The enemy studies every move we make to attack a weak target. They were loins looking for a wounded animal to devour. They hid in unseen places and often had civilians between themselves and their military targets. The enemy knew our rules of engagement were to protect civilians at all costs. They tried every angle to fight unseen. The enemy in Iraq used guerilla tactics to avoid a head-on confrontation with their enemy. We varied our routes so that they would not learn our habits. Our reserve unit appeared as a soft target.
We entered the Iraqi war with ill-equipped equipment in 2003. We did not have up-armored Humvees, and our vests to protect us looked like antiques from the Vietnam era. The morale was affected by fear while performing missions. Soldiers even paid for a suitable vest to protect their lives in combat. Eventually, they created a welding area to carve out what we called “hillbilly armor.” It was ludicrous putting steel plates on the floorboard and steel doors on Humvees. This armor would only cause more shrapnel in the event of an improvised explosive device. It appeared someone wanted to pacify the soldiers with false security or lacked common sense. We eventually received a suitable protective vest.
We were a well-trained unit. The routine repetitive of Army training called “Be, Know, Do” created a single mind among us, like the Borg on Star Track. In 2003, we became a vigilant military police force handling detainee operation in Bagdad, Iraq. We drove places in outback areas equipped with Humvees without doors. On one hot day, we appeared as a soft target to the enemy. The hostile forces were brilliant in attacking when we appeared helpless to engage.
On a routine visit to a detainee facility, the enemy nested on higher ground with civilians between us. They began firing upon us. The rear Humvee swerved, and a soldier fell out, skidding down the road into a sloppy terrain. I quickly jumped out of the Humvee and motioned my chaplain assistant to cover downrange with the Humvee, protecting his backside. I ran while staying calm under fire. A soldier at the 50-yard line motioned me to keep running toward the injured soldier. Upon arrival, she realized what had occurred. Thankfully, she wore her helmet and vest as required. These items kept her from lacerations on her head and back. I remained vigilant, coaching the soldier from panic on the battlefield until medical evacuation arrived some 20 minutes later by helicopter. When we arrived at our destination, a soldier asked me why we stopped the convoy.
I looked at him angrily and said, “Warriors, do not leave a fallen comrade behind.” In war, brave hearts quickly find each other. The “Be, Know Do” training came alive in this experience. I clearly understood the value of the lectures and the skills practiced before combat. Soldiers must be capable of winning wars. We were courageous to stand firm under fire. The command knew the rules of engagement, such as resisting firing at the enemy to protect the human shields below their position. We did what was necessary to remove a soldier wounded on the battlefield. We were a unified force. The enduring training prevented us from faltering in our mission.
