It has been nineteen years since the start of the Persian Gulf War, and it's been that long that I have continued to think about my time spent in the war. Many of my experiences come back to me in both my night and day dreams, but recently, I've been thinking a lot about the lack of communication there was between the enlisted soldiers and their superiors.
During my time in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, I found myself lost on numerous occasions and had to find my way back to base without radio contact or even a grid coordinate. I recall those times lost in the desert sands at night, and caught in the dibilitating sandstorms and realize that my life was in real danger. They were frightening times to say the least. The realization that my friends and I went the entire war without a critical tool needed in battle bothers me quite a bit. Yet, at the same time, elaborate satellite systems were erected so that we could call home. I thank God quite often that I made it through those times, but I can't help but think that the soldiers in Afghanistan today are without the proper tools they need to contact their company should they find themselves in a dire situation such as the ones that I found myself.
Sounds scary!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book now called "My War: Killing Time in Iraq" by Colby Buzzell. It's a memoir about his time in Iraq in 2003. He mentions that they had hand-held radios which made me veryveryveryvery happy! However, (there's always gotta be a "however"), that doesn't mean that everyone deployed in the theatre has them. Everyone should have them whether they're on the front lines, or part of a support group. Anyone driving a vehicle can get lost, anyone can find themselves in enemy territory alone, and Everyone has the right to have access to their supervisors and commanders.
ReplyDeleteThe previous two comments by "Ann" were deleted b/c they were ads for counseling services for veterans. Please do not post advertisements on my site, thank you very much!
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