Letters to the Editor for Wednesday, June 8, 2005

European and Mideast editions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: These are the letters that appeared in each edition of Stripes on this publication date. Click here to jump ahead to the Pacific edition letters)

Civilians are not soldiers

In addition to the comments from the writer of “Get civilians out of BDUs” (letter, May 20), I add my own thoughts as a deployable civilian.

Complying with regulations by wearing battle dress uniforms does not diminish the “below standard” stares we get from the military. No way am I trying to be quasi-military or pretending to be a U.S. soldier by putting on BDUs. That right is earned by those who train to protect and defend. Many deployable civilians have prior military service but I’m not one of them. I’m just another Jane (protect me) Public complying with regulations.

At first glance it’s obvious that I’m not a soldier as I wear the hot-weather shirt with cold-weather pants. My couch potato physique, earrings and manicured fingernails are telltale signs, as well.

I struggle for 15 minutes to put on my boots and hard as I try, the bootlaces remain undisciplined. The one-day annual training for civilians is not enough to even dress like a soldier.

Reasons for civilians in BDUs ranged from “less distraction” to “camaraderie” to “honoring the soldiers.” Camaraderie and honor do not come from freshly pressed BDUs. Excuse me, but there is nothing uniform in the way I look in BDUs, which probably contributes more as an amusing distraction. The shaking heads and muffled snickers depict little honor as I trip over my bootlaces. But I am complying with regulations.

My service plate says U.S. civilian even as I work alongside contractors and military. Wearing BDUs, does it matter that I am a civilian to that soldier or to that sniper? The uniform is a simple way to distinguish military from civilians. It should also be as simple to tell apart the protectors from those they protect. After all, civilians are not soldiers.

Jeanette Willoughby
Stuttgart Germany,

Cheers for Edelweiss security

“Security hassle at Edelweiss” (letter, June 1) has finally compelled me to write.

The letter writer complained about the hassle he and his family experienced at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany, and believes he is owed an explanation for “over-the-top security procedures just to get to a hotel that is not even on a military base.”

I, for one, would be extremely grateful that a “rent-a-cop” station is on the job taking security measures rather than just letting you slip on by. You should be thankful they are paying attention. I would not want me or my family staying at any place that will just let anybody come in without checking.

The letter writer should surely understand about security in these times and appreciate that these guys were checking out the glitch to ensure that all was proper so the people staying at Edelweiss could sleep soundly knowing that people are looking out for their safety.

As for the writer’s explanation for the security, I will try to keep this simple:

• 9/11, Twin Towers, not on military base
• Oklahoma City, not on military base
• Shoe bomber on aircraft, not military base or military flight
• Terrorists do not always attack military bases or military targets
• Terrorists think targets with good security is bad
• Terrorists think targets with bad security is good
• You are American, you are a target

To the security people at Edelweiss: Great job! Keep it up! I have not yet stayed at your resort but do plan to after returning from Iraq. I would personally like to shake your hands and buy you a beer as a way to say thanks for being alert and on the job and keeping me and my loved ones safe during our vacation, and I won’t mind a delay or waiting if something does not check out and you investigate.

Sgt. 1st Class James E. Stout
Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq

Chaplain offers his blessings

The downfall of Rome was characterized by a love of ease and a disdain for military service. The masses were given free coliseum entertainment and ample food. They grew fat, lazy and forgot their warrior ethos. Rome’s enemies multiplied beyond its borders and they were eventually crushed.

America, like Rome of old, is at the crossroads. We must win the war on terror or suffer the consequences. Seven days of walking around ground zero at the World Trade Center taught me that hard lesson. Bringing peace and stability to troubled areas of the world where tyranny and human misery characterize daily living is never easy. But then again, most things in life truly worth having take hard work.

To the soldiers of the mighty 10th Mountain as you make your way back home and the 612th Engineer Battalion with whom I am privileged to serve, may God bless you all.

Chaplain Don Zapsic
Camp Liberty, Iraq

U.S. needs border fence?

