Demoralized Troops, Hoping For Immediate Pullout Of Iraq, Re-Upping In Record Numbers
Earlier this week ABC ran a story that the troops are backing the Democrats, essentially because they (the Democrats) want to pull out of Iraq. (note: clicking the link also includes Martha Raddatz's interviews with the troops).
I don't think ABC cherry picked soldiers to find Democratic voters, but I do find it suspicious that nearly everyone they interviewed is in favor of candidates that want to withdraw. I was around the military for the first 22 years of my life, and there are people from every political stripe. You know, just like in the rest of the population. But if the troops are really as demoralized as the media tries to protray, see Stop Loss and Lions for Lambs, than why are they reenlisting in record numbers?
Bet you'll not see a movie about that out of Hollywood any time soon.
H/T The Mudville Gazette
I don't think ABC cherry picked soldiers to find Democratic voters, but I do find it suspicious that nearly everyone they interviewed is in favor of candidates that want to withdraw. I was around the military for the first 22 years of my life, and there are people from every political stripe. You know, just like in the rest of the population. But if the troops are really as demoralized as the media tries to protray, see Stop Loss and Lions for Lambs, than why are they reenlisting in record numbers?
3rd ID completes re-up goal in unprecedented timeThe 3ID is the division that took Baghdad in 2003, went back to Iraq in 2005, and then bore the brunt of the surge in 2007 (Greyhawk, The Mudville Gazette. These are not desk jockeys and cooks, these are boots on the ground, actively engaging the enemy, putting their lives on the line every day. Soldiers that hate what they are doing so much that they are reenlisting to stay and fight at record numbers.
The 3rd Infantry Division, headquartered at Fort Stewart, Ga., completed its fiscal year 2008 retention goal in less than six months, which most view as a phenomenal act.
This is unprecedented according to the division’s retention sergeant major. “I’ve been in this career field for 16 years, and I’ve never known of a division to meet its goal in such a short time,” said Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Raibon, the 3rd Infantry Division Retention sergeant major.
This is the division’s third deployment to Iraq since 2003, but its high operational tempo did not stop 4,000 Soldiers from re-enlisting. Even more troops will follow their lead, and by the end of March one battalion with the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Benning, Ga., will have met its retention goal twice.
The 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment is four Soldiers away from retaining 200 percent of its goal.
These Soldiers are working together to defend their nation. This is why they joined and why they re-enlisted, said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Olson, 3rd HBCT senior career counselor.
The 3rd Infantry Division, which is currently the headquarters for Multi-National Division – Center in southwest Baghdad, arrived in theater as part of the Surge. Its Soldiers are serving a 15-month deployment with the combat mission to stop insurgents from bringing bomb-making materials into Baghdad. Within the year, Soldiers have secured most areas, and have begun working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces and tribal leaders to build the economy and make life better for its citizens.
Bet you'll not see a movie about that out of Hollywood any time soon.
H/T The Mudville Gazette
Labels: Iraq, mediots, military, presidential politics, war
