Original Post Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008
Last Thursday I went to a retirement ceremony for SMSgt Paul Riffle. He spent 23 years in the Security Forces career field. He has been deployed several times before and after 911. He rose from just an airman on flight, to the position of Security Forces Manager. He has seen the ups and downs of this career field and stuck it out longer than most airmen. For those that have never went to a military retirement ceremony and ever get the chance, you should go to one. It is a celebration of a life of a person that sacrificed more than 99.9% of the US population for this country. This includes even me, because I will be getting out of active duty soon. Most people that even join don't stay in the service as a career. I personally can not do it. SMSgt Riffle has been stationed at Ramstein, AB Germany; Lackland AFB, Texas; Kunsan AB, Korea; Taegu AB, Korea; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and finally (where I met him) at Davis-Monthan AFB Arizona. I don't know exactly how many deployments he has been on, however his last one was with me in the International Zone Baghdad, Iraq. What SMSgt Riffle, myself, and all the others that deployed there went through, cemented a bond between us.
I wanted to write this to honor him and lifetime service to our country. Also I wanted to honor all the people that pinned on the SF badge and worn the beret during this definitive time in our country's history, even if it was for only a few years. I will have spent 9 years 6 days in this career field and over 2 and half years deployed when I finally go back to active civilian life. I do not regret enlisting and reenlisting. I would not change one thing about my career as a Security Force member. I have met some very good people in my career field while serving. So for all fellow SF members I have on Myspace, even if I haven't talked to you in years. To Brian, Jolly, Shea, Manley, Watson, Waites, Hagedorn, Kim, Mike, Renee, Matt, Zien, Granger, Lisa, Hester, Jeff, David, Jason, Meagan, Pops, Spencer, Payne, and of course my brother Brian; also to anyone I might have missed or maybe one day read this message. Hope life is treating you well and even if I lost touch with you completely, I will always remember the good and the bad times I shared with you. This passage is for you.
This passage was written on the back of SMSgt Riffle retirement pamphlet.
Remember This
I was that which others did not want to be, I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing for those who gave nothing and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness—should I fail. I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love. I have cried, pained, and hoped—but most of all I have lived times other would say were best forgotten, at least I will be able to say I was proud of what I was
A Security Policeman
--author unknown--
Friday, October 8, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Different Reality.
Original Post Date:
Sunday, September 02, 2007
I am finally out of Iraq and sitting here in Kuwait awaiting for a flight out of the Middle East. I had a very long past two days traveling out of Iraq. It seems like forever ago since I was wandering around the streets of the International Zone. When my unit was waiting for the convoy to leave the International Zone, our interpreters showed up to say goodbye. I had a few last cigarettes with "Lisa" and she told me she was sorry for blowing up on me a few months back. It made me feel really good that she wasn't holding a grudge against me. Our other interpreter "Susie" cried when our convoy showed up. "JJ" showed up also and he did his impression of our Senior. I kind of felt like I didn't want to leave. This was my life for the over 200 days. Also I didn't want to leave our interpreters in Iraq. They were basically part of my unit and they risked so much to better their country. I will pray for them everyday to get out of their country that has turned against them.
Now, sitting here in Kuwait I feel this feeling. I don't know how to put my finger on it other than it's like my body is trying to wined down for always thinking the worst. We had to put our weapons in an armory. Since in Kuwait the Air Force does not allow their airman to carry weapons on base. I keep forgetting that and thinking I forgot it somewhere. I woke up because they were taking out the trash and made a large bang. The first thing I thought of was a rocket and injuries. I can't wait until I get home and when I hear the garbage truck, I just rolled back over to sleep...
Sunday, September 02, 2007
I am finally out of Iraq and sitting here in Kuwait awaiting for a flight out of the Middle East. I had a very long past two days traveling out of Iraq. It seems like forever ago since I was wandering around the streets of the International Zone. When my unit was waiting for the convoy to leave the International Zone, our interpreters showed up to say goodbye. I had a few last cigarettes with "Lisa" and she told me she was sorry for blowing up on me a few months back. It made me feel really good that she wasn't holding a grudge against me. Our other interpreter "Susie" cried when our convoy showed up. "JJ" showed up also and he did his impression of our Senior. I kind of felt like I didn't want to leave. This was my life for the over 200 days. Also I didn't want to leave our interpreters in Iraq. They were basically part of my unit and they risked so much to better their country. I will pray for them everyday to get out of their country that has turned against them.
Now, sitting here in Kuwait I feel this feeling. I don't know how to put my finger on it other than it's like my body is trying to wined down for always thinking the worst. We had to put our weapons in an armory. Since in Kuwait the Air Force does not allow their airman to carry weapons on base. I keep forgetting that and thinking I forgot it somewhere. I woke up because they were taking out the trash and made a large bang. The first thing I thought of was a rocket and injuries. I can't wait until I get home and when I hear the garbage truck, I just rolled back over to sleep...
