Anybody served in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Discussion
My daughter is a fairkly gutsy A&E/intensive care doctor and is talking seriously about joining the TA to go medic in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have no wories about her coping with army life or the conditions, as she is a tough cookie.
As a Dad, although very proud that she wants to do this, I am obviously a bit concerned about the risks but have reassured myself that the military hospitals are well protected (as well as they can be in a war zone) and that doctors don't get sent out on patrols or direct to treat people during engagements. My understanding is that casualties are brought in to the military field hospitals (like MASH?) stabilised and med-evaced out?
What is the reality?
Cara Van Man said:
I have.
I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
I get the feeling you don't like to talk about it much.I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
If the case, understandable. I have read first-hand account books and it sounds like hell-on-earth.
My brother was in Iraq when it all started, then came back and applied to back out again.
He doesnt mind talking about bits of it, the funny bits, but he wont go into many details on other parts.
Having to fight his way out of an ambush situation into a street with women and children was one he kind of glossed over.......
Depends on what kind of person you are, he has no fear whatsoever, in any situation, ever. I'd imagine you have to be a very together person to be able to be there, survive, and do a good job.
He doesnt mind talking about bits of it, the funny bits, but he wont go into many details on other parts.
Having to fight his way out of an ambush situation into a street with women and children was one he kind of glossed over.......
Depends on what kind of person you are, he has no fear whatsoever, in any situation, ever. I'd imagine you have to be a very together person to be able to be there, survive, and do a good job.
Cara Van Man said:
p.s. mortars and rockets will reach anywhere on a base. They don't discriminate.
What he said. Obviously I haven't been but a friend is a comms guy. I thought comms ah thats just radio and inteligence work sitting in a protected bunker somewhere but hes had friends who have had serious wounds from mortar attacks when they have been taking a leak!. Brown and Boris said:
Cara Van Man said:
I have.
I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
Highs and Lows?I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
Adrenalin.
Camaraderie.
Excitement.
Doing stuff only a miniscule amount of people will ever experience.
Flying over Baghdad seeing the Tigres glisten whilst listening to St Anger by Metallica during GW2.
Lows:
Seeing people step on mines.
Seeing bodies fly back in a Chinook.
Wondering if the next mortar or rocket will hit you whilst standing in the shower with your kevlar helmet on.
Laying in bed wondering if I will see my daughter again.
Cara Van Man said:
Brown and Boris said:
Cara Van Man said:
I have.
I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
Highs and Lows?I've done tours in both.
My brother in law was in the TA and all up for going out to Iraq as he thought it would be a jolly and a bit different.
I talked to him and he changed his mind.
Adrenalin.
Camaraderie.
Excitement.
Doing stuff only a miniscule amount of people will ever experience.
Flying over Baghdad seeing the Tigres glisten whilst listening to St Anger by Metallica during GW2.
Lows:
Seeing people step on mines.
Seeing bodies fly back in a Chinook.
Wondering if the next mortar or rocket will hit you whilst standing in the shower with your kevlar helmet on.
Laying in bed wondering if I will see my daughter again.
ds all of them.A good mate of mine is a Gunner officer, just back from his second trip to Afghanistan. I remember his return from Iraq (a couple of years ago now). We went to the pub, and had a few beers. All the usual war stories were told, and as the beer kept flowing things turned decidedly less "Boy's Own". Obviously I've never experienced it (and nor do I want to, ever), but seeing my intelligent, articulate, level-headed mate well up as he described the total Fear that comes from being mortared in the middle of the night, while you're dossed-down in your nice "safe" base, rather brought home to me the realities of active service.
Put it this way: even years later, when discussing it in flippant terms, he's the only one who doesn't laugh when he says "it's amazing how much of yourself you can cram into a kevlar helmet when you're cowering under your bed waiting for it to stop".
To the OP: fair play to your daughter for wanting to give it a go. I couldn't.
Put it this way: even years later, when discussing it in flippant terms, he's the only one who doesn't laugh when he says "it's amazing how much of yourself you can cram into a kevlar helmet when you're cowering under your bed waiting for it to stop".
To the OP: fair play to your daughter for wanting to give it a go. I couldn't.
Edited by Quaint on Wednesday 26th November 14:35
Quaint said:
A good mate of mine is a Gunner officer, just back from his second trip to Afghanistan. I remember his return from Iraq (a couple of years ago now). We went to the pub, and had a few beers. All the usual war stories were told, and as the beer kept flowing things turned decidedly less "Boy's Own". Obviously I've never experienced it (and nor do I want to, ever), but seeing my intelligent, articulate, level-headed mate well up as he described the total Fear that comes from being mortared in the middle of the night, while you're dossed-down in your nice "safe" base, rather brought home to me the realities of active service.
Put it this way: even years later, when discussing it in flippant terms, he's the only one who doesn't laugh when he says "it's amazing how much of yourself you can cram into a kevlar helmet when you're cowering under your bed waiting for it to stop".
To the OP: fair play to your daughter for wanting to give it a go. I couldn't.
+1Put it this way: even years later, when discussing it in flippant terms, he's the only one who doesn't laugh when he says "it's amazing how much of yourself you can cram into a kevlar helmet when you're cowering under your bed waiting for it to stop".
To the OP: fair play to your daughter for wanting to give it a go. I couldn't.
Edited by Quaint on Wednesday 26th November 14:35
I imagine you have little time to be scared during a full-on battle/fire-fight.
But mortar barrages must be hell. No-one is safe - as anyone will know if they have read the book 'Sniper One', where the poor compound chef gets a round on the mess, having moved from the yard to a "safer" position inside.
I've applied for the RAF as a mechanical technician (got my 2nd interview/aptitude test next week) and the person I had my first interview with said it was a case of 'When' not 'If' of going to Afghanistan/Iraq (after training obviously) I'm still going for it though even though I can't imagine what it would be like out there, muchos respect to people who've served.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff