Afghan outrage: U.S. troops scrounge for blankets, bullets

[Guest trigem]

[email=http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=195809]http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=195809[/email]

'One of my soldiers went without ammo for 5 weeks

The parents of an American soldier in Afghanistan have accused the U.S. government of leaving defenders of its freedoms without basics such as blankets, food, feminine hygiene supplies and even bullets, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

"One of my soldiers went without ammo for five weeks once they got to Afghanistan because of shortages. I can't reveal the name, because they are frightened of reprisals. If they can do what they did to a four star general like [Gen. Stanley A.] McChrystal, what would they do to a buck private?"

That comes from a woman who, with her husband, has taken it upon herself to adopt soldiers and provide them with many of the needed basics.

The woman, assigned a pseudonym of "Beth," insisted her name not be used because of the possibility of reprisals against her or the soldiers.

But she told WND she received a report that a U.S. soldier bought a $15 knife "and slept with their hand on the handle in the waist of their pants because it was all they had for the moment to protect themselves."

The woman confirmed she and her husband are involved in supplying the basic necessities for some 50 soldiers – because the military isn't.

"If the military doesn't supply what they need, they must depend on family or people like me," Beth said. "Many of these families are struggling on low wages, some parents are on disabilities and unable to help. Sending a box once a month during their deployment is not only good for their morale, but they need (to be) resupplied with many items."

The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. But one soldier told Beth the work days are 18 hours long, and they have few "real meals."

[Punisher84]

I'm kinda curious as to the validity of that.

[Reservoir Dog]

I'm kinda curious as to the validity of that.

The story is form World Nut Daily, so I doubt there is any truth to it at all.

[BimmerFreak]

Private calling home: "yeah mom, we dont have bullets, we are under constant attack here at "FOB Boredom" and I had to make a bed out of used toliet paper and old tea bags from the chow hall"

Mom: " OMG! My poor baby is being forced to fight Evil Doers with nothing but a spork and bad breath! I have to call every newspaper in the free world and explain how hard it is over there!"

Reality check: We have been in direct combat since 16 Sept 2001 (give or take a few days, depending on what units we are talking about) and have been conducting Stab-Ops long enough that kinks in the Log Pack are very rare.

Now almost 9 years later, I can tell you that most Privates that deploy to Camp Cupcake (or any other FOB) have plenty of ammo, plenty of blankets, and plenty of time to play Xbox.

Edited August 27, 2010 by BimmerFreak

[Guest strelcevina]

Private calling home: "yeah mom, we dont have bullets, we are under constant attack here at "FOB Boredom" and I had to make a bed out of used toliet paper and old tea bags from the chow hall"

Mom: " OMG! My poor baby is being forced to fight Evil Doers with nothing but a spork and bad breath! I have do call every newspaper in the free world and explain how hard it is over there!"

Reality check: We have been in direct combat since 16 Sept 2001 (give or take a few days, depending on what units we are talking about) and have been conducting Stab-Ops long enough that kinks in the Log Pack are very rare.

Now almost 9 years later, I can tell you that most Privates that deploy to Camp Cupcake (or any other FOB) have plenty of ammo, plenty of blankets, and plenty of time to play Xbox.

Have you been stationed in Afghanistan to know such a intimate details about FOB boredom

[BimmerFreak]

Have you been stationed in Afghanistan to know such a intimate details about FOB boredom

Ummmm...... Yeah, I spent a couple of days in the Army, and a few hours in that AOR (and many others)

[Guest db99wj]

[G27]

I've never heard anything remotely like this from the folks I know over there.

[E4 No More]

I've never heard anything remotely like this from the folks I know over there.

Neither have I, and I hear regularly from many of them.

Strel: A word of caution - tread lightly in your comments questioning people, like Joe, in which you have no idea of their background or service.

[Punisher84]

Strel: A word of caution - tread lightly in your comments questioning people, like Joe, in which you have no idea of their background or service.

I'll say it like this and I'll gladly take my couple day vacation or lumps for it... STREL WHY DON'T YOU SHUT THE **** UP AND QUIT TALKING OUT OF YOUR ASS?! We are all sick of you and your nonsensical, broken ass English posts. You've been around the forum long enough to know who can back up what they say. Joe doesn't need me to back him up, but the hell if I'm not going to anyway. Matter of fact Strel why don't you go join the service and see what Afghanistan is like? Be good for you to give back to the country that's given you so much, that you bitch about constantly. Sorry little ingrate.

See you guys in a few days or one less post I guess.

[G27]

I'll say it like this and I'll gladly take my couple day vacation or lumps for it... STREL WHY DON'T YOU SHUT THE **** UP AND QUIT TALKING OUT OF YOUR ASS?! We are all sick of you and your nonsensical, broken ass English posts. You've been around the forum long enough to know who can back up what they say. Joe doesn't need me to back him up, but the hell if I'm not going to anyway. Matter of fact Strel why don't you go join the service and see what Afghanistan is like? Be good for you to give back to the country that's given you so much, that you bitch about constantly. Sorry little ingrate.

See you guys in a few days or one less post I guess.

+1

[Il Duce]

Strel, you seriously need to shut the f*ck up and not open your f-*cking mouth until you read what you type before you hit send just to make sure it does not make you look more like dumbas* than you already are. You are nothing but a pain in the as* of this site and to be honest I can almost bet you really arent welcomed here. In fact I think I would rather have kwiks stupid as* here on a daily basis than to have to see your sorry as* here.

[Guest strelcevina]

Neither have I, and I hear regularly from many of them.

Strel: A word of caution - tread lightly in your comments questioning people, like Joe, in which you have no idea of their background or service.

First . I don't know a Joe. I read a statement that soldiers are bored ,playing xbox , and so on.

