An officer’s job is pushing papers, I don’t care what you see in Hollywood. And you’re sitting there in your AC office talking shit with all that officer pay you bring in. What are you trying to prove here? That you’re tough? You’re a bad ass officer?

You think Pat hasn’t served??! He’s seen more action than you could ever even dream of seeing! That’s fuckin’ fantastic that you deployed…how many times were you outside the wire getting in the shit like this man was? And don’t even come back with that “I’m infantry” shit. I’ve known 88M’s who’ve fought more than some of you pussies!

And your call to the webmaster’s cell phone…laughable. Merely goes to show what kind of an inferiority complex you have. “Decorated soldier” my ass. Any true decorated soldier would see exactly what Pat is doing and completely support him. Stop your bitching and get down in the mud with the rest of the gang and start fucking working. No Butter Bar LT is gonna start talking shit to Pat, like they’re some kind of fucking war hero. I got PV2’s who’ve seen more shit than you ever will you fucking disgrace!!

Take a hint from the troops there, sir, and go back to your fucking office…sit down…shut the fuck up…and know your fuckin role!!

Overreacted… thats an understatement.

1. Patrolled Ramadi and average of 6 times a day, to a Marines average one time a day. Not because I’m a bad-ass, but because my disconnect from the chain allowed me the freedom to go out when Marines had to stay back.

2. Was the victime of countelss mortars and rocket attacks, once, by the grace of God avoiding being wounded when a .120 landed 10 meters, yes meters from me. One attack shreeded the hootch near my bed, and another blew up the tent next to time at Camp Iskandariya, and tragically killed two Marines I patrolled with from Charlie Company.

3. Came under several ambushes, and one time had to run to my side of the victor, which was streetside, while it was under fire, and the door took rounds as I ran in.

4. Was blown up several times, and twice was blow up by IEDs so firece they blew me out through my Humvee doors and into the street, leaving me wounded with shrnap, leg and hand damage, concussions. etc. One time I crawled back into the remains and watched one of my best friends, who had been sitting right next to me, bleed out in front of me. I wiped another friends brains off my fingers.

5. I went on several raids, and helped serch for material and intel, one time discovering an IED.

6. I consulted with the command, just looking for a layman’s opinion on conditions and tactics in Ramadi.

7. I spotted targets from OPs, and would lay out all night on shit covered floors for ambushes.

8. I was given weapons, but chose not to use them, because the camera was my weapon in the information war to afffect public opinion and policy, and to demonstrate what is a complete mystery for the average American. In this war, the media war is as an important one for us to win in order to achieve victory, I was too old to literally join the service at the time, so I volunteered to fight the media from the front lines ( not the big fat lazy camps in the rear ) with my camera instead of my rifle. As LCPL Curtis of CAAT RED said, “Pat was one of us, he just fought with a camera instead of a rifle”.

So we can either take a few words from the descriptions of some of the things I did above or we can use the word service. I get it. I took no less risks whatsoever, none, and again the Marines I was with themselves will verify this, than the combat Marines, the 0311’s I was with, on a daily basis. However, I was not subject to the chain of command, I was not in the military, so I absolutely did not serve the mission of winning this war in a true military capacity - just a volunteer civilian one with a unique weapon - so I do not want to insult anyone by appropriating the word “served” if it does not accurately apply in this case. I’m happy to use what the majority thinks I should use. And as stated, the project is far from in profit, it’s all come out of my savings and t-shirt sales, and still in the hole, but still I have already given money to Marine’s families, and as for any else, it will all go to families, more filmining, and a very, very modest roof over my head.

So y’all tell me, what the right word is. If I don’t get an answer, I’m just going to switch to patrollled with and filmed, although that isn’t even the complete answer. But again, out of simple respect, I don’t want to use the word term if it in any way impinges upon or belittles the term as it rightfully belongs to an American Military Warrior.

