David T. Vacchi

Professor of Military Leadership
From Portsmouth, RI

US Army, Lieutenant Colonel
Embassy Liaiason for the Combined Joint Task Force Consequence Management, Kuwait 9/2002 - 04/2003
Civil Affairs Officer for the 4th Infantry Division Artillery, Taji, Iraq 4/2003 - 6/2003
Task Force Operations Officer for 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, Al Husseinia, Iraq 7/2003 - 2/2004

Excerpts from a journal

21 Jun 2003
Brought more money to contractors in Tarmiyah today. Saw the sheikh. He thought I was checking up on his AO without a translator. I tried to explain I brought money for the contractor. COL S_____ took off for Tikrit today – I can’t even explain what a burden is lifted off of Taji when he’s gone. He’s the worst leader I’ve ever experienced in the Army.

22 Jun 2003 Well at the Civil Affairs meeting I learned why we’re not going to leave Iraq soon: they aren’t involved in projects that will get us out of here! Freekin’ Iraqi Youth Soccer League??! Unbelievable! Matt Leach hit the jackpot, potentially, with someone going to bring a list of all of the Ba’ath party members in Tarmiyah – tomorrow a meeting of the sheikhs in Tarmiyah and some more mining for Intelligence for Operation Sidewinder.

23 Jun 2003
Got my ass chewed again today. Now the CSM can’t keep his whiney pie-hole shut about us not getting the job done. COL S______ threatened my career if I risk Soldier’s lives again. What risk? We’re totally safe where/when I go. Who’s going to threaten his career when he risks Soldier’s lives? He told me to, “slow down”. When are we going to do anything that will get us out of this country? The first and last question we should ask ourselves every day is, “what have I done to get the 4th ID out of Iraq?” so far, not enough…