Veterans
Related: About this forumAnyone else being bothered by the war in Ukraine?
Seeing pictures and footage of the war is really messing with my head and reminding me a lot of what I was a part of in Iraq.
For those who dont know me, I served as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Iraq from Feb 2004 - March 2005 and Im totally disabled as a result of my severe PTSD. I never believed in the war on Iraq, but I did my best to both serve the Iraqi people in my sector and to protect my own Soldiers.
Honestly, I dont see much of a difference between what Russia is doing to Ukraine and what we did to Iraq.
I imagine many young Russians were either conscripted into the army or joined for reasons similar to me - I wanted to serve my nation and to better my position in life. And, just like me, their good intentions of service to their nation was taken advantage of by those who were placed in charge over them. Its a shame that the people at the bottom always lose when it comes to wars while those at the top rarely suffer. If anything, those at the top usually benefit. As bush 43 said, war is good for the economy.
I dont want to see Ukraine fall to the Russians, but I completely empathize with what the Soldiers of both sides are dealing with on the ground.
I probably shouldnt admit this, but part of me would jump at the opportunity to join the fight and fight with the Ukrainians. As much as I hated the war and the fighting, nothing beats the feeling of going on a combat patrol. The immediacy of your actions and how simple life becomes is alluring to me. Nothing else matters but your next step. Financial problems and bitchy spouses 1,000 miles away dont cross a persons mind when your trying to figure out where the bullets that wizzed but your head came from.
Anyways, Im just rambling. 2004 and my time in Iraq was nearly 20 years ago. If I could figure out a way to move on and not let it continue to impact me I would. Thanks for listening.
jimfields33
(18,856 posts)Thank you for all you did for our incredibly great country.
Irish_Dem
(57,435 posts)Perhaps you are going to need to limit your viewing of the Ukraine war pics to prevent triggering PTSD episodes/flashbacks. You may need to check in with your therapist and medication providers.
multigraincracker
(34,075 posts)than repressing them. This is a great place to share those feelings.
mitch96
(14,653 posts)The only entity who is gonna win is the military industrial complex... Lots of money to be made here at the cost of many lives and countless tragedies .. The pain continues after the bullets stop flying...
m
orwell
(7,956 posts)...and I am decidedly anti-war. But thank you for your courage and conviction.
I marched against the Iraq war because I didn't buy our reasons for getting involved. I am so disturbed by the Ukraine war I can barely function.
I do believe I would have fought in WWII as this was a war against a madman who was striving for world domination and committing genocide.
In other words, you can be anti war and anti violence and still believe that there are some things worth fighting and dying for.
Pure evil must be enjoined in battle. The battle can take many forms, not necessarily violent.
But to walk away from needless human or animal suffering diminishes us as a human species.
To put it succinctly, if I knew I could put a cap in this motherfucker and take him out, even though I would die in the process, I would do it in a red hot minute.
(BTW, my 93 year old Italian mama, the kindest most loving person you could ever meet, agrees with me. Don't mess with mama...)
Anon-C
(3,438 posts)...but this tipped me right over, I admit.
MLAA
(18,599 posts)Duncanpup
(13,689 posts)Our son in law is still plagued by memories
roscoeroscoe
(1,605 posts)Hola amigo, I was in Tikrit at that time. Were you through there, or maybe FOB Speicher. Best wishes to you. Where are you at now?
Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)But only in passing, I had to escort a few VIPs once or twice.
Most of my time was spent in and around Bagubah. I slept most nights at FOB Gabe (located on the southeastern side of Baqubah), but routinely worked around FOB Warhorse (northwestern Baqubah. The majority of my battalion was at FOB Normandy (Miqdadiyah).
I was with 2-2 Infantry battalion / 3rd Brigade / 1st Infantry Division
Now, Im long out of the Army and living in Northwest Ohio.