After a long road of training and deployment, the new guys are here and settled, the equipment has been accounted for and signed over, and the new team is settling into their roles and figuring stuff out. After four very busy days of inventories, file sharing, knowledge transfer, and Iraqi Army engagements, I find myself intensely bored today. I told my replacement I’d stay out of his way, and where I would be if he needed anything. I slept in, I went to the range, and I worked out. The new team worked through problems and issues, and I found I had to force myself to stay out of their decisions—I had my chance, and now it’s their time.
Tonight we had the big going away dinner/welcoming dinner with the Brigade Commander. Lamb kabobs, hummus, some unidentified vegetables, fruit and bread, and lots of chai, too. We talked about the upcoming elections, Che Guevarra, how to make the mystery vegetables, about how spicy food gives you heartburn. The Brigade Commander burned through a half a pack of cigarettes in two hours- his 4th pack of the day. I said my goodbyes as we moved about the headquarters. They gave us gifts, thanked us for all we did, and some were very sad to see us go. Some of them I will wonder about, and some of them I will miss.
Tomorrow we will move up to BIAP and wait on a plane. Life doesn’t stop for the IA; tomorrow the Brigade gets inspected by the Ministry of Defense (MOD). There has been a flurry of activity and a lot of hard work has gone into passing the inspection and putting the best foot forward. I am sure their hard work, along with some bribery, will bring passing, if not commendable results.
Not sure how I feel about leaving. Even at the end I am still thinking of things we can do and ways to try to influence the Brigade Commander to do them. But my time has passed. At the end of the day I can say I did my best. We did everything we could within reason prior to 30 June, and we tried to do all we could post-30 June, but on many days they would have nothing of it. Some days I wondered if we did any good at all. If I were to summarize our time here I would say it was very productive up until the 30 June deadline, then after that it was only marginally productive. In some ways we have regressed, but I struggle with calling it regression, maybe instead it is more along the lines of growing pains. 30 June may be seen as a tipping point for Iraq: The training wheels are off, and they are fumbling with their newfound independence, sort of like watching an infant try to walk—they are sure to make an occasional trip, and sometimes the falls will hurt. As stated in previous posts, some days I think Iraq has a bright future, other days I’m not so sure, at least not in the short term. What matters now is that it is up to them to figure it out. American units have certainly done all they could, but we can’t do it for them. They have to find an Iraqi way.
What happens next: In about two weeks we should be back at Fort Riley for some outprocessing, and then it’s back home. For me there are personal adjustments to tend to. I haven’t lived at home for over two years, and have grown accustomed to an austere lifestyle that is very work-oriented. I am off to a new job back in the Real Army that has a bunch of rules and it will probably be nothing like the past 15 months. I am sure my family will have to adjust to ‘having dad around.’ I have to learn the social and sporting events schedule of a 12-year old, and actually think of someone other than myself. This may in fact be the most difficult part of the deployment.
Not sure about what to do with the Blog, or how to end it. It has been very introspective, and it has also been a good way to constructively vent.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck to the new team. Take care,
Ron
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Packing Up
We got word our replacements will be here 'soon.' I wasn't expecting them quite so early, I thought I had a couple of more days on our own. I'll get over it.
Today was busy. Lots of preparation to do, tomorrow (after college football, of course) will be spent cleaning and tidying up. We will spend around a week with the new guys, showing them the area, introducing them to our IA counterparts, and visiting the US bases we get support from. Kinda wierd to think this is actually the end. You think about the day you will leave constantly, but holy crap.... It's right around the corner. I better pack.
Yesterday we went to BIAP to drop some stuff off and take care of some administrative business. We spent the night, and I actually had to think about my daily routine and how this was different from the past year. Every day in the morning I have pretty much done the same thing (unless we had a mission or something). I was stooped. It required effort. In a way it is indicative of the culture shock guys experience when they come home. You get used to living a very austere life, where you don't have to worry about what to wear, and your schedule is fairly routine. At home it is different. And driving will likely be a whole new experience, as we drive a little different here. I don't sit in traffic here-- people get out of the way. Fast. We don't stop at stop signs, and we drive in the middle of the road, usually too fast. Driving is going to be interesting.
Tonight I said so long to the XO. He is a capable officer, and he is actually quite good. The best thing Iraq could do is put him in charge of a Brigade. He is taking off early for leave as his three year old daughter is quite sick and he needs to go home for a couple of days. We were able to get a lot of things done with him, and he believes in many of the western ways, particularly in terms of staff management. I watched him get frustrated over the year about the same things I was frustrated about. We would commiserate in his office at night as he hacked his way through the mountain of 'mail' that required his review and signature. The IA is not very automated, and every piece of guidance issued requires a signature. He would literally read a stack about two feet high of paperwork every night, all of it was stuffed into these plastic restaurant-type menu folders. The signature is very powerful in Iraq.
As a going away gift, I decided to give him a good pen, particularly since the signature means so much in Iraq. That and a laser pointer thingy. They are amazed at the simplest flashy things. He is a good guy and I wish him well.
Gotta go pack. Hope all's well. Take care.
Ron
Today was busy. Lots of preparation to do, tomorrow (after college football, of course) will be spent cleaning and tidying up. We will spend around a week with the new guys, showing them the area, introducing them to our IA counterparts, and visiting the US bases we get support from. Kinda wierd to think this is actually the end. You think about the day you will leave constantly, but holy crap.... It's right around the corner. I better pack.
Yesterday we went to BIAP to drop some stuff off and take care of some administrative business. We spent the night, and I actually had to think about my daily routine and how this was different from the past year. Every day in the morning I have pretty much done the same thing (unless we had a mission or something). I was stooped. It required effort. In a way it is indicative of the culture shock guys experience when they come home. You get used to living a very austere life, where you don't have to worry about what to wear, and your schedule is fairly routine. At home it is different. And driving will likely be a whole new experience, as we drive a little different here. I don't sit in traffic here-- people get out of the way. Fast. We don't stop at stop signs, and we drive in the middle of the road, usually too fast. Driving is going to be interesting.
Tonight I said so long to the XO. He is a capable officer, and he is actually quite good. The best thing Iraq could do is put him in charge of a Brigade. He is taking off early for leave as his three year old daughter is quite sick and he needs to go home for a couple of days. We were able to get a lot of things done with him, and he believes in many of the western ways, particularly in terms of staff management. I watched him get frustrated over the year about the same things I was frustrated about. We would commiserate in his office at night as he hacked his way through the mountain of 'mail' that required his review and signature. The IA is not very automated, and every piece of guidance issued requires a signature. He would literally read a stack about two feet high of paperwork every night, all of it was stuffed into these plastic restaurant-type menu folders. The signature is very powerful in Iraq.
As a going away gift, I decided to give him a good pen, particularly since the signature means so much in Iraq. That and a laser pointer thingy. They are amazed at the simplest flashy things. He is a good guy and I wish him well.
Gotta go pack. Hope all's well. Take care.
Ron
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Iraq's Future
As mentioned below, I don't know what will happen to Iraq. Right now there is a great deal of jockeying for power. Political alliances are being made, and some say Maliki is selling his soul to the devil to stay in power. There are LOTS of political parties in Iraq. The sheiks and tribal leaders are being catered to in an effort to suck up for political influence. Lost in this power grab are the Kurds. I think they just want to be left alone, which leads to theory #1.
#1: The possibility of a Federated Iraq with Kurdish, Shia and Sunni zones exists. The trouble with this is Turkey, who does not want an independent Kurdistan. I don't think Iran wants this either
#2: Maliki and a combined Shiite block gain power, and Iraq becomes an Iranian-influenced Shia country. While this is possible, not sure it is feasible. The Sunnis can prevent this, if they show up to vote this time. And the Kurds get a vote.
