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Here in southern Afghanistan, I often ask the soldiers what they think about the things folks are saying about the war back home. The question is usually phrased as a simple, "Does the American public get it?"
How can they? The don’t feel the heat, the fear, the flies. Who can understand what it’s like to know the next step may be your last -- unless you’ve been there? Still, it’s a question often on soldiers’ minds.
First Lt. Christopher Babcock, of New Orleans, gave an answer that I’ve often heard from soldiers over the years.
Babcock is as smart and capable a platoon leader as I’ve ever met. He joined the Army as an enlisted soldier in 1997 and served as a combat medic in his first tour in Baghdad. He went to Officer Candidate School in 2008 and earned a commission.
He said, "I’ve had people come up to me and say ‘I support the troops, I want you out of there.’ Really? What have you done to support the troops? What have you done other than complain? Have you petitioned the halls of Congress? Have you written your representative? Have you asked the president to increase our pay, increase our benefits? That’s supporting the troops. Saying you want the troops out of Afghanistan by talking to no one of influence is wasting your time, and you’re a complainer. And you’re not supporting the troops.
"Do something for us. Call your senator, talk to your senator. Talk to your representative. If you want us to stay here and continue to fight this war on terror, tell your senator, tell your representative. If you don’t want us to fight this war on terror, and want us back home, call your representative, call your senator. Write them a letter. Say, 'I’m in your constituency, I want the soldiers gone.' Vote.
"I want engagement. I want them to do something realistic. I’m a soldier through and through. My opinion of this has waned from caring to disconcern. I care about the men on the left and right. That’s what really matters."
That’s a view echoed by many soldiers I meet. His personal opinions Babcock won’t share, and quite frankly they don’t matter. He’s a soldier, he carries out the orders given to him. His job is to complete his mission, and get his men home alive.
The faded yellow ribbons are nice, but constructive engagement by the citizens of the United States is what makes the men at Combat Outpost Nolen feel that people thousands of miles away haven’t forgotten them.
Editor's note: Associated Press photojournalists Evan Vucci and Rodrigo Abd are Photoblogging for msnbc.com while embedded with U.S. troops stationed at Combat Outpost Nolen, in the volatile Arghandab Valley in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
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These days the American people only pay 'lip-service' to the ongoing conflicts. They are much too caught up in 'virtual reality' than to be interested in mundane 'reality'. Bigotry, racism, despising the 'other guy', etc. take up most of their time, that is when they're not watching 'Entertainment Tonight'.
I seem to be one of the few people that believes 'conscription' would solve a multitude of this country's ill.
It exposes the young to not only what the rest of the nation is all about, but would give a vital insight into what the rest of the 'world' is all about.
Conscription is a great equalizer which throws together all different societies and ways of life.
It does one other thing, it curbs the lust for indiscriminate war.
I do like this article, however I dont like it. The whole time I spent my 3.5 years in Iraq I only wanted Americans to do one thing. Enjoy life. I pictured Americans having BBQs and loving their families. That idea is what I wanted all Americans to have. Do I want Americans to say a simple thank you?, yes I become humble everytime someone says thank you. I want Americans to scream to our representatives if we are being done wrong. I come thru the two gates in America and am overwhelmed by supporters. I am not being spit on. Vietnam vets didnt get that, much less a good pay check. Are we under payed?, YES we are. Its painfully obvious on that matter. People would rather stay in shelters and live with nothing than do what we do. Americans do not suffer from this war. And to hear someone complain about it makes me sick and deafens my ears to the whimpering. I know what I produced in Iraq, I can walk away feeling good with what I did over there. Simply put if you want to support us...enjoy your life and be grateful for what our Soldiers are doing for us.
