REVIEW BOARD

My final week in Iraq was doing something I never would have dreamed of before deployment or even a couple months ago for that matter. I was selected to sit on Multi-National Force Review Council (MNFRC) Boards for a week. These are Geneva Convention (rules for war) mandated and require each detainee’s package to be reviewed every six months to ensure they are still a security threat. The boards were hosted at one of the Theater Internment Facilities in southern Iraq. My original mission was done and I headed south with my unit only to turn right around and immediately head back north. While the arrival was difficult like I described in my last post, once the boards started, it made it all worthwhile.

The boards consisted of three members which reviewed each individual’s package the day prior to the board. The board itself started with ensuring we had the correct individual and then describing the allegations to the members and the individual. The individual was able to give their side of the story as well as provide any evidence or counter arguments to refute the charges. We discussed the individual themselves, the families, the area, the tribes, and everything in between. We focused on the future much more than the past as we were attempting to determine future threat vice arguing over if they did the acts. We had a host of information to include behavior at the internment facility, detainment specifics, and sensitive intelligence. In my opinion it was an exceptionally fair process to ensure the correct individuals are held while the lower threat individuals are slowly re-entered into Iraq. The concern of course is tipping the balance in an incorrect way, but the time is now as Iraq is gaining unstoppable momentum in its pursuit for peace, security, stability, and self reliance. All my cases were from the area I just served and I fully understand the situation in each populated area which assisted with my votes. It was incredible to have the opportunity to discuss an individual case face to face with the specific Iraqi and humbling to be able to vote on their future. My opinion after reviewing the package often did not match my vote after a board. It was one more opportunity I have been provided and will never be forgotten. While I am anxious and ready to get back to the United States, this extra week was one of the most rewarding of this deployment.

Now for the crabby part. I am stranded and my flight out of Iraq was cancelled. There may be one this weekend, but there is no guarantee. I am completely done here and ready to go, but instead it is sitting around looking at the walls of a tent while laying on a really bad matress. Lucky more me I packed light and the laundry has a three day turn around so it is the same clothes until I get to Kuwait. At least I have some PT gear so I can go to the gym each day to balance the dessert I am having at each meal. I need a helicopter!!!!