Staff Sergeant Drew Koch, Iraq Correspondent

Staff Sergeant Drew Koch shares his views about current happenings in the Middle East.  Everything said in this article is of his own opinion, not to be confused with the official standing of the U.S. Army. This week’s question: How were the soldiers and the citizens effected by what was said at the State of the Union Address, about the troops being pulled out next summer?

I hate to break the horrible news to you, but I don’t think any of my men nor myself caught the State of the Union address.  We have heard grumblings for a while now that the troop pull out would be summer 2011, but it was never more than grumblings.  

You are actually bringing this news to us, so great reporting on your part.  I cannot speak about the feelings of the Middle Eastern people, as I don’t get to associate with them much. We stay in our area, they stay in theirs. We work together on patrols and missions and such.

I am personally quite happy that the President announced a pull out of American troops. I am tired of this region and am ready to spend time at home with my family. Think of it this way, at the end of this deployment I will have spent 30 months in this country and nine months in Afghanistan.  That is equivalent to how many months you will be in high school.  Obviously, not counting your summer breaks.  So, I am at the point where it is great to me that they we saying we are bringing home the troops.  

I will believe it when it happens though.  I personally believe that it might be something that was said to be politically correct.  In general, the people are tired of us being here, and the troops are getting tired of being here, so it only makes sense for the President to say what will make everyone happy.  

It was great to get the news though. I will write more as I get your questions.