That "I'm hit" will echo in mind for a long time...

Ugh. Reality is too real.

maybe traversing an exposed ridge is not the best idea when under machine gun attack.

Where are the Apaches and A-10's? They should have air support if they're under machine gun fire. Tanks would be better, but that terrain is probably too rough.

@3 I had the same thought, but if you read the description of the video on YouTube, he says he went into the open to draw their fire so the rest of his squad could get to safety.

It's the future of reality television. Guaran-fuckin-teed. Wait til the first moron dies on Survivor, or Amazing Race, or any of those other idiotic shows. The ratings will go through the roof and this will be next.

WHERE'S THE ANTI WAR CROWD NOW THAT BUSH IS OUT OF OFFICE?? What a fucking waste.

Bronze star, at least.

And take a good look at the "vital strategic interest" we're fighting for over there. Truck farms and barren mountain tops.

@3,5--My impression is that an awful lot of these guys are deployed to "forward operating bases" where it's literally a small squad of soldiers holding a hilltop, somewhere far beyond where heavy equipment easily moves in and out.

(I'm in no way an expert on these things, but the documentary "Restrepo" was pretty informative.)

@3, 5:

Wow guys, you really need to stop getting your war info from movies. Along with what #10 said, there is not always air support/communications available, and soldiers do not always get to choose where they fight, especially in a war such as this.

Lots of good memoirs coming out of Iraq/Afghanistan, and they are invaluable for learning what life on the front lines of a modern war is like. Hint: It sucks, and nothing ever goes as planned.

No plan survives contact with the enemy.

It's like he doesn't think bullets are real. Take cover dummy.

@3 ftw. never an excuse, @6.

Seriously, it's the first thing we used to hammer into people's heads.

You can't survive in mountain areas if you forget it.

I'm a little surprised he ran out in the open too. Smoke grenades are standard issue. Someone in the squad should have laid down smoke as soon as the firing started. Then get on the radio and get some spotters in for an artillery strike or air strike.

I'm just an armchair general though... this guy did what he thought best to survive and try to help his team. No faults there.

@13: Thank you.
For those just joining us, that was Will in Seattle, our resident military expert. Back to you, Jessie.

Once his helmet cam started showing nearby strikes on the ground, I was totally confused why he wasn't making a bee-line for some cover, or getting up over the ridge. Whoever was shooting at him was taking their time with well-placed shots. Not exactly "machine gun" fire as the video would suggest.

/\ That being said, I have no idea what he was up against, or what the environment was like. Being shot at and especially hit multiple times is likely terrifying.

One of the reasons I got out of the military after 2 enlistments was that I decided that dodging bullets was a crazy way to make a living.

Looks like new people are still learning that lesson.

This is what happens when a generation raised on Call of Duty hits the real battlefield:

"Shit we're under attack! Go ahead bros, I'll draw their fire!"
*slides down a rocky hill backwards on his ass*
"I'm hit!" (to self: "Stay calm bro, I'll just respawn at the top of the hill.")
*waits, nothing happens*
"I'm hit! I'mhitI'mhitI'mhit!"

Showed the video to my husband. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd in 2005. His comments in order:

1) Kunar province, figures.
2) Why is he running out into the open? (Later we read it was supposedly to draw fire. "Nah, he just wanted to be a badass. He ran out without looking for cover, and should have known if he got pinned his buddies would have to come down for him anyway.")
3) Nice tumble.
4) Nice slow run. No need for tactical movement, buddy.
5) Nope, no cover there.
6) Jeez, that was close.
7) Is he hit? Why doesn't he treat himself?
8) Shut up and treat yourself instead of mewling like a cat.
9) Why isn't he treating himself?

Showed the video to my husband. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd in 2005. His comments in order:

1) Kunar province, figures.
2) Why is he running out into the open? (Later we read it was supposedly to draw fire. "Nah, he just wanted to be a badass. He ran out without looking for cover, and should have known if he got pinned his buddies would have to come down for him anyway.")
3) Nice tumble.
4) Nice slow run. No need for tactical movement, buddy.
5) Nope, no cover there.
6) Jeez, that was close.
7) Is he hit? Why doesn't he treat himself?
8) Shut up and treat yourself instead of mewling like a cat.
9) Why isn't he treating himself?