Video from the Surge, Tal's Unit, 2BCT - 82d Airborne

Its too bad you guys are having no fun over there....... Embrace the suck

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"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

That's an outstanding question. I think you're in the wrong line of work. It sounds as if you should be an intel analyst.

Probably both. I'm guessing that it depends on the child and the level of exposure (s)he has with the troops.I'm sure some kids have had their parents tell them horror stories-- some true, some false. For instance, during the first Gulf War, Saddam told his people that Marines, as a prerequisite, killed a family member in order to get in.Obviously, that would leave an indelible mark on impressionable, young minds.But at the same time I know that many of the kids like the troops. So its probably both, depending on the kid and what they;ve been exposed to.

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"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Its called "down time." Seems like they're making the best of a crappy situation, which I think most people would do under the circumstances.What would you like to see them doing? Firebombing a village?

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"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Since the internet is devoid of facial expressions and general body language, it is some times difficult to discern when someone is either joking, indifferent, or angry.I suppose this is why emoticons were invented.My apologies for misinterpreting.