War Stories!

Look, take this in context: we (US/Coalition forces) are in Afghanistan for an unknown length of time, after which it is currently unknown what the state of the country will be. It is one thing for someone to make himself visible, and quite another for someone else to give potentially damaging information out about them.

My original problem was in identifying the nickname of one of the individuals involved in thwarting the recent bombing attempt. If he is willing to go public (which was unknown to me when I said something originally; I had read another blog by a soldier who mentioned that the 'terp involved was petrified of repercussions, all without compromising the security of either individual), that is HIS responsibility, but I will be god-damned if I will risk the life of an ally if I can help it...especially when he may be left behind one day in a hostile country a la H'mong.

I did NOT describe where his quarters were, other than on Camp Phoenix, and vulnerable; and if you think we're fighting a stupid foe (who couldn't figure out the lowest-profile way to take out a target), you must think we're even stupider, since we haven't won in five years of fighting.

You're coming up with some convoluted thinking. Any convoy that I was on that was ambushed would be filled with personnel with considerably more valuable intel than I possess, and we broadcast in advance where our MEDCAPS will be.
 
This thread is a nightmare. Please desist this argument NV, and leave John alone. I'm not in harms way, beat up on me. I want his mind clear, and on his duty, not on your argument. Just one favor for me, OK? I'll get out of line soon and you can set me straight real good. I promise.
 
In my very humble opinion, since I know little about what is happening on the ground in Afghanistan, I would value the opinion of an American soldier (John) over the opinion of someone not actively and/or directly involved.

NV I do respectfully ask your basis for questioning these posts, other than the logic of a non-combatant who is not "on the ground in Afghanistan?"

And a big second to Andy's post!
 
Maybe its better if soldiers on duty did not post on the net at all in public forums?
Get on with it, do the job at hand and let the media do what they do.
The US does not have a good track record with conflicts and media such as Vietnam.
More recent cases with prisons in Iraq.
If less service people posted pictures and comments to the world maybe less Muslims would be outraged and retaliate.
Keep it amongst yourselves and family.
There is no need for active soldiers to post "their" thoughts to the world.
 
It was not my intention to distract Spectre, please don't take it as that. As per Aproy's and Bill Marsh's request, I will not continue posting in this thread.
 
Danno, I beg to differ.

In free societies, in most cases, more information, not less, is preferable, and in fact, the US services encourage service members to tell what we're doing here. The problem comes when sensitive information is broadcast.

I am not at all upset at Ted, and in fact, information about at least one of the individuals involved has apparently been released in an Army source. This was (again) not known to me initially. I don't believe it's wise, but someone much higher up than me decided it. I only hope a PR victory isn't won at the cost of an ally's life.

J
 
Danno4017 said:
There is no need for active soldiers to post "their" thoughts to the world.
Click to expand...

I disagree. What Americans- and the world- see of the news in the comabt areas is a politically slanted view. I work with service members returned from combat, and it kills me to hear them say, "Why aren't you guys showing any of the good things we're doing over there?"

John's front row seat, which he generously shares, is a real-time, real life view of what's going on. It is a valuable view, and I'm glad he shares it.

And John, ignore NV. Who is he to second-guess what you should be saying or doing?


Mike
 
Spectre said:
Danno, I beg to differ.

In free societies, in most cases, more information, not less, is preferable, and in fact, the US services encourage service members to tell what we're doing here. The problem comes when sensitive information is broadcast.

I am not at all upset at Ted, and in fact, information about at least one of the individuals involved has apparently been released in an Army source. This was (again) not known to me initially. I don't believe it's wise, but someone much higher up than me decided it. I only hope a PR victory isn't won at the cost of an ally's life.

J
Click to expand...

J, I was being sarcastic mate,
I think NK got what I was saying.
I am all for you saying your piece and setting the truth.
Keep up the good work mate.
You have some of our brothers there with you, and in Iraq.
 
Danno4017 said:
Maybe its better if soldiers on duty did not post on the net at all in public forums?
Get on with it, do the job at hand and let the media do what they do.
The US does not have a good track record with conflicts and media such as Vietnam.
More recent cases with prisons in Iraq.
If less service people posted pictures and comments to the world maybe less Muslims would be outraged and retaliate.
Keep it amongst yourselves and family.
There is no need for active soldiers to post "their" thoughts to the world.
Click to expand...

Why? So that the rest of the country/world will get the "facts" from the news media?:confused: Why should the freedoms of American soldiers be curbed during a time of conflict? Fight for freedom and keep your mouth shut. The irony of that is the 800lb gorrila in the room;)
Now that said, I don't think that soldiers need to post up super secret info that could aid the terrorists or get any friendly singled out and killed. Also, humanity is universal. Who we fight and hate today will probably be the friend at arms tomorrow. We don't need morbid posts of confirmed kills or racial/ethnic slurs about the enemy. However, I honestly think I would lose my damn mind if I were in John's place and not able to communicate with the fine men and women of this forum. In addition to giving us info on his own well-being (which we appreciate, because we worry about him), he gives us insight on what is REALLY going on out there, what we are fighting for, and what is at stake. Also, I hope we give him support to make his time away from his home and family a little more comfortable. John is a seasoned soldier and warrior, however I know that I would take great comfort that there was a forum where I could have unlimited support from vets from all the major conflicts in the last 60+ years.