#3: The whole thing implodes with another sitting of a lame duck administration that spends more time attempting to hold on to power than fixing things and governing. Sadly, for the next couple of years, I think this is most likely. Iraq still requires a lot of outside aid and support. This is a country that has never really had an elected stable government, at least not in current generations. The installed monarchy of the 50s gave way to four different governments in 10 years, and it took Saddam two attempts to get to power. Once he got in he locked everything down, and strangely, things ran rather well for a dictatorship. The country at least functioned. Well, it functioned up until it invaded Iran in the 80s. From there it went to pot. Ironically, the most stable this country has been is when it had a ruthless dictator in charge.
Interesting to hear of Iran's pursuit of nukes. They are using the same arguments Saddam used in the 90s: If I tell the world I have WMD, no one will attack me and I will remain in power. Post invasion After Action reports and interviews of former regime officers tell stories of how Saddam was more afraid of being attacked by Iran than being invaded by the US. It is evident that Iran doesn't like an independent Iraq (hence the bad guys and bad stuff from Iran we keep finding). I asked my Iraqi Brigade Commander a question last night: How long until you are again at war with Iran? He said if the US and the west (UN, NATO, etc) all pull away from Iraq, he is certain Iran will attack Iraq, mostly because it is vulnerable: Iraq does not have many of the enablers (aviation, artillery, air defense, etc.) most modern armies have. However, he said if the west (ok, the US) pledges to support Iraq with defensive capabilities (air defense, artillery, aviation, etc) Iraq's confidence will be bolstered (but hopefully not to the point where it will feel its oats and attack Iran).
Any way you cut the cheese, the cheese still stinks. The cheese is also very expensive, it has a bad attitude, and it will take a lot to get the cheese to the best level of cheese possible.
Anyway, that's my opinion tonight. It changes. Some days I have high hopes for this place, other days I wonder if it will last past 2010 and the January elections.
Either way, I'll be watching it from my sofa at home, and I'll probably be drinking a beer while I do it. We have around 20 days left, and I am ready to go. A year is a long time.
Hope you are well. Take care.
Ron
#1: The possibility of a Federated Iraq with Kurdish, Shia and Sunni zones exists. The trouble with this is Turkey, who does not want an independent Kurdistan. I don't think Iran wants this either
#2: Maliki and a combined Shiite block gain power, and Iraq becomes an Iranian-influenced Shia country. While this is possible, not sure it is feasible. The Sunnis can prevent this, if they show up to vote this time. And the Kurds get a vote.
#3: The whole thing implodes with another sitting of a lame duck administration that spends more time attempting to hold on to power than fixing things and governing. Sadly, for the next couple of years, I think this is most likely. Iraq still requires a lot of outside aid and support. This is a country that has never really had an elected stable government, at least not in current generations. The installed monarchy of the 50s gave way to four different governments in 10 years, and it took Saddam two attempts to get to power. Once he got in he locked everything down, and strangely, things ran rather well for a dictatorship. The country at least functioned. Well, it functioned up until it invaded Iran in the 80s. From there it went to pot. Ironically, the most stable this country has been is when it had a ruthless dictator in charge.
Interesting to hear of Iran's pursuit of nukes. They are using the same arguments Saddam used in the 90s: If I tell the world I have WMD, no one will attack me and I will remain in power. Post invasion After Action reports and interviews of former regime officers tell stories of how Saddam was more afraid of being attacked by Iran than being invaded by the US. It is evident that Iran doesn't like an independent Iraq (hence the bad guys and bad stuff from Iran we keep finding). I asked my Iraqi Brigade Commander a question last night: How long until you are again at war with Iran? He said if the US and the west (UN, NATO, etc) all pull away from Iraq, he is certain Iran will attack Iraq, mostly because it is vulnerable: Iraq does not have many of the enablers (aviation, artillery, air defense, etc.) most modern armies have. However, he said if the west (ok, the US) pledges to support Iraq with defensive capabilities (air defense, artillery, aviation, etc) Iraq's confidence will be bolstered (but hopefully not to the point where it will feel its oats and attack Iran).
