Would you volunteer to go to Iraq? In combat or supporting role?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:34:44 -0400

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 9:54 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:54:31 -0400

ME ME ME PICK ME!! GET ME OUT OF DC!!!!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 10:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 10:24:16 -0400

At this stage in my career, I'd volunteer for both since I've haven't been. I would love to compare it to Afghanistan

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 10:27 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 10:27:44 -0400

As a linguist....sign me up!

Seriously though, is that a possibility?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 28 at 2014 11:19 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 11:19:12 -0400

With bells on!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 2:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 14:48:06 -0400

I would pretty much would let it burn. When I was younger I thought we could effect change in a society if we persevered but I was wrong. The core of the issue is that Iraq faces something that we can't comprehend. We will never be able to stabilize that area without militarizing it, as we did in WWII. For this I would not volunteer to go back. I would go if I was ordered and perform my duties to the utmost of my abilities but I have seen too much sacrifice be discarded by those who were unappreciative. I am blaming the resolve, or the lack there of, of the people of Iraq and their government. They would be better served if they called upon their own to fight and raise up an Army of patriots before a foreign force or an Army of religious zealots decides their future.

The Kurds, who are very patriotic, stood up to a much larger force when they sought Independence from Saddam. They lost over 300,000 of their own and endured chemical attacks on civilians. With all the peril and adversity they faced they stood there and courageously defended their land. The peshmerga are far greater men than the Iraqi army has. This is why they are the only stable area in Iraq.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 10:56 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 22:56:35 -0400

I would go... though now I probably only qualify as a USO groupie.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 28 at 2014 11:05 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:05:12 -0400

I did 2 trips doing donuts off the southern Iraqi Coast, Desert Storm and Desert Strike. I'll pass I'm Good. Been there done that wasn't that entertaining either time.

Response by SGT Kevin Adams made Jun 28 at 2014 11:47 PM

SGT Kevin Adams — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:47:23 -0400

I would go back

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 28 at 2014 11:59 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:59:40 -0400

Where do I sign up. I may be old but I can still squeeze a trigger and hit a target, moving or stationary.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 12:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 00:10:34 -0400

Sure. Can I take Jim Gant with me?

Response by SPC Francis Heaney made Jun 29 at 2014 1:17 AM

SPC Francis Heaney — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 01:17:54 -0400

Combat

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 3:30 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 03:30:19 -0400

I thought signing the enlistment papers was my volunteering to go?

Response by SSG William Sutter made Jun 29 at 2014 4:32 AM

SSG William Sutter — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 04:32:06 -0400

Yes, I would. Combat it combat no matter where you go. In the military, that is our job. I would go.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 4:53 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 04:53:30 -0400

Volunteered in 2005 for an Armor BN Military Transition Team (MiTT). Not making that mistake again after seeing our blood, sweat and tears potentially for not.

Response by Sgt Justin Thompson made Jun 29 at 2014 8:17 AM

Sgt Justin Thompson — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 08:17:41 -0400

Absolutely, If we kick it off again I would raise my hand. It's a major mistake if we do but if Marines are there I'd fight with my brothers again.

Response by SSG Angela Valtierra made Jun 29 at 2014 11:08 AM

SSG Angela Valtierra — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 11:08:17 -0400

Yes I would go anytime any place

Response by SSG Jeremy Siebenaller made Jun 29 at 2014 11:27 AM

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 11:27:28 -0400

Hell no! My family is MUCH more important to me than ANY one of their lives! I've spent long enough protecting Halliburton Oil and Bush's Political agenda! I didn't forget anything over there and I lost a couple REAL good friends. I have no need to put my feet on their soil again a day of my life. For those that WOULD volunteer...why?! Did you forget something of worldly possessions?! Do you or are you saying yes because you think that you have some sort of patriotic duties in Iraq?! Iraqis have been fighting other countries and amungst themselves since the beginning of time! Nothing we do will ever have any affect on that! This is just my $.02. Ya'll do what you do. Just know that I will be here stateside with my family and ready/willing to protect OUR country from the tyranny that already exists!

Response by SSG Charles Whitledge made Jun 29 at 2014 12:12 PM

SSG Charles Whitledge — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 12:12:19 -0400

In a heartbeat. Show them we are willing to go back when they stir the pot, they may not try again.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 1:07 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 13:07:23 -0400

I would volunteer. No questions asked.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 4:57 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:57:48 -0400

As a brother in the Fraternal Order of the Yellow Footprints, I would go if fighting alongside my fellow brothers and sisters.

