Bonuses Not Enough

[PoofTheNinjaMog]

The Associated Press

BAQOUBA, Iraq -- At a checkpoint on the barren plain east of Baqouba, word of a new U.S. Army plan to pay soldiers up to $10,000 to re-enlist evoked laughter from a few bored-looking troopers.

"Man, they can't pay me enough to stay here," said a 23-year-old specialist from the Army's 4th Infantry Division as he manned the checkpoint with Iraqi police outside this city 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

His comments reflect a sentiment not uncommon among the nearly two dozen soldiers in Iraq who have spoken with The Associated Press since the Army announced the increased re-enlistment bonuses for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait on Monday. Other soldiers at home were divided about the offer.

The soldiers in Iraq who spoke about the bonuses were serving in a range of assignments, from training the new Iraqi army at a base east of Baqouba to patrolling some of the most dangerous roads in the country, like those leading north from Baghdad.

Some cited the monotonous routine of a lonely life spent thousands of miles from loved ones. Others offered simpler reasons -- such as the fear of an early death.

***

Is there any more proof than this that we need to get our troop out of Iraq?!

Your thoughts:

[trogdor]

1. It's proof our boys ain't happy.

It's what they aren't happy ABOUT that proves we didn't need to go there.

[Sir_Shrek]

2. I work with a lot of ex-military...

I'm talking Colonels, Maj. Generals, a Green Beret, a ret. Navy Admiral, and a few enlisted...very wide scope. Gulf War, Vietnam War, All have different opinions on Iraq.

But one thing they agree on is this: war sucks, and no one ever wants to be there, even if things are going swimmingly. The 2nd Lt. I knowespecially hates the idea that soldiers have some kind of lust for war and just want to shoot people all day long while hiding, eating, and sleeping in foxholes. They even joke sometimes that you truly aren't a soldier until you've complained about something.

I'm not saying I don't commiserate with these guys and would like to see them home. I just don't understand why everyone thinks it's unusual that these guys have no interest in being there. It seems like an already huge disconnect bewteen military and civilian life has gotten even bigger.

[wingnut]

3. They've obviously never read "Willie and Joe" cartoons

Griping is a soldiers main form of recreation.

[Sir_Shrek]

4. Are you kidding?

One of them has the wall in his office plastered with them!

[wingnut]

6. Sorry

I didn't mean the vets, I meant the people who read way too much into GI griping.

[IrateCitizen]

5. There's a difference between "not wanting to be there"...

... and looking to get out at the first available opportunity.

As someone with military service, I am completely aware of how griping is an ingrained part of the military culture. In fact, if you're an officer the time you start to worry is when the soldiers AREN'T griping anymore.

But I'd categorize this as a bit different. Soldiers are basically saying "fuck this" and looking to separate at their first available opportunity.