I think this speaks for itself. When a soldier has to go and write a letter in Stars and Stripes about his gear... when is enough going to be enough for the congress critters up on the hill?
&nbs
p;
Addendum: I read Stars and Stripes nearly every day, have done so for the last two years, since they came on line because I find it interesting to see what the soldiers have to say. If they identify themselves as this man has, I am fairly sure it's legitimate. Which is why I posted the link. The amount of letters that I read that complain about what's going on over there is amazing. What I think is so awful that over in Freeperville, they mock guys like this. I read those posts too, in horrified fascination that Americans think the way they do.
http://www.estripes.com/...
Letters to the Editor for Friday, July 21, 2006
Stars and Stripes
European and Mideast editions
(EDITOR'S NOTE: These are the letters that appeared in each edition of Stripes on this publication date. Click here to jump ahead to the Pacific edition letters)
Downrange with no gear
I'm in the 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. I came [to Iraq] with my unit in April but I had to go back to the States to get medical clearance because I got hit by an improvised explosive device in July 2004.
When they cleared me to come back over, I e-mailed my unit to let them know to have my gear ready. When I got to Kuwait, there was no gear, so I called my unit and asked about it. No word again. Then I got to Iraq and went to my supply sergeant, but still no gear. I asked my first sergeant and battalion commander and others. Still I don't have my gear.
You have a soldier in a combat zone with no individual battle armor. I have a weapon, but with no ammo or magazine, and I feel my higher-ups don't care about me. Every time I ask about my gear, my supply sergeant tells me he doesn't care and the commander and first sergeant are saying the same thing -- they don't care.
So, if we get attacked, what can I do with no gear to keep me safe? I have been here for two months and still no gear. How long is this going to go on before I get hurt or killed with no gear to wear?
I e-mailed the inspector general, but received no answer. If the inspector general is reading this, he needs to come to Camp Ceder 2 and clean this mess up. There is a lot of prejudice in this unit that we had at Fort Dix, N.J., and it is over here too, but nothing has been done about it.
What are we going to do about this?
I'm also writing my congressman. There's a soldier over here in combat with no gear.
Staff Sgt. Jack T. Kirt
Camp Cedar 2, Iraq