Comments on: U.S. troop reductions in Iraq likely to slow. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:44:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: thirdparty http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247989 thirdparty Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:09:13 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247989 Does this make you guys want to accelerate troops withdrawal? Our generals think security is tenuous; so, withdraw so it gets worse? Does this make you guys want to accelerate troops withdrawal? Our generals think security is tenuous; so, withdraw so it gets worse?

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247901 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:29:00 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247901 You are right, md. I am the first generation in 4 that has not fought in a war. My great grandfather, my grandfather and my father are all decorated. My gg and my g did what they did in just wars. My father did it in an unjust war and paid a horrible price for it. I will guarantee my son (named after my father) doesn't suffer the same fate. You are right, md. I am the first generation in 4 that has not fought in a war. My great grandfather, my grandfather and my father are all decorated. My gg and my g did what they did in just wars. My father did it in an unjust war and paid a horrible price for it. I will guarantee my son (named after my father) doesn’t suffer the same fate.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247899 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:21:09 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247899 Thanks Saybyen91 Thanks Saybyen91

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247897 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:19:55 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247897 Bottom line if anyone of you have children or know someone who has children who is thinking about enlisting. Just let them know that no matter what they think they're going to be doing or how many contracts they signed. That's not what they're going to be doing at all. It's sad. If they think the college money is worth, best case scenario, insomnia, hearing loss, or even brain injury then more power to them. But they at least need to think twice about it and know the reality of what to expect so they can make an informed decision. Bottom line if anyone of you have children or know someone who has children who is thinking about enlisting. Just let them know that no matter what they think they’re going to be doing or how many contracts they signed. That’s not what they’re going to be doing at all. It’s sad. If they think the college money is worth, best case scenario, insomnia, hearing loss, or even brain injury then more power to them. But they at least need to think twice about it and know the reality of what to expect so they can make an informed decision.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247892 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:13:21 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247892 28. contd So these soldier may sign up to be electronics repair or something of a technical nature. But we dont need guys to repair radios we have AMC contractors to do that, we need gunners and drivers for gun trucks for PSDs, QRFs, and convoy security. So the first and last time they see their job is in their initial entry. It would therefore do them no good to increase in rank and reenlist as electronics repair because they know nothing about the job. Us officers can fake the funk, because we are generalists, but if you're an NCO in a field we look to you to help us make decisions and you dont know anything about it, the Army is going to have issues. 28. contd
So these soldier may sign up to be electronics repair or something of a technical nature. But we dont need guys to repair radios we have AMC contractors to do that, we need gunners and drivers for gun trucks for PSDs, QRFs, and convoy security. So the first and last time they see their job is in their initial entry. It would therefore do them no good to increase in rank and reenlist as electronics repair because they know nothing about the job. Us officers can fake the funk, because we are generalists, but if you’re an NCO in a field we look to you to help us make decisions and you dont know anything about it, the Army is going to have issues.

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247887 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:11:02 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247887 By the way, it is guys like you that make TP free from fake right-wing chickenhawkery. And for that I thank you...a LOT!!! By the way, it is guys like you that make TP free from fake right-wing chickenhawkery. And for that I thank you…a LOT!!!

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247885 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:09:46 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247885 md, thanks for telling it like it is and thanks for your service. You have been misused but most of us still appreciate your sacrifice. md, thanks for telling it like it is and thanks for your service. You have been misused but most of us still appreciate your sacrifice.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247883 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:08:04 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247883 I hope you also put your branch’s logo on your bumper, md. Comment by Sabyen91 — January 30, 2008 @ 12:02 am Cross cannons I cant stand the people who put their whole military record in stickers on the back of their cars, but you have to represent your branch. I hope you also put your branch’s logo on your bumper, md.

