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Regarding "Troop migration is in order" (letter, Oct. 9), I, like many others I have spoken with, agree with the letter writer.

I have been in country since June and, due to the way things have changed in Iraq, we basically sit around. We do have little jobs to do, but basically we’re just making everything pretty for when the Iraqi army takes over.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad things are going well enough that Iraqis can take over, but I, just like the letter writer, can’t understand why we’re not following the fight.

A few weeks ago, we were asked if anyone wanted to volunteer for Afghanistan, and quite a few of us signed up. Several days went by and I asked what we needed to do to make this happen, and was pretty amazed at the answer. I was told I would have to wait until April when we redeploy to the States, outprocess, then redeploy with another unit that was going there.

I may be only an E-4, but this makes no sense, and I wish someone could explain it. I am already here, basically with my hands tied as far as what I can do.

I already have my shots, paperwork, gear and everything set up at home concerning family. Wouldn’t it make more sense to cut a new set of orders for guys who want to go help and send us there?

I see no sense in this taking another six months.

It really bothers me when I see our brothers needing and asking for help just a few hours away. I say let us do what we have the training and the talent to do. After all, that’s what I signed up to do.

Spc. Jonathon FrielTallil Air Base, Iraq

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