|
Many Troops Dissatisfied, Iraq Poll Finds
Rantburgers will not be surprised at this/EFL:
A broad survey of U.S. troops in Iraq by a Pentagon-funded newspaper found that half of those questioned described their unitâs morale as low and their training as insufficient, and said they do not plan to reenlist. The survey, conducted by the Stars and Stripes newspaper, also recorded about a third of the respondents complaining that their mission lacks clear definition and characterizing the war in Iraq as of little or no value. Fully 40 percent said the jobs they were doing had little or nothing to do with their training. The findings, drawn from 1,935 questionnaires presented to U.S. service members throughout Iraq, conflict with statements by military commanders and Bush administration officials that portray the deployed troops as high-spirited and generally well-prepared.
| This is a Washington Post report. Betcha the writer's never worn green... |
Though not obtained through scientific methods, the survey results suggest that a combination of difficult conditions, complex missions and prolonged tours in Iraq is wearing down a significant portion of the U.S. force and threatening to provoke a sizable exodus from military service.... The paperâs project recorded significant differences in the morale of various units, but overall found that Army troops tended to sound more dissatisfied than Air Force personnel and Marines, and that reservists were the most troubled. Uncertainty about when they are returning home was a major factor in dampening morale, according to the newspaper. The interviews were conducted at a time when some reserve and regular Army units were learning that their tours had been extended. The Pentagon has since sought to provide a clearer rotation plan and has begun granting troops two-week home leaves.
| It's kind of a law of military nature that you like assignments best when they're over. I hate taking orders and I hate giving orders, and I was really happy when retirement time came around. Now, if I wasn't stiff and arthritic and I was 20 years younger, I'd go back in without hesistation. And I'd probably hate it once I did. It's not easy work, and there's a lot of boredom involved and a lot of making do, and one hell of a lot of stuff that's not in the job description. Most of these guys will also go back to civilian life â or to their next assignments â with a sense of accomplishment. |
Although Pentagon officials say they have seen no sign yet of a rise in the number of troops deciding against reenlisting, the survey suggested that such a surge may be coming soon. A total of 49 percent of those questioned said it was "very unlikely" or "not likely" that they would remain in the military after they complete their current obligations. In the past, enlistment rates tended to drop after conflicts, but many defense experts and noncommissioned officers have warned of the potential for a historically high exodus, particularly of reservists.
Posted by: Anonymous 2003-10-16 |
