"Well on the way to becoming soldiers." In five years you could have trained an army of baboons to fight.
The Iraquis have been, are now and will be on the gravey train at a cost of twelve billion american dollars a month. Not to mention over four-thousand of the flower of our youth. These guys and the war profiters want this war to last a hundred years.

The US military has spent over 1/6 of a century making Iraq a total mess.  Why does anyone think they can teach?  Perhaps it comes down to the old saying: those who can't do, teach.

This went from being about what a soldier was quoted saying while receiving a purple heart, to something that angers alot of people. I praise the men and women giving so much of themselves, and I know not of them agree in the reasoning. I stand behind the troops, while not behind the idea.

On their way to becoming  soldiers...That must be where the 100 year deal comes from with McCain. Well, we are only 95 years off in obtaining that goal then. Seriously, I think these statements must be taken into context. They are from a young man, an Army Specialist that is getting a chance to talk to the media and express his thoughts and oppinions. Of course he thinks everything is great, he is just happy to be in the damn hospital. I would much rather hear the comments of the regiment and battalion commanders on the subject.

While I did/do not believe we should have gone into Iraq, we did.   WE ARE THERE.  Look to Afghanistan after we helped defeat the Soviets to see what happens when the US walks away and lets radicals take over.  The previous comments show a complete lack of understanding of military operations, especially when it comes to training foreign armies.  Also, anyone familiar with the military should also realize that these Specialists are going to say more of what they believe to reporters long before some regiment or battalion commander is.

I'd like to know if any of the people making comments have served on active duty. Looks like you all have opinions but until you've taken the few years out of your lives to serve your country maybe you should keep your opinions to your self.

Sounds like VietNam all over again! 1970, 1972, 1973, then April 1975.But, we're not there are we.

comming from someone whose been there & is in those pictures & making those comments all I have to say to those who make ignorent claims to an openion. Take your ass over there then come tell me how you feel.

Well, despite all the information that contradicts what these guys say, I'm convinced that the Iraqis, who have absolutely no reason to support or die for us, only need another five years to field a soccer team.

If only you left liberals could get a clue.  
We set the bar a little high for the Iraqi Army.  Remember what we did to them in 1991?  They had a long way to go.
Understand that the Arab culture doesn't promote the same kind of thought processes that we in the western world have coma to associate with a disciplined professional military.  These guys can fight right now.  We're training them to fight with western style discipline and restraint, with specific objectives that are nationalistic and not tribal in nature.  That's not how their society operates, and we can't be seen to be training a brutal army,  (Remember how the Contra "death squads" were perceived in the mid 1980's) even though a firm hand is required in such a tough place.  I take my hat off to the MITT, BITT and SOF teams that are working hand in hand with our Iraqi counterparts every day.  
And just to establish my bonafides I've worked vic. Fallujah/ ArRamadi in '03 and '04 and Mosul in '06 and '07 and am heading out again for deployment number 5.

This may be off the subject but I'm asking...Why are those soldiers so fat?  Are they sucking on cans of Coke, and Pepsi, all day long?  They look like the couch potato kids we have here in this country.  If they look like that now, how fat will they be in 40 years?  They look pudgy and down-right unhealthy! Forgive me if I'm being too judgemental.

I’m sure like any other war that we (Americans) have fought in, there has been at least a few people that have disagree with the cause of the war.  I’m pretty positive that 63 plus or minus years ago people protested the use of military force in both Europe and Asia during the course of World War II.  Believe it or not, it hasn’t been 100 years just yet, but we still have soldiers in both Europe and Asia….why aren’t you complaining about that?  The course of history and the way that we will live has change for our generation or generations on 9-11, we face destruction if we fail to do anything about it.  These young men have decided to accept the call of duty, to put their country first, to not question, but to do.  If it wasn’t for patriots like these guys and those that have fought for us in the past, you and I wouldn’t have the right to disagree (freedom of speech).  Now, I don’t know what is to come of the future, but for me, I wouldn’t leave fate of my future to appeasement.  Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich on September 30, 1938, and proclaims, “Peace for our time!”  But, we know what happened after that (or do you?).  If you don’t, then take some time to learn history, instead of pushing to repeat it.          

