Poll – Troops Losing Confidence
January 2nd, 2007 by Patriot
The Army Times just published a poll taken by its parent company, Military Times, which concluded that troops are losing confidence in both a likely success in Iraq and in the President's handling of the war. According to the poll, only 50% of troops now believe that success in Iraq is possible, down from 80% in 2004. This could very well be true, but let's keep some perspective. Some would suggest that this means the troops want out.
The truth is that only 13% of troops believe there should be NO troops in Iraq. That means the remainder probably think we're there for a reason. Mark my words, this will not be discussed as this poll circulates among the media.
Speaking of the media, check this out:
The poll asked, “How do you think each of these groups view the military?� Respondents over whelmingly said civilians have a favorable impression of the military (86 percent). They even thought politicians look favorably on the military (57 percent). But they are convinced the media hate them — only 39 percent of military respondents said they think the media have a favorable view of the troops. [emphasis added]
Could this fact be playing significantly into why the troops think we're losing? When we are deployed we see our small slice of the pie in what we do. We see the successes where we are, but rely heavily on the media to tell us what's going on around us. If the media picture is perceived to be bleak, of course the soldiers' opinions will change. Mine have. Some more startling facts coming from the poll:
Almost two-thirds (63 percent) of those surveyed said the senior military leadership has the best interests of the troops at heart. And though they don’t think much of the way he’s handling the war, 48 percent said the same about President Bush. But they take a dim view of civilian military leadership — only 32 percent said they think it has their best interests at heart. And only 23 percent think Congress is looking out for them.
What makes me happy is that the average troop thinks highly of every day civilians. There has been innumerable contributions by the civilians sector in this country towards troops. Every day, Americans spend millions of dollars on goods and shipping to ensure that troops are taken care of. I see it here too. There is that small segment of society that could care less about us simply because of who gives us our orders, be it Rumsfeld or Bush. Their loss.
It should be striking to our elected leaders, however, that the troops have lost confidence in THEIR Congressmen and Women. These aren't just people put there – these are representatives and their constituency doesn't feel supported. If you ask me, our Congressmen need to start stepping up to the plate (Murtha/Kerry/Kennedy et al) and do something to change that image. Personally, I like my Congressmen (mine even went out of his way to send me a Texas flag that had flown over the Texan capitol – on my birthday). What also really striking is that nearly 54% of those polled said were "conservative" or "very conservative". 37% were "moderate" and slightly less than 9% were "liberal". Tells you something about the make up of our ALL VOLUNTEER military. No wonder the liberals don't care about us – they don't have a stake in this thing.
Something else that may not come out of all this is that job satisfaction within the military is very high. Most soldiers say that quality of life is at least good. Another aspect of the poll that won't be told in a balanced fashion. Let's face it, we're tired and frustrated. We're worn out. What can I say.
Posted in Military Perspective
Thanks so much Patriot. You show a MUCH more detailed, accurate and balanced side of this poll and the article that reported it than some others on internet blogs have. But of course, what can you expect out of the type of people who hate the President, hate what this country stands for and hate our soldiers. Thanks for telling the ENTIRE story.
Thank You for the sacrifices that you make every day. Believe me, I appreciate it!
Patriot thank you so much for that fabulous article. I have read the post on "another blog" that says only the very first paragraph of what you wrote. It's tragic.
May I offer something that one of my Soldiers sent to me? This is from Matthew. He has just been promoted to SGT.
"I am very blessed too, to have a job where we can really help the people of Iraq. I believe we are truly doing the right thing out here. Most of the people here believe that too. Most, not all of course. Some hate us cause they don't know the good we do. Part of my job is to tell them and show them and help them."
This is not unlike many of the letters and emails I get from my Soldiers and Marines. One of my Marines, the very first time I spoke with him, told me that he would rather be there than at home. And I asked him if things were bad at home that he would say such a thing. And he said, "I'm a Marine, and my place is where my job needs to be done. I love home, and that is why I am here doing what I do. Because if I am not here, doing my job, I will someday have to do it at home, and I don't want that to happen."
I hear this all the time. To be truthful, and I am being sincere, not one of my now more than 60 guys that I have had, has told me that he thought it was a hopeless quagmire that the media and politicians say it is. Are they frustrated at times? You bet your butt they are. But who, please tell me who in this whole country, isn't frustrated with their job or their boss at times? I know I sure am.
