December 24, 2007:
While over half a
million troops in Iraq have taken advantage of the two week leave (one during
their tour) policy, another 150,000 have also gotten four day pass to a U.S.
base in Qatar. These passes are usually given to combat troops, who do the most
intense work in Iraq, and need the break the most. Qatar is one of the many
small principalities along the west coast of the Persian Gulf. Qatar is one of
the more welcoming places, especially for Westerners. You still have to dress
conservatively, but for the troops on pass, just being out of uniform, and not
under fire (or threat thereof), is a major benefit. Being able to go swimming,
visit Quatari shopping malls and other purely civilian (and friendly) locations
is a big deal. Finally, the Department of Defense eases up on its "no drinking
in a combat zone" rule by allowing troops on pass to have three beers a night
at an on-base club. It's little things like this that keep the combat stress
manageable for many troops. This whole pass idea is nothing new, as it was
basically developed during World War I, when insightful officers noted that the
stress of trench warfare was causing many troops to become ineffective. But a
few days of leave in a village beyond the sound of gunfire, did a lot to
decrease the combat fatigue losses. Such pass policies have been continued by
most nations ever since.