Semper Fi,

Pat Dollard

Take it easy, wild man. This is a discussion about one term. If you actually think that “An officer’s job is pushing papers” then you saved me some time, as I’m not sure you have the capacity to understand anything else I’d write. Oh, and I led several hundred “outside the wire” missions in Baghdad as a combat engineer PL. I’ve got all the cool photos and videos. The shack just outside the Stryker gate of BIAP had the words “Hot Carl” spraypainted on it. Have a good one.

Here’s some feedback from a soldier who served with Pat.

SSgt Tanner wrote:
FOR THE BOOT 1STLT, I WAS WITH PAT IN RAMADI, I CAN SAY WITH 100% ASSURANCE THAT WHAT PAT DID WAS PARTOL AND FILM AS WELL AS SERVE WITH US. EVERY WHERE I LOOKED IN CENTER CITY RAMADI THERE WAS PAT. HE WENT ON AS MANY PATROLS AS MOST OF THE MARINES AND HE DID A BETTER JOB AT REPORTING THE TRUTH THAN THE LIBERAL NEWS MEDIA. SO UNLESS YOU WERE THERE “LT” I’D GET THE FACTS BEFORE I SENT THAT ONE DOWN RANGE.

SEMPER FI

SSGT TANNER
4TH PLATOON SGT.
KILO 3/7

This same person trolled my site as well.

http://www.soldierlife.com/2007/01/25/if-i-die-in-iraq/#comment-42576

You are doing a great thing for those who have served. You ought to be proud of that and don’t let someone try and bring you down.

You served, I am sure each of those Marines you ’served’ with would agree. Who’s opinion matters the most?

If this is the way that these two gentlemen wish to conduct themselves, I can do nothing to stop them. What I would suggest is that future commenters use a more disciplined approach to arguing their case than a mess of hastily dashed off misspellings and obscenities about why officers are bad and hang out in offices all day(?!?) Perhaps this is a unit SOP I am unaware of, as my company had an LT along for each patrol/route clearance/cordon & search, etc.

Allow me to apologize to Mr. Dollard and Mr. Coleman if the methodology I used was offensive to them in some way. My motivation here is to try and point out what I feel is an inaccuracy; nothing more. I have no interest in comparing war stories or in trivializing the accomplishments of the legitimate servicemembers here.

Here’s just a normal guys take on this. I work in an office all day. The closest I get to war is when I forget to put my clothes in the hamper at home. But I think I know what ’served’ means. You served this country by showing all of us what the hell is going on over in Iraq (can’t wait for the movie!). You served with a camera. The troops serve with a gun. That’s the only difference. Either way, you put your life on the line for this country just like our troops do every day. I have so much gratitude for all of you doing this for me and my family. If ever there comes a day when I can repay this in some way, shape or form, I will. Thank you. Now I’m going to go buy a tee shirt.

A Grateful American in the Heartland

It’s more about how your beloved LT handled the situation like a whiney school girl. Called my cell asking for my client list, and hanging up. So I had to call him back, since he didn’t have the brass to stay on the line.

Only then did he begin to drive home his most-excellent point… how he has friends in the pentagon, and how i need to watch my back, cos he could send people to my house. Pretty much the most pussy queer phone call I have ever received from another man… and a “soldier” no less.

After using all the cliche fag and computer geek insults that he could muster, he began to ramble on about how many times he’s been blown up, and how he is such a great war hero.

He basically threw any credibility and respect out the window. I even have doubts that he’s a service member, possibly just a leftist tryin to stir trouble for Pat. I don’t know.

***** That being said ******

We all have a better understanding of how service members view Pats work.

The marines he served hung out with, average joe’s who want to know what’s really going on in iraq, and other random soldiers believe that Pat served.

A few soldiers who think very highly of their service and the use of the word, strongly disagree. I can see how they feel it might lessen their sacrifice.

To 1LT John - If you would have just said “I feel strongly about your use of the word ’served’, and would suggest an alternative as I feel ’served’ implies military service.”

I can honestly say that Pat wouldn’t have minded changing it up, to his original suggestion, just out of respect and to prevent offense to another soldier.

