Dan Caine: Final Report From Iraq

I don’t know Dan Caine, but God Bless him, he’s on his way home from Iraq. I am inspired by his words and encouraged that he will bring home experience and a mindset that our future depends on.

God Bless all of you who are serving to protect our nation.

Final pool report / Climbing out of Balad - Southbound.
It is surreal as I sit on an airplane headed for the United States and home,
writing and thinking about what to say in this final OIF pool report… we
just flew over Baquba Iraq where we had some big fights… and some bigger
losses… I'm looking forward to no dust for awhile.  I'm drinking a
beer.  It's a Bud, and it tastes great.    As I reflect on the last months,
in some ways time has gone very fast... and
in other ways time has stood still… I am amazed at the work we did.  There
is a reason we have "shorter" deployments – our pace is incredible.  That
said, I am very thankful that I'm not here for 15 months and I have
tremendous respect and appreciation for those folks that are here for the
long haul.
My departure was somewhat hasty and quick as they almost always are.  When
you finally push home, your final hours are filled with cleaning weapons,
equipment, packing, closing out targets, and saying goodbye to those
teammates who have become part of the fabric of your life.. As always, I
made some life long friends and met people who I have endless respect for.
I first want to thank each and every one of you for your support.  There are
not enough words to express what it has meant to me personally and to my
teammates… From Mom's cookies, tons of care packages, the writing project
from a school in NY, letters, emails, videos, cards, support from total
strangers who cared enough about us to take the time to write or send a
package or simply to tell us that you care about us and support us - they
have all been amazing.  You all have been there for us and there are not
enough words to say thank you.  We are all extraordinarily humbled.
Many of you have asked me "what's it like".  There is nothing in the world
like combat, on the air or ground.  You feel a mix of excitement, anxiety,
fear, anticipation, and for me a sense of  appreciation for the opportunity
to be be here.  For most of us there will always be a feeling that if there
is a fight, we want to be there, at the door, on the objective, on the
mission -  especially when fighting an enemy as brutal as this one.  When
you are amongst these quiet professionals, there is no place in the world
you would rather be then sitting right beside your team -  in a loud,
completely jam packed, pitch black helicopter or in the cockpit of a fighter
alongside these great human beings.  It is an incredible honor to serve in
any capacity here.. It is also one of the most intense adrenaline rushes you
will ever experience,  I assure you.  When you are on the target you are hyper
focused.  You catch a thousand
little things that you never would have noticed otherwise had you not been
where you are.. A plastic bag by the wall, a pile of trash that looks
suspicious, a dog that is barking just a little different then the others, a
disturbance in the dirt in front of you…  you miss nothing… every one of
your senses is in overdrive and unfortunately no matter how careful we are
sometimes things still don't go our way.  What consistently awed me was the
power of the human and the warrior spirit.  A person can overcome most
anything if they have the will and drive to push through it.  The most vivid
example is the strength of the young men who are first through the door…
They have no idea of what waits on the other side, and more often then not
it was the enemy… armed… ready… and still without a moment of hesitation
they assault.  That's the American Spirit.
This was an incredibly costly trip.  In the end we lost 12 great men during
my time there.  They all died fighting for what they believed to their core
- that every human being deserves Freedom and a life free from the threat of
terrorism.  Our Nation and our closest allies have always paid an incredible
price for Freedom and we do so willingly… we do it so that the Iraqi people
will have a chance at something that often citizens in America take for
granted - the right to choose… to have a vote… to participate… to
contribute.  My sincere hope is that the Iraqi people realize what
incredible sacrifices our Nation and our allies have made for them.  I
especially hope someday the Iraqi people appreciate those that have given
everything and the families and loved ones who have been left behind and
have lost so much.   And just in case you were wondering... we are crushing
the enemy and we are winning in Iraq.
You learn a lot while deployed... about yourself, about others.  Some of
these lessons, anecdotes, and experiences are mine; the others I had the
honor to observe first hand.  Some are just funny stories. 

* Nothing can match a positive attitude.  Every day you walk out your
"hooch" door, remember that those around you will feed off your attitude
about things.  Be positive. 

* American and our allies are the greatest warriors on earth.  We never give
up, and if you hurt us, watch out.  We will find you no matter how long it
takes, or where you hide.

* Young soldiers are still just young kids… but.. for Christ's sake… they
need to sleep more.. for themselves.. and for me!!!  How these guys can stay
up all night, then go to the gym, then "hang out" or go to the pool is
beyond me. (Apparently there was a pool)

* The Mail Factor – nothing would make my teammates or me happier then when
we got an email, letter or package from home – especially if it was a
package big enough to share, and they all were.  It made everyone's day and
my package ratio was off the scale compared to everyone else.   * Red Bull is
a combat enabler.  It can literally change in minutes a young
persons outlook on an entire day or night.  One note of caution - do not
allow 19yr olds to drink two in a row.  They will quickly resemble a well
hit golf ball in a tile bathroom.