Any way you cut the cheese, the cheese still stinks. The cheese is also very expensive, it has a bad attitude, and it will take a lot to get the cheese to the best level of cheese possible.
Anyway, that's my opinion tonight. It changes. Some days I have high hopes for this place, other days I wonder if it will last past 2010 and the January elections.
Either way, I'll be watching it from my sofa at home, and I'll probably be drinking a beer while I do it. We have around 20 days left, and I am ready to go. A year is a long time.
Hope you are well. Take care.
Ron
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Nonlethal Targeting Part II
So we had another meeting today to talk about nonlethal targeting, and how being nice to a neighborhood and improving some of the neighborhood's civil capacity can work in your favor in terms of finding bad guys and stopping crime and terrorism.
In a nutshell, the idea we conceived on 1 September went by way of apathy on down the road.
We pretty much had the same meeting with the Brigade Commander as we did on 1 September. We told them back at the first of the month we are in a position to help with some wells (cost about $10,000 each) and perhaps four generators that can power the neighborhood when the city power is inoperable. All the IA had to do was give us grids to where they think the wells should go, and make the plan to put in the wells, and pick up the trash.
The meeting started out with the US Battalion Commander attempting to engage the IA Brigade Commander on nonlethal targeting initiatives. The IA Commander kept steering the conversation back towards names of bad people, and efforts he is making to arrest those responsible for some recent attacks in his area, which falls in the lane of a lethal targeting meeting. Finally, the US Commander posed a directive, pointed question to the IA Commander: Are we going to do this or not?
The IA Commander answered with ambivalence. The US Commander (mustering A LOT of patience) said ok, and then told the IA Commander he was done with the meeting and he left.
I have to wonder if I was an Iraqi guy, and someone offered me free stuff to improve a neighborhood, I would think that would be a good thing to take advantage of. It highlights a couple of things:
1) My experience has told me that Arabs are reactive, mostly because being proactive is too much work and too hard.
2) Arab Pride is raring its head in Iraq. Maybe we are showing them up, and the people know it, and the IA is embarrassed by the US force's capabilities. Today two IA Soldiers got shot by a car at a checkpoint and the car sped off. The IA wanted me to ask my Battalion for cameras at all of the checkpoints. I said, why don't you just train the IA better and teach them to be more alert? The Brigade G2 (Intelligence officer) said the IA soldiers are indisciplined, and not like the US Army. "Your Soldiers are good -- they stay in uniform and have discipline" he said. I almost told him two things (for the record, I don't like this guy and I think he is a sorry officer):
Poor choice #1: "That's why your country keeps losing wars"
Poor choice #2: "Maybe your Soldiers are lazy because your leadership is lazy."
I held my comments and said nothing. But it highlights a point: I really don't think they care, and they are content with the current level of violence in the country, because stopping it and improving the country is too hard. This is a pessimistic statement, but I can't help but think that way. These opinions are also symptoms of a tour that is almost to an end. Events like today's rebuffed opportunity by the IA make me think that way. The only time this country has enjoyed relative stability is when it had a ruthless dictator in charge of it (Saddam).
I don't know what will happen to this country after we leave. I'll talk about some theories in a later entry.
Hope you are well. Take care.
Ron
In a nutshell, the idea we conceived on 1 September went by way of apathy on down the road.
We pretty much had the same meeting with the Brigade Commander as we did on 1 September. We told them back at the first of the month we are in a position to help with some wells (cost about $10,000 each) and perhaps four generators that can power the neighborhood when the city power is inoperable. All the IA had to do was give us grids to where they think the wells should go, and make the plan to put in the wells, and pick up the trash.
The meeting started out with the US Battalion Commander attempting to engage the IA Brigade Commander on nonlethal targeting initiatives. The IA Commander kept steering the conversation back towards names of bad people, and efforts he is making to arrest those responsible for some recent attacks in his area, which falls in the lane of a lethal targeting meeting. Finally, the US Commander posed a directive, pointed question to the IA Commander: Are we going to do this or not?