Monday Morning Quarter
Original Post Date:
Friday, August 24, 2007
I saw problems happening when the US gave governmental control back to the Iraqis. The last 30 years the Iraqis only knew Saddam and his sadistic polices. It was a horrible move to give the country back to sovereignty, after less than a year of occupation. I understand the US wanted the Iraqis not to think the US was there to occupy their country. However, if you look at our past wars like WW2 and the American Civil War. The US continue the military and government occupation of the defeated countries for many years. We have a direct military government in Germany from May 1945 to May 1949 and assisted them until 1952. In Japan we occupied from 1946-1952. Those two countries had no significant insurgency. If we compare the situation we were are facing in Iraq to post-World War 2. We should have kept a direct military government in Iraq for at least 5 years until we crushed any insurgency.
We should have kept the Iraqi conscripted military to assist in the occupation, specially in the cities and kept our military focused on the borders. So we keep the funding and supplies from coming from Iran, Saudi, and other countries. Iraq was used to a socialized government for the last 30 years. We shouldn't have tried to turn into a capitalist government. We shouldn't rid Iraq of all Baath party members in the government. Since they actually knew how to run the country. Some of them really weren't evil people and were only Baath party members out of fear of Saddam.
I am just being a Monday morning quarterback. However after being in this country for two deployments and the second one being close to the current Iraqi Government, this is what I have concluded for my opinion of this situation. The biggest reason the US gave the country back so soon because the US population could not have supported that long of a occupation. The US citizen isn't the same type of person from the 1940's and 1950's. The US citizen of today doesn't like to wait for anything. We live in a fast food, Starbucks, microwavable, want it now lifestyle . I don't completely blame the US citizen, this administration should have been more detailed on how long it might take in Iraq.
Friday, August 24, 2007
I saw problems happening when the US gave governmental control back to the Iraqis. The last 30 years the Iraqis only knew Saddam and his sadistic polices. It was a horrible move to give the country back to sovereignty, after less than a year of occupation. I understand the US wanted the Iraqis not to think the US was there to occupy their country. However, if you look at our past wars like WW2 and the American Civil War. The US continue the military and government occupation of the defeated countries for many years. We have a direct military government in Germany from May 1945 to May 1949 and assisted them until 1952. In Japan we occupied from 1946-1952. Those two countries had no significant insurgency. If we compare the situation we were are facing in Iraq to post-World War 2. We should have kept a direct military government in Iraq for at least 5 years until we crushed any insurgency.
We should have kept the Iraqi conscripted military to assist in the occupation, specially in the cities and kept our military focused on the borders. So we keep the funding and supplies from coming from Iran, Saudi, and other countries. Iraq was used to a socialized government for the last 30 years. We shouldn't have tried to turn into a capitalist government. We shouldn't rid Iraq of all Baath party members in the government. Since they actually knew how to run the country. Some of them really weren't evil people and were only Baath party members out of fear of Saddam.
I am just being a Monday morning quarterback. However after being in this country for two deployments and the second one being close to the current Iraqi Government, this is what I have concluded for my opinion of this situation. The biggest reason the US gave the country back so soon because the US population could not have supported that long of a occupation. The US citizen isn't the same type of person from the 1940's and 1950's. The US citizen of today doesn't like to wait for anything. We live in a fast food, Starbucks, microwavable, want it now life
Strange Feeling
Original Post Date:
Monday, August 20, 2007
I found out our relief might be here quicker than we thought. It is strange thinking about coming home. Half of me can not wait until I get home. However, the other half doesn't want to leave. I really don't know how to explain it. I guess it is a feeling of not wanting to leave things unfinished here. I do not want to leave all the other servicemen and women here that still have to do a job. A main reason of not wanting to leave Iraq is knowing all of the interpreters are still going to be here. The interpreters do not deserve this type of life in Iraq. Any honest Iraqi does not deserve this type of Iraq.
They don't deserve this horrible excuse of a government and Prime Minister. The US made this the front lines in our war. That was our mistake. We need to put all our effort into fixing it. The other half of me wants to stay to help Iraq. This will be my last deployment. I am getting out next year. If it wasn't for me being married I probably would stay in the Air Force. The other half of me wants to get out of the military. I don't have to spend six months at a time away from her and my dogs. However, the other half feels that strange feeling. I guess the strange feeling is failure. That during my time here, all the effort will be in vain. The US will leave this country to it's neighbors and all effort the Iraqis that helped the US will also be in vain.
