Iraq and Afghanistan. Going back to visit?

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:11:55 -0400

For most past combat zones the Veterans have been able visit their old fighting grounds. Either World War 2 (France, Italy, Germany, etc) The Korean war (mostly South Korea), Heck even Vietnam for our Vietnam vets. What about our current wars? Will we get to walk down the streets of Baghdad? Or go shopping in Kabul? What do you think?

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 7 at 2015 1:12 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:12:42 -0400

I didn't leave anything that I want to get back in the Middle East, so I can't imagine having a reason to go back.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 7 at 2015 1:18 PM

CPT Bob Moore — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:18:24 -0400

I don't think I want to go back. I have gone back to Korea after being over there for a year, but I just don't see the appeal of going back to Iraq.

I would compare it to Vietnam, rather than WWII. There would need to be some significant changes and progress for veterans to go back in large numbers.

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made May 7 at 2015 1:21 PM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:21:05 -0400

I see it extremely unlikely that I ever go back to Baghdad. Unless I end up reenlisting and go back for a government paid vacation. With how things have been for, well, ever....I just don't see that place ever becoming stable enough for proper clearance being issued.

With that said, I would go back if I was given the opportunity.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 7 at 2015 3:25 PM

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:25:32 -0400

SPC Nate Lamphier You wouldn't want to see if or how things changed. I've been deployed there three times. Lost good friends. I'd like to think our work wasnt in vain.

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 7 at 2015 5:43 PM

SFC Charles S. — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:43:45 -0400

I'd go back to join up with the Kurdistan Peshmerga YPG forces. But would never walk in that country unarmed or without backup. It's not safe and will never be safe enough to casually visit like you say. Shopping or any of that tourist crap.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 5:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:50:24 -0400

Unfortunately we pulled out before real change had a chance to root itself. If we had left Japan the story would be much different, but let me check yep Soldiers are still there, Germany, yep still there, Korea yep still there, Kuwait, yep. Where did we pull out soon, yep Vietnam, Iraq, and soon to be Afghanistan.

Maybe it's a coincidence or a fact that when you rapidly pull out of a War the power vacuum creates problems itself.

Baghdad was once a grand tourist destination, it certainly could be again if they had a stable Government, and the sectarian strife ended, but that is just not going to happen with the way their constitution was written and how the Shiites are adamant about retaining control of the Sunni's.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 8 at 2015 8:35 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 08 May 2015 08:35:24 -0400

I can't speak to "get to."

However, I can speak to "won't." Not gonna happen. The only thing that will get me back there is a set of orders.

I will abstain from sharing my full personal opinions on the region, but I will state that other than some interest in the region for its history, there is nothing there that I would find worthy of the cost of a flight.

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Jun 3 at 2015 7:32 PM

SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 19:32:14 -0400

I would love to go back to Afghanistan to do some humanitarian work (dig wells, build hospitals and schools, teach Afghan youth a trade other than war). I never had the chance to see anything other than RC-South and would love to see some of the rest of the country.

Response by SGT Kyle Johnson made May 17 at 2016 6:08 PM

SGT Kyle Johnson — Tue, 17 May 2016 18:08:14 -0400

Kabul was a German hot spot getaway during the 30s and 40s. I stayed in a hotel downtown that had renamed American something or another... but the restaurant was the "Aryan" and the halls were Himmler, Gerbil.. there was Nazi type stuff everywhere.. no swastikas or Mien Kampf laying around... but you knew what it was used for and the type that stayed there once..
I did get to walk around the shopping district and chicken alley, eat at few restaurants.. nothing I would put on my future getaway lists..

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 17 at 2016 6:48 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 17 May 2016 18:48:07 -0400

If/whenever the Middle East cleans itself up, I wouldn't mind going back. I've seen what Iraq could be (a la Kuawait, Qatar, etc which are beautiful) if they got their act together....