Comments on: Support our Blogging Troops http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:34:40 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Widomaker 3-502 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1351 Widomaker 3-502 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:49:52 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1351 I do admit that I came off a bit too harsh. I don't mean to contradict what I have previously posted. I agree with Robert the Rich about guys being able to bitch, and believe me I am all for that. I clearly remember my comrades and I sitting around and saying how fucked up things were. We would talk about various missions and vent about our anger and frustrations. I am not saying that I believe in the war now. However back in 2003-2004 in OIF 1 I felt like we had a purpose. We were there to get Saddam and to liberate Iraq. Going in with the 101st Airborne I felt like we were the best of the best. I had a great sense of pride about what we were doing. I do feel that CENTCOM and the Pentagon truly did not access the situation correctly when planning wartime strategy and operations. We obviously went over there with not enough troops to begin with. It was the 101st, 3rd ID and the Marines. As you all remember Turkey fucked us and did not let 4th ID enter from there. 4th ID was supposed to push down from Northern Iraq while we pushed up to meet in the middle. This was obviously a failure upon the U.S. to secure Turkey's permission. 4th ID was on there way there but had to turn around and come in up through Kuwait into Iraq. Which obviously was fucked up and caused major problems with the war effort.I do feel that if the U.S. sent over at least enough troops and with help form other NATO countries troops to help seal of the borders with Iran and Syria then the massive insurgency would have never happened. We definitely went over there with not enough troops and jacked up strategy from the beginning. Again I want to explain that when I first heard about Buzzell last night before posting on this blog it brought up all kinds of emotions for me. I felt that the war was justified back in 2003 and the purpose was clear. However now I feel that there is not much of a purpose for the troops to be over there still. I am not saying that I feel that anyone who thinks the war is a bad idea is unpatriotic and anti-American because obviously I now have my doubts. I am however saying that I do not agree with these soldiers who VOLUNTEERED to serve knowing fully well that enlisting at a time when our country was at war that they did not even think there was a REMOTE CHANCE they would be going DOWNRANGE. Well than you would not have even enlisted. I do not buy BUZZELL's story that a recruiter suckered him into joining. I can speak for myself and more that likely other soldiers that enlisted in 2002 that i knew that I was going to be headed to the giant SANDBOX. Sure I was a bit nervous and scared but I was proud of the opportunity to fight that laid ahead of me. I remember the Drill Sergeants explained to all of us including BUZZELL that most of us would be going downrange and that if you were unsure if you would be able to handle it to say something about it now. He and other soldiers including myself would be afforded the opportunity to be discharged or chaptered out. Speaking of that our platoon in basic training which BUZZELL was part of had about 4 soldiers go AWOL because they were to chicken shit to do there job. He had his chance to get out then if he really did not want to fight. I do not fel that bitching is ANTI-AMERICAN but there is a time and a place for everything. While in Iraq we finally made it up to Mosul in April of 2003. I was at the same FOB as BUZZELL. I know that these INTERNET CAFE's were run by Iraqi's. I personally did not trust them because after all look who we were fighting against. These computers were more that likely fully unsecure. All it took was a little common sense to realize that you could be putting information into the enemy's hands. Call me paranoid if you want, but you can never be too safe. I do admit that I came off a bit too harsh. I don’t mean to contradict what I have previously posted. I agree with Robert the Rich about guys being able to bitch, and believe me I am all for that. I clearly remember my comrades and I sitting around and saying how fucked up things were. We would talk about various missions and vent about our anger and frustrations.

I am not saying that I believe in the war now. However back in 2003-2004 in OIF 1 I felt like we had a purpose. We were there to get Saddam and to liberate Iraq. Going in with the 101st Airborne I felt like we were the best of the best. I had a great sense of pride about what we were doing.