Monday, August 20, 2007
I found out our relief might be here quicker than we thought. It is strange thinking about coming home. Half of me can not wait until I get home. However, the other half doesn't want to leave. I really don't know how to explain it. I guess it is a feeling of not wanting to leave things unfinished here. I do not want to leave all the other servicemen and women here that still have to do a job. A main reason of not wanting to leave Iraq is knowing all of the interpreters are still going to be here. The interpreters do not deserve this type of life in Iraq. Any honest Iraqi does not deserve this type of Iraq.
They don't deserve this horrible excuse of a government and Prime Minister. The US made this the front lines in our war. That was our mistake. We need to put all our effort into fixing it. The other half of me wants to stay to help Iraq. This will be my last deployment. I am getting out next year. If it wasn't for me being married I probably would stay in the Air Force. The other half of me wants to get out of the military. I don't have to spend six months at a time away from her and my dogs. However, the other half feels that strange feeling. I guess the strange feeling is failure. That during my time here, all the effort will be in vain. The US will leave this country to it's neighbors and all effort the Iraqis that helped the US will also be in vain.
Hero Squad.
Original Post Date:
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Well, it finally August. The last few weeks have been pretty rough internally for my unit. I finally realized the depth of how much some of the Staff Sergeants and our Lieutenant have a buddy system. They go to great lengths to keep themselves in the limelight. If any incident happens where it might turn into a big deal (suspicious activities, IDF's with injuries, etc...). They respond to the incident, especially the lieutenant. Also they further separated themselves from the rest of the flight by making t-shirts with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit and did not include the rest of the flight. I have not scene this type of petty bullshit since middle school. The other airman started calling them the "Hero Squad." They feel the rest of the flight could not run without them and only they should get any credit when it comes to incidents. I have noticed some of them altering the blotter to make it look like they were the ones that did all the effort at major incidents. I am not saying that they aren't good at their job However they have made a huge rift between the "Heroes" and the rest of the flight.
A few days ago the situation reach a new level. The Captain fired my flight chief. Who was not part of the Heroes Squad. I feel actually somewhat responsible. I was in charge of an incident and the Captain didn't agree with me how I handle it. Sgt. Hafner defended me on it and it was basically the straw the broke the camel's back. Things were further complicated with me at another incident that day. I let Sgt Hafner and the Senior down. Now, the flight leadership are all now from that "Hero" click. I don't hate them, however they need to remember that they are only staff sergeants and are equal to everyone else on flight. They way they handle themselves by alienating members of flight. This makes everyone else's moral fall.
Now, things are picking back up because our relief is coming soon. By this time next month I should be sitting in my bar drinking a Boston Cooler, playing with my dogs and playing a drinking game with my wife.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Well, it finally August. The last few weeks have been pretty rough internally for my unit. I finally realized the depth of how much some of the Staff Sergeants and our Lieutenant have a buddy system. They go to great lengths to keep themselves in the limelight. If any incident happens where it might turn into a big deal (suspicious activities, IDF's with injuries, etc...). They respond to the incident, especially the lieutenant. Also they further separated themselves from the rest of the flight by making t-shirts with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit and did not include the rest of the flight. I have not scene this type of petty bullshit since middle school. The other airman started calling them the "Hero Squad." They feel the rest of the flight could not run without them and only they should get any credit when it comes to incidents. I have noticed some of them altering the blotter to make it look like they were the ones that did all the effort at major incidents. I am not saying that they aren't good at their job However they have made a huge rift between the "Heroes" and the rest of the flight.
A few days ago the situation reach a new level. The Captain fired my flight chief. Who was not part of the Heroes Squad. I feel actually somewhat responsible. I was in charge of an incident and the Captain didn't agree with me how I handle it. Sgt. Hafner defended me on it and it was basically the straw the broke the camel's back. Things were further complicated with me at another incident that day. I let Sgt Hafner and the Senior down. Now, the flight leadership are all now from that "Hero" click. I don't hate them, however they need to remember that they are only staff sergeants and are equal to everyone else on flight. They way they handle themselves by alienating members of flight. This makes everyone else's moral fall.
Now, things are picking back up because our relief is coming soon. By this time next month I should be sitting in my bar drinking a Boston Cooler, playing with my dogs and playing a drinking game with my wife.
Black, White, Shades of Gray
Original Post Date:
Monday, July 23, 2007
Today started out rough. The two airman on my patrol started arguing over really nothing. The bad part is it happened in front of night shift. I have a opinion you should never air out your dirty laundry in front of the other shift. I calmed the situation down and basically gave them an order to shut the fuck up. Stuff like this happens during an end of a deployment. People get anxious about getting home and take out their frustrations on fellow airman.
Later in the day we found five Iraqis cooling off by a waterhole . They were without their escort, who was down the road. They were part of the people that clean the roads of debris. I have actually noticed this crew. They do very good work and always been respectful during my encounters with them. I allowed one of my airman to decide if we should prosecute the escort violation. I thought this would help teach them officer discretion and that not all violations are black and white. You don't always have to hammer people and sometimes giving people a break will help you become a well rounded Security Force member. They did exactly what I would have done. We gave the escort a warning. I personally think this better serves the IZ and Iraq, by not getting them in trouble. I have noticed for five months this street sweeper crew is probably the hardest working and it wouldn't help anyone to get people fired for one violation.
