# Just back from Iraq, any Q's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 23, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289 "2006-01-23T19:51:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/61 "2006-01-25T04:43:05Z")
> [@Me](#): > > If the rest of you want to argue with Dio about what he’s said here, do it in another thread. Stop hijacking this one. Any more hijacks like this and all those involved will be warned. > [@duffer](#): > > And **Dio** , STFU. There are a dozen threads at any given time for you to remind us you hate Bush. This isn’t the place. And it was real classy to basically tell our friend here that he risked his life for nothing. Keee-rist! Does no one read my stuff anymore? I’ll have to put the next one in rhyme to make it catchier… First of all, **duffer** , telling another poster in MPSIMS to STFU is never a wise idea. Normally I’d just tell you to simma down; unfortunately, I already told everyone to knock it off, and that if you wanted to take umbrage (like an umbrella, only angrier) with **Dio** , to take it elsewhere. You didn’t. So, you know, you be warned and shit. Don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/62 "2006-01-25T05:20:42Z")
First of all, welcome home from the sandbox! Thanks for your service! \ I don’t know how well the English was of the locals you got to know, but did you and your fellow Americans surprise them at all? Were they expecting all of you to be one sort of stereotype–white, Christian, blond, whatever? Did you have any females in your unit and how were they treated? Were they able to work with Iraqi women? I remember reading a story in my local Bronx paper about some black soldiers who were over there and bemused that a few of the local teens tried to talk to them in rap slang that they’d heard from CDs, complete with smilingly calling them the n-word. :eek: 😃 What do you think the Iraqis thought of the diversity of the Americans they were meeting? Again, thanks for your service and for the thread! ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/63 "2006-01-25T06:13:25Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > \ Well, first, his wife would be beyond mad, then me, then he’d be ashamed, etc. > [@](#): > > I don’t know how well the English was of the locals you got to know, but did you and your fellow Americans surprise them at all? Were they expecting all of you to be one sort of stereotype–white, Christian, blond, whatever? Well, he’s not blond… ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/64 "2006-01-25T13:37:30Z")
> [@Chouinard Fan](#): > > The M-16 is now somewhat replaced by the carbine version which is labeled the M-4. You are likely to find any Air Force or Navy guys walking around with these (or pistols if the m-4 is too heavy) 🙂 and the grunts with about a dozen per 100 (in our unit). Now with a mind to offending the libs and femi’s or what ever with weak knees, we all like the m-16 and its variants for what they are, easy to use, reliable, accurate (the human has always been the weak link there). BUT they still do not have the knock down power that most desire. When you fire your weapon you are only doing so after having reached a point that demands its use (we don’t just fire for any ole reason) and when you do fire you want the threat to cease to exist, one shot- target goes down and stays down, period. Some of my peers have begun looking for alternatives and in fact the old m-14 is making a comeback for its 7.62x51 cartridge, it gives a hearty ‘hello’ instead of a flippant little ‘hi’. > > You ought to see all the widgets we have on our rifles now, scopes or red dot sights, lasers, tactical flashlights etc all zero’d to the weapon, a gear heads dream. Thanks for the info. I’m unable to resist jumping into every “teh AK is teh R0xx0Rs/teh M-16 is teh SuXX0rS” argument that comes along and your first hand experience is invaluable. This peacetime combat engineer salutes you for your service. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/65 "2006-01-25T14:14:16Z")
Hey, **Chouinard Fan** , I don’t really have much to say. Just thanks for your service to the USA and I’m glad you had a relatively boring tour of duty. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/66 "2006-01-25T16:50:15Z")
What does everyone do in their free time for fun? Tell us all the dirt… My boyfriend’s friend is in Iraq somewhere and he’s a single guy. He’s getting tons of “action” (sorry to be so crude) and loves to tell stories of all the “escapades” he has. This kind of bugs me because my boyfriend might be going to Iraq, and I know it gets really _lonely_ out there… so tell us the straight dope! What _really_ goes on? ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/67 "2006-01-25T17:00:20Z")
> [@Martin Hyde](#): > > Ah, good to be home. Travel 6,000 miles back to the states and you get to enjoy some good old fashioned American rudeness and lack of social skills. what martin said. welcome home, Chouinard Fan, and - bravo zulu - no matter what the american people (or the press for that matter) may or may _not_ be thinking. they haven’t been there. you have. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/68 "2006-01-25T17:15:38Z")
