A Letter From The Troops

In wars of America’s century just past, we have sent our soldiers to far-off fields of battle and were left to wonder about their opinions of the life-and-death conflicts in which they were involved.

Letters home, and more recently telephone calls and emails, would give us a peek into their states of mind. Some who returned would regale friends and family with tales from the front lines.

Times have now changed. A first-ever survey of U.S. troops on the ground fighting in Iraq was released February 28, 2006. The findings are surprising, particularly the fact that an overwhelming majority of 72 percent of American troops in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year.

Further, the new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey shows that more than one in four (29 percent) thought the U.S. should pull its troops immediately.

The poll, conducted in conjunction with Le Moyne College’s Center for Peace and Global Studies, also showed that another 22 percent of the respondents, serving in various branches of the armed forces, said the U.S. should leave Iraq in the next six months. One in every five troops— 21 percent— said troops should be out between six and 12 months. Nearly a quarter— 23 percent— said they should stay “as long as they are needed.”

The troops have drawn different conclusions about fellow citizens back home. Asked why they think some Americans favor rapid U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, 37 percent of troops serving there said those Americans are unpatriotic, while 20 percent believe people back home don’t believe a continued occupation will work. Another 16 percent said they believe those favoring a quick withdrawal do so because they oppose the use of the military in a pre-emptive war, while 15 percent said they do not believe those Americans understand the need for the U.S. troops in Iraq.

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