"professional units don't conceal their identity by wearing masks."
Now for our regular armed forces this might be one thing. But for a locally hired interpreter? Since when are they part of the "professional unit"? The interpreters aren't slated to ship out when our folks start coming home are they (considering that we have accepted vastly fewer Iraqi's into the United States than almost any other country involved, the chances seem mightly low)?
Someone needs to get thier head out to where the sun shines!
This is absolutely crazy. Why anybody at the Pentagon would want to risk the lives of the Iraq interepters is beyond me. It appears that we have to many higher ranking officials at the Pentagon who have never served in combat.
This is another of the endless examples of stupid decisions by generals with broom-sticks up their backsides. These folks need to get some time on the ground with the grunts to appreciate the situation. This is a war, not a parade ground ceremony. If a practice works, use it; if it doesn't, then discard it. Fire the generals, not the interpreters.
Originally posted by MichaelJKeenan: This is another of the endless examples of stupid decisions by generals with broom-sticks up their backsides. These folks need to get some time on the ground with the grunts to appreciate the situation. This is a war, not a parade ground ceremony. If a practice works, use it; if it doesn't, then discard it. Fire the generals, not the interpreters.
This is one of the stupidest acts in a litany of RECENT stupid acts.
Unfortunately, it is not the first time this has happened lately. The most public example is the hassle special ops people received for growing beards (etc.) in Afghanistan -- a necessary cultural act, in order to blend in with the populace enough to influence them. With more time, I could list several personal experiences where this kind of stupidity occurred -- fortunately, not in combat, but still potentially a threat to health, safety, or life. (Try out, wearing only soft-covers and the old black combat boots in cold, snowy weather, so as to maintain "proper military appearance.")
The next thing you know, people will be court martialed for cowardice for taking cover under fire. Instead, we will be required to wear red coats and march into battle in straight lines.
This triumph of form over substance and packaging over content, appearance over reality is not just an affliction of the military. It permeates our whole society. For that matter, its part of the human condition. (Fortunately, our enemies MAY occasionally be just as dumb! -- we hope.)
I can’t speak for everyone but the consensus so far here at 4ID from military and civilians alike is that this guy is quite disconnected from reality. MG Jeffry Hammond has shown complete disregard for the safety of Iraqi linguistical interpreters supporting our cause; better yet his cause here in Baghdad as he had forbid them from covering their faces, in effect preventing them from protecting their identities in a situation where anonyminity is the only thing preventing an Iraqi in this type of a position from being identified and neutralized by opposing thugs. Only after how many interpreters were killed was this pointless directive that served no purpose other than endangering the lives of those offering the division their assistance rescinded; not by MG Hammond but under the direction higher ups.
Frequently tearing into the highly skilled corps of civilian professionals supporting 4ID’s effort here for minor and trivial transgressions such as not moving out of the way fast enough when his Excellency enters the building or in my case, moving out of the way too quickly; in effect not offering the homage deserved for such a distinguished individual. I can see why such a wide disconnect exists between Hammond and his Captains when his rule is conducted through fear, intimidation and the celebration of one’s self. The fact that he felt he needed to summon all of the captains to hear his response to Col. Yingling’s critique seems like he’s grasping for straws in aquiring the respect of his subordinates. Subordinates that seem to have wisened up to the good old boy program that placed this General in the position he currently holds and said “I don’t want have any part of it” by marching out the front gates, back into the civilian world.
I think that more people would speak out here at division except that 4ID being the true military professionals they are maintain their professionalism and quietly suffer through this 50 something year old’s infantile tantrums and pointless directives that have cost the lives of so many Iraqis trying to assist MND-B’s effort.
