Friday - July 15, 2005
Shoot Fast
Many people send me their good wishes while I'm
over here in Iraq. I appreciate all their good will and I'm proud that these
wonderful Americans go out of their way to say such things. Their sentiments
come in two types. There are those who say, "Be safe," "Keep your head down,"
and there are those who say, "Be quick on the trigger," or "Shoot
fast."
I like the latter better. It
shows me that they really understand why we're out here.
I'm not out here, quivering and hoping I don't
get killed. I don't seek death or maiming. I don't even think of it too much.
Those of my comrades that go on and on about worrying about death like that are
quite boorish.
I'm not here to avoid
getting into danger. I'm here to help kill the enemy. I like it when people
understand my job is to be active, not passive. My job, as is every Marine's
job is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and manuever and to
repel his assault by fire and close combat. I don't see "keep your head down"
anywhere in that mission
statement.
Now, realistically speaking,
I'm a staff officer in an infantry battalion. I'm not kicking down doors. I go
off on operations, occasionally get shot at, and there's always the risk of
mines, IED's, mortars, and RPG's, all of which I've seen. But realistically,
I'm not locating and closing with any enemy as a practical matter.
When it comes to expressing sentiments
of good will, I much prefer those who understand that our intent is to be
active, not to find ways to not get hurt.
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