John, thank you for looking out for us and serving. You are a hero and appreciated.

Jake
 
Danno4017 said:
I need to brush up on my sarcasm or maybe drop it all together.
Its not working anymore :(
Click to expand...

Danno, ol' buddy, sarcasm DOES NOT WORK IN EMAIL or written communication even if you put a smilie after it! :jerkit: :rolleyes: :yawn: :p :cool: :foot:

The huge majority of communications between people is non-verbal, ie, inflection, voice tempo and tonality, body language, physical distance. The actual words are less than ten percent of our intended communication.

Here in the written word I believe that sarcasm does not work, ever. We would all do well to avoid it.
 
My mistake, Danno:) As a certifided caffine addict, I was only on coffee cup number one. Hey, at least it's not crack:)
Try winkin' when you joke. It helps those of us too dense to take a joke know when to laugh. Sort of like the canned laughter on the sit-coms';):D Don't give up on sarcasm. I find those that those that look down on it as the snarky retort of the uneducated bastid are the very ones that suck at it so horribly. Of course, I would never stoop to such a level as using it;)
***beep** end of side one. Please flip to side two
Once again, my mistake:o :foot:

Jake
 
Nordic Viking said:
It was not my intention to distract Spectre, please don't take it as that. As per Aproy's and Bill Marsh's request, I will not continue posting in this thread.
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You have my thanks bro, for what that is worth. I know you meant no harm.

:thumbup: And, I owe you one.
 
I enjoy hearing from John regarding his experiences in a part of the world, and under circumstances, I will most likely never encounter. Seems to me he is in the best position to determine what information he elects to post here. John, as always, godspeed to you and your brothers and sisters in arms.

Eric
 
OK, smoke up for everyone in this post and all the troops in A-stan as well as friendly nationals. Jeez, this thread spun outta control for a bit. Thanks for coming around guys.:)
 
tedwca said:
OK, smoke up for everyone in this post and all the troops in A-stan as well as friendly nationals. Jeez, this thread spun outta control for a bit. Thanks for coming around guys.:)
Click to expand...

I too am impressed by the level of maturity here. It is like an Irish fight. They trade blows a while then the winner picks the loser up from the ground and they both head, arm-in-arm to the nearest pub and knock back a few, side-by-side.

Proud to be a part of this forum. Sometimes I am tempted to stick in an "Oh YEAH.... " and slam someone. Then I get up and walk arouund my fields. Maybe kick the ground a few times. Then I come back with a different attitude.

Not to say that there are trolls here from time to time who need to be dealt with, but on the whole a bunch of good guys and gals (I guess there are more women than MamaV).
 
That's what I love about this forum. Hash it out and everone friends in the end. Very adult. Thanks John for putting it on the line for us and occasionally giving us a little glimpse of your life. Watchyerass and above all come home in one piece.
Terry
 
Years ago a small gang of thugs invaded a Marie Calendar's restaurant in San Bernardino Ca. They went from table to table at gunpoint robbing everyone. They held the entire place captive. A father at one of the tables said 'hell no,' and fought. He was shot and killed; the robbers ran away.

The local Rag paper depicted his reaction as stupid- suggesting he'd be alive if only he'd given in like everyonelse. The man was a hero in my book, his family grieving, but this liberal paper could leave no stone unturned in their crusade for gun control and that kind of secular socialist advice to lay down and hope it all goes away.

My reaction to Viking's post was exactly the same as the one I had to the San Bernardino Paper.

"he only has himself to blame' Quotes mine. For being a hero. For standing out. For saying no in a world where conformity is the rule.

I know Spectre far too well to think for a moment he'd tresspassed over what was proper in information to the public and what was not.
For whatever reason, the misguided argument begun on cause of the Afgan hero continued to Spectre. He handled this with aplomb, and it was no big deal.

But I notice when someone's agenda reaches farther than common sense, common courtesy, and recognition of service and bravery.
Think for a moment if the points had been carried through- 'won'; what would be the conclusion then? That the hero deserved what he would get, that the blog and military paper and Spectre were hypocrites because of information released; did they then deserve to be executed as well?
munk
 
I think we've all gotten cought up in an argument before. My call to NV to drop the argument was also a call to all of us to allow this thread to die. I have no authority to ask you guys to do this, but I would like to continue to hear from John, so I ask it. Making an issue of the 411 that is public on a public forum just may put an end to this priviledge.
 
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