No “Kids” In Iraq
Licari of Arabia, a milblog by a soldier currently stationed in Fallujah, has an interesting post on the terming of young-in-age soldiers in Iraq as “kids.”
I heard some politician referring to the Marines and soldiers fighting in Iraq as “kids”. I understand what he meant to say and I’m not trying to get my knickers in a twist about it, but it’s just crazy if you think about it. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it either. I think I heard Lou Dobbs use it recently as well. So let’s get something straight here. The Marines and soldiers in Iraq are young, but they are not “kids”. No way, no how. In fact, these Marines and soldiers know first-hand how the world really works outside the safe confines of the USA. When a 21-year old Marine is out on the streets of Ramadi shooting at bad guys (warrior), shaking hands with a prominent Sheikh (politician/diplomat), and making sure that Iraqi kids get to madrasa safely (policeman), he’s no longer a “kid”. Many Marines and soldiers have had friends killed and maimed, often times right in front of their faces and they don’t break down or have an “Oprah moment” when it happens. Kids and most adults cannot handle that level of stress, responsibility and mental discipline.There are a lot of “kids” in America, but they aren’t over here.
It’s true that I mourn the deaths of America’s youths in Iraq — extinguished before they may have even found their spark. In my regular review of the death toll, looking at ranks, homes, last permanent duty stations, pictures and ages, I find that the vast majority are younger than myself, 26.
This may not be World War I, but it almost feels like we’re creating another Lost Generation (though who knows what the art will be like, if any). A generation too experienced in the horrors of the world to make sense of it upon return. Or maybe I just haven’t finished my first coffee of the morning.