LogFAQs > #978825467

Guide posted...

Huh, I figured that kind of experience would give you more concern for such things.

I've been thinking about what you said and would like to modify/nuance my answer.

I'm reminded of an incident rolling into Iraq in 2003 (it won't appear in any news reels, not secret, just inconsequential), I was supporting a medical unit and so in military terms lightly armed with personal defence weapons. (Nb, for civvies means service rifles, so fully automatic weaponry.)

As such we were following the infantry line of advance, with a view to setting up our medical/decontamination (we were working under the assumption that chemical weapons would be used against us) facility when we happened upon a few Iraqi gentlemen attempting to retrieve their broken down vehicle by means of a tow truck.

They were allowed passage through our column, but as I was standing rearguard I thought I would send them off with a friendly wave. Didn't go terribly well, they stopped again in fear (understandable). Happily I was quickly able to to convince them to go on their way (I hope they survived hostilities, I do think about them from time to time).

What this taught me was that carrying a weapon puts people in fear of you, and that should be a heavy responsibility.

One I personally don't wish for outside of designated duties.