Oh shit, I have so many stories of dumbass soldiers doing stupid stuff to iraqi citizens. Shit like this is the natural result of what happens when you have soldiers going into a country with no national strategy, and with no education on the culture they are supposed to be helping. Anyways, here are a few...
- Iraqis are horrible drivers, and will tailgate the shit out of you. Some of the soldiers who drive our HEMMT trucks (big ass trucks with 8x8 drive) would put on trailers, but leave the brake lights disconnected. They would wait for an iraqi guy to start tailgating, then they'd slam the brakes. Let me tell you something, Army vehicles all have AMAZING brakes. These trucks would lock up all 8 tires and would always slowdown faster than these little crap haji cars. The haijis would have to swerve off the road to keep from crashing.
- I knew a couple of infantry guys were searching this one house. They were in the kitchen and decided to break all the dishes in their search. Totally unnecessary. Then they find out the house they were supposed to search was across the street. Oops.
- Long distance convoys often go a long ways without piss breaks. Guys often have to piss in a bottle. There are always little kids on the side of the road begging for anything they can sell. Hmm, toss the annoying fuckers an MRE, a bottle of water, or this warm bottle of piss. Happens a fair bit.
Would things be different if we were able to maintain order in the first place, and set up an economic infastructure. I think so. A little late for that now both side have established a mutual disrespect/hatred for each other. 18 year olds with guns and with an inadequate HS education is not a smart way to spread democracy.