The Iraq Experience

 

New Update: 12-DEC-2005

 

My name is Dr. Daniel J. Green MD.  I’m the Battalion Surgeon for the TF 4-64 Armor, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the US ARMY.  This is my final month of my year long deployment to Baghdad, Iraq.

 

I expected a great deal before I deployed.  During this past year I’ve seen nothing I expected, and yet I’ve experienced a great deal more.

 

My life has been eclectic.   Not by any design of my own.  I find myself drawn into things, driven by an intense desire to taste new experiences, and then ultimately making the observation, “Hey, that was cool…I’m glad I chose to do that”

 

I suppose that’s why I’m here.  Medical school was just a simple choice I made one day.  My parents thought I was crazy.  I had never shown any interest in medicine or promise in school.  One day I just woke up and was interested.

 

Same with joining the ARMY.  My parents offered to pay for school, but I declined.  The ARMY needed doctors and I needed challenge.

 

So here I am, and loving every minute of it.

 

Truthfully, if it weren’t for being away from my lovely wife and daughter, I’d be just as happy to stay another year.  I find myself feeling more rewarded by what’s going on every day.  Oh sure, there are days when I want to bite someone’s head off, or pummel one of my medics into the ground, but they pass.  I miss scotch (neat) and micro-brews;  My motorcycle calls to me at night and says “ride me Daniel, ride me”;  I dream about my wife, and I dream about my wife dreaming about me;  I’d like a good steak dinner; and bless these poor Pakistani’s hearts, I’d really cherish a lobster tail that wasn’t boiled for five hours.

 

Despite redundant foodstuffs, prohibition, and the periodic clash of personalities, things went spectacularly well this year.  I’ve got 35 more days on the ground and hopefully a safe trip home.

 

So here’s my story:

 

                                                                        

Week One                       Fostering Government              

Week Two                      The Basics

Week Three                    The Command                         

Week Four                      Physical Training

Week Five                      Shoulders                      

Week Six                        The Letter

Week Seven                    Creed                                      

Week Eight                     Chapters

Week Nine                      The Mission                            

Week Ten                       When I was eighteen

Week Whatever               Children                                  

Week Eighteen                The Music

Week Nineteen                The Ride                                 

Week Thirty-Three          The Return Letter

                                      The Uniform

                                      The Deceased

                                     

 

Disclaimer – The stories and commentaries on this web site are the sole opinion of the author: Daniel J. Green and are in no way a reflection of the doctrine or intent of the US Military.  Although the events are true, the perspective given on these pages is not endorsed by any US Military leaders, ARMY command, staff, or individual soldiers other than the author himself.    

 

 

Be Good, Be Well,

 

Daniel…