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Episode #2017
Iraq: One Soldier's Experience
Lewis: Mitchell Lewis, host
McKoy: Sergeant Benny McKoy
Lewis: American troops have been in Iraq since March of 2003. What's life like for a regular soldier on duty in Iraq? We'll find out from one of our own next on Black Issues Forum.
Voiceover: Funding for this program is made possible in part by UNC-TV members.
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Lewis: Good evening everyone and welcome to Black Issues Forum. I'm Mitchell Lewis. American troops have been in Iraq fighting the war on terrorism for nearly two years. There has been much discussion about why they're there, who they are fighting, and when it will be over. But some of us just want to know, what is it like? Tonight we have with us a Raleigh native who's been in the army for about 10 years. Most recently he was stationed in Afghanistan then sent to Iraq where he served with the 540th Quartermaster company in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He's home for a few days respite and decided to join us tonight to share his experiences. I'd like to welcome Sergeant Benny McKoy. Thanks for joining us.
McKoy: Thank you.
Lewis: My first question to you: when you arrived in Iraq, what was going through your mind?
McKoy: When I arrived in Iraq, it was like a shock to me in a sense and it's like, okay, I'm here now, well let's get the ball rolling and let's go. Get it over with.
Lewis: Were there any type of adjustments that you had to make that compared to other missions that you had been on?
McKoy: Well, no, not really. You're trained, and you're trained how to do your job and everything else, so you just adapt to it. You do have to adjust some, you know, the comforts of home and stuff like that, but you get into it. It takes about a couple of weeks or so and getting in the-you get the ball rolling, basically.
Lewis: Of course you were involved with a convoy unit, and we've all heard the stories about the challenges they face going up and down the highway trying to deliver supplies in the light. What were some of the things that happened to you as far as being on the road, what were some of your thoughts as you were traveling along?
McKoy: The thoughts are just get through this. And you're praying to God, you know, I did a lot of praying. And very watchful on the road and wondering, is this it? Is this going to be, you know, my last-am I going to get hit or not? And you just pray that you get through it, day in and day out. That's it.
Lewis: How scary is it?
McKoy: It's very, very scary. Because you don't know whether or not you're going to live or die at any moment, you know, you can be anywhere and-say if you were on post and mortars come in, you could be walking and might get hit by some shrapnel or something like that. And being on the road, you're just very watchful and prayerful that you just get through the mission. That's it, nobody gets hurt. So, it's quite intense, very.
Lewis: Did you have any type of attacks or encounters while you were traveling up the roads?
McKoy: Yes.
Lewis: What was that like?
McKoy: It's scary. You're praying that it doesn't happen, but you're somewhat prepared for it when it does happen, and when it does happen I got, like, a sense of relief. Okay, we're hit, let's move on, let's do what we have to do and get out of here. React to it and get out.
Lewis: If you could, give me an example of one of the situations that took place.
McKoy: Um, we were on a convoy and there was an object in the road and we bypassed it, and it was radioed back and it was radioed back that the object was-that we're coming up on an object and we're passing an object. Then they relayed that, the object went off. And two of guys were wounded and we moved on and we secured the vehicle in a safe zone and medevaced them out.
Lewis: What is it like when you find out that one of your own, someone who's close to you, has been injured in this type of situation. How are things-the mood at the barracks?
McKoy: Well, number one it's scary. You don't know, you don't know what-how bad they're injured, in the rear, but only people that really know are people that are on-ground right there. We know the severity of their wounds and stuff like that, but the people that we radio back to, "Hey, so-and-so has been injured." They don't know the severity of it until they come into base. But as for us, when we're there and assessing the situation, we're just, I mean, it's scary, you're praying that, you know-hope they're okay and let us get through this. It's just trying to get through the whole thing, that's it.
Lewis: And talking to other soldiers who have been involved. Sometimes they will give the answer, especially in your preparation for certain events, especially attacks and things of that nature, they'll say, "Well, this is what I trained for." What are the thoughts when this event actually takes place? Is it sort of-is it a textbook kind of thing? How does it really work when you're trying to react to what has happened?