The IA Commander answered with ambivalence. The US Commander (mustering A LOT of patience) said ok, and then told the IA Commander he was done with the meeting and he left.
I have to wonder if I was an Iraqi guy, and someone offered me free stuff to improve a neighborhood, I would think that would be a good thing to take advantage of. It highlights a couple of things:
1) My experience has told me that Arabs are reactive, mostly because being proactive is too much work and too hard.
2) Arab Pride is raring its head in Iraq. Maybe we are showing them up, and the people know it, and the IA is embarrassed by the US force's capabilities. Today two IA Soldiers got shot by a car at a checkpoint and the car sped off. The IA wanted me to ask my Battalion for cameras at all of the checkpoints. I said, why don't you just train the IA better and teach them to be more alert? The Brigade G2 (Intelligence officer) said the IA soldiers are indisciplined, and not like the US Army. "Your Soldiers are good -- they stay in uniform and have discipline" he said. I almost told him two things (for the record, I don't like this guy and I think he is a sorry officer):
Poor choice #1: "That's why your country keeps losing wars"
Poor choice #2: "Maybe your Soldiers are lazy because your leadership is lazy."
I held my comments and said nothing. But it highlights a point: I really don't think they care, and they are content with the current level of violence in the country, because stopping it and improving the country is too hard. This is a pessimistic statement, but I can't help but think that way. These opinions are also symptoms of a tour that is almost to an end. Events like today's rebuffed opportunity by the IA make me think that way. The only time this country has enjoyed relative stability is when it had a ruthless dictator in charge of it (Saddam).
I don't know what will happen to this country after we leave. I'll talk about some theories in a later entry.
Hope you are well. Take care.
Ron
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A long week
So we had this big storm last Saturday night: One minute it was a cool 90 degrees in the evening, and the next this 40-50mph wind comes out of nowhere and blows stuff all over the place. Then it rains. Not a lot, but it rained, and thank God, as it cleared out a lot of the dust in the air. One of the casualties was our network, along with our AFN TV dish. The first priority was to fix the AFN dish so we could watch Texas vs Texas Tech. The internet took a week to get fixed, but it's back. Amazing how much work you can get done when there is no internet...
Here we are at 11+ months. Our replacements are in theater, and they are finishing up their training. Progress at a snail's pace continues. This week we had a meeting that included the Iraqi Police, some Ministry of National Security guys (an Iraqi version of a sort of internal CIA, and man, they are paranoid), and the Eid al Fitr holiday which brings Ramadan to a close. With Ramadan finally over, the IA is ready to get back to work. Well, as close to work as they get.
My daughter also turned 12 this week. Happy birthday, Sluggo.
Texas won again, and the Hogs lost. Again.
It's been an interesting year. I hope in the coming posts to make some conclusions and wrap some stuff up, as long as the connection holds.
Just wanted to put something up to let you know I'm still here.
Take care, and thanks for reading.
Ron
Friday, September 18, 2009
A Rock and a Hard Place Part II: Unintended Consequences of The Gimme Gimme
Long story short, in my opinion we missed an opportunity to exercise the IA logistics system. The background for this post is a couple of posts down in the blog.
The IA continued with their project, although unsupported by their logistics system. I was able to get them to request logistical support from their Division in the form of a properly filled out logistics request form-- a HUGE feat that took almost 11 months to get a form filled out right. My IA Brigade did what they were supposed to do. True to form, the Division did nothing with it, though, and the request went unfilled. I got an earful of 'I told you so.'
The God did provide though; this time The God took the form of a US Brigade and Battalion who gave them stuff without making the Division use the IA system first. Instead of forcing the hand of Division (which is the root cause of the failure of the logistics system) to do the correct thing - use the Iraqi supply system - they asked the Americans because it was easier, and the Americans reinforced a bad habit by giving them stuff instead of using Tough Love. It seems the US units care more for the protection of the Iraqi soldiers than the Iraqi Division Commander and staff.
