A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
This isn’t going to be a critique of Mike Yon. I already screwed up and broke a promise about engaging him in the first place. I have a problem in “picking my fights”. I always have. I’m a right/wrong kind of a guy; not a varying degrees guy.
On MY’s Facebook page he says:
If we are going to make a success out of this war, must start squeezing out and choking off the irresponsible “sources.” People who care will start writing letters to editors/producers who link to websites such as Blackfive and Mudville Gazette. Must start telling mainstream sources that when they link to milkooks, we stop paying attention. Please leave comments at mainstream message boards encouraging people to ignore milkooks.
There are some good milblogs who should get more attention (such as Small Wars Journal), but others need to be choked off. We have a tough, bloody war ahead, and should refuse to put up with this nonsense. The information battlefront is half the battlespace, and you are in it. Please fight hard from your position.
It’s time to get active. I will get back to the war and focus there. On the home front, please choke off Blackfive and Mudville Gazette. When you see links to them from MSM sites, please contact editors and producers, and also leave public comments that responsible people do not listen to milkooks.
Get active and help win the war.”
Without attacking MY for his ignorant opinions, I’d like stand beside my brethren and sistren (is that a word?) in the milkook community, nearly all of whom have served or ARE serving. As a matter of fact, I know that members of Blackfive are currently deployed in the combat zone. I also that, like MY, the folks at Blackfive and Mudville Gazette get their news and information from the same sources he does – emails and firsthand accounts.
As a milkook myself, let me give my “street cred” to those that may feel like answering the war’s Messiah and coming after us in forums and chat rooms.
I joined the Army in October 1994 at the age of 20. I had long purple hair and spent my time attending heavy metal and rock concerts and working for minimum wage. I decided that I needed to get some direction in my life and joined the Army for an initial 6-year term. I went to the Defense Language Institute at Monterrey, California and finished top of my class. In the first six years, I performed missions in South America and decided to change jobs as a direct result of the USS Cole bombing.
While in AIT studying counter-terrorism, the World Trade Centers and Pentagon were attacked. It solidified what I chose to do as a Soldier. Shortly thereafter, we invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban that sheltered Al Qaeda, the group that carried out the deadliest attacks on US soil.
After reclassification school (top 10% by the way), I was sent to 3rd Infantry Division and not after that, we deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. A few months into that rotation, we got word to prepare for combat with Iraq. I was attached to 3/7 Cavalry as the spearhead for the invasion at midnight on March 20, 2003.
After two days of driving through open desert in a fishhook maneuver to attack the Republican Guard’s flank in As Samawah, I saw my first real combat. As a result of that combat action, I was injured trying to release detainees in the direct line of fire of enemy artillery. From that point on, it was sustained combat for three weeks.
In the small town just south of An Najaf, we sustained heavy combat and endured constant RPG attacks, direct fire, mortar and artillery. It was another two days of constant hell. When word got out that Saddam was sending a column of tanks to our position, we were forced to dig fighting positions and lay out claymores to continue defending the woodline while the tanks repositioned to confront the armored threat.
One of my major responsibilities during the war was to search enemy casualties for intelligence and order of battle information. I also helped perform immediate battlefield interrogations of EPWs. Many of the dead had been that way for days prior to being able to search them. I’ve personally seen, smelled, and handled bodies at various stages of decay – senses that will never leave my mind.
Near Al Hillah, my team was ambushed and I found myself having to single-handedly rush a trenchline filled with Iraqis that had my team pinned down. I had nothing more than a 9mm pistol on me, having left my long arm in the track so I could search the casualties from the bloody battle. I expended three magazines that day and even got yelled at by my rear echelon First Sergeant for being unable to locate an empty magazine I dropped during the firefight while reloading.
In Baghdad, my team was responsible for capturing eight of the top 55 in the “deck of cards”. In Fallujah, we dismantled numerous weapons markets and arrested countless insurgents. Nary a day went by that I wasn’t in some sort of a firefight.
Granted, this was 2003 and I haven’t been to combat since. When I returned from Iraq, I was transferred to Fort Irwin against my will to head a counter-IED task force and revamp the scenarios based on my experiences. I tried to stay with the 3ID as they had follow-on orders to return later in the year. Even though an O-6 fought to keep me, I was transferred anyway. After that assignment, I ended up supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in other ways directly, though not in theater. From there, I was given a First Sergeant position at another strategic unit.
So, I haven’t had a chance to deploy contrary to my desires. Ask my wife – it’s killed me that I see troops come and go and I’m sitting back here in the states. But, that doesn’t make me any less of an “irresponsible” source as anyone else. I requested Fort Hood specifically to deploy. I’m not afraid of combat and I’m not afraid to stick my neck out for my troops and my country. I’m not afraid to kill or be killed; to pick up a weapon in defense of my brothers and sisters.