I have been to Iraq twice now and am on my way for a third tour this year.  I have worked with the Iraqi forces.  The problem is not that they don't know what to do, the problem is that they are not receiving the logistical support needed to sustain their efforts.  It was a logistical nightmare to try to get them fuel for their vehicles so they could go out on patrols.  Unless you have been there and worked with them you will never really know what they are up against.  We were embedded with them and the living standard is terrible, yet despite the little money they are paid and numerous obstacles in their path, they still go out on patrols and risk their lives everyday.  The Iraqi unit I worked with were professionals. They cleaned up one of the worst areas in Baghdad and then were sent to another sector to clean it up also.  I am very proud to have worked with them and I still keep in contact with them.

Sorry for all the naysayers...There are several things that make an Army...Proffesionalism and Pride...So far, the Iraqies have only lost wars...Now they are learning how to win with pride!

i served 20 years in the army and 3 of that in Viet Nam.  the servicemen that are over there have no choice but to go.  if they come down on orders to go then they have two choices, go or go to Levenworth.

is this, like, a huge case of propaganda?  the two soldiers' experience of how the iraqi army really works is limited, and the context in which they're asked these questions very likely would affect their answers. i'm not saying they're lying, just that team spirit, the audience, your respected bosses, etc can twist recall and perception. why is john rutherford writing a news item about these two (no doubt patriotic and courageous) individuals' opinions, as though they knew more than anyone else re what the iraqi army is mostly, and when its soldiers will be ready?  this is an editorial disguised as news.

those soldiers are so "fat" most likely because they were unable to exercize... they are receiving purple hearts for INJURIES, not papercuts.

Does everyone forget that we had to stay in Europe for sixty years after the defeat of Nazism?  That didn't invalidate the need to defeat evil.  Letting Hitler or Stalin control the entire european continent was the only other option.  We have troops all over the world to protect our interests.  If you want to criticize those policies, write your congressman and your president.  But these soldiers are volunteers and a simple "thank you" would be appropriate here.  My thanks to the guys and gals in uniform.

my nephew was one that recieved a purple heart.  i am so very proud of the sacrifice that him and these fine soliders have done for this country and for me.  without them where would we be now?  all these negitive comments about our military from people who are too chicken to put their lives on the line for something makes me sick.  i would love to see you over there day in and day out doing what these fine soliders have done.  i know you wouldn't last an hour there.  i have served in the army myself and know that it is no easy thing to do.  i am proud that my nephew and my son are serving in the army. i just wish people could see with their own eyes what they sacrifice and what they have to go through every day over there.  and don't forget, they are fighting for you and your family too.

I am proud of all the military soilders over there and here healing from the war over there. I'm also very proud of my son who is PFC Stephen Riddle. If any of you think it is easy to go oversea and put your life on the line. Please sign up and go, than talk about their weight. I want to thank SPC Gage Skrdla. Please go over there and then lets talk. These young men are over there fighting for all of us. Even the ones who don't appreicate it.  

Men, as an old grunt you are doing a great job. Part of the job has always been training. This a long process and does not happen over night.

It took our own county 10 years to get started, just imaagine if we had the same pressure from the sideliners, we all would be speaking with a British accent!!!!!

history: our soldiers are volunteers and many went gladly to avenge 9/11 and to remove WMD.  whether they beleve in the war or not, they are good soldiers from a rich and proud military tradition. let's say in the future, after the u.s. self-destroys its military and economic power, India invaded and reorganized NAFTA into a nation, Amcamex; then 100 years later china invades and reorganizes it into Mexcam. some texas units of an army led by a french-canadian president would dutifully raze cities in chihuahua or oklahoma, but would balk at leveling san antonio. the Mahdi militia, with very little training or money or logistical support, does an outstanding job of fighting more heavily-armed, trained armies. the problem goes beyond training: many iraqi army units are shite militias-in-disguise commissioned by the govt, and many simply can't find a job anywhere else, and, yes, a lot of them don't have faith in their temp government, or in the occupiers who are the real decision-makers out there.  check your history of the region, it'll all make sense.  by the way, the traditional definition of "liberal" is open-minded, and in the dictionary, "marked by generosity" comes before "lacking moral restraint."  i don't think an open mind is a bad thing, but, then, i get called a jackass a lot by conservatives.

Everyone of the soldiers that is overseas right now VOLUNTEERED!! If we ever want to get out of there then we have to train the Iraqis or we WON'T BE LEAVING!! as someone who has wanted in the military and been interested in the military since I was seven years old I believe in this cause. I THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF THOSE SOLDIERS!! They fight for my freedom, your freedom, and the freedom of other countries who can't experience all the joys and possiblities of life. Everyone has the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" !!

