Marines' 3rd combat tour pushes limits of endurance

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Interviews with two dozen Marines in Ramadi, their commanders, and friends and family back home reveal the cost in human terms. Like Jimmy Welter, some Marines in this unit enlisted after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But that patriotic fervor now seems spent....
....
Evidence of victory is scant, they say. Some are stunned that, after all the sacrifices they and others have made, so many Iraqis now seem to hate them.

Their choice to serve has put them on the battlefield three times in the last two years. Now, many say they just want to go home.

Their commander, Lt. Col. Eric Smith, sees the wear and tear.

"This takes a mental toll on these guys," says Smith, 40, of Plano, Texas, who was wounded in combat during a tour last year in another command position. "I do know they get tired, and I do know they've changed. I mean, their counterparts (in the U.S.) are running around getting pissed off because they were unable to register for Psych 303 and they have to start their senior year. These guys are running around worried about being supplied with .50-caliber ammo and not getting shot tomorrow."

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050730/NEWS11/507300325

[soothsayer]

1. Jeez I feel bad for those guys. But this quote cracked me up

snip

"I'm 22 years old. It really feels like I'm 30," Welter says.

end snip

Remember when 30 was OLD? LOL!

[rocktivity]

2. They can't go home again

Too of a much strain on veteran's hosptial budgets. Even worse, they might start running around having flashbacks and things. Very bad for business.

:headbang:
rocknation