inkdick: march 10 2009 a few bad apples…
These guys really, really, really upset me, especially since my little brother is over there right now as a soldier. Now, looking at these guys, they were puny and seemed like douches who are all bark and all bite, so I don’t think they were really soldiers. Or at least I really, really, really hope that they are not real soldiers, because if they are, our military has hit a new low and no longer has any standards.
These guys were openly and loudly talking about abusing the Iraqi people and stealing from them at gunpoint and were taking a sick JOY in talking about it, making gestures with their hands as if they were holding their guns and talking about the Iraqis like they were lower than dirt. It was sick, it made me want to vomit.
I really hope this represents a very, very, very, VERY small portion of the soldiers that we have serving overseas. And if it is a small portion like I think/hope it is, it is still a larger portion than it should be. A few bad apples spoil the bunch. All it takes in one asshole soldier like this to taint how the people of Iraq view America or taint how an American sees today soldier. Thankfully I know better because I know people who went to Iraq and my brother is there right now and as far as I know they never partook in horrible activities like this.
These guys were total douches. But please don’t judge other soldiers because of them. And please don’t judge my little brother because of them.
Ugh, I’ve been trying not to be pissed off about things lately, but the world keeps giving me reasons to be mad. Cut it out, world.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:26 am
The American military is likely composed of many who are in it for economic, and for sentimental reasons. With the need to expand operations, perhaps their training period is shorter too. That often creates a bunch of soldiers that misconduct in the front line when unsupervised. The military can’t afford punishing all of them for non-combat essential crimes (murder, rape, treason) as they need soldiers. The amateurish soldiers get a sense of “limit” and “blind spots” wherein they can fool around. Sucks.
I’d guess the best way to prevent them is by keeping a good military budget, have good recruitment flow, build good social image of soldiers, provide excellent retirement plans… and work on general social ethics.
The proportion of dicks in the army is probably the same as the ones at an average school. The army is reflects society. So yah, better judge by the majority, and by the social ethic influencing their average decision making…
March 14th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Dio . . . well stated. I served 30 years in the Army and know the majority in the Army are honorable. Like you say, the Army is a true cross section of America. Therefore, unfortunately, the other than noble slip through the cracks. But, that is the greater minority as in most cases they get weeded out at basic tng. Yes, the Defense budget must we remain high enough to take care of the Service member from ‘cradle to grave’. FYI. Basic tng is now longer the give the Soldiers additional instructions on ethics, etc. Thanks Pranas for today’s journal. Remember there are always ‘wannabees’, too.
March 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
???
First of all, were they REALLY soldiers, or just “fake wannabees”?
.
In ANY case, real or not, they gave an UGLY impression to you (and of course, the public, or whoever was within earshot).
.
If they came from Ft Stewart, or the Hunter Army Airfield, they should be REPORTED to the military authorities.
Next time, call the military at Phone: 912-315-5801
.
Also, if possible,
take their pictures,
ask which unit they are from,
ask for their names,
or
(if you feel safe),
talk to them,
try to SHAME them,
question the “why”? of their verbal outbursts.
Go to Ft Stewart web for more info: http://www.stewart.army.mil/default.asp
March 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Would be nice if you could report them. Taking pics of them may be risky. The safer method may be to wait until they get on their car, if the occasion permits. As Pranas wrote, even one bad solider is one too many. Gives a horrible example to the civilians. The military has a lot of power, and discipline must be just as tight, especially about the treatment of innocent civilians…
March 14th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
get on car -> write down their number
otherwise, tough. shaming them may not work if they’ve gone completely rotten.
just to note, iraqi dvd region code is 2, while america is 1. i wonder if they have region free dvd players, or have some region code killer.
i don’t know how much of the iraqi population possess US films after years of embargo, and conflict. (i doubt the young american soldier would be interested by arabic dramas, lol) i’d imagine the wealthy have some, but not the majority, especially in the rebellious zones, which includes the poorer spectrum of the population.
Sounds a bit awkward, exaggerated.
I’d like to know what movies they took from the Iraqis. Full-metal jacket? Bad boys? Dirty Harry? The Mask? The Simpsons??
I’d need a better knowledge of common life in Iraq in-between the first Gulf War and the second. Were common Iraqis relishing American/European dvds at home, while opposing the American politic against Iraq? Possible. Iraq had the potential of becoming another Saudi Arabia…
Some info on the Iraqi middle class:
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-31-2003-38345.asp
They didn’t have a lot of breathing time to develope… 60s to 70s, then a bit in the 80s and a bit in the 90s… busy. hm
March 14th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
What dickweeds.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I doubt the were soldiers, I have unfortunately heard of more than one person who claimed to do such things just to ’show off’. . . . I wonder if they actually think it impresses people? Either way, coming from a military family, I get pissed every time I see one of these assholes. They’re the reason we have people in this country that LOOK DOWN on the armed forces, who in all truth are probably the best this country has to offer. I’m pretty sure that if I’d ran into them like you did, I think I would’ve caused a throw-down ;)
March 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Yeah after reading this posting…yeah I don’t know who the hell these guys where…but I highly doubt that they were here in Iraq, or if they where here in Iraq…they where POG’s (Personnel Other-than Grunts)…and/or REMF’s (Rear Echlon M-fer’s); if the case they sat behind a desk and played World of Warcraft and Call of Duty 4 on their computers. Trust me…people who have seen the “shit”…don’t tend to brag about it…even if they went into a local national’s house and stole dvd’s…that’s something you don’t admit to…These young immature men…are “wanna-be” Soldiers.
March 15th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Susan Wilks at 1:30pm March 15
That’s a great one. Thank your son. Beacuse it’s true.
Gediminas Naujokaitis at 5:47pm March 15
click on the site and tell him yourself; sure he would appreciate that: http://ghostcarpress.com/inkdick/2009/03/10/inkdick-march-10-2009-a-few-bad-apples/
March 16th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Juozas finally commented on a comic! YEAH! Thanks, “Alphy”
I’m going to take your word for this above everyone else’s, since you are over there right now and know what it’s like and know what is going down. I thought they were wannabe-soldiers and thankfully I was right.
Be safe over there, little bro.
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