My nephew is in the army rangers and will be shipped to Kuwait at the end of the summer.  He insists that Kuwait is a friendly city and will be safe.  He said that they'll be patrolling the streets which to me sounds incredibly dangerous considering suidide bombers.  Answers from anyone with military experiences or ties to Kuwait would be greatly appreciated.
217030
Kuwait is very safe, don't want to go into too many details, but spending a year in Iraq, and a few weeks in Kuwait, I would rather be in Kuwait, they live a very easy life with very little worry of physical harm.\n\nEdit: Not really sure why they are sending a Ranger unit to Kuwait, but with his experience, and the low level of violence there, he will be fine.
597624
Pancha,\n\nI have never agreed with a word you have said on this website, but I can answer this question for you. Don't listen that ***** enlightenment. That is the dumbest crock of sh*t I have ever heard. MOST vets will tell you that there time in the military was extremely rewarding and taught them many life skills. Everything I have in this world, I owe to the skills the Army taught me. The friends you make will be lifelong, and the bond you share will be unparalleled - especially if you deploy to Iraq with them.\n\nWe in the National Guard have a saying: If you haven't been to Iraq yet, you will be going soon. The figure is close to 75% of all National Guard members nationwide have been to Iraq. I am getting ready to go again in October.\n\nService in Iraq is not ANYTHING like the liberal media would have you believe. It is statistically the safest war the United States has ever deployed anyone to. With over 500,000 military members having gone and around 2400 have died, that means you have a 99.9942% chance of making it back to the United States alive. Pretty damn good odds in this soldiers book.\n\nWe are doing a lot of good things over there that you NEVER hear about.\n\n* The media would have you believe that everyday Iraqis don't want us there. Nothing could be further from the truth. They want us to finish the job and leave when it is done - not sooner.\n* The media would have you believe that Iraq is close to civil war. Again, this is untrue. The violence is merely painted in such a way as to give that illusion. Most Iraqis want peace and the opportunity to succeed - NOT civil war.\n* The media would have you believe there is a deadly "insurgency" in Iraq. By definition, an insurgency is filled with citizens of an occupied nation. Iraq is not occupied, and the "insurgents" are all from other countries. My unit was responsible for transporting prisoners last year and 95% of all detainees captured were from Saudi Arabia or Jordan or Syria or Egypt or Yemen or a host of other countries. Most speak English very well (a tip off right there that they are not Iraqi) and will tell you that most of the "insurgents" are foreign.\n\nDuty in Iraq is not bad, and most find it very rewarding. Many of the Guardsmen from my unit who just returned at the beginning of this year have volunteered to go back in October.\n\nHow soon after your Basic Combat Training (BCT or just Basic) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) might you go? Depends on your unit. If they have not gone to Iraq or not gone in a while, they may be going soon. It is also possible you could get assigned to go with another unit if they need your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS - your job). This is the absolute WORST scenario. You would rather go with people you know, people you trust with your life. So, I guess the answer is you might get tapped to go just weeks after you graduate Basic and AIT or you might never go.\n\nEither way, good luck.\n\nm1a1mikegolf - Actually, you are incorrect. EVERY enlistment is for eight years. If Pancha signs for three years, five years will be done in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve). This means that while she is not actively drilling with the National Guard, she is still subject to recall. But, yes, she can do a three year enlistment and then leave the Guard.
354598
Thats an interesting question.  Haven't heard of any recruited here being killed in Iraq.  Remember one time the widow said he went because it was his only chance for a comfortable retirement.[ was not recruited here]  Have not heard of any others.
362170
First of all I assume you are young, using a term like IP. That is so old school and hardcore private. This way of thinking.... is Ok to a point. Yes, watch your ass at all times and rely on your squad. Yes, there are issues with the IPs..... but try to soak in the fact that most of them are just people trying to get along and make the best of it as they have had to deal with crap all of their lives...... which americans dont.  Soak in the experience..... and be thankful. And by the way, save your pay so when you come back you will be set.... don't blow it since you are there.
161902
It is not at all dangerous outside the cities. Probably more safer.\n\nWe have crime like every country but I think you would find that most people are decent and friendly.\n\nAs a young woman, I feel very safe in this country.
222304
I went through Ranger training 39 years ago after I graduated from Airborne training. It was indeed rough and yes, I made it through the first time. I remember that I would always hold sleep very precious after that! You are taught map reading, land navigation (both day and night), combative techniques like pugil stick training, hand-to-hand combat and bayonet training, airborne and airmobile techniques of operation, small unit patrolling techniques, rope and knot tying, rock climbing (big damn rocks on Mt Yonah!), rappelling, ambush techniques and more patrolling techniques, then we boarded a UH-1 Bus and went to Flordia for more patrolling techniques,small boat ops, stream and swamp navigation, etc. All of this training took place beginning at Ft. Benning, GA, at Camp Rogers and Camp Darby, to Camp Merrill, near Dahlonega, GA, to Camp Rudder, Auxillery Field #7, and then back to Darby. To me it was the most intensive 9 weeks I ever spent in the Army. I don't know if it is all still the same or not. Camp Rudder was referred to as Camp Mother-Rudder and Hurley Hill as Hurl(i.e. throw-up)Hill. You do one hell of a lot of P.T., running and lots of road marches. There is lack of sleep, hunger, exhaustion, stress, and any misery that the Ranger staff and Mother Nature can throw at you. But it's all worth it when you get that Black and Gold Tab (i.e. we called it the "Bumble-Bee") that says "Ranger". To the rest of the military that little arched tab says it all. Be proud of your son for making it through the TOUGHEST course that the Army has to offer and tell him that I said, "Sua Sponte".
