Christianity & Army Challenges

We have had 4 members of the company injured as a result of an IED, thankfully not too seriously, although they have returned to UK for several weeks.  We also were heavily involved in a Xmas day raid which was well covered in the press (see link http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/ 0,,30000-1245192,00.html) and have belatedly celebrated Xmas.

Ask a British soldier on his opinion on Iraq and this might well be his answer. Why? Possibly its because he’s being asked that question when he is five months into a seven month tour. Possibly its because he is being asked the question at the beginning of the tour (and is going to be away from his family for a long period of time). Possibly its because every day he’s risking his life for people who don’t want him there (the general Iraqi population), sent by people (the British population) who don’t understand the extent of the problem in Iraq. I suggest it is also because it is so hard to sum up in one tidy sentence what the problem is out here, and what exactly we, the British Army, do (especially without breaching operational security by divulging sensitive information).

Some people have very kindly expressed an interest in a blog covering what is going out in Iraq. Although I'm feeling an incredible sense of peace prior to being flown out next week, I really appreciate the fact that people are really interested in keeping Iraq in their thoughts and prayers. This entry is the starting point, the introduction.

To everyone who works, whether it be studying at school/university or in the workplace, I am talking to those who are so tired that their eyes hurt. I want to know whether my sometimes irrational thoughts are as irrational as I think, or it’s common in other fields of life. 
I joined the Army just over a couple of years ago, not because I regarded myself as particularly regimental or tough or sporty but instead I really admired the values that underpin their work.  Without wanting to launch into a Military moral Understanding lecture these values are as follows: Respect for others; Selfless commitment; Discipline; Loyalty; Courage (both moral and physical; and Integrity. For soldiers to work in the current difficult climates they need to be able to trust each other. These values therefore aim to create the climate where the Army as an entity and the soldier serve each other.