My friend just arrived in Iraq.

[karmaqueen]

I heard from a friend today that as soon as he got to Iraq was given a list of things he needed to purchase. The main thing was body armor, he had to buy his own body armor! They told him that the company had not signed the contract with the government yet so they were on there own. Can this be true? I am so upset, I wonder how much that company is making off our troops. I would like to find out more about this before I write a letter to the editor and call local radio stations. I believe him but I guess I don't want to believe this is really happening. How can anyone say they are supporting our troops yet do this to them. Do any of you know more about this or where I can look. I have found articles about troops buying before they left but none about after they got there. I am just so sad about everything.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. It Just Gets Better And Better.

Pathetic. Sorry for your friend, and I hope they stay safe amidst a civil war caused by this administration and their cohorts.

[onecent]

2. This HAS to be stopped. Why doesn't the world wake

up???? Jesus H. Christ!! Another nightmare.

Prayers for your friend.

[BeHereNow]

3. "I owe my soul to the company store..."

Remember the song "Sixteen Tons?"

My favorite version was done by Ernest Tubb.

Basically, the military, the country and all of us
are now being ruled by fascist multi national corporations.
They own our asses and there is no where to hide.

And yes, there have been several reports over the years
on DU about this very atrocity.

Billions of dollars have simply vanished into the quagmire
while the soldiers rummage through scap heaps trying
to rig protective plating on their transportation vehicles.

Welcome to DU.

BHN

[Karenina]

16. SIXTEEN TONS, Whaddya get?

Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter dontcha call me cuz I cain't go
I owe my soul to the company sto...

Correct me if I am mistaken, but it would seem the OP's friend is a mercenary, being paid EXPONENTIALLY more that the boots on the ground who suffer the same neglect. No further comment.

[mcscajun]

4. It's true...and it gets better. Heaven help him if he buys the wrong

stuff; he won't be allowed to wear it.

And he's go until 10/3/06 to file for reimbursement.
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2119282.php

[soup]

6. According to the article cited,

reimbursement only applies to items "purchased between Sept. 11, 2001, and April 1, 2006, in anticipation of, or during, deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq".

What now?

So hard to accept that this crap is still happening.

May your friend be safe, carolinabeachbum - and somehow, somehow, may they all come home soon.

[bananas]

10. He's not a GI, he's a merc.

He can leave any time he wants.
He can wear whatever armor he wants.

[mcscajun]

13. Then it's no big surprise someone's asking him to buy his own stuff.

:shrug:
I certainly don't want to pay for it.

For the troops, though, it's an outrage.

[soup]

14. hunh?

Is this true? Did I miss something? - (wouldn't surprise me if I did)

Maybe carolinabeachbum will verify this one way or the other.

[bananas]

15. I may have misread that

If so, I apologize to her and her friend.

[MadMaddie]

5. We will pray for your friends safety.....

This is insane.....they are deliberately putting our soldiars lives at risk....

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[w8liftinglady]

7. I have this magnet..among many..on my car

http://www.stampandshout.com/shop/car-magnets/ribbons-not-bullet-proof.php

[sweetheart]

8. He needs pray to his god...

...whomever that is...

and ask in true sincerity, from the real depths of his soul, for a sign
from God in Iraq. It is his karma to go there, and a sign is waiting for
him there. He can't leave until he finds it.

[valerief]

9. It won't stop until the military generals decide a mutiny is in order.

Or coup or whatever you want to call it. They've got the weapons and resources to physically control people. They've got the power.

[karmaqueen]

11. Thank You for the welcome...

DU has helped me through many long nights. Just knowing there are still sane people in the country is comforting. I guess our Uncle Sam had turned in to a perverted, sadistic, greedy relative that we can hardly recognize anymore. I hope and pray that we can somehow end this madness.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. Uncle Sam has been tied up and is being held in the cellar...

the crazy step-nephew is running the show.

God help us.

[Skelington]

17. What's the name of the company that sent him to Iraq, without even

signing the contract? At the end of your thread you mention " how can anyone say they are supporting our troops, yet do this to them". Is your friend military, or private contractor?

I wonder. No actually I don't.

[karmaqueen]

19. He is in the Navy.

Serving with the Marines as a medic. They had the vests there but he had to purchase it on the spot, none were handed out. That is why I am having a hard time believing this.

[aikoaiko]

18. its an old issue sadly. Get him the armor if you can.

Ask him what kind would work best for him. If he doesn't know, then he needs to talk to people there who have already toured Iraq.

If you have the money, great, then get it and send it.

If you don't, try taking up a collection for him from friends and family.