There are many unusual tasks that can be assigned to infantry officers, and some of them are rather unpleasant. Occasionally they are morbid. About two weeks before changing jobs I came up in the rotation to do a "personal efffects inventory." Several soldiers from the battalion had recently been wounded from another surge of IED's in our area, two of them bad enough to be sent home to recover. While "out for the rest of the season" luckily they will both recover to full function. One of them was a stranger to me. The other, I knew, respected and liked. So the task feel to me to go and unlock their barracks rooms, dig through all of their personal stuff, inventory it thoroughly, and pack it up to be shipped back to them in the USA.
I was assisted by two soldiers from their company as it is a task that one does not want to drag out. It proceeded with the usual military professionalism and respect, all the while feeling like we were violating their privacy by rifling through all of their stuff. However, there is still the obligatory wise cracking between me and the soldiers as it helps to cover our sorrow. The gear issued by the unit is separated out and redistributed. Once completed, the effects are stored for later transport as I got to type up official documents to accompany them. I had the easy part, I wasn't the one who would receive the effects. It is a task that I hope I will not have to repeat as I hope it will not be necessary again.
Sort of like going through someone elses underwear drawer. A very difficult task indeed. Fortunately these two were survivors.! I can't begin to imagine how you do this otherwise. I'm not sure I could.
Posted by: devildog6771 | August 20, 2005 at 09:22 PM
You are featured on my blog today . I have really enjoyed reading you blog...God Bless and keep you safe.
Posted by: Karen | August 20, 2005 at 10:17 PM
I am truely sorry you had to go through that. It is good that they survived, but it makes it only a little easier.
I had the same duty assigned to me back in the distant past. My First said that since I was his best bud, for me to do it.
He said, "be sure and take out anything that you think his mother shouldn't see."
I remember going through his meager belongings, thinking to myself, " I wonder if he is watching me, watching and saying to me, "Sorry Ray, Sorry you have to do this".
He was that kind of guy, one who always considered others before himself.
That is why he died.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by: Papa Ray | August 21, 2005 at 04:16 AM
I just came to your blog a few minutes ago by accident but I have enjoyed reading it. My cousin was in the Army for 20 years and never talked about his experiences in the military. It wasn't until 2 years after his retirement at his funeral this summer that his family found out about the great things he had done. He was a Nightstalker and the Nightstalker prayer was read at his funeral. I had no idea until that day that he had been one of the soldiers to go to Somalia when things were so bad there or that he was in the Special Forces. We just thought he was a guy in the Army...how naive of us. Just know that people everywhere are praying for the safe return of all the soldiers and we really do appreciate the work you do. Stay safe and God bless you.
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | August 21, 2005 at 04:36 AM
Damn, dude.
Of course you have not had as much "training" as I have in interational matters with "enlisted men", having lived on the streets as long as I have. However, as a commander in the United States military, I would expect , at least, as much job orientation.
I guess not. Such is/are the thought processes of those who(m?) have directed and selective thought processese in the United States military.
---Dan..."burp"...Please excuse me.
Posted by: Dan | August 21, 2005 at 09:20 AM
Just wanted to say HELLO and KEEP SAFE...think of ALL OF YOU ALL OFTEN!!!!
Posted by: Dominique | August 22, 2005 at 09:05 PM
Sounds like a bad task that "someone" had to do. Keep your spirits up! Hooah!
Posted by: Greta (Hooah Wife) | August 23, 2005 at 07:06 AM
Sir, My husband has been in this situation before. He didn't have to do it himself but was so visibly shaken up at even asking a soldier to do it. I can't imagine what either one of you felt and my heart goes out to their families. I am glad that they will recover from their wounds.
HH6
Posted by: Household6 | August 23, 2005 at 09:54 AM
Hey,
I love your site. I find what you write very interesting, sometimes heartbreaking, but also I find it very rewarding to read anything that you post. You are very brave. I want to thank you for everything that you do. Hold your spirits high. I will continue to pray for all of you.
Blessings,
Posted by: Adrienne | August 23, 2005 at 06:59 PM
Hey,
I used to be and 11B but I got out before the war started. Just wanted to say good luck and snipe a few of them fuckers for me! Have a good day Sir fmr PFC M. Rota
Posted by: Mike Rota | August 24, 2005 at 08:43 PM
Thank you so much for completing that task with honor and respect for your men that had been injured. I shudder what Al's fellow soldiers would find going through his stuff - lol. Hope all of you continue to stay safe - and I send lots of prayers for those recovering soldiers.
Posted by: Al's Girl | August 25, 2005 at 07:22 PM
So good to see you back. I've been out of the loop for a while.. but it was good to see that you've been posting again. I realize that your last mission was rough and I wanted to thank you for posting about it. Your honesty helps prepare the rest of us (if even a tiny bit) for the types of things that we may be faced with when we get there.
It's not just all about the bad guys.
Take care and hope things get better soon!
Phoenix Out
Posted by: Army Girl | August 27, 2005 at 03:46 AM