16 March 2006 -

Well, after over 8500 miles and over 150 combat operations, with somber internal excitement I dismounted my M 1114 this evening for the last time, it was again a dry dusty - hazy evening sunset over Baghdad - it was a peaceful settlement to a long hard year of “Yala - rough translation to Lets Go Now Missions” with the Commandos.  Although, I am very pleased at the job my men have done, I can tell you all that with the peace of a year of hard work there is still a lot to be accomplished here in Iraq.  The encouraging news is that the forces we covered, trained and conducted operations with are far better off now than they were twelve months ago.  There has been a lot of questions about “who” we are equipping and what does the future look like - what it all boils down to is that we are building Iraqi forces to do Iraqi business, to bring our Soldiers home and that is what our transition teams are working for.  Our biggest hurdle has been educating commanders that are arriving  in country daily - they are learning but not fast enough for us.  It is tough in our society and in our Military to be the supporting effort (the unit that gives support to the other to accomplish the mission, often viewed as the 2nd string unit - the main effort is the one that is viewed as the best during a mission) on the battlefield but the leaders are starting to understand the withdrawal plan.  Coalition units must start a partnership with Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) units across Iraq - this means more than conducting solo US missions or sending ISF units blundering into dangerous areas but to engage the enemy as a team and engage the Iraqi leadership on both a personal level and with professional dialogue.  This mission is winnable and with time our need to be a part of Iraqi’s solution will continue to diminish. During my last talk with BG Armar (1st Battalion 2nd Brigade - “Wolf Brigade”) he did not want to joke around, which was normal with us (although I gave him a remote push button fart machine, which caused him to tear up with laughter - do not ask how I ended up giving this to him but I did…) but he insisted on talking about some of the crazy missions we have been on and how vital my team has been to the success of his unit - as he talked and my interpreter rattled on, I noticed how emotional he had become and how attached we all were.  I know that sounds elementary but the meaning goes much deeper than that - the Iraqis are people, just like us but with different cultural standards and customs.  They do not enjoy killing each other but they are locked by emotional forces and misunderstanding of what true peace is all about, history has taught them this lifestyle and they have been beaten into accepting this as a way of life.  On many levels we are building new ideas and teaching them how to value life in a new way - that is how you influence the fight in Iraq and that is how you share a democracy - build relationships.  This is the fight of the future and it has been very rewarding.

OK - if you have read this far most are probably asking yourselves why am I so reflective in my thoughts - well I have the honor of serving my country and I also have the honor and privilege of serving my fellow Soldiers - I bring forward my American ideas and values that you have all taught me and for that I am grateful, we have been successful together.  What I have shared with my Iraqi Friends has been everything my family and friends represent.  Everyone that has supported me with prayers, emails, packages, cards and calls has had an impact on my performance and has a right to share in my story.  On the 22nd we will move south to Kuwait and on the 23rd or 24th we will fly out to rejoin our families in Texas and I will rest easy with the understanding that we have done our job, it has been the right job and now it is time for others to carry the torch.  I look forward to our time in SC for the Celebration Wedding and my  time with my beautiful wife, Ashley.  If you have not heard our next adventure will take us to Fort Benning GA and who knows from there…..

From Ashley and Myself - Thank you all again for all your great support and May God Bless You All - Britton