Post-Service: Would you go back to Afghanistan if you could make a lasting difference in that country?

2015-04-12T16:49:54-04:00

Those of you have deployed to Afghanistan have probably seen farmers growing opium as a cash crop. There's a company called Rumi Spice that is trying to change that by giving them a better deal: it turns out that the spice saffron is perfect for growing in Afghanistan, and it gives the farmers up to six times the income of opium.
Many of their team members are Veterans who have served in Afghanistan.

http://www.splendidtable.org/story/saffron-market-blossoms-for-afghan-farmers-as-alternative-to-growing-poppy
http://www.rumispice.com/meet-the-team/
http://www.rumispice.com/make-a-difference/

Saffron market blossoms for Afghan farmers as alternative to growing poppy

Rumi Spice is a company that sources saffron directly from farmers in Afghanistan. "What we aim to do at Rumi Spice is to help build up that Afghan brand, to make everyone realize that it's a place worth investing in, that the people are worth investing in," says co-founder Kimberly Jung.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 5:21 PM

2015-04-12T17:21:06-04:00

Yes I would. The people aren't bad, they're different from us. America screwed it by not understanding the culture and the realities of their history, which essentially turned it into a lost cause like Vietnam. I don't think it's hopeless, and I think if there were realistic opportunities to assist, not dictate, but assist positive change there, I'd be willing to go. While I'm proud of the things my squad and platoon accomplished, I never felt like the big picture was any closer because COIN requires a complete overhaul in the mindset of SM. Without it, it was never going to work.

Response by SPC Patrick Gearardo made Apr 12 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-04-12T20:00:52-04:00

Saffron is the most expensive spice on the planet. In parts of India, where they grow saffron, it is kept in a locked safe at times.

Me, myself, I would not come here again.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Apr 13 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-04-13T19:50:18-04:00

Yes, I would, but only under certain stipulations. 1.) USFORA ROEs only. 2.) No unconventional working for conventional or vice versa. 3.) No over-eager civilians with too much to prove and not enough to prove it with being in charge of anything. 4.) Hallyburton runs the DFACs, not FLUOR. 5. Beer days for those on extended orders; about every 90 days!

That aside, not much of anything for prerequisites!

Response by SFC Keith Frain made Apr 14 at 2015 6:22 AM

2015-04-14T06:22:04-04:00

Two part answer:
Yes, if it Afghanistan was like it was pre Russian invasion, but more up to date. Yes, if I knew that we (US) were welcomed. Both of course need to have the "safety" clause when looking at returning without belonging to either the military, or a larger source who can provide you safe passage to and from. (Whatever your job, plan, or agenda is.) I was lucky enough to learn to speak, read, and write Dari, and Farsi; so communication would have its advantages as long as I remained in Kabul or Western Afghanistan. Someone else mentioned that the Afghan people aren't all bad... I agree, I made some great acquaintances for the time I lived and worked with them. Lastly, because there really isn't anything left to see, returning would have to be other than leisure. All the gems, minerals, and spices are being harvested by the Chinese, and local Northern tribes; working a lucrative deal, that would pay off, both in safety and monetary value would be hard to find.

Response by COL David S. made Apr 15 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-04-15T11:52:29-04:00

No. I had opportunity to extend my service after a year and said no. I also had several telephone calls wanting me to go back as a contractor. I was offered a lot of money to return, but said no. In my estimation our circumstances there as determined by political expediency will not allow a positive result. We can keep dumping millions of dollars there, but as soon as we turn the country over to the inhabitants the Wahhabi trained militants/Chinese monied graft/Iranian money corruption and their influences will soon destroy any semblance of a national government. The US did no favors to the population by maintaining Karzai in power. He was no more than a mayor of a city and reaped millions in personal graft from our presence. We as a country are not very smart at reconstituting a government after devastation.....Iraq, Tunisia, Syria......I could go on.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 15 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-04-15T11:58:53-04:00

Yes, without a doubt I would. I still keep up with my Dari just for that purpose.

Response by MAJ Derrick Jones made Apr 15 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-04-15T12:39:24-04:00

Under no circumstances would I want to return to Afghanistan.

Response by LCDR Robert Thomas made Apr 15 at 2015 12:59 PM

2015-04-15T12:59:04-04:00

Yes, in a heartbeat.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 15 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-04-15T13:42:05-04:00

Hell yah! When do we go?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-04-15T14:34:55-04:00

Yes, if it was done right. Help the Afghanis do the job, not do it for them. Do it the best way for them, not the way we'd typically do it. Help them create and sustain their country and culture, not a subset of ours. A lot of that is what helps feed the Taliban and other hostile groups. If those are more dependent on foreign fighters and support it gets a lot more difficult logistically and we'd likely get more local support across the board. Follow the example of the Special Forces 'Horse Soldiers' who went into Northern Afghanistan first (good book to read if you haven't) rather than the notion of throwing large numbers of our people at the problem and expecting it to get fixed.

Response by MSG(P) Thomas Finn made Apr 15 at 2015 4:05 PM

2015-04-15T16:05:37-04:00

I think it is important to maintain a force there instead of letting it fall into militia hands. What we are witnessing in Iraq and Yemen is a result of our involvement. On the other hand, many Soldiers have have to many deployments and are not up to the task.

Response by LTC Dave Duffy made Apr 15 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-04-15T16:47:19-04:00

No. If one is that motivated to make a lasting difference there are plenty of opportunities CONUS.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-04-15T16:48:22-04:00

I feel like the point is moot since it wouldn't make a difference in my humble opinion.

