hope that I don't. But, I will probably get the Kuwaiti Krud. Everyone seems to get it regardless of whether they use a mask, gaiter, cloth, or any other filter. That talcum powder is small. You can only hope to reduce it down to a manageable level.

My thanks to everyone who is praying for me.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK

We are all praying for you and proud of your support of the mission and our troops in harms way. I suppose I'll amend my sign off a little more for those in theatre now: 'Til next time brother... Stay Safe, Drink Water, Wash Your Hands and Stay On Target.

TRCNAK - "Da Hug"

TRCNAK has become the writer I always knew he could be and sends us a back to back installment. His earlier post is here. In this dispatch he writes about how complaints are "handled" by the troops performing their mission. He writes:

Since I’m “dusted in,” I’ll write another installment.

I think we’ve all had that sixth sense that something is missing. You may be walking in the woods and realize that there is something different. The birds have stopped chirping, or there is a lack of background noise. Well, I just realized that I’ve been here for several days now, and I have heard very few complaints.

Now I have an honorable discharge from the Navy and an honorable discharge from the Army. I can say that I have heard a wide spectrum of truly unique and creative complaints. I’ve heard people who would win gold in world class complaining. We used to have a saying in the Navy that if the bitching stops, prepare for a mutiny.

The secret weapon in today’s arsenal against complaining is - (drumroll please) “The Hug.” It is also known as “Da Hug.” I’ve seen it once. A female sailor came into the shelter and was explaining her assigned task. The group talked through the problem. Using my knowledge of logistics, I agreed with the other troops that it was going to be impossible to meet the timeline. Then she screwed up. She complained.

The biggest dude in the shelter said (sweetly), “Do you need a hug?” The whole place went quiet, and the Army guy said under his breath “Oh, shit.” The female sailor had that “deer in the headlights” look. She knew she had screwed up. Her eyes darted around the room, and she said meekly, “Yes.” Her stance changed as she braced for it.

No one in the shelter moved. The big dude hugged her sweetly but it progressed into a grapple. That’s when I saw her form a ‘spear hand’ and stab him rapidly in the ribs about five times in one second. But, he is one big dude and he was having none of it. He twisted her head around and started to take her to the ground, but she broke out of the embrace with an upward movement of her right arm.

They broke apart laughing. He said, “You let me know if you ever need another hug.” She put a chair between them and started backing out of the shelter never turning her back on him. She peeked back in the shelter and said, “I’ll call you if I do.” and then escaped before he could get up again. One of the other guys looked at me and deadpanned “Dude, you don’t want 'DA HUG'” I believe it, and it appears to be very effective.