McKoy: Actually, when they say, "This is what I've trained for," it's just-when we train, it's like a guideline of what to do. But when you're hit with reality, it's totally different, it's not textbook, it's just boom. What do we do now? Okay, we know we have to assess the situation, you know, we have to get our wounded out if there's wounded, we have to recover vehicle if a vehicle is damaged in any way, form or fashion, and we carry on, that's it. So it's not, you know, okay, we get hit, okay, well, this book says we need to do this, we need to do that, we need to do that. We know what we need to do, we do it, and we react to it.
Lewis: How do you stay focused, especially in a crisis situation? Say yourself, how do you stay focused during a period like that?
McKoy: I prayed a whole lot. I prayed a whole lot, I listened to Kirk Franklin.
Lewis: Any songs in particular?
McKoy: The whole CD. Every time I went out on a convoy I'd do my little prayer and I'd meditate and I'd just listen to Kirk Franklin and just let that work with me.
Lewis: Now we talked about attacks, but you were also able to meet with the Iraqi people. What were some of the reactions you received from them?
McKoy: Well, the Iraqi people, they received me pretty well. When I was doing gate guard I would actually check them and search them for any weapons or contraband or anything like that, and when I would greet them I would shake their hand and say "good morning" to them. They would in return say "good morning" to me and they would teach me their language in little bits and pieces, such as [ARABIC] is "good morning" and [ARABIC] means "friend." So they would see me and they would greet me with that, and some of them would ask if I was a Christian or not. And then they would call me brother or cousin because they too were Christian. So it was a great experience for me to actually meet them. And some of the people that I met were actually lawyers, doctors, teachers, professors and so on. You know, these people are pretty well educated, most of the ones that I met.
Lewis: You talk about that you had encountered people who were Christians, and some of the issues that have been brought up, say, during this war were the differences in faith. Did you have any encounters with those who perhaps were of the Muslim faith and what was that like?
McKoy: All of them worked together. All of them, you know, they worked together side by side. I've talked to them and, you know, it was like, oh wow, okay, I didn't know that. You're a Christian and I didn't-okay, you're Muslim, you know?
Lewis: In a situation, say you're checking people, and you say you extended your hand, did anybody seem like they were standoffish? Did anything like that happen?
McKoy: No, no, they were very receptive to me. And the people that I was working with, what we got when they were coming in was great welcome. It wasn't-no standoffish to us, it was just a great welcome. You know, like, "Hey, how you doing?" Great. And they were very excited to come to work.
Lewis: Did you see any type of, you know, we always have these misconceptions and misperceptions of people. Were there any that you had heard about in relationship to the Iraqi people that once you got there you saw that it really wasn't so?
McKoy: In what way?
Lewis: For example, you know, there's always-people always find differences in different cultures. Tell me, what did you learn from being in the Iraqi culture, let's put it that way, what did you learn that was perhaps different?
McKoy: Really, let's see, something different. I went to-the men and the women don't eat in the same place, basically. The men are there and the women are really not integrated into the work area or the-when I was out and about, I didn't see a lot of women out in the streets. There were some, but mostly the men were, you know, the jewelers, the money-getters and all that other stuff. So I mean, some of the women did teach and stuff like that, but you hardly ever saw women like you do here in America, just out and about.
Lewis: Did you see that your presence there wasn't appreciated by the Iraqi people?
McKoy: For the most part what I saw, you really couldn't tell, but the people that did work for us, they did appreciate us, so.
Lewis: You talked earlier about you, you had learned some of the language. Are there any other words in particular that you learned that you can recall right now?
McKoy: Bread is [ARABIC], that's it. That's it.
Lewis: Now, as far as your coming back the United States, how have you been received since you've been back in the United States?