So I asked a legitimate question.

I don't feel that it was rude to ask that . And Joe answered it .

So why all others has to curse in Joe's name

[R1100R]

Have you been stationed in Afghanistan to know such a intimate details about FOB boredom

If you want first hand knowledge and what it means. I can hook you up for a eight year stint.

[Guest strelcevina]

If you want first hand knowledge and what it means. I can hook you up for a eight year stint.

Been in war for 2y. So I do know first hand ,what's up

[R1100R]

Been in war for 2y. So I do know first hand ,what's up

That's the answer I have been waiting for. Which side?

[Guest strelcevina]

That's the answer I have been waiting for. Which side?

U soo funny .

No side my friend . At a bad place at a worst time . Hope you can understand something like that .

[E4 No More]

First . I don't know a Joe. I read a statement that soldiers are bored ,playing xbox , and so on.

So I asked a legitimate question.

I don't feel that it was rude to ask that . And Joe answered it .

So why all others has to curse in Joe's name

That's right, you don't know Joe nor many others on this forum who have served our country. The statements you have made on this forum and the tenor of your question hinted at disrespect in your thought processes towards Joe, and that is why I cautioned you; not cursed at you. Also, you clearly did not comprehend the tenor of Joe's response either.

You clearly do not understand enough about people in general - particularly people of the type in this forum - to keep from letting your typing getting you into more problems than you can imagine. This is the information age, and although you may not think it's possible because of the anonymity you perceive on the Internet, anyone can be found by a determined individual. As an example of how severe it can get, it was not too long ago that there was a case of an individual who pissed-of the wrong person, and that person traveled several states to hunt him down and kill him. I have met and dealt with Joe, and I am confident that he wouldn't do such a thing: however, you never know who else might read your comments on the Internet and react dramatically differently than Joe.

Do not interpret this as a threat, but just a word of caution.

[Guest strelcevina]

That's right, you don't know Joe nor many others on this forum who have served our country. The statements you have made on this forum and the tenor of your question hinted at disrespect in your thought processes towards Joe, and that is why I cautioned you; not cursed at you. Also, you clearly did not comprehend the tenor of Joe's response either.

You clearly do not understand enough about people in general - particularly people of the type in this forum - to keep from letting your typing getting you into more problems than you can imagine. This is the information age, and although you may not think it's possible because of the anonymity you perceive on the Internet, anyone can be found by a determined individual. As an example of how severe it can get, it was not too long ago that there was a case of an individual who pissed-of the wrong person, and that person traveled several states to hunt him down and kill him. I have met and dealt with Joe, and I am confident that he wouldn't do such a thing: however, you never know who else might read your comments on the Internet and react dramatically differently than Joe.

Do not interpret this as a threat, but just a word of caution.

thanks for a words of wisdom .

[Dolomite_supafly]

Being over there a lot since 2006 I can say there have been some issues. I have been at FOB's that were indeed short on matresses or blankets and many other items but that was because the local workers would steal them. In that case you can only blame the soldiers who are responsible for ensuring they locals don't steal the supplies. In instances where I found myself without stuff I needed I would give a local some moeny to buy me what I did need locally.

Living conditions for some on the FOB's are not the greatest as far as being safe but hey you are in a combat zone so you can't expect it to be like going to the mall. Talk to some of the soldiers from 60, 40 or even 20 years ago to learn what rough living is. Soldiers on FOBs have it pretty good compared to those at the OP's or on patrol. Even with that there are times when supplies on some of the smaller FOB's are short but that is generally for a very short period of time and mostly because of weather delays.

The soldiers at the OP's do go without needed stuff but like I said it isn't a chronic, long term problem. The shortages are from weather delays or heavy fighting and generally get rectified when weather or the situation permits. But I do know for a fact they do have to go without required stuff from time to time.

It is the soldiers who are on foot patrol who are always on the verge of running out what they need because they have to carry everything. Because they carry everything they keep just enough for the next scheduled resupply, maybe a little more as a reserve. I have seen emergency runs to resupply water, food and ammunition to foot patrols in the mountains as they are stepping up their game. Heavy fighting can exhaust those supplies way ahead of schedule as well, leaving them in dire straights. Water especially is highly needed because higer elevations tend to dehydrate you more than the lower elevations. Couple that with the fact you are always either going seemingly straight up or straight down it wears you down and increases water consumption.

I have been to some of the toughest regions over there and have seen as well as experienced some of this first hand. On my last trip, before I got hurt, I averaged getting attacked every 4 days, now I might go a few weeks but then get attacked 3-4 times in a day.

I have seen plenty of fobbits complain about being on a FOB but when they go out and SHTF you never hear a complaint again. It seems as though some will complain about anything, even getting steak, lobster and crab legs every Friday.

I have seen soldiers medivaced out because of heat related injuries because they had NO water and were still fighting the good fight. So there are shortages some are critical items and some are just comfort items but shortages do exist.

Dolomite

[R1100R]

STREL,

Come on Man-Up. Give a few more details.

I know all to well about the Balkans, Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Bosnia etc,etc.

I know a little about soldiering. Share you rags to riches American story with us. Maybe we just misunderstand you.

Edited August 27, 2010 by R1100R

[gnmwilliams]

That's the answer I have been waiting for. Which side?

I think I saw Strel in the last COD game.

[Guest Jamie]

Maybe we just misunderstand you.

Or maybe we understand him far better than he thinks...

[Guest strelcevina]

STREL,

Come on Man-Up. Give a few more details.

I know all to well about the Balkans, Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Bosnia etc,etc.

I know a little about soldiering. Share you rags to riches American story with us. Maybe we just misunderstand you.

U wish I could teach u how to make money .

[Guest db99wj]

U wish I could teach u how to make money .

And you wonder why people think this way of you.