Tough love: U.S. soldier chews out Iraqi police
posted at 3:05 pm on February 5, 2009 by Allahpundit
Part righteous frustration, part old-fashioned morale-building drill sergeantry: Awesomely awesome indeed, as Ace puts it, and predictably profane, so please observe your official strong content warning.
Is this guy sure he’s got Sadrists in his ranks? Muqtada’s influence is at ebb tide, especially now that Maliki’s party has swept the provincial elections, including among Shiites in the south. On a nationalist platform, no less:
Maliki’s alliance won the most council seats in Baghdad and in the crucial Shiite southern province of Basra, an oil hub that had been dominated by the rival Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. Though Maliki’s Dawa Party and SIIC both have strong Islamic leanings, Maliki had pushed an anti-sectarian message during the campaign that won over many Iraqis. The Dawa Party’s slate was named Enforcing the Law for the purpose of the election, reinforcing Maliki’s image as a strongman who could bring security to the country.
In Baghdad, Enforcing the Law candidates won 38% of the vote compared to just 5.4% for SIIC. In Basra, Maliki’s slate took 37% of the vote, and SIIC won 11.6%.
Enforcing the Law also came in first in seven other provinces.
SIIC isn’t Sadr’s party; they’re the group formerly known as SCIRI, his chief rival for dominance among the Shiites. Or rather, his ex-chief rival. Maliki reigns supreme now. Exit quotation: “The big loser in this election was Iran… The big winner in this election was the concept of a unitary Iraq.”
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2
Yup, not over the top. More like SOP when soldier’s aren’t performing.
In my experience, soldier’s will have more respect for a straight up NCO like that because men like that will weed out the f*** ups in your ranks that might get you killed.
SPCOlympics on February 5, 2009 at 4:23 PM
which is why Gran Torino is so awesome, do yourself a favor and check that movie out.
then ask yourself how pathetic Brad Pitt or George Clooney would look trying to play that role
jp on February 5, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Most languages have colorful colloquialisms for sexual behavior, and references for appeals to one’s manhood. If the interpreter is familiar with peculiarities for the Iraqi usage of Arabic, they most likely came across.
manwithblackhat on February 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Aww thank you thats very kind of you. On a lighter note I hope the next 4 yrs goes really quickly for all of us…=)
canditaylor68 on February 5, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Amen to that! Just not so quick that this country repeats its mistake.
Esthier on February 5, 2009 at 4:32 PM
RACIST!!!!
/sarc
I actually felt like going out and kicking someone’s ass myself…very motivational. Too bad most of that was probably lost in translation.
Wyznowski on February 5, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Having had deployed to Iraq (and getting ready to go again), I can honestly say, yes, there are times when it’s fully appropriate to say to your men, as Pastor Voddie Baucham puts it, “Butch up, Sally! You’re acting like a girl.” When it’s time to chew ass, you chew ass. As Solomon wrote, “there is a time for everything.”
Send_Me on February 5, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Truer words never spoken.
We had a PC commandant when I went through basic and he put out an order to the effect that NCO were not to swear in front of recruits. I do not remember the exact wording, but I do remember my squad NCO’s reaction. Verbatum.
“You all read the CO’s order? Good. You know how I feel about that f$%^ing piece of bull#$%^ don’t you, you little pric$s?”
To which we yelled back, “YES Master Corpral!!!”
:)
Jim708 on February 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Damn, he stomped on their manly pride, didn’t he? Nice work, sir!
Tony737 on February 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Better hope the “Arab street” doesn’t view it as a gratuitous humiliation of Mohammedans by unbelievers. There will be gnashing of teeth and kissing of Korans.
BL@KBIRD on February 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM
That was great! Takes me back to Basic. Only our TI didn’t need much profanity. He was about 6′-10″ and over 200 Lbs of solid muscle. He could lift a 140 Lb recruit by the shirt front to his eye level and have the most earnest one sided conversation I have ever seen.
candi, God bless you for sticking with him. I lost my first wife due to a year in Vietnam.
