Our new stoopid huge new trucks

So we got some new trucks.

It's called an MRAP Caiman. We had MRAP MAXXPROs. This monstrosity is to haul four guys around the battlefield. We go three of them. We didn't want them; we actually wanted smaller trucks. Our Iraqi counterparts use up-armored Humvees, and I figure if you are going to advise folks, you ought to look like them and use the same equipment they do.

This pig weighs 40,000 pounds and doesn't fit in most of the mulhallahs (towns and villages) around here. If I drive it down the street, I will destroy an entire electrical power grid. It almost doesn't fit through the gate of the Iraqi compound.

We got them for two reasons: First, America, under the guise of "we care sooooo much for our soldiers we are going to give them the BEST equipment out there!!!" In doing so, they gave us equipment that isn't practical-- what good am I in advising the Iraqis if I can't follow them on the mission? The "our troops deserve the best $$$ can buy" line has also afflicted the equipment we carry. On average, a guy's kit weighs around 50 pounds. Sure, technology has lightened the soldier's load, but all we did was add to it with personal armor that is so big you can't move in it. Forget jumping, forget getting anywhere quickly, and forget agility. Just stand there and get hit; you'll be ok because you are wearing 30 pounds of bullet-resistant plating...

Do we buy the best because we truly care, or do we do it out of guilt, in that one percent of the American population is defending the priviliges of the other 99%? (sorry, a bit of cynicism there)

Second, (a bit of more cynicism here-- it's one of those days) these things represent the worst in the military industrial complex. Not only do they sell you a spiffy new ride, but also they sell you a big fat maintenance package. You can't drive it until you sit through 40 hours of mandated training (even though it's just like the other big truck we just turned in and were licensed for). You aren't authorized to work on it; only the contracted maintenance is allowed to do that.

There is a place for these trucks, and they are nice and comfy. They even have a new car smell to them. They just don't belong on a MTT. So in response to this mandated fielding, we went and absconded with four slightly used up-armored Humvees. They need a little work, but at least we won't cut off all the power in Mahmudiya when we roll...

I suppose I should be thankful for having this stuff. Don't get me wrong; I am grateful. Thanks for paying your taxes.

Take care.

Ron