Cheshire Regiment Iraq 2004 (Op Telic 4)
OK, I've decided to write this 'Tale' due to the fact that it appears alot of people seem to be bitching about Iraq, and the situation that they find them selves in, before i start i just like to say that this is a personal opinion - but due to the fact that i also served in Iraq with the UK forces i feel i have the right to say what i have to say without people trying to jump all for HP with negative comments...
As a soldier there will come a time where your country is going to send you to a country that doesnt have a starbucks on every corner, and McDonalds and Burger Kings are a distant memory of home - like the girlfriend or the wife waiting for you.
Ladies & Gentlemen it's your job, but with is job comes great responsiblity because your the face of your country, your like ambassador's, representatives.
I was based in basra, where the temp was 98 degrees F @ 8:00 in the morning, British troups were putting excess of 20 hours a day, only to return to sleep x4 to a room if lucky - in some cases you slept in smashed corridors with rubble without AC, food if there was any left was terrible. I personally lost 24 pounds 4 months, due to the heat and the fact you slept in your combats - needing to be ready all the time
Internet access: probably got 1hour (weekly) - this was subject to booking the time - e.g Admin tended to get all the time, infantry would be out all day - when they came back all they wanted was sleep (20+ hrs you can imagine why)
Phone Calls: 20 minute phone card (weekly)
So you can imagine how pissed i get when i here people saying that Iraq is horrible. Lets think about this for a second you have air conditioning and internet access, your fed daily, theres people in the in our own countries that don't even have that luxury
We all know the war in Iraq is wrong and that we shouldnt be there, but intil the powers that be decide to pull out - get on with it, stop the bitching and come home safe...
Unknown Inspired
- 16 years, 7 months, 3 days ago