I find it so hard to listen to these guys tell me how when they get a letter or package from me, that they watch the news and they think that nobody back home really cares about them. That is the shame. Shame, Shame, Shame on the MSM for destroying the moral of our Troops. And also for the blogs out there that do the same.
To any Soldiers of Marines reading this, CJ, Patriot, M, Anthony, Seal Patriot, Thanks!! I appreciate that you are there, standing watch for me and my family. You will always have my love and support.
I feel like my morale is taking a pluge too!
Absolutely agree with everything that sue said. The trouble with polls is, that anyone can interpret them any way they choose, to grind whatever ax they have (msm anyone?) I also get my views straight from the source – boots on the ground – AND Iraqis. AND that is why I will continue til my last breath sharing the GREAT things that the troops are doing day in, day out, away from the media glare.
Thank you thank you….. thank you ALL!
Well, I kinda hear the same from all the sources. Whether it be Fox, CNN, MSNBC, or the paper or places like here. I heard our soldier's have very low morale, and I am getting worried. Just like David Bellavia said "we are not losing this war, I think we are losing the will to fight this war". I know I am behind the troops all the way, but I think my morale is kinda in the dumps too! When I heard that our troops have low morale mine started to plunge as well. Rest aside, I agree with alot of people here that the news damages morale because I know my morale takes a plunge whenever I watch the news at night.
Patriot,
Thank you for recognizing the majority of civilians that support the troops and the many things they do for the troops. Some of your posts give me the impression that you blame us for "allowing" the media and liberal politicans to do and say things. My own congressman is a conservative Republican, but I don't agree with all of his policies. However, after countless phone calls and e-mails, I've learned that it is very hard to get any of those egotistical, self-centered politicans to do or support anything unless their party leadership tells them to.
It is disappointing that only 32% feel that the civilian leadership of the military has their best interests at heart. I'm not surprised, though. Hopefully the new Defense Secretary can do something to improve on that.
Everytime I hear these stories saying our troops have lost their morale and confidence, I kinda feel the same way! My confidence took a plunge too! Worried about the success of the mission as much as I am worried for the troops' safety. I truly hope they can come home as soon as possible, but I also hope the Iraqis and all the third world nations we are supporting can pull through with rebuilding their national infrastructure both governmentally, and economically as united as those who seek peace can. However, what I see in the news makes me feel like that oppurtunity is being taken from us as we speak, and its slipping away fast.
It is strange to hear these poll numbers…all the troops I talk to are resolved to continue the fight and just want us to let them do their job. 2007 is the year the gloves come off. I hope the President's new course in Iraq includes putting Iran, Syria, Suadi Arabia, and Moqtada Sadr on notice. If you undermine us one bit we will hit you where it hurts. If we do that the poll numbers will be off the charts.
C Anthony,
I don't think that Patriot and CJ are accusing or blaming "us" for the Congressmen or media. I could be wrong. But I would think that the "attitude" that you are feeling is more one of frustration at the lack of support by our elected officials and the MSM which only serve to destroy the moral of our fighting men and women.
And Seal Patriot, all it takes is a letter or package from a stranger who cares and those guys have moral off the charts. Can't tell you how many I hear from who tell me exactly that. Kat where are you hon!! Back me up here!!
I agree with you there Sue. When they get letters or packages from complete strangers saying that they support them and they're behind them, regardless of what they're seeing in the media, it increases the morale of the troops tremendously. I hear it time and time again. Not only from the troops I support but also from the troops I deal with daily at work. I'm sure if you ask CJ, Patriot, SNAFU and Cpl M, they could tell you first hand how much something like that from a complete stranger means to them.
Oh I just wanted to make a comment here for our "pals" over at OneUtah, perhaps you should read more carefully before attributing a post to a certain author, before you post about it on your blog. Might I suggest making sure you have all your facts straight, first.
Patriot sometimes my morale goes down a little also but I think it is like sue says – it is more frustration because MSM is doing nothing but showing negative images or drawing negative pictures.
There is, seemingly, this campaign to keep the negative ball rolling. Show the dead but don't show what they have died for, show the distruction but don't show the rebuilding, show the portion of the people who don't want us there or the portion of the people who don't want to be there but don't show the ones that do want us there and the ones who do want to be there.
There is a saying about the squeaky wheel gets the oil and for some reason the good things going on are just not squeaking loud enough. But that is why you have blogs because we have to have a way to pass information about what else is really going on.
Take a trip to Michael Yon's website – his most recent post ( Dec. 26th) says the opposite of what the polls "say".