I do feel that CENTCOM and the Pentagon truly did not access the situation correctly when planning wartime strategy and operations. We obviously went over there with not enough troops to begin with. It was the 101st, 3rd ID and the Marines. As you all remember Turkey fucked us and did not let 4th ID enter from there. 4th ID was supposed to push down from Northern Iraq while we pushed up to meet in the middle. This was obviously a failure upon the U.S. to secure Turkey’s permission. 4th ID was on there way there but had to turn around and come in up through Kuwait into Iraq. Which obviously was fucked up and caused major problems with the war effort.I do feel that if the U.S. sent over at least enough troops and with help form other NATO countries troops to help seal of the borders with Iran and Syria then the massive insurgency would have never happened. We definitely went over there with not enough troops and jacked up strategy from the beginning.

Again I want to explain that when I first heard about Buzzell last night before posting on this blog it brought up all kinds of emotions for me.

I felt that the war was justified back in 2003 and the purpose was clear. However now I feel that there is not much of a purpose for the troops to be over there still.

I am not saying that I feel that anyone who thinks the war is a bad idea is unpatriotic and anti-American because obviously I now have my doubts.

I am however saying that I do not agree with these soldiers who VOLUNTEERED to serve knowing fully well that enlisting at a time when our country was at war that they did not even think there was a REMOTE CHANCE they would be going DOWNRANGE. Well than you would not have even enlisted. I do not buy BUZZELL’s story that a recruiter suckered him into joining.

I can speak for myself and more that likely other soldiers that enlisted in 2002 that i knew that I was going to be headed to the giant SANDBOX. Sure I was a bit nervous and scared but I was proud of the opportunity to fight that laid ahead of me. I remember the Drill Sergeants explained to all of us including BUZZELL that most of us would be going downrange and that if you were unsure if you would be able to handle it to say something about it now. He and other soldiers including myself would be afforded the opportunity to be discharged or chaptered out. Speaking of that our platoon in basic training which BUZZELL was part of had about 4 soldiers go AWOL because they were to chicken shit to do there job. He had his chance to get out then if he really did not want to fight.

I do not fel that bitching is ANTI-AMERICAN but there is a time and a place for everything. While in Iraq we finally made it up to Mosul in April of 2003. I was at the same FOB as BUZZELL. I know that these INTERNET CAFE’s were run by Iraqi’s. I personally did not trust them because after all look who we were fighting against. These computers were more that likely fully unsecure. All it took was a little common sense to realize that you could be putting information into the enemy’s hands. Call me paranoid if you want, but you can never be too safe.

]]> By: dolphin http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1350 dolphin Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:06:39 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1350 I was wondering how long before someone would come in here declaring anybody who thinks the war was a bad idea to be unpatriotic and anti-American... I was wondering how long before someone would come in here declaring anybody who thinks the war was a bad idea to be unpatriotic and anti-American…

]]> By: Robert the Rich http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1349 Robert the Rich Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:35:15 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1349 Widow-maker... if you really knew Buzzell then maybe you do know something of his motives... and I sure don't. But I will tell you this, I am a combat veteran too. I didn't have blogs but sure did write some sad sack letters to folks back home when things got to me. I think you judge the bloggers too harshly though.. I follow a couple of guys from units I have reason to be interested in, and they convey lots of cool stories, and funny stuff, and yeah some bitter stuff... cause tough shit happens downrange, as you know. As long as thats all it is, what's the harm? Surely you don't think bitching is anti-american? Matter of fact, remember hearing how "If my guys are not bitching, I know something is wrong"? Anyway dude I salute you and thank you. AIRBORNE, AHOOOOHA! Widow-maker… if you really knew Buzzell then maybe you do know something of his motives… and I sure don’t. But I will tell you this, I am a combat veteran too. I didn’t have blogs but sure did write some sad sack letters to folks back home when things got to me. I think you judge the bloggers too harshly though.. I follow a couple of guys from units I have reason to be interested in, and they convey lots of cool stories, and funny stuff, and yeah some bitter stuff… cause tough shit happens downrange, as you know. As long as thats all it is, what’s the harm? Surely you don’t think bitching is anti-american?
Matter of fact, remember hearing how “If my guys are not bitching, I know something is wrong”? Anyway dude I salute you and thank you. AIRBORNE, AHOOOOHA!