The unintended consequences: I played hardball with my Iraqi Brigade by telling them my US Brigade issued an order that I wasn't allowed to give them stuff anymore, thereby removing my value (to a point). This bluff would have worked, if all the Americans would have stuck to the guidance they issued. The nonverbal messages I get from the Iraqis around my Brigade now is 'well, you can't give me stuff, they can-- what good are you to me?' so they are less inclined to heed our staff advice and our training recommendations. In effect, I have been a victim of fratricide by my own Brigade.
"I have seen the enemy, and it is us." --Walt Kelly
The IA continued with their project, although unsupported by their logistics system. I was able to get them to request logistical support from their Division in the form of a properly filled out logistics request form-- a HUGE feat that took almost 11 months to get a form filled out right. My IA Brigade did what they were supposed to do. True to form, the Division did nothing with it, though, and the request went unfilled. I got an earful of 'I told you so.'
The God did provide though; this time The God took the form of a US Brigade and Battalion who gave them stuff without making the Division use the IA system first. Instead of forcing the hand of Division (which is the root cause of the failure of the logistics system) to do the correct thing - use the Iraqi supply system - they asked the Americans because it was easier, and the Americans reinforced a bad habit by giving them stuff instead of using Tough Love. It seems the US units care more for the protection of the Iraqi soldiers than the Iraqi Division Commander and staff.
The unintended consequences: I played hardball with my Iraqi Brigade by telling them my US Brigade issued an order that I wasn't allowed to give them stuff anymore, thereby removing my value (to a point). This bluff would have worked, if all the Americans would have stuck to the guidance they issued. The nonverbal messages I get from the Iraqis around my Brigade now is 'well, you can't give me stuff, they can-- what good are you to me?' so they are less inclined to heed our staff advice and our training recommendations. In effect, I have been a victim of fratricide by my own Brigade.
"I have seen the enemy, and it is us." --Walt Kelly
Friday, September 11, 2009
On September 11 2001, I was in command of B Troop 1-7 CAV at Fort Hood. We were preparing to go to Fort Polk to the Joint Readiness Training Center to serve as the heavy unit augmentation for the 327th Infantry of the 101st Airborne. We were in the midst of prepping all of our vehicles and equipment. We had an entire Troop's worth of equipment and everything it would need to live on for 30 days, because we knew the light infantry guys wouldn't be able to figure out logistics. We had everything but fuel and ammo. It was about 8:30; I was in the chow hall getting breakfast after PT, and I think I was there when the 2d plane hit. It was all over the news. Pandemonium quickly ensued on post, and we were told we were an option. I think in hindsight, everybody thought they were 'an option.' Our rotation was cancelled because of a supposed other option for us. We were naive. We never went. The rest of my command until July 2003 was a roller coaster of rumors, 'prep to go' orders and 'stand by' orders. Units that did go flew over the New York City site on their way to Afghanistan- A visual image burned in their minds to remind them of what they were called to do.
The era of 'persistent conflict' continues today. We have done some things right, and some of the things we did weren't so right. I don't feel bad for Khalid Sheik Mohammed and others like him who are in GITMO. I know it's wrong to say this, but I really hate him for what he and others like him did, and I think I'd kill him if I had the chance. Extremist Islam is a mental sickness and is what is killing the Middle East; it threatens other parts of the world as well, fueled by poverty, ignorance, and oppression.
The good news is that Al Qaeda hasn't really won. Osama's Grand Caliphate has not come to fruition. For the vast majority of Americans, our way of life hasn't been that disrupted in the grand scheme of things. Al Qaeda in Iraq is still here, but every day they alienate people away from their cause. Sadly, I think most Americans have forgotten about 9/11, and they have relegated the task of vigilance (and vengeance, in some cases) to a small 1% minority of the Nation who serves in the military, and a slightly larger minority who serve and protect domestically.
I can say I have visited all three sites since the attack. Each one brings different emotions. I've also seen bad people here who subscribe to the same extremist Islamic ways. It is a real threat, but the threat won't be mitigated by killing all of them, nor will it be mitigated in the next 10 or so years. It will likely take a lifetime of changing attitudes.
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