What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?

I can't stop thinking about the soldiers I lost (4) on a convoy enroute to Logar province when my convoy ran over a buried landmine. I can't stop thinking of all the schools we helped build, the roads we helped to improve...I can't stop thinking of the horrendous things that await the women and young girls. Mostly, I can't stop thinking of the Afghan translators that worked with us and their families.

In my original post, I did not mention any personal involvement, but I feel like this thread is the right place. Please stop reading if graphic descriptions will bother you:
I have been thinking about my translator, a lot, the last few days. I have been thinking about how we learned he was one of the dead, after his parents ID him from the description of his clothing. I keep thinking about how I carried his body from the bed of a truck, to the tarp laid out for all who were killed by a homemade clay-more mine strapped to suicide bomber. I remember, when I held him as gently as I could, his brains still fell out of what little was left of his head, onto my boots. I remember, that I did not know it was him, until we received the news his parents had identified him by his clothes; and when I asked what the clothes were, it was at that moment I realized it was him I carried.
I also remember the conversations we had about America, his Emigrating to America, religion, education, etc. I remember how excited he was, to see how great his country would improve, and grow.
And now, I wonder what his parents are thinking about his sacrifice.

It seems like the military leaders are being controlled too much by Politicians who really don't know what they are doing. It is getting too political. If we were going to pull out of Afganistan there should have been a real plan to leave with some military presence kept in service there. It seems evident that the Afgan Military was not trained enough and someone should have known they would not be capable of maintaining the requird service needed to maintain peace, before we left.

I was in Afghanistan between 04-05
They should have used Bagram Air base as a point of departure. The perimeter has been secured
By going to an international airport to make a run for it, you give up your flanks and rear.
It does not surprise me about how things unfolded there. I never believed the Afghan Army would fight there own people, I don't blame them. There government controlled nothing, the warlords of the different regions held the power on what would happen. We have the technology, they had nothing but time

Once again politics ruined people’s lives… This is how Korean, Vietnam and Iraq war vets feel! Let down by our politicians… but it is also our fault for keeping them in office. However, one thing I’ve learned from those that came before us is that we served for the brother/sister next to us and there is nothing that anyone can do to take that from us. So keep your head up and keep serving one another because that is all we really have!

After watching the events in Afghanistan I think about the evacuation of South Vietnam when my Marine Helicopter squadron HMH-462. was sent in to evacuate Vietnam as the North Vietnamese rapidly advanced through the country as the US started a gradual withdrawal I reflect on the cost of American and allied lives. As a nation we need to remember that since the Korean war ,Vietnam and Afghanistan conflicts we will not achieve total victory in any war not since WW 1 AND WW 2 UNLESS WE FIGHT TO WIN, meaning Kick ASS and take names !! If Russia and China arms and supports our enemies they need to be held accountable !!If politicians wont hold those countries accountable then Don't ask our Military to fight with their hands tied and fight a defensive war !!

With the exception of some US-trained ANA Special Opns troops at Asadabad - I never had much faith in the capabilities of the ANA or ANP to stand up to the Taliban once we inevitably departed. You could see it in their eyes - we were just visiting - they had to live there. But - those SO guys in Asadabad (N2KL) - they were very good soldiers - I hope they survived or were evacuated.

I can not say it any better than SFC Michael Hasbun. However, like Vietnam, Korea and similar wars/conflicts; wars of attrition, hit and retreat/return ground taken, or peacekeeping never has, and never will work. Wars are only (relatively) successful, when full occupation is achieved, and a new government put in place. Then, the occupying force remains, until the culture has changed to allow for and put in place a government chosen legally by the people of the country. Still, a viable military force mu also be in place to ensure that government can be sustained.

Upset, I have vented in my stories on RP. Never Forget 1SG Blue Rowe, D Co. 426 CA BN, Upland California.
You can blame and spin saying it was Trump but history will remember you about your ice cream and the fall of Afghanistan.
LTC John Shaw SSG William Jones 1SG (Join to see) MAJ Sheldon Smith CPT Paul Whitmer LT Brad McInnis SFC Michael Hasbun CSM Charles Hayden

http://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/blue-c-rowe/

Deeply upset and like a failure. I deployed right after 9/11, my brother deployed shortly after me. We both lost friends. We both were injured. We both came back with some sort of a sense of accomplishment.

Now...I feel like everything we did was for not. I totally understand how Vietnam veterans feel.

Withdrawal was inevitable, but it should never have happened like this. This makes us look weak and incompetent.

Seeing this and hearing about it is actually making me feel ill. Probably because there's nothing I can do about it.