Just remember next time, that soft words turn away wrath. If you want something… try asking nicely.

In the very end, this is just a small matter of pride. I’ll switch the wording out on the About Page. And lets end it here.

BTW I’ve still been promoted two more times than you, so instead of pulling rank on the internet, go pull something else to some of your barnyard porn. If Pat can hang, and earn the respect of Combat Marines in the A/O… THEN DON’T FUCK WITH PAT.

Semper Fi.

“I’ve still been promoted two more times than you” - Who’s to say I wasn’t enlisted prior to commissioning?

“he fucking serverd with us” - Roger. Please describe his chain of command.

“Pretty much the most pussy queer phone call I have ever received from another man” - What?

“The world owes you nothing” - What? Were you on a cliche freight train and this one just slipped in there?

a: to be of use
b: to be favorable, opportune, or convenient
c: to be worthy of reliance or trust
d: to hold an office : discharge a duty or function

a: to answer the needs of
b: to be enough for : SUFFICE
c: to contribute or conduce to : PROMOTE

a: to treat or act toward in a specified way
b: to provide services that benefit or help

Ummmmmmmmmmmm….. Yes. Now go beat your face with a brick until it sinks in. LOL… We don’t care. Maybe you should just watch the Opening video clip again. PR… you can stick that somewhere personal. The Marines recruiting card is two things. We win battles, and we do it in kickass uniforms.

BTW I meant every word of “The world owes you nothing” One of my fucking biggest peeves is a veteran who walks around with a chip on his shoulder. The world gives two shits about what we’ve done. Pat went lengths above and beyond to tell the story. To compare him to, pretty much any other of the 12 or so current embeds, is a huge insult.

Stay in your lane John. And 1Lt, elevate those feet.

1) A 1Lt should know that you never refer to yourself or a fellow Marine as a “soldier”. Marines are Marines, and Soldiers are Soldiers. PERIOD.

2) This whole thing is a fucking troll. “John” is an anonymous troll, and until he wants to post his name rank and unit, he will remain a troll.

Lastly, Pat put his own money on the line, his own ass, his own life, and in doing so he did just a little better than volunteer, he put his money where his mouth is, and his ass on the line. He didnt have to. No one asked him to. He aint getting any college or anything else out of it.

I hope his movie does well, and makes money. In the face of shit like Michael Moore, Pat has 110% of my support.

johnmcrae1@hotmail.com
IP: 207.59.75.34
IP: 67.191.205.113

You fool no one. You arent a Soldier, you never served, you are a troll.

Why dont you try riling up some jarheads out from behind the safety of your keyboard. Hit Camp Pendleton and run your suck.

You are full of shit, a liar, and not a 1Lt.

If you are a 1Lt, you are sorry excuse for a leader, and anyone who is a real soldier will be along anytime now to either back you up, or toss your weak ass under the bus.

My $5 (all the respect you deserve) says you are a poser.

Please, prove me wrong.

However, this childish bickering seems kind of out of place as the first thing new visitors read on this [otherwise outstanding] website. It can’t be good for business, and ought to be pulled or placed elsewhere on the site. I’m not coming back until it’s gone!

Let’s put our pride aside and keep our focus on the war effort, gentleman.

Drop it all.

This clown trolled the site to elicit exactly what he did.

FIDO.

US baby!

Keep up the great work.

I have to say, I never saw a lick of combat during my stint in the Army (by the way… no Army bashing!). I did my duty during peacetime, trained as a paratrooper, and gave fours years of my life to Uncle Sam. I feel I served my country by training for something I never had to do: “fight.”

Mr Dollard, who never fought for this country, served in a different capacity. Shining light on evil is serving on the most highest echelon. God bless you sir, and all who served (even butterbar).

That said, I think he is doing a job that really NEEDS to be done, and is not really being accomplished by the MSM (obviously) or by the military public affairs folks. Why is it that every morning (just in time for the Today Show, etc.) there is an attack on our troops or on civilians in Iraq? Our enemy knows our news cycles, and the media is presenting it as if they are the publicist for them! They present, without any background information, everything that is bad in Iraq.

