DUers who wear the Combat Infantryman Badge, what's your take?

[11 Bravo]

(And I will admit that even though it provides me with no special wisdom, nor does it imbue my opinion with any additional weight, that rifle atop a little blue ribbon is one of my proudest possesions.) But here's my question. Forget the chickenshit-in-chief's alleged rationale for his surge; he clearly just wants to save his own worthless-ass legacy, and keep his war of choice from spiraling even further out of control.
But if your tender young ass was already in the field, would you want to see more snuffies fed into that meat grinder as back up; or would you just want to hunker down, survive your own little piece of the war, and get the fuck home?

on edit: the CIB reference was apparently a tad obscure

[Quantess]

1. What the heck are you talking about?

Never mind. It's too esoteric.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Combat Infantry Badge, it's an appeal for combat vets n/t

[tblue]

3. I had to look up CIB. I don't have one, so I guess I can't answer that.

[Lerkfish]

4. I'm guessing this is some sort of military medal?

:shrug:
not sure what CIB stands for.

[11 Bravo]

5. I'll edit.

The CIB is the Combat Infantryman Badge. It's awarded to troops who have seen combat. Ask anyone who wears one, "War is Hell, but combat is a mother-fucker".

[NMDemDist2]

6. i K&N for more DUers to see

I'm thinking they go with their units to protect their brethren and I'm thinking they'd lean towards the second choice.

what do you think?

[11 Bravo]

8. It's been over 30 years since my ass was in the grass,

but I swear, I'm afraid my first response would have been to pile on. Of course, I was 19 and invincible, and sadly, the young men and woman being tossed into this morass today probably share my decades old mindset.

[NMDemDist2]

9. true, and mindwashed to boot with the military indoctrination

which is to be expected i suppose.

but that's why we`don't let 19 year olds make policy decisions right? (although I truly wonder if they could have done much worse than the dry drunk nutbag in the WH)

[11 Bravo]

10. Hell, we don't even let 19 year olds drink!

But a weapon, a magazine or two, and carte blanche to grease any brown folks who wander into their sights ... no problem.

[Toots]

7. For the life of me I can't figure why any Vet would like Bush or Cheney

But especially a Combat Vet. For those that don't know a CIB is a medal of sorts worn on the left chest of your uniform above all others even the Medal of Honor. Those that have them appreciate what they represent believe me.

[TahitiNut]

11. (No CIB here - 74Fxx MOS) ... but I don't think I'd want to be baby-sitting newbies.

Viet Nam was bad enough ... at least there were actions that had clear military objectives, even if they didn't make too much sense in thoe larger scheme of things. Iraq is another thing altogether ... it's more for police than military, even if the police unit would be a SWAT unit. I just can't imagine any grunt thinking that anything makes sense over there. They're not fighting a regular military. They're not taking an holding territory. They're driving around with targets on their backs. The military that I knew didn't train for occupation - they trained for combat against an opposing force.

[11 Bravo]

14. Not sure about my memory, but Chem OPS?

Damn, bro, do you glow in the dark?

[TahitiNut]

15. Nawww... 'puters. USARV HQ DSC

Personnel Master File (morning reports), Strength Accountability (personnel location and condition, unit by unit), and Personnel Requisitioning.

... but we swam in and showered with Agent Orange. :puke:

[11 Bravo]

16. Pheeww, I feel better now.

I thought your glow-in-the-dark TN sig line was the result of super-secret chemwar! Glad to hear it was just Agent Orange :sarcasm:.
(Also glad you made it home, bro.)

[SaveAmerica]

17. My grandfather has probably exhumed himself from rolling over

in his grave because of how the 82nd is being used these days (re: it's more for police than military). Do you have any insight, any thoughts that you're hearing from active or retired military about how this can be handled? I think if the military had their choice, they'd come home now. My husband's co-worker came back a month ago and he says the little bit we're hearing about the insurgent infiltration is nothing in comparison to what's going on. I'll leave out the details of a particular example but it was bad. He was disgusted and had no hope for the fairy tale ending Bush dreams of, he said all troops should come home ASAP.
Do you believe they can come home now and do it safely? It's the last time I'll ask, I'm just sick with worry about them and feel the only way out of this is for the Great Delusionator to be out of office.

[TahitiNut]

18. I don't think there's any choice - it's an impossible situation with insane 'objectives'

... that're completely outside of the military's power to achieve. No matter when they get out of Iraq, it's gonna be bad. It'll arguably be worse the longer it takes to get out. Why? Because the various factions of insurgents are learning faster and increasing in strength faster than the Iraqi military ... and the Iraqi military is more likely to split into factions than stay together no matter how long they're 'trained.' It's an impossible situation - one that no sane CinC would responsibly put a military into.

[SaveAmerica]

19. Thanks for your response, I'm just sick with the worry of it all, I think

guys are worried a quick exit will be a replay of Vietnam, but they don't realize that every day they're in country it is making it worse than Vietnam. One of them was in Vietnam and talks about women and children walking up to soldiers and marines all smiles and sweetness then they lean over to reveal a weapon on their back that would fire into whoever was in front of them. This is horrifying to me but could what's going on in Iraq be worse? Is it worse to not know if the Iraqi troops you're training, you're standing side by side with are even on your side or not? At least with the suicidal murdering civilians in Vietnam, you start to understand you can't trust anyone who's not in uniform with you. Our guys don't have the confidence that the people they're training can be trusted. I think that's probably the only thing that could make war worse than it already is - not trusting the people you are fighting with.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

12. I just asked DH & he proceeded to analyze the question to death.

After 5 minutes of dither it came down to this:

Get the fuck home.

(DH-proud CIB wearer who shakes hands with every other CIB wearer happened upon in any public place while his long suffering wife looks on.)

[SaveAmerica]

13. What are you hearing from other people in the military and retirees

about how we can end this war? Does anyone have any idea? Is there anyway to stop the war now and bring everyone home safely or is it safer to do it in phases? When I speak to two people in my life who are democrats, against the war, and retired military (one 11B), they both say they feel that it shouldn't be done quickly, it wouldn't be best for the troops. I think they speak from the frustration of soldiers that never really retire that military part of their being and who feel helpless to sit here and watch what's going on. I used to feel that way, take the time to do it right, let Iraq take back control of their country so our military can come home safely. Now I feel the time to do that is past us and my question to you and anyone else who might know how it can be done: how do we get our guys home fast and safely?

Thanks