CAMP UDAIRI, Kuwait -- This may surprise the folks back home, but the U.S.
Army forces massing across the Iraqi border are largely unarmed.
Even though all U.S. soldiers deployed to the six main Army camps in
northern Kuwait must carry their rifles at all times -- even to the latrine
in the middle of the night -- few are carrying any bullets.
This is not an oversight, or a lame-brained cost-saving measure ordered by
the Pentagon, or an indication that American military leaders believe they
can take Iraq without firing a shot.
Rather, it's an effort to stave off the sad inevitable: Once the Army
starts issuing ammo en masse, soldiers will accidentally shoot themselves
and each other.
Those who served in Afghanistan, Desert Storm and other conflicts can
attest to it.
At Wednesday's morning briefing at Camp Udairi, American leaders were told
that four soldiers in the British sector were injured when one of their
rifles accidentally discharged.
Last week, a U.S. Marine was shot in the neck by an officer who was
cleaning his pistol in another tent. He survived but required major
surgery, doctors said.
Officers say the safety risk far outweighs the security risk.
"We may be rolling the dice, but I can guarantee that you're not going to
have any large forces rolling across the border and over-running our camp,"
said Maj. Spencer Smith, a logistics coordinator for the 101st Airborne
Division.
In the meantime, the soldiers patrolling the perimeter and the sentinels
have all the rounds they could ever need. The Apache and Black Hawk
helicopters patrolling the skies above the camps can quickly bring a
hellstorm of cannon and missile fire on any approaching enemy, and Patriot
missile batteries stand ready to shoot down any Iraqi Scud missiles.
Smith and others couldn't recall a combat deployment where the bulk of
troops remained without bullets for so long. Some got here in December,
although most of the 101st Airborne arrived about 10 days ago.
Many soldiers say they feel silly carrying empty guns.
"If something kicks up, we're s--- out of luck," said Pfc. Jessica Ruth,
19, of Florence, S.C., supply clerk in the Division Supply Command of the
101st Airborne.
At the same time, she said, "I don't feel comfortable with (ammo) because
we got some careless people around here."
On base, it's easy to tell which soldiers are ready for ammunition.
Infantrymen -- who have been given some bullets -- and former infantrymen
wield their weapons as deftly as a chef handles a knife and saute pan. The
M-4 rifle is the tool of their trade, and they practice with it for hours a
day. It is an extension of themselves.
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/03/13/Worldandnation/Mask__gun__check_Bull.shtml
