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I was designed for combat.
92% Normal
21 Comments

Im 28 and a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier. I joined the the Army when i was 17 but didn't go Special Forces until i turned 20. I loved to go to combat and kick down doors and all of that other good stuff, but on one of my many tours in 2003 I was ordered to storm a building alone. I did this and was fine with it until i got to the top floor... there was a 14 yr old kid standing there with a gun pointed at me... i shot first and killed the kid... i kind of want to let it go because i was trained for battle and was told that s**t happens and i just cant let it go. Part of me also wishes i wouldnt have shot.so should i feel bad about this or should i just let it go...
Do you think it's normal?
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Comments (21)
rodhavji (28570)
2009-10-15 04:39:34
if youve killed other people who've pointed guns at you then you should realise the problem in your situation. if you hadnt pulled the trigger chances are you wouldve done the deadmans tango as he filled you full of lead.

should you feel bad for the kid? sure you shot the poor bastard. but should you feel bad for the reasoning behind it? no... why?

1. it was your job and you were ordered to do so.
2. if you hadnt done so you would be dead and that kid (poor brainwashed kid i would hazard to say) would've been out there again the next day shooting at allied soldiers.

you did your duty... and as much as it sucks balls, what can you do man. that being said i dont think hes going to be leaving your dreams for a while. soldier or no soldier. killing changes you.
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anabolic19 (25748)
2009-10-15 06:09:06
theres nothing you could of done mate its either you or him and you have to look out for yourself
the only thing that god will hold against you and all mankind is why are we at war with eachother
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rokky (29878)
2009-10-15 21:21:01
Man, it is totally normal for you to feel this way, and while it is something that you will unfortunately always carry with you, the feelings will fade and you will learn to block it out.

One thing that can help is dedicating yourself to helping other young men/women who are going down the wrong path, and by doing so, perhaps save their lives.

Good luck man

Rokky
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chipper123 (29606)
2009-10-16 03:58:14
Thank you for your service to our country. There was nothing else you could do. A 14 year old kid with a gun is just as dangerous as a 40 year old man with a gun. Look at it this way, when you were 14 could you have been dangerous with a gun? If you had were waiting to ambush an ranger would you have been somewhat dangerous.

The question I have is this: had ne not had a gun, would you have shot him anyway? From my limited understanding of military you are taught to kill, right? You know who to kill and when. If somebody has a gun pointed at you, whether they be old or young, they are an enemy.

Thank you for your service. You are a hero.
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PsychoDJ (7349)
2009-10-18 02:41:25
You and I think the same way.When a civilian ,regardless of age becomes a combatant the normal rules of engagement no longer apply.Think of it like this,If you didnt do what you had to you would have never posted this story.At least you saw your enemy unlike me. I dropped 105MM shells on mine from 10 miles away.Truthfully, after 18 yrs i still have nightmares.I feel your pain. Sincerely,
Another old combat vet with a concious. 29th L inf, 2-110th FA
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ilovewar (29809)
2009-10-26 15:28:18
@: PsychoDJ
Hey man one soldier to another i would like to thank you for what you've done. Its people like you who inspired me to join.
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guitaranddrugs (31472)
2009-12-01 16:00:08
its not your fault its the people who caused the situations fault.
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ilovewar (29809)
2009-12-07 12:07:54
@: chipper123
When i was 14 i was busy building pipe bombs, so yes i would be just as dangerous.
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ilovewar (29809)
2009-12-07 12:09:14
I'm 28 dumbass. And I spent 4 years in infantry.
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ilovewar (29809)
2009-12-07 12:10:45
@: ilovewar
That and i'm a 2nd LT. So don't act like you know more than i do about MY job.
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IAmJah (32563)
2009-12-10 15:06:17
perhaps this has all changed in the past 8 years, ass hat.
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gabrielvillamayor (32918)
2009-12-16 18:00:09
You are in the army? thats cool!
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Ollieo (19003)
2009-12-22 11:26:40
I agree with the posts acknowledging how badly you must feel bad - we don't need sociopaths in the military - but also that it was not an irresponsible or reckless act, nor one of malice, on your part.

I honestly do not know how todays armed forces cope with it not even being clear who or where the enemy is.
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PsychoDJ (7349)
2010-01-11 00:46:02
@: ilovewar
I am sorry that it took me this long to respond to your post.If you have half a brain which you obviously do beings you are an officer.You know we do what we are ordered to do.When you are in a combat unit a 2nd LT is considered expendable.I Totally dissagree.Just so you dont think I am F.U.B.A.R. My unit was 29th L Inf, 2-110th FA, HHS Bt. F.I.S.T.
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PsychoDJ (7349)
2010-01-11 00:48:46
Do me a favor as a combat vet. Dont love war to much because in the end it doesnt truly help anyone.
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PsychoDJ (7349)
2010-01-15 00:52:59
@: ilovewar
When i was 14 i made the mistake of firing a 22 semiauto at an army HUEY in a cornfield.Guess what happenned, THEY FIRED BACK. Oops, never did that again.
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ilovewar (29809)
2010-01-22 14:02:22
@: PsychoDJ
Without war i wouldn't have a job.
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ilovewar (29809)
2010-01-22 14:03:11
@: gabrielvillamayor
LOL, Funny
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am529 (34578)
2010-02-11 00:19:15
In war it's kill or be killed. You had no other choice. Don't blame yourself.
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tecmessa22 (37893)
2010-03-03 05:35:00
Yeah what you feel is normal. I guess you need to let yourself mourn this kid...he's going to be with you forever but there's nothing you can do now except make the best of it. Many soldiers I know of go off the rails but many I know of also become really good guys who give a lot back to society. Who knows your experience may save a life or help someone down the line?
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ItDuz (38410)
2010-03-14 23:50:40
thats a sad story thats what being in them sort of jobs are for you kill people possing a threat itts even more sad that the kid was being made to have a gun nd kill but still thts life init but if your still in the same job then its most likly its gonna happen again soo... ya know
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