Pogue.
I think it's cute that I'm being called a pogue. For those attempting to use half of their brain they would realize I'm barred from serving in the infantry, etc. It's a shame that soldiers who have served in support roles continue to get shit on. Truth is, the infantry wouldn’t be able to accomplish some of their missions without the help of support soldiers. Every time I went outside the wire I carried my M16 and ammo. I can’t tell you why I wasn’t shot at, blown up, etc…but I know I served honorably and that’s all that matters.
I could be my typical self and tell the haters (some of my fellow veterans) to fuck off but instead I’d like to thank you for your service. I respect everyone who has served regardless of their MOS. I hope one day you find the maturity to do the same.
I could be my typical self and tell the haters (some of my fellow veterans) to fuck off but instead I’d like to thank you for your service. I respect everyone who has served regardless of their MOS. I hope one day you find the maturity to do the same.
posted by GI Kate at 1:49 PM
8 Comments:
I'm a recently retired Infantry NCO...and I wouldn't call you a Pogue. A Pogue [in my estimation] is a shirker, a malcontent or a slacker.....regardless of ones MOS.
I admire your writing talent and your zest for bringing vet's issues to the fore. (and your dead on review of the Hurt Locker!)
Sister, If you went outside the wire, you're not a pouge. Most the camps and FOBs I was on, got hit with random mortars...so even pouges had a chance of getting killed.
We had "cooks" "Clerks" "Mechanics" etc that were on convoys and outside the wire more than the grunts were.
Is this about the Hurt Locker review? Fuck that. People are dumb, you know this. I absolutely agree that it's unfortunate that the first Iraq movie to get mainstream recognition is more fiction than Black Hawk Down. And you don't have to be a damn Sergeant Major with 30 years and 20 deployments to have an opinion.
dont take this the wrong way but you are a pogue. so am I.. I'm an ENGR. ive been blown up and shot at, but at the end of the day im still a pogue because im not infantry... dont take it as an insult... embrace it... thats what i do.. my last deployment 5 of my soldiers were infanty... i knew more then them and i led them, but they still called me a pogue.. it doesnt bother me... I choose to be an ENGR, and im glad i did... i dont need validation from others, and neither do you... POGUE is just a word... laugh it off and let it go...
I hate the pogue haters. Infantry couldn't survive without us. They may do all (or most, now) the fighting, but they sure weren't calling me a pogue when I gave them new machine guns and vehicles in Iraq. They said "thanks!" and that was that. Go ahead, insult me and call me a pogue, and see how fast you get your supplies. :)
I visited your blog after reading your vitriolic review of The Hurt Locker. I was mostly curious about your military and academic background. Although neither are very impressive, you are definitely not a pogue. It makes me sad to think that anyone that goes to war could be considered such. I would encourage you to be more open-minded if you decide to continue a career in journalism (in case, of course, you want to work for Fox News). You lose a lot of intellectual credibility by using incorrect grammar on high profile websites like the Huffington Post. Perhaps you should re-read your Vonnegut and Bukowski... btw, although I enjoy and revere the writings of both of those authors, the inclusion of them in your favorite authors/books makes you seem a little amateurish as a writer
I didn't realize that there were safe areas in Iraq. As long as you were in harm's way, and you were,you are deserving of our respect and admiration, and appreciation.
GI Kate- found your blog through my old army roomate, AH, therefore im also an 11B. Love your writing and appreciate your service. I think anyone who has served regardless of MOS should be shown the utmost respect and gratitude. There is no way to know what any other service member has done with their time overseas. I know what i did and thats all that matters. I hear some pretty asinine stories but i am in no way capable of calling BS because i simply wasnt with their unit. Im glad that it doesnt bother you what others think. You know the sacrifices you made and they dont. F them. Keep up the great writing
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