McKoy: I've been welcomed. When we'd go through the airports in our uniforms as we were coming back, people would line up on either side of the doorway and they would applaud us and say, "Thank you," and "God bless you," and give us hugs and thank you. And when I go out into the community now and I let them, you know, strike up a conversation, and they're like, "You've been to Iraq? Well, thank you for serving our country and keeping our freedom free."
Lewis: Now going back to Iraq, when-in talking with the people in your sense of being there, was there any perception, say, of you as say an African American solider? Was there any type of label placed on you while you were there?
McKoy: No. Once you're in another country, you're seen as an American and it's not black, it's not white, you're an American and you're an American soldier. And even though-and even in America we're soldiers. And there's only one color and that's green. And you know, my life depends on the guy to my left and my right and their life depends on me. So the color barrier thing, that's out the window.
Lewis: You also met soldiers from other countries. What was that end-that exchange like?
McKoy: Well, it's very interesting, kind of like just seeing something-how can I explain this? Um, seeing somebody from another country with-um, how can I say it? Just knowing that they're from another country, seeing their uniform, how their uniform looks, they're looking at us with our uniforms and there's questions. "Hey yo, what's-what is it like in your country?" If they speak English or they can speak a little bit of English, they'll try to talk to you. They're very inquisitive, and we're inquisitive as well, so we want to talk as much as possible, and you might trade off things, you know, little souvenirs, and it's very interesting.
Lewis: Did you-since any-because being in a war torn area, that's enough stress on someone. But were there any type-anything that really surprised you, being in Iraq?
McKoy: Really, after a while, after you get used to it, no. You're always expecting the worst. When you get there, you expect the worst. When you hit ground, expect the worst. That way, if anything does come-you're not going to be ready for it, but you'll be like, okay, I somewhat expected that.
Lewis: If you could, tell me what is a typical day like once you get up the morning and you get ready, what was a typical day like in Iraq for you?
McKoy: Typical day, get up, you meet with your squad and your platoon and get orders for the day, and what's going on for today. And after you do what you have to do, might go to the gym, work out, come back whenever your task is over with and relax. You're doing something all the time, you have to stay busy all the time because if you don't, your mind's going to. You're going to lose edge, so to speak.
Lewis: You've heard some of the stories that occurred while in Iraq, and one of them dealt with the Abu Ghraib prison. What was the reaction to some of the soldiers once they heard what was going on there?
McKoy: Well, I'm not at liberty to say.
Lewis: Okay, fair enough, fair enough. As far as your relationship with the people of Iraq, you talked about it earlier, did you see it as a positive experience?
McKoy: Yes, yes, quite positive. I met people, I talked with people. I learned a little bit of their culture and tasted some of their food, which was great, and it's somewhat of a short friendship that you have right there, and you almost look forward to seeing these people's faces every day, so it's great.
Lewis: And you're married?
McKoy: Yes.
Lewis: What was it like being away from your wife? Did you communicate with her?
McKoy: Yes, I did, but it was still frustrating on both halves. On my half and her half.
Lewis: How did you go about communicating with each other?
McKoy: On the phone.
Lewis: So you're newlywed?
McKoy: Yes.
Lewis: So that makes a whole lot of difference.
McKoy: Right.
Lewis: For example, what did you use, you say you used the phone, and it seemed like a call from Iraq here to the States probably would be expensive. How did you go about taking care of that?
McKoy: Calling card, calling card, yes.
Lewis: Which sort of brings me to my next question. With the soldiers being in Iraq and having to make calls home and things of that nature, what would you say that soldiers would be appreciative of if folks were to send them care packages? What would you think should be in those packages?
McKoy: Lot of munchies and some CDs. DVDs. Something-just a little taste of home.
Lewis: Oh, so you have an area where you can go out and watch your DVDs?
McKoy: Yes, you'd bring them with you, you'd bring your little portable DVD player.
Lewis: So you still have some comforts, some slight comforts of home.
McKoy: Slight comforts.
