Kurds are openly recruiting U.S. ex-military to fight ISIS. Anyone seriously want to go?

Cpl Toby Dodd — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:30:53 -0500

Kurds are openly recruiting U.S. ex-military to fight ISIS

Former members of the United States military are being recruited by the Kurds to join the Peshmerga by signing up via an online application.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 10:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:32:59 -0500

Reminds me of Australia's hunt for US vets a few years ago.

Response by Cpl Shane Cunningham made Nov 16 at 2015 10:33 PM

Cpl Shane Cunningham — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:33:36 -0500

Of course Marines are already there! Haha! I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't be an fun adventure!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 16 at 2015 10:46 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:46:34 -0500

Cpl Toby Dodd I applaud the chutzpah, but I'd be worried about the reaction when they want to come home. Will the FBI be waiting to arrest them?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 16 at 2015 10:56 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:56:25 -0500

I have a lot anyone who would do so. It takes a special person to volunteer to fight outside of the US military for country.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 17 at 2015 12:14 AM

SFC Eric Williams — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:14:21 -0500

Retired really means retired!

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 17 at 2015 12:25 AM

SFC Eric Williams — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:25:19 -0500

What's the pay chart look like?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 1:28 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:28:20 -0500

Looks like their site is down now.

Response by SSG Katherine Likely made Nov 17 at 2015 1:37 AM

SSG Katherine Likely — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:37:38 -0500

if i weren't disabled - i would go.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Nov 17 at 2015 7:26 AM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:26:10 -0500

I think most would want, but the difficulties, language, culture would make it prohibitive. Not to mention US law...

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Nov 17 at 2015 7:53 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:53:15 -0500

Nope.

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Nov 17 at 2015 8:25 AM

Cpl Robert Clark — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:25:11 -0500

I would love to have gone if in 100% health. I have 3 anchors in my right shoulder (dominate side) and just can't seem to get it above 60%.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 8:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:43:06 -0500

im ready

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 8:58 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:58:16 -0500

I know one or two already there... they are on the news too.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Nov 17 at 2015 9:01 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:01:07 -0500

Cpl Toby Dodd I served in the Navy as a submarine hunter. Unless ISIL has a submarine, I would do more harm than good. I do enjoy shooting, and I am pretty good with my pistols, but I do not have infantry training so while it would be an interesting, life altering experience, I would not want the death of anyone else (American volunteer) on my conscience just because of bravado. Now if I had a relevant skill set, then yes.

It is reminiscent of the Lafayette Escadrille in WWI fighting for France before the US got into the war, or the AVG (Flying Tigers) fighting to defend China from the Japanese before the US entered into WWII. SO an all American Insurgency in Syria, fighting against ISIL. Good Luck to those who go.

Response by Cpl Toby Dodd made Nov 17 at 2015 3:53 PM

Cpl Toby Dodd — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:53:34 -0500

This is the information I received from one of the Peshmerga groups I'm talking to:

Peshmerga International Detachment - IDET
https://www.facebook.com/Peshmerga-International-Detachment-IDET [login to see] 371210/

We are taking applicants to come out in December and January. You can use this Facebook page to message basic info to:

Branch of military, Dates served, Age, MOS. Looking for combat arms as well as specialty skills like mechanics. Please attach discharge documents and any relevant certifications. See requirements below:

Effective communication in the English language.
Former Active Duty Military with at least 3 years service and an honorable discharge (operational tours a benefit but not essential).
A willingness and capability to be trained in basic mix of coalition infantry tactics.
A basic military fitness level, with no existing medical conditions requiring prescribed drug dependency.
An offer of commitment for at least 12 weeks (with a 4 week probationary period)
Capability to self-fund transport to operational theater and preparations for an exit strategy.
Finance your own kit and equipment (we provide firearm, ammo, housing, food)
We must exclude any individual that has criminal convictions for the following offenses:

Offenses of a sexual nature.
Convictions for class A substances.
Convictions for theft or robbery

Peshmerga International Detachment - IDET

Peshmerga International Detachment - IDET. 1,550 likes · 230 talking about this. IDET (International Detachment) is a volunteer unit of western veterans...

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Nov 17 at 2015 4:16 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:16:29 -0500

The thought is tempting, but am getting up in years. Am going to have to pass. Unless you have a burning desire to kill people, there really isn't much point in going over there. Remember that you are there helping Muslims kill other Muslims. You stick out like a sore thumb over there. Here's a nice statistic. 1:7 of our troops killed in Afghanistan were killed by the guys we are there helping. The enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend. Kurds come with their own set of baggage.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 17 at 2015 4:26 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:26:35 -0500

More power to them, I am only interested if I can return to the field of battle with Marines to my right, Marines to my left, Marines overhead and Marines guarding my rear. I wouldn't mind putting rounds down range again but I want the ability to call arty and CAS when the need arises.

