US combat troops get screwed in Iraq

It’s typical for a war that is winding down to send troops who will risk their lives simply for putting up a last moment of presence for the US in the broken down puppet state of Iraq. Some soldier have even complained they are bored and don’t get to go out and kill anybody. I guess they miss the excitement of risking their lives to kill Iraqis.

From McClatchy:

For U.S. combat soldiers, new role in Iraq is frustrating

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By Hannah Allam | McClatchy Newspapers

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -- Before Army 1st Lt. Bianca Philson's first deployment to Iraq earlier this year, she trained as a battle captain, learning how to keep commanders informed of progress during fierce fights against insurgents.

Philson's extensive drills included simulated urban gun battles, intelligence gathering and jamming signals to prevent the detonation of roadside bombs. Now that she's been in Iraq for five months, how much of that training is put into practice?

"None," said Philson, 24, of Huntsville, Ala. "I don't do any of that stuff."

Instead, Philson and about 4,000 other soldiers with the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division are relegated to their sprawling base on the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah or to dreary outposts where they train Iraqi forces. The brigade, primed for combat, is now the prototype for the U.S. military's "advise and assist" mission, an experiment in which Americans step back from the fight and empower Iraqis to take charge of their own forces and reconstruction efforts. One other advise and assist brigade is in Iraq now, with five more expected to arrive by spring.

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