Welcome back. How much did you interact with US Contractors and how well did they do their job? Was the TP supply kept up with? \* (Ex-Navy so legit question) \* Did you interact with any other militaries, like the Brits? If so what was your impression of them. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Chouinard\_Fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Chouinard\_Fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chouinard_Fan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/69 "2006-01-25T17:49:03Z")
> [@](#): > > So being one of the few things I could do, I “sponsored” 2 packages. Part of the packages were greatest hits CDs from the show. I also “donated” 2 years of Maxim magazines. Did your group ever get any of these? We did get a box of 2 yrs worth of Maxims the week I was stuck in KU trying to get home. I, for one, took the hunting and off road mags that came as well, never been to much into the maxim or the jeena. > [@](#): > > **Keee-rist!** Does no one read my stuff anymore? I’ll have to put the next one in rhyme to make it catchier… So, you know, you be warned and **shit** So forgive me if we’re not allowed to jab the Mod but… just to check up on the score on that last warno, that’s one blaspheme and shit for saying STFU etc. Just kinda made me chuckle. > [@](#): > > did you and your fellow Americans surprise them at all? Were they expecting all of you to be one sort of stereotype–white, Christian, blond, whatever? I don’t know if the racial disparity of US forces is a surprise, a good many Iraqis have made the Hajj to Mecca and there are too many muslims cross racially to surprise them I think. Though seeing the women working with us was something. As soldiers they were covered head to toe (our gals that is) with just their faces exposed like every soldier but still, having a gal around with a weapon… Mostly we got the feeling that in public the women were to walk 3 paces behind etc but in the home there was a more normal (for us) equality. The one thing though, they did seem to think we were all catholic. You should have seen the condolences our guys got when the Pope died. And you know most of our guys were part time catholic, part time protestant, wican, ‘voodoo’ (what is the proper term for a practitioner of voodoo?) , or athiest. One of my buddies said he tried explaining the remote relationship of the pope to most of us but finally gave up trying. > [@](#): > > Did you have any females in your unit and how were they treated? As an infantry unit no women are allowed by (i think it is) Article 10 of the US code. We did have one female attached to us to trouble shoot CPU issues on our vehicles. She was famous as the ONE. You know, the colonel had to say ‘Now men, and lady, we…’ She was respected by the soldiers (although some of the dorks would make some fairly horrible comments about her, sexually of course) and the locals, well I don’t know for sure but what were they going to do with all her buddies around armed to the teeth? Our gals were allowed, in fact desperatly needed, to check out women and kids for weapons etc and to help wiht the humanitarian aid. > [@](#): > > I’m unable to resist jumping into every “teh AK is teh R0xx0Rs/teh M-16 is teh SuXX0rS” argument BTW, the AK is a piece of junk. the whole reason the thing will work after 30 yrs buried in the mud is that the parts aren’t fab’d to tight tolerance, so they will work with dirt etc, they also won’t hit anything because of that fact. All you have to do to keep a '16 working is wipe it down daily, takes about 2-4 min. and will work everytime. I did have probs with my rifle, but all it was was a sear catch release that was too worn. We replaced it and back to perfect, one basic repair part for 1% of the weapons in a yr of combat is a great ratio. > [@](#): > > He’s getting tons of “action” (sorry to be so crude) and loves to tell stories of all the “escapades” he has. This kind of bugs me because my boyfriend might be going to Iraq, and I know it gets really lonely out there… so tell us the straight dope! What really goes on? We had one guy like this and since its against a direct order from the commanding general of the entire Iraqi theater (‘there will be no alcohol of any kind, sexually suggestive materiel, sexual activity with locals or other members of CF…’) some things were said but ‘good luck proving penetration.’ I was as lonely as everyone else and just didnt have a prob copeing, i SURE missed my wife but yikes, it wasn’t a super feat to stay faithful. > [@](#): > > How much did you interact with US Contractors and how well did they do their job? Was the TP supply kept up with? (Ex-Navy so legit question) Did you interact with any other militaries, like the Brits? The KBR guys who worked on our base with everything were good (although i’m not sure i’d say we got good support for the $ if I saw the expense account. The lowest payed KBR position was in charge of our rec room and she made ~80k, yikes!) BUT, when they took over the chowhall, MAN IT SUCKED!! We had served at a few different bases and when we got that news we all groaned. The TP prob was small at best, contending with the foot prints on the seat were worse. Lots of people had converted to baby wipes anyhow, I deployed with 1650 baby wipes and used all but 95 of 'em. Check previous replies with the Brit Q. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/70 "2006-01-25T18:00:05Z")