448579
Dad was stationed there twice when I was a kid. The folks are retired outside of Columbus, GA now. There isn't a lot to do in the imediate area. But its a nice place to head to the beach from on the weekends. Atlanta is nice if you like big southern city life. If you have been there for schools then you know all about Victory Drive. Girl friend? Yep you really need to stay off VD drive. If you like fishing and outdoors stuff its not a bad place. If you or her are party animals..... go somewhere else. I grew up in the infantry, I can tell you that you don't want to go to Polk, Irwin or Drum. Best places were Italy, <---- best post oconus,  West Point, Fort Ord (when it was open) and Fort Sam Houston, TX <--- best post conus.
413554
I retired after 22 yrs of military duty in the U S Navy.  I was a naval police ( Master - At - Arms ), with the K9 division.  I worked with / assisted Navy SEALs', Army Special Forces, Marine Recons, FBI, NCIS, FDA, DEA, Secret Service, U S Marshalls, U S Customs, various city / county / state / and Federal agencies, both U.S. and over seas, and U S Coast Guard.  I've been on task force teams, in helo's, assault watercraft, raids, line of defense for restricted areas, worked with FEMA on guarded escorts for supplies, pursuit of armed suspects, plenty of excitement for a life time.  Most of this was tied to being a K9 handler / trainer / instructor.  If you like ( no love ) police work and K9s then I guarantee you can have as much action as you want.
329700
my husband went and he cant wait to go back. he is very proud of what he is doing over there...i think part of it is the military brain washed him though. he has a thing about muslims stating there is a very fine line between a muslim and a terroist. And he doesnt trust them. He has killed some and has no nightmares...i know a bunch of people who are glad they went and dont mind going again.
606027
I assume you want to be heading to Iraq?.I worked for Executive Outcomes ( similar company) the money is good..but after 5 years in Sierra leonne..and rwanda..i would not contemplate Iraq at this time..very very dangerous..but hey.lots of guys are doing it..i hope you have experience  in law enforcement/military background...dyncorp..triple canopy custer battles all basically operate the same way..when you arrive tho..you get the shit jo allowing the person ahead of you to move up the ladder...good luck man..you will need it..
514366
I grew up in Spotsylvania Va. 60 miles south of D.C. and I was living in Fredericksburg on 9/11 my Lawyers Husband was in the Pentagon E Ring,  half of his office died that day. My sons teacher's husband also died that day. A great number of people from that area work in the Pentagon. Mary Washington hospital is our local hospital and there were so many injured that our hospital was full too. They poisoned our mail and my neighbor died from anthrax poisoning. We couldn't drive on the streets and all things were closed malls, places to eat, nothing open. We were scared and I will never forget that time, terror is real!
371541
I don't know what you're basing that on.  I have two nephews, and a brother in the military right now.  One of the nephews is the Joe Friday type and has been promoted to crew chief on one of the thunderbird's planes.  The other is almost the opposite he could best be discribed as wild and crazy.  He is a TacP which is a tactical air controller, calls in air strikes to support ground troops.  The P is for paratrooper, he went to the same jump school as the army paratroopers.  Now he is assigned to the 82 airborne, with a Ranger company.  Has made one trip to Iraq and is planning on going back.\n\nThe brother is more like an Alan Alda type from Mash.  He is a Navy corpsman assigned to a Marine unit currently in the Wild West of Iraq.  He carrys weapons and is not shy about using them although corpsmen are discouraged from getting too involved in combat that's not really their job.  He will treat and care for anyone that needs it, Iraqi, terrorist, or Marine, because that's his job.  His current trip to Iraq is his 4th, he sincerely likes the Iraqi people and wants them to have a chance.\n\nTheir are lots of people in the military with lots of reasons for being there.  Although its prefectly human to try to catagorize and sterotype people, you must remember despite what the liberals say, we really are all individuals with our own individual reasons for the things we do.
416711
well when we were in ga it took after they gave you the 24 hour notice and keep calling! But iraq is not far from kuwaitt. The longest stop is when they stop in germany! i say about 15 hours good luck! I know i was up there 3 hours prior and u can also check with the band cause they have to play that is what my husband in the us army band!
472173
oh god if she were a terrorist, she would just google it like the rest of the people on here!\n\nAnyways the biggest and most likely to get stationed at are Camp Pendleton, Lejuine, and Okinawa.  Marines can also be stationed at Army or Navy bases depending on their MOS.  You can't beat the weather in southern CA though!  Oh, he could apply for embassy duty but sometimes they are unaccompanied which means you don't get to go.  There are other bases as well but like I said it really depends on you MOS.
593931
When we get so over-extended that bringing back the draft becomes a real possibility. This war or police action is a mess. I would not want my son ( he is nine) risking for a military venture that is this badly planned. I am not sure If George W.  would go to Iraq. Do they serve Jack Daniels there?
227435
I'm wondering if my brother is okay in Iraq. He got hit with shrapnul a few days ago. He had surgery and they say he will be fine, but I'm still worried. Who knows, something worse could happen.
490756
Where is the support for your "facts"?  My brother has been there and has seen his friends die and has seen the people of Iraq.  He had the citizens come to him and thank him for what he was there too do.  Ask any one who has served and met the REAL people of that country.  They do like what we are doing there.  It is the radicals who are fighting against us that don't want us there.  These are the people who would rule by terror.  Get your "facts" straight and serve in the military yourself before you start criticizing what is goin on.