First Person: Worst Fear in War Is Letting Fellow Marines Down

As we near the 10-year anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, Yahoo News asked U.S. servicemen and women who served to share their perspectives and discuss how it changed them. Here's one story.

FIRST PERSON | Though I have served for 17 years, it has been 10 years since Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off. Back in 2003, I was a U.S. Marine sergeant stationed with 1st Transportation Support Group out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. We were pre-staged in Kuwait in a place called "Camp Coyote." I can still remember a conversation I had with my father. He didn't want me to think he was worried, but I could hear the anxiety in his voice when he asked, "Son, do you really think you are going to war?"

I replied with a variant of something that I heard Gene Hackman say in the movie "Crimson Tide." I said, "Dad, when has anyone ever strapped on a condom not fully expecting to get some action? We are on the enemy's doorstep. There is no way that we are not going in."

Did you serve in Iraq ? Interested in sharing your story? Learn more here.

It was about two weeks later that we punched through Breach Point West to invade Iraq. I was 29 years old, my wife was pregnant with my fourth child and, yet, what I feared most wasn't dying. My greatest fear was letting down those Marines who were counting on me.

My job was to facilitate the mass movement of vehicles, cargo and personnel through the various airfields that we seized from the Iraqis. I was part of a team responsible for the initial setup of terminal operations in the following sites: Camps Viper, Basileone, Anderson, Daley and Al Kut. I also served as a gunner during convoy operations. After the initial invasion, I did not return to Iraq until 2009.

Now, here we stand 10 years later. Many things have changed since then. Without a doubt, the military is far better equipped for battle. I think back to the invasion and remember flak jackets that had no bulletproof plates. I also remember having to "harden" our vehicles with sandbags because they were not armored. The war has also produced a new generation of war-tested and experienced veterans.

However, there have also been some negative side effects. Waging this war has been quite expensive in terms of both in economic cost and human capital. It can be justifiably argued that our deposing Saddam Hussein strengthened Iran. This would be because, previously, although there was a majority of Shiites in Iraq, it was controlled by Sunnis. These are two Muslim factions that are diametrically opposed to each other, much like the Catholics and Protestants. Therefore, in many ways, this provided a check and balance on Iran. However, as it stands now, Iraq has many Shiites that are in control and it is believed that quite a few are sympathetic and influenced by Iran. So in this regard, we may be worse off than before the invasion.

Although coming face to face with my mortality has caused me to reevaluate my priorities, my life has not been significantly changed as a result of the Iraq War. I have often been asked that if I knew then what I know now, would I do things differently? In a general sense, the answer is a resounding, "No!"

That's because I chose to serve my country. Therefore, there were only two reasons for me to carry out my duties. The first reason is because at some point I raised my hand and gave my word that I would defend the constitution and obey the orders of those appointed over me. The second is because I was given orders. At that point, my only concern was to get the mission accomplished and trying to bring home as many brothers and sisters in arms as possible. It is the job of each citizen to question the motives and legitimacy of the missions placed before those who serve. If we as private citizens fail in doing this, then it is we who have failed our country and service members.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/first-person-worst-fear-war-letting-fellow-marines-230700141.html

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