[February 3, 2022] A peek into Chapter 2 of my book, Our Longest Year in Iraq. I thought this might spark some ideas about the leadership at the grunt level. I called it our turn in the “box” – the box was the Iraq battlefield. Thanks for reading it:
The greatest foe on the battlefield is fear; it is by far more debilitating than physical weakness. Fear will get you killed. We couldn’t help but feel the building anticipation as we prepared ourselves to enter combat.
Our unit, the 353rd Engineer Group (Construction), was part of the main Coalition Engineer effort under the 1st Cavalry Division in the Iraq War during Operation Iraqi Freedom II from 2004 to 2005. This war would be the first combat experience for nearly everyone in our unit, and we all thought about the fear we would have to face in ourselves, more than the enemy.
That’s right; we did think about fear and that we might not do our duty because of it. Fear of our fear was something always in the back of our minds.
With the fall of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq Army, we thought the actual fighting was over. Officially, the war ended on May 1, 2003. We had won by overwhelmingly defeating the Iraqi army and then accepting the responsibility to support a new Iraqi government. And that was that. However, it was not the end of this story.
A dangerous insurgency raised its ugly head and persisted throughout the occupation until we departed Iraq in 2011. Did we “win” the Iraq War? From a traditional point of view, yes, we did win the war. That much is indisputable. But we did not achieve our objectives.
A better question is, “Did we have the right objectives and did we achieve them?” That question and the struggle to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the citizens of Iraq is what intellectuals will debate for many decades to come. Historians will write about the Iraq War, our role in it, and how the people of America viewed it. They will write history books not from experience in battle but from their safe, comfortable armchairs and judge those who were there. Those like me and many others.
While a vigorous debate about the war is warranted, what disturbs me the most is that many start with false information, like there were no WMDs in Iraq. When you begin with a false premise, your conclusions will be wrong. Let’s have a debate but speak the truth as well.
For the Soldiers of the 353rd and 1st Cav, we were there. We were witnesses in a fight against the tyrant Saddam Hussein and his henchmen from the corrupt Ba’ath Party (originally the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party). And, we would battle against insurgents and terrorists who would rain death and destruction down upon innocents.
Regardless of how this war began, there is ever only one thing to do. Wars must be brought to a successful end. We win as quickly as possible because it sends a hard but necessary lesson to the world. We did this by fighting on the battlefield and then establishing an occupation to bring security, so ordinary Iraqi citizens would feel safe to begin their lives again.
Before the Iraq War, we heard many in Hollywood, the news media, and political leaders praising Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. During and after the war, many Western leaders continued their support for him and his evil regime. Those are the conditions under which we fought.
Disturbing to us was that so many in America supported such an evil dictator. Alternatively, America should stand by and watch horrors taking place there without lifting a finger. This is a legitimate concern and yet I see no debate on that very issue that needs to be resolved.
By March of 2004, we were finally getting our turn in the box. Our Engineer mission supported our combat forces fighting the insurgency. We would do this honorably and obeying our Rules of Engagement while protecting every person we came across. Our motto was “Be Courteous, Be Professional, Be Prepared to Kill.”
This motto reflected our orders on the battlefield.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for the teaser to your book. Which BTW, I bought and loved. I’d never heard of “in the box” before ….. meaning the battlefield. Now I understand better why soldiers would want to go to war, not for glory but to help free others from tyranny.
It was my honor to read your book, Gen. Satterfield. What you have to say is sooooo crucial. 🇮🇹
Yes, me too. I bought three copies and gave them away as Christmas presents last December.
“Be Courteous, Be Professional, Be Prepared to Kill.”
Nuff said.
Says it all.
Yep!!!! 👍
I also hope that you read the book by Gen. Satterfield. If you don’t, you will be missing out. Just search for his name on Amazon, read the review, and do as you wish but I wish you will purchase his book.
This is just wonderful, Gen. Satterfield, well written. I look forward to reading your book. Several of your regular commentators have noted how much they liked your book. And, Amazon has a number of 5-star reviews on Our Longest Year in Iraq. I’m an American Patriot, just like you!
I enjoyed reading this. Last week, I ordered Gen. Satterfield’s book, got it yesterday, and started reading. A real page-turner. Get yourself a copy today. It’s only $12.99 plus tax. Great price.
Yes, Ronny, and there are many stories that hold your interest throughout. This article is a teaser. You will want more.
I’m going to buy the book, any others have their favorite part of Gen. Satterfield’s book?