I greatly appreciate our soldiers for they are this country's last hope.  I am saddened, no, sickened by the lack of backbone displayed by my fellow countrymen.  Politics can play no part in deciding between right and wrong.  Indifferent to the plight of others, this current democratic generation would have certainly left Hitler to annihilate the Jews.  There can be no doubt our greatest days are well behind us.  When the fight finally does make it to these shores, those citizens will be easily identifiable as those running the other way.  

you men did your job and were all glad your alive and well . thank you.  

I stand behind the men and the women of the armed forces.  It is a sad situation.  My own son wanted to enlist, but he did not pass the physical.  He was totally devastated and very depressed, but now he has a good job serving others.  I would have been scared for his safety, but I also was ready to let him do what he felt he needed to do.
   There is a piece of the puzzle that seems to missing in all this dialogue. Who are we actually fighting?  Not Iraq, not Afghanistan. We are fighting the true enemy of terror - the Talibans and Osama Bin Laden who needs to be found and held accountable for his horrific deeds. These creatures seem to be using Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, England, Spain, South Africa, Australia, China and many other countries as their training grounds. Let us hope that they do not attack us again as a result of all their training. From the way I see it, until they are defeated, we will not see peace anywhere in the world.  

As a soldier who has deployed twice and seeing what a failure this war has been closehand I'll throw in my own comments.  Yes the Iraqi army is good AT TIMES but overal they are a joke and we have come to not trust them.  In my areas where I have operated at they are more apt to stay in their little outposts and not go out unless forced to by their American counterparts.  We have found more IED's near their checkpoints than anywhere else along the routes we patrol.  Oh don't say the insurgents are targeting them, these IED's never go off on the Iraqi patrols, just the American patrols.  These same Iraqi's can easily walk down a road looking for IED's because they know the insurgents won't set these bombs off on them, The insurgents want American targets.  As for fighting for freedom, how in any way did starting this war help us gain freedom.  Other than giving a foreign battleground for disgruntled Arabs to target Americans this in no way helped America.  We did not help the Iraqi people either.  If toppling a dictator is our criteria for going to war, we are going to be busy for a long time.  Many ground pounders need to tell themselves and those around them that their sacrifice is worthy and we need to stay the course.  What do you expect?  You think anyone wants to admit their time spent in another country was a waste, of course not.  You think they want to admit their buddies deaths were for nothing.  I can make that comment having lost a couple battle buddies myself and know it was in a war for nothing.  So keep telling yourself this war in Iraq is all about freedom.  Let these soldiers tell themselves the same thing so they don't go crazy thinking about what a waste it was being here.  Other than the pay it's not all it's cracked up to be.  

For those who also claimed and clamored the surge is working, THE SURGE IS WORKING!!!  See how when the first surge brigade took off the violence set off.  It wasn't coincidence, the insurgents laid low while things were hot and are now enjoying themselves once again.  These guys aren't stupid as everyone would love to think they are.  Wake up already.

To Roman: Read a history book, we did let Hitler kill the Jews, We turned away Jewish refugees and pooh-poohed all the stories about Hitler. President Kennedys father as British Ambassador was a supporter of Hitler.

I am a Viet Vet and when I enlisted in 1966 I had the advantage of knowing that Vietnam was a civil war and not some esoteric struggle known as the Domino Theory.

Iraq is also at its heart a civil war and the only dog we have in this hunt is dipped in OIL.

9/11 had nothing to do with Iraq, Osama Bin Laden was hired by the Reagan Administration to irritate the Soviets for their similar meddling in Vietnam.

The soldiers in Iraq are not fighting for our freedom, they are there to run out the Clock for one of the most collosal blunders of Foreign Policy and Military/Political policy and execution in our history.

AS for Iran, Americans apprently cannot read a Map, even the most naive perusal of may would reveal that the country with the most to lose if Iran goes nuclear is more than capable of yanking their chain, Russia in case you can't figure it out has more than vested interest in Peace in the region.

The United States biggest vunerability is our precarious economic structure, our Gold Card is about to go into collection and we will only be able to pay it off in Euro's and Yuan if we don't get our head out of our proverbial ***'s.

P.S not many of us came back from 'Nam overweight.

