Overview

Men shooting their guns in dramatic fashion is a tiny fraction of wartime activity. The sizeable contributions of female Soldiers in Iraq have been largely excluded in media. Engineers, military intelligence, police, psych ops, aviation, transporters, commo, finance, postal, medical, staff pukes, the ash and trash, itty bitty units that plan, man guard posts and make water safe to drink haven't been given their due. Most Soldiers aren't the Infantry Boys who are kicking in doors and performing harrowing missions. People have seen a one sided, violent representation of the war in Iraq. Some Americans leave for war straight from their neighborhoods and families. Many of these citizen patriots have wicked skills and low impulse control. This book is written about them. Criminality for Soldiers at war is more symbolic than real. If you are accused, the chain of command dispenses punishment according to the message it wants to send. Being in Iraq is a year-long jail sentence already, so appropriating multimillion dollar equipment (stealing) may seem worth the risk. If thievery benefits units and their missions, blind eyes get turned. But in the Army things can always get worse, so not getting caught is extremely important. Fresh from America, it was easy for Engineer Soldiers to adopt a gang mentality. After combat operations supposedly concluded in the Spring of 2003, the US government's plan to occupy/stabilize the conquered was written on a cocktail napkin. At the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, greatly over worked Army Reservists, doing more with less, gave America a black eye with pictures of snarling dogs before blindfolded, naked prisoners. Insurgents fired mostly dud mortars aimlessly into forward operating bases, then ran. Saddam Hussein was captured and the narrator helped to secure him amidst the real Men in Black. Civil war nearly broke out in Iraq several times. Injured Soldiers entered a maze called the Veteran's Administration where the most grievously wounded were dangerously over medicated. Engineers became bomb hunters. After an election the majority ruled in Iraq, never to share power again. Big Daddy re-wrote, taught and implemented a very complex counter-insurgency strategy in two countries. Upon veteran's return home, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) came to live amongst families.

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Reviews

Take the humor of MASH, the absurdity of Catch 22 and paint a veneer of behind the scenes, boots-on-the-ground reality of a non-combatant's war experiences and what you get is ""Scoundrels in Iraq."" A totally readable book that takes you on a front-seat tour of why our Iraqi excursion went the way it did. Additionally, it's a great autobiographical look at life as an Army Reservist. This book in no way takes away from the sacrifices of our Armed Services folks, but does give the rest of us in our armchairs a new and needed perspective on Iraq specifically, war in general. This was a great read about the everyday Soldier getting it done in Iraq. The author brings a unique insight into what war is like for the units that make it happen and win the battles. The friendships, stories and problems coming home remind us of the lasting affects of war. Kenny mixes the book with a sharp sense of humor and a litany of stories that amplify the impact of the citizen Soldier on our country. A must read for citizen Soldiers, veterans and those interested in the excitement and sometimes mundane humor of war

Take the humor of MASH, the absurdity of Catch 22 and paint a veneer of behind the scenes, boots-on-the-ground reality of a non-combatant's war experiences and what you get is Scoundrels in Iraq. A totally readable book that takes you on a front-seat tour of why our Iraqi excursion went the way it did. Additionally, it's a great autobiographical look at life as an Army Reservist. This book in no way takes away from the sacrifices of our Armed Services folks, but does give the rest of us in our armchairs a new and needed perspective on Iraq specifically, war in general. This was a great read about the everyday Soldier getting it done in Iraq. The author brings a unique insight into what war is like for the units that make it happen and win the battles. The friendships, stories and problems coming home remind us of the lasting affects of war. Kenny mixes the book with a sharp sense of humor and a litany of stories that amplify the impact of the citizen Soldier on our country. A must read for citizen Soldiers, veterans and those interested in the excitement and sometimes mundane humor of war

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