Off to Iraq!

[soldierandy]

I am off to Iraq next year for 5 months. Anyone else going? What are your thoughts?
It is getting rougher for British troops out there but still not as bad as the Yanks..we'll see..

[xjym2002]

Take care man!

I always think it will be helpful to wear a mustache if I was sent to Afghan. But I don't know if it helps in Iraq ...

Anybody here could give him some advice?

[Tengu]

Good luck man.

[MolliG]

Good luck and keep safe :). Make us proud by showing the rest of the coalition out there how the British Armed Forces are the best ;). I suppose you'll get told over the next year or so, what life will be like over there. Might be worth visiting some of the MoD sponsored sites to ask for advice from those who have already been there/are there.

:)

[HELEX]

Everything the Iraqi Police and new Army knows, the insurgents will know too. They will smile at you when you see them and shoot at you when you dont see them....

[George W. Bush]

Don't feed the Helex.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Take great care - we look forward to your return.

[mocking_loudly_died]

On your way back pick me up a six pack of beer

[Tane Angle]

Take care over there. Thanks for going. A few around here are making the trek over.

[seruriermarshal]

Good luck......

[ALBANIAN]

I am off to Iraq next year for 5 months. Anyone else going? What are your thoughts?
It is getting rougher for British troops out there but still not as bad as the Yanks..we'll see..

me, from october ro april, AlbanianArmy Special Forces (KOMANDO) at Mossul. :D

[W(M)D]

Take a good few books and an MP3, to kill all those hours.

Also, got a good pair of shades, the issue ones suck and will look bad in the photos. :D

Whats red and white and goes up and down alot?
Enjoy stagging on :lol:

[shrek]

Haven't been to Iraq since first one, but:

Rule number 1- Do not trust anyone (local)

Rule number 2- Do not trust anyone (Iraq military or police) I think you get my point

Rule number 3- If something doesn't feel right, it's not!! TAKE COVER! Let your mates give you **** later, one of those times you're gonna be right!

The advice from whoever said take something to do is great. Man, there are days it seems with nothig to do. Books, a laptop with DVD player or MP3 player.


Rule number 4- (final rule) Don't be a f...ing hero, unless you have to! It just makes the medals easier for the brass to pin on you lying down and all!


Get home safe, our prayers are with you!

De O P

or

"Those who dare, win" Right?

[W(M)D]

"...........It just makes the medals easier for the brass to pin on ......"

I thought every swinging d*ck, including those who stayed in blighty were getting a gong for Op Talc/Enduring Burden judging by the MoD website.

[ShadowNeo]

I am off to Iraq next year for 5 months. Anyone else going? What are your thoughts?
It is getting rougher for British troops out there but still not as bad as the Yanks..we'll see..

When exactly next year are you heading out? If it is next year, hopefully things will be nicer for you, hopefully the handover will have taken place and maybe the situation will be a little cooler :).

[Haiw]

Good luck & stay safe!

[Spooky]

Stay safe, man. Good luck to you.

[Midav]

Take care and godspeed!

[Ian H]

Don't worry too much now, you'll have plenty of time to get nervous. :D

Good luck out there though, I'm sure you'll be fine.

[martinexsquaddie]

take care and get a laptop with a dvd player you off to basra my bro will be pleased to see him but you won't see him for dust :lol:
its getting hotter than hell out there already but they have dug out the swimming pool :lol:
the FRL have more to fear from the locals couple got stoned to death for setting off a bomb last week.
look forward to a long boring tour but you can buy a cheap leatherman off the px and then get one issued two weeks later :roll:

[cavtroop4]

good luck. stay safe. return back in one piece.

[Argyll]

Next year is a long time away......concentrate on this year ;)

Some of you may be aware of this,I fly out next week for the start of a 2 months deployment to work with some mates in the Private sector ;)

[Ian H]

Good luck with that.

[sierraone]

good on you man...

[soldierandy]

wow thanks dear friends for all the well wishing!
I am starting the tour in May, back in November. I will be there for the hottest part which is what I am not looking forward to. So far things are a bit hectic. Lads are getting average 6 hrs out of 24 with their boots off.
The rest is patrols, stagging on etc.
But as you say it is still a long way away and things might change - hopefully for the better. No-one forsees though that US/UK armies will be home by then. We are in there for the long haul. Look how long we've been in the Balkans and Afghan. Other than that they are looking to cut back on people again. Incredible eh?

[Ian H]

What unit are you in if you don't mind my asking?

[soldierandy]

Opsec Ian, Opsec!

[W(M)D]

Opsec Ian, Opsec!

I am sure that he can pick up the detail from somewhere, probably on the web :D With the overstretch suffered by the British army it would appear that most units will rotate through the sandbox in short order, some are even on their second tours. It is no great secret that MoD are skint.

[sierraone]

There is talk now about Greek troops going to Iraq there is a new conservative govt in place...

[soldierandy]

Opsec Ian, Opsec!

I am sure that he can pick up the detail from somewhere, probably on the web :D With the overstretch suffered by the British army it would appear that most units will rotate through the sandbox in short order, some are even on their second tours. It is no great secret that MoD are skint.

The situation is pretty ****ty actually now. The MoD is penny-pinching and they won't admit it, they pay out big dosh to every arsehole that sues now for injuries, medical leaves etc. They use the TA as rent-a-squaddie as they are cheaper than the regulars. Every man and his dog now are going to go to Iraq and guess what? Now they say they need more troops for Afghanistan. In the meantime Kosovo is getting hot again and God knows what else will pop up that we, as a world leader (!), have an obligation to help. Some muppets in Africa will decide it is time to start chopping up people again and the 'world opinion' will start saying again 'why isn't Britain doing anything about this? because there is no oil there? because the US isn't doing anything?', etc etc.

Don't get me started mate :lol:

[W(M)D]

'why isn't Britain doing anything about this? because there is no oil there? ................

Because we are not the armed services we used to be as in the good old days of the Empire. We have'nt got as much 'va va voom'. Perhaps other countries sons can sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the world. I suppose that is why so many countries all jumped on the band wagon after the initial invasion of Iraq was completed and only got involved in the peace support ops. Little did anyone think at the time that this phase would be harder then the actual assault on the country.

[ALBANIAN]

There is talk now about Greek troops going to Iraq there is a new conservative govt in place...

I don't beleive!

[Ian H]

Opsec Ian, Opsec!

Fair enough, no biggie.

[usa320]

good luck man...stay safe and stay focussed.

[fdt]

Next year is a long time away......concentrate on this year ;)

Some of you may be aware of this,I fly out next week for the start of a 2 months deployment to work with some mates in the Private sector ;)Don't plan any landings in Zimbabwe...