]]> By: Widowmaker 3-502 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1348 Widowmaker 3-502 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:50:38 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1348 In continuation. I was medically retired in May 2006 from WRAMC due to my combat injuries. I am proud of my service to my country. I do receive C&P from the VA and CRSC from the DOD. I am very thankful that I receive this financial support because I cannot work do to my PTSD and TBI. But you don't hear me on the CNN or in the news trying to sell my stories. Why you ask, because I was proud to serve as an Soldier and Infantryman in the US Army and always will be. I am so ashamed of these former soldiers turned "hippies" and unpatriotic anti-war protesters. If you live in the past that is all you are going to focus on. It is time to move on, be proud of what you did and drop all this anti-war BS. It makes me wonder about these so called SOLDIERS. In my opinion they are weak minded and weak willed. In continuation. I was medically retired in May 2006 from WRAMC due to my combat injuries. I am proud of my service to my country. I do receive C&P from the VA and CRSC from the DOD. I am very thankful that I receive this financial support because I cannot work do to my PTSD and TBI. But you don’t hear me on the CNN or in the news trying to sell my stories. Why you ask, because I was proud to serve as an Soldier and Infantryman in the US Army and always will be. I am so ashamed of these former soldiers turned “hippies” and unpatriotic anti-war protesters. If you live in the past that is all you are going to focus on. It is time to move on, be proud of what you did and drop all this anti-war BS. It makes me wonder about these so called SOLDIERS. In my opinion they are weak minded and weak willed.

]]> By: Widowmaker 3-502 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1347 Widowmaker 3-502 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:38:41 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1347 I agree with Manuel J. I too am a Veteran of OIF 1. I served with 3rd Battalion 502nd Infantry 101st Airborne Division. I personally feel that these soldiers who utilize blogging are putting themselves and their unit at risk. They are obviously showing that they are indeed a "Soft Target." Whatever happened to OPSEC. As a grunt I experienced my fair share of horror and shear terror. However I didn't feel compelled to go online and rant about it. Whatever happened to soldiering on. I personally attended boot camp with Colby Buzzell at Ft Benning from Nov 2002-March 2003. We were assigned to 1st Platoon Bco 1/50 ITB. So I can say tat I personally know him. It seems to me that he had other motives for blogging about Iraq. Hoping to make himself famous or something. I personally look down at him and feel a sense of bitterness to him. After all him and myself signed up VOLUNTARILLY to join the INFANTRY knowing all well that you were going to be on the front lines and in the s***. If you couldn't figure that out on your own than you are obviously not that bright. I was wounded there and received a Purple Heart, CIB, Valorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation. I suffer with PTSD, Depression, have a TBI from the blast injury I suffered. Of course there is the ARMY WAY and UCMJ for a reason. While I was in Iraq I just sucked it up and soldiered on. I dealt with my issues when I got back from Iraq to the states. Back in OIF 1 I felt like we had purpose for fighting. However now I feel like the Pentagon and President should review our strategy and decide what is our purpose for being in Iraq and Afghanistan. I feel proud of what my unit accomplished and am extremely grateful of the experiences I had over there. I fought along with great NCO's and Officers and fellow unior enlisted men. Yeah everyday can sometimes be a struggle dealing with my PTSD. But SO WHAT that is what happens when you go to war and deal with being shot at and blown up, especially being an Infantryman. In my opinion Colby Buzzell is a unpatriotic loser. You damn well know what you are getting yourself into while taking the oath to "defend our nation against ALL enemy's foreign and Domestic and to Obey the orders of the Officers appointed over me." Sound familiar. You take this oath of enlistment for a reason. If you truly don't believe in it then don't put your comrades lives at stake because you want to be some kind of pansy. Shut up, do your job and then deal with it when you get back home. Rules are in place for a reason and should be followed. You don't see me trying to sell my stories for money (and I have many of them). This guy needs to be ashamed of himself for what he did. I agree with Manuel J. I too am a Veteran of OIF 1. I served with 3rd Battalion 502nd Infantry 101st Airborne Division. I personally feel that these soldiers who utilize blogging are putting themselves and their unit at risk. They are obviously showing that they are indeed a “Soft Target.” Whatever happened to OPSEC. As a grunt I experienced my fair share of horror and shear terror. However I didn’t feel compelled to go online and rant about it. Whatever happened to soldiering on. I personally attended boot camp with Colby Buzzell at Ft Benning from Nov 2002-March 2003. We were assigned to 1st Platoon Bco 1/50 ITB. So I can say tat I personally know him. It seems to me that he had other motives for blogging about Iraq. Hoping to make himself famous or something. I personally look down at him and feel a sense of bitterness to him. After all him and myself signed up VOLUNTARILLY to join the INFANTRY knowing all well that you were going to be on the front lines and in the s***. If you couldn’t figure that out on your own than you are obviously not that bright. I was wounded there and received a Purple Heart, CIB, Valorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation. I suffer with PTSD, Depression, have a TBI from the blast injury I suffered. Of course there is the ARMY WAY and UCMJ for a reason. While I was in Iraq I just sucked it up and soldiered on. I dealt with my issues when I got back from Iraq to the states. Back in OIF 1 I felt like we had purpose for fighting. However now I feel like the Pentagon and President should review our strategy and decide what is our purpose for being in Iraq and Afghanistan. I feel proud of what my unit accomplished and am extremely grateful of the experiences I had over there. I fought along with great NCO’s and Officers and fellow unior enlisted men. Yeah everyday can sometimes be a struggle dealing with my PTSD. But SO WHAT that is what happens when you go to war and deal with being shot at and blown up, especially being an Infantryman. In my opinion Colby Buzzell is a unpatriotic loser. You damn well know what you are getting yourself into while taking the oath to “defend our nation against ALL enemy’s foreign and Domestic and to Obey the orders of the Officers appointed over me.” Sound familiar. You take this oath of enlistment for a reason. If you truly don’t believe in it then don’t put your comrades lives at stake because you want to be some kind of pansy. Shut up, do your job and then deal with it when you get back home.
Rules are in place for a reason and should be followed. You don’t see me trying to sell my stories for money (and I have many of them). This guy needs to be ashamed of himself for what he did.

