I'm writing a modern day SF novel which involves the search for WMDs in Iraq during Operation Iraqi freedom. I'd like some help from people with actual military experience making the action more realistic.
Only a few chapters actually occur on the front lines, and those are the ones I need the most help with.
If you could help, please send me an email at
erscutmonkey_at_yahoo_dot_com
(I don't write out my email address because of spambots)
Thanks, ERIC
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Hmmm...the up-to-the-minute US military, eh? Things are in a bit of flux, around now and then.
Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
You might want to talk to Law Enforcement as well, particularly anyone on a SWAT or other Tactical team.
WMD searching is more akin to taking a house than it is a traditional military engagement. The tactics used for storming a hostile residential site would be applicable as well.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Or more like...um, forensic accounting.
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
Sorry, I don't have any experience with this, but I thought I'd repsond by offering another suggestion to gaining the information.
With the number of blogs going on out there, I'm sure you could find some with a high percentage of military people with the necessary knowledge and interest to answer your questions. You might get a better response by posting this question on one of those. Just an idea, but I thought I'd post it here in case you hadn't considered it, and need a different source.
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited January 04, 2006).]
Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
True, forensic accounting is more applicable for determing the locations of possible WMD's, but given his request I inferred he was dealing more with the seizure and securing of locations than the search to find them.
Posted by Inkwell (Member # 1944) on :
I have not been in the military, though I have several friends who have (and some that currently are). One was stationed in both Iraq and Afghanistan until recently (originally with 10th Mountain, I believe). However, I am somewhat familiar with the equipment used by the ground-pounding branches of the military...small arms, tactical gear, communications gear, defensive gear, etc. I also know some of the basics of urban tactics, and am familiar with U.S. Army Sniper training...though my knowledge of the latter topics is less acute than that of the actual gear. I would be more than happy to answer any questions, though I can't guarantee with 100 percent certainty that I will know the answer right away. On the other hand, I can find out much faster than some, though not as fast as those who are even more familiar with current ops than I. Just post your question(s) (if any) here...I will respond directly.
Inkwell ----------------- "The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp."
[This message has been edited by Inkwell (edited January 05, 2006).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I had that problem and turned to Vietnam War memoires. Learned a lot from the better ones.
Try ONCE A WARRIOR KING by David Donovan; CHICKENHAWK; THE VILLAGE by FJ West jr; and FIRE IN THE STREETS: THE BATTLE FOR HUE, TET 1968 by Eric Hammel.
In fiction I'd recommend Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels and Harold Coyle's early tank war novels -- SWORD POINT, BRIGHT STAR, and TEAM YANKEE.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I've written a lot of stories with people in the military---but I've come to the recent conclusion that I know nothing about the military and my stories show that ignorance. I've never been "in." Research only takes a guy so far, so if I write something with guys in the military, I'm going to consider carefully if I can have them in some other occupation or service...