So many people have missed the point of this article.....I still see 'We support you!' all over the place....... Is it so hard to understand? People remember the Vietnam War.....why? Because the average, every-day people took to the streets, signs in hand, and raised their voices (right or wrong, they did). Does anyone who's over the age of 35 remember what the war was even about? I'm 31, and I have a hard time understanding the decisions that led to that war, let alone remembering what I was taught in school! But what I do remember from school is that the people protested; those Veterans are still, to this day, treated like criminals and criticized by general society. Those demonstrators made their thoughts and feelings known. Right or wrong, however unfairly they treated the soldiers (which I think was just plain @ssinine), they got their message heard. What about today? Where are all these protesters or supporters? I see the occasional group of supporters or protesters, and I hear people saying things like 'If it were up to me....' and 'If I were in office......' guess what? YOU voted that P.O.S. into office!!! Use your voice, use your vote, make it count! This is America where, supposedly, every voice matters, every voice counts. So? Where'd you go? Anyone still not understanding? Then I'll go one better: Write a letter, or an email, or call directly (office numbers for gov't officials can be found online, either at their direct website or through your local gov't office - mayor, city council, etc), and tell them what you think. Tell them! THEM! Whether you support the war, or are against it. If you want our troops home, or if you want them to take a more involved and active role. Anyone ever hear of a petition? Anyone and everyone can start a petition......for any thing they want. You think the soldiers should get a raise (considering at least half of all lower enlisted are below poverty level), or that they should start more programs for soldiers (veterans, active duty, reserve, etc) with PTSD........put it out there. You take the petition door-to-door, or set up a table in front of your local grocery, and talk to people, and if they agree, ask them to sign your petition. Get a group together and go to the local veteran's office and see if there are any volunteer opportunities. Don't just walk up to a soldier and thank them for their service, then go home believing your supporting the troops.
Thanks for your service and for your obvious care and concern for the men and women that you lead. Apathy is an every growning cancer in our country ... where words are spoken and no action is taken. I must tell you that the exception is in some of the people in our great country that do more than write comments like this or get on some blog. Many of us do exactly the kinds of things that you advocate. I agree that support is much more than little ribbons, signs and bumper stickers its getting involved in the politics of our country! Writing letters, calling representatives and in general being a pain in the ass for our elected officials.
I agree with much of the comments I've read here - some more than others. I served 2.5 tours in Vietnam and I was lucky when I got a letter, a package or a shower. But I find absolutely no problem with what services you have in Afganistan! Thank God you have the internet and the ability to talk to loved ones. I sure would have loved that in Nam. But this isn't about what you have and what us "old warriors" didn't have. It is about working to bring all of you home.
Anyone that is silly enough to think that our Congress works for us is delusional. They work for themselves and those that give them money. We must all become involved if we have any hope of changing our current system. And change is what is needed.
God bless and keep all of you safe!
Dear Mr. Vucci,
I am compelled to write after reading your story about US Army Lt. Christopher Babcock. I can only write that I applaud his character.
Thus, I can’t help feel completely useless at the naïve efforts (petitions and emails) to end the war and bring the troops home, without leaving the comforts of my home. For this, I apologize.
I now feel the need to take an actual active role, -get off my arse, leave my home and get involved-, and effectively promote every soldiers homecoming.
Thank you to US Army Lt. Christopher Babcock, for your candid and thought provoking interview. I appreciate you.
Maria
uralriver@hotmail.com
I was discharged from the service aug 28th 1972. comming home from fort lewis the drive was something i will never forget. i almost cried a couple times cause i knew i was finally on my way home. once near the city i was from i got out of the car i was in and said thanks guys God bless you all and your families and wish you luck.
a few minutes later i was hitch hiking home a car pulled up guys and gals a red 64 ford convertable stoped and ask me where i was going and got in the back seat
the car took off and drove for a short distance and one of the guys ask me about comming home and what was it like to be back here i told him it is nothing like you will ever know until you experience it he got pissed and then pulled the car over and started yelling at me saying you are all a bunch of baby killers and village burner
i made my state to the fact that he must have been listening to the news reporters or the hippies who sit around and smoke dope and play while we where out in the jungle getting shot at etc
the guy went nuts and his partner threw my duffle bag out on the ground and went over the urinated on it
i almost lost it they had been drinking and i thought man they are just drunk or smoked up
that episode has never left my mind today i am still wondering if people actually care about any of the soldiers etc i do not care what branch of the service or what your job was we all put our time in so with the conversation as above goes i too do not believe the country or our society really cares they care but only enough to give some one the perception that they are the big caring person BUT they do not care enough to actually do anything that matters worse yet to actually do something that they might have to be accoutnable for to some one else it is easy to go hang a yellow ribbon or write a song or where a red arm band but the reality is it really does not do anything to help our returning veterans or soldiers out
I am a person who over the years have often wondered how can our society allow the returning soldiers to be in hosptials as such that have had the poor living condtions and worst of all the lack or support for the guys and gals whom have physical and or mental issues. well again unless the society as individuals have a vested interest in what occurs then no one cares example is as soon as a family has a child that goes in the service their attitudes change dramatically we as a nation need to reinstate the draft and or some program that no one can weasel out of serving for this country if we did have that then a greater social understanding and appriciiation would occur
I hope the web article gets viewed by everyone in the us etc i also hope the LT Babcock realizes that he is not the first to have the attitude he does and that he has the right to feel the way he does
we can nonate to causes that support the troops etc and we need to tell our congressmen etc what we think and want
but currently our elected officials are as corrupt as they can be and will only vote on things that will buy them a seat back in congress
but we can not give up and i will salute all the returning troops they deserve it
Jaymzz, the American soldier is one reason why you are able to enjoy the freedoms you have fool, if you can't understand that then get the HELL out of this country, and make room for someone who appreciates what we as a Nation stands for.