“Out Here”
TRCNAK

As we all know brother, if a soldier isn't complaining something is definately wrong, soldiers as a "species" have taken bitching to an art form, and I've met some of the best artists. So glad to hear that our troops are able to refocus their energies so quickly onto handling the tasks at hand and not falling into the trap of constantly complaining and not working on a solution. Keep up the good work, stay safe, and drink water, 'til next time brother.

~~~
Trackbacked by:
Iraq War Today - Blogwatch

TRCNAK - Our Support is Working

TRCNAK sends us another dispatch and provides us with some much need insight into houw our support affects the troops in theatre. He writes:

Convoys are not moving, so I'm stuck here at the computer center. It's not a sandstorm because there is no wind. It is some sort of dust fog. Everything is covered with a fine layer of yellow talcum powder. The itch at the back of your throat is the dust collecting. I see people using surgical masks and t-shirts to filter some of it out. My mission today was to take pictures of some of the heavy equipment, but I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to.

We have armed escorts when we travel. If you are an 'old school' traditionalist and view the fairer sex as needing protection. Well, you can pitch that. There are a large number of female troops here, and everyone carries a weapon like you and I carry a wallet. They may not take a shower with it, but it is always with them.

One of my first escorts was a young kid (just a boy really) who came down with the Kuwaiti Krud, so they assigned us T. She's a petite soldier from North Carolina. I tested her, a little, by asking when she had been to the range, to which she replied, "Well, we're going again Thursday." That's one tough lady.

During one of our stops, I stepped out of our SUV to snap a picture. I guess I forgot where the Hell I was, because I moved off the road to get a better shot. Then I moved closer to the object to get an even better shot. When I turned around I almost ran into her. She was like my shadow, and had been covering me the whole time. I apologized to her for acting like a frickin' tourist.

The next day, she came down with the Kuwaiti Krud, so I got a giant kid from New Mexico. He was also our driver. Anyone who can drive with these crazy Kuwaiti drivers, has my respect. Every couple of miles you will see a trashed car on the side of the road. It's the law here in Kuwait to leave a vehicle accident right where it is until the matter is settled. This creates some really interesting scenery. He and I hit it off immediately when I let him play whatever music he wanted. This didn't go well with the other escort.

Yesterday, they asked if I wanted to come back in a couple of months for some software implementation. I said, "Not only yes, but Hell yes!" Then I added, "I can extend this trip if you need me to!" To which they replied "We need you back there expediting the process." That is when I realized that what these troops really need is for me to return to my job back in the States.

I know that you want to come here, and so do I. We are what Bill Whittle calls 'sheep dogs' and we long to face the wolf one more time. It's in our blood, brother. But, we need to back up and realize that what these guys really need is for us to do what we do best.

I've heard from several people that your blog is - and I quote: "a breath of fresh air." Whether you realize the full impact or not, you are doing a tremendous job for morale. We need what you provide. On a larger scale, your readers need to do what they do best. Whether it is to support the troops with mail or donating computers, or whatever it is - IT IS WORKING!!

That's right, regardless of what the television is saying, it is working! So don't stop! Many years ago, an old gray sergeant once told me, "Damn it soldier, don't fix it if it ain't broken." Truer words were never spoken.

I know it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks (and I'm an old dog). There was a time when we were young, and thought that we were immortal. We were what you call door kickers. Now it is time for NEXT GEN. Tell your readers this ... You want to do something this very moment? You want to do something that makes all the difference? Take a knee and pray for our troops. They deserve it.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK

Thanks buddy, sometimes we lose site of how important our part is in this war. Stay safe and keep drinking and look out for that Kuwait Krud.

Trackbacked / linked by:
Dawn Patrol from Mudville Gazette

Working With Professionals - TRCNAK

TRCNAK sends us a second dispatch of his time and lays waste to the media's description of our troops moral and abilities to overcome adversity and achieve success. He writes:

I'm with some veteran guys here. They pointed to the horizon yesterday and said, "Here it comes." 50 miles off, you can see a dust cloud as a weather front pushes east. The fine Kuwaiti dust gets pushed ahead and rises to high altitudes as it moves toward us. After the air turns tan color, the rain follows it. The lightning is amazing as it strikes all over the port area.

Finally, after a couple of minutes, the storm (that we could see coming for almost two hours) passes and the sun comes out before it sets. The humidity rockets up. The rain has flashed to humidity, and I break out in an unusual sweat.

Through the night, small scattered showers. Today is overcast, which is a terrific relief. The sun cannot beat us up all day the way it usually does. As I work in my Base-X tent, I can hear the wind tearing at the tentage. The wind and the sun can be brutal to our equipment.