Marc
marcboyd on February 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM
As a veteran, his language neither shocks me, nor do I find it offensive in any way, shape, or form.
As a matter of fact, sometimes this is exactly the way you need to address the troops, in order for them to get their collective heads out of their ass*s.
Anyone who has been in charges of troops knows this.
Gothguy on February 5, 2009 at 4:42 PM
A-FREAKING-MEN
Michael in MI on February 5, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I am never shocked by the language of those in the military.
It’s where I learned to cuss (indirectly-I was not “in” myself-only a spouse).
Badger40 on February 5, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Now ask yourself……….
……… when our enemies hear one of our actual soldiers compared to Mr. Obama,
who do you think they fear most……..?
Seven Percent Solution on February 5, 2009 at 5:01 PM
So who is he?
Details!
My guess: Infantry 0-3, 9 months in country, a tad frustrated.
Officially reprimanded by his chain; unofficially recommended to every battalion commander as a man who gets things done; respected, loved – and occasionally feared – by the men in his company.
Now somebody go get details and see if I’m close. And get his address so we can send free beer.
Professor Blather on February 5, 2009 at 5:03 PM
My brother in law has been to Iraq for 3 tours now as a government contractor trying to train these idiots. He said it is very frustrating because they are only in it for the paycheck. They could really care less about defending their country, their town, or their family. It’s all about sects and tribal loyalties. This shit goes back for centuries.
He also said one of the biggest obstacles is that they are basically unable to learn. They forget nearly everything their shown from one day to the next. The educational system their did not teach them HOW to learn.
Anyway, the guy in the video is a badass. The One will probably have him court martialed in short order.
RobG on February 5, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Judging from the armor package on the Hummvee in the background, I would guess that this video is from at least a year ago, more likely longer. When I was in Diyala 2006-2007 we darkly referred to those worthless checkpoints as “JAM checkpoints”; Mahdi Militia infiltration of the security forces was a huge problem.
As for the worthless Congress, they need alternating doses of this guy and Terry Tate-Office Linebacker.
mcassill on February 5, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Count on a military man to get to the &^$%*#@ point. “You don’t need a truck, WALK!”. That was great.
Hog Wild on February 5, 2009 at 5:34 PM
OMG…I think we just found the 2012 RNC nominee for president…lord knows he would get my vote…how awesome would that guy be in a debate with Obama and chewing out the wimp ass American public that “wants the government to take care of them and make everything bad go away
AmericanUnderground on February 5, 2009 at 5:37 PM
While I was over there, I worked with a MSG that could string a whole sentences together with expletives, and make it sound relatively easy and eloquent. Man, that guy could get PISSED, I am glad I didn’t get on his bad side, or do anything stupid as a SPC.
theboss on February 5, 2009 at 5:43 PM
EXCELLENT!
nelsonknows on February 5, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Re Maliki’s party’s victory in the provincial elections: Maliki might not be saying it aloud, but he’s probably very thankful to George W. Bush for ordering the troop surge, David Petraeus for carrying it out, and John McCain for suggesting it, which gave Maliki the time and the strength clean out the “insurgents” and unify his country.
Barack who? Maliki has had enough of Presidents named Hussein.
Steve Z on February 5, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I say we hunt him down and have him run for president.
great motivation.
and it was not over the top.
ColdWarrior57 on February 5, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Man, that was awesome and hot! It made me a little teary-eyed too, because I’m proud of that soldier. He’s telling them how it really it, and that shows he cares himself. If he didn’t care, I doubt he would have been there in the first place chewing some serious ass.
Anna on February 5, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Seriously.
Anna on February 5, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Bingo. This is exactly what condemns Islamic societies to be parasitical on the greater world. By relying on rote memorization of the Koran, they are literally forcing their kids’ brains to develop into patterns that are useless for true learning. If Islam ever did succeed in conquering the world, humanity would fall back into another Stone Age in less than a century.
LenSp1 on February 5, 2009 at 6:16 PM
I just wished his interpreter was just a little bit more ‘colorful’ and to the point as he was.
Hopefully, most of them understand english.
I imagine it could be frustrating as hell.