Response by SSgt Clifton Hargus made Apr 15 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-04-15T17:28:06-04:00

I'd go back in a heartbeat. I always say that if you're going to send people over, send the ones who are truly willing. I loved flying and being a part of something bigger. Too much political BS has been thrown in the way of the true mission. Too much mainstream media has perverted the view of what really goes on. It's not just collateral damage and dead women and children. It's improved infrastructure, new facilities, friendly faces, and much more. The people over there are nice. They don't all hate us as Americans. We just need to learn that they aren't going to be immediately like us, or ever like us in some cases. But that's okay. Everyone is different. If I could get back in the Marines, I'd deploy once a year every year until I retired just to be back in and make a difference.

Response by SFC Nyla Newville made Apr 15 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-04-15T17:45:32-04:00

Yes I would go back, I still think about it, and sometimes I dream about it. Hell if I could make a difference you bet I'd go back. I have always wanted to help bring their gem mines to spread the wealth to the people who need it.

Response by Cpl Thomas Paul Jr made Apr 15 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-04-15T17:46:13-04:00

In a heartbeat. I still feel like I have unfinished business there.

Response by CPL Charles Gale made Apr 15 at 2015 5:53 PM

2015-04-15T17:53:32-04:00

Yes, with out a doubt.

Response by 1SG Todd Sullivan made Apr 15 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-04-15T17:58:42-04:00

Yes:
With only a couple minor personal caviates... That being said does anyone really think the current government climate in our own country is suitable to making a whole hearted effort again??? And to go as a civilian lots of $$$ but you can't spend it if your dead and the game on the ground is a changing with the draw down.. Just saying.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 6:02 PM

2015-04-15T18:02:16-04:00

As mentioned, if the safety aspect was solid for a non-Soldier group, I would consider it favorably. However, there are many more problems than simply growing one crop vs another. The overall agricultural system in place while I was there in 2012-13 would need to be overhauled and the locals were not very open to change - even when it was shown that a restoration agriculture approach would increase every aspect of their livelihood. The infrastructure necessary to get that product to the market was not in place to support making this a viable option at that either. I'll be back there at the end of this year and let you know if things have changed enough to allow this to occur.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Apr 15 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-04-15T18:39:40-04:00

Why do ya think I've gone back two more times?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 15 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-04-15T19:34:27-04:00

Not until they want change.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 9:20 PM

2015-04-15T21:20:34-04:00

depends on the pay if i can bring a weapon and who im going to be working with and what our support assets look like along with our facilities. damn sure would not do it for less than 100K unless its in a military role and capacity and oh the ROE needs to be back to the good old days when Bush was in Office.

Response by SPC(P) Nathan Stewart made Apr 15 at 2015 10:37 PM

2015-04-15T22:37:18-04:00

Yes!!!!!! When I left we were winning

Response by SGT Ronald Minick made Apr 15 at 2015 11:30 PM

2015-04-15T23:30:35-04:00

Yes.....it is in our Countys best interest in this moment in time!

Response by SSG John Laurin made Apr 16 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-04-16T10:47:41-04:00

Yes i would. The country can only get better if it can grow and take care of themselves

Response by TSgt Liza Kazee made Apr 16 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-04-16T11:13:22-04:00

If this question has been asked after my first time in Afghanistan I would have said yes. At that time I could see that we were making a difference. However, after my second trip I would have to say no. I was injured and my only thoughts were that my four children needed me more than anyone in that country did. I, in know way hate the people there, if anything I feel sad that they are forced to live in such a hostile environment. I would love to think that we made a difference while there, but knowing what I know now and seeing the destruction in the aftermath of our leaving certain locations, they couldn't pay me enough to go back. I left a part of myself in that country, a part that I will never get back. I wouldn't want to go back and leave even more.

Response by SrA Joshua Hagler made Apr 16 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-04-16T21:00:34-04:00

I would certain go back, they are rich in history and culture and they have the potential of being a great country if giving the chance.

Response by SMSgt Gary Calhoun made Apr 21 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-04-21T12:55:57-04:00

Yes, in a second. The people that haven't been corrupted near the main bases are okay; they have just been handed a lousy deal. The Ag Teams made a difference. We might be able to accomplish something if the ROE were reasonable, if FLUOR was banned from the country and if real cultural training (not CBTs) was conducted before departure.

Response by SFC Rodrick Carter made Apr 21 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-04-21T15:27:10-04:00

I was told thats why I was going there the first time I went. Not sure if I would or not. I would really have to think about it and the pay would have to definitely be worth it.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 21 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-04-21T17:50:13-04:00

That's odd, a replied to this and 2 hours ago got an upvote and a response to it. Now that I came to view it, my comment appears to have been hidden, did one of my fellow admins deem it inappropriate? SFC Mark Merino you have the power of the 4 star, do those powers include seeing hidden comments?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 21 at 2015 7:39 PM

2015-04-21T19:39:16-04:00

Nope....To expand a little (just because it came up) in Afghanistan I didn't see a lot of things or people I wanted to work hard to save (even though I did-because I'm stubborn). Post-Service there's nothing to draw me back there, even if I knew for certain my actions would have a lasting impact. I doubt I could know that, Afghanistan has a long ugly history of nearly incessant civil war and Saffron won't stop that any more than poppy, cotton or the lithium the Chinese are digging out of the mountains. Lastly, I wouldn't accept the risk to my family that such an adventure would entail, even if I could be sure it would work, and I had someone or something in the stan to make me care, I doubt I'd care more about it than I do about the family.

Response by SFC Rodrick Carter made Apr 21 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-04-21T20:05:45-04:00

I gave a few thumbs up earlier on a few comments. I'm sure that everyone has their own opinion on the topic whether it be good, bad, or indifferent. Based on your own personal experience concerning Afghanistan, I don't know but from my view point it would be different.