What was life like in the military during the First Gulf War?
Life in the military during the First Gulf War, was a mix of good and bad experiences for veterans. Communication with friends and family back home was very hard for veterans. They usually had to write letters and then wait a few weeks for a reply. If they were lucky enough to call home, they had to pay 1 dollar per every minute of talking. Many veterans could only afford to do this once a month or so. Although letters were a slo way of communicating, they felt very intimate for the veterans. Sometimes life was difficult like when they were forced to carry out orders they didn’t agree with. The physical and mental toll that being in the military took on them made many veterans want to quit. However, commanders and generals would not let that happen. Veterans relied on their buddies to lift them up and help them get through a tough time. The teams formed in the military consisted of very diverse people from different origins. However, even with these differences, the members on each team were very close and relied on each other. It was like a family and made being away from home a little bit easier. As Rees explains, it shifted his perspective on other people and the world around him during this time.
How was life impacted for the average veteran post the First Gulf War?
Life for the average veteran was impacted greatly after the First Gulf War. First of all, these veterans were typically young, undisciplined men. This experience forced them to mature very quickly and become disciplined because living on a military base was like living in a very different world than back home in America. When veterans returned home after war, they emerged as very different people. They were more refined, respectful, and civilized. On top of that, veterans such as Rees tended to be more accepting of different cultures, ethnicities, and races. They understood different customs of different cultures, which changes their preconceived notions they had before hand. In the military, teams consisted of people from very different backgrounds; it was like a melting pot. These veterans were expected to learn to work together and were forced to depend on one another. This experienced changed many veterans making them more accepting, respectful, and humbled. When returning back from the war many veterans felt very welcomed. They were shown appreciation from citizens all around the nation. They received a lot of support from their families, friends and the American people. On the down side, many veterans developed Gulf War Syndrome. Between 250,000 and 700,000 veterans obtain this disease, and once you get it, it is almost impossible to get rid of. Gulf War Syndrome still presents many mysteries to doctors and scientists, but researchers are doing everything they can to help the veterans who serve our country.
How did the perspective of America and its ideals change for veterans after the First Gulf War?
After the First Gulf War many veterans viewed no only America differently, but the countries of their opponents. When interacting with the opposition many soldiers realize the point of view from the other side. Opposing countries view America as the enemy, just as we view them as the enemy. Their countries are similar to ours in terms of hopes and dreams, but we fail to realize that. Veterans realized the importance of listening to their enemy in order to better understand what they are up against. It is important for them to know their opponent, and also respect them. Veterans learned to develop respect for their opposition even in times of battle. Gulf War veterans realized the ignorance of America by not acknowledging foreign country’s customs and norms. For example, when helicopters were flown over North Africa to middle east, soldiers had their feet hanging out of the side of their helicopter and their soles facing African citizens. These soldiers and their commanders were unaware that in Africa it was considered disrespectful to show the soles of your feet to other people. Instead of maintaining peace, we were creating enemies. In the podcast, Rees metaphorically compares his experience in the war with Star Wars, where our opponents view America as the Death Star because of our powerful influence over other nations. "Respect your enemies". In terms of ideals and life in America, Veterans became very grateful for what they had. They realized how fortunate they were to live the life America had provided for them. Being exposed to the harsh conditions in other countries makes them realize their life could be a lot worse. Being out in the battlefield was very humbling and allowed Veterans to appreciate what they had back home. Rees also elaborates on how his faith played a major role in his perseverance and explains that some of the artifacts he brought home remind him to this day to keep going and that life has purpose.
Life in the military during the First Gulf War, was a mix of good and bad experiences for veterans. Communication with friends and family back home was very hard for veterans. They usually had to write letters and then wait a few weeks for a reply. If they were lucky enough to call home, they had to pay 1 dollar per every minute of talking. Many veterans could only afford to do this once a month or so. Although letters were a slo way of communicating, they felt very intimate for the veterans. Sometimes life was difficult like when they were forced to carry out orders they didn’t agree with. The physical and mental toll that being in the military took on them made many veterans want to quit. However, commanders and generals would not let that happen. Veterans relied on their buddies to lift them up and help them get through a tough time. The teams formed in the military consisted of very diverse people from different origins. However, even with these differences, the members on each team were very close and relied on each other. It was like a family and made being away from home a little bit easier. As Rees explains, it shifted his perspective on other people and the world around him during this time.
How was life impacted for the average veteran post the First Gulf War?
Life for the average veteran was impacted greatly after the First Gulf War. First of all, these veterans were typically young, undisciplined men. This experience forced them to mature very quickly and become disciplined because living on a military base was like living in a very different world than back home in America. When veterans returned home after war, they emerged as very different people. They were more refined, respectful, and civilized. On top of that, veterans such as Rees tended to be more accepting of different cultures, ethnicities, and races. They understood different customs of different cultures, which changes their preconceived notions they had before hand. In the military, teams consisted of people from very different backgrounds; it was like a melting pot. These veterans were expected to learn to work together and were forced to depend on one another. This experienced changed many veterans making them more accepting, respectful, and humbled. When returning back from the war many veterans felt very welcomed. They were shown appreciation from citizens all around the nation. They received a lot of support from their families, friends and the American people. On the down side, many veterans developed Gulf War Syndrome. Between 250,000 and 700,000 veterans obtain this disease, and once you get it, it is almost impossible to get rid of. Gulf War Syndrome still presents many mysteries to doctors and scientists, but researchers are doing everything they can to help the veterans who serve our country.
How did the perspective of America and its ideals change for veterans after the First Gulf War?
After the First Gulf War many veterans viewed no only America differently, but the countries of their opponents. When interacting with the opposition many soldiers realize the point of view from the other side. Opposing countries view America as the enemy, just as we view them as the enemy. Their countries are similar to ours in terms of hopes and dreams, but we fail to realize that. Veterans realized the importance of listening to their enemy in order to better understand what they are up against. It is important for them to know their opponent, and also respect them. Veterans learned to develop respect for their opposition even in times of battle. Gulf War veterans realized the ignorance of America by not acknowledging foreign country’s customs and norms. For example, when helicopters were flown over North Africa to middle east, soldiers had their feet hanging out of the side of their helicopter and their soles facing African citizens. These soldiers and their commanders were unaware that in Africa it was considered disrespectful to show the soles of your feet to other people. Instead of maintaining peace, we were creating enemies. In the podcast, Rees metaphorically compares his experience in the war with Star Wars, where our opponents view America as the Death Star because of our powerful influence over other nations. "Respect your enemies". In terms of ideals and life in America, Veterans became very grateful for what they had. They realized how fortunate they were to live the life America had provided for them. Being exposed to the harsh conditions in other countries makes them realize their life could be a lot worse. Being out in the battlefield was very humbling and allowed Veterans to appreciate what they had back home. Rees also elaborates on how his faith played a major role in his perseverance and explains that some of the artifacts he brought home remind him to this day to keep going and that life has purpose.