I would like to thank Pfc. Stephen Riddle, Spc. Gage Skrdla and Spc. Joshua Early for their service to our country and the sacrifices and hardships that they and their families have endured and will continue to endure.  There is a phrase “Freedom isn’t Free” and it is true.  The freedom we enjoy and take for granted  was not obtained by  whining, sniveling cowards, it was obtained by men such as you, who have had the courage to stand up and put their lives on the line to preserve that freedom and to fight for the rights of others to have that freedom as well.  

My son was  wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and  has been at Walter Reed since October of 2007.  During my many trips to be with my son during his recovery I have had the opportunity and HONOR of talking with many of our wounded warriors and have overwhelmed with  the strength of character and conviction that this was a war that needed to be fought expressed by them.  

And I for one am totally offended by some of the comments on this blog.  Freedom of speech does not give one the right to be rude or make disparaging remarks to or about the article on these young men who have given so much.   Shame on those of you who have done so.

And shame on you too MSNBC that you would include such comments especially when you say:“All comments must be approved before appearing .......We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.”

I don’t believe that I am the only one who questions your interpretation of “directly related to” or “attacking the comments of others” I don’t find that a lot of those comments fit either of those, and am willing to bet that a lot of other people don’t either.

As an veteran who served during the Gulf War, I'd like to say "god bless" to John of Ft Bragg, and every other servicemember who is risking their life right now defending those who can't defend themselves. Freedom isn't free, and it comes at great cost. Thank you for your commitment to your country and for providing hope to others. So many Americans take their freedom for granted.  He as well as every other member of our armed forces deserve a little respect. To those who choose to sit on their high horse and judge those in uniform, I'd like to say "shame on you".  You'll never understand what it really means to be an American.  

Thank you Spc. Gage Skrdla and Pfc. Stephen Riddle for not only being brave enough to fight for me and my family as well as other Americans - some patriotic and some well just plain idiots, but for also telling the truth about what is going on over there.  All we hear with our liberal news is all the fatalities and money it's costing.  Have we forgotten that Saddam Hussein was a tyrant, who didn't hesitate to kill anyone (including his own son-in-laws, leaving his own children widows) for any reason?  He was exterminated because of our military.  And now Iraq is slowly becoming a democracy. You hear about all the hollywood people who want our military to go to Darfur for what purpose?  Yet, those same people tell us to get out of Iraq as if they had a clue as to what is actually going on over there.  

Then you have people like the first few morons and a few others throughout this posting that are obviously liberals who don't have a clue either.  Obviously, in our society now, people really don't learn from past mistakes.  Those who forget history are likely to repeat history (if they know what that means).  I know that losing 1 American is 1 too many, but does anyone know how many American's were lost in one battle in Normandy?  The answer is 1,465 dead, 5,138 wounded, missing or captured.  And that was just one battle.  I am so grateful that our grandparents/great grandparents were not like these wimpy Americans(?) now who just complain about the money it's costing us.  If they had been like this generation, more than likely we would all be either speaking German or Japanese.  Not only did the ones left behind truly support their men and women overseas, they did without at home.  But this pathetic bunch of losers probably wouldn't know what rationing food even means.  But I bet the same ones complaining were some of the first ones to say lets go and get revenge for 9/11.

I salute and pray for our troops.  And I try to adopt soldiers as often as I can.  I thank them for keeping our soil free from the same or similar fighting that is going on over there.  I truly believe we will be fighting for years to come, whether it is on their soil or ours will be determined by Americans.

During WWII 10% (16M) of Americans were in uniform and fought on several fronts. Today only .005% (1.5M) of Americans constitute the professional volunteer military. Never before have so many been protected by so few. (Not even England in WWII). Those who have never been in the military will never know the tremendous might of our country that keeps them safe. Those who have served know the tremendous restraint that has been exercised in the use of that power. Those who have never served do not realize how much our military men and women have willingly given up to serve the common good of our nation. There is much more to this country than finger nails, booze chugging and hooking up. Much more than a big house, fancy car and the health club. Much more than demanding a large salary and expecting to be treated like it's owed. I've always asked one question to myself when I meet someone; "Would this be someone I would want in my foxhole with me when the enemy is coming?". So far, there are only 1.5M people active in this country out of 300M I would trust. The rest of us who have served know exactly what I mean and would still serve today no matter what our age or physical condition.  

Hats off to Dustin GF and Bob J M.  The rest of you bumper sticker patriots would do well to pay attention, because they're calling it right down the middle.  

