I was told today that General James Mattis of the United States Marine Corps quoted his efforts in Iraq and unknowingly described my attitude as a person and soldier. I was a bit flattered. His story...
At the beginning of the drawdown in Iraq, Artillery pieces and Armor Battalions were no longer needed. Therefore, General Mattis withdrew these assets and redirected his troops accordingly. Afterwards he spoke to the people of Iraq saying this. "I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I’ll kill you all." Thank you to the man that honored me so today. This is about more than most could ever understand.
To the person that insulted me and my brethren today by saying: "There is no reason for me to leave this room under the advisory of such a low ranking soldier. I do not take orders from the bottom and very few outrank me. EOD has no place to tell me what is best for me. You guys die all the time, so apparently you do not know what is best." I say this... My brethren have shed there blood to save your "lower ranking" soldiers. I only hope that you can be present on the day that they place the name of techs KIA on a certain wall in Florida. I could also be so fortunate to be there when a mother, or wife, or father, son, or daughter, looks at you and asks why these things happen. I will raise the bullshit flag on you and gladly lose my stripes if you choose to give them anything but the following. Your loved ones death was a result of some stupid individual much like myself that refuses to listen to the advisory of an expert on their field. Like I said. I'll drop to an E1. Hey, sometimes you have to shoot a hostage!
Out!
No comments:
Post a Comment