Troop Withdrawl in Iraq

BruteForce · Post by **BruteForce** » October 24th, 2011, 5:56 pm

So, do active & retired soldiers celebrate the 100% retraction of forces in Iraq (and soon Afghanistan) or should we continue the battle until it's been quelled?

I know a few Active National Guard types that have served one tour in Iraq that are hugely celebrating Obama's declaration of 100% removal of troops in Iraq.

- Is it tree/ass hugging to be glad to have troops removed or
- Is it weekend warriors that are glad to not have to serve a 2nd tour
- Is it normal to be glad that combat actions have concluded in a theater of combat

Other than my involvement in DS/DS, I have no opinion since I haven't BTDT since the mid-90's.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Edited to add: I just noticed that I'm now a "Tadpole", whereas previously, I was "Army Aviation". How did that happen?

IEDmagnet · Post by **IEDmagnet** » October 24th, 2011, 6:54 pm

I have no feelings about it. My retirement took my opinion away.

I will say that as a troop that did his deployments as a Guard soldier, I wish I was still serving. I have watched my troops roll out on more deployments, and it whipped my ass not to be with them.

Also will point out I volunteered for my deployments, and a lot of my friends did too. So I don't think it's the total force glad they don't have to do multiples. Though I know some complete douches that still have clean right sleeves.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » October 24th, 2011, 7:01 pm

I was damn glad to hear this news. We should have left years ago.

And I don't give a shit if Iran goes in and takes over. That's Iraq's problem.

colt1rgr · Post by **colt1rgr** » October 25th, 2011, 5:49 am

Another proof positive event that Barry is ..

A. A frikkin' idiot
B. A Traitor who wants his muslim kind to take Iraq and its great oil wealth
C. See the destruction of Israel and assist Iran in moving even closer to their border
D. All of the above

rgrokelley · Post by **rgrokelley** » October 25th, 2011, 6:52 am

Zonk 1/75 wrote:I would have to assume that the actual purpose of the announcement was politically / campaign motivated. Perhaps the President is trying to appear to be following through (finally) on a 2008 campaign promise….

The irony is that he is following a withdrawal date set by George Bush.

goon175 · Post by **goon175** » October 25th, 2011, 8:28 am

Did the plan set forth by Bush call for ALL troops to be removed, or just combat troops? I could swear it was only the combat troops, and that we would leave training sites open for years to come.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » October 25th, 2011, 9:17 am

goon175 wrote:Did the plan set forth by Bush call for ALL troops to be removed, or just combat troops? I could swear it was only the combat troops, and that we would leave training sites open for years to come.

That was the initial intent. That plan went out the window when the administration was unable to get Iraq's agreement on the issue of immunity from arrest. The whole thing fell apart and the compromise was to remove all troops.

CloakAndDagger · Post by **CloakAndDagger** » October 25th, 2011, 9:29 am

No SOFA, no troops (at least when it comes to us being a guest force rather than an expeditionary force).

However, I am guessing Barry's minions were ordered not to work very hard to come to an agreement with the government of Iraq.

goon175 · Post by **goon175** » October 25th, 2011, 1:05 pm

Ok that makes sense to me then. I do have assume that there was more than a little politics involved though, especially since we will still hav 17,000 American contractors there.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » October 25th, 2011, 1:47 pm

goon175 wrote:Ok that makes sense to me then. I do have assume that there was more than a little politics involved though, especially since we will still hav 17,000 American contractors there.

If that's the case, then they are fucking stupid for staying.

"I have no rights and in the end, I can't be protected, but hey Im making the big bucks"

Steadfast · Post by **Steadfast** » October 25th, 2011, 1:59 pm

One thing that will happen is that for every US Soldier that served in Iraq or Afg - there will be an 10 fold increase of those claiming service there.

IEDmagnet · Post by **IEDmagnet** » October 25th, 2011, 5:29 pm

Steadfast wrote:One thing that will happen is that for every US Soldier that served in Iraq or Afg - there will be an 10 fold increase of those claiming service there.

That has already started...

rgrokelley · Post by **rgrokelley** » October 26th, 2011, 4:29 am

New information yesterday... though the US troops will return home, Hillary is attempting to get authorization to have non-uniformed contractors, numbering as high as 10,000, to stay in Iraq. These contractors would be answerable to the State Department only.

Hey, thats one way to get around Congress.

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