My grandfather fought in the trenches in France in WWI, my father and uncle in the Pacific in WWII, their younger brother was an infantryman in Korea, I received a Purple Heart and was decorated for valor in Vietnam, my son returned from his first tour last November, and my grandson is headed for Iraq in August.  I DO reckon that I have a right to say a few words.

Dime store patriots, listen up!  This Iraq war doesn't have a damn thing to do with your freedom, no more than the "freedom and democracy" we were fighting for in Vietnam.  You reverently proclaim "freedom isn't free" while the awful cost of your ignorance continues to kill and maim the finest of our young Americans every day.  The sacrifice being made here is you sacrificing them for your willingness to believe George Bush's lies.

I'll stand at attention and salute Dustin GF (above) from North Dakota.  It takes more courage than you can possibly imagine to confront the horrible truth that everything you and your buddies fought and suffered for was for nothing but a politician's lies; even more to speak up in the face of those who will call you a "wimpy American", or a "pathetic loser".  

Most young veterans must desperately believe that the terrible price they paid MUST HAVE been for something noble and worthwhile.  So you keep feeding them your "support", unwilling to admit that it was your sheep-like support of GWB's fear mongering that got them there in the first place.  It would be a rare bumper sticker patriot that could summon the courage to admit as much.  Yet you have the self righteous “courage” and “patriotism” to place the lives of my son and grandsons on your altar of jingoistic ignorance.  God forgive you.

Veterans for Peace,

"George Bush's Lies"?  Craig, give a listen to the following link and then re-post, if you will, with a little more reality to your rantings.

It has been said, "If you don't listen to the media, you are uninformed.  If you do, you are MIS-informed".

http://www.bercasio.com/movies/dems-wmd-before-iraq.wmv

I hear a lot of BS comments from a lot of ignorant cowards who have never served. Its you privleged little milk babies that make us shake our heads and wonder why we bother. Those who have nothing in their lives they would die for have nothing worth living for. I am an infantryman, combat vetted, and I will put my intelligence, my character and my veracity against any of you mewling little maggots anytime. And no, Im not going to be polite as you liberal little panty waisted oxygen thieves deserve nothing but my scorn. Cower behind your cardboard placards and use the word 'protest' to cover up the word 'coward'.

If it wasnt for our men and women in the armed forces we wouldent have all the freedoms that we have to day. Im proud to say my sons are serving our country one in Iraq in the army and on in the Airforce. our young men and women dont need to hear peaple putting them down they need our support. God bless America and all our troops where ever the may be.

The reason we are in Iraq is because Saddam was so much like my rat terrier, he makes a lot of noise and looks inconsequencal but turn your back on him and he'll bite you in the butt. bin Ladin did. We ignored him too.
If it was so wrong or unjustified, why , oh, why did Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Iran not rescue him from the infidels? Because they wanted rid of him too.
For those so proud of their Viet Nam service (I'm proud of you too), why were we there? My father said it was to fight against communism. He must have been right. Communism has for the most part died since.

I am a 11 year veteran of our armed forces,and Ive been where these guys are,so,I just have one thing to say about it.If you live in AMERICA,then either LOVE AMERICA,or get out of our country.Im sick of people bashing our Leaders,and our Armed Forces.If you dont like it,then shut up,or get out!!!!!!

look we should all thank god that we have young men and women who are willing to fight for our country i have three sons all in the army one is on his fourth tour two in there first its not easy with them over there they miss their familys and we miss them we worry every day and pray they all come back home i wont beleive my sons are over there for nothing ask your self do you want to live like the iraqies do  or do you love the lives you have here you are free and that is because their are people like my sons who gave you that right to all of us  for those of you who think you know what its like to be a soilder then i say leave your home your families every comfort you enjoy go thousands of miles away knowing you might never come back you may see things that will change you forever you then will have the right to complain

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. I AM VERY PROUD OF THESE TWO MEN, THANK YOU FOR THE FREEDOM YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. I AM VERY PROUD OF THESE TWO MEN, THANK YOU FOR THE FREEDOM YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

  To the men and women of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, and to all the men and women in harms way, I would like to say Thank you for what you sacrifice and endure.  
  For them, I would like to say to those that don't agree with what is going on, go ahead and voice your opinons, but keep your slanderous comments to yourself.  "Why are they fat"?  Send a picture of your extremely fit body so we can all make fun of you.  It would be more fitting then making fun of the wounded heros of our nation!  
  I have served in 3 combat deployments, and will, I am sure, serve in more.  You can become an American Servicemember, Support the Troops, or keep your disprespectful mouth shut, but don't piss on the graves of the dead heros or awards of the wounded heros just to get your 2 seconds of fame.
  Remember what you are committed to, while thinking about what Troopers in Iraq, Afganistan, and other places, putting their lives on the line to get their food, mail, a moment of sleep, and ask yourself, what are they committed to?

