Don't wish for an easy life
(Talk of the Town photos provided by Maj. Donald L. Green) At right, from top, shows Maj. Donald Green in Iraq, Maj. Donald Green with troops in Iraq, a view of a street in Iraq and an Iraqi tower.
By MAJ Donald L. Green - January 28, 2008
The Transition Team I am a part of has now been in the Samara area for two 
months, and much like our training foretold, we have become somewhat frustrated with the Iraqi systems. There is a perception that desire in Iraq is short in supply and the Iraqi people’s determination to change things for the better may seem siphoned from their abilities due to their recent past. In some Soldier's eyes, there is little understanding of the nation's past or social system which is why there is this perception, and like most Americans, perception is their reality. This is not to fault the soldier, for any American faced with this problem would feel exactly the same way and that is exactly the main reason why success here in Iraq depends greatly on time. 
Societies do not change in a month or a year; it takes decades and maybe generations to affect a change that will shift the ideals, morals, and focus of such a large number of people. Many, if not all adults and military age men in this country have known nothing but conflict, war, corruption, secrecy, and limitations to their individual freedoms and it is my opinion that this has affected their ability to live their lives to the fullest. Much of this societal “training” stems to the political and religious overtones within Iraq and the tyranny of a now defunct government that existed for the few and gave the remaining only what was needed to survive. The elite lambasted in luxury unconstrained by laws and values while the common man lived in fear and near poverty. The giving of money and items became the only means of 
survival and every gift cost the recipient a price that eventually would have to be repaid, mostly by loyalty to the regime. Saddam Hussein’s Baath party was extremely good at using gifts and loyalties to divide and conquer the people of Iraq and this type of governance changed the face of this society making the people hide their belongings and only survive by being a part of the system. This created a very large chasm between tribes and even religions that over time built a society of a ruling class with henchmen to do their bidding while the common man suffered or eventually assimilated into the system. Ruling in this form since the late 1960’s Saddam created a society reliant on other’s for their well being and one that would use religion and “God’s will” to justify when things were not as they should be. 
Today the “new” system is run by the same people who have been a part of this society for the last 30-40 years. They know what the future could be and are trying to change the grip of the only system most Iraqi people have ever known. The people who govern continue to appease tribal leaders and religious sects in ways that are common to all. These systems of secrecy, homage, kickbacks and corruption are still very common in every form so as to make it difficult to accomplish what Americans may envision. Most outsiders want to adapt age old concepts to American methods instead of understanding the Iraqi systems and assisting in a future where previous ways will not be accepted. In short – we must teach the people and children of Iraq that to wish for an easy life is not the answer, but to be strong enough to deal with adversity is. The change to date is small but the future is bright and with the help, like many other countries in history, the American soldier continues to lead the way.
My team quite often re-calibrates our thoughts and frustrations in the search for what will lead our counterparts out of the past and into the future. We all check ourselves and our personal perceptions and return to our training for an understanding that will lead us to answers. We look to our interpreter’s knowledge of their own society, guiding us down this path. In the end we too must understand and be strong enough to get through the perceptions of a different culture and assist the Iraqi People in dealing with their own adversities. It takes time but is worth our effort, now and for the future.
Green, the son of Delbert and “Birdie” Johnson of Columbia City, is a 1985 graduate of Columbia City Joint High School, a 1995 Graduate of Central State University, Ohio, and a career Army Officer.