Lewis: Let's talk about you and your relationship with the army. What do you think that your future plans will be in the military?
McKoy: Well, the military has been good to me. For the past ten years I've enjoyed it, I've learned a lot. It's a good place to start and it gives you a bit of-it gives you a whole lot of structure, a whole lot of discipline. As far as me in the military as the future, time will tell and we'll see.
Lewis: Well, do you know where you're going to head next?
McKoy: No, I don't.
Lewis: Can't say.
McKoy: Can't say.
Lewis: Of all of your situations, tell me a story of something that really was close to your heart while you were in Iraq, give me a story.
McKoy: The kids. We would-the kids, their innocence, they would come up and they'd just want to shake your hand or take a picture with you. And they're very curious about your equipment, your truck, you, and they were just warm to you. The kids are great. You know, we'd go visit some of their schools that we've repaired or helped repair. And they were just in awe, you know, ah! You know, American solider, wow! It was like being a hero in a sense. Little kids, that's it, that's the biggest touching thing ever. You know, in any country, every country that I've gone to, it's just the kids, you know.
Lewis: We talked about this a little earlier, especially being in the convoy and being attacked. Do you know anyone personally who had been injured and what was that like?
McKoy: Yes. You just pray that they're okay, and you're scared for them and yourself as well, once you get hit. But you just pray for the best and hope that they're okay and they come out okay and nothing's bad, you know, life-threatening.
Lewis: And you had also mentioned earlier that your barracks had been attacked. Am I correct?
McKoy: No.
Lewis: Nearby?
McKoy: Yes, nearby, right.
Lewis: What was that like, especially if you're going about your-what is considered normal at the time, and all of a sudden this happens, tell-give us a story on what was going through your mind at that point.
McKoy: Reality, oh my gosh, this is really serious. You know, because I had just came back and I sat down on my bunk and mortar had hit right close by, and it was very loud. And it just scared-scared me very bad and it scared everybody. So everybody went to the bunkers and waited.
Lewis: What is the scenario like, especially-you have a wife, and of course you have family members. Did you get any type of responses from them perhaps when you got in contact with them and they'd hear that something had gone wrong. Were you able to tell them about these things? How did that go, especially when you have some of these incidents come up? Were you able to talk to your family about it?
McKoy: Yes, I was just-I would just tell them that, "Hey, I'm okay," just in case the media got a hold of, you know, an attack or something like that, "I'm okay, and anything on the news" and it was a relief, you know, every time I called they were relieved. And that was it.
Lewis: If there is one thing that you would want Americans to know, especially when it comes to what you have been doing in Iraq, the situations that you've felt, what would be one of things-even the soldiers who have fought, many have lost their lives. What would be the one thing if you could just focus on one thing that you would want to tell the American public?
McKoy: We're doing our best and pray for us. And be proud of us. That's the most anybody can ask. Because we're out there, we're doing our job and we're doing it to the best of our ability. And we're trying to keep freedom free. Freedom isn't free, and some of us pay the ultimate price of freedom.
Lewis: And the bottom line, especially being in Iraq, do you feel that the Iraqi people appreciate what you're doing, especially the American forces along with some of the other countries who have come in to assist in freeing Iraq?
McKoy: I'm just going to say look at the news, look at the news.
Lewis: Look at the news. Well I will just say this, Sergeant Benny McKoy, we thank you so very much for taking your time out to talk with us, and we definitely appreciate the job that you and people in other armed services are doing representing this country, and I thank you very much for sharing your stories with us.
McKoy: Thank you.
Lewis: Thank you. And once again, I'd like to thank Sergeant McKoy for spending some time with us tonight and thank you for watching. If you would like a transcript of tonight's discussion or to send us your comments, you can visit us online at www.unctv.org/bif, you can also call us on the BIF line at 919-549-7167. Join us each and every Friday night at 9:30 for more stimulating discussion. For Black Issues Forum, I'm Mitchell Lewis, good night.
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