It is the SOLDIER, not the REPORTER, who has given us freedoms we enjoy. It is the SOLDIER, not the REPORTER, who is risking his life for his country. It is the SOLDIER, not the REPORTER, who has a “tough, bloody war ahead”. It is the SOLDIER, not the REPORTER, who will win the war!! When I go to Afghanistan in the coming months, I won’t be carrying a camera and notepad. I’ll be carrying an M4 and 9mm pistol!
Others responding to this nonsense:
From My Position
(20) Readers Comments
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to Anonn, thank you. i thought so. i just want a clear picture of his
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New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
[UPDATE] The "Face" of Military Dating Scams - The Wall of Shame
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Marcus
CJ never talks about it, but he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device for his actions that day. That is true street cred.
Anthony Emmel
Keep the faith, brother.
DNR
It is you, soldier, I thank and salute.
Not any reporter.
God bless you CJ!
And, again, thank you!
MP
You don’t owe us anymore than what you have given. You have served your country and continue to do so. Own that and be proud. When are people going to figure out that Yon is no longer Pro Troop? In fact..he is Anti-Troop. These are the people he is attacking.
Bob The American
Yon can kiss my fat ass.
CJ is a hero. Period. End of story.
Wanda (Wandafay) Gladwill
Amen!
brat
Amen and AMEN to the previous comments.
Thank YOU, CJ!
AW1 Tim
There was a time when I thought that Mike Yon was going to be the next Ernie Pyle. Now I realize he’s the next Gomer Pyle, and that’s being charitable. The real Gomer, at least, showed up to do his job responsibly, and couldn’t tell a lie if ordered to.
Yon, not so much.
Michele
CJ, I am so proud of you and always will be!!
Thank you!!
with hugs & support from Wisconsin
OEF_Ops
Hey CJ MY can KMA. He should count himself lucky this old grunt is not in Afghanistan. I’d probably drop his arse on the spot. Keep the Faith Top you are one of the good guys. (and gals too)
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Virginia L. Rice
We here at home want to know what is going on as our own son’s and daughters are in this war. What we need to hear is information from credible sources, so good job and Thank You for doing what you do C.J for keeping us up to speed!
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Jeanette K
I’d like to see a picture of you with long purple hair! I don’t think any reporter in their right mind would place more importance on their job over a soldier’s. A lot of journalists I know are very humble people and try their best to get the story right (without endangering others). They listen to every side of the story, milkooks and all!
Mr. Yon’s request seems like name calling and pointless mudslinging to me.
Maggie45
I’ll stick with the Milkooks, thank you very much. Especially you, CJ.
Myeviltwindidit
As an Aussie I am some what removed from the milblogging community because the Australian Defence Force doesn’t allow active service members to blog. I therefore have always relied on the US military blogs for information about Iraq and Afghanistan. I used to really respect Yon’s work (I even pre-ordered Danger Close) but now I just can’t figure out what has happened to him.
Keep up the good work CJ and thank you for your service.
Ty
CJ-I have continually been astonished, and quite frankly disgusted at what is going on with Yon lately. What I have observed is that the “milkook” always have it right, with an avoidance of ego. Yon really seems to be in love with himself ..and completely besotted..to the point of ..well..I guess I wouldn’t be surpised if he had an accident..
Keep fighting for good CJ..and my thanks to Blackfive, Mudville, and Chuck..
mijadedios
thanks for serving our country, as a soldier, and currently on this site! God Bless, keep writing these kick a** posts!
Amanda
Reporters and soldiers have different jobs. In MY’s defense (lord help me), he wrote “let’s HELP win the war.” He didn’t say, “Hey reporters, here’s some M4s. Let’s get these stupid soldiers out of the way so we
can go in there and show ‘em how it’s done.” It’s always interesting for me (as a civilian military reporter) to read about the views of soldiers or former soldiers who fancy themselves reporters. I further urge any blogger, military or not, to debate with traditional journalists the merits of whether bloggers can be or should be considered reporters. While I understand the “It is the SOLDIER, not the REPORTER, who has given us freedoms we enjoy” mentality, it still upsets me when someone throws that at me like I’m supposed to shut up,
nod my head and sit down. Remember that without reporters, there wouldn’t be anyone to exercise those rights that soldiers so honorably defend. I’ve spent enough time reporting on the military to know that not every single person is good and honorable just because they’re in uniform. Please don’t assume that every reporter is bad and dishonorable just because they’re reporters. I respect the hell out of the men and women who’ve had experiences like CJ. I’ve met a lot of ‘em, interviewed a lot of ‘em, lived among a lot of ‘em and loved a lot of ‘em. I ask for that same respect and regard in my profession. “Men are respectable only as they respect.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Gunner
I just found this site today as a result of the CNN news brief about CJ and his site.
I’m a vet as well 71 thru 80, sounds like a different military today, ( more modern ) but still the salvation of our society and nation.
From an Old Timers perspective, great job CJ, and you know what, the best reporters in the world are the feet that are the ground doin the job and holding the feba.
Just curious, C-rats and ham and eggs chopped? Thing of the past?