Interview of me while in Iraq 12yrs ago, Vol. 1

21FEB2022; 1828, MON

Heyo! This is the first part of my latest trilogy; and what I believe to be a major factor in my decision to start blogging professionally.

I've attempted to keep the editing at a bare minimum, out of respect for my Homie who was kind enough to permit me to republish this piece. One more caveat before the cannonball: I'm extremely grateful to this superbly splendid site for the opportunity to potentially share such contrarian views.

I just had three posts approved by the mods in less than 24 hours (a new personal best); and I have two more currently pending approval. I've been trying to convince friends/Fam left and right to start blogging here; and/or to take their blogs on this site much more seriously.

In any event, here's my initial installment of my personal version of "Interview With a U.S. Soldier" by Anonymous. Enjoy; please and thx.

Originally published 16MAY2010; SUN

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Over the past few weeks, I have been in contact with a current member of the U.S. Army. I asked him if he would be willing to answer some questions for my blog; about himself and his involvement with the United States military. This is how it went:

How old were you when you decided you wanted to join the military?

I was 17 years old when I decided that I was going to the Army.

When did you enlist?

I enlisted August 27, 2007. Immediately after finishing summer school and receiving my diploma.

What were the motivations and influences behind your decision?

I played way too many video games when I was young. After a recruiter talk to me and my mom, it was pretty much written in stone.

I was fast, strong, and a bit reckless; so it sounded perfect. Also, I could not afford, nor do I think that I would have survived, college.

I wanted to help fight terrorism. In addition, the bonus (~$30,000) was too tempting to pass up.

What were your pre-enlistment beliefs of the United States and of the world outside?

I still believed in the country and the government at the time. I was extremely naïve.

To add, I knew nothing abut the world around me at the time that I joined. In short, I thought that America was the best and most righteous country there ever was.

Can you give me a description of what your biggest influences were growing up; and how they effected your beliefs of your country, as well as the world outside it?

I think that my biggest influences were video games, television, and society in general. School was an amazingly efficient indoctrination center as well.

In that, the lies of omission were astonishing. Television hardly portrayed life outside of the United States accurately.

So thinking about other countries was not really common for me. Also, America is nearly always portrayed as the "good guys"; or in a positive light, so to speak.

The general understanding that I held (tho it sounds farfetched) is that if you were not born in the U.S., then it sucks to be you. To boot, I perceived the misfortune to be the fault of the foreigners.

What was your opinion on the military? Specifically that of the United States; and your thoughts towards war in general?

I thought that the U.S. military was made up of the bravest men and women in the country. I knew in my heart of hearts that folks in the American military were the toughest sons of guns too.

I'd have sworn they were all about the "team". I knew nothing about the unbelievable sexual assault rate in the military.

Also, I thought that wars were always justified. I never would have guessed that "War is a Racket" (1935, by MajGen. Smedley Butler, USMC [United States Marine Corps]).

What were your beliefs on 9/11 [September 11, 2001] and the "Global War on Terror" prior to your enlistment?

I thought that 9/11 was an evil attack on the American people. I was convinced that it justified the GWOT.

I had no idea how many foreign civilians were being killed. Nor was I aware that three buildings actually fell in NYC (New York City) on that fateful Tuesday.

What about the countries the U.S. was fighting against?

I had never heard of Iraq or Afghanistan before the wars. I knew hardly anything about them until after I joined.

I honestly thought that they were just crazy Muslims. Simply figured that the "jihadists" decided to attack America out of pure, unadulterated hatred.

It never dawned on me that they might be slightly upset about us invading their countries. There wasn't even really the foggiest of notions in my mind that 9/11 could have been a false flag operation.

What was the extent of your knowledge of 9/11 and of the reasons your country was at war upon being enlisted? How did they differ from pre-enlistment beliefs?

Before I enlisted, and at the time of my enlistment, my beliefs about 9/11 remained virtually the same. For the most part, that is.

I still thought that 19 Arabs hijacked planes and attacked America unprovoked. I never looked at any of the evidence for myself.

Nor did I try to figure out exactly what happened. I believed everything that the media said.

I didn't listen to the mainstream media; because I recognized their fear mongering at an early age. However, I got my info from others who only listened to the mainstream media largely.

Upon joining the military, what were your intentions?

I wanted to get some action, like I did all the time in the video games. I needed that bonus to buy what I wanted in life on top of that.

Additionally, I needed the money for college; if I were to decide I wanted to go at some point. I wanted to serve the country, and earn my citizenship; in a sense.

Why did you enlist? Why did you choose to fight overseas?

*** Transmission to be continued ***

Edit: The featured image was taken while I was home on my two week R&R (Rest and Recuperation) during my 12 month deployment to Baqubah, in the Diyala Province of Iraq. My very first solo photo shoot actually.

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I'm easily reachable on Twitter; for private and/or public convos on the works written by me, my favs, as well as my other influences. Apparently, there aren't any other profiles for a "Darrius Unity", nor a "Nefarious Darrius".



Two R's in my name. Same account, undoubtedly.



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