]]> By: Robert the Rich http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1346 Robert the Rich Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:24:00 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1346 The answer is obvious to the careful reader, 2004 was a long time ago in terms of our understanding of technology. There was a lot of fear of classified or sensitive info being disclosed. The army has actually taken a pretty progressive approach here for all the reasons stated above. It may very well do some soldiers good to vent, etc. It boils down to a simple military adage from previous wars... "loose lips sink ships". Our soldiers, sailors and airman are trusted with vast amounts of knowledge that they are not permitted to pass on to those with no need to know. That hasn't really changed, and we simply trust that our military people will keep those secrets... it is in their own best interest, after all. And furthermore, I know some people don't believe this... but the other side already knows that soldiers think war sux. The answer is obvious to the careful reader, 2004 was a long time ago in terms of our understanding of technology. There was a lot of fear of classified or sensitive info being disclosed. The army has actually taken a pretty progressive approach here for all the reasons stated above. It may very well do some soldiers good to vent, etc.
It boils down to a simple military adage from previous wars… “loose lips sink ships”. Our soldiers, sailors and airman are trusted with vast amounts of knowledge that they are not permitted to pass on to those with no need to know. That hasn’t really changed, and we simply trust that our military people will keep those secrets… it is in their own best interest, after all.
And furthermore, I know some people don’t believe this… but the other side already knows that soldiers think war sux.