Comment by Sabyen91 — January 30, 2008 @ 12:02 am

Cross cannons
I cant stand the people who put their whole military record in stickers on the back of their cars, but you have to represent your branch.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247880 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:05:59 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247880 Here's how the hustle is working just FYI. They are now offering 2 year enlistments. Sounds great right, 2 years get some training, and then I'm out. Maybe I get one deployment. Well that two years is actually 8 years 2 (active duty) plus 6 (IRR). The way the timing works with the 15 month deployments and basic training time not counting on those two years and the stop loss programs the army can get 30 months of deployment out of you on a 24 month contract. So, you might as well call it what it is, 6 months of conscription. Let me tell you some of those are not the greatest soldiers to have in your unit. They feel they have nothing to lose because they've already been screwed into cheating death another time. Here’s how the hustle is working just FYI.
They are now offering 2 year enlistments. Sounds great right, 2 years get some training, and then I’m out. Maybe I get one deployment. Well that two years is actually 8 years 2 (active duty) plus 6 (IRR). The way the timing works with the 15 month deployments and basic training time not counting on those two years and the stop loss programs the army can get 30 months of deployment out of you on a 24 month contract. So, you might as well call it what it is, 6 months of conscription. Let me tell you some of those are not the greatest soldiers to have in your unit. They feel they have nothing to lose because they’ve already been screwed into cheating death another time.

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247877 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:02:17 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247877 I hope you also put your branch's logo on your bumper, md. I hope you also put your branch’s logo on your bumper, md.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247868 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:55:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247868 md, you are a vet? Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 11:47 pm My wife and I are getting ready for our second trips to Iraq here shortly. We're on the 15-12-15 plan. And we are both officers and we both have Obama stickers on our cars. I take the additional step of putting a big blue donkey on the back. Just in case people dont know where I stand in terms of this administration. In Vietnam there was a huge movement that started through the enlisted (conscripted) ranks. It seems there is a movement, not at all of Vietnam proportions or tactics (because it is volunteer and if you signed up after 2001 you knew what you were signing up for), but it seems to be the officers saying we don't agree with the way they want us to do things so we're going to go out and do it our way so we arent in this fn desert for the next 100 years. md, you are a vet?

Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 11:47 pm

My wife and I are getting ready for our second trips to Iraq here shortly. We’re on the 15-12-15 plan.
And we are both officers and we both have Obama stickers on our cars. I take the additional step of putting a big blue donkey on the back. Just in case people dont know where I stand in terms of this administration.
In Vietnam there was a huge movement that started through the enlisted (conscripted) ranks. It seems there is a movement, not at all of Vietnam proportions or tactics (because it is volunteer and if you signed up after 2001 you knew what you were signing up for), but it seems to be the officers saying we don’t agree with the way they want us to do things so we’re going to go out and do it our way so we arent in this fn desert for the next 100 years.

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247859 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:48:45 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247859 Obviously you are...stupid question. What about the officers? Are most of them changing their minds, in your opinion? Obviously you are…stupid question. What about the officers? Are most of them changing their minds, in your opinion?

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247856 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:47:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247856 "Most of the Bush lovers left in the military are usually looked at like they have an abortion on their face when they admit it. Most of us follow the idiom, of not saying anything at all. Not because it’s the nice thing to do but because it would be illegal for us to do otherwise UCMJ Punitive Article 888. Comment by mdbyrne — January 29, 2008 @ 11:39 pm" md, you are a vet? “Most of the Bush lovers left in the military are usually looked at like they have an abortion on their face when they admit it. Most of us follow the idiom, of not saying anything at all. Not because it’s the nice thing to do but because it would be illegal for us to do otherwise UCMJ Punitive Article 888.

Comment by mdbyrne — January 29, 2008 @ 11:39 pm”

md, you are a vet?

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247855 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:46:57 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247855 20,000 havent come out yet. We were up to 175k due to the overlap in RIP/TOA of forces it will go back down to 165k once the RIP/TOA ends and 145k once the surge forces leave. Comment by mdbyrne — January 29, 2008 @ 11:36 pm md, I haven't seen anybody say we will get back down to 145 again. I have just seen 20k. 20,000 havent come out yet. We were up to 175k due to the overlap in RIP/TOA of forces it will go back down to 165k once the RIP/TOA ends and 145k once the surge forces leave.