I disagree with “Understaffed Border Patrol needs the help … but soccer coaches, insurance agents don’t cut it,” (commentary, June 1 print edition). Soccer coaches, insurance agents and pharmaceutical salesmen are serving in the U.S. military in foreign countries against terrorist states. What makes guarding our home front border any different?

In order to correctly secure our borders, first the American people must elect a president that understands foreign policy, a president that has lived 10 years outside the United States, especially in the Middle East. Then, and only then, will he possess the knowledge to govern the world. He will understand that the United States must erect a fence across the southern United States, a fence with land mines between the fences and elevated guard posts erected within sight distance of each other. This fence exists on the Turkish-Syrian border and works, and I suggest President Bush send Vice President Dick Cheney’s Kellogg, Brown & Root up on the Turkish-Syrian border to do a sight visit and assessment.

The fence will be more effective at stopping illegal (Webster’s — “contrary to or in violation of a law: prohibited by law or by official or accepted rule”) immigration than the understaffed Border Patrol, Minuteman Militia or billions in taxpayer money spent on homeland security.

Steve Franks
Baghdad

DFACs hold many events

In reference to “DFACs not for religion” (letter, June 3): Oh please, you can’t be serious.

I have been here since January eating in Dining Facility 1 almost every day. One day I came in the DFAC and could tell immediately that a prayer breakfast was on going. It was being held in one wing of the DFAC.

Just like everyone else, I had the choice to eat in the other wing, grab a “to go” box, or choose another DFAC. I am sure there were several fliers posted around Camp Anaconda identifying the place, time and location of the prayer breakfast.

As far as the workers are concerned, this is not an everyday occurrence. If I am employed by a restaurant with a banquet hall, I will most likely be exposed to several different religious celebrations by different cultural groups. It comes with the territory and in any event I wouldn’t claim to be complaining or “speaking” on their behalf.

DFAC 1 is a wonderful facility and they do a great job feeding the multitudes of soldiers and civilians. I’m not about to complain about a prayer breakfast or any number of the celebrity events that have taken place there while I enjoyed my meal.

Teach tolerance … not intolerance. I’ve served almost 20 years in this Army and it has worked for me.

Sgt. 1st Class Sam Cottrell
Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq

Pacific edition

Women deserve respect

Regarding “Army not social experiment” (letter, May 30): Shame on you, Stars and Stripes.

• Yes, men are required to register for the draft; women are not even “permitted” to register.
• A haircut is not a reality check into a whole new life. A drill sergeant screaming in a person’s face is — an experience to which both men and women are subjected.
• ROTC and Officer Candidate School both teach future officers to lead soldiers into battle. Military academies do not hold the patent on teaching leadership.

If women should not be called soldiers, what is the letter writer’s alternative? Perhaps we should be called barefoot and pregnant.

In an Army composed of 12 percent females, 17,000 of whom are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, I think women are an integral part of our armed forces. At a time when the Army is having a difficult time meeting recruiting goals, this was not the most enterprising moment to introduce the idea that women should not be called soldiers.

I drive trucks, as do the 53 other women and 200 men in my company. The people in my company have driven almost 500,000 miles in four months. The roads in Iraq are the front lines in a war with no rear. For those who believe people with a combat arms military occupational specialty are the only ones fighting this war, how far do you think the ground pounders would get without the beans and bullets men and women — those persnickety people who don’t even rate the title of soldier — like [me] deliver daily?

I think that printing the writer’s letter successfully angered most of the 17,000 female soldiers serving in a combat zone. Yes, this is an Army that we taxpaying women and men are paying for. America is a country built on bloodshed by women and men answering the call to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

Sgt. Breeze Hennes
Forward Operation Base Speicher, Iraq

Earning title of ‘soldier’

“Army not a social experiment,” (letter, May 30) contained inaccurate statements that require clarification.