GENTLEMAN, LET ME THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY.  THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE SO OTHERS CAN HAVE A SMILANCE OF WHAT WE HAVE IN THE U.S.

HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!!!!!

I am not sure if any of the arguments for or against the iraq part of the war on terrorism is really legitament. Nor am I in agreement with those who claim the the reason for Iraq was a sham. Intelligence has always been an odd bedfellow, and since we have begun to rely on satillites and airwaves for our "knowlege" of what is happening around the world, we on have a 50/50% chance of calling it right.

Without eyeball on target you can never bee sure of anything. "Show me", is a better intelligence tool than any machine.

The fact is that we "ARE" in Iraq and have a job to do/finish. I served five years in the RVN and now I am truelly worried. We are about to repeat history because of polotics and mood swings by the media. Remember that we did not loose in Viet Nam, but we quit. We quit because of polotics and media presentations. We won every battle, except the last one, and that was here. I've buried many friends and buddies over the years and I, for one, do not want to see the US quit again.

I watched the media coverage ov the fight to free Iraq from an evil dictator. The one thing I noticed was we never liberated any town or city, we rolled through them. Where were the "civil affairs" units, to provide political assistance in establishing a democratic form of government? Why did the US commanders not stop the looting of government offices and disam the citizens as the moved through?

We lost a lot of documentation because of our lack of reason of knowlege of history. During WW II no allied force moved through an area without setting up a military govenment and positive control. Sixty years later, "We did!" and now we are fighting to keep the same ground we rolled through so rapidly...

Budget cuts and lowering of the national debt in the senentis and eighties was very interesting, if you were in the mititary... Did anyone outside of the armed forces ask how it was accomplished? I suppose not. The easy way was taken. Do not assess the need for a standing military, just get rid of the units and equipment that we have not used for ten years... Bingo, a reduced budget along with an unpublicised inability of our country to fight a two front war.

As far as the weight comments about those two young soldiers, I too gained weight when imobilized in the hospital, but lost much more while convelesing. Let that one go all of you citizens...please!

As far as you armchair stratigests and you "patriots", let it go...

During our own revolution, we had "loyalists" who sat on the sidelines at best and did nothing, that is until it was over and the U.S.of A. was born, then they sat back and enjoyed their new freedoms and control of their new nation.

Please keep in mind that our rights and freedoms were won for everyone in this country, amoung them, the right to vote.  That is how we will change what is going on in this country and the world, but please study history or, "we are destined to repeat it".

Thank you for the bully pupit, anbd remember an old advisary once calleed the US a "Paper Tiger", saddly the PRC proved correct in one respect.

I's ironic of the blogs I read of he one's with opions, which are just like aholes, never put a uniform on nor did time protecting in what we believe, but are sure the first and stand to say something so meaniless. Don't like what you  see the ARmy's hiring, You'll hav to do a little without but the satisfaction you'll receive will last a lifetime.  

The Iraqi Army has by most eyewitness accounts improved by leaps and bounds under American tutelage.  For better or worse, I predict that within the next decade Iraq will become a potent military and political force in the Middle East. Historically Iraq has plenty of experience as a major regional power.  If Iraq rises to power again, it will once again change the dynamics of the Middle East.  It's far too early to say whether in the long run that's a good or bad thing-- Iraq's neighbors are justifiably nervous.

When has a news "producer" ever written an article like this?  What kind of nonsense editorial "journalism" is this?  I guess we now know who's getting funds from the Administration.. no real journalist even touched this with a ten-foot pole, not even a Fox News "journalist".  (Perhaps since they are no longer trusted as "fair and balanced" by even the few Pro-War Bush-loyalists it is better to go with another network.)

I'm proud of the two soldiers, but how does the opinion of two or three low-ranking enlisted men mean anything in regard to the progress the Iraqis have made?  Do they even have Top Secret clearance?  Do they have access to progress reports, time lines, presidential orders, or even Battalion goals?

Temper, temper.  I find it funny to hear all of these non-military people comment on the war.  Continue to exercise the rights given to you by soldiers of the past.  

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