American Soldiers in Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom

Everyone is familiar with the most heated debate: The War in Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost everyone is affected by either having a loved one being deployed or even having a co-worker be deployed. However, this article is not intended to be an example of strategies that would either aide the war or help end the war. It is intended to let America know how soldiers, marines, seamen, and airmen feel about their involvement in the Iraqi and Afghanistan War.

"The experience makes me a whole lot more against war in general. It would be a last resort for me." - Marine Sgt. Adam Paulson

This quote was taken by Stars and Stripes, a newspaper service that is mainly distributed to deployed soldiers, as this is one of only paper news media that is distributed among them. Even though soldiers are taught to be professional at all times, including holding their political beliefs, it is becoming increasingly annoying that Congress is deciding who goes where when majority have never visited the country their selves. Many soldiers agree that if Congress would allow them to strategize missions, the war may move at a quicker process.

Congress may fear that all soldiers wish to end the war soon as possible for the sake of returning home.

However, this is not the case. If soldiers were to drop their weapons and walk away, they would feel that the lives that were lost during the war may have been lost for nothing. Besides, even soldiers know that dropping their weapons and walking away is not an option.

Another aggravating factor is the training of the Iraqi and Afghanistan Army. Considering the governments are corrupt, it is not a surprise that the Iraqi and Afghanistan armies are as well. By reading the Stars and Stripes, it is apparent that the Iraqi and Afghanistan soldiers are not too thrilled with helping to put the country back in order. So why America's should soldiers risk their lives when the locals are not even interested? By continuing to try to train the local soldiers, the American government is wasting time and money.

While Congress and the rest of America are debating on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan, American soldiers are continuously risking their lives while they await the result. I believe that is more important for Congress to think about.

Quote taken from Stars and Stripes Vol. 7 No. 187 2009 Wed. Oct. 14 pg. 13