A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
Do you think I will die in Iraq?
Wow! What a question to be asked!
Especially while in basic training!
How do I answer this question? That was my first thought after the suddenness of the question. How do I tell him the truth of it all , but not scare him to death as well as not give him a false sense of security? I saw this as a big responsibility.
Before I get into all that I want to give you a bit of a history on the relationship of me and this battle buddy. Lets see, I shall call him Battle Buddy ‘B’.
Battle Buddy ‘B’ is a good looking, physically fit, hot tempered, 19 year old male in basic training at Ft Jackson, SC. He is in 4th platoon, that was my platoon. He is tops on the PT test but has a tendency to sleep when in class. He carries our platoon banner and it always out font. The younger females are quite taken with him and he knows it. He and I didn’t have much interaction because I was older and he wasn’t to interested in talking to me. I saw him as one of those cocky young guys that thought his shit didn’t stink. Other than that, there wasn’t much between us, I can’t remember us ever saying much to each other.
The one time there was any interaction between us, it did not go well. We were in the DEFC in full battle rattle, with our helmets strapped to our vest. We got our plates and went to sit at the table. With the chairs being so close, you had to have you helmet in a certain position so that you could get it under the table, get your chair scooted up far enough that DS did yell at you and allow the person next to you to do the same. Well, he was doing good, but because of how he had his helmet, I couldn’t get my chair scooted in far enough. I said something about it to him and he got all pissed. He grabbed his helmet off his vest and threw it on the floor. From then on, he did his best to NOT sit beside me in the DEFC. Some of the others would allow him to get away with his crap, but I didn’t. Course, I didn’t want to have to deal with him and his temper, (I have seen tempers like that before and they are not good!), so I also tried not to have to sit beside him either. Sound childish, maybe, but some times it is just better to avoid a situation that to confront it.
I have told ya’ll about DS ‘M’ and the day that he told my platoon that I had seen more combat as a civilian than they would see in their time in the Army. It was as we were walking into our bay area from that class that Battle Buddy ‘B’ stopped in the doorway, blocking my entrance. I was hurting this day and really was not in the mood for a confrontation. But as quickly as he stopped he turned to me and asked, “Do you think I will die in Iraq?”
The suddenness of this question and from whom it was coming from, startled me quite a bit. This is one of the few times that I can remember that I stammered for an answer. I was not sure what to say to him. With the heaviness of the comments from DS ‘M’ a few moments before, I knew that I had to be careful with my answer. This was not a question that he would ask the DS. But I was accessible.
How many times had I talked with young soldiers while in Iraq about some of the things I had been through? How many times have I answered questions about how dangerous was it is in Iraq for not only civilians, but for soldiers? How many times had I talked about all this with my own son? How many times did I answer questions from other battle buddies since I started basic training? But never had I been asked such a direct question as this.
I could see in his eyes that he was not messing with me. He really wanted to know what I thought.
I looked at him and told him that is was always a possibility. But if he paid attention to what the DS were trying to teach us he would have a better chance of surviving. “Pay attention to detail and trust your instincts.”, I told him. He didn’t say any thing, just gave me this look. I told him, “If there is one piece of advice that I would give anyone going into a combat zone, is to trust your instincts. All the training in the world will not help you if you don’t trust that little voice in the back of your head.” also told him that he could as easily be killed right here in the states, driving down the road.
He said thank you and walked away. We never spoke again. But for the days I was there after that, when ever the DS would mention something about Iraq, he would look at me from across the bay with a questioning look. The look would ask if I agreed with what they were saying or not. I would give him a little nod if I agreed and he would give me a nod back, as if to say thanks.
I am not sure that what I said to him will stuck in his memory. I am not sure if it will be there if he ends up in Iraq. I can only hope that it will. I can only hope that in some way, it will help him stay alive.
(8) Readers Comments
Leave a Reply
![[UPDATE] The “Face” of Military Dating Scams – The Wall of Shame](http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/themes/LondonLive/thumb.php?src=http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2.jpg&w=53&h=41&zc=1&q=100)
555FAA71-9003-E525-37025352646A88C8
I am posting this in case someone by the name of susan just goes to th
Tracy
Sounds like Battle Buddy B started to smarten up there at the end. He went to someone he trusted to give him a straight answer and continued to trust you and showed you that in his own way.
I’m sure what you said made a big impression and it may one day save his life or the life of one of his brothers (or sisters) in arms.
sealpatriot
Wow, sometimes I would want to ask the friends of mine who have been to Iraq this question. I just never got the courage to ask it! Do you think I will die in Iraq(of course, the premise being that I would end up in Diyala, Anbar, or Baghdad)? That is really something to think about. Especially if you are joining the service.
White Rose
Seal Patriot,
In some way his question is a question that should be asked , but let me give you a better question to ask yourself.
Am I willing to die in Iraq?
But then, in my thinking, you have to understand that serving in the military is more than just Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on Terror. It is being willing to die for your country and for what you believe in. To stand up for what you believe to be right when few other will. But also understand this, these may be the reasons that you join the military, but when in the heat of battle, you are fighting for the guy standing next to you.
Do you know what the Army values are?
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Courage
Use these as your guide in deciding if you really want to join the military. Following these value will not lead you wrong.
I wish you the best of luck. I know you have been thinking about joining the military. If ever you want to ask me a question outside of this blog, feel free to email me. I will answer your questions as best I can.
sealpatriot
Thanks White Rose, I’ll take that into consideration. I wonder how a medical record will affect me if I try out for Special Forces? Help my out please, Cindy. Will having a broken bone in my medical record prove I can’t be a Navy Seal? Thanks!
Terri
Cindy you gave that young man the best answer that anyone could have given him. Unfortunately that’s a question that none of us know. But as you asked Ryan, the more important question for a recruit to ask themselves is if they’re willing to die for their country. I asked myself that same type of question when I became a police officer and it’s one that anyone taking on that type of just should and must ask themself before doing so, because when it comes down to it, in the heat of the battle, you don’t have the chance to change your mind.
Terri
That’s also a question that I asked of my son, when he was 17 and wanted me to sign permission for him to join the military. In his instance, he said yes.
White Rose
Many of my battle buddies have had broken bones. As for it stoping you from being in the SF, I don’t see why it would. My son was trying to get into the SF at Ft. Hood. The best thing to do would be to ask a recruiter. There is no harm in asking and while at it ask him all those other questoins that you have wanted to ask but didn’t. If you are afraid that he might not shoot it to you straight, then come bakc and ask the guys here. They will let ya know if you are being fed a line of BS or not.
HeyHeyPaula59
White Rose, this reminds me of a situation our son told me about when he was 17 and at BCT at Ft. Benning. He went in a little overweight, but had lost 65lbs before joining! He had a Battle that was just as you described! He gave our son a fit at the beginning of BCT calling him names because of his excess weight. I have letters expressing our sons “love for this Battle!” As time went on Trav said one day this guy says “Do you think we’ll go to Iraq?” Our son replied “more than likely!” The Battle says “you think we’ll die there?” Trav said he looked at him and said “I’m not going there to die, but if you don’t quit thinking your shit don’t stink and start paying attention, you may want to give it some thought!” Your answer to the young man was outstanding! We ask our son the very same question you did before we signed for him to join at 17 and his answer was yes! At the end of BCT these two young men were buddies and still are today! I don’t believe things just “happen” there’s no doubt in my mind these two young men were made Battles for a reason!