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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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