The MSM present the US military side of the story with skepticism but they uncritically present the terrorist side as if it is the God’s honest truth. Is it so crazy to think they (the terrorists) might benefit from publicity? A reasonable person might think, “why would I believe somebody who has no problem gunning down a group of children playing soccer?”

The left presents the unchallenged terrorist viewpoint, and it is picked up in the Arab media. It is completely a circular relationship. The terrorists can then point to xyz leftist congressman and say, even he doesn’t doubt the veracity of what al Qaeda says!

As for the dear LT all the way at the top. You described “serving” as placing oneself subservient to a greater thing (which i would have said “picture” or “good” like my old Sgt.) And if I am not mistaking since he is “attached” to these marines, and conducting operations and missions with them I would say that would constitute as “serving”. I do understand your point, but if your definition of “serving” is like you stated then I think by all means did he serve with them.

As for the boys out there that are disrespecting the LT . I would like to see you do that to an officers face. (As I am sure some of you might have) I agree LT’s can be arrogant, but if anybody in this world has been taught and trained in respect, then it is you. Just as you have accused the LT of “not checking the facts” did you not do the same and just assume he was a paper pusher. And I hate to brake it to anyone, but officers are not the only paper pushers in the military.

Now more then ever do we have to stick together. As Soldiers, Marines, Airman and Sailors. I know the jokes and the “necking” through the ranks and different branches. But, don’t forget who your comrads are. They are not only the men and woman in your team, unit, platoon etc. They are the ones that do your paper work (even if they are sooo slow) they are the ones that poke you with a needle, the ones that bring in air-support, and wether you like it or not the ones that say goodbye to you when you leave. What you see and do over there is what YOU see and do. But we all serve in our own way if it’s leading up the front or holding up the rear. If you disagree then I would say that makes you the self-centered one. Not everybody has the “RIGHT” to serve his or her country as they would like to. So they serve the way they can!

I know that I have EARNED my right to drape myself with the american flag! I served and serve my country! And EVERY person that serves our country in any (good and meaningful) way is my comrad! I hope to be yours….

Kisses boys and Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day!

John,stop the nitpickin,as a former soldier I can say that you’re doing no good fucking with these Marines,if Pat was there with them and they said he “Served”,fucking-A,he served,my dad was a Marine,when I want to fuck with him I ask what he did with the “Walking Dead” while serving in the Naval Infantry,No matter which branch you happen to serve or to have served in,this man is on OUR side,while the left wingers spin lies this guy has given a voice to the fighting man overseas,no glam,no bullshit,just the truth,and it NEEDS to get out to the people at home,the left talks about a civil war in Iraq,well,theres a Civil War of ideas going on here at home far from its climax,I see it everyday and I’m sick of it like millions of others,this is no Vietnam and if we tuck our tails in this one expect another 911 ten times over.So ruk up John,stand to the door,choose sides and go play word games with Michael Moore,not Pat,he’s OUR ace in the hole.
Besides,any soldier with a brain welcomes Marines in their AO anyday,somebody’s got to serve the chow

1/9inf Manchus
Keep Up The Fire!

Mr. Dollard sees this as his own service to the country, to those marines he filmed, to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen fighting against pure evil. He may not use the word “serve” as some people see it defined. But he sacrificed. He bore the burdens of war. He bears the banner of truth as captured by his film in the face of a hostile media. And I would be willing to bet that almost any marine that worked with him for more than one patrol would agree with the fact that he served.

Mr. Dollard, you would be welcome on any mission I had downrange! You have my respect, and I appreciate your service.

As a gulf vet who did not get deployed I would put pat in the category similar to soldiers serving in stars and stripes. They are soldiers with cameras who get into the S**t like other soldiers. You served even more than I did, and you werent getting paid either. To volunteer for such a mission is completely selfless. Sure you could make alot of money with this project but you could also lose alot including your life.

I was never a marine, but I proudly support all who served as one or served with them. You served with them, pat. No doubt!