What is it like to guard GitMo?

Posted By Blackfive

On May 4th, Brigadier General Gregory Zanetti, the Deputy Commander at Gitmo, wrote an interesting article published in the Lawrence, Kansas, Journal-World and News:

A day in the life of a Guantanamo guard
By Brig. Gen. Gregory Zanetti
May 4, 2008

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - Their average age is 23. Most are on their first Military assignment. They wake up at 0430, clean up, throw on a fresh uniform and are standing in formation at 0500. They silently file on to a bus that takes them to the camps. They get off the bus and again stand in formation as the First Sergeant barks out the orders for the day.

They move into the camps and do the requisite shift change duties. They take their posts at 0600. They then "walk the blocks," placing their eyes on their assigned detainees every three minutes for 12 hours. They walk eight to 11 miles during their shift.

At 1800 they get back on the bus, go back to their rooms and change into their exercise clothes. After a short formation, they do at least one hour of PT (physical training). They then clean up, grab a quick dinner, and fall into bed.

And so it goes, four days on, two days off.

While that may be the schedule, it does not tell the full story of a guard's day at Guantanamo Bay . To do that requires an understanding of something called the Battle Update Brief, better known as the BUB. The reason the word battle is used is because the detainees see the camps as an extension of the battlefield.

So do the guards...

Go to the Lawrence J-W&N for the rest of the story, it's worth your time and important in light of the recent suicide bombing by a released prisoner and the Presidential candidates aims to close the  facility...the piece discusses daily/hourly attacks on guards, threats on their families, abuse, etc. and the military guards remain professional all day, every day, in the presence of the enemy.

Update:  LL reminds us that Patterico had an amazing set of interviews with a psych nurse at Gitmo in late 2006.

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Comments

[Deltabravo]

Thanks, Matt, for pointing this out. Know someone very well who's been deeply involved in this and he said if anyone ever looked into the eyes of the caged thugs there, they wouldn't ever question the need for that place.

[Tracy]

I can't even imagine working in those kinds of conditions. I have nothing but respect for those that work there.

[Subsunk]

Like General Zanetti, I too, am more than a little tired of hearing about imagined abuse at GITMO. Our Men and Women deserved better than the NY Times and CBS/NBC/ABC/CNN delivered concerning their professionalism and their reputations. Our folks inspire me every day. And the media disgusts me every night.

Press on. To Victory.

Subsunk

[mindy1]

god that sound boring-i am glad we them as our guards

[EW1(SG)]

If you're of a mind, I would mention that the psych nurse mentioned above has run into a bit of a financial and legal spot of trouble regarding the adoption of their children; so it sure wouldn't hurt to drop by and lend a word of encouragement or three. He can be found at Stashiu's Space.