The very end of the day we had a rocket attack. I was at US embassy and the impact sounded like it was right outside. My patrol rush out, got into our truck and starting sweeping the area. A couple patrols were already at the impact sight, so we sweep the surrounding area to look for others. One of the airman was driving and the other helped interpreting for the Triple Canopy guards. It was nice to see that even with the anxiety of wanted to leave and being at each other throats, they got past that and did their job with professionalism. They acted like seasoned members of Security Forces.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Today started out rough. The two airman on my patrol started arguing over really nothing. The bad part is it happened in front of night shift. I have a opinion you should never air out your dirty laundry in front of the other shift. I calmed the situation down and basically gave them an order to shut the fuck up. Stuff like this happens during an end of a deployment. People get anxious about getting home and take out their frustrations on fellow airman.
Later in the day we found five Iraqis cooling off by a waterhole . They were without their escort, who was down the road. They were part of the people that clean the roads of debris. I have actually noticed this crew. They do very good work and always been respectful during my encounters with them. I allowed one of my airman to decide if we should prosecute the escort violation. I thought this would help teach them officer discretion and that not all violations are black and white. You don't always have to hammer people and sometimes giving people a break will help you become a well rounded Security Force member. They did exactly what I would have done. We gave the escort a warning. I personally think this better serves the IZ and Iraq, by not getting them in trouble. I have noticed for five months this street sweeper crew is probably the hardest working and it wouldn't help anyone to get people fired for one violation.
The very end of the day we had a rocket attack. I was at US embassy and the impact sounded like it was right outside. My patrol rush out, got into our truck and starting sweeping the area. A couple patrols were already at the impact sight, so we sweep the surrounding area to look for others. One of the airman was driving and the other helped interpreting for the Triple Canopy guards. It was nice to see that even with the anxiety of wanted to leave and being at each other throats, they got past that and did their job with professionalism. They acted like seasoned members of Security Forces.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
numbers
Original post date:
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I really don't know how to start this post. A lot has happened since the beginning of the month. I basically caught in the planning stages a mother trying to pimp out her twelve year old daughter to some guy in a back alley. It was pretty late in the day and I was patrolling behind the Iraqi Police station. There was not much I could do because it was an Iraqi matter and also I couldn't really prove it. However, the was pretty nervous and scared when we started to question him. When we allowed him to leave, he didn't waste anytime leaving. The mother's house has at least six children in it. I don't know if they are all hers or some are her daughters. The mother used to be a prostitute until she got up in age and now she teaches it to her daughter. It is like horrible cycle, the blind leading the blind. Well at least I stop it this time..
We had over 40 mortars hit the IZ, killing 3 and injuring over 12 in one day. This week we had more rocket attacks that have took 4 more lives. One was an Iraqi while he was praying. I didn't have to respond to that one, however the patrol that did respond said the body was still in the kneeling position. I was lucking I only had to deal with minor injuries.
There are a lot of numbers my chain of command relays to me and my comrades. How many rockets the insurgents got in their latest shipment; How many insurgents were killed in the last raid the army conducted; How many mortars and rockets hit the IZ to date (215), How many people have been killed in the IZ (30), How many injured (over 40).
I like this one..47...how many days I should have left here.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I really don't know how to start this post. A lot has happened since the beginning of the month. I basically caught in the planning stages a mother trying to pimp out her twelve year old daughter to some guy in a back alley. It was pretty late in the day and I was patrolling behind the Iraqi Police station. There was not much I could do because it was an Iraqi matter and also I couldn't really prove it. However, the was pretty nervous and scared when we started to question him. When we allowed him to leave, he didn't waste anytime leaving. The mother's house has at least six children in it. I don't know if they are all hers or some are her daughters. The mother used to be a prostitute until she got up in age and now she teaches it to her daughter. It is like horrible cycle, the blind leading the blind. Well at least I stop it this time..
We had over 40 mortars hit the IZ, killing 3 and injuring over 12 in one day. This week we had more rocket attacks that have took 4 more lives. One was an Iraqi while he was praying. I didn't have to respond to that one, however the patrol that did respond said the body was still in the kneeling position. I was lucking I only had to deal with minor injuries.
There are a lot of numbers my chain of command relays to me and my comrades. How many rockets the insurgents got in their latest shipment; How many insurgents were killed in the last raid the army conducted; How many mortars and rockets hit the IZ to date (215), How many people have been killed in the IZ (30), How many injured (over 40).
I like this one..47...how many days I should have left here.
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