]]> By: Chuck Simmins http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1345 Chuck Simmins Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:11:47 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1345 Buzzell, three or four years ago, was not the only soldier to get into trouble by blogging. A lot has changed in those years and this Army is far more connected to bloggers. The Army, in 2008, goes out of its way far more than the other services to support blogging. Lindy, speaking for the Army, is one of several people in the Pentagon charged with working with the new media. It's not just blogging, they are also on Twitter. FYI, there have been about a dozen bloggers to embed with Army units in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last four years. Others have blogged while serving and continue to blog now that they are home. Buzzell, three or four years ago, was not the only soldier to get into trouble by blogging. A lot has changed in those years and this Army is far more connected to bloggers. The Army, in 2008, goes out of its way far more than the other services to support blogging. Lindy, speaking for the Army, is one of several people in the Pentagon charged with working with the new media. It’s not just blogging, they are also on Twitter.

FYI, there have been about a dozen bloggers to embed with Army units in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last four years. Others have blogged while serving and continue to blog now that they are home.

]]> By: dolphin http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1344 dolphin Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:21:41 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1344 Manuel, You miss the point entirely. If what Britt says is correct then it makes more sense. The point wasn't whether the Army can stop it's soldiers from having a blog. The point was that the Army was saying it, not only permitted, but actually <i>encouraged</i> it's soldiers to blog while apparently simultaneously punishing them for doing so. Manuel,
You miss the point entirely. If what Britt says is correct then it makes more sense. The point wasn’t whether the Army can stop it’s soldiers from having a blog. The point was that the Army was saying it, not only permitted, but actually encouraged it’s soldiers to blog while apparently simultaneously punishing them for doing so.

]]> By: Manuel J http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1343 Manuel J Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:51:39 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1343 One last posting... There are a lot of comments by those that have not served. For those of you in this category, I recommend you read the UCMJ before being so critical of the Army. Comments about computer illiteracy for example, have nothing to do with unit security and the divulging of military information. In fact, communicating sensitive information in form is illegal. This includes providing information to other military personnel who have no need to know of unit activities for which they are not a part of. If you're still not convinced, I encourage you to enlist and voice your opinion from within the military. I'm sure the judges at your court martial would find your thoughts/opinions are not so unique. One last posting… There are a lot of comments by those that have not served.

For those of you in this category, I recommend you read the UCMJ before being so critical of the Army. Comments about computer illiteracy for example, have nothing to do with unit security and the divulging of military information. In fact, communicating sensitive information in form is illegal. This includes providing information to other military personnel who have no need to know of unit activities for which they are not a part of.

If you’re still not convinced, I encourage you to enlist and voice your opinion from within the military. I’m sure the judges at your court martial would find your thoughts/opinions are not so unique.

]]> By: Manuel J http://www.dolphinsdock.com/2008/11/13/support-our-blogging-troops/#comment-1342 Manuel J Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:42:12 +0000 http://www.dolphinsdock.com/?p=539#comment-1342 For those of you feeling empathetic or giving your legal point of view, please listen carefully. There are many reasons the Army does things the Army way. In fact, the military has the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which does not observe the First Amendment right to speak one's mind. Surprised??!!This, and other laws, are meant to ensure the military takes direction from the our civilian government. Example, one will NOT speak ill of the commander-in-chief (i.e. the President) without suffering the consequences. Silly?? Not really. Rules like this have prevented our country from having coups, etc. As was stated, this also prevents soft-targets from being exposed and taken advantage of and for the protection of fellow service men and women. And if you're still not convinced, these people VOLUNTEERED to serve in the military. Do I know what it's like to volunteer and lose friends? Yes, I served honorably and so did my friends; some of whom didn't make it. For those of you feeling empathetic or giving your legal point of view, please listen carefully.

There are many reasons the Army does things the Army way. In fact, the military has the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which does not observe the First Amendment right to speak one’s mind. Surprised??!!This, and other laws, are meant to ensure the military takes direction from the our civilian government. Example, one will NOT speak ill of the commander-in-chief (i.e. the President) without suffering the consequences. Silly?? Not really. Rules like this have prevented our country from having coups, etc. As was stated, this also prevents soft-targets from being exposed and taken advantage of and for the protection of fellow service men and women.

And if you’re still not convinced, these people VOLUNTEERED to serve in the military. Do I know what it’s like to volunteer and lose friends? Yes, I served honorably and so did my friends; some of whom didn’t make it.

]]>