The battlefield is what our military trains for and, thus, no other priority should cast a shadow on their path. That is why our née woke generals are so despised. The American people know what our military is about and PC ideology creeping in is not it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this blog post. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield and congratulations again on your book. I found this very interesting and I think it might answer an old question you asked in the past, “Why would anyone fight in a war?” You are starting to answer you own question.
Yes, well said, Doc Jeff. Gen. S. is on a roll.
Very patriotic, well written. Makes it seem like I was there on Route Irish. 😃
I was there also in 2004-06, spot on description. This is the kind of hard-hitting writing I like to read. More of this is okay with me and my military family.
Army Vet, I’m one of your biggest fans. Your posts here are great and I look forward to reading each of them, at least twice. Here is my favorite and your last article. I highly recommend it to anyone reading this blog.
“Shame on U.S. Army Leaders: by Army Vet”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/shame-on-u-s-army-leaders-by-army-vet/
POW, you got it right. Reality sure knows how to bring the crazies back to the human basics. War is terrible, but the alternative is worse. Despite the naysayers and nutjobs who say “peace at any price” obviously never had to pay the price.
Yep, agree with all of you. Also, best leadership site out there. Get on the forums and read read read. And, read Gen. Satterfield’s book too. I’m not a promoter, just a guy who knows good reading when he reads it.
Read and learn. Take some time each day, every day, to try to learn something about leadership and people. You will never regret it.
Yep! I’m on it. Ordered my book yesterday from Amazon. Should get it by tomorrow. Wow, I’m sure to love Gen. Satterfield’s new book.
Loving your writings, Army Vet.
I’m with you and Army Vet. 👍
I was with a chemical compnay out of Chicago. Good soldiers. Plenty dangerus. Had lots shot at us. Many IEDs but no injries.
Excellent post. I think I see why so many of those commenting here on your book so like it. Easy writing style. So, I’ll be going online this morning and getting my copy of your book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq” by … yes!! … General Satterfield. Everyone have a great day.
You won’t be disappointed. I’m not saying buy the book but you will be missing out if you don’t.
Time Magazine Person of the Year cover in 2003 is an interesting turn of ideology for the liberal magazine. Seems like they love the military one day and hate them the next. No wonder the magazine is failing. I didn’t even know they were still around.
Me either Scotty. Mostly I read Time Mag in the doctor’s office while waiting for my look-see. Otherwise, it just collects dust and rightfully so.
Ha Ha Ha… and Newsweek and the others that are in the dustbin of history. They failed to deliver the facts and now we all see them for what they are, liberal rags.
Just like CNN tanking after they were exposed as a fraud news site. And their senior leadership are involved in multiple ethical quagmires.
Ha, understatement. CNN is a propaganda arm of US communist party members.
Soooooo true!
Greatest motto of all time.
“Be Courteous, Be Professional, Be Prepared to Kill.”
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Chapter 2 of Our Longest Year in Iraq is setting the stage for the remainder of the book. If you’ve not read the book, please do so. I’m not sure if it’s for sale just on Amazon or if Goodreads and others have it, but get yourself a copy now and read it. All I can say is that I’m more proud of our troops today after reading it, than before.
yes, i agree!!!!!!
Excellent article, BTW Gen. Satterfield. I already have your book and I must say that I enjoyed every page. Every page was another story and each in themselves, amazing.
“We had won by overwhelmingly defeating the Iraqi army and then accepting the responsibility to support a new Iraqi government. And that was that. However, it was not the end of this story. ” Exactly right, Gen. Satterfield. And that is what is completely left out of any talks about the Iraq War.
Eagle Eye, yes, and it will be because too many folks see the war through the lens of extreme ideology and the facts don’t matter, unless they support their distorted views. Too many communists in our mist.
Got that right, EE. Thanks.
Yes, and why I keep coming back and reading the comments in this leadership forum. Gen. Satterfield sets the stage and we then discuss — if we so chose to do so. Gets my thinking juices flowing in the morning and helps set the day right for me.
Best book I’ve read in a long time.
Read more? Just go and get his book. I downloaded the Kindle version but after a few pages, went into Amazon and got the paperback copy. It will arrive tomorrow (fast turnaround) and I’m looking forward to going thru each page slowly to absorb all the info about this war.
Ha, did the same thing, Willie. We are on the same wavelength. 👍
Loved the exert of your book. Thank you!
Yes, Gilley, and I think – from these comments I’ve read so far – this is one of the classic books on warfare in the desert. Gen. Satterfield is one of those desert warfare experts and we should be picking his brain for his thoughts on the Middle East. Keep up the great work, Gen. Satterfield, we “have your six.”
Great comment, DPG. Thanks. Our Longest Year in Iraq (2021, September). Buy it now.
Buy it now and read it.