RedbonePro on February 5, 2009 at 6:19 PM
This guy needs to be persuaded to run for national office and go to Washington and chew on some really fat, lazy asses. You know, motivate them to do the right thing.
cjs1943 on February 5, 2009 at 6:29 PM
I guess no one told this soldier that Harry Reid already declared we lost.
Bicyea on February 5, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Another thing I would guess, besides the educational system, is that the majority of the population probably has some form of PTSD from living under the stress of that environment for so many years, including years under Sadaam. PTSD can effect memory, learning, etc. Combined with everything else, including their cultural structure, work ethic culture, political situation, and such, those trainers have their work cut out for them.
I’m not trying to offer an excuse or justification for them not doing their jobs, just another factor in the equation.
Boudica on February 5, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Lol, POTD in my book.
nickj116 on February 5, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Btw, this dude and Christian Bale should team up.
nickj116 on February 5, 2009 at 6:47 PM
What I find funny is that people are saying we should get this guy to run for office. It’s funny becuase you can find several MEN just like this–real men, in any company-sized element of the military–Army in particular:)
What is sad is that many people in the country don’t know men such as this. The wussification of America is strong and on-going.
thomashton on February 5, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Calling a group of Arab men “pussies” and “women” when they’re underperfoming their police duties – PRICELESS.
omnipotent on February 5, 2009 at 7:01 PM
AMEN!!!
Boudica on February 5, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Looks like a normal attitude adjustment session. We need to turn this troop loose on congress.
GaryC on February 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM
If any of those people, man or woman, speaks up and says they want to run for office, I will support them. I don’t need a “polished” speaker, just someone who will tell it like it is. My checkbook would be open to them.
cjs1943 on February 5, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Sexy as hell.
surrounded on February 5, 2009 at 7:38 PM
New U.N. Ambassador! I live to dream.
Cindy Munford on February 5, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Sure, I can make one.
Recruit that dude for:
Sarah’s Fedaykin
Sapwolf on February 5, 2009 at 8:14 PM
American 1st Class.
Oldnuke on February 5, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Somehow I doubt the leadership of the US military will not be happy about this, the least of which is GEN Petraeus.
Amy Proctor on February 5, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Forget about just addressing congress, that guy needs to address the entire nation as a whole
Sugarbuzz on February 5, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Ahhh, the “Get/Keep your s#!t together or else” speech. I was on the receivingend of such speeches a couple times back in the Navy when I served in the 90′s on the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70. We got “reminded” of the seriousness of our job when we entered the Gulf and were essentially looking down the launch tubes of Iranian ASMs or back when China was getting froggy against Taiwan and we were on alert to go aid the USS Independence which was forward deployed at the time to Japan. In peace or war, the military is serious business.
Yakko77 on February 5, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I want to know what the Iraqi(s) who answered back said. You know it was excuses about not having as good of equipment as the Americans and so therefore they couldn’t work as hard. But I’d love to hear a precise translation.
“They forget nearly everything their shown from one day to the next. The educational system their did not teach them HOW to learn.”
Genetically, don’t you suppose Saddam systematically killed off the smart ones over the last 30-some years, so that what we’re dealing with now are the idjut left-overs.
NahnCee on February 5, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Forget about just addressing congress, that guy needs to address the entire nation as a whole
Sugarbuzz on February 5, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I agree; it needs to be said and I hope that the American people as well as those Iraqi Police Officers were listening to this.
As an American Police Officer, I cannot begin to imagine what our troops are up against trying to train Iraqi Police Officers.
mneal151 on February 5, 2009 at 10:13 PM
that…was…AWESOME!!!
Ciannaky on February 5, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Ahhhch . . . right-on. I can believe that many Iraqis have seen some pretty horrific consequences in taking a stand, but there is no other way.
pomerpants on February 5, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Man I love this guy! Gave me some bootcamp flashbacks of a D. I. that told us boots EXACTLY how it was and how it was gonna be. God bless him for missing the PC bus. Any hope of getting him a ride to DC to have a Jesus meeting with Der Azzhat/O’buttma?
