American Soldier Expresses Concern with
Sanitation Conditions In Iraq
Sanitation Conditions In Iraq
As one might expect, living conditions for military personnel
stationed in Iraq are less than perfect. Among all the issues
soldiers deal with on a daily basis, sanitation definitely rates
as a concern. We cannot share what is taking place in the
entire region but in Caldwell, located outside of Baladruz
one soldier claims that the lack of maintenance on the
portable restrooms has created quite a problem for the 240
soldiers posted in Caldwell. Although he agreed to use his
name, we have elected to use his Alias (Sluggo The
Infantryman)
stationed in Iraq are less than perfect. Among all the issues
soldiers deal with on a daily basis, sanitation definitely rates
as a concern. We cannot share what is taking place in the
entire region but in Caldwell, located outside of Baladruz
one soldier claims that the lack of maintenance on the
portable restrooms has created quite a problem for the 240
soldiers posted in Caldwell. Although he agreed to use his
name, we have elected to use his Alias (Sluggo The
Infantryman)
| During the month of June, temperatures hover between 110 and 115 during the day and dropping a few degrees during the night |
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According to Sluggo, there is a total of 13 units available for
the 240 soldiers which although serviced on a daily basis are
charged with little water and until recently no deodorant
the 240 soldiers which although serviced on a daily basis are
charged with little water and until recently no deodorant
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cleaners. Temperatures in June hover in the 110-115 range, creating additional problems as the little water provided
quickly evaporates. According to Sluggo, waste pyramiding occurs shortly after being serviced.
Sluggo went on to explain, “As OSHA standards and building codes do not apply in Iraq or in combat zones where
austere conditions prevail they are irrelevant. There are of course Army regulations of various types. You can
imagine how the initial units suffered through the first year of the war while the infrastructure was built up.
Obviously the distance to the portable units is not within general guidelines or the norm for any city. "Above and
beyond the call of duty" is looking at the full units every day for a year! Hooorah! This but one of many hardships
we get $50 per month in case anyone wonders why you get that particular pay. There are interpreters that live in
tents here and others in the buildings living 5-9 to a room. Of course officers and senior enlisted have rooms with
less people or to themselves and actual bathrooms (which stink, literally), our CHUs (Containerized Housing Unit)
are two men per, and actually good. As far as I am aware the Iraqis use their hand to wipe, I have not witnessed
this unique anthropological behavior thank GOD, however, they all greet me enthusiastically each day with a hearty
handshake when I go to train them.”
Outside of actual sanitation concerns, Sluggo refers to the area as a money pit “It is a money pit all around this
place as they have no revenues and we pay every Iraqi you see on TV and their Army, police, and most of the
government officials. People say KBR et al gets $189.00 per day for soldiers, I am not sure, I know if you hand me
a towel in the gym you get paid more than $6,500 per month.” Sluggo speaks with confidence that a lot of money
is being spent on the servicing of the portable restrooms but that the service is not being performed according to
any kind of standard.
Sluggo, who hopes shortly to return home to his wife and resume his job as a building inspector and codes officer,
says, “The fact of the matter is that the problem can be fixed and should be. Yes there are a lot of units on the FOB
but that is planning and organization and I assume someone is getting some serious dollars for doing it at KBR or
one of their subs. More than you or I will ever get paid-I am sure of that much. They don’t call them kill, burn and
loot for nothing,” he closed
We have been unsuccessful in identifying the company that is actually performing service at this particular location.
In addition several supporting photographs were supplied but we elected not to publish them.
quickly evaporates. According to Sluggo, waste pyramiding occurs shortly after being serviced.
Sluggo went on to explain, “As OSHA standards and building codes do not apply in Iraq or in combat zones where
austere conditions prevail they are irrelevant. There are of course Army regulations of various types. You can
imagine how the initial units suffered through the first year of the war while the infrastructure was built up.
Obviously the distance to the portable units is not within general guidelines or the norm for any city. "Above and
beyond the call of duty" is looking at the full units every day for a year! Hooorah! This but one of many hardships
we get $50 per month in case anyone wonders why you get that particular pay. There are interpreters that live in
tents here and others in the buildings living 5-9 to a room. Of course officers and senior enlisted have rooms with
less people or to themselves and actual bathrooms (which stink, literally), our CHUs (Containerized Housing Unit)
are two men per, and actually good. As far as I am aware the Iraqis use their hand to wipe, I have not witnessed
this unique anthropological behavior thank GOD, however, they all greet me enthusiastically each day with a hearty
handshake when I go to train them.”
Outside of actual sanitation concerns, Sluggo refers to the area as a money pit “It is a money pit all around this
place as they have no revenues and we pay every Iraqi you see on TV and their Army, police, and most of the
government officials. People say KBR et al gets $189.00 per day for soldiers, I am not sure, I know if you hand me
a towel in the gym you get paid more than $6,500 per month.” Sluggo speaks with confidence that a lot of money
is being spent on the servicing of the portable restrooms but that the service is not being performed according to
any kind of standard.
Sluggo, who hopes shortly to return home to his wife and resume his job as a building inspector and codes officer,
says, “The fact of the matter is that the problem can be fixed and should be. Yes there are a lot of units on the FOB
but that is planning and organization and I assume someone is getting some serious dollars for doing it at KBR or
one of their subs. More than you or I will ever get paid-I am sure of that much. They don’t call them kill, burn and
loot for nothing,” he closed
We have been unsuccessful in identifying the company that is actually performing service at this particular location.
In addition several supporting photographs were supplied but we elected not to publish them.
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Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002