[+] The war is being chronicled by those who are fighting it

Most people are not aware that the war in Iraq is being chronicled for history (and for the information of anyone who wishes to read their writings) by the very people who are fighting it -- the military personnel who are stationed there. This may come as a surprise, but then almost everything about the war and about Iraq is surprising, since we receive a very limited (and some would say quite biased) view of it through our national news media. Those interested in getting a more balanced view have long understood it is necessary to access news reports from other sources, such as British or German sources. Now, it turns out, a more immediate (indeed, original) source is available in these writings, in the form of 'blogs' (or web-logs) written by those who are most directly involved -- the troops. The following article describes a number of these, and much other information may be found at http://www.optruth.org -- see especially the articles listed under "Soldiers Reveal the Truth" and "Hear It From the Troops."

In recent years, TV coverage and email have given us more direct insight into wartime realities. Now, the availability of easy-to-use 'blogging' software makes it possible to get even more comprehensive reports straight from the combatants-- without having to rely on intermediaries such as network news organizations or government bureaucracies.

Military Blogs

One of the best ways to learn about the war is to read the blogs from soldiers who have served, or are still serving, in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here is a selection of blogs from the troops, most of whom are still deployed overseas. You can reach other 'milblogs' through links at these sites. Their opinions about the war vary widely, but they always provide an interesting, informed and personal perspective on the war. Bear in mind that bloggers tend to remain anonymous and that they cannot always update their sites regularly.

Here are the blogs:

Upon graduating Basic Training from Fort Benning, Georgia, CBFTW's orders sent him to Fort Lewis Washington, where he was a part of the Army's first Mobile Elite Stryker Brigade. He was sent to Iraq in 2003 where he is conducting combat operations. He was "Stop Lossed" and had both his R&R to Qatar and his mid-tour leave cancelled. His blog, 'MY WAR,' is at http://cbftw.blogspot.com/

Bryan is from Fort Hood, Texas, and has been stationed in Iraq since January 2004. According to his own blog, he "chronicles the experiences of a young man playing a small role in America's ongoing military undertaking in the middle east." His blog, 'e-rocky-confidential,' can be found at http://www.e-rocky-confidential.blogspot.com/.

Beth is a 27-year-old Navy Corpsman. She is married with one son, Coda, and is originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania. Beth has been stationed in Iraq since July 2004. She is a Sergeant and laboratory technician. Her blog, 'A Labrats Journey,' is at http://www.desertdiet.blogspot.com/.

Sean Pearce returned to the U.S. in September 2003 after serving in Iraq for three months. Before he served in Iraq, he was stationed in Kuwait, and served in Afghanistan before that. He lives in Virginia, where he works in communications and plans to complete his college education. His blog, 'Turningtables,' has not been significantly updated since he returned home, but is still an excellent account from the ground. The blog is at http://www.turningtables.blogspot.com/.

Rob is a Drill Sergeant and has yet to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, but still provides a valuable perspective for those not in the military. "Very few people can relate to the idealized image of perfection that comes in a GI Joe box," Rob writes in one of his blogs, "But everybody can relate to a 19 year old Private who has a real life, and wife, and kids -- one who suffers and complains and then saddles up anyway and gets the job done like soldiers always have." His blog, 'AnAmericanSoldier,' is at http://anamericansoldier.blogspot.com/.

"Six Months of Playing in the Sand: Welcome to the musings of a Marine currently serving in the box, and a former Marine keeping the home fire's burning," the authors of 'Beck in the Box' write to describe their blog. Beck is a marine who served in Iraq, and the writer who goes by 'C' is a former marine who stayed at home and reported on Beck's progress. Their blog is at http://www.angrymindy.com/beck/beck.htm.

Kevin has been stationed in Iraq for almost one year. While the rest of his profile remains unclear, he writes about the local Iraqis with compassion and respect, and has pictures available to view. His blog, 'Boots on the Ground,' is at http://www.bootsonground.blogspot.com/.

The blogger known as 'Chief Wiggles' returned from Iraq in the spring of 2004 and is in his early 50s. Chief Wiggles has served in the Army National Guard for over 30 years and has served in two wars. He is an interrogator/debriefer at a palace in Baghdad, Iraq. His blog, 'The Home of Chief Wiggles,' is at http://chiefwiggles.com/.

'Chrome Dome' was stationed in Iraq for a little over a year, and returned July 2004. Most of the accounts of his experiences in Iraq are related by his wife, who remained at home. Since Chrome has recently returned home, he has also started writing about civilian life. 'Chromedomezone' is at http://www.chromedomezone.com/.

'J' is a U.S. soldier stationed in Iraq and an avid bird watcher. He has two sites, www.phlebotomus.blogspot.com/, which documents his war experience, and birdingbabylon.blogspot.com, which is devoted to bird-watching in Iraq. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer http://www.philly.com/ mld/inquirer/9042704.htm, J is a biologist and father of four.

Omar Masry is in an Army Reserves unit working on reconstruction in Iraq. His blog, which focuses on the transition and rebuilding effort, offers a unique perspective from an American of Middle Eastern heritage. It has not been updated recently. http://www.omarmasry.net/

There are many other military blogs. You can link to most of them from any of these sites, or from http://www.mudvillegazette.com/, a site from a U.S. soldier stationed in Germany.