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[anastasiav]

I'm having a hard time believing the soldier's story in this LJ post is really true, or at least is true for long stretches of time (its about food served to the military in Iraq). Can you please read it and let me know what you think?

Comments

[ulf-rulz.livejournal.com]

Halliburton/KBR/Wolfram & Hart was caught serving rotten food to the troops.

I'd believe it. But I'd also believe it's a scam, 'cause bottom line is, we live in an era & nation of severe personal greed. And Ayn Rand's wrong. It doesn't work. :)

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

It does seem rather unlikely, and rather false. Unless sequestered, I'd think that they could buy better food than that.

Some of the larger bases around Baghdad have Burger Kings and such in them, for goodness sakes!

[zen-thug.livejournal.com]

Hello all,
By way of introduction and the establishment of my "bona fides" for those out there who do not know me or recognize this particular handle, I will simply say I was there.
F.O.B. Marez, Mosul Iraq - Feb. 27 2004 - Feb. 15 2005
Headquarters Support Company, 133d Engineer Battalion
Maine Army National Guard.

The origin of this story is in Baghdad, so I can't speak directly to those exact circumstances as I was in Mosul.

Those situations never happened to me. There were times that I didn't want to eat what was offered to me but there was always _lots_ to eat. The Philipino and Turkish workers seemed to believe in the familiar european theory of "Eat, eat! you're too skinny!" and walking away from the chow line with less than a mounded over plate was next to impossible.

Also, there were stores, run by trusted civilians that had all sorts of junk food and quick food available. when an Iraqi merchant sees an American he sees cash-on-the-hoof and lots of it. Anyone who has languished in a tourist trap knows just how quick and thorough _that_ transaction can be.

And the AAFES (google the acronym, if you like) PX (military dept. store) was stocked with Chef Boyardee, instant soup, microwave dinners and even more junk food. And on occasion, actual american caffeinated soda and chocolate, that had probably only melted and resolidified in it's wrapper twice.

There are tough times though, attacks on supply convoys do affect the amounts, variety and quality of food available at the chow hall. But in my first hand experience never to the extent in that article.

All of that being said, there a great deal of need for the Unit's chain of command to be more active and persistent in ensuring the well being of their troops.

The people writing the articles are clearly (and very justifiably) emotional and may not be paragons of precision when it comes to the details.

I can tell you categorically that the concept of being limited to one bottle of water is ludicrous. I would drink one 1 1/2 liter bottle of water in 45 minutes during the summer over there and I never had to walk further than 50 yards to find a _pallette_ (approx 200- 250 bottles ea)of 1 1/2 liter water bottles that was for the consumption of _anyone_ in the area.

Could that stuff happen? Yes, it could happen. Only because people permit a lot of nasty things to happen to them.

Is it particularly likely? Now that's another thing altogether. I would say that anyone with enough sense to be able to obtain a Driver's License or enough smarts to become authorized in heavy list would not allow themselves to be subjected to such things.

Hopefully, that wasn't too ranty and remained coherent throughout.
TTFN.