PR Foot Patrol

Recently I went on foot patrol with a squad from my unit in a Diwaniya suburb. The objective was to show unity and cooperation with the local IPs. A public relations dismount...go figure. But that's where we're at in this war. We are at the point where soldiers act as diplomats and assistants to those about to take the reins of security and safety for their own communities.

A PSA billboard.

A billboard of a different kind, on the same street. A reminder of the past and the delicate balance.

A school girl glancing back.

One of our interpreters handing out candy. School was out and kids were everywhere. I don't know the census data, but it always seems like kids outnumber adults 3 to 1.


A man came up to us with a little girl, I'm assuming his daughter. She looked terrified of us. He was asking me to take her picture. I crouched down to her level and tried to make eye contact. I don't know what he had in mind. I guess having your child photographed at all is an rare opportunity. I'm still confused on what is expected of females at different ages in this part of Iraq.


Over the shoulder, literally and metaphorically, of everyone in the above photos is Shi'a Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. That's him in the upper right corner of the sign. Here in the southern areas of Iraq Shi'a is the predominant form of Islam. Shi'a are the most in-line with the Iranian brand of the religion.

Trading weapons and poses for photographs.