I'm scheduled to do inventory, and I find what I am looking for. I finish ahead of schedule and duck into the ISO shelter for a break. I can hear the Sea Bees outside in the harsh wind cutting with the circular saw. God bless the Sea Bees. They are from a Reserve Unit in the midwest, and they are motivated. They never stop moving.

It's a little after lunch, and I'm on my third 1.5 Liter bottle of water. How hot would it have been if the sun had been out? Holy crap! There are half finished water bottles every where. The shop I work in is buzzing with activity, and that is when I realize that these people have formed a tight group even though they come from very different locations.

The Navy staffs facilities like this with Individual Augmentees (IAs). That means none of these people have ever worked together before. They are pulled, individually, from all over the Navy, and put here. Normally, this would be a source of friction. Being thrown into a group of people that has been thrown together ad hoc is a recipe for disaster.

But what comes out the other end? A tight knit team. Wow! How does that happen? It happens because we have professionals. We have them dedicated to a very serious mission. We have the finest troops in the world. Period. End of conversation.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK

Keep up the good work buddy and especially keep reporting on the up beat moral of our troops, somehow I wasn't at all suprised having spoken to many troopers in theatre that the moral of the individual troops is so much higher than reported on the news. As was mentioned at the 2007 Milblog Conference, it always seems that the news media finds the 3 disgruntled troopers to get an interview from, just like they can always find the one person that will complain about the federal or state response to an emergency.

Stay Safe, Keep drinking water and maybe next time I can join you "Out Here"!

The Thunder Run Enters Kuwait

Yes you read that right, although it is not I who has arrived it is a long time friend who agreed to send back dispatches from his section of the front and his part in the Global War on Terror.

Not suprisingly he lets us know that the story we read in the MSM is far from the truth on the ground. He writes:

Who am I?

Dave has given me the title Thunder Run Correspondent for Naval Affairs (Kuwait) a.k.a. TRCNAK pronounced "Truck Nack." You know the Government loves acronyms. I first met Dave in the Fire House. We hit it off immediately. Both of us were: Ex-military, married with children, Christian, and shared a love of Fire and Rescue. We would laugh and cry together many times after that. We've both felt the rotor wash from a medevac helicopter, and washed a child's blood off of our hands. Shared experiences strengthen bonds. But those stories can be told another day.

What am I doing in Kuwait? I have travelled here to provide support to an Expeditionary Medical Facility as they switch into sustainment mode. Most of my 20 years in the DoD have been in the support role. I think I have one of the best jobs in the world. My customers are also my heroes.

At this point I should add my disclaimer. All the information that I provide is unclassified. I would never knowingly violate OPSEC. Nothing that I say or do constitutes or reflects DoD policy. The use of any trademarks or copyright material does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Hell, the stuff I say may be fiction for all you know.

I think Bob Sims said it best in his blog when he said "I would never pretend that any implied discomforts or dangers here are in any way comparable to the deprivations and deadly hazards suffered daily by the real heroes fighting up north. I have nothing but the highest regards...for those brave warriors, and I fully recognize that my daily existence here is only in support of their incredible efforts."

Now that I have typed a couple of paragraphs of preface, let me say...

Dave, you oughta see it. This place is covered with highly motivated Americans (military, civilian, and contractor). These people have this place running as smooth as glass. They support what is going on up north, and I have never seen more talented and "switched on" people. They are the NEXT GEN. The up and coming generation. These people have their game faces on and they exercise their free will and initiative... to America's advantage. I met with Chief N from Maryland. He was very protective of his people. During a "dog and pony" walk through, I saw him slow down three times and fix three problems on the spot. He was unashamed that he gave non-standard, out-of-the-box solutions right in front of us "representatives from BIG NAVY." I believe he would have bit someone's ass if they had let the system fail. There is no playing games here. I saw no Mickey Mouse crap.

American flags are proudly displayed in the patient treatment areas. There were paintings of angels enveloping soldiers and motivational stuff. Their un-official motto was spray painted on the barriers... "NO EXCUSES!" I left the compound on the first day with my back a little straighter. I searched my mind and my experience for new and better ways to support these American sons and daughters.

It was 111oF and I drank my weight in water today. Let me tell you, this stuff is a young person's game.

"Out here."
TRCNAK

Stay safe buddy and thanks for bringing us the news that never seems to make it to the screens in our living rooms or computer monitors. Maybe next time I can join you "out here" provided there is a job for this now desk jockey former door kicker.