Response by Sgt Scott Benton made Jun 30 at 2014 9:29 AM

Sgt Scott Benton — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:29:34 -0400

NO, I am concerned about the conflict and ISIS however, what will it accomplish? I don't believe we will change or win their minds and hearts.
They are not willing to change, and if they do they would rather we die in their place.
Lets take care of our own problems here.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 30 at 2014 11:48 AM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:48:16 -0400

Absolutely! I have already talked to my daughter and dad about it. I told my estranged wife that if they send troops to Iraq, I want to go as a combat correspondent.

If my wife and I work out our marriage before, then I will think twice about it. I am working toward a degree in journalism with minors in Middle Eastern studies and international politics, so this would be in line with what I am studying.

I do not wish for war and pray a solution to the escalating violence is found, but if we end up going, I want to go.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 30 at 2014 12:47 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:47:44 -0400

Yes, if I were still in the army it is part of being a soldier to serve in foreign countries, but I volunteered for many conflict areas but was sent to Europe every time for support.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 1:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:19:21 -0400

in a heartbeat.

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Jun 30 at 2014 1:21 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:21:04 -0400

I DID SEVERAL YEARS BACK. I was 55 at the time and was still able to pass my physical and do the fitness test. I went over to Iraq in 2006. I was 56 when I started my predeployment training, turned 57 before we went over and turned 58 before we came back in 2007.

If you are referring to now...ABSOLUTELY NOT! Things have changed. The current situation in Iraq is a Middle East problem. We accomplished our original mission as far as I am concerned. The Middle East has been a hot bed of trouble for hundreds of years. The British had influence in parts of the region and India for a long time. They accomplished nothing. The French had some influence but they too left nothing changed. Then came the Soviets. With brute force they tried to tame the area. They too accomplished nothing. We had a mission to get the top terrorist leaders. We have been successful in removing many of them, but again, what did we accomplished. Like the Soviets, as soon as we leave, everything we did gets undone. Iraq is the prime example.

Two days ago leaders in the Middle East said they would not be upset if there was no longer a Iraq. What they want is a new Kurdish state. I say we should back away and let them settle things among themselves. When it is over, we establish diplomatic relationships with the winners and go from there.

Just my opinion.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 30 at 2014 2:10 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:10:27 -0400

I would love to volunteer to go to Iraq...or any place else the Army would like to send me?

Response by SPC Julian Arrequin made Jun 30 at 2014 6:21 PM

SPC Julian Arrequin — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:21:17 -0400

You can count me in. I was never deployed to Iraq, only once to Afghanistan

Response by SSG Lucas Lisitza made Jun 30 at 2014 9:34 PM

SSG Lucas Lisitza — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:34:24 -0400

I would volunteer to go back to Iraq as a soldier (or security contractor).

I was disappointed in our large scale withdrawal and was not surprised to see current events unfold.

The job may not be ours, but our actions partially led to what is currently happening thus we are partially responsible.

Then again, I also disagree with pushing democracy or any form of government onto a people whose culture does not support the system. We could have done better in that regard.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 1:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:13:50 -0400

I would volunteer , but I know they would send active duty units before guard and reserve.

Response by LCpl Rick Ponton made Jul 1 at 2014 3:51 PM

LCpl Rick Ponton — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:51:51 -0400

YES BUT I HAVE MANY OBSTACLES TO OVER COME IAM ABOUT 100 LBS OVERWEIGHT AND IAM MENTALLY CHALLENGED AND DISABLED AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE A CHAPLAIN OR WORK IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT HELPING WITH PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOLOGY

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made Jul 1 at 2014 4:07 PM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:07:55 -0400

we've ALREADY been there ~ done that...
Until the Iraqi people play the role as proactive and not bystander NOTHING substantial LONG TERM can or will be done...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2014 5:14 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:14:48 -0400

Some do have a choice first. Depending on unit structure a number of volunteers is offered Individual Augmentee (IA) billets. If the number is not met by volunteers, the rest are voluntold. I volunteered for Guantanamo Bay detainee provisional guard detail because I was almost certain I'd be voluntold if otherwise

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 4:16 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 16:16:11 -0500

I did so to get out of the TRADOC assignment I had at the time.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Nov 30 at 2014 4:33 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 16:33:42 -0500

Helllll Yeessssssss!

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 30 at 2014 7:40 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:40:35 -0500

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member Yes. Especially if it means one younger Service Members gets to stay home with their family.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 8:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:02:02 -0500

In a HEART BEAT. COMBAT! "ALL THE WAY"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 9:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:15:35 -0500

Put me in, Coach!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 8:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:30:37 -0400

I would volunteer in a heartbeat. It's funny because the problem of today's military is almost opposite of almost a decade ago. It used to be people were too stretched thin and battle weary with all the deployments. Now, people don't have enough of a sense of a mission and are itching to get out there again.