GlocknRoll on February 5, 2009 at 11:02 PM
“And now, if you’ll pardon me, I’ll pull my boot out of your ass and get back to work!”
It’s a long, hard road for the Iraqis, but if even 10 percent of them can get it in gear and get moving, it might be enough to bring most of the rest along.
Man, I hope the Dem Congress doesn’t pull another “Vietnam” on them.
Merovign on February 5, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Hell yea!!
I loved the video and loved reading just about every post from our Soldiers on it.
The American Soldier kicks a$$.
Baxter Greene on February 5, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Mrs. Proctor, I hope your husband is doing well and once again,we appreciate his service.
I hope you are wrong about the military not liking this because the coffee shop generals in the press or on the hill will showcase this as more “crazy Soldiers tearing down the Iraqis moral”.
But as you know, just like the Soldiers and vets that are commenting, that this is real life,and here at home it is hard for civilians (like myself) to relate.So I think we should defer to the people that do know.
The Soldiers and their families.
As a military wife I am sure you are used to civilians like me and many others not understanding war.So it has got to be frustrating to have people who don’t know what it is like on the ground crying there PC bullsh!t for political reasons.
I hope the military does not bend to such idiocy and stands strong for this Soldier.
He has a hard and dangerous job to do and needs 100% support,because some people take action, face the world’s enemies and bring Freedom, while others become community organizers.
Baxter Greene on February 5, 2009 at 11:52 PM
I didn’t see leadership there. Saying a lot of curse words, challenging someone’s manhood and telling people how tough you are doesn’t motivate this former college football player and infantryman. Looked and sounded a like a speech from a 2LT. Totally devoid of actual leadership. Big on huff and puff.
Flame me all you want. But this isn’t what Drill Sergeants and Drill Instructors do to motivate soldiers and Marines. Great leaders get you to follow without having to tell you that you should!
rmel80 on February 6, 2009 at 12:26 AM
rmel80 on February 6, 2009 at 12:26 AM
I would agree that normal soldiers you would not put this level of a butt chewing to. It is the ones that are disloyal, slackers and those that would desert you in a time of peril that this would apply to. They evidently needed a wake up call or the sergeant would not be talking to them in this manner. Since the Iraqi police had volunteered for their position it was up to him to whip them into shape so that when the chips were down they would not buckle under the pressure, which would be more likely in them getting themselves and their comrades killed in combat.
Viet Nam Veteran
DL13 on February 6, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I wonder how the translator rendered “Goddamn” in Arabic.
aengus on February 6, 2009 at 7:39 AM
Have you ever dealt with Iraqis? They don’t need just leadership by example (which works for only the upper half of American soldiers in my experience). Iraqis don’t know what that is. What they need is an ass kicking. the only thing they respect over there is force. your “honor” or “manhood” is everything to them. this nco/officer kicked them right where it hurt.
Leadership is not “touchy feely” or “getting me to follow without really knowing it” (/glenn beck sarc voice off) Leadership is about knowing what modivates those you lead. This probably didn’t fix the problem… but it’s something that needed to be said. Nothing is more frustrating that just passing through an IP checkpoint only to have an IED go off with in sight IP’s. What, were supposed to believe that they didn’t see the guy digging in the road?… and then they didn’t waive us through knowing what was about to happen?
BadBrad on February 6, 2009 at 7:49 AM
what I do have see is a gross lack of understanding of what modivates muslims when he asks where their allegence lies. They don’t care about “Iraq”. Their answer is a resounding “Allah!” (or god). After that it’s their tribe and their family. That in itself is the problem.
BadBrad on February 6, 2009 at 7:57 AM
LOL….That was awesome.
I’d like a follow up….on how the unit reacts~
bridgetown on February 6, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Oh wow…I have just read through some comments here. People are actually offended?
This isn’t tiddly winks. These men have their lives on the line.
How in the heck can you blame that man?
wow…I say, let the Iraqi police cry me a river.
