This just in from HM2 James Pell:

(ROE = Rules of Engagement)

I wrote this in response to a post on Blackfives' blog (Ed: http://www.blackfive.net) . And I actually have more to say, I just ran out of time....I started off wondering how I could write this blog without offending anyone, then realized I couldn't. Before I get discredited as a random fanatic I'd like to tell you where I'm coming from. Like most others I've been in theatre three times. First was for the invasion, second was for Fallujah, and third and last was as an embedded trainer living, eating and breathing with 500 Iraqis for twelve months. I've whitnessed the changes of R.O.E. from day one. I've had the chance to work with Spanish SF, Brits and Aussi soldiers.

This last year we were 11 Marines in a all Army AO. We operated in southern Bagdad in the infamous Dora Market. We moved to Sadr City and then again to a neighborhood known as Jihad. As the only medical provider for 500 Iraqis while in Dora Market I averaged 25 Iraqi W.I.A. and 15 Iraqi K.I.A. a month for the first seven months of the deployment.

I wanted to put it sraight, I'm not frightened or scared to be in Iraq. My morale is high and I love the USMC. I serve next to the bravest and most diligent men in the world. And when myself and my Marines are in trouble and I kill someone in the right I don't sweat sitting infront of a JAG jerkoff to tell him why I killed a man firing a weapon at me. Never once have I worried about the fallout of my actions during contact. The war is constantly changing in Iraq gentleman. In OIF 1 I had a green light to kill anyone on a cell phone. Now every person in Iraq has two. The lines of friend and foe, civilian and combatant are blurred. The ROE changes from day to day and place to place. And it's something that both Soldiers and Marines have to adapt to. Unfortunatly the stricter ROE are a direct reflection of actions of coaltion forces inside Iraq. A taxi with a mother, two daughters and two sons were blasted for coming too close to parked coaltion vehicles and the next day we were using pen flares instead of bullets to warn cars to stay back. It's cause and effect.

Every one of us is ready to fight every day - that doesn't mean it would make anyting any better for anyone over there. To have done it the right way would have meant a slow methodical sweep from the border in OIF 1 instead of the "Race to Bagdad". It would have meant taking and maintaining the countrie's countless ammunition supply points instead of letting insurgents strip them bare. It would have meant having the foresight to see Iran and Syria were going to be major contributors in both insurgents and weapons and having a better plan to control Iraqs borders from the beginning. But to think that simply turning coaltion forces loose for the fight would solve anything is insane. It would in all reality make matters worse. The Sunni and Shiite are for the majority caught up in their own little civil war for the time. To attack them would unite them as well as the rest of the Arabic world. This is the reason Ramadi still stands the way it is. It's why Sadr City and the JAM are still intact.

So here is the bottom line Gents. Buck up. Put your game faces on and look at the big picture. We are making headway on being able to come home. Stay motivated and tough. And if you ever think once you've got it bad or you've lost to many friends or brothers take a minute and sit down with a WWII veteran or someone who fought in Vietnam. God bless the military.

(Ed: God bless you James and all who serve this great land. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!)