Response by Cpl Toby Dodd made Nov 17 at 2015 5:34 PM

Cpl Toby Dodd — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 17:34:01 -0500

Scratch that:

Due to the influx of messages from veterans wishing to join we have stopped taking applicants to come volunteer. We have filled all open slots available. If you are still interested in 3-4 months be looking for another post about spots available. Thank you for your interest in IDET.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 17 at 2015 5:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 17:38:25 -0500

One of the only things we did right in Iraq and that region is to support the Kurds. However, I do remember a DoS spokesperson who said the Kurds retaking a city was of no strategic value to us. Dumbasses!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Nov 17 at 2015 6:25 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 18:25:14 -0500

I would if I my body would let me, I am war damaged and 60 years old and in always pain, so the opportunity to travel the Glory Road one more time, is a lot better then my prognosis. Facing facts I will only get worse.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 8:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 20:31:57 -0500

I have had a lot of serious thoughts about joining up with the peshmerga.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Nov 18 at 2015 5:09 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:09:51 -0500

Isn't the US government stripping citizenship from those that try to join ISIS but are rejected? If they are not, they SHOULD!
Thanks,
Rick

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Nov 18 at 2015 5:14 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:14:50 -0500

Hey Toby,
Biceps are lookin' good, looks like lats and delts are OK too but I am worried about your triceps. I am a heavy weight lifter as well and have to really force myself to include triceps in my upper body routine but I do it. Might be the angle of the photo too but I thought it worth mentioning.
Lookin' Good Man,
Thanks,
Rick

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 5:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:35:47 -0500

I've been checking these guys out. Going to train Iraqi Christians to protect themselves from ISIS.
http://www.sonsoflibertyinternational.com/

Home - Sons of Liberty International

Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) is the first security contracting firm run as a non-profit. SOLI provides free security consulting and training services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorist and insurgent groups. The dedicated staff, volunteers, and funders of SOLI believe that all people have the right to self-defense and liberty regardless of their financial circumstances, and they strive to...

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Nov 18 at 2015 6:03 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:03:52 -0500

I'm as patriotic as the next guy but I think the responsibility for combating ISIS lies with Obama. 13 "surgical strikes" a day is not going to cut it. He needs to act like a Commander-in-Chief or GET OUT!
Thanks,
Rick

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Nov 18 at 2015 9:37 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:37:09 -0500

Good advice...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 18 at 2015 9:37 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:37:35 -0500

Oh boy...

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 19 at 2015 10:21 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:21:50 -0500

More than once, I have considered it but then I think about my age and daughter, and talk myself out of it again. I looked in to the Lions of Rojava, and actually think we United States...or the American people as the our current government is just does not care...should aid in forming something like the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War. Allows the United States and other nations to have a level of deniability, while allowing a strong organized counter balance to ISIS/ISIL/Daesh/Murdering child rapist.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 11:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:25:01 -0500

PO2 William Allen Crowder CPT Pedro Meza Capt Jeff S. PO3 Steven Sherrill SSG Katherine Likely Knowledge is a powerful tool. Think of what you can do instead of what your limitations are in all things.

Response by SGT William Howell made Nov 19 at 2015 3:45 PM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:45:32 -0500

So I did a little gig with some Brit buddies a few years back in Mozambique. The money was good and you got to hunt pirates. Who the hell gets to say that in this day and age? The problem was it was not a sanctioned US mission. I had to travel to South Africa and cross the boarder to take the job. There was no support from anybody. We lived off the locals in a compound. We moved on a regular basis so somebody did not target us in the middle of the night. To go along with all that, I am not sure how they vetted people, but half the guys I worked with were worse than any pirate. 6 months and I was out.

I am sure that the Kurds are not paying well and they have zero support. Being with a bunch of guys that you have no clue as to their training, no ROEs and if you fuck up you are sent to a Iraqi prison. That does not sit well. I'll wait that one out.

Response by PO2 Lester Sullivan made Nov 19 at 2015 4:41 PM

PO2 Lester Sullivan — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:41:00 -0500

Where at? Tired of waiting for them to come here;)

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 19 at 2015 9:50 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 21:50:46 -0500

This is pretty crazy to think about. But it makes sense why they would be recruiting these folks.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Nov 20 at 2015 11:35 AM

CW3 Jim Norris — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 11:35:25 -0500

If you can use a fat old man who can still shoot the eyes out of a coyote at 300 yards, yep. Have to bring my horse, I can't walk very far any more.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 20 at 2015 1:40 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:40:09 -0500

No, let them recruit their own, and fight their own battles we need to stay out of it.

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 20 at 2015 2:18 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:18:34 -0500

They can't afford my rates. lol

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 1:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 13:36:39 -0500

In a sec if I wasn't grey and damaged goods. I'll just have to dig-in here and wait.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 11:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:45:10 -0500

If Bruce Wayne was funding me I'd say hell yes. Let's face it, not many people are going to go over there and not get paid. It would take a lot of money. I know some people have already gone over there. Are they risking their lives for free????