My best friend got to go play in this war and I did not.  However, he returned safely to his wife and family last Sunday.

He was an Artillery Liason Officer with the 1st Batallion 7th Marine Regiment. From his stories it sounds as if their biggest mission was to take the southern oil fields.

The unit saw enough direct action for them to realize how un-fun it really can be but otherwise so no other hardship other than just being there.

The reporters embedded in his units seemed to be "pretty good dudes" and fit in fairly well.  Things that did not make the news were the daily physical condition of the troops.  Sleep deprivation was very high...no news there.  However,  they all caught the "Iraqi crud" and had constant diarhea and vomiting for days.  He said "It wasn't pretty".  

Though initially discouraged, they allowed the troops some "spoils of war".  He brought back some helmets, gas masks, former Iraqi flag etc.  They checked everybodies gear extensively at US Customs.

If anybody has any really good questions about what it was like...I'll be happy to pass them along.

Tell your buddy, thank you.  His service is appreciated.

[b]HOO-YAH !!   welcome back HOME, Soldier!  Bravo Zulu!![/b]

Sweet!
Glad he returned safely.