Comment by mdbyrne — January 29, 2008 @ 11:36 pm

md, I haven’t seen anybody say we will get back down to 145 again. I have just seen 20k.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247846 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:39:42 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247846 5th estate, I was waiting for the end of your post where it said they still loved Bush. It is good to see some people get cause and effect. Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:19 pm Most of the Bush lovers left in the military are usually looked at like they have an abortion on their face when they admit it. Most of us follow the idiom, of not saying anything at all. Not because it's the nice thing to do but because it would be illegal for us to do otherwise UCMJ Punitive Article 888. 5th estate, I was waiting for the end of your post where it said they still loved Bush. It is good to see some people get cause and effect.

Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 10:19 pm

Most of the Bush lovers left in the military are usually looked at like they have an abortion on their face when they admit it. Most of us follow the idiom, of not saying anything at all. Not because it’s the nice thing to do but because it would be illegal for us to do otherwise UCMJ Punitive Article 888.

]]> By: mdbyrne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247844 mdbyrne Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:36:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247844 I have seen a 20 thousand troop withdrawal. I don’t know what this slowing is about. The Bushies said 20,000. And we will still have more troops there than pre-surge. It is just a BS political move. Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 9:51 pm 20,000 havent come out yet. We were up to 175k due to the overlap in RIP/TOA of forces it will go back down to 165k once the RIP/TOA ends and 145k once the surge forces leave. I have seen a 20 thousand troop withdrawal. I don’t know what this slowing is about. The Bushies said 20,000. And we will still have more troops there than pre-surge. It is just a BS political move.

Comment by Sabyen91 — January 29, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

20,000 havent come out yet. We were up to 175k due to the overlap in RIP/TOA of forces it will go back down to 165k once the RIP/TOA ends and 145k once the surge forces leave.

]]> By: Briseadh na Faire http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247838 Briseadh na Faire Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:29:53 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247838 <blockquote> <em> The move results from concerns by U.S. commanders that the reduction in violence “is tenuous and could be reversed.” </em></blockquote> gee....ya think when Sadyr calls off his unilateral cease-fire in a couple of months, there just might be a bit of an up-tick in violence? One more Friedman Unit, coming up.

The move results from concerns by U.S. commanders that the reduction in violence “is tenuous and could be reversed.”

gee….ya think when Sadyr calls off his unilateral cease-fire in a couple of months, there just might be a bit of an up-tick in violence?

One more Friedman Unit, coming up.

]]> By: zuch http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247809 zuch Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:48:34 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247809 #8 Merlin: <i>It seems to me that this would be counterproductive for the rethugs in the November elections. I mean, how would they answer to the obvious stopping, which goes against 60% of the American public’s desire to get our troops out?</i> Even if they <i>do</i> reduce troops, it would only be down to the level that was there <i>before</i> the "surge" at best. And people weren't too happy abut that, <i>status quo ante</i> and all.... That is, as long as people <i>know</i> what they're doing, and the M$M doesn't suck up to the maladministration and spew their propaganda nonstop so that people are snowed as to what's actually happening.... Cheers, #8 Merlin:

It seems to me that this would be counterproductive for the rethugs in the November elections. I mean, how would they answer to the obvious stopping, which goes against 60% of the American public’s desire to get our troops out?

Even if they do reduce troops, it would only be down to the level that was there before the “surge” at best. And people weren’t too happy abut that, status quo ante and all….

That is, as long as people know what they’re doing, and the M$M doesn’t suck up to the maladministration and spew their propaganda nonstop so that people are snowed as to what’s actually happening….

Cheers,

]]> By: zuch http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247793 zuch Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:34:18 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247793 <i>The move results from concerns by U.S. commanders that the reduction in violence “is tenuous and could be reversed.”</i> My. Who coulda thunk it?... Cheers, The move results from concerns by U.S. commanders that the reduction in violence “is tenuous and could be reversed.”

My. Who coulda thunk it?…

Cheers,

]]> By: Sabyen91 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-4247782 Sabyen91 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:19:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/us-troop-reductions-in-iraq-likely-to-slow/#comment-4247782 5th estate, I was waiting for the end of your post where it said they still loved Bush. It is good to see some people get cause and effect. 5th estate, I was waiting for the end of your post where it said they still loved Bush. It is good to see some people get cause and effect.

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