What were your accomodations like? Like for example, your quarters, your bed, the bathrooms, etc. How often did you get to shower? Was everything air-conditioned? Also, what did you do in your free time to relax? Did they have TVs, movies, videogames? What about internet access? Did you get to e-mail or call your wife often? How did your wife get through it? I would be scared out of my wits and stressed to the max every day not knowing how you were. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/71 "2006-01-25T18:51:22Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > By the way, I’d kind of like an answer to my question about the feelings of troops on the ground towards the administration and about the whether they feel the invasion was justified. I’m not asking for the OP’s personal opinion, I’d like to know the _majority_ opinion. IIRC Bush carried 85% of the military vote in the last election (it’s been a while so I might be off but it was well over 50%). When I was deployed (not to Iraq) that percentage felt about right. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/72 "2006-01-25T19:10:53Z")
> [@Chouinard Fan](#): > > …snip… Check previous replies with the Brit Q. :smack: Sorry, I missed that one. Thanks for the reply. **Loach** , \*\*SkipMagic \*\* said no debates earlier in the threads (3 times in fact). Let it drop. Jim ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/73 "2006-01-25T19:26:43Z")
I have a “troop morale” question… Every movie from MASH to 3 Kings to Jarhead has the grunts all set up with private moonshining and liquor distilleries, passing the tin cup around and letting stress loose in barracks parties. Is this at all realistic? If so, how is the barracks moonshine quality as a drink? Can the troops relax in local discos, pubs, bars? Or are you restricted from public leisure time for danger/security reasons. ---
**Author:** ![ElectricZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@ElectricZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectricZ)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/74 "2006-01-25T19:53:02Z")
Just wanted to delurk long enough to say welcome back and thanks for your service! EZ ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/75 "2006-01-25T19:58:53Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > :smack: Sorry, I missed that one. Thanks for the reply. > > **Loach** , \*\*SkipMagic \*\* said no debates earlier in the threads (3 times in fact). Let it drop. > > Jim That wasn’t a debate. The question was restated in a straight forward manner. I made a comment in the same way. I have no wish to crap on anyones thread and I never have. If it was seen that way I’m sorry but I’ll wait to hear from a real Mod instead. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/76 "2006-01-25T20:01:36Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > That wasn’t a debate. The question was restated in a straight forward manner. I made a comment in the same way. I have no wish to crap on anyones thread and I never have. If it was seen that way I’m sorry but I’ll wait to hear from a real Mod instead. You are right, I will leave the modding to the pro’s Sorry, Jim ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/77 "2006-01-25T20:32:15Z")
Just wanted to say thanks and welcome home. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/78 "2006-01-25T20:50:28Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > :smack: Sorry, I missed that one. Thanks for the reply. > > **Loach** , \*\*SkipMagic \*\* said no debates earlier in the threads (3 times in fact). Let it drop. > > Jim Okay, let me clarify: **Diogenes** asked a valid question of the OP: how the ground troops felt about the invasion and the current presidential administration. The debate I wanted to curtail had to do with the old arguments of why the U.S. is in Iraq or how the war in Iraq is protecting our freedoms. I see **Diogenes** ’ question as being in line with the spirit of the this thread. If he later wants to use **Chouinard Fan** answer in a debate, that’s fine–as long as the debate isn’t in this forum or this thread. Sooo… **Loach** answered **Dio** ’s question. I don’t see a debate. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/79 "2006-01-25T20:54:00Z")
Sigh. Okay, I swear the last two posts by **Loach** and **What Exit?** weren’t there when I submitted my post. Sheesh. But, good thing, my point still holds. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289/80 "2006-01-25T20:54:15Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Okay, let me clarify: **Diogenes** asked a valid question of the OP: how the ground troops felt about the invasion and the current presidential administration. The debate I wanted to curtail had to do with the old arguments of why the U.S. is in Iraq or how the war in Iraq is protecting our freedoms. I see **Diogenes** ’ question as being in line with the spirit of the this thread. If he later wants to use **Chouinard Fan** answer in a debate, that’s fine–as long as the debate isn’t in this forum or this thread. > > Sooo… **Loach** answered **Dio** ’s question. I don’t see a debate. Thanks for the clarification, that was my intent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-back-from-iraq-any-qs/341289.md?page=5)