Charles-1051365 American freedom is enshrined in its Constitution and laws, not its soldiers.
They tell you that garbage in basic after they shave your head. That the reason why Americans enjoy freedom is because of a soldier. If America had to depend on soldiers for its freedom, with the numbers of wars lost by soldiers, we would have zero freedom.
There is no freedom at the end of the barrel of a gun.
Oh Mike, I see you are still spouting your garbage all over the place.
Who do you think FOUGHT to get that consitution?
Who do you think FOUGHT to help found the country?
(I am pretty sure that even with your meager reading comprehension skills you can see that the resounding theme here is FOUGHT.)
If your answer to this was the Politicians then you are only a tiny bit correct...remember George Washington..yea that guy was a SOLDIER who FOUGHT to found this country. The politicans today are out for themselves first and MAYBE the citizens of this country second.
I will also point out to you since you so obviously didn't see it the first time...Lt. Babcock said that those people who claim they support the troops but are NOT PROACTIVE in thier government are the ones who are not supporting them.
TAKE A READING COMPREHENSION CLASS AND FOR GOD'S SAKE READ A HISTORY BOOK!
Americans DO depend on thier soldiers for freedom because depending on one track minded snakes like you to write letters, hold hands and skip through the fields singing about harmony will only serve as a temporary barrier when other countries decide to use the barrels of thier guns to take away our freedoms...and spare me the argument that no country has tried to start a war with us in recent history. THEY DON'T TRY BECAUSE WE HAVE SOLDIERS WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US!
You are officially a lost cause and I am done with you and your ignorance and intolerance.
I do not blame President Bush for the Iraqi war. I believe that he was doing what he thought was right at the time. He took out an evil dictator who was killing and torturing thousands of his own people everyday. I'm just paraphrasing here but, "evil abounds when good men do nothing". However, I deplore war for any reason but sometimes it is necessary. I do look up to and admire the troops who are risking their lives everyday. I think of terrorism as a "cancer". It is not something you can fight with conventional warfare. Every time you think you've won, another cell group pops up. I believe we would have better results if we enacted covert missions to take out the leaders of these groups. You know - pick them off one by one without them even knowing we were there. They wouldn't even know what hit them. At the same time, we wouldn't be risking the majority of our military and it would be more effective. Just a thought.
45 days is what the UN asked Bush to wait before taking action. He did not wait and we have to fund the whole thing. Iraq is on Bush and his misleading cronies. It is documented. It is fact.
God and soldier men adore
In times of trouble, not before.
Treaties signed and all things righted
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.
Service should equal citizenship. I am not at all happy with the number of individuals being elected to state or national office who have not served in another capacity. Prestige should be the only reward. How did the $20,000 bank account become 1,000,000 overnight. Something is wrong. Where is the security and honor that belong to our military members?
Voters do some talking and most of us voted to end the expensive wars that are burying us in debt and yet manage to line the pockets of business owners that make a fortune on the backs of soldiers and the American public. Fighting a war? Get into it to win, period. Give the Generals what they need to complete the objective and get it over with. Stop dicking around with this limited crap. If the military is not going to get all they need to end this then get them out of harms way. I have written, protested as well as signed dozens of petitions and the like. It does not do any good. We have our pay attached via income taxes and are forced to pay for many things we do not want. Vote, write, protest loudly, take a stand or shut the hell up.
One of the things the North Viet Cong counted on during the Viet Nam War was the unpopular vocal opposition to the war back at home in the US. When we support the troops that means we stand in resolve with them...that we will provide them with the best food, best supplies and armor possible. We carry them to our God in prayer every day and ask the Lord to protect them. We love them because we love our country and we value those who are in danger while protecting us at war. We the people need to not "aid" the enemy and seem weak and vasilatory but instead firm with conviction that what we are doing is in our country's best interest. God bless America!