OxBlog

Sunday, January 04, 2004

# Posted 10:39 PM by Ariel David Adesnik  

MORALE ON THE RISE? Earlier this year, I was deeply worried by reports that our soldiers' morale was falling apart. But now Eric Schmitt reports that
American soldiers, from privates to generals, say they believe that their fight to restore security and stability in Iraq is winnable in the long run, but that an American military presence will be required for years to keep the country from falling into chaos.

In nearly 100 interviews and conversations in the last four weeks, soldiers across Iraq expressed a complex set of emotions and sentiments toward their rebuilding mission, now entering its ninth month...

Morale is generally high, but the guerrilla attacks that kill or maim soldiers have prompted many to endure their daily patrols by seeking refuge in dark humor. As one sergeant in the First Armored Division in Baghdad said recently, between drags on a cigarette, "Time flies when you think you're going to die."
It cannot be said that our soldiers enjoy the challenges of occupation. But who in their right mind would? Instead, our soldiers seems to have an admirably realistic belief that they must do what is right in spite of the cost.
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