4/25/2006
A day in the life of an American Soldier.
American Soldier says,
This will be an ongoing story of a group of soldiers serving in Iraq. The names, places and at times the events will be modified to protect identity and OPSEC.
0645
The soldiers all gathered in the usual meeting spot to receive their pre-mission briefing. They called it the poop meet. SFC Goslin, the platoon sergeant took the floor and began with the days contact report. Detailing the encounters with the enemy, who got killed and who we were looking for. Some days were better than others. This particular day there were reports that the insurgency wanted to capture an American.
“Bullshit!” a soldier shouted out.
Subtle laughter came across the group of men. The lieutenant broke in and reminded everyone to keep their grenade battle ready. They all knew what that meant.
“Those fuckers aren’t taking me alive!” A very southern voice roared out waving his 9mm in the air.
SFC Goslin reminded everyone about what others had went through on that day. The men’s faces look intense and they all listened as SFC Goslin read the details of a very dangerous mission they would have to perform later that day, along with the regular operations order for their daily mission. That day they would have to go into the center of town and try to capture a target package. What made this mission more dangerous was that it was during the day versus using the cover of darkness to acquire targets. The man they wanted was only passing through town. This all coming from intelligence that can be hit or miss at times.
SFC Goslin finished up and asked if there were any questions. These guys have been doing this for so long that it was like clockwork. They all knew the dangers and they all knew their roles. This was just another day outside the wire.
“Then if there is no questions, see you all back for SP.” SFC Goslin said about the start point. This is when soldiers would actually move out to conduct their mission.
0725
*The sound of rap music, rock, country blaring from the barracks area*
Each soldier has a way to get himself ramped up before a mission. Going outside the wire is unforgiving in these parts. These soldiers know that each time they leave the pseudo comforts of the ‘wire’ that they might not come back. So the soldiers each prime their minds with music. At times like these, no one is really complaining about a certain song or genre of music. They are each attuned and focused on their own thing.
0740
“Hey fucker, you get water for the truck?” SFC Smith asks his gunner.
The gunner, SPC Rondolan was a short muscular kid from Illinois. Peeks down from the turret and tells SFC Smith that it’s all in the hatch.
“I’ve taught you well Rondo!” Smith says with a smile.
“Yeah I’ve taught your wife a few things too!” Rondolan smirks and says out loud.
SFC Smith grabs SPC Rondolan by the leg and playfully punches him sending Rondolan across the truck.
“Oh man what did Rondo do now?” says SGT Guss.
Sgt. Guss is the driver for SFC Smith. With a Masters in Business he somehow decided to join the Army as an enlisted man and become an Infantryman. He told his team one long night in sector that he was there on 9/11 and watch as the towers fell. He said that he wanted to be as close to the enemy as possible and watch each one fall like the towers did that day. No one could blame the guy for picking the shittiest job in the Army. It was the best job to ensure killing the enemy and that is what he wanted.
0750
“Blue 6 this is Blue 1, we are redcon 1, red direct.” Smith called his LT to let him know that he was ready to roll.
“Blue 1 this is Blue 6, roger, out.” Lieutenant Chase said in response. The LT once an enlisted man he fought in the first gulf and was on his 2nd OIF rotation. No one really knew his complete back story but this guy had cold steel eyes. His tactical judgment was impeccable. He was a tactical genius in a lot of soldier’s eyes. However his tact with his superiors was somewhat questionable. The LT sometimes joked that he probably would make Captain and would eventually be forced out of the Army. Some people would say that kept coming back to the war because he knew the Army would eventually force him out. It was rumored he had been the recipient of a Silver Star but refused it because for the same action his soldiers got a lesser award.
0755
On queue as usual the vehicles roared towards the gate. While on the move they loaded their crew serve weapons such as machine guns, grenade launchers and their personal weapons being M4’s, M16’s and 9mm’s. The sound of bolts being released and links hitting the ground from the turret above. SFC Smith spit into his bottle to get rid of the built of tobacco lodged in his lip.
“Ok boys, same shit, different day!” Smith announces.
“Hey Sarge, you saying the prayer today?” Rondo says looking down from the turret.
“Fuck that shit, I’m not religious, god isn’t going to save me here, it will be you on that gun!” Smith says.
SFC Smith didn’t really mean all that he said but kept his religious beliefs to himself. He just thought it was ridiculous praying. He had seen so much in this war and it was either by his own gun or someone else’s that enabled him to come back in the wire after each mission. He believed more in the fact that his destiny was already set. If it was intended for him to die here then so be it. However, SFC Smith was too damn stubborn to allow that.
0800
The soldiers of this crew roll out the gate and prepare for what will become a very long day.
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