A number of activities occur when a soldier enters basic training. All soldiers receive uniforms, glasses, immunizations, training and instruction from the drill sergeants. These actions let soldiers know they are entering a new life, not simply a haircut.

Females are not required to meet the same physical standards as male soldiers due to differences in muscular strength. However, many female soldiers can complete the same number of push-ups as their male counterparts. It is not simply a matter of male vs. female; it is a matter of discipline and training, which both male and female soldiers lack.

Military academies produce leaders in all branches of the officer corps. It is not a requirement of any military academy that a male officer serve in a combat branch upon graduation. Both males and females can be trained to serve as leaders in today’s changing battlefield as either combat or combat support officers.

There is no front line in the war on terror in Iraq. The front line may be the main supply route your convoy is traveling on when a bomb hits, or it may be the line you are waiting in at the post exchange when an indirect fire attack occurs. All soldiers in Iraq are in danger, whether their job requires them to kick down doors or drive vehicles.

Finally, the “social problems” that commanders encounter are caused by a lack of education concerning the proper conduct between soldiers. Quarterly training and awareness of the differences between soldiers are keys to ending these issues. When a soldier carries himself or herself with proper military bearing, these problems don’t exist.

A person earns the right to be called a soldier when he or she carries himself or herself with the dignity that the uniform demands.

Staff Sgt. Colleen K. Kelly
Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq

Female soldiers offended

The writer of “Army not a social experiment” (letter, May 30) feels women shouldn’t be called soldiers.

If he feels it isn’t fair that men are registered for the draft and women aren’t, then he should try and change it [and] make females register. I would be first in line to do so. And if he thinks it isn’t fair that women don’t have to cut our hair in basic, he should try and change it. If he has all these problems with the military and women, then why isn’t he doing something about it?

Is it really fair to offend us all, make us feel like we aren’t even worthy enough to be in the military? I am just as worthy as the men I work with. We do the same job, as do all those females who go into combat, who go on convoys that get shot at and hit by improvised explosive devices.

Why shouldn’t we be called soldiers when we do everything the men do? I can’t be in the infantry, but if it were offered to females I would have gone into that in a heartbeat.

The letter writer also said: “Women are not fighting these wars because it is against the law.” Well, why am I here? Why are there women in Iraq and Afghanistan? We obviously are fighting the war.

I’m a little disappointed in Stars and Stripes for printing the letter. I know it’s all about freedom of speech, and I do respect that. But Stripes editors know that many Stripes readers are women. It almost makes me not want to ever read this paper again.

I do not think it is right for someone to actually believe all he wrote, if he knew how hard we really work and how much we do.

Pfc. Kimberly DeLuca
Logistics Support Activity Anaconda, Iraq

Enemy is watching, too

Every day I witness a Luftwaffe of American Forces Network commercials reminding me of the importance of maintaining operational security at all times.

While I fully agree with the importance of watching what we say in the interest of OPSEC, I think it’s rather unfortunate that the higher levels of our government are not following the same philosophy.

This struck me when one such AFN commercial preceded a CNN report informing me in advance of the onset of Operation Lightning in Baghdad. While this is a problem in and of itself — notifying all, the enemy included, where and when the next major offensive is to take place — the report went on to tell me how many soldiers would be involved, and roughly what tactics would be used.

Needless to say, this is not the fault of the media, as they are simply reporting the information they have been given. It is the fault of whichever government official released the information in the first place. One could argue that the American people have the right to know, and the rebuttal to the argument is simple: Yes they do; but they can know later, because for every Army sergeant sitting in Germany watching CNN, there is likely an insurgent leader sitting in Iraq, watching as well. I think it’s far from necessary to allow our enemies detailed advanced notice of our next move.

This is hardly the only instance of such negligence, and unfortunately every time a report is released about an action in Iraq before it happens is another chance for the insurgents to prepare for it – and there’s more than enough information available just on CNN for them to benefit from. If you don’t think so, watch the news. I’m sure it’s what the enemy is doing.

Sgt. Jeff Deutsch
Landstuhl, Germany