* When a child laughs there is no language barrier.  Nor is there one when a
Mother wails.  * Peanut and plain M&M's can prevent the spread of terrorism. 
Nothing makes a child smile more like M&M's that melt in your mouth but not in
your hand.  Sometimes they really needed a smile while we were there.

* The "slinky" is an amazing piece of gear.  A human being cannot walk past
a "slinky" with out picking it up and playing with it.  It was a great
conversation starter that inevitably helped me understand how the guys were
doing.

* Accept the fact that others may not share our values or culture.  Strive
to understand where the other person is coming from.  While you cannot force
someone to think as you do, climb in their mind and understand what and how
they think.   You will be twice as effective.

* Combat Medics are extraordinary human beings.  In one person, you have a
Mom, Dad and Doc and brother all rolled into one, who often looks as if he
is 50.  Watch them closely if your team takes a hit.  It will hit them the
hardest when they loose someone.

* The eyes tell all.  When someone is dying, there is no doubt about it.

* When a person washes from his hands the blood of a friend for the last
time it is an incredibly hard, painful, and very personal experience… you
linger with your hands in the hot water, watching the blood thin, fall from
your hands, and then wash down the drain… you just keep washing your hands
for much longer then you normally would.. focusing.. and remembering...  *
There is always time.  Grabbing a cup of coffee only takes a few minutes,
and the return on the investment you make in a friend or teammate is
immeasurable.  * If you make the decision to attack, hit hard and hold nothing
back.   Don't save ammo… there is plenty of that.

* Don't freak out and dwell on it but remember not to take life for granted.
Those words or moments you share with a person may be your last.  Be
gracious.

* No plan survives first contact with the enemy.  The other side has a vote
– plan for backups and backups to your backups.   Success is all about
covering down on contingencies.

* Getting shot at stinks.  Getting shot in something you are not flying in
stinks more. Getting shot at and not being able to shoot back is an
incredibly frustrating experience.

* Keep your mouth closed… especially when exiting or waiting to board a
helicopter in the middle of a desert.  This applies to life as well.  Keep
your mouth shut and listen first, and when you do listen, listen to
understand, not just hear.

* Never underestimate the power of good leadership.  Have confidence in
those below you.  Dynamic leadership is having the ability, even in combat,
to sit back and let the "real" talent lead.  Get out of the way and be
amazed by the results your team will have.   That said, set your personal
limits, and when they are exceeded get in there and lead.  Lives will depend
on it.

* Always think big - inspire

* Don't wait -  do it now.

* The words "HI DADDY, WHATCHADOING?" yelled by a 2yr old little girl who
thinks she needs to shout all the way to Iraq so you can hear her on the
phone does miracles for one's spirits on a crappy day.

* Variety really is the spice of life.  I wish KBR food services knew or
understood this timeless proverb.     * Don't chinch on gear.  Buy the best
especially if your life depends on
it.  * I don't like gravel

* Carry more "weapons" then your adversary.  This applies in combat,
leadership, and business.

* The power of laughter is amazing.  It can ease stress, heal wounds, and
change lives. Laugh at yourself in front of others.  It will always make
them feel better and be more comfortable around you as a leader.  At the
same time, don't be a jackass.  Your team has to respect you and when it's
time to be serious, be very serious.

* Calm and composure under fire is not optional.  Always take a moment,
pause, and remember that your teammates need you to lead under fire.  Always
be a pure act.

* Results is all that matters in combat, and in business.  Everything else
is rubbish.  If things go bad, figure out why and fix it – now.

* Lastly, never ever forget.. Mike, Nate, Chris, Miguel, John, Tim, Luis,
Nick, Dave, Chris, Tom, and B.  The oldest was 33, the youngest a 21 year
old newlywed.

As I close this final pool report it is 8:15PM in Iraq.  Throughout the
sweltering daylight hours hard working dedicated analysts, staff, and
mechanics have worked to develop targets, load jets, fix helicopters and get
equipment ready for that nights missions…  As the sun descends below the
horizon, a dedicated group of professionals begin to don their gear, load
and ready their weapons, climb into jets, or move to the helo's for that
night's targets.  They are from all over our country, and some of our
closest allies… some are old, most middle aged, and some so incredibly young
and inexperienced that they cannot even legally drink… Yet every night they
dig deep, time and time again to go back out there into the pitch-black
night to find the terrorists before they can attack us here at home or the
innocent Iraqi people.  The courage and conviction of our Nation and the
hope of the Iraqi people rests on their shoulders…  and they never let them
down.  I will think of them often when I see the sun set.. and I will always
say a quick prayer for their safety…  I hope you will occasionally take a
moment and join me.
On behalf of all of us, and in particular me, thank you all again for the
unbelievable and thoughtful support.  You all are the best.
With sincere appreciation,
Dan