And I’m not even a man!
bridgetown on February 6, 2009 at 8:21 AM
I forwarded the video to my husband, who is a Master Sergeant in the Army (E-8). He’s also a religious leader / counterinsurgency expert in his field and has been to Iraq twice. My husband has a lot of experience with dealing with Iraqis and was asked by Petraeus and staff in 2008 to go to Baghdad to help with COIN, which he did. This is his take on this disturbed soldier:
Amy Proctor on February 6, 2009 at 8:29 AM
That is his professional opinion, and the opinoin of most military leaders, particularly GEN Petraeus.
The guy is obviously undergoing some sort of battle related stress and his behavior was completely unprofessional and counterproductive.
Amy Proctor on February 6, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Boy, do I LOVE our US fighting men.
Urban Infidel on February 6, 2009 at 8:56 AM
I salute our men and women in the service!!!! God bless them all!
grapeknutz on February 6, 2009 at 9:22 AM
His behavior was anything but counterproductive, and in this environment is totally professional, except for calling out their superiors in front of them. That said, he should have done that separately. A lot of this is smoke and mirrors designed to “shape up” these troops. As for your husband, this soldier is not acting in the “spirit of Saddam” – the spirit of Saddam is to rape, kill, and pillage. This soldier sees a bunch of “police” that are not doing their jobs, that are allowing themselves to be walked all over by the enemy because they’re scared to stand up. I was spoken to even more harshly as a recruit in Basic, Infantry, and RIP, and made to endure a much harsher climate during normal training. This is nothing.
This soldier is not working for a bureacratic think tank, or an entity that has to be politically correct. He is pushing these soldiers to do their jobs better, and calling them out as men, because his own men, their men, and their country all depend on the combat-effectiveness of Iraq’s own people to some extent.
The fact of the matter is that the mindset of these men must change to be effective soldiers, and in order to build a man up, you must tear him down first. Culture, political correctness, and high words should be left to the politicians. This is a warrior calling out men who are supposed to be warriors. This is a man living what he believes out in Iraq, fighting for people that won’t fight for themselves, and if his soldiers were acting like that, I guarantee he would call them out even more so.
He is not suffering from battle related stress. He has seen a problem with these guys, and he is there to help fix it.
I’m sure your husband is a fine man, and a fine soldier, however he is apparently not in the Infantry (the boots on the ground). I’m sure he’s excellent in his field, however this is a field reserved for a different breed.
This world is ugly, and sometimes we American Soldiers that so many Americans like to refer to as “heroes” (when we’re not doing anything they don’t think is wholesome) have to do things that are not so pretty. In order to be an effective soldier, you have to be able to put yourself and your feelings aside. Oftentimes, appealing to a man’s character is the most direct and effective route in order to achieve the desired performance – which is what is going on in this video. I guarantee that after this little speech, these guys were fired up, and the ones who are there to do a job, started performing better.
I never used the type of language he uses in this video, but what I said was often in the same tone and spirit of what this soldier is saying, however I oftentimes found this type of language to be very effective to the mission.
charlie36r on February 6, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Think this is bad, you should see what they do to our own soldiers in SERE School.
charlie36r on February 6, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Best damn speech i have heard coming from any part of the American govt.!!! This soldier has is striaght, up front and squared straight! This is the type of man we need in our govt and especially as a President!
Funny thing is, it reminded me of General Patton!
More power to the guy! Personally, anyone gets in his face over this and i’ll get in theirs!
Orion Prime on February 6, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Holy sh–. A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!!!
RD on February 6, 2009 at 9:58 AM
“I’ll bet you’re the kind of guy that would f%&k a person in the ass and not even have the goddam common courtesy to give him a reach-around. I’ll be watching you.”
What movie was this?
RMCS_USN on February 6, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Over the top? Under the circumstances, I’d say he was pretty restrained. Of course, it depends a lot on how faithfully the translator handled things like “you’re a bunch of women” and “until you man up.” I’m sure he has the four-letter Anglo-Saxon terms down pretty well by now.
njcommuter on February 6, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I’m thinking that was from Full Metal Jacket. Haven’t seen that in awhile… Good flick. I think it’s time to watch it again.
Woody on February 7, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2