You'd think I'd be more chagrined.

[chaotic_nipple]

Normally, I'm careful not to pass on mere rumors. This one was just so _plausible_, though. Rape, mutilation, and death are appallingly common occurences in middle eastern countries; Normally, it's kept quiet to preserve the family's "honor"( That is, on those rare occasions when teh familiies aren't the perpetrators). When I heard the initial rumors flying around the TOC, they rung true in a way that rumors normally don't. While I'm sorry for posting false information, I can't be too sorry, as worse incidents happen every day in this part of the world.

Here's a true story, from back in OIF1: We were in Fallujah. During a meeting with a local official, he explained to us why a recent riot had occured. Seems that a local woman had been "dishonored" by being searched at a checkpoint. Her family was obliged to kill her, of course, and we got the blame. Bastards.

Comments

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

Er? they changed the language requirement? Back when I went to DLI, echos needed 2/2/2 to go to their AIT, and kept getting roled back until they made it. That was the only exception to the "One rollback allowed, and then you're off to learn Russian!" rule.

Anyway, you'll be sure to have much fun here, provided your definition of 'fun' is fairly elastic. It's not that bad here, in terms of quality of life issues. Our living conditions in Bosnia were much worse. The only downside is that there are many more hostile natives in the land between teh rivers. But at _least_ we have reliable internet access! ;-)

[vaderstg.livejournal.com]

it still is 2/2/2 ... i got a waiver - along with 6 other echos who failed speaking. Our units need us now, not two months from now when the "refresher" course would have ended.

And they wouldnt roll me when i begged for it.

Oh, I did my AIT already (did that first). I kicked ass there.
Thank god for reliable internet! :) (depending on where you are, i presume..)

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

IIRC, every FOB is wired these days. Those lucky bastards at BIAP and Anaconda have a host of other luxuries too, including, and I so badly wish I were joking here, a beauty spa and masseuse. I'm sure that neither of them are anywhere near civilian standards, but still!

Do you know what AO you unit is going to have?

[vaderstg.livejournal.com]

no idea. Where's 4th ID, 1st Bde going? I'm slated to join their STB (special troops bn... does this mean we get the short, yellow C-130?)

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

It means you'll get stuck in a battalion whose non-MI Commander neither knows nor cares what your job actually entails, and it will show. On the bright side, when you get deployed, you'll get sectioned out to a line unit that will treat you like gold.