deploying to Iraq

[qazplm]

in a few weeks.

Does anyone have any info on the current living conditions in Camp Anaconda?

thanks!

[Postman]

1. Good luck.

Do you know about depleted uranium?

[I Thaumaturgist]

3. Anaconda

I just got back from Qatar where I got to talk to and listen to quite a few people that were in Iraq. Most Army said it wasn't too bad, but then again what are they comparing it to? Is is "It's not bad compared to living in a shoe box in the middle of the road" or "It's not bad compared to Crawford Texas". One thing I can tell you is that it is freaking hot there. It was 117 degrees when I left Qatar. Keep hydrated.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i hear the food sucks, take lots of easy to eat

stuff with you and beg all your friends and family for regular "care packages"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1774135

[proud patriot]

17. I'm sure DUers would pitch in to send Care pakages also

PM me your apo and I'll get pakages off starting in July
for you . :hi:

[cjbuchanan]

4. Best of luck

And I hope you return unharmed.

[PaDUer]

5. I hope and pray

that you come HOME alive, and I hope you or your family has a letter written to * or Rummy about what a clusterfuck they've gotten us in..And, I hope thousands send letters, or phone calls calling for the twins to deploy since they're out of school now thus making this the honorable thing to do since their daddy and gang feel that all young people should be there.

[Mnemosyne]

6. Take good care.

Prayers and thoughts go with you.

# friends children leaving in next couple months.

It sucks.

[soup]

7. No personal info, but did find this blog

archive from October 23, 2003:
http://frontlinevoices.org/archives/005266.html

and some info here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/balad-ab.htm

Best wishes for a safe return, qazplm. Take care of yourself.

[childslibrarian]

8. Good luck.

I hope you can come back home soon.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. God be with you

and watch over you.

[Solly Mack]

10. I don't know too much about Anaconda aside from location (Balad)

Best of luck. Safe return. Keep your dignity and humanity intact.

[never cry wolf]

11. No info, but good luck!

And, thank you for your service, even in a misguided, illegal occupation. You're following orders, is all. I have no doubt that you'd much rather be doing something that actually makes our country stronger or more safe but we bought Iraq.

Hang in there, be safe, know you are appreciated and spread the word, lets get these bush* bastards!

[Joanne98]

12. You'll need care packages

The troops don't like the food. They're eating nuts, dried fruit and tuna. You should get something to protect your tyroid from depleted uranium. There's something people who get radiation treatments take but I can't remember what it is. Ask your doctor. Don't forget to keep in touch with DU. You can give us reports from the front line. :)

[doni_georgia]

13. Wishing you the best

Get friends and family line up to send you regular care packages - that's what most of my friends who are currently there or have been there have said helped them the most. One friend said that peanut butter, baby wipes and losts of cotton socks were what saved him over there.

[mopaul]

14. don't go. lay down your arms & stay here & fight

i'm dead serious

[qazplm]

16. thanks for the links!

and the well wishes. I am hoping to get at least something better than a tent, being an officer may help in that, and being an attorney may help as well.

To the poster above, I respect your position, but I swore an oath and signed a contract. While I do not agree with the war, I accepted that possibility when I sign my commission. Since my job will likely be to defend other soldiers who get into trouble, I think I would be performing an honorable job and one liberals like myself would condone (upholding the constitutional rights of defendants).

I appreciated whomever sent me that second link, it was helpful to hear that even back last fall there was talk about getting 1-2 man trailers, I have seen some of that as well in my own research so that should be more likely...I like a little privacy lol

Thanks again!! And if we get internet access, I can give a brief first hand account of living conditions for everyone.

[Solly Mack]

19. Going to JAG then?

The climate in April 2004 within JAG (in Iraq)...quite widespread, in fact...was.."I can't believe how incredibly stupid ___________" (whatever bit of stupidity is happening that minute)

JAG is being overwhelmed with abuse/torture stories. As well as soldiers who are being mistreated by command.

They are also having to deal with the ignorance of the officers and enlisted who do not know procedure/rights under UCMJ (regarding soldier rights/actionable offenses).

As JAG, your quarters will be a cut above what most will get.

My husband is army. Not JAG. We have a friend who is, in Kuwait, and he "can't wait to get back to California and private practice"..."because of the extreme amount of ignorance I encounter from those who should know better"

again, best of luck!

[newyawker99]

21. Good luck qazplm.....

My thoughts will be with you.

[Just Me]

22. Oh, I just hate to see any more go,...

:cry:

Please, take care.

[NMDemDist2]

23. i'll look forward to your posts, and stay safe

best wishes and prayers go with you.

[catmandu57]

15. Listen: Be very very careful

don't do anymore than absolutely necessary, it's going to be very hot, drink as much water as possible, and use sunscreen. Let us know your contact info when you can, I'm sure we'll all do what we can for you, good luck, rick.

[Mari333]

18. Good luck. I wish you werent going.

My stepson has been there since January, at Abu Ghraib.
Please write to your parents and loved ones as much as possible. This is hell for us.
Please be careful, its 127 degrees there, my stepson said.
Please be kind to the people there.
Please dont go, but if you must, please keep your helmet on and your vest on.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com
http://www.vaiw.org (read this)
http://www.mfso.org

[qanda]

20. My thoughts and prayers are with you

Please don't give out too much info about yourself on this board. Unfortunately, the thought police seem to be monitoring it pretty good these days. Best of luck and stay safe.

[m-jean03]

24. Good luck man

Stay safe and come home soon!

[markses]

25. Keep your head down and good luck

Anaconda (at the Balad airbase) has one of the premiere Army medical facilities in country. I doubt you'll need it.

[number6]

26. Good Luck,.. Stay Safe

Keep Posting if you can.

[leesa]

27. Take care of yourself man but be a decent human being. best wishes.

[Adelante]

28. Bless you

Thank you for your service and please stay well and safe.