.A progress report on our little corner of Iraq
I have had the fortune of being home on vacation for the last week. For as much fun as I have had, it has given me an ability to reflect on the last five months. By being so close to the events that transcend every day in Iraq, it's hard to gain real perspective on the job that we've been doing.
The team has been very busy since we arrived in Iraq. The first few weeks in training were frustrating, but we got through them as any unit does. Living on Command Outpost (COP) Heider has given me a new appreciation for the living conditions we have in the States.
The rocket that flew into the COP and exploded a mere three days after I had been there welcomed me to Iraq. We have spent countless hours on patrol on the roads leading to and from the COP and have driven through many Iraqi villages and towns - they all seem to be the same after a while. My team has met, discussed and negotiated matters with high-ranking Iraqi officials and American generals. I find it all amazing; again, it's only five months into the deployment.
The Port Of Entry (POE) has changed so much in the short time we have been in Rabiya. When we arrived, the entire port was sectioned off by concrete barriers plastered in each section of the POE. But the director wanted a more visually friendly POE, and projects have begun to establish those goals.
The biometrics facility has gone from an Iraqi building on the POE to a fortified trailer, which now acts as another barrier deterring another suicide bomber from harming any U.S. soldiers. The two truck lots that were always busy have been closed. The front gate has been secured with additional resources. We even have a restaurant.
In a lot of ways, our team has been fortunate. As far as jobs in the Army go, I think we drew one of the better jobs, especially as an international relations major in college. We have the ability to help and influence the lives of Iraqis on a daily basis. We have been given the opportunity to fight the war with a sense of compassion; we draw our weapons only if absolutely necessary.
We are challenged daily to help mold the Iraqi civilian leadership to make good decisions in advancing and improving the POE. Even though we've dealt with the absurd, the processing of a dead person through immigration and the near "arrest" of pigeons, we have had a direct impact on many families and individuals who have needed assistance in passing through the port.
My team has faced a few problems along the way, as well. It took us awhile to understand the complexities of U.S. culture and society versus that of Iraq. Our idea of how a POE should function did not necessarily mesh with that of a Middle Eastern nation.
We should not have pushed as hard in some events, but pushed harder to enforce the regulations in others. All in all, though, we've learned from many of the mistakes that we were prone to make.
Overall, I think we've done a good job in moving the port in a positive direction. I know that there are plans in the works for physical construction to start at the POE, but I'd also like to see a change in the institutions that make it up.
If by the time our tour is over, I can see positive changes in the different branches that rule over the port and its inner workings, then I can call my deployment to Iraq a true success. Fortunately, the team and I still have plenty of time to make our mark on our little corner of Iraq.
U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Curtis of Madison is stationed on the Iraq/Syria border as part of a transition team training Iraqis to provide their own security. E-mail him at curtis.matthewp@gmail.com
The huntsville Times
The team has been very busy since we arrived in Iraq. The first few weeks in training were frustrating, but we got through them as any unit does. Living on Command Outpost (COP) Heider has given me a new appreciation for the living conditions we have in the States.
The rocket that flew into the COP and exploded a mere three days after I had been there welcomed me to Iraq. We have spent countless hours on patrol on the roads leading to and from the COP and have driven through many Iraqi villages and towns - they all seem to be the same after a while. My team has met, discussed and negotiated matters with high-ranking Iraqi officials and American generals. I find it all amazing; again, it's only five months into the deployment.
The Port Of Entry (POE) has changed so much in the short time we have been in Rabiya. When we arrived, the entire port was sectioned off by concrete barriers plastered in each section of the POE. But the director wanted a more visually friendly POE, and projects have begun to establish those goals.
The biometrics facility has gone from an Iraqi building on the POE to a fortified trailer, which now acts as another barrier deterring another suicide bomber from harming any U.S. soldiers. The two truck lots that were always busy have been closed. The front gate has been secured with additional resources. We even have a restaurant.
In a lot of ways, our team has been fortunate. As far as jobs in the Army go, I think we drew one of the better jobs, especially as an international relations major in college. We have the ability to help and influence the lives of Iraqis on a daily basis. We have been given the opportunity to fight the war with a sense of compassion; we draw our weapons only if absolutely necessary.
We are challenged daily to help mold the Iraqi civilian leadership to make good decisions in advancing and improving the POE. Even though we've dealt with the absurd, the processing of a dead person through immigration and the near "arrest" of pigeons, we have had a direct impact on many families and individuals who have needed assistance in passing through the port.
My team has faced a few problems along the way, as well. It took us awhile to understand the complexities of U.S. culture and society versus that of Iraq. Our idea of how a POE should function did not necessarily mesh with that of a Middle Eastern nation.
We should not have pushed as hard in some events, but pushed harder to enforce the regulations in others. All in all, though, we've learned from many of the mistakes that we were prone to make.
Overall, I think we've done a good job in moving the port in a positive direction. I know that there are plans in the works for physical construction to start at the POE, but I'd also like to see a change in the institutions that make it up.
If by the time our tour is over, I can see positive changes in the different branches that rule over the port and its inner workings, then I can call my deployment to Iraq a true success. Fortunately, the team and I still have plenty of time to make our mark on our little corner of Iraq.
U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Curtis of Madison is stationed on the Iraq/Syria border as part of a transition team training Iraqis to provide their own security. E-mail him at curtis.matthewp@gmail.com
The huntsville Times
posted by madtom at 11:38 PM
1 Comments:
Interesting to see how things have changed there. I was on the first POETT there, from 06 t0 07. I helped build that biometrics office and put in the concrete barriers